bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Vitamin D With GPX4 and Iron Parameters in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Fei Jun , Liu Ling , Li Jia-Fei , Zhou Qiang , Wei Yu , Zhou Ting-Dong , Fu Lin 
Published: October 2024

Background: Vitamin D deficiency elevates the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Iron parameters elevation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) reduction are involved in the process of COPD. The goal is to explore the associations of vitamin D with GPX4 and iron parameters in COPD patients through a case–control study.Methods: COPD patients and control subjects were enrolled. Serum samples and lung tissues were collected. Serum vitamin D and iron levels and pulmonary ferritin and GPX4 expressions were determined. In addition, human pulmonary epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) were incubated with 1,25(OH)2D3 (100 nM), the active form of vitamin D3. Then, vitamin D receptor (VDR) and nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf‐2) signaling were detected.Results: In patients with COPD, serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) decreased, and iron and ferritin levels in serum and lung tissues increased. Furthermore, pulmonary expression of GPX4 was reduced. Correlative analyzes indicated that lung function was inversely correlated with iron parameters and positively correlated with GPX4. The results showed that serum 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with an elevation in serum iron parameters and a reduction in pulmonary GPX4. In addition, VDR‐ and Nrf‐2‐positive lung nuclei were decreased in COPD patients than in control subjects. In patients with COPD, the results indicated a positive relationship between VDR and Nrf‐2. Further analysis revealed that Nrf‐2‐positive nuclei were negatively correlated with iron parameters. In vitro experiments found that 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment activated VDR signaling and elevated the expression of Nrf‐2 and GPX4 in BEAS‐2B cells.Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is positively associated with GPX4 reduction and iron parameters elevation in COPD patients. It is recommended to explore the role of vitamin D supplementation in the progression of COPD.
Long-Term Neurologic Outcomes in Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke: The Impact of Age and Lesion Location
Authors: Singh Jaspal , Slim Mahmoud , Moharir Mahendranath , Westmacott Robyn , Krishnan Pradeep , MacGregor Daune , Dlamini Nomazulu , Parthasarathy Sujatha , Musaphir Scherazad , Domi Trish , deVeber Gabrielle 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
The impact of age-at-stroke on outcome following pediatric arterial ischemic stroke remains controversial. We studied the interaction of age-at-stroke and infarct location and extent with long-term neurological outcomes.

METHODS:
We conducted a longitudinal prospective outcome study of children with acute pediatric arterial ischemic stroke diagnosed from 1996 to 2016 at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure scores were dichotomized as normal or abnormal (ie, mild, moderate, or severe). Outcomes were analyzed by age-at-stroke (newborn: birth to 28 days; early childhood: 29 days to 5 years; middle/late childhood: >5–18 years), and infarct location, based on each of the following: model 1: circulation (anterior/posterior); model 2: cortical versus subcortical involvement; and model 3: specific arterial territory, including infarct extent (small [<50% arterial territory] or large [≥50%]). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted.

RESULTS:
Among 285 children, the outcome at median 6.1 years was 43.5% abnormal. Controlling for infarct location, increasing age-at-stroke was associated with increasing abnormal outcome. Model 1 demonstrated that, compared with neonates, abnormal outcomes were increased in early childhood (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.91 [95% CI, 1.24–7.05]) and more so in middle/late childhood (aOR, 4.46 [95% CI, 1.71–12.13]). Outcomes were worse for combined locations, including anterior+posterior (model 1: aOR, 15.4 [95% CI, 4.49–64.63]) and cortical+subcortical (model 2: aOR, 10.7 [95% CI, 3.88–32.74]). Abnormal outcomes were also increased for anterior circulation (model 1: aOR, 14.91 [95% CI, 5.29–54.21]) and subcortical locations (model 2: aOR, 4.36 [95% CI, 1.37–14.95]). Among individual arterial territories, outcomes were best for superior division middle cerebral artery (100% normal) and worst for lateral lenticulostriate artery infarcts (47.4% abnormal; model 3: aOR, 14.2 [95% CI, 3.5–67.6]).

