bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Severe Epidemics of Chickpea Ascochyta Blight Using Weather Variables
Authors: Naseri Bita , Mahmodi Farshid 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTChickpea production is threatened by severe epidemics of Ascochyta blight occurring in main chickpea growing lands under appropriate weather conditions worldwide. In this 4‐year research, occurrence of Ascochyta blight was monitored across nine main chickpea growing areas of Kermanshah province, western part of Iran. Each year, commercial chickpea fields were studied on a weekly basis from March to June. Disease data were collected as disease incidence (percentage of infected plants) and severity (percentage of infected tissues) and occurrence of epidemics. Weather data were collected as air temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity (RH) on a daily basis. According to a factor analysis, which explained 83% of data variance, 13 weather predictors were selected to estimate disease epidemics developed across different areas. Before modeling, a principal component analysis determined predictive values for these selected weather variables. Then, eight predictors of rainy days in March and April, mean RH in February, mean minimum temperature in January–March–April, and rainfalls in May and June were involved in model based on their predictive values. Current findings advanced our knowledge on the best weather predictors of severe epidemics of Ascochyta blight in chickpea crops at large scale.
Biodegradable Honeycomb‐Mimic Scaffolds Consisting of Nanofibrous Walls
Authors: Ko Young Gun , Smith Callahan Laura A. , Ma Peter X. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe scaffold is a porous three‐dimensional (3D) material that supports cell growth and tissue regeneration. Such 3D structures should be generated with simple techniques and nontoxic ingredients to mimic bio‐environment and facilitate tissue regeneration. In this work, simple but powerful techniques are demonstrated for the fabrication of lamellar and honeycomb‐mimic scaffolds with poly(L‐lactic acid). The honeycomb‐mimic scaffolds with tunable pore size ranging from 70 to 160 µm are fabricated by crystal needle‐guided thermally induced phase separation in a directional freezing apparatus. The compressive modulus of the honeycomb‐mimic scaffold is ≈4 times higher than that of scaffold with randomly oriented pore structure. The fabricated honeycomb‐mimic scaffold exhibits a hierarchical structure from nanofibers to micro‐/macro‐tubular structures. Pre‐osteoblast MC3T3‐E1 cells cultured on the honeycomb‐mimic nanofibrous scaffolds exhibit an enhanced osteoblastic phenotype, with elevated expression levels of osteogenic marker genes, than those on either porous lamellar scaffolds or porous scaffolds with randomly oriented pores. The advanced techniques for the fabrication of the honeycomb‐mimic structure may potentially be used for a wide variety of advanced functional materials.
A new Hermite finite element for nonlinear Kirchhoff rods: The plane case
Authors: Armero Francisco 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article presents the formulation of a finite element method for nonlinear Kirchhoff rods, based on a interpolation of the rod's geometry in terms of Hermite shape functions. The critical use of the same interpolation scheme for both the geometry and the kinematics of the rod is shown to lead to the correct invariant properties of the final numerical formulation, thus leading to the correct resolution of the fundamental equilibrium relations along it (balance of forces and moments). The so‐called “self‐straining” is completely avoided. Several numerical examples are presented illustrating the adequacy of the proposed formulation for the analysis of thin rods undergoing large finite deformations.
Molluscicidal effect mechanism study on metaldehyde to Pomacea canaliculate at low temperature
Authors: Chen Huabao , Zhou Yue , Zhang Min , Gong Guoshu , Yue Guizhou , Luo Liya , Qiu Xiaoyan , Yang Chunping 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDMetaldehyde is a molluscicide commonly used to control Pomacea canaliculate. Its efficacy is significantly impacted by water temperature, although the underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored.RESULTSIn this study, we systematically investigated the temperature effect and molecular mechanisms of metaldehyde on P. canaliculata. The molluscicidal effect at various temperatures indicated that metaldehyde's molluscicidal activity significantly decreases with a drop in temperature. The LC50 value was only 458.8176 mg/L at 10 °C, while it surged to a high of 0.8249 mg/L at 25 °C. The impact of low temperature (10 °C) on metaldehyde's molluscicidal activity was analyzed via transcriptomics. The results revealed that the effect of low temperature primarily influences immunity, lipid synthesis, and oxidative stress. The expression of stress and immune‐related genes, such as MANF, HSP70, Cldf7, HSP60, and PclaieFc, significantly increased. Furthermore, we studied the function of five target genes using RNA interference (RNAi) and discovered that Cldf7 and HSP70 could notably affect metaldehyde's molluscicidal effect. The mortality of P. canaliculata increased by 36.17% (72 h) after Cldf7 interference and by 48.90% (72 h) after HSP70 interference.CONCLUSIONOur findings demonstrate that low temperature can induce the extensive expression of the Cldf7 and HSP70 genes, resulting in a substantial reduction in metaldehyde's molluscicidal activity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Actigraphy methodology in the Kids Mod PAH trial: Physical activity as a functional endpoint in pediatric clinical trials
Authors: Avitabile Catherine M. , Krishnan Usha S. , Yung Delphine , Handler Stephanie S. , Varghese Nidhy , Bates Angela , Fineman Jeff , Sullivan Rachel , Friere Grace , Austin Eric , Mullen Mary P. , Pereira Carol , Christensen Eric J. , Yenokyan Gayane , Collaco Joseph M. , Abman Steven H. , Romer Lew , Dunbar Ivy D. , Rosenzweig Erika B. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPulmonary vasodilator treatment can improve hemodynamics, right ventricular function, symptoms, and survival in pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, clinical trial data are lacking due to many constraints. One major limitation is the lack of relevant trial endpoints reflective of hemodynamics or functional status in patients in whom standard exercise testing is impractical, unreliable, or not reproducible. The Kids Mod PAH trial (Mono‐ vs. Duo Therapy for Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) is an ongoing multicenter, Phase III, randomized, open‐label, pragmatic trial to compare the safety and efficacy of first‐line combination therapy (sildenafil and bosentan) to first‐line monotherapy (sildenafil alone) in 100 pediatric patients with PH across North America. Investigators will measure participants’ physical activity with a research‐grade, wrist‐worn actigraphy device at multiple time points as an exploratory secondary outcome. Vector magnitude counts per minute and activity intensity will be compared between the treatment arms. By directly and noninvasively measuring physical activity in the ambulatory setting, we aim to identify a novel, simple, inexpensive, and highly reproducible approach for quantitative assessment of exercise tolerance in pediatric PH. These data will increase the field's understanding of the effect of pulmonary vasodilator treatment on daily activity – a quantitative measure of functional status and wellbeing in pediatric PH and a potential primary outcome for future clinical trials in children with cardiopulmonary disorders.
Reliability modeling of systems with random failure threshold subjected to cumulative shocks using machine learning method
Authors: Shamstabar Yousof , Ebrahimmagham Neda , Samimi Yaser , Shahriari Hamid 
Published: March 2024

