bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development for Turkish Children: Cultural Adaptation, Validity and Reliability Analysis
Authors: Ergün Başak , Önal Gözde , Zengin Yazıcı Gülşah , Akyürek Gökçen 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThe home environment is a significant factor that greatly influences the motor development of children. This study aims to examine the cultural adaptation validity and reliability of the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development (AHEMD‐SR) for Turkish children aged 18–42 months. The study included 103 Turkish children (mean age = 29.3 ± 7.4 months; 57.3% female, 42.6% male). The majority of participants were from middle‐income families. The AHEMD‐SR was administered to parents, and test–retest reliability was evaluated with a subsample of 30 families. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were calculated to assess reliability, while correlations with the Denver Developmental Screening Tool 2 (DDST‐2) were examined for convergent validity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the AHEMD‐SR was 0.815, and the ICC for test–retest reliability was 0.889. The AHEMD‐SR total score correlated with DDST‐2's social development (r = 0.32), fine motor development (r = 0.33) and gross motor development (r = 0.33) domains (all p < 0.05). The Turkish version of the AHEMD‐SR was found to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing the home environment's impact on motor development in children aged 18–42 months. This questionnaire can provide valuable insights into how to enhance home environments to better support children's motor development in Turkey.
Sensitivity of Fine‐Resolution Urban Heat Island Simulations to Soil Moisture Parameterization
Authors: Talebpour Mahdad , Bou‐Zeid Elie , Welty Claire , Li Dan , Zaitchik Benjamin 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTUrban areas experience the impact of natural disasters, such as heatwaves and flash floods, disparately in different neighbourhoods across a city. The demand for precise urban hydrometeorological and hydroclimatological modelling to examine this disparity, and the interacting challenges posed by climate change and urbanisation, has thus surged. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has served such operational and research purposes for decades. Recent advancements in WRF, including enhanced numerical schemes and sophisticated urban atmospheric‐hydrological parameterizations, have empowered the simulation of urban geophysical processes at high resolution (~1 km), but even this resolution misses significant urban microclimate variability. This study applies the large‐eddy simulations (LES) mode within WRF, coupled with single‐layer urban canopy models (SLUCM), to enable even finer‐scale modelling (150 m) of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in the Baltimore metropolitan area. We run nine scenarios to evaluate various methods of initializing soil moisture and various spinup lead times, and to assess the impact of WRF's Mosaic approach in depicting subgrid‐scale processes. We evaluate the scenarios by comparing the WRF simulated land surface temperature (LST) against Landsat LST and the WRF simulated hourly 2‐m air temperatures (AT) with observations from eight weather stations across the domain. Results underscore the paramount influence of the lead spinup time on the spatiotemporal distribution of simulated soil moisture, consequently shaping WRF's efficacy in predicting the UHI. Furthermore, interpolating soil moisture‐related parameters from the parent for child domain initialization yields a notable reduction in mean and root‐mean‐squared errors. This improvement was particularly evident in simulations with the longest spinup time, affirming the importance of carefully designing the initialization of soil moisture for improved urban temperature predictions.
Raman Spectroscopy Reveals Microparticles in Synovial Fluids of Patients With Suspected Implant‐Related Complications
Authors: Niessink Tom , Schoenmakers Jorrit W. A. , Janssen Matthijs , Wouthuyzen‐Bakker Marjan , Piersma Sjouke , van Oosten Marleen , van Dijl Jan Maarten , Otto Cees , Jansen Tim L. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTProsthetic implant‐associated inflammation and failure can be caused by bacterial infections and mechanical wear of the prosthesis. Currently, there is no diagnostic modality that allows simultaneous identification of both causes of implant failure. Here, we present a proof‐of‐principle study to assess whether Raman spectroscopy can be applied to diagnose implant failure. Synovial fluids from 10 patients with a clinical suspicion of implant‐related complications were previously collected and cultured to determine the presence of bacteria. The presence of microparticles in these synovial fluids was assessed by Raman spectroscopy and verified by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX). For control, the possibility to detect in vitro‐cultured Staphylococcus aureus by Raman spectroscopy was investigated. Raman spectroscopy revealed that all 10 synovial fluid samples contained microparticles: eight contained microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene), and nine contained titanium dioxide nanoparticles (anatase and rutile) as verified by SEM‐EDX. There was no clear difference in the microparticle content of synovial fluids with or without bacteria. Raman signals relating to individual bacteria and clusters of bacteria were detectable in in vitro cultures of S. aureus, but it was not possible to demonstrate the presence of bacteria in synovial fluids by Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy is a potential tool for characterizing microparticles in synovial fluids from patients with implant‐related complications. This is of clinical relevance as these microparticles can cause joint inflammation. The identification of bacteria by Raman spectroscopy is feasible, but further research is needed before clinical implementation.
