bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Polyether Sulfone Toughening Epoxy Vitrimer: Curing and Dynamic Properties
Authors: Liu Xiang , Fang Mei , Feng Yuezhan , Huang Ming , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDiglycidyl ether of bisphenol A crosslinking with glutaric anhydride is used to form the conventional “covalent adaptive network”, polyether sulfone (PES) by coiling and aggregating on the adaptive network is used to significantly increase the uncured resin viscosity for improving the processability of epoxy resin, but inevitably affecting the curing reaction and dynamic transesterification reaction. This study investigates the crucial roles of PES in curing dynamics and stress relaxation behavior. The results indicate that although PES does not directly participate in the crosslinking reaction of polyester‐based epoxy vitrimers. Moreover, the isothermal curing studies reveal that the addition of PES can greatly bring forward the reaction rate peak from conversion α = 0.6 to α = 0.2, meaning that the curing mechanism transfers from chemical control to diffusion control. Dynamic property analysis shows that the addition of PES significantly accelerates stress relaxation, especially at lower temperatures, leading to low viscous flow activation energy Eτ and relatively insensitive stress relaxation behavior to temperature. Introducing PES into vitrimer resin greatly improves crosslinking density (2.31 × 10⁴ mol m−3), enhancing glass transition temperature (82.68 °C), tensile strength (68.66 MPa), and fracture toughness (6.25%). Additionally, the modified vitrimer resin exhibits satisfying shape memory performance and reprocessing capability.
C–H Functionalization of Poly(ethylene oxide) – Embracing Functionality, Degradability, and Molecular Delivery
Authors: Kim Se Jong , Hong Eun Ji , Kim Nuri , Kim Nuri , Kim Minseong , Shin Aram , Kim Byeong‐Su , Lee Dong Won , Kim Jeung Gon 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study presents an organocatalytic C−H functionalization approach for postpolymerization modification (PPM) of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Most of PEO PPM is previously processed at the end hydroxy group, but recent advances in C‐H functionalization open a way to modify the backbone position. Structurally diverse carboxylic acids are attached to PEO through a cascade process of radical generation by peroxide and oxidation to oxocarbenium by tertiary butylammonium iodide. Attaching carboxylic acids yields a series of functionalize PEO with acetal units (2−5 mol%) in a backbone, which is not accessible via conventional copolymerization of epoxides. The optimized conditions minimizes the uncontrolled degradation or crosslinking from the highly reactive radical and oxocarbenium intermediate. The newly introduced acetal units bring degradability of PEO as well as delivery of carboxylic acid molecules. Hydrolysis studies with high molecular weight functionalization PEO (Mn = 13.0 kg mol−1) confirm the steady release of fragmented PEO (Mn ∼ 2.0 kg mol−1) and carboxylic acid over days and the process rate is not sensitive to pH variation between pH 5 and 9. The presented method offers a versatile and efficient way to modify PEO with potential energy and medical applications.
Molecular Pathology of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 in Iceland
Authors: Hallgrímsdóttir E. G. , Svansson H. , Stefánsdóttir V. F. , Sveinsson Ó. Á. , Ólafsdóttir H. , Briem E. , Sveinbjörnsdóttir S. , Jónsson J. J. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundMyotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant disease with anticipation due to increased number of CTG repeats in the DMPK gene.MethodsThis retrospective, cohort study in Iceland assessed prevalence of DM1, molecular pathology, and patient ascertainment. Data was collected from all major hospitals in Iceland, Medical Director of Health, and independent clinics. Cohort criteria were diagnosis of DM1 on January 1, 2021, or time of death. Population‐based Icelandic Genealogy Database of the Genetical Committee at the University of Iceland was used for genealogy.ResultsIn Iceland, 221 individuals, including 19 obligate carriers, had been diagnosed with DM1 of which 144 were alive giving a point prevalence of 39 per 100,000 (four times the world average of 9.3). Genealogy analysis identified 45 first‐degree families. Age‐adjusted prevalence ranged between 11 and 66 per 100,000. Average potential years of life lost were 20.5 per person. Where information was available, 63% of ascertainment was based on family history in cascade testing.ConclusionThe differences in age‐adjusted prevalence suggest that the overall point prevalence is an underestimation due to underdiagnosis in younger age groups and lethality in oldest age group. Our data supports use of cascade testing to improve DM1 ascertainment.