AbstractModeling and evaluation of a system reliability is a key issue in shock model analysis. In cumulative shock model, a system fails when the total damages caused by shocks exceeds the system failure threshold level. The reliability of a system with random failure threshold level under cumulative shocks is investigated in this work, considering the general dependency between inter‐arrival times of shocks and their damages magnitudes. Clustering, as one of the unsupervised machine learning methods, is utilized here by applying a genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) for its implementation. Phase‐type (PH) distributions and their properties are also applied for finding a system failure distribution functions, determining the convolutions, evaluating the integrals, and ultimately modeling the system reliability. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the implementation and effectiveness of the proposed modeling procedure and the suggested approach for computing the system reliability and remaining useful lifetime (RUL). Also, an example case study of X‐ray machine in healthcare industry is provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed model. Applying other machine learning methods for patterns recognition is an area for future research.
Flexible development and evaluation of machine‐learning‐supported optimal control and estimation methods via HILO‐MPC
Authors: Pohlodek Johannes , Morabito Bruno , Schlauch Christian , Zometa Pablo , Findeisen Rolf 
Published: March 2024

AbstractModel‐based optimization approaches for monitoring and control, such as model predictive control and optimal state and parameter estimation, have been used successfully for decades in many engineering applications. Models describing the dynamics, constraints, and desired performance criteria are fundamental to model‐based approaches. Thanks to recent technological advancements in digitalization, machine‐learning methods such as deep learning, and computing power, there has been an increasing interest in using machine learning methods alongside model‐based approaches for control and estimation. The number of new methods and theoretical findings using machine learning for model‐based control and optimization is increasing rapidly. However, there are no easy‐to‐use, flexible, and freely available open‐source tools that support the development and straightforward solution to these problems. This article outlines the basic ideas and principles behind an easy‐to‐use Python toolbox that allows to solve machine‐learning‐supported optimization, model predictive control, and estimation problems quickly and efficiently. The toolbox leverages state‐of‐the‐art machine learning libraries to train components used to define the problem. Machine learning can be used for a broad spectrum of problems, ranging from model predictive control for stabilization, set point tracking, path following, and trajectory tracking to moving horizon estimation and Kalman filtering. For linear systems, it enables quick generation of code for embedded model predictive control applications. HILO‐MPC is flexible and adaptable, making it especially suitable for research and fundamental development tasks. Due to its simplicity and numerous already implemented examples, it is also a powerful teaching tool. The usability is underlined, presenting a series of application examples.
A Near‐Infrared Photothermal‐Responsive Underwater Adhesive with Tough Adhesion and Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Yan Yonggan , Wei Luxing , Shao Jinlong , Qiu Xiaoyong , Zhang Xiaolai , Cui Xin , Huang Jun , Ge Shaohua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDeveloping tunable underwater adhesives that possess tough adhesion in service and easy detachment when required remains challenging. Herein, a strategy is proposed to design a near infrared (NIR) photothermal‐responsive underwater adhesive by incorporating MXene (Ti3C2Tx)‐based nanoparticles within isocyanate‐modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer chains. The developed adhesive exhibits long‐term and tough adhesion with an underwater adhesion strength reaching 5.478 MPa. Such strong adhesion is mainly attributed to the covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds at the adhesive‐substrate interface. By making use of the photothermal‐response of MXene‐based nanoparticles and the thermal response of PDMS‐based chains, the adhesive possesses photothermal‐responsive performance, exhibiting sharply diminished adhesion under NIR irradiation. Such NIR‐triggered tunable adhesion allows for easy and active detachment of the adhesive when needed. Moreover, the underwater adhesive exhibits photothermal antibacterial property, making it highly desirable for underwater applications. This work enhances the understanding of photothermal‐responsive underwater adhesion, enabling the design of tunable underwater adhesives for biomedical and engineering applications.