The Use of Near‐Infrared Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging to Differentiate Benign Versus Malignant Adrenal Tumors
Authors: Berber Beren , Krishnamurthy Vikram , Siperstein Allan 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionDespite advances in imaging modalities, a significant number of adrenal tumors are considered indeterminate and removed surgically. Currently, there is no intraoperative tool available to provide further information about the nature of indeterminate adrenal tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether near‐infrared indocyanine green (ICG) imaging can be used in this regard.MethodsThis was an institutional review board‐approved study. Within 9 years, 197 patients underwent robotic adrenalectomy with ICG imaging. Adrenal tumors were characterized prospectively as fluorescent or nonfluorescent intraoperatively. ICG was administered as a 2.5 mg dose, one to three times a procedure. No patient developed an allergic reaction. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated.ResultsRobotic transabdominal lateral adrenalectomy was performed in 155 patients and posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy in 42 patients. One hundred and eighty‐four patients had benign adrenal tumors, 10 patients had malignant tumors, and three patients had tumors of uncertain malignant potential. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV to predict a benign tumor were 87%, 38.5%, 95.2%, and 17.2%.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the largest study on ICG imaging of adrenal tumors. High PPV to detect benign tumors suggests a utility of ICG to provide the surgeon with further information about the benign vs malignant nature of indeterminate adrenal tumors taken to surgery.
Sustained Drug Release from Dual‐Responsive Hydrogels for Local Cancer Chemo–Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Liu Zhixiang , Koseki Yoshitaka , Suzuki Ryuju , Dao Anh Thi Ngoc , Kasai Hitoshi 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAs an exceptional carrier for localized drug delivery to tumors, hydrogels can achieve prolonged drug release through careful design and adjustments, effectively targeting cancer cells and minimizing side effects. This study investigates a novel dual‐responsive hydrogel system designed for the delivery of nanomedicines, focusing on drug release and the local antitumor efficacy of SN‐38‐cholesterol nanoparticles (SN‐38‐chol NPs) and polydopamine NPs (PDA NPs)/poly(n‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) hydrogels. By combining the thermosensitive properties of pNIPAM with the near‐infrared (NIR) responsiveness of PDA NPs, the hydrogel aims to enhance on‐demand drug release. SN‐38‐chol NPs, known for their stability and small size, are incorporated into the hydrogel to improve drug release dynamics. The investigation reveals a drug release cycle of over three weeks, maintaining sensitivity to both temperature and NIR light for controlled drug release. In vivo studies demonstrate the high tumor growth inhibition performance of the system after photothermal treatment induced by 808 nm NIR light. These results suggest that the drug‐carrying hydrogel system holds promise for diverse applications in chemical and physical therapies, including the treatment of malignant wounds, post‐surgery wound healing, and direct tumor treatment. This study establishes the potential of SN‐38‐chol NPs and PDA NPs/pNIPAM hydrogels as effective platforms for chemo‐phototherapy.
