bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zinc Supplementation Reduces the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps by Decreasing the Expression of Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase 4
Authors: Cheng Jianan , Rink Lothar , Wessels Inga 
Published: August 2024

ScopeNeutrophils play a decisive role during the immediate defense against infections. However, as observed during rheumatoid arthritis, activated neutrophils can also cause tissue damage. Previous studies indicate that zinc supplementation may alter certain neutrophil functions. However, precise underlying mechanisms and possible effects of zinc deficiency remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of changes in zinc status on formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and other fundamental neutrophil functions.Methods and resultsInterleukin (IL)‐17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α are used to simulate the inflammatory environment observed in autoimmune diseases. The study analyzes the impact of the zinc status on NETs release, using a fluorescence plate reader, and on the expression of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), S100A8/A9, and certain cytokines by PCR and western blot. These results show that zinc supplementation significantly reduces NETs formation and downregulates PAD4 protein expression. Zinc supplementation results in increased protein expression of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) and IL‐8 in stimulated cells.ConclusionThe results suggest that changes in extracellular zinc availability may influence the functions of neutrophils. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate zinc level is advisable for preserving innate immunity and to prevent hyper‐activation of neutrophils.
Synthesizing realistic sand assemblies with denoising diffusion in latent space
Authors: Vlassis Nikolaos N. , Sun WaiChing , Alshibli Khalid A. , Regueiro Richard A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe shapes and morphological features of grains in sand assemblies have far‐reaching implications in many engineering applications, such as geotechnical engineering, computer animations, petroleum engineering, and concentrated solar power. Yet, our understanding of the influence of grain geometries on macroscopic response is often only qualitative, due to the limited availability of high‐quality 3D grain geometry data. In this paper, we introduce a denoising diffusion algorithm that uses a set of point clouds collected from the surface of individual sand grains to generate grains in the latent space. By employing a point cloud autoencoder, the three‐dimensional point cloud structures of sand grains are first encoded into a lower‐dimensional latent space. A generative denoising diffusion probabilistic model is trained to produce synthetic sand that maximizes the log‐likelihood of the generated samples belonging to the original data distribution measured by a Kullback‐Leibler divergence. Numerical experiments suggest that the proposed method is capable of generating realistic grains with morphology, shapes and sizes consistent with the training data inferred from an F50 sand database. We then use a rigid contact dynamic simulator to pour the synthetic sand in a confined volume to form granular assemblies in a static equilibrium state with targeted distribution properties. To ensure third‐party validation, 50,000 synthetic sand grains and the 1542 real synchrotron microcomputed tomography (SMT) scans of the F50 sand, as well as the granular assemblies composed of synthetic sand grains are made available in an open‐source repository.
Improvements in precision and accuracy of complex‐ relative to real‐domain linear combination model spectral fitting not necessarily recovered by zero filling
Authors: Campos Leonardo , Swanberg Kelley M. , Gajdošík Martin , Landheer Karl , Juchem Christoph 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAlthough the information obtained from in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) presents a complex‐valued spectrum, spectral quantification generally employs linear combination model (LCM) fitting using the real spectrum alone. There is currently no known investigation comparing fit results obtained from LCM fitting over the full complex data versus the real data and how these results might be affected by common spectral preprocessing procedure zero filling. Here, we employ linear combination modeling of simulated and measured spectral data to examine two major ideas: first, whether use of the full complex rather than real‐only data can provide improvements in quantification by linear combination modeling and, second, to what extent zero filling might influence these improvements. We examine these questions by evaluating the errors of linear combination model fits in the complex versus real domains against three classes of synthetic data: simulated Lorentzian singlets, simulated metabolite spectra excluding the baseline, and simulated metabolite spectra including measured in vivo baselines. We observed that complex fitting provides consistent improvements in fit accuracy and precision across all three data types. While zero filling obviates the accuracy and precision benefit of complex fitting for Lorentzian singlets and metabolite spectra lacking baselines, it does not necessarily do so for complex spectra including measured in vivo baselines. Overall, performing linear combination modeling in the complex domain can improve metabolite quantification accuracy relative to real fits alone. While this benefit can be similarly achieved via zero filling for some spectra with flat baselines, this is not invariably the case for all baseline types exhibited by measured in vivo data.