UNet‐based multi‐organ segmentation in photon counting CT using virtual monoenergetic images
Authors: Baek Sumin , Ye Dong Hye , Lee Okkyun 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundMulti‐organ segmentation aids in disease diagnosis, treatment, and radiotherapy. The recently emerged photon counting detector‐based CT (PCCT) provides spectral information of the organs and the background tissue and may improve segmentation performance.PurposeWe propose UNet‐based multi‐organ segmentation in PCCT using virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) to exploit spectral information effectively.MethodsThe proposed method consists of the following steps: Noise reduction in bin‐wise images, image‐based material decomposition, generating VMIs, and deep learning‐based segmentation. VMIs are synthesized for various x‐ray energies using basis images. The UNet‐based networks (3D UNet, Swin UNETR) were used for segmentation, and dice similarity coefficients (DSC) and 3D visualization of the segmented result were evaluation indicators. We validated the proposed method for the liver, pancreas, and spleen segmentation using abdominal phantoms from 55 subjects for dual‐ and quad‐energy bins. We compared it to the conventional PCCT‐based segmentation, which uses only the (noise‐reduced) bin‐wise images. The experiments were conducted on two cases by adjusting the dose levels.ResultsThe proposed method improved the training stability for most cases. With the proposed method, the average DSC for the three organs slightly increased from 0.933 to 0.95, and the standard deviation decreased from 0.066 to 0.047, for example, in the low dose case (using VMIs v.s. bin‐wise images from dual‐energy bins; 3D UNet).ConclusionsThe proposed method using VMIs improves training stability for multi‐organ segmentation in PCCT, particularly when the number of energy bins is small.
Correlation Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Advanced Practice Physiotherapists' Assessment Findings in Diagnosing Lumbosacral Radiculopathy, and the Impact of Imaging Findings on Treatment Plans: A Retrospective Clinical Audit
Authors: Tunney Áine , Chakradeo Prasad , Jones Matt , Krouwel Oliver , Zasada Matt , Cuff Andrew 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is increasingly used by Advanced Practice Physiotherapists (APPs) to confirm the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR) and to exclude other spinal pathologies. There is evidence of correlation between Advanced Practice Physiotherapists' diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy and positive MRI findings, but there is limited evidence regarding the correlation between the full physiotherapy assessment and MRI findings. There are also conflicting evidence regarding the effect of MRI findings on treatment planning post‐imaging.AimsThis study aims to examine the extent to which Advanced Practice Physiotherapists' diagnoses of lumbosacral radiculopathy correlate with those made after MRI, and to examine Advanced Practice Physiotherapists use of the local MRI referral pathway with respect to treatment plans, including testing correlation between pre‐and post‐MRI treatment plans.MethodsA cross‐sectional, multi‐centre, retrospective audit was conducted on 482 patients (276 female, 206 male) referred for lumbosacral MRI between January 2018 and December 2019. Non‐linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between diagnosis and treatment plans in LSR before and after MRI.ResultsThe results show a significant positive correlation (p < 0.001; R = 0.196) between pre‐ and post‐MRI diagnoses of lumbosacral radiculopathy. There was a significant positive correlation between pre‐ and post‐MRI treatment plans for LSR (p = 0.001; R = 0.159). On comparison of pre‐ and post‐MRI diagnoses of LSR, there is a weak positive correlation with high statistical significance (p < 0.001; R = 0.196). Reliability, tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) across the four categories, was (p = 0.041; R = 0.033). This shows a weak positive correlation with statistical significance.ConclusionsAdvanced Practice Physiotherapists can confidently diagnose and treat lumbosacral radiculopathy following initial assessment, although a minority of referrals lack a clear or appropriate treatment plan.
Phenotyping Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Results From the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network
Authors: Helmuth Margaret E. , Smith Abigail R. , Glaser Alexander P. , Yang Claire C. , Cameron Anne P. , Henry Lai H. , Griffith James W. , Eric Jelovsek J. , Quentin Clemens J. , Helfand Brian T. , Merion Robert M. , Andreev Victor P. ,   and the LURN Study Group
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAimsMen with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) represent a heterogeneous group, and treatment decisions are often based on severity of symptoms and physical examination findings. Identification of clinically meaningful subtypes could allow for more personalized care. This study advances phenotyping efforts from the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) by adding data domains to previous phenotyping using urologic symptoms alone.MethodsTwo‐hundred‐seventeen LUTS, demographics, medical history, and physical examination datapoints from the LURN Observational Cohort study were assessed among 519 men with at least one bothersome LUTS, using weighted Tanimoto indices, semi‐supervised learning, and resampling‐based consensus clustering to identify distinct clusters of participants. Differentially abundant serum proteins of 220 men were compared across identified clusters.ResultsFive refined male clusters (RM1–RM5) were identified. Two clusters reported mild LUTS (RM1: n = 66; RM2: n = 84). RM1 was older than RM2 (70.3 vs. 56.1 years), had more comorbidities (functional comorbidity index 2.4 vs. 1.5) and erectile dysfunction. Two benign prostatic hyperplasia‐like symptom clusters were identified (RM3: n = 64; RM4: n = 188). RM3 has the largest postvoid residual volume (275 mL); RM4 reported more urinary frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, pain, and psychosocial symptoms. RM5 (n = 119) was characterized by urgency urinary incontinence, frequency, and significant comorbidities and psychosocial symptoms. Fifteen (RM2) to 87 (RM1) differentially abundant proteins were identified within each cluster. Minimal overlap was observed between affected proteins and pathways across clusters.ConclusionsProtein signatures across newly discovered subgroups suggest identified subtypes are biochemically distinct. Findings should be validated, but may represent populations with separate pathophysiology and therapeutic needs.Clinical Trial RegistrationThe LURN ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier is NCT02485808.
