bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How big is a boulder? The importance of boulder definition choice in earth science research and river management
Authors: Mason Richard J. , Polvi Lina E. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBoulders are globally widespread and influence processes across many landscapes including hillslopes, coasts, rivers and extra‐terrestrial settings. Boulders are described as particles, sufficiently large, that they have a disproportionate effect on the surrounding landscape. Moving beyond this conceptual definition, however, requires a somewhat arbitrary decision of how to define a minimum boulder size. The implications of boulder definition on study findings are rarely considered. We investigate the suitability of five boulder definitions, two based on fixed sizes: (1) 0.26 m and (2) 1 m, and three definitions which vary based on system characteristics: (3) grain mobility, (4) grain protrusion and (5) surface grain size distribution (> 84th percentile, D84). We consider the impact of definition on calculated boulder metrics, and, for the >1m and >D84 definitions, their association with channel and catchment characteristics across 20 boulder‐bed streams in northern Sweden. We also surveyed river managers responsible for restoring these rivers, to gain a practitioner insight on boulder size definition. We found that boulder definition matters; for metrics relating to the number or density of boulders, the >D84 and >1m size definitions were negatively correlated. Surveys indicated the importance of communicating boulder definition. We conclude that, whilst the best choice of boulder size definition will vary based on the questions of interest and techniques employed, evaluating the implications of the chosen boulder size definition and communicating the reasoning behind boulder definition choice is crucial.
Cascade loop of ferroptosis induction and immunotherapy based on metal‐phenolic networks for combined therapy of colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Yuwei , Duan Yuxi , Li Yunyi , Gu Yuan , Zhou Lu , Xiao Zhongting , Yu Xinying , Cai Yanjun , Cheng Erzhuo , Liu Qianqian , Jiang Yong , Yang Quan , Zhang Feng , Lei Qi , Yang Bin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCancer immunotherapy is the most promising method for tumor therapy, while ferroptosis could activate the immunogenicity of cancer and strengthen the cellular immune response. However, limited by the complex tumor microenvironment, the abundant glutathione (GSH) and low reactive oxygen species (ROS) seriously weaken ferroptosis and the immune response. Herein, the authors report photothermal metal‐phenolic networks (MPNs) supplied with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) by reducing levels of GSH and then trapping the tumor cells in the ferroptosis and immunotherapy cascade loop to eliminate colorectal cancer (CRC). The MPNs coated with the model antigen ovalbumin can accumulate at the tumor site, mediate immunogenic cell death (ICD) under NIR irradiation, and initiate tumoricidal immunity. Then the activated CD8+ T cells would release IFN‐γ to inhibit GPX4 and promote the immunogenic ferroptosis induced by Fe3+ and BSO. Finally, the tumor cells at intertumoral and intratumoral levels would be involved in the ferroptosis‐dominated cancer‐immunity circle for CRC eradication, resulting in outstanding therapeutic outcomes in both primary and distant tumor models. Overall, this strategy employs a photothermal nanoplatform to rapidly stimulate ICD and restrain the oxidation defense system, which provides a promising approach to significantly amplify the “cascade loop” of ferroptosis induction and immunotherapy for treatment of CRC.
Trends and gaps in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) improvement in sub‐Saharan Africa: Drought tolerance breeding strategies
Authors: Makhubu F. N. , Laurie S. M. , Rauwane M. E. , Figlan S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe main challenge facing agricultural crop production in the current global climate change scenario is sustainability. Drought, as a yield‐limiting factor, has become a major threat to international food security. Tolerance to drought is a complex trait and its response is carried out by various genes, transcription factors, microRNAs, hormones, proteins, cofactors, ions and metabolites. The complexity of the trait has limited the development of drought‐tolerant sweet potato cultivars by traditional breeding. Advances in sweet potato breeding to exploit the full potential of the crop to contribute to improved and higher performing sweet potato cultivars, adapted to increasingly risky rainfed conditions, mainly drought, are key to making food production systems more efficient and more tolerant to pressure from drought and other stressors. Genetic gain for yield potential in sweet potato has improved mostly in African countries, mainly as a result of an accelerated breeding scheme. The focus on maximising the utilisation of molecular tools for sweet potato improvement and yield has been recently explored in breeding programmes in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This article provides an update on the trends and gaps in sweet potato breeding in SSA, reviewing the relevant strategies used to improve sweet potato in the region. Finally, the perspectives of using new advanced tools including genetic engineering and genome editing, and the challenges associated with climate change for further improvement of the crop are highlighted. Collaborative efforts in African countries are driving advances in breeding methods through the incorporation of molecular tools to develop drought‐tolerant sweet potato varieties that are important to global food security despite challenges posed by the drastic change in climate.
Loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liao Xinqi , Wang Zhong , Zeng Qinglin , Zeng Yanli 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivesThis systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia and to identify potential influencing factors.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search across 10 electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Chinese Biomedical, China National Knowledge Internet, and WANFANG. Our search strategy covered the inception of the databases up to September 16, 2023, with an updated search conducted on March 8, 2024. Prevalence estimates of loneliness and social isolation, presented with 95% confidence intervals, were synthesized through meta‐analysis. Subgroup analyses and meta‐regression were employed to explore potential moderating variables and heterogeneity.ResultsThe study encompassed 27 research papers involving 11,134 informal carers from 17 different countries. The pooled prevalence of loneliness among informal carers of individuals with dementia was 50.8% (95% CI: 41.8%–59.8%), while the pooled prevalence of social isolation was 37.1% (95% CI: 26.7%–47.6%). Subgroup analyses and meta‐regression indicated that various factors significantly influenced the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation. These factors included the caregiving setting, study design, the intensity of loneliness, geographical location (continent), data collection time, and the choice of assessment tools.ConclusionsThis study underscores the substantial prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among informal carers of individuals with dementia. It suggests that policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize the development of targeted interventions and support systems to alleviate loneliness and social isolation within this vulnerable population.
Bioinformatics approach combined with experimental verification reveals OAS3 gene implicated in paclitaxel resistance in head and neck cancer
Authors: Caglar Hasan Onur , Aytatli Abdulmelik , Barlak Neslisah , Aydin Karatas Elanur , Tatar Arzu , Sahin Abdulkadir , Karatas Omer Faruk 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to identify a candidate gene associated with paclitaxel (PTX) resistance and to evaluate functionally its biological role in the PTX‐resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and clinical specimens.MethodsMicroarray data series containing samples of different types of cancers resistant to PTX were analyzed and then a candidate gene associated with PTX resistance was identified using various bioinformatics tools. After the suppression of the target gene expression, changes in cell viability and colony‐forming ability were evaluated in PTX‐resistant FaDu and SCC‐9 cell lines.ResultsBioinformatics analyses of upregulated genes in PTX‐resistant cancer cells indicated that OAS3 was associated with PTX resistance. The downregulation of OAS3 expression significantly reduced the viability and colony‐forming capacity of PTX‐resistant SCC‐9 cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase.ConclusionsThe therapeutic targeting of OAS3 may resensitize PTX‐resistant HNSCC cells with high OAS3 expression to PTX treatment.
Breaking barriers, building faculty: A qualitative analysis to exploring faculty development in academic hospital medicine
Authors: Badawy Jack , Sakumoto Matthew , Murphy Elizabeth , Schmit David , Davis Christine , Segon Ankur , Auerbach Andrew , Burden Marisha 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundHospital medicine (HM) continues to be primarily composed of junior hospitalists and research has highlighted a paucity of mentors and academic output. Faculty advancement programs have been identified as a means to support junior hospitalists in their career trajectories and to advance the field. The optimal approach to supporting faculty development (FD) efforts is not known.ObjectiveTo understand hospitalist groups' approaches to FD, including efforts that were perceived to be effective, and to identify barriers as well as potential future directions for FD.DesignRapid qualitative methods were utilized including templated summaries and matrix analysis to identify major themes.Setting and ParticipantsVirtual focus groups with hospitalists in the Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN).Main Outcome and MeasuresQualitative themes.ResultsNineteen individuals from 17 unique institutions from across the United States in May 2022 participated in seven focus groups. Four key themes emerged from the study and included (1) academic hospitalist programs face multifaceted challenges and barriers to FD in HM, (2) groups have embraced a diversity of structures and frameworks, (3) due to clinical volumes, FD programs have had to adapt and evolve to meet FD needs, and (4) participants identified multiple areas for improvement, including defining tangible outcomes of FD programs and creating a repository of FD material which can be shared widely.