Exploring the acceptability of three time‐matched exercise interventions for increasing fitness in women living with obesity: A mixed‐methods evaluation of the EXOFFIT study
Authors: Davis Mary E. , Cunningham Caitriona , Blake Catherine , O’Donoghue Gráinne 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe EXOFFIT study compared the effectiveness of three time‐matched exercise interventions in women with obesity for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. To best inform future research, evaluation of the interventions' acceptability is needed. Previous research has been inconsistent with methods and reporting of acceptability. Thus, the theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA) can be utilized to ensure that all aspects of acceptability are evaluated. No study to date in women with obesity has utilized the TFA in conjunction with quantitative data (i.e., frequencies of themes) to highlight the aspects of interventions that may be most important for participants.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the acceptability of the EXOFFIT program and gain insight into the participants' experience of participation, their perspective on the acceptability of trial procedures and interventions and gather their feedback on program changes.MethodsA mixed‐methods approach was employed. Thirty‐eight participants who completed the exercise interventions were interviewed and completed a self‐reported exit questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed in three phases: emergent themes were agreed upon, then mapped to the TFA constructs and the frequencies of each construct and theme were presented as counts. Data collected from the exit questionnaire were collated and reported using descriptive statistics.ResultsAll seven TFA constructs were identified in the analysis. The EXOFFIT program was found to have a high level of acceptability, with affective attitude, perceived effectiveness and self‐efficacy being the most reported constructs. The burden and opportunity costs associated with the program were mainly related to family commitments and support needed to participate. Any negative impact of participation was noted to be outweighed by the perceived benefits.ConclusionsThe results of this study will inform the development of future programs with women with obesity and support the consideration of the TFA constructs from the outset of study design.Clinical Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN13517067
Foreign patients and multicultural challenges in pediatric oncology: The experience of the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan
Authors: Lombardi Martina , Silva Matteo , Giovanetti Monica , Cabibbe Daniele , Luksch Roberto , Terenziani Monica , Casanova Michela , Spreafico Filippo , Meazza Cristina , Podda Marta , Biassoni Veronica , Schiavello Elisabetta , Chiaravalli Stefano , Puma Nadia , Bergamaschi Luca , Gattuso Giovanna , Nigro Olga , Sironi Giovanna , Colombo Valeria , Ferrari Andrea , Massimino Maura , Clerici Carlo Alfredo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis paper describes the complexity of the clinical management of foreign minors suffering from cancer, through the clinical experience of an Italian referral center. The study includes 50 patients less than 18 years (22% of the patients admitted to the unit in 2023), 32 foreigners who were Italian resident and 18 who had come to Italy specifically to receive cancer treatment. Patients who migrate for healthcare reasons often arrive at the referral center with advanced disease or relapse. Numerous socio‐cultural issues were reported. To address them, specific strategies were implemented to ensure equal and high‐quality care for all patients, respecting their needs.
Cancer mortality in children surviving congenital heart interventions: A study from the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium
Authors: Thomas Amanda S. , Spector Logan G. , McCracken Courtney , Oster Matthew E. , Kochilas Lazaros K. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIntroductionChildren with congenital heart defects (CHD) have shorter life expectancy than the general population. Previous studies also suggest that patients with CHD have higher risk of cancer. This study aims to describe cancer‐related mortality among patients with a history of CHD interventions using the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium (PCCC), a large US cohort of such patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of individuals (<21 years) who underwent interventions for CHD in the PCCC from 1982 to 2003. Patients surviving their first intervention were linked to the National Death Index through 2020. Multivariable models assessed risk of cancer‐related death, adjusting for age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Patients with/without genetic abnormalities (mostly Down syndrome [DS]) were considered separately, due to expected differential risk in cancer.ResultsAmong the 57,601 eligible patients in this study, cancer was the underlying or contributing cause of death for 208; with 20% among those with DS. Significantly increased risk of cancer‐related death was apparent among patients with DS compared to the non‐genetic group (aHR: 3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.52–5.24, p < .001). For the group with non‐genetic abnormalities, the highest association with cancer‐related death compared to those with mild CHD was found among those with more severe CHD (severe two‐ventricle aHR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.04–3.20, p = .036, single‐ventricle aHR: 4.68, 95% CI: 2.77–7.91, p < .001).ConclusionsPatients with more severe forms of CHD are at increased risk for cancer‐related death. Despite our findings, we are unable to distinguish whether having CHD raises the risk of cancer or reduces survival.
