bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Congestion patterns in severe tricuspid regurgitation and transcatheter treatment: Insights from a multicentre registry
Authors: Rommel Karl‐Philipp , Bonnet Guillaume , Fortmeier Vera , Stolz Lukas , Schöber Anne R. , von Stein Jennifer , Kassar Mohammad , Gerçek Muhammed , Rosch Sebastian , Stocker Thomas J. , Körber Maria I. , Kresoja Karl‐Patrik , Rudolph Tanja K. , Pfister Roman , Baldus Stephan , Windecker Stephan , Thiele Holger , Praz Fabien , Hausleiter Jörg , Rudolph Volker , Burkhoff Daniel , Lurz Philipp 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimsWhile invasively determined congestion holds mechanistic and prognostic significance in acute heart failure (HF), its role in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR)‐related right‐ heart failure (HF) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) is less well established. A comprehensive understanding of congestion patterns might aid in procedural planning, risk stratification, and the identification of patients who may benefit from adjunctive therapies before undergoing TTVI. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of congestion patterns in patients with severe TR and its implications for TTVI.Methods and resultsWithin a multicentre, international TTVI registry, 813 patients underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) prior to TTVI and were followed up to 24 months. The median age was 80 (interquartile range 76–83) years and 54% were women. Both mean right atrial pressure (RAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were associated with 2‐year mortality on Cox regression analyses with Youden index‐derived cut‐offs of 17 mmHg and 19 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.01 for all). However, RAP emerged as an independent predictor of outcomes following multivariable adjustments. Pre‐interventionally, 42% of patients were classified as euvolaemic (RAP <17 mmHg, PCWP <19 mmHg), 23% as having left‐sided congestion (RAP <17 mmHg, PCWP ≥19 mmHg), 8% as right‐sided congestion (RAP ≥17 mmHg, PCWP <19 mmHg), and 27% as bilateral congestion (RAP ≥17 mmHg, PCWP ≥19 mmHg). Patients with right‐sided or bilateral congestion had the lowest procedural success rates and shortest survival times. Congestion patterns allowed for discerning specific patient's physiology and specifying prognostic implications of right ventricular to pulmonary artery coupling surrogates.ConclusionIn this large cohort of invasively characterized patients undergoing TTVI, congestion patterns involving right‐sided congestion were associated with low procedural success and higher mortality rates after TTVI. Whether pre‐interventional reduction of right‐sided congestion can improve outcomes after TTVI should be established in dedicated studies.
Chiroptical Properties of a Cryptophane Soluble at Neutral pH
Authors: Brotin Thierry , Daugey Nicolas , Jean Marion , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Buffeteau Thierry 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis article reports the synthesis of the two enantiomers of a water‐soluble cryptophane 3 enabling cesium and thallium complexation at neutral or basic pH. The two enantiomers of 3 were obtained in a two steps synthesis from cryptophane 4, a molecule decorated with three phenol groups and three other phenol groups protected by benzyl units. The two enantiomers of 4 were isolated from liquid chromatography using chiral stationary phase. The absolute configuration of the two enantiomers of 3 was determined by vibrational circular dichroism combined with theoretical calculations. Contrary to cryptophane 1 that present large spectroscopic changes upon cesium and thallium complexation, the electronic circular dichroism spectra of compound 3 exhibit moderate spectral changes suggesting that this compound cannot change the conformation of its linkers as easily as cryptophane 1.
Forecasting carbon emissions using asymmetric grouping
Authors: Nibbering Didier , Paap Richard 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper proposes an asymmetric grouping estimator for forecasting per capita carbon emissions for a country panel. The estimator relies on the observation that a bias‐variance pooling trade‐off in potentially heterogeneous panel data may be different across countries. For a specific country, cross validation is used to determine the optimal country‐specific grouping. A simulated annealing algorithm deals with the combinatorial problem of group selection in large cross sections. A Monte Carlo study shows that in case of heterogenous parameters, the asymmetric grouping estimators outperforms symmetric grouping approaches and forecasting based on individual estimates. Only in the case where the signal is very weak, pooling all countries leads to better forecasting performance. Similar results are found when forecasting carbon emission. The asymmetric grouping estimator leads to more pooling than a symmetric approach. Being on the same continent increases the probability of pooling, and African countries seem to benefit most from using asymmetric grouping and European countries least.
Effectiveness of visual nudges for encouraging healthier beverage choices from vending machines
Authors: Kay Enola , Kemps Eva , Prichard Ivanka , Tiggemann Marika 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIssues AddressedResearch suggests visual nudging techniques can subtly encourage healthier consumption. Two experiments explored the effect of four visual primes for nudging drink choices from a vending machine display.MethodsParticipants (17–25 years) were randomly assigned to view vending machine advertising posters containing pictorial nudges of water, soft drink, general health (runner), or a text‐only control, for nudging vending machine choices. Participants then selected an item from a vending machine display containing drinks only (Experiment 1; n = 164), or both drinks and snack foods (Experiment 2, n = 684).ResultsIn both experiments, nudging condition predicted beverage choice. Specifically, the water image nudged healthier beverage choices in both experiments. However, there was no effect on food choice in Experiment 2. Furthermore, in both experiments, liking and habitual consumption of chosen items were also significant predictors of choice, but condition predicted beverage choice over and above these.ConclusionA water prime may be an effective means of encouraging healthier beverage choices in a vending machine environment.So What?Findings have the potential to inform strategies for encouraging healthier beverage choices from vending machine environments.
Towards a Unified Architecture Methodology for Product Service Systems
Authors: Cederbladh Johan , Suryadevara Jagadish 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere is ongoing digital transformation in many industrial contexts including non‐digital hardware‐intensive domains such as heavy construction equipment machinery. This transformation is augmented by the latest technologies, increasing sustainability regulations, as well as integrated customer needs. This paradigm shift is causing transformation of current product‐centric business models towards complex business models enabled by so‐called Product Service Systems (PSS) offering advanced “capabilities” and “services”. However, the development of PSSs requires a holistic approach to unify underlying solution domains such as mechatronic systems, embedded