Graph‐based mutually exciting point processes for modelling event times in docked bike‐sharing systems
Authors: Sanna Passino Francesco , Che Yining , Cardoso Correia Perello Carlos 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces graph‐based mutually exciting processes (GB‐MEP) to model event times in network point processes, focusing on an application to docked bike‐sharing systems. GB‐MEP incorporates known relationships between nodes in a graph within the intensity function of a node‐based multivariate Hawkes process. This approach reduces the number of parameters to a quantity proportional to the number of nodes in the network, resulting in significant advantages for computational scalability when compared with traditional methods. The model is applied on event data observed on the Santander Cycles network in central London, demonstrating that exploiting network‐wide information related to geographical location of the stations is beneficial to improve the performance of node‐based models for applications in bike‐sharing systems. The proposed GB‐MEP framework is more generally applicable to any network point process where a distance function between nodes is available, demonstrating wider applicability.
Workup and management of liver transplantation in alcohol‐related liver disease
Authors: Germani Giacomo , Degré Delphine , Moreno Christophe , Burra Patrizia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlcohol‐related liver disease (ALD) represents the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide. Outcomes of LT for ALD are comparable with those of LT for other etiologies; however, ALD is still considered a controversial indication for LT, mainly because it is considered a self‐inflicted disease with a high risk of return to alcohol use after LT. Pre‐LT evaluation criteria have changed over time, with a progressive re‐evaluation of the required pre‐transplant duration of abstinence. Despite the fact that some transplant programs still require 6 months of abstinence in order to consider a patient suitable for LT, there is increasing evidence that a pre‐transplant abstinence period of <6 months can be considered for well‐selected patients. Early LT for severe alcohol‐related hepatitis that has not responded to medical therapy has been shown to be an effective therapeutic option with high survival benefit when performed within strict and well‐recognized criteria. However, high variability in LT access exists for these patients due to the presence of social and medical stigma. A psycho‐social assessment, together with an evaluation by an addiction specialist, should be mandatory in patients with ALD who are potential candidates for LT in order to assess the risk of post‐transplant return to alcohol use and to ensure good long‐term outcomes. Finally, before LT, attention should be paid to the presence of other potential comorbidities (i.e., cardiovascular and neurological diseases), which could represent a potential contraindication to LT. Similarly, after LT, patients should be adequately monitored for the development of cardiovascular events and screened for “de novo” tumors, although standardized protocols for this monitoring do not exist at this time.
Operant social self-administration in male CD1 mice
Authors: Lee Samantha S. , Venniro Marco , Shaham Yavin , Hope Bruce T. , Ramsey Leslie A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Rationale and Objective
We recently introduced a model of operant social reward in which female CD1 mice lever press for access to affiliative social interaction with a cagemate peer mouse of the same sex and strain. Here we determined the generality of the operant social self-administration model to male CD1 mice who, under certain conditions, will lever press to attack a subordinate male mouse.

Methods
We trained male CD1 mice to lever press for food and social interaction with a same sex and strain cagemate peer under different fixed-ratio (FR) schedule response requirements (FR1 to FR6). We then tested their motivation to seek social interaction after 15 days of isolation in the presence of cues previously paired with social self-administration. We also determined the effect of housing conditions on operant social self-administration and seeking. Finally, we determined sex differences in operant social self-administration and seeking, and the effect of housing conditions on unconditioned affiliative and antagonistic (aggressive) social interactions in both sexes.

Results
Male CD1 mice lever pressed for access to a cagemate peer under different FR response requirements and seek social interaction after 15 isolation days; these effects were independent of housing conditions. There were no sex differences in operant social self-administration and seeking. Finally, group-housed CD1 male mice did not display unconditioned aggressive behavior toward a peer male CD1 mouse.