Determination of vancomycin and meropenem in serum and synovial fluid of patients with prosthetic joint infections using UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: He Jiawei , Wang Jing , Cao Li , Zhang Xiaogang , Li Guoqing , Xu Boyong , Ji Baochao , Zhao Jun , Huang Junjie , Yang Jianhua 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNumerous studies have suggested that intra‐articular administration of antibiotics following primary revision surgery may be one of the methods for treating prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Vancomycin and meropenem are the two most commonly used antibiotics for local application. Determining the concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with PJI plays a significant role in further optimizing local medication schemes and effectively eradicating biofilm infections. This study aimed to establish a rapid, sensitive, and accurate ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method for determining the concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in human serum and synovial fluid. Serum samples were processed using acetonitrile precipitation of proteins and dichloromethane extraction, while synovial fluid samples were diluted before analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved in 6 min on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column, with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B). Quantification was carried out using a Waters XEVO TQD triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive ion mode. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was employed to detect the following quantifier ion transitions: 717.95–99.97 (norvancomycin), 725.90–100.04 (vancomycin), 384.16–67.99 (meropenem). The method validation conformed to the guidelines of the FDA and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The method demonstrated good linearity within the range of 0.5–50 μg/ml for serum and 0.5–100 μg/ml for synovial fluid. Selectivity, intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability validation results all met the required standards. This method has been successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies of patients with PJI.
MiniaturizedIPDband pass filter with low insertion loss based on modifiedT‐section for5Gapplications
Authors: Zhang Qi , Cao Yazi , Wang Gaofeng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA miniaturized bandpass filter (BPF) with low insertion loss based on a modified T‐section and a grounded transmission‐zero resonator is proposed. The novel T‐section consists of two resonators, which can achieve the bandpass performance with two transmission zeros (TZs) in the upper band. The grounded transmission‐zero resonator can generate an extra transmission zero in the lower band. Therefore, high frequency selectivity can be achieved by the above three transmission zeros near the passband. The proposed BPF can achieve an insertion loss of 0.8 dB and a return loss of 22 dB covering 3.3–4.2 GHz, and the upper‐stopband attenuation is better than 20 dB up to 12.5 GHz (3.3f0). The proposed BPF with a miniaturized size of 1.2 mm × 0.5 mm × 0.3 mm have been fabricated using Si‐based integrated passive devices (IPDs) technology and measured by on‐wafer probing. The simulated and measured results of the proposed BPF are in reasonably good agreement.
Ion‐Mediated Gelation of Thermo‐Responsive Cellulose Nanofibril/Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hybrid Hydrogels with Tunable De‐Swelling Kinetics
Authors: Motloung Bennie , Pfukwa Rueben , Klumperman Bert 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe tunability of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) to lower or higher temperatures, as well as the ease of modulation of the LCST phase transition kinetics broadens the scope of application of PNIPAM‐based materials in biomedical fields. This work reports a facile approach to formulate a smart, injectable cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/PNIPAM hybrid gel. Hofmeister salts are used to induce ion‐mediated gelation of the nanofibrils and PNIPAM chains, resulting in an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure. From rheological measurements, the hybrid material displays excellent structural integrity at room temperature and tunable thermo‐stiffening around body temperature. De‐swelling kinetics can be modulated by varying the nature and concentration of the Hofmeister ion used. The successful realization of the IPN hybrid gel structure is dependent on the molecular weight of PNIPAM used. Moreover, the hybrid gels show good thermo‐reversibility during thermal cycling, as well as excellent injectability and remarkable self‐healing post‐injection, owing to shear‐thinning and thixotropic characters. Since rheology is a crucial technique in the analysis of soft matter and flow behavior is fundamental for the design and synthesis of application‐specific viscoelastic materials, the work reported herein provides a rheological basis for careful design and synthesis of smart gels.
An extended isogeometric collocation method for fracture analysis
Authors: Fathi Farshid , Oakley Jeremy E. , de Borst René 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA collocation method is developed for discrete fracture models in the context of the partition‐of‐unity method. Spline technologies used in isogeometric analysis (IGA) are exploited to provide a smooth inter‐element transition of gradients, thus allowing to get rid of extra flux terms at element boundaries which are generated by Lagrange polynomials. Bézier extraction is utilised to formulate IGA commensurate with a standard finite element data‐structure. The efficacy of the proposed approach is examined through different numerical examples and is compared with other discrete methods for fracture analysis. The proposed approach is competitive in terms of accuracy with the least computational cost, rendering it a suitable candidate for superseding available collocation approaches for fracture simulation. Moreover, the approach naturally assesses the possibility of physics informed neural networks for fracture simulation, to which collocation is central.