Electroplating on Electrically Conductive Filaments for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Eßbach Claudia , Förster Wolfgang , Fischer Dirk , Dietrich Dagmar , Neumann Peter , Nickel Daniela 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMaterials for additive manufacturing by material extrusion are thermoplastic polymers that can be processed by the impact of heating. Reinforcement of established base materials expands potential applications by increasing the variety of properties. Introducing electroconductivity enables the process of direct electroplating, and reduces the process steps and the use of toxic reagents. Therefore, the development of electroconductive materials is a promising research field. In this work, a composite material based on polylactic acid (PLA) is examined that allows direct electroplating by adding carbon products as electroconductive filler. In agreement with the literature, a total amount of 10 wt.% of carbon materials (graphite and carbon black) is sufficient to achieve the desired electroconductivity and still allows processing. Electroplating on the extruded filaments is enhanced by mechanical roughening and provides promising results for further investigations.
Well‐posedness and inviscid limits for the Keller–Segel–Navier–Stokes system of the parabolic–elliptic type
Authors: Takeuchi Taiki 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWe show the local well‐posedness of the Keller–Segel system of the parabolic–elliptic type coupled with the Navier–Stokes system for arbitrary initial data with Sobolev regularities, where the solution is uniformly bounded with respect to the viscosity. We also show the continuous dependence of the solutions with respect to the initial data. As a result of the uniform boundedness of the solutions, we obtain inviscid limits of the system. The proof is mainly based on a priori estimates in the Sobolev spaces.
Supramolecular Janus Nanocylinders: Controlling Their Characteristics by the Self‐Assembly Process
Authors: Kalem Sandra , Siefker David , Ji Mingsheng , Guigner Jean‐Michel , Schweins Ralf , Pensec Sandrine , Rieger Jutta , Bouteiller Laurent , Nicol Erwan , Colombani Olivier 
Published: November 2024

AbstractJanus NanoRods (JNR) are anisotropic and non‐symmetrical colloids with two faces of different chemical composition. They are difficult to prepare because of their nanometric dimensions and strong anisotropy. Recently, a versatile strategy was developed, allowing the formation of JNR relying on the self‐assembly in aqueous medium of two polymers end‐functionalized with non‐symmetrical and complementary hydrogen bonding stickers. However, the supramolecular JNR prepared following this strategy are out‐of‐equilibrium (frozen) and therefore their characteristics depend on the self‐assembly process. The present study elucidates the formation mechanism of the JNR and the parameters of the self‐assembly process influencing their characteristics. The polymers are initially dissolved as unimers in DMSO. Dropwise addition of water triggers the rapid assembly of more and more unimers into long nanocylinders that are unable to grow anymore once formed. Consequently, increasing the dropwise addition rate of water hardly impacts the process, whereas lowering the initial polymer concentration in DMSO reduces both the length and proportion of nanocylinders. Increasing temperature during water addition weakens hydrogen bonds, triggering the formation of a mixture of spheres and nanocylinders. Many supramolecular polymer assemblies are frozen in solution and these findings should help understanding how to control their characteristics, allowing to adapt them to a target application.
Patient Perspectives on Upper‐Limb Daily Function in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Cohen Noa , Kizony Rachel 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundDexterity impairments are common among people with Parkinson's disease (PWP), yet little is understood about the effect of upper‐limb (UL) dysfunction on daily activity performance.ObjectivesThe aims were to (1) map the dexterity activities most affected and meaningful to PWP; (2) explore the associations between perceived dexterity function and disease severity, cognitive and motor UL impairments, dexterity ability, self‐reported activities of daily living (ADL) function, and quality of life (QOL); (3) investigate variables explaining perceived dexterity function; and (4) examine the differences in perceived dexterity function based on dominance affectedness.MethodsA total of 43 PWP (mean age = 70.00 years, standard deviation [SD] = 6.75) were assessed for perceived dexterity function (36‐item Dexterity Questionnaire [DextQ‐36]), dexterity ability (Coin Rotation Task), disease severity (modified Hoen and Yahr Scale), self‐reported ADL function and motor UL impairments (Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and QOL (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire‐39).ResultsThe leading dexterity activities participants reported as difficult and meaningful included using a touchscreen, pulling on socks, and dialing a phone. Perceived dexterity significantly correlated with self‐reported ADL function (r = 0.716), QOL (r = 0.691), disease severity (r = 0.470), and dominant‐hand dexterity (r = 0.432). Dexterity ability and disease severity explained 30% of perceived dexterity variance. No differences in perceived dexterity function based on dominance affectedness were found.ConclusionsPWP encounter challenges in complex dexterity tasks that impact their independence. Before interventions focused on UL function are initiated, assessments of PWP should include inquiries about the meaningfulness of challenging dexterity activities.
