bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth, Body Composition, and Nutritional Status in Children and Adolescents With Crohn's Disease
Authors: Sentongo Timothy A , Semeao Edisio J , Piccoli David A , Stallings Virginia A , Zemel Babette S 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine growth, body composition, and nutritional status in a large sample of children, adolescents, and young adults with Crohn's disease (CD).Methods:One hundred thirty‐two subjects (48 females) with CD, aged 5 to 25 years, and 66 healthy control subjects (37 females) of similar age. Growth, nutritional status, and body composition were measured by anthropometry and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Genetic potential of linear growth was predicted using the adjusted heights of Himes et al. Pubertal status and skeletal age were assessed. Average Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) and lifetime steroid exposure (in milligrams per day) were obtained from medical charts. The variables were examined in relation to gender and measures of disease activity.Results:Males and females with CD did not differ by age, disease duration, or PCDAI. Males with CD had significantly lower values for growth and nutritional status than control subjects (z‐ scores for weight: ‐0.66 ± 1.18 vs. 0.26 ± 0.95, P = 0.00002; height ‐0.81 ± 1.14 vs. 0.28 ± 0.93, P = 0.00001; adjusted height ‐1.05 ± 1.03 vs. 0.40 ± 1.03, P = 0.00001) and delayed skeletal age of 0.9 ± 1.6 years. Impaired linear growth in the males was present regardless of pubertal stage. Associations between disease severity indicators and growth parameters were more consistent for females.Conclusions:Crohn's disease is associated with impaired growth. Despite similarities in disease duration, activity, and lifetime steroid exposure, growth in males was more impaired. Gender may confer risk for impaired growth in CD.
The existence of 23 ${2}^{3}$‐decomposable super‐simple (v,4,6) $(v,4,6)$‐BIBDs
Authors: Yu Huangsheng , Chen Jingyuan , Abel R. Julian R. , Wu Dianhua 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA design is said to be super‐simple if the intersection of any two blocks has at most two elements. A design with index is said to be ‐decomposable, if its blocks can be partitioned into nonempty collections , , such that each with the point set forms a design with index . In this paper, it is proved that there exists a ‐decomposable super‐simple ‐BIBD (balanced incomplete block design) if and only if and .
Prospective study on planned biliary stent placement to treat small common bile duct stones
Authors: Terada Shuzo , Kawaguchi Shinya , Nakatani Eiji , Inagawa Atsuko , Hikichi Tomoki , Takeda Shodai , Ishiguro Yuya , Kashima Hirotaka , Hirata Taiyo , Ikeda Shinya , Asahara Kazuhisa , Satoh Tatsunori , Masui Yuichi , Matsuda Masanori , Itai Ryosuke , Kawai Asami , Endo Shinya , Kurokami Takafumi , Shirane Naofumi , Ohno Kazuya 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsSmall common bile duct stones are known to occasionally clear spontaneously. This study aimed to prospectively assess the role of biliary stent placement in promoting the spontaneous clearance of small common bile duct stones.Methods and ResultsWe analyzed patients presenting with common bile duct stones of ≤5 mm diameter between June 2020 and May 2022. The exclusion criteria included asymptomatic patients, biliary pancreatitis, altered gastrointestinal anatomy, bile duct strictures (malignant or benign), and a history of EST. The biliary stents were inserted without stone removal. Stone clearance was assessed using endoscopic ultrasonography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after 3 months. Our primary endpoint was the clearance rate of common bile duct stones over 6 months, targeting a lower limit for the 95% confidence interval (CI) exceeding 25%. Of the 32 enrolled patients, 18 (56.3%; 95% CI: 37.7–73.6%) exhibited stone clearance. Early complications occurred in 11 patients (34.4%), totaling 12 incidents: acute cholecystitis in four, acute pancreatitis in three, biliary pain in three, and cholangitis in two patients. No severe complications occurred. Six (18.8%) patients experienced asymptomatic stent migration. Following stone clearance, four (12.5%) patients experienced stone recurrence, with an average duration of 256 ± 164 days.ConclusionBiliary stenting appeared to effectively promote the clearance of small common bile duct stones in approximately half of the patients. However, the potential complications and risks of stone recurrence warrant close monitoring.This trial was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT1042200020).