Evaluation of wear and friction properties of graphite modified Lubri polylactic acid with various infill fabricated by additive manufacturing techniques
Authors: Şirin Şenol , Yıldırım Çağrı Vakkas , Sevinç Alperen Mehmet , Ceylan Alpertunga , Kara Muhammed İkbal 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThree‐dimension (3D) printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, is a manufacturing technology that creates three‐dimensional objects by depositing material layer by layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methods. However, the newness of the technology brings with it many unknowns. In particular, the raw materials used are constantly increasing. For this reason, testing each raw material used in many aspects and to determine the optimum production conditions is important for the wide use of 3D printing technology. These optimal conditions may be the parameters used to produce a material, and sometimes they can appear as a new material. In addition, the production of new materials with varying production parameters is fundamental research topic that requires comprehensive study. For all these purposes, in this study, a new material type known as Lubri PLA (LPLA) was selected and produced in different filling types and subjected to a series of friction and wear tests. Thus, it is aimed to determine the tribological properties of the material. Additionally, samples were produced in ten different infill types (grid, lines, triangels, hexagon, cubic, octal, zigzag, diagonal, diagonal 3D and gyroid) to show the effect of filler type on friction and wear behavior. These filler types were used for both PLA and Lubri PLA materials and a total of twenty samples were produced. Thereby, it is aimed to conduct a comprehensive study showing the effect of both material difference and filling type on friction‐wear behavior. Diameter deviations, hardness deviations, friction coefficient, temperature, specific wear rates (SWr), and vibration were selected as output parameters. According to the analysis of the test results, the best result in terms of material structure was given by Lubri PLA, while the best result in terms of filling type was obtained with Diagonal 3D filling type. In addition, the lowest vibration level was obtained in the LP‐Diagonal 3D sample with 0.041 mm/s2, while the highest vibration level was obtained in the P‐Grid sample with 1.756 mm/s2.Highlights
LPLA closed to nominal value in diameter and hardness deviations
Addition of graphite nanoparticle increased the dimensional accuracy
Diagonal 3D infill type Lubri PLA composites showed the superior performance
Graphite modified Lubri PLA composites demonstrated superior performance
Thermomechanical buckling and vibration of composite sandwich doubly curved shells with carbon nanotube‐reinforced face layers
Authors: Zhai Yanchun , Li Shichen , Zhang Xiaoxue 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this paper, the thermomechanical buckling and vibration analysis are investigated for carbon nanotube‐reinforced composite sandwich doubly curved shells (CNCSDS) under the action of both thermal loads and in‐plane compressive loads. Based on the von‐Karman non‐linear kinematic relations, First Order Shear Theory, and Hamilton's principle, the vibration and stability equations for CNCSDS under thermomechanical loads are deduced. For obtaining the critical thermomechanical buckling load and vibration frequency, an exact method is adopted. Subsequently, the results are validated by comparing with the finding in published literature and simulation results. At last, the influence of system parameters on critical thermomechanical buckling load and vibration frequency is studied and displayed graphically. Meanwhile, some new results about thermomechanical buckling and vibration analysis of CNCSDS are proposed for the first time.Highlights
Thermomechanical buckling and vibration of carbon nanotube‐reinforced composite sandwich doubly curved shells was studied.
Vibration and stability equations under thermomechanical loads was deduced.
The change rules of thermomechanical buckling load and frequency were obtained.
Synergistic modification of continuous fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 composites with nano calcium carbonate and polyurethane
Authors: Hou Lianlong , Feng Bingtao , Wang Xiaoke , Zhang Meng , Yin Maofeng , Li Pengpeng , Zhang Xin , Ma Jinsong , Sun Guohua 
Published: August 2024

AbstractContinuous fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 composites with high strength have been widely used in automotive, wind turbine blades, aerospace, and military fields. Here, we present a synergistically reinforced strategy to enhance the mechanical properties of the continuous glass‐fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 (CGF/PA6) and basalt‐fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 (CBF/PA6) composites via in‐situ polymerization, simultaneously employing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and modified calcium carbonate (M‐CaCO3) as the toughening and strengthening materials. The micro‐morphology, mechanical properties, thermostability, water absorption, and flowability of composites are investigated. Significantly, the synergistic effect of TPU and M‐CaCO3 can improve mechanical properties, thermal stability (335.6 and 396.5°C in the T50%), and flowability (43.02 and 40.56 g/10 min) of the modified continuous glass‐fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 (M‐CGF/PA6) and basalt‐fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 (M‐CBF/PA6) composites, especially the high tensile strength (96.07 and 217.43 MPa) and impact strength (95.03 and 206.36 kJ/m2) which increases by 8.53% and 5.18% for the tensile strength and 91.25% and 100.27% for impact strength compared with the unmodified CGF/PA6 composites and CBF/PA6 composites. This work provides theoretical support for continuous fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 composites.Highlights
Continuous fiber reinforced Nylon‐6 Composites is prepared by in situ polymerization.
In situ polymerization is beneficial to the good impregnation of continuous fibers and uniform dispersion of modified calcium carbonate (M‐CaCO3).
The modified continuous fiber can improve the interfacial bonding properties of composites.
The TPU and M‐CaCO3 synergistically reinforce the mechanical properties of composites.
The M‐CaCO3 nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in the composites.