CONCLUSIONS:
Among survivors of pediatric stroke, abnormal long-term neurological outcome is increased with increasing age-at-stroke, supporting enhanced plasticity after focal injury to the newborn brain compared with older pediatric ages.
Sensitivity of unconstrained quantitative magnetization transfer MRI
to amyloid burden in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Mao Andrew , Flassbeck Sebastian , Marchetto Elisa , Masurkar Arjun V. , Rusinek Henry , Assländer Jakob 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Magnetization transfer MRI is sensitive to semisolid macromolecules, including amyloid beta, and has previously been used to discriminate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients from controls. Here, we fit an unconstrained 2-pool quantitative MT (qMT) model, that is, without constraints on the longitudinal relaxation rate R1s of semisolids, and investigate the sensitivity of the estimated parameters to amyloid accumulation in preclinical participants. We scanned 15 cognitively normal volunteers, of which 9 were amyloid positive by [18F]florbetaben PET. A 12 min hybrid-state qMT scan with an effective resolution of 1.24 mm isotropic and whole-brain coverage was acquired to estimate the unconstrained 2-pool qMT parameters. Group comparisons and correlations with florbetaben PET standardized uptake value ratios were analyzed at the lobar level. We find that the exchange rate and semisolid pool’s R1s were sensitive to the amyloid concentration, while morphometric measures of cortical thickness derived from structural MRI were not. Changes in the exchange rate are consistent with previous reports in clinical AD, while changes in R1s have not been reported previously as its value is typically constrained in the literature. Our results demonstrate that qMT MRI may be a promising surrogate marker of amyloid beta without the need for contrast agents or radiotracers.
Cause and Characteristics of Changes in Mesoscale Convective Systems within a Convection-Permitting Regional Climate Model
Authors: Wallace Brendan , Haberlie Alex M. , Gensini Vittorio A. , Ashley Walker S. , Michaelis Allison C. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Changes in the frequency and intensity of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are assessed using convection-permitting regional climate model simulations. We present a novel classification method that relates MCSs to the magnitude of their large-scale forcing environments to better understand the changing nature of MCSs in a possible future climate scenario. Overall, the annual frequency, intensity, and amount of precipitation associated with MCSs are projected to increase for broad portions of the eastern conterminous United States (CONUS). Furthermore, changes in the characteristics of MCSs show larger, longer-lived, and faster MCSs particularly over the Midwest and Southeast. Seasonal examination of this response reveals a robust intensification of March–May (MAM) MCSs. The higher frequency of MAM MCSs is found to occur in weakly forced synoptic environments. Increased rainfall amounts are explained by an intensification of MCSs due to changing thermodynamics and enhanced lower-tropospheric moisture transport into the central CONUS by the North Atlantic subtropical high. Differences in midlatitude storm tracks are favorable toward the enhanced development of MCSs associated with strong baroclinic forcing within the Midwest and northern plains but are only realized in the presence of strong changes in the lower-tropospheric moisture transport. Overall, these results suggest a shift in the behavior of MAM MCSs that more closely corresponds to the behavior of June–August (JJA) MCSs in the historical climate. The increased occurrence of MCSs in weakly forced environments, particularly in MAM, deserves further investigation.

Significance Statement
Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) make large contributions to the annual precipitation in the central United States, but we have a limited understanding as to how they may change in a warmer climate. Using a sophisticated tracking algorithm in conjunction with output from a high-resolution regional climate model, we find that MCSs will become more intense overall and occur more frequently in spring in the eastern United States. This frequency increase is strongly supported by a greater occurrence of MCSs in environments lacking support from large-scale weather systems. Instead, simulated changes in persistent large-scale atmospheric features facilitate the climatological transport of warmer and moister air into the eastern United States in spring, supporting an enhanced MCS response despite statistically insignificant changes in the frequency of individual weather systems.
Evaluation of Physical Microphysical Property Retrieval Algorithms during the 2020 IMPACTS Field Campaign
Authors: Nicholls Stephen D. , Heymsfield Andrew , Heymsfield Gerald M. , Yorks John E. , Bansemer Aaron , Aubry Clémantyne , Deng Min , Delanoë Julien 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The NASA Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign provides high-quality, high-altitude aircraft lidar (532 nm), radar (W band), and in-cloud microphysical aircraft data taken during wintertime storm events impacting the United States. This study evaluates two mass–dimensional relationships [Brown and Francis (BF95); Heymsfield (H14)] and two lidar–radar microphysical retrieval algorithms [CloudSat and CALIPSO Ice Cloud Property Product (2C-ICE); VarPy (a variational method derived from the satellite lidar–radar data community)] to estimate aircraft-retrieved volume extinction coefficient (σ), ice water content (IWC), and effective radius (re) during the 2020 IMPACTS deployment. BF95 and H14 have a close 1:1 correlation (R2 = 0.98) with in situ observations of σ. However, only BF95 displays a linear, consistent, and almost temperature-independent low bias for IWC and re, which likely arises from the environmental conditions used to determine each. Unlike the field-campaign-derived BF95 and H14 relationships, VarPy and 2C-ICE directly ingest the aircraft-based lidar and radar data to simulate σ, IWC, and re. For all three microphysical parameters, VarPy and 2C-ICE retrieval errors became notably more pronounced around the dendritic growth zone (from −15° to −10°C) and near freezing (≥−5°C), which suggests that both algorithms experience difficulty addressing riming and aggregation processes and with larger particles (dendrites and plates) due in part to their simplified ice particle assumptions. However, the mean-melt diameter ice-particle assumption did yield more accurate IWC estimates, which led to slightly better overall results for VarPy.
The impact of childhood abuse on future military sexual assault and PTSD symptomology in Australian veterans
Authors: Kerr Katelyn , Mellor Rebecca , Bennett Darcy , Wellauer Richard , McGaw Violette 
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The trauma most commonly associated with the military is combat-related trauma. It is increasingly recognised that childhood sexual and physical abuse and military sexual assault may influence or exacerbate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when military members are exposed to combat. Aims: The study aimed to determine whether a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse would increase the likelihood of military sexual assault (MSA) and determine whether a history of sexual abuse (childhood or military) impacted the incidence and severity of post-trauma sequelae compared to veterans without this history. Method: A retrospective correlational analysis was performed on baseline data collected from clinical case records of a cohort of 134 Australian veterans with PTSD who had attended an outpatient Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Programme between October 2020 and May 2022. Results: Almost half (48.5%) of veterans reported a history of abuse. Prevalence rates of military sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and child physical abuse were 14.9%, 13.4% and 23.1% respectively. The relationship between those who experienced childhood abuse and those who experienced military sexual abuse was not significant. No significant differences were observed between those who experienced any sexual abuse and those who did not on intake scores of psychological symptoms. Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to investigate the prevalence of childhood abuse and military sexual abuse and its impact on PTSD and associated psychopathology in a sample of veterans seeking mental health treatment. No additional risks of experiencing military sexual assault were found for those who had survived childhood sexual abuse.
An Exploratory Study of Contextual Control Modes in Teamwork
Authors: Kannally Connor , Paladugu Abhinay , Nijveldt Renske , McSherry Luke , IJtsma Martijn 
Published: October 2024