A Blockchain‐Based Proxy Re‐Encryption Scheme With Cryptographic Reverse Firewall for IoV
Authors: Jin Chunhua , Chen Zhiwei , Qin Wenyu , Sun Kaijun , Chen Guanhua , Chen Liqing 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAs the internet of vehicles (IoV) technology develops, it promotes the intelligent interaction among vehicles, roadside units, and the environment. Nevertheless, it also brings vehicle information security challenges. In recent years, vehicle data sharing is suffering to algorithm substitution attacks (ASA), which means backdoor adversaries can carry out filtering attacks through data sharing. Therefore, this paper designs a blockchain‐based proxy re‐encryption (PRE) scheme with cryptographic reverse firewall (BIBPR‐CRF) for IoV. In our proposal, CRF can promise the internal safety of vehicle units. More specifically, it can prevent ASA attacks while ensuring chosen plaintext attack (CPA)‐security. Meanwhile, the PRE algorithm can provide the confidential sharing and secure operation of data. Moreover, we use a consortium blockchain service center (CBSC) to store the first ciphertext and re‐encrypt it with smart contracts on the blockchain, which can avoid single point of failure and achieve higher efficiency compared to proxy servers. Finally, we evaluate the performance of BIBPR‐CRF with regard to communication cost, computational cost, and energy consumption. Our proposal is the most fitting for IoV application, in contrast with the other three schemes.
Agriculture students’ weed collections: Choices of plants and errors in identification
Authors: Wees David 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRequiring students to create weed collections is a common technique for teaching weed identification. Data compiled over 18 years from students’ weed collections in a college‐level course included over 350 species of plants. Almost half of the specimens belonged to the Asteraceae or Poaceae. The 30 most frequently collected species accounted for almost two‐thirds of the specimens but Chenopodium album L., the most frequently collected species, accounted for only 4.8% of the total. Overall, 73.1% of specimens were correctly identified to species. Five species (Abutilon theophrasti Medik., Vicia cracca L., Portulaca oleracea L., Plantago major L., and Asclepias syriaca L.) were correctly identified at least 97% of the time. Misidentification was highest with Scorzoneroides autumnalis (L.) Moench [synonym (syn.) Leontodon autumnalis L.], Malva neglecta Wallroth, Erysiumum cheiranthoides L., Echinochloa crus‐galli (L.) Beauv., and Erigeron canadensis L. (syn. Conyza canadensis) and within the genera Sonchus L., Setaria P. Beauv., and Digitaria Haller. Misidentification was the lowest in the Equisetaceae, Apocynaceae, Oxalidaceae, and Plantaginaceae and highest in the Lamiaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Asteraceae. Variability in individual species’ morphology may have contributed to misidentification.
Culturally appropriate options for diabetes self‐management: Results from a patient‐centered comparative effectiveness study
Authors: Page‐Reeves Janet , Murray‐Krezan Cristina , Burge Mark R. , Mishra Shiraz I. , Regino Lidia , Bleecker Molly , Rodriguez Daniel Perez , McGrew Hannah Cole , Bearer Elaine L. , Erhardt Erik 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis project compared the effectiveness of two evidence‐based models of culturally competent diabetes health promotion: the diabetes self‐management support empowerment model (DSMS) and the chronic care model (CCM). Our primary outcome was improvement in patient capacity for diabetes self‐management as measured by the diabetes knowledge questionnaire (DKQ) and the patient activation measure (PAM). Our secondary outcome was patient success at diabetes self‐management as measured by improvement in A1c, depression scores using the PHQ‐9, and body mass index (BMI). We also gathered data on the cultural competence of the program using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Cultural Competence Set. We compared patient outcomes in two existing sites in Albuquerque, New Mexico that serve a large population of Latinx diabetes patients from low‐income households. Participants were enrolled as dyads—a patient participant (n = 226) and a social support participant (n = 226). Outcomes over time and by program were analyzed using longitudinal linear mixed modeling, adjusted for patient participant demographic characteristics and other potential confounding covariates. Secondary outcomes were also adjusted for potential confounders. Interactions with both time and program helped to assess outcomes. This study did not find a difference between the two sites with respect to the primary outcome measures and only one of the three secondary outcomes showed differential results. The main difference between programs was that depression decreased more for CCM than for DSMS. An exploratory, subgroup analysis revealed that at CCM, patient participants with a very high A1c (>10) demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease. However, given the higher cultural competence rating for the CCM, statistically significant improvement in depression, and the importance of social support to the patients, results suggest that a culturally and contextually situated diabetes self‐management and education program design may deliver benefit for patients, especially for patients with higher A1c levels.Key Points
The team was interdisciplinary.