Raman spectroscopy of phonon states in NbTe4 and TaTe4 quasi‐one‐dimensional van der Waals crystals
Authors: Nataj Zahra Ebrahim , Kargar Fariborz , Krylyuk Sergiy , Debnath Topojit , Taheri Maedeh , Ghosh Subhajit , Zhang Huairuo , Davydov Albert V. , Lake Roger K. , Balandin Alexander A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe report the results of polarization‐dependent Raman spectroscopy of phonon states in single‐crystalline quasi‐one‐dimensional NbTe4 and TaTe4 van der Waals materials. The measurements were conducted in the wide temperature range from 80 to 560 K. Our results show that although both materials have identical crystal structures and symmetries, there is a drastic difference in the intensity of their Raman spectra. While TaTe4 exhibits well‐defined peaks through the examined wavenumber and temperature ranges, NbTe4 reveals extremely weak Raman signatures. The measured spectral positions of the phonon peaks agree with the phonon band structure calculated using the density‐functional theory. We offer possible reasons for the intensity differences between the two van der Waals materials. Our results provide insights into the phonon properties of NbTe4 and TaTe4 van der Waals materials and indicate the potential of Raman spectroscopy for studying charge‐density‐wave quantum condensate phases.
Study of the effect of calcium signal participating in the antioxidant mechanism of yeast under high‐sugar environment
Authors: Xie Dongdong , Sun Yingqi , Li Xing , Zheng Jiaxin , Ren Shuncheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDSaccharomyces cerevisiae is susceptible to high‐sugar stress in the production of bioethanol, wine and bread. Calcium signal is widely involved in various physiological and metabolic activities of cells. The present study aimed to explore the effects of Ca2+ signal on the antioxidant mechanism of yeast during high‐sugar fermentation.RESULTSCompared to yeast without available Ca2+, yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group had higher dry weight, higher ethanol output at 12 and 24 h and higher glycerol output at 24 and 36 h. During the whole growth process, the trehalose synthesis capacity of yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group was lower and intracellular reactive oxygen species content was higher compared to yeast without available Ca2+. Intracellular malondialdehyde content of yeast under high glucose with Ca2+ was significantly lower than yeast under high glucose without available Ca2+ except for 6 h. The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of yeast and glutathione content were higher in the high glucose with Ca2+ group compared to yeast in high glucose without available Ca2+. The expression levels of SOD1, GSH1, GPX2 genes were higher for high glucose without available Ca2+ at 6 h, while yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group had a higher expression of antioxidant‐related genes except SOD1 and CTT1 at 12 h. The expression levels of antioxidant‐related genes of yeast for high glucose with Ca2+ were higher at 24 h, and those of genes except SOD1 of yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group were higher at 36 h.CONCLUSIONHigh‐glucose stress limited the growth of yeast, while a moderate extracellular Ca2+ signal could improve the antioxidant capacity of yeast in a high‐glucose environment by regulating protectant metabolism and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity and expression of antioxidant genes in a high‐sugar environment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Resonantly Enhanced Optical Birefringence in Ultrathin High‐Index WS2 Metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Yuefeng , Xia Meng , Zhou Jiaxin , Huang Di , Chen Yuhua , Zhang Xingwang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOptical birefringence plays an important role in the manipulation of polarization states of light. However, the weak birefringence in common birefringent materials restricts the device thickness to tens of microns for desired phase retardation. Although recent advances in dielectric metasurfaces have enabled remarkable birefringence using structurally anisotropic nanostructures, the refractive index contrast between the dielectric and the air cladding fundamentally limits the thickness of metasurfaces to a fraction of a micron to obtain the required phase retardation. Here, birefringent resonances in high‐index tungsten disulfide (WS2) metasurfaces are utilized to push the thickness limit down to the deep subwavelength scale. The inherent high‐index property of WS2 enables birefringent resonances in WS2 metasurfaces which consist of anisotropic nanostructures with a thickness of only 50 nm. Such birefringent resonances enhance the light‐matter interaction and produce an unprecedented birefringence (Δneff) about 4. As a result, it is experimentally realized that circular‐to‐linear polarization conversion with a normalized efficiency of ≈90% within an incident angle range up to ±10°. The results break the fundamental limit of birefringent devices and provide strategies for creating ultimate thin polarization optical devices.
