bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyanobacterial Silver Nanoparticles and Their Potential Utility—Recent Progress and Prospects: A Review
Authors: Behera Maheswari , Behera Prateek Ranjan , Sethi Gangadhar , Pradhan Biswajita , Adarsh Varanasi , Alkilayh Omar Abdurahman , Samantaray Devi Prasad , Singh Lakshmi 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTThe current situation involves an increase in interest in nanotechnology, in particular the ways in which it can be applied in the commercial and medical fields. However, traditional methods of synthesizing nanoparticles have some drawbacks, including the generation of harmful byproducts, high energy consumption, and cost. As a result, researchers have shifted their focus to “green” nanoparticle synthesis to circumvent these drawbacks. Because of their exceptional physiochemical properties, silver nanoparticles (Ag Nps) are the noble metal nanoparticles that are used most frequently. The green approach to Ag NP synthesis is environmentally friendly, non‐toxic, and cost‐effective, and it makes use of a variety of biological entities. Cyanobacteria, in particular, have garnered the most attention because of the abundance of bioactive substances that they contain, which serve both as reducing agents and as stabilizing agents during the process of biosynthesis. This review article discusses the current state of cyanobacteria‐mediated Ag NP synthesis, the potential mechanisms that are involved, nanoparticle characterization, the various applications of Ag NP in different fields, and their prospects.
Evolution of megadrought and pluvial events in the Qaidam Basin and Hexi Corridor, Northwest China, during the period 455–2100 CE
Authors: Xu Henian , Wang Jianglin , Liu Jingjing , Peng Xiaomei , Pourtahmasi Kambiz 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMillennium‐long hydroclimate reconstructions in the Qaidam Basin (QB) and Hexi Corridor (HXC) suggest markedly differing moisture change trends between the two regions in the 20th century; however, it remains unclear whether these current moisture states are exceptional in a long‐term context, and how megadrought and pluvial events have evolved in these regions. Here, we used previously published historical hydroclimate reconstructions combined with model‐based future moisture simulations to assess past, current and future hydroclimate anomalies in a long‐term context (i.e., 455–2100 CE), and investigate the evolution of megadrought and pluvial events. Compared with the QB, moisture variability in the HXC was higher and more prone to the occurrence of severe and long‐lasting megadrought and pluvial events. Megadroughts in the QB mainly occurred in the Little Ice Age (1200–1800 CE) accompanied by lower temperatures, whereas in the HXC, megadroughts mostly occurred during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (800–1200 CE) accompanied by higher temperatures. The Significant Zero crossing of derivatives (SiZer) and Time of Emergence (TOE) analyses were used to reveal the initiation of recent humidity changes and the duration above the natural variability threshold. We found that the QB has experienced a significant wetting trend since the middle of the 20th century, with this trend exceeding the range of natural hydroclimate variability in 1975 CE. The HXC became drier from the early 20th century, but has become wetter since the late 20th century; this trend may exceed the natural hydroclimate variability range by 2032 CE. We also found that the duration and severity of megadrought and pluvial events are positively correlated in each region. Given the higher past hydrological variability in the HXC compared with the QB, our study implies that future extreme hydrological events are more likely to occur in the former of these two regions.
Wilson's disease in Sardinian population: The experience of a pediatric referral center
Authors: Loudianos Georgios , Satta Stefania , Lepori Maria B. , Anni Franco , Balloi Roberta , Soddu Consolata , Fenu Maria L. , Lilliu Franco , Nurchi Anna M. , De Virgiliis Stefano 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWilson's disease (WD) in children and adolescents is predominantly asymptomatic or oligo‐symptomatic. The symptoms are nonspecific and difficult to distinguish from other hepatic or neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we present the experience of a pediatric referral center for WD diagnosis and treatment.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory data from 99 patients with WD of Sardinian origin, including physical examination, laboratory biochemical testing, liver biopsy, and genetic analysis.ResultsPatients were prevalently oligo‐symptomatic or asymptomatic. The median age of diagnosis was 8.78 years. Ceruloplasmin values were lower than normal values in all analyzed patients. Twenty‐four‐hour urinary copper levels were higher than 40 μg/24‐h in 92/96 patients. In all analyzed patients with the exception of one, liver copper was higher than 250 μg/g of dry weight but all had >75 μg/g of dry weight. Statistical analysis showed correlation between the age at diagnosis, serum copper, and 24‐h urinary copper. Correlation was also found between serum copper and 24‐h urinary copper. Molecular analysis of ATP7B gene allowed complete characterization in all the analyzed patients.ConclusionA high index of clinical suspicion and biochemical tests including liver tests, serum ceruloplasmin, and basal 24‐h urinary copper excretion and genotype determination are key to WD diagnosis. The long experience that a referral center for WD possesses is an important factor in making WD diagnosis a more accurate process. Studies in animal models on WD could be used as a guide to further investigate the molecular mechanisms that regulate copper metabolism and influence the natural history of WD.