The information presented describes results of both qualitative and quantitative data and involves interpretations that are interdisciplinary in nature.
The study design used methods from multiple disciplines.
Impact of eating behavior on 24‐month weight change after treatment of severe obesity—A clinical prospective cohort study
Authors: Björkman Sofia , Höskuldsdóttir Gudrún , Mossberg Karin , Laurenius Anna , Engström My , Fändriks Lars , Eliasson Björn , Wallengren Ola , Larsson Ingrid 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of self‐reported baseline eating behaviors on 24‐month weight change in adults with severe obesity.MethodsA prospective, nonrandomized clinical cohort study on surgical and medical obesity treatment included 971 adults (75% women) with a mean BMI of 42.0 (SD 4.9) kg/m2. To assess baseline eating behaviors and binge eating disorder, the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns‐Revised and the Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire were used.ResultsIn analyses adjusted for treatment, age, sex, baseline weight, and BMI, those with nocturnal eating lost less weight (3.5 kg [95% CI: 0.02–6.9]; p < 0.05) at 24 months compared to those without nocturnal eating. Binge eating disorder was not significantly associated with weight loss over 24 months. Emotional eating was associated with less weight loss at 12 months: 1.16 kg per z score (95% CI: 0.37–1.95; p < 0.05). Compared with completers, dropout from medical obesity treatment was associated with emotional and uncontrolled eating at baseline (both p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe association between pretreatment eating behaviors and weight change was found to be generalizable and not restricted to any specific treatment. Certain eating behaviors may affect weight loss as well as attrition. Identifying eating behaviors that may impair treatment efficacy are suggested in the treatment of severe obesity.
Investigation of mixed matrix membranes of graphene and acid‐treated graphene fillers in cellulose acetate and polyetherimide polymers for CO2 separation from biogas
Authors: Nayak Bharat , Kuncharam Bhanu Vardhan Reddy 
Published: October 2024

AbstractGas separation membranes are crucial for upgrading biogas by separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from biogas, thereby enhancing its calorific value and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to improve CO2/CH4 separation using mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) by incorporating graphene (Gr) and acid‐treated graphene (AGr) fillers in a cellulose acetate (CA) polymer matrix. Similarly, polyetherimide (PEI) MMMs were also prepared with Gr and AGr fillers to draw a comparison. Various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction, were employed to investigate the structural and morphological properties of the membranes and fillers. Gas permeation tests using a model biogas mixture (40% CO2 and 60% CH4) revealed that the 0.1%AGr/CA membrane achieved the highest CO2 permeability of 43 Barrers, which is approximately 307% more than that of the pure CA membrane, and showed a CO2/CH4 selectivity of 14.80. The 0.5%Gr/PEI membrane demonstrated the best performance among PEI‐based MMMs, with a CO2 permeability of 17.48 Barrers and a CO2/CH4 selectivity of 8.96. These results indicate that the incorporation of Gr and AGr significantly enhances the gas separation performance over pure CA and PEI membranes.Highlights
Graphene (G) and acid‐treated Gr‐based cellulose acetate (CA) and polyetherimide (PEI) mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated.
Model biogas was used for testing CO2 and CH4 gas permeation.
The 0.1% AGr/CA MMM showed 307% higher CO2 permeability than pure CA.
The 0.5% Gr/PEI MMM showed 435% higher CO2 permeabilit than pure PEI.
Structural properties were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman, and X‐ray diffraction.
Experimental validation of effective glass transition temperature‐based model for predicting skin thickness in solid‐state microcellular foams
Authors: Sridhar Santhosh , Kumar Vipin , Meza Lucas , Salviato Marco 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe solid‐state foaming process produces microcellular foams with an outer layer of solid skin that encapsulates the cellular core. In this article, we implement a 1D model to predict the thickness of the solid skin based on the effective Tg of the polymer‐gas system for a given foaming temperature. The model is based on the understanding that bubbles nucleate when the foaming temperature exceeds the effective Tg during the foaming process. The model was validated with experimental results on the PC‐CO2 system, which showed that skin thickness decreases with increased foaming temperature. We also developed a linear correlation to accurately predict effective Tg at different CO2 concentrations. The article also explores the model sensitivity to the key input parameters related to gas diffusion.Highlights
Linear correlation to accurately predict effective Tg profiles in PC‐CO2 system.
Increasing foaming temperature decreases skin thickness.
Model is sensitive to the input parameters related to gas diffusion.