Body composition analysis using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry in an Egyptian pediatric sickle cell disease cohort
Authors: Kaddah Ahmed Maher , Ibrahim Rania S. M. , Gamal Seham , Selim Yasmeen M. M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundGrowth failure is commonly encountered in sickle cell disease (SCD). Tissue compartment growth and development are subsequently likely to be altered in such patients.ObjectiveWe aimed to analyze body composition in an Egyptian pediatric SCD cohort using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA), one of the most comprehensive and noninvasive assessment methods available.MethodsForty children with SCD ≤18 years and 40 healthy youngsters age‐ and gender‐matched were enrolled. Patients’ demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were obtained from their archived files. All patients and controls were subjected to body composition assessment using a MedixDR—Whole Body DEXA System.ResultsIn SCD patients; weight and height relative to age Z scores were significantly lower (p < .001), total body lean was significantly higher (p = .006), and total body fat percentage was lower, yet the difference was not statistically significant (p = .09). There were no statistically significant variations in bone mineral density or content, basal metabolic rate, subcutaneous adipose tissue, android/gynoid fat ratio, and visceral adipose tissue. There were no significant gender disparities between SCD patients and controls.ConclusionFaltering growth in children with SCD should be addressed with a multidisciplinary approach including nutritional support, correction of anemia, and proper medical care. Body composition parameters assessed using DEXA were comparable between cases and controls apart from total body lean. Further clinical studies are needed with multicenter cooperation and a larger sample size to assess the usefulness of DEXA as an assessment tool for body composition in children with SCD.
Carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic synthesized by the hypercrosslinking reaction of polyether ether ketone
Authors: Yamamoto Tetsuya , Nakamoto Takumi , Irisawa Toshihira 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecently, thermoplastic resins were used as matrix to synthesize carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) for recycling it easily. In this study, a CFRTP with excellent mechanical properties and heat resistance was synthesized using a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) as a matrix resin. The PEEK resin was modified to form cross‐linked structures through Friedel–Crafts reaction alkylation. The synthesis temperature of CFRTP was optimized considering the mechanical properties of PEEK, and its heat resistance was enhanced because of the cross‐linked structures. Further, the cross‐linked PEEK resin was partially used as a matrix resin, and the mechanical properties of the CFRTP were enhanced. We plan to develop a method for recycling CFRTP using PEEK and crosslinked PEEK for synthesizing C/C composites by focusing on the high heat resistance of the crosslinked PEEK containing a large amount of carbon and reducing mass loss after heat treatment.Highlights
CC bonds were introduced into the polyether ether ketone (PEEK) resin by Friedel–Crafts reaction alkylation.
Thermal properties of PEEK were enhanced by hypercrosslinking reaction.
Optimization of synthesized temperature was investigated to fabricate carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP).
Mechanical properties were enhanced CFRTP modified with hypercrosslinking reaction.
Adaptive neural tracking control for flexible joint robot including hydraulic actuator dynamics with disturbance observer
Authors: Phan Van Du , Vo Cong Phat , Ahn Kyoung Kwan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a disturbance observer‐based adaptive neural backstepping integral sliding mode control (BISMC) is developed for a flexible joint robot (FJR) with the integration of an adjustable stiffness rotary actuator (ASRA). This system suffers from unknown system dynamics, external disturbance, and the influence of variable stiffness, which is a challenge for achieving precision tracking performance. Considering the lumped disturbances in FJR generated by the hydraulic system and the stiffness modulation of the ASRA, we investigate the structural dynamics nonlinear model of the FJR system, including hydraulic actuator dynamics. While other linear control strategies are applied for the FJR, the proposed controller uses BISMC, neural networks (NN), and nonlinear disturbance observers to deal with the disadvantages mentioned above. Radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN) are designed to tackle unknown nonlinear functions, and the disturbance observers are introduced to compensate for the influence of the variable stiffness, disturbance, and the approximation error caused by NN. Simulations and experiments are independently implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed controller. Results exhibit that the integral absolute error‐index is reduced by 20.4% when the proposed method is deployed for the experiment with a multistep trajectory.
Synthesis of Poly(methacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) Nanogels: Effect of Synthesis Parameters on the Nanosize, Characterization and Stimuli‐Sensitive Characteristics
Authors: Sağlam Sağra , Çavuş Selva 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPoly(methacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) P(MAAm‐co‐MAAc) nanogels were synthesized using emulsion polymerization method and characterized in terms of structure, stimuli‐sensitive behavior and nanosize. The effect of monomer, surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and cross‐linker (N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide) concentration on the nanosize of the nanogels was investigated. The hydrodynamic size of nanogels was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and it was found to be in the range of 109.8–146.1 nm. Polydispersity index (PDI) values were lower than 0.3 (in the range of 0.145–0.261) confirming the narrow size distribution of the nanogels. Zeta potential measurements indicated that the nanogels exhibited good stability. Stimuli‐sensitive behavior of the nanogels was evaluated using UV‐visible spectroscopy. Characterization of the nanogels was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).