Itch improvement has a major and comparable effect on the Dermatology Life Quality Index in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Boehncke Wolf‐Henning , Reich Adam , Ständer Sonja , Hernandez Julio , Mert Can , Grond Susanne , Rueda Maria Jose , Schuster Christopher , Yosipovitch Gil 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundItch is known to have a particularly high impact on psoriasis (PsO) and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients' quality of life. Although AD therapies have exhibited a high efficacy when it comes to itch control, itch control with PsO therapies is not as well documented.ObjectivesThe aim of this post‐hoc analysis is to better understand the impact of itch on the patients' quality of life in PsO as well as AD by providing a pairwise correlation between itch improvement and patients' quality of life and determine the predictive factors in patients achieving Dermatology Life Quality Index score of 0 or 1 [DLQI (0/1)].MethodsThree phase III clinical studies, one in PsO and two in AD, were assessed. Pairwise correlations between objective improvement of visible signs of disease, quality of life, and itch intensity were investigated at 16 weeks of treatment. Predictive analyses methods were applied on the data to assess the impact of clinical and itch improvement on the DLQI improvement.ResultsThis study shows that change in itch from baseline in AD and PsO patients correlate to change in DLQI from baseline. Change in itch from baseline was found to be the most important factor in predicting DLQI (0/1).ConclusionsThese results highlight the necessity to study itch in both PsO and AD clinical trials, and it is recommended that itch may be considered a coprimary or at minimum a secondary efficacy end‐point in all such clinical studies.
Update of Vocal Fold Shortening With Retrodisplacement of Anterior Commissure for Voice Feminization
Authors: Kim Hyung‐Tae , Kang Sun‐Jung , Cho In‐Soo , Lee Da‐Bi 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and long‐term durability of the enhanced technique of Type II Vocal Fold Shortening and Retrodisplacement of the Anterior Commissure (VFSRAC) for voice feminization compared with the preceding Type I method.MethodsA retrospective analysis encompassed 506 patients drawn from a cohort of 1025 MtF transgender women who underwent VFSRAC between 2003 and 2021. The study period included cases from 2015 to 2021, during which the Type II update technique was implemented, involving a modification to the suture technique. Subjective and perceptual evaluations, aerodynamic and acoustic assessments, real‐time pitch analysis, and videostroboscopic reviews were conducted pre‐ and postoperatively in the MtF transgender women cohort. Comparative statistical analyses were performed to discern differences between the earlier Type I method (2003–2014) and the more recent Type II method (2015–2021).ResultsThe preoperative mean speech fundamental frequency (sF0) for Type II VFSRAC was 134.5 Hz. Postoperatively, the mean sF0 increased to 196.7 Hz, 212.3 Hz, and 207.5 Hz at 3 months, 6 months, and beyond 1 year, respectively, exceeding outcomes observed with the Type I method. Postoperative subjective and objective assessments indicated an augmentation in voice femininity. Acoustic and aerodynamic indices were within the normal range, and the regularity of the vocal fold mucosal wave was preserved within normal parameters. These results suggest that patients achieved a natural phonation pattern after surgery.ConclusionsThe application of our updated type II VFSRAC has demonstrated feasibility and consistently yielded favorable results for individuals desiring a naturally feminine voice.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 134:5054–5061, 2024
Surface‐Templated Polymer Microparticle Synthesis Based on Droplet Microarrays