Objective This study investigated the relationship between human team member contextual control and team performance under time constraints. Background Contextual control modes, which describe different strategies for action selection in dynamic environments, characterize how humans maintain performance under variable demands. Control modes have not yet been studied in teamwork settings. Modeling of the cross-level interaction between team members’ control modes and emerging team behaviors can improve understanding of effective teamwork in dynamic environments. Method A human-subjects study explored the relationship between individual contextual control and team performance. Questionnaires about contextual control were used to elicit individual control modes. Analysis compared team members’ control modes and investigated how control modes changed under varying time pressures. Results Participant’s control modes differed in their look ahead horizon, the extensiveness of prior action evaluation, and their prior experience. Many team members shifted control modes during trials, resulting in both convergence and divergence of paired control modes. No effects on communication rate were found due to changes in team members’ control modes, but partially significant findings may suggest that the control mode divergence affects performance. Conclusion Teams can operate in multiple control mode configurations that change dynamically according to context. Further research with an increased sample size is warranted to analyze how time constraints influence team members’ control modes and overall teaming processes and whether divergence of team control mode is favorable under time pressures. Application Further study of contextual control in teams may help improve team design to better support teams in coping with time constraints in dynamic environments.
Optimizing performance of hybrid fiber reinforced overwrapped pressure vessel
Authors: Warkina Reta , Regassa Yohannes 
Published: October 2024

Composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) offer significant weight advantages over traditional all-metal vessels particularly in industries like aerospace, automotive and pharmaceutical, but pose unique challenges in mechanical design, fabrication, and testing. Despite their benefits, COPVs are susceptible to stress rupture failure, which can lead to catastrophic consequences during operation. This failure mode is not fully understood, with burst pressure-induced extreme stress concentrations and dynamic loading primarily contributing to rapid deformation and strain. To address these concerns, a comprehensive investigation was conducted, focusing on optimizing and examining the effects of optimum winding angle and lay-up pattern configuration on burst pressure in vessels under internal pressure. Finite element modeling analyzed the burst pressure behavior of COPVs with a 4 mm thick aluminum core cylinder and varying layers of carbon/fiber epoxy, each with a constant thickness. ABAQUS composite modeler generated 18 COPV models with carbon fiber/epoxy plies, ensuring uniform thicknesses while exploring different fiber orientations. The effects of ply stacking sequence were analyzed through finite element analysis for all models, comprising varying layers with uniform thicknesses. Attention was paid to failure criteria, methodically evaluating the burst strength of the Al/CFRPC COPVs This exhaustive analysis yielded an optimal COPV design profile characterized by a precisely calibrated ply stacking sequence of [24.50, −24.50] PP winding pattern and six (6) arranged layers. The stress-strain distribution analysis of the Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) revealed both a uniform distribution of stress across its surface and extreme stress concentration, particularly peaking towards the polar boss region. This concentration is discernible due to variations in ply thickness induced by the overwrapped fiber orientation. This investigation provides valuable insights for optimizing COPV design and enhancing its performance and reliability in various applications.
A reactive melamine-DOPO based flame retardant for superior thermal stability and flame retardancy in rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Vakili Maryam , Alavi Nikje Mir Mohammad , Hajibeygi Mohsen , Vahabi Henri 
Published: October 2024