Effect of Tulbaghia violacea‐Derived Devulcanized Rubber on the Properties of Natural Rubber/Styrene‐Butadiene Rubber Blends
Authors: Mnyango Jabulani I. , Hlangothi Buyiswa G. , Mabuto Briswell , Woolard Christopher D. , Hlangothi Shanganyane P. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe current study serves to demonstrate the potential utilization of devulcanized rubber produced using Tulbaghia violacea Harv. in a supercritical media. The devulcanized rubber, ranging from 5 to 35 wt% is incorporated into virgin natural rubber (NR)/styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) blends. The effect of devulcanized rubber addition is assessed by evaluating variations in the curing characteristics, physical attributes, morphologies, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical analysis of several vulcanized blends. The findings indicate a reduction in the blends' curing characteristics with an increase in devulcanized rubber proportion, except for minimum torque. Furthermore, the ultimate tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, and rebound resilience decrease, while the tensile moduli and stiffness exhibit an increase with an increase in devulcanized rubber proportion. The observed decline in mechanical property is associated with failure points identified through surface fracture imaging. Additionally, an increase in crosslink density and hardness aligned with the alterations in dynamic mechanical properties as the proportion of devulcanized rubber is increased. The study suggests that the rubber devulcanized with T. violacea Harv.—when blended with virgin NR/SBR blends—could be tailored for specific applications.
A High‐Stretchability, Wide Detection Range, and Wide Temperature Range Ti3C2Tx MXene/Graphene Strain Sensor Based on a Buckling Structure
Authors: Wang Yanli , Qin Wenjing , Zhou Xiang , Liu Enzhao , Zhu Yutian , Yin Shougen , Guo Wenjin , Liu Zunfeng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFlexible wearable sensors have the characteristics of flexibility, comfort, and wearability, and have shown great potential in future electronic products. Despite significant efforts in developing stretchable electronic materials and structures, the development of flexible strain sensors with a wide temperature range, high sensitivity, broad detection range, and good interface stability remains challenging. Here, strain sensors with buckled structures are fabricated using high and low‐temperature resistant material Ti3C2Tx MXene/graphene, PDMS 184. The conductive material Ti3C2Tx MXene/graphene exhibits excellent interface interaction with PDMS 184, addressing not only the poor compatibility issue between the conductive material and the flexible substrate, but also demonstrating good stability and cycling performance. Buckled structure improves the stretchability and linearity of strain sensors. The fabricated strain sensor is suitable for a wide temperature range (−40 to 120 °C) and exhibits high stretchability (120% strain). The strain sensor demonstrates rapid response times at different temperatures: −40 (72.6 ms), 0 (62.7 ms), and 120 °C (52.7 ms). The strain sensor exhibits high sensitivity at different temperatures: −40 (GF = 0.38), 0 (GF = 0.24), 40 (GF = 0.66), and 120 °C (GF = 1.47). The strain sensor has a wide detection range (0.1% to 120%) and excellent cycling stability. In addition, Ti3C2Tx MXene/graphene strain sensors can accurately capture various human activities, such as blinking, speaking, finger bending, and wrist bending.
Microstructure and properties of copper coating by using plasma‐assisted low‐pressure cold spray
Authors: Wang M. T. , Chen W. C. , Chang D. X. , Yu B. Y. , Zheng L. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPlasma‐assisted low‐pressure cold spraying and conventional cold spraying methods are used to prepare copper coatings on copper substrates. The thickness, porosity micromorphology, and mechanical and corrosion properties of the copper coating prepared by high‐pressure cold spraying and plasma‐assisted low‐pressure cold spraying are studied. The results indicated that in single‐pass deposition, the copper coating prepared by plasma‐assisted low‐pressure cold spraying has a small porosity and a thick coating under the spraying conditions with the same powder feeding rate, which has a better deposition effect. The coating grains prepared by the plasma‐assisted method undergo a recrystallization process, and the grains are refined. Plasma‐assisted low‐pressure cold spray technology can achieve a good repair effect on parts.