Authors: Shim Wonmi , Heo Jeongbin , Lee Jaeseung , Kappl Michael , Butt Hans‐Jürgen , Wooh Sanghyuk 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPolymer microparticle synthesis based on the surface‐templated method is a simple and environmentally friendly method to produce various microparticles. Unique particles with different compositions can be fabricated by simply annealing a polymer on a liquid‐repellent surface. However, there are hurdles to producing particles of homogeneous sizes with large quantities and varying the shape of particles. Here, a new approach to synthesizing multiple polymer microparticles using micropatterns with wettability contrast is presented. Polymer microparticles are formed in two steps. First, a layer of poly(sodium‐4‐styrenesulfonate) is deposited on the hydrophilic regions by dipping and withdrawing this micropattern from a polymer solution, and an array of microdroplets is formed. A dewetting‐inducing layer on the pattern is introduced, and then target polymer patches are sequentially generated on it. By annealing over Tg, the contact line of the target polymer patch is freely receded, creating a particle form. The size and shape of the microparticle can be controlled by varying the micropatterns. In addition, it is demonstrated that microparticles made of polymer blends or polymer/nanoparticle composite are easily produced. This versatile method offers the potential of surface‐templated synthesis to tailor polymer microparticles with different sizes, shapes, and functionalities in various research and applications.
Rapid Eye Movements during REM Sleep Differentiate PSP from Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Togni Claudio , Carpinelli Sandra , Valko Philipp O. , Bockisch Christopher , Waldvogel Daniel , Werth Esther , Weber Konrad P. , Valko Yulia 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the characteristics and occurrence frequencies of rapid eye movements (REMs) during REM sleep in movement disorders.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to detect and characterize REMs during polysomnographically defined REM sleep as recorded by electro‐oculography (EOG) in 12 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 13 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 12 healthy controls.MethodsUsing a modified EOG montage, we developed an algorithm that automatically detects and characterizes REMs during REM sleep based on their presumptive saccadic kinematics.ResultsCompared to PD and healthy controls, REM densities and REM peak velocities were significantly reduced in PSP. These effects were most pronounced in vertical REMs.ConclusionOcular motor dysfunction, one of the cardinal features of PSP, seems to be equally at play during REM sleep and wakefulness. For future studies, we provide a novel tool for the unbiased analysis of REMs during REM sleep in movement disorders.
Crowdsourcing solutions for innovation: An evolutionary examination of participant behavior strategy
Authors: Wang Lingling , Li Sen , Zheng Haidong , Xia Enjun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDespite numerous enterprises embracing crowdsourcing to access several innovative solutions, the prevalence of information asymmetry among different participants has led to an increase in the submission of low‐quality solutions and payment disputes. To improve the efficiency of crowdsourcing solutions for innovation, this study aims to employ an evolutionary game model to capture the dynamic interaction and decision‐making process of the requesters, platforms, and solvers. Initially, we dissect the relevant factors influencing the behavioral decisions of participants to construct a tripartite evolutionary game model. Subsequently, we analyze five potential evolutionarily stable strategies and conditions. Ultimately, we simulate the dynamic evolution of participant decision‐making behavior and the sensitivity of related parameters. The simulation results depict that the initial selection probabilities of populations bear no correlation to the system stability, which only influences the time required to reach equilibrium. The participant's behaviors are affected by price, loss, penalty, compensation, cost, and reputation recognition. Reward and punishment mechanisms help effectively mitigate the emergence of free‐riding and collusion. These findings provide important implications for the sustainable development of crowdsourcing solutions for innovation.