Rhekiss—The German Register for Child Wish and Pregnancies in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Strangfeld Anja , Meissner Yvette , Weiß Anja , Rudi Tatjana , Zink Angela , Ellmann Tanja , Filla Tim , Aries Peer , Baraliakos Xenofon , Bungartz Christina , Glaser Cornelia , Henes Jörg , Lorenz Hanns‐Martin , Schneider Matthias , Späthling‐Mestekemper Susanna , Specker Christof , Richter Jutta G. , Fischer‐Betz Rebecca 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTIn pharmacoepidemiology, robust data are needed to judge the impact of drug treatment on pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and breast‐fed infants. As pregnant and breastfeeding women are usually excluded from randomised clinical trials, observational studies are required. One of those data sources are pregnancy registers specifically developed to focus on certain diseases or disease groups. The German Rhekiss register investigates pregnancies in women with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). Rhekiss is a nationwide, multicentre, longitudinal study, in which women aged 18 years or older with an underlying IRD can be enrolled by a rheumatologist either when planning a pregnancy or in the first half of pregnancy. Data are collected prospectively at regular follow‐up visits. Rheumatologists and patients provide information in a web‐based system before conception (if enrolment was at the time of pregnancy planning), during and after pregnancy. A smartphone app is available for patients. Maternal and clinical information, general laboratory markers, treatment with antirheumatic and other drugs, adverse events, items related to course and outcome of pregnancy and the health of the child are uniformly assessed for all diseases. Individual information on the IRD includes classification criteria, diagnosis‐specific laboratory parameters, clinical parameters and validated instruments to measure disease activity or damage. Furthermore, patient‐reported outcome measures are captured. A total of 2013 individual patients have been enrolled in the register, and data on 1801 completed pregnancies are available. In summary, Rhekiss is a comprehensive and complex register that can answer various research questions about pregnancy in women with chronic IRDs.
A comparative study on thermo‐oxidative aging and tribological properties of perfluoroelastomer composites reinforced by different carbon nanomaterials at elevated temperatures: Molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zhao Jing , Qu Dianhong , Yang Yadi , Wang Tianming 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMolecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to assess the effects of diverse carbon nanomaterials on the thermo‐oxidative aging properties and tribological behavior of perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) in high‐temperature environments. In this study, carbon nanofillers such as graphene nanosheets (GNS), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), hydroxyl‐functionalized graphene (OH‐GNS), and hydroxyl‐functionalized carbon nanotubes (OH‐CNTs) are examined. The aging properties of composite systems are characterized by parameters like cohesive energy density and mean square displacement. The constant strain method is utilized to estimate the shear modulus and bulk modulus. Three‐layer friction structures are established to analyze the mechanism of fillers on the tribological behavior of composites by applying shear loads. According to the MD simulation results, the addition of carbon nanofillers enhances FFKM's thermo‐oxidative aging performance at 533 K, increases its bulk and shear moduli, and reduces the coefficient of friction and abrasion rate of each composite at high temperatures. Among the four nanofillers, OH‐CNTs is the most effective in terms of improving FFKM performance. Stronger dipoledipole interactions and hydrogen bonding are introduced into the system by OH‐CNTs, which improves the stability of the filler‐matrix interface and produces stronger interfacial interactions. This work offers theoretical predictions for the design and optimization of carbon nanomaterial and FFKM polymer composites.
Estimates of soil taxonomic change due to near‐surface permafrost loss in Alaska
Authors: Jelinski N. A. , Pastick N. J. , Kholodov A. L. , Sousa M. J. , Galbraith J. M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGelisols (permafrost‐affected soils in US Soil Taxonomy) are extensive in Alaska, currently occurring on ∼45% of the land area of the state. Gelisol taxonomic criteria rely on the presence of near‐surface (less than 2 m deep) permafrost, but ongoing climatic and environmental change has the potential to affect the presence of near‐surface permafrost across much of Alaska throughout the 21st century. In this study, we utilized scenarios of near‐surface permafrost loss and active layer deepening through the 21st century under low (SRES B1, RCP 4.5), mid‐ (SRES A1B), and high (SRES A2, RCP 8.5) emissions scenarios, in conjunction with the statewide STATSGO soil map, to generate spatially explicit predictions of the susceptibility of Gelisols and Gelisol suborders to taxonomic change in Alaska. We find that 15%–53% of Alaskan Gelisols are susceptible to taxonomic change by mid‐century and that 41%–69% of Alaskan Gelisols are susceptible to taxonomic change by the end of the century. The extent of potential change varies between suborders and geographic regions, with Gelisols in Northern Alaska being the most resilient to taxonomic change and Western and Interior Alaskan Gelisols most susceptible to taxonomic change. The Orthel suborder is likely to be highly restricted by the late 21st century, while Histels and Tubels are more likely to be of greater extent. These results should be taken into consideration when designing initial survey and re‐mapping efforts in Alaska and suggest that Alaskan Gelisol taxa should be considered threatened soil taxa due to the proportional extent of likely loss.