Analysis of the spatial influences on innovation efficiency of enterprises with different ownership in China: high‐tech industry as an example
Authors: Shao Suyuan , Chen Xiao , Hu Xijian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEnterprises have different behavioral characteristics depending on their ownership structure and their nature and play different roles in promoting economic development. In order to explore the innovation behavior characteristics of private enterprises, state‐owned enterprises, Hong Kong‐, Macao‐, and Taiwan‐funded enterprises, and foreign‐funded enterprises in China's high‐tech industry, this paper constructs spatial lag models and varying coefficient spatial lag models within the framework of knowledge production functions. It not only evaluates the technological innovation performance of various types of enterprises in high‐tech industries but also comprehensively explores the differences in the impact of external environments such as spatial dependence and business environment on the innovation efficiency of various types of enterprises. The results of the study provide a reference for enterprise managers and investors to efficiently allocate the scarce resources for innovation investment.
A multiagent collaborative development strategy for environmental pollution liability insurance based on an evolutionary game
Authors: Zhao Yan , Cheng Ruyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo improve the problem of environmental pollution liability insurance, this paper constructs an evolutionary game model based on the government, insurance companies, and polluting enterprises. The findings indicate that in an imperfect market, penalty and subsidy mechanisms boost insurance rates. Reinsurance facilitates insurer underwriting, prompting gradual government withdrawal. Effective pricing mechanisms by insurance companies enhance environmental liability insurance operations amid evolving market mechanisms, offering theoretical guidance for addressing challenges in implementing such insurance.
Auto parts quality certification and manufacturer regulation: An evolutionary game theory perspective
Authors: Cai Xin , Li Dongdong , Wang Chaofa 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper explores a two‐population evolutionary game that models the role of manufacturer regulation as a motivation to auto parts quality certification. In particular, we assume that auto parts suppliers can choose whether or not to obtain the certification, ensuring a relatively high quality of the products, and manufactures can choose whether or not to engage in regulation for certification facilitation, influencing the suppliers' incentive to avoid punishment of uncertificated products. We study the Nash equilibria of this game and conduct static and dynamic evolutionary analyses. The research shows that reducing the auto parts suppliers' certification cost, increasing the penalty cost of the supplier who provides the auto parts that are not certified, and distributing the risk‐loss proportion of manufacturer and supplier properly can encourage auto parts suppliers to obtain the quality certification.
Timing and green decisions for competitive manufacturers under demand uncertainty and risk aversion
Authors: Li Hongmei , Tan Yingshuang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLeveraging real options theory, we have constructed a utility‐based model to examine the influence of uncertainty, risk aversion, and competition on the optimal entry timing for green manufacturers and traditional manufacturers, as well as the degree of greenness for follower products. Our analysis reveals that increased uncertainty and risk aversion enhance the value of investment opportunities for manufacturers, thereby raising their investment thresholds. Even though competition reduces the value of market entry for the leader compared to monopoly, its investment thresholds are unaffected by competition. More interestingly, consumer green preferences exhibit a non‐monotonic impact on green enterprise's entry timing.
A Gently Processed Skim Milk‐Derived Whey Protein Concentrate for Infant Formula: Effects on Gut Development and Immunity in Preterm Pigs
Authors: Aasmul‐Olsen Karoline , Akıllıoğlu Halise Gül , Christiansen Line Iadsatian , Engholm‐Keller Kasper , Brunse Anders , Stefanova Denitsa Vladimirova , Bjørnshave Ann , Bechshøft Mie Rostved , Skovgaard Kerstin , Thymann Thomas , Sangild Per Torp , Lund Marianne Nissen , Bering Stine Brandt 
Published: February 2024

ScopeProcessing of whey protein concentrate (WPC) for infant formulas may induce protein modifications with severe consequences for preterm newborn development. The study investigates how conventional WPC and a gently processed skim milk‐derived WPC (SPC) affect gut and immune development after birth.Methods and resultsNewborn, preterm pigs used as a model of preterm infants were fed formula containing WPC, SPC, extra heat‐treated SPC (HT‐SPC), or stored HT‐SPC (HTS‐SPC) for 5 days. SPC contained no protein aggregates and more native lactoferrin, and despite higher Maillard reaction product (MRP) formation, the clinical response and most gut and immune parameters are similar to WPC pigs. SPC feeding negatively impacts intestinal MRP accumulation, mucosa, and bacterial diversity. In contrast, circulating T‐cells are decreased and oxidative stress‐ and inflammation‐related genes are upregulated in WPC pigs. Protein aggregation and MRP formation increase in HTS‐SPC, leading to reduced antibacterial activity, lactase/maltase ratio, circulating neutrophils, and cytotoxic T‐cells besides increased gut MRP accumulation and expression of TNFAIP3.ConclusionThe gently processed SPC has more native protein, but higher MRP levels than WPC, resulting in similar tolerability but subclinical adverse gut effects in preterm pigs. Additional heat treatment and storage further induce MRP formation, gut inflammation, and intestinal mucosal damage.