Conclusions
Adult socially housed male CD1 mice can be used in studies on operant social reward without the potential confound of operant responding to engage in aggressive interactions.
Development of a target concentration intervention to individualize paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treatment with pegcetacoplan
Authors: ter Avest Mendy , Langemeijer Saskia M.C , Blijlevens Nicole M.A. , van de Kar Nicole C.A.J. , ter Heine Rob 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPegcetacoplan (Aspaveli®/Empaveli™) is a factor C3 inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. An individualized dosing strategy might be useful to improve patient-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of this very expensive drug. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an individualized treatment regimen for pegcetacoplan based on the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic data of the manufacturer. We conducted a clinical trial simulation with the approved dosing regimen of 1080 mg twice-weekly and a target concentration intervention-based dosing regimen in patients with and without prior eculizumab use. For eculizumab-naïve patients, the target concentration intervention-based dosing regimen resulted in a comparable fraction of patients with LDH normalization (LDH < 226 U/L) and hemoglobulin normalization (> 12 g/dL) compared to the approved regimen (LDH 50.2% and 50.0% respectively and hemoglobulin 45.6% and 44.4%). A modest dose reduction of ~ 5% was possible with target concentration intervention-based dosing. An intensified dosing interval was necessary in 2.3% of the patients however an interval prolongation was possible in 28.2% of the patients. Similar results were obtained for patients prior treated with eculizumab. In this study we show the potential of an individualized dosing regimen of pegcetacoplan with can improve patient friendliness in approximately 30% of the patients and improve therapy in approximately 2% of the patients at slightly reduced costs.
Keep calm and keep rowing: the psychophysical effects of dragon boat program in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Moro Tatiana , Casolo Andrea , Bordignon Veronica , Sampieri Alessandro , Schiavinotto Giorgia , Vigo Lisa , Ghisi Marta , Paoli Antonio , Cerea Silvia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Dragon Boat discipline has become a popular type of physical exercise among women with breast cancer. The present study aims to investigate the effects of Dragon Boat activity on body composition, physical function, and psychosocial aspects (i.e., body appreciation and quality of life [QoL]) in women operated for breast cancer.

Methods
Thirty-one women (age, 57.88 ± 7.88 years; BMI, 27.86 ± 6.38 kg·m−2) with a previous breast removal surgery were recruited and randomized into two groups: Dragon Boat group (DB, N = 18) or a home-based non-supervised training program (home exercise group; HG, N = 13). All participants underwent body composition, handgrip test, 30-s chair stand test (30CST), 6-min walking test (6MWT), and shoulder mobility measurements at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Participants also filled out the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) and the Short Form Health Survey-12 (SF-12) self-report questionnaires.

Results
Dragon Boat activity significantly improved the 30CST (+ 6%, p = .011) and 6MWT performance (+ 30%, p = .011) compared to a home-based non-supervised training program. Moreover, 20% (3/15 women) of women in the DB group obtained a reliable change from pre- to post-intervention in the BAS-2 and in the mental QoL component of the SF-12 (vs 15% and 0% of the HC group). No reliable change emerged for the physical component of the SF-12.

Conclusion
Dragon Boat activity is efficient to improve lower limb strength in women operated for breast cancer. Furthermore, Dragon Boat activity emerged to improve body appreciation and mental QoL in some of the women assigned to this activity. Importantly, no adverse events were documented during the intervention.

Trial registration
NCT05206526 (10/02/2022)
Microfluidic Diffusional Sizing (MDS) Measurements of Secretory Neutralizing Antibody Affinity Against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: O’Mahoney Cara , Watt Ian , Fiedler Sebastian , Devenish Sean , Srikanth Sujata , Justice Erica , Dover Tristan , Dean Delphine , Peng Congyue 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 has rampantly spread around the globe and continues to cause unprecedented loss through ongoing waves of (re)infection. Increasing our understanding of the protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2 is critical to ending the pandemic. Serological assays have been widely used to assess immune responses, but secretory antibodies, the essential first line of defense, have been studied to only a limited extent. Of particular interest and importance are neutralizing antibodies, which block the binding of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and thus are essential for immune defense. Here, we employed Microfluidic Diffusional Sizing (MDS), an immobilization-free technology, to characterize neutralizing antibody affinity to SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and spike trimer in saliva. Affinity measurement was obtained through a contrived sample and buffer using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD and monoclonal antibody. Limited saliva samples demonstrated that MDS applies to saliva neutralizing antibody measurement. The ability to disrupt a complex of ACE2-Fc and spike trimer is shown. Using a quantitative assay on the patient sample, we determined the affinity and binding site concentration of the neutralizing antibodies.