Frequency‐Selective Suppression of Essential Tremor via Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation
Authors: Pascual‐Valdunciel Alejandro , Ibáñez Jaime , Rocchi Lorenzo , Song Joy , Rothwell John C. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Farina Dario , Latorre Anna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundEssential tremor (ET) is a common debilitating condition, yet current treatments often fail to provide satisfactory relief. Transcutaneous spinal cord electrical stimulation (tSCS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive neuromodulation technique capable of disrupting the oscillatory activity underlying tremors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the potential of tSCS to disrupt tremor in a frequency‐dependent manner in a cohort of patients with ET.MethodsEighteen patients with ET completed the study. The experiment consisted of 60‐s postural tremor recording, during tSCS at tremor frequency, at 1 Hz, at 21 Hz, no stimulation, and trapezius stimulation. Tremor frequency and amplitude were analyzed and compared across the conditions.ResultsWe found tremor amplitude reduction at tremor frequency stimulation significant only during the second half of the stimulation. The same stimulation resulted in the highest number of responders. tSCS at 1 Hz showed a trend toward decreased tremor amplitude in the latter half of stimulation. tSCS at 21 Hz did not produce any significant alterations in tremor, whereas trapezius stimulation exacerbated it. Notably, during tremor frequency stimulation, a subgroup of responders exhibited consistent synchronization between tremor phase and delivered stimulation, indicating tremor entrainment.ConclusionsCervical tSCS holds promise for alleviating postural tremor in patients with ET when delivered at the subject's tremor frequency. The observed changes in tremor amplitude likely result from the modulation of spinal cord circuits by tSCS, which disrupts the oscillatory drive to muscles by affecting afferent pathways or spinal reflexes. However, the possibility of an interplay between spinal and supraspinal centers cannot be discounted. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Unfolding coil localized errors from an imperfect slice profile using a structured autocalibration matrix: An application to reduce outflow effects in cine bSSFP imaging
Authors: Ali Fadil , Zhang Zhaohuan , Saucedo Andres , Joy Ajin , Ghodrati Vahid , Nguyen Kim‐Lien , Paul Finn J. , Bydder Mark 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPurposeBalanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) imaging is susceptible to outflow effects where excited spins leaving the slice as part of the blood stream are misprojected back onto the imaging plane. Previous work proposed using slice‐encoding steps to localize these outflow effects from corrupting the target slice, at the expense of prolonged scan time. This present study extends this idea by proposing a means of significantly reducing most of the outflowing signal from the imaged slice using a coil localization method that acquires a slice‐encoded calibration scan in addition to the 2D data, without being nearly as time‐demanding as our previous method. This coil localization method is titled UNfolding Coil Localized Errors from an imperfect slice profile using a Structured Autocalibration Matrix (UNCLE SAM).MethodsRetrospective and prospective evaluations were carried out. Both featured a 2D acquisition and a separate slice‐encoded calibration of the center in‐plane
‐space lines across all desired slice‐encoding steps.ResultsRetrospective results featured a slice‐by‐slice comparison of the slice‐encoded images with UNCLE SAM. UNCLE SAM's subtraction from the slice‐encoded image was compared with a subtraction from the flow‐corrupted 2D image, to demonstrate UNCLE SAM's capability to unfold outflowing spins. UNCLE SAM's comparison with slice encoding showed that UNCLE SAM was able to unfold up to 74% of what slice encoding achieved. Prospective results showed significant reduction in outflow effects with only a marginal increase in scan time from the 2D acquisition.ConclusionsWe developed a method that effectively unfolds most outflowing spins from corrupting the target slice and does not require the explicit use of slice‐encoding gradients. This development offers a method to reduce most outflow effects from the target slice within a clinically feasible scan duration compared with the fully sampled slice‐encoding technique.
Application of adaptive virtual element method to thermodynamic topology optimization
Authors: Cihan Mertcan , Aichele Robin , Jantos Dustin Roman , Junker Philipp 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this work, a low‐order virtual element method (VEM) with adaptive meshing is applied for thermodynamic topology optimization with linear elastic material for the two‐dimensional case. VEM has various significant advantages compared to other numerical discretization techniques, for example the finite element method (FEM). One advantage is the flexibility to use arbitrary shaped elements including the possibility to add nodes on the fly during simulation, which opens a new variety of application fields. The latter mentioned feature is used in this publication to propose an adaptive mesh‐refinement strategy during the thermodynamic optimization procedure and investigate its feasibility. The thermodynamic topology optimization (TTO) includes a efficient gradient‐enhanced approach to regularization of the otherwise ill‐posed density based topology optimization approach and was already applied to various material models in combination with finite elements. However, the special numerical treatment leading to efficiency of the regularization approach within the TTO has to be modified to be applicable to VEM, which is presented in the publication. We show the performance of this framework by investigating several numerical results on benchmark problems.