Interventional device tracking under MRI via alternating current controlled inhomogeneities
Authors: Uzun Dogangun , Yildirim Dursun Korel , Bruce Christopher G. , Halaby Rim N. , Jaimes Andrea E. , Potersnak Amanda , Ramasawmy Rajiv , Campbell‐Washburn Adrienne E. , Lederman Robert J. , Kocaturk Ozgur 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurposeTo introduce alternating current‐controlled, conductive ink‐printed marker that could be implemented with both custom and commercial interventional devices for device tracking under MRI using gradient echo, balanced SSFP, and turbo spin‐echo sequences.MethodsTracking markers were designed as solenoid coils and printed on heat shrink tubes using conductive ink. These markers were then placed on three MR‐compatible test samples that are typically challenging to visualize during MRI scans. MRI visibility of markers was tested by applying alternating and direct current to the markers, and the effects of applied current parameters (amplitude, frequency) on marker artifacts were tested for three sequences (gradient echo, turbo spin echo, and balanced SSFP) in a gel phantom, using 0.55T and 1.5T MRI scanners. Furthermore, an MR‐compatible current supply circuit was designed, and the performance of the current‐controlled markers was tested in one postmortem animal experiment using the current supply circuit.ResultsDirection and parameters of the applied current were determined to provide the highest conspicuity for all three sequences. Marker artifact size was controlled by adjusting the current amplitude, successfully. Visibility of a custom‐designed, 20‐gauge nitinol needle was increased in both in vitro and postmortem animal experiments using the current supply circuit.ConclusionCurrent‐controlled conductive ink‐printed markers can be placed on custom or commercial MR‐compatible interventional tools and can provide an easy and effective solution to device tracking under MRI for three sequences by adjusting the applied current parameters with respect to pulse sequence parameters using the current supply circuit.
Some preconditioning techniques for a class of double saddle point problems
Authors: Balani Bakrani Fariba , Bergamaschi Luca , Martínez Ángeles , Hajarian Masoud 
Published: February 2024

SummaryIn this paper, we describe and analyze the spectral properties of several exact block preconditioners for a class of double saddle point problems. Among all these, we consider an inexact version of a block triangular preconditioner providing extremely fast convergence of the (F)GMRES method. We develop a spectral analysis of the preconditioned matrix showing that the complex eigenvalues lie in a circle of center and radius 1, while the real eigenvalues are described in terms of the roots of a third order polynomial with real coefficients. Numerical examples are reported to illustrate the efficiency of inexact versions of the proposed preconditioners, and to verify the theoretical bounds.
A case study in leveraging strategic partnerships through trust‐based philanthropy
Authors: Jones Nora L. , Epstein Andrew , Bair‐Merritt Megan , Drury Stacy , Farrington Lindsay , Fernández Anabel , Fleckman Julia M. , Francois Samantha , Gilbert Hannah , Howard Carey , Morris Anita , Pierce Joanna Elkes , Rankin Mazvita , Reeves Kathleen , Steenhoff Andrew P. , James‐Vance Deborah , Scott Danielle Y. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis practice note highlights a case study of leveraging strategic partnerships through trust‐based philanthropy, a set of practices rooted in values, relationship building, mutual learning, and equity. It describes the motivations, planning, and execution of a symposium organized by, and held for, a Foundation and four of its grantees. The symposium led to the development of sustained pathways between and among the partners, resulting in productive collaborations and shared projects. This case study is shared to illustrate the argument that it is the responsibility of funders, and certainly in their self‐interest, to eliminate competition between organizations to whom they provide financial resources and support. By facilitating trust and collaboration, funders are uniquely positioned to foster collective, higher‐impact work.