‘Dirty dose’‐based proton variable RBE models ‐ performance assessment on in vitro data
Authors: Kalholm Fredrik , Toma‐Dasu Iuliana , Traneus Erik 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn clinical proton radiotherapy, a constant relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1 is typically applied. Due to abundant evidence of variable RBE effects from in vitro data, multiple variable RBE models have been suggested, typically by describing the and parameters in the linear quadratic (LQ) model as a function of dose averaged linear energy transfer ().PurposeThis work introduces a new variable RBE model based on the dirty dose concept, where dose deposited in voxels with a corresponding LET exceeding a specific threshold is considered “dirty” in the sense that it has a biological effect above the one predicted by a constant RBE of 1.1. As only one LET level, corresponding to a specific energy for a given particle in a given medium, needs to be monitored, this offers several advantages, such as simplified calculations by removing the need for intricate end of range LET calculations and averaging procedures, as well as opening up for more efficient experimental assessment of the cell specific model parameters.MethodsPreviously published in vitro data were utilized, where surviving fraction (SF), dose and were reported for a pristine proton beam with varying physical PMMA thicknesses placed upstream of the cells. The setup was re‐simulated to extract dirty dose metrics for the corresponding reported ‐values. Models were created by setting the parameter of the LQ model as a function of the fraction of dirty dose and subsequently benchmarked against models based on other radiation quality metrics by comparing the root‐mean‐square‐error (RMSE) of the predicted and actual cell surviving fraction.ResultsVariable RBE models based on dirty dose perform on par with conventional radiation quality metrics with a RMSE of 0.38 for a dirty dose‐based model with a threshold of 7 , compared to 0.42 and 0.36 for a ‐based and ‐based model, respectively. Higher chosen LET thresholds typically performed better and lower performed worse.ConclusionThe results indicate that models based on dirty dose metrics perform equally well as conventional radiation quality metrics. Due to the simplified calculations involved and the potential for more efficient measurement techniques for data generation, dirty dose‐based models might be the most conservative and practical approach for creating future proton variable RBE models.
Commercialism and Inter‐Industry Pay Differentials in the US Nonprofit Sector
Authors: Cui Tracy Shicun 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTWhile the wage dispersion across industries persists for long, it has yet to be adequately explained. Focusing on the nonprofit sector, this study examines the effect of commercialism on pay at the industry level with nationally representative data from the perspective of institutional theory and management. I first constructed a factor to measure commercialism at the industry level with data from IRS Form 990. Then I modeled the net effect of commercialism on pay by using cross‐classified multilevel modeling to control effects at occupation, state, and individual levels. The findings show that commercialism increases pay at the industry level and widens pay gaps between managers and nonmanagerial staff. With multilevel modeling, the study closes the gap of the micro–macro divide in pay studies, provides an additional interpretation of compensating wage theory, and supplements empirical evidence to the debate about the impact of nonprofit commercialism.