Sustainable bioplastics from seaweed polysaccharides: A comprehensive review
Authors: Nagarajan Dillirani , Senthilkumar Guruvignesh , Chen Chiu‐Wen , Karmegam N. , Praburaman L. , Kim Woong , Dong Cheng‐Di 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe use of macroalgae for food has been extensive in Asia historically. However, there has been a renewed interest at present in macroalgae due to its recognition as a potential carbon capture agent and a blue carbon donor besides their utility in biofuel production. Bioplastics is an umbrella term for a wide variety of polymers that can be either biobased or biodegradable, or both. Macroalgal polysaccharides and their inherent film‐forming capacity are exploited in the bioplastics industry and macroalgal polysaccharide‐based biofilms are extensively used in food packaging due to their compatibility and ease of production. Commercial macroalgae‐based bioplastics production is ongoing, with research dedicated to the development of biodegradable/compostable biofilms suitable for the food packing and biomedicine sector. This review aims to provide an overview of the polysaccharides of macroalgae that can be used to form biofilms and bioplastics. Different methods for biofilm formation are discussed along with summarizing the effect of plasticizers, the method of film formation, and biodegradability. The major source of marine macroalgal polysaccharaides are agar, alginate, carrageenan, laminarin, fucoidan, and ulvan. Different groups of macroalgae are utilized for the production of polysaccharide derived bioplatics, namely, brown algae (Padina pavonica, Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria japonica, Rugulopteryx okamurae, Sargassum natans, Sargassum siliquosum, Jolyna laminarioides, Gracilaria salicornia), green algae (Ulva fasciata, Halimeda opuntia, Codium fragile, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Ulva rigida), and red algae (Eucheuma cottonii, Porphyra sp., Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria corticata). The outcome of the review reveals that there is a vast scope for macroalgal polysaccharide‐derived bioplastics for a sustainable environment.
Study on a novel flexible high dielectric poly (isoprene‐co‐acrylonitrile)/barium titanate composite with a reversible cross‐linked structure
Authors: Dai Xin , Liu Lijiang , Lin Fangjun , Wang Zhenxi , Peng Yong , Liu Youping , Luo Jixiang , Ma Ziyong 
Published: August 2024

AbstractReversible cross‐linked structures are widely used to turn thermoset plastics into recyclable and self‐healing vitrimer materials, but seldom applied in traditional flexible rubber/ceramic composites. In this paper, dioxaborolanes based flexible poly (isoprene (IP)‐co‐acrylonitrile (AN)) vitrimer is synthesized as the rubber matrix by copolymerizing with functional monomers at 5°C for 7 h, and mixed with 5 wt% modified barium titanates (BT) to prepare flexible high dielectric vitrimer composite. The materials are characterized by FTIR, TGA, SEM, DMA, etc. The results indicate that reversible crosslinking can occur above 76.4°C, and copolymerizing with the dioxaborolanes based monomers can turn poly (IP‐co‐AN) into the flexible vitrimer. The poly (IP‐co‐AN)/BT vitrimer composite not only shows a good thermal stability below 145.6°C, but also exhibits an excellent particle dispersivity and a certain self‐healing function at 80°C. The poly (IP‐co‐AN)/BT vitrimer composite has a storage modulus E' about 3.18 MPa at 25°C and Tg about −5.4°C, and shows a higher relative permittivity about 7.5 and lower dielectric loss about 0.156 at 1 k Hz. The results indicate that this paper provides a new method to achieve multifunction and high dielectricity for composites.Highlight
Reversible cross‐linked structures are applied in rubber / ceramic composites
Cross‐linked flexible composites are reprocessable and self‐healing
Reversible bonds between particles and matrix improve compatibility
Synergism of BaTiO3 and cross‐linked structure enhances dielectric properties