The flame-retardant effect of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and its derivatives in reducing the flammability of polymeric materials are well known. In this study, flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foams (FR-RPUF) were synthesized using a melamine-DOPO-based flame-retardant (MDFR). Additionally, MDFR was also used for preparation of a flame-retardant elastomeric polyurethane (FR-PUE). The chemical structure and thermal properties of the FR-RPUF and FR-PUE samples were studied with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA results revealed that the incorporation of MDFR into the PU matrix significantly increased the char residue. The char residue of FR-RPUF with 0.5 wt% MDFR increased from 4.75% to 44.36%, as compared to the pure RPUF. Results from the microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC) test illustrated that the peak of heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release (THR), and heat release capacity (HRC) of the FR-RPUF and FR-PUE samples were reduced, as compared to the pure PU samples. The pHRR value of FR-RPUF with 3 wt% of MDFR decreased 12%, as compared to the pure RPUF, while the pHRR was obtained 34% lower than of the pure PUE. Furthermore, FR-RPUFs successfully passed the UL94 testing, achieving a V-0 grade.
Effect of anti-inflammatory molecules from food on organoids derived from adenomatous polyps of FAP subjects
Authors: Illescas Oscar , Belfiore Antonino , Varinelli Luca , Battistessa Davide , Zanutto Susanna , Brignola Clorinda , Segrado Francesco , Cafferati Irene , Ricci Maria Teresa , Sabella Giovanna , Milione Massimo , Ladisa Vito , Signoroni Stefano , Vitellaro Marco , Pasanisi Patrizia , Gariboldi Manuela 
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Individuals with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) or APC-associated polyposis, an autosomal dominant inherited condition, develop multiple adenomatous polyps and have an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A change in diet can help reduce cancer risk, and several dietary components have an antitumor effect. We aimed to evaluate the potential of the anti-inflammatory and anticancer substances quercetin (QER), epigallocatechin gallate (EGG) and fisetin (FIS) in decreasing the risk of CRC by reducing the growth of polyps in an organoid model. Methods: Patient-derived organoid (PDO) lines were generated from polyps obtained from patients with FAP undergoing prophylactic colectomy. PDOs were treated with QER, EGG, or FIS to determine their effect on cell growth. Changes in caspase 3/7 activity and expression of inflammation and apoptosis mediators were assessed by luminescent and colorimetric assays. Results: Three PDO lines with different inactivating pathogenic variants in the APC gene were developed using a combinatorial approach. FIS was the most active of the three substances tested, presenting the lowest IC50 in all PDO lines (range: 42.6-9.2 uM). The IC50 was defined as the concentration required to halve the number of cells after 72 hours. All molecules tested induced apoptosis through activation of caspases 3/7. Conclusions: QER, EGG, and FIS can be easily taken from foods or dietary supplements, show toxicity on PDOs derived from adenomatous polyps, while they are known to be harmless on normal cells. Diets enriched with these substances could be potential supplemental treatments to reduce the risk of CRC in individuals with FAP.
Dynamic modeling of variable speed left ventricular assist devices coupled to the cardiovascular system
Authors: Su Chengxuan , Li Shulei , Gui Xingmin , Jin Donghai , Liu Guangmao 
Published: October 2024

Background: Most of the modeling of the Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) coupled with the cardiovascular system is based on the assumption of constant rotational speed. Compared with the traditional inertial model, the validated hysteresis model can take into account the unsteady characteristics of LVADs, but it fails to work under the condition of variable speed modulation. Method: This study takes into consideration the impact of speed variations on the unsteady hysteresis effects. The time constant in the hysteresis model is treated as a time-varying parameter, thereby developing a new model applicable to variable speed modulation. Under sinusoidal speed modulation at various phases, a comparative analysis was undertaken among the steady-state model, inertial model, and the new model. Transient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and existing experimental results are used for validation. Results: The new model provides a more accurate method for the predicting the characteristics of LVAD in the coupled model under varying pump speeds, and exhibits higher linearity in the work done by the left ventricle and the blood pump, and [Formula: see text], which is aligning closely with the experimental results. This enhancement renders it applicable for proactive control predictions and passive control validations.