A dominant negative Kcnd3 F227del mutation in mice causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 22 (SCA22) by impairing ER and Golgi functioning
Authors: Hung Hao‐Chih , Lin Jia‐Han , Teng Yuan‐Chi , Kao Cheng‐Heng , Wang Pei‐Yu , Soong Bing‐Wen , Tsai Ting‐Fen 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSpinocerebellar ataxia type 22 (SCA22) caused by KCND3 mutations is an autosomal dominant disorder. We established a mouse model carrying the Kcnd3 F227del mutation to study the molecular pathogenesis. Four findings were pinpointed. First, the heterozygous mice exhibited an early onset of defects in motor coordination and balance which mirror those of SCA22 patients. The degeneration and a minor loss of Purkinje cells, together with the concurrent presence of neuroinflammation, as well as the previous finding on electrophysiological changes, may all contribute to the development of the SCA22 ataxia phenotype in mice carrying the Kcnd3 F227del mutant protein. Second, the mutant protein is retained by the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, leading to activation of the unfolded protein response and a severe trafficking defect that affects its membrane destination. Intriguingly, profound damage of the Golgi is the earliest manifestation. Third, analysis of the transcriptome revealed that the Kcnd3 F227del mutation down‐regulates a panel of genes involved in the functioning of synapses and neurogenesis which are tightly linked to the functioning of Purkinje cells. Finally, no ataxia phenotypes were detectable in knockout mice carrying a loss‐of‐function Kcnd3 mutation. Thus, Kcnd3 F227del is a dominant‐negative mutation. This mouse model may serve as a preclinical model for exploring therapeutic strategies to treat patients. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
A theoretical systems chronopharmacology approach for COVID‐19: Modeling circadian regulation of lung infection and potential precision therapies
Authors: Tseng Yu‐Yao 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic, caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, has underscored the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Recent studies have revealed a complex interplay between the circadian clock and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in lung cells, opening new avenues for targeted interventions. This systems pharmacology study investigates this intricate relationship, focusing on the circadian protein BMAL1. BMAL1 plays a dual role in viral dynamics, driving the expression of the viral entry receptor ACE2 while suppressing interferon‐stimulated antiviral genes. Its critical position at the host‐pathogen interface suggests potential as a therapeutic target, albeit requiring a nuanced approach to avoid disrupting essential circadian regulation. To enable precise tuning of potential interventions, we constructed a computational model integrating the lung cellular clock with viral infection components. We validated this model against literature data to establish a platform for drug administration simulation studies using the REV‐ERB agonist SR9009. Our simulations of optimized SR9009 dosing reveal circadian‐based strategies that potentially suppress viral infection while minimizing clock disruption. This quantitative framework offers insights into the viral‐circadian interface, aiming to guide the development of chronotherapy‐based antivirals. More broadly, it underscores the importance of understanding the connections between circadian timing, respiratory viral infections, and therapeutic responses for advancing precision medicine. Such approaches are vital for responding effectively to the rapid spread of coronaviruses like SARS‐CoV‐2.
Statistical Procedure for Panel Block Assembly in Shipbuilding
Authors: Otero Deborah , Cao Ricardo , Blasco Vicente , Brage Álvaro , Tarrío‐Saavedra Javier , Naya Salvador 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTA statistical procedure to estimate the probability of successful sliding of transverse elements through the longitudinals in shipbuilding panel block assembly is proposed. It consists of developing a custom statistical solution to control the quality of shipbuilding block assembly process, which helps to meet the requirements of production time, cost, and resources consumption. This proposal addresses a critical shipbuilding challenge: the panel block assembly process, which involves inserting transverse pieces through panels containing longitudinal components. This statistical procedure estimates the probability of successful block assembly before the process starts, taking into account inputs such as panel dimensions, panel structure, and transverse stiffener. A comprehensive simulation study has been performed to evaluate the statistical procedure performance. In addition, an actual database obtained from Navantia shipyards has been used to obtain information about the mean values and dispersion of the block assembly parameters. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is applied in order to obtain information about the most critical inputs for process improvement. This statistical tool proposes an alternative to evaluate the proficiency of shipyards to perform panel block assembly process during the vessel construction. The identification of those critical variables in the panel assembly process and the quantification of their influence in the studied process are goals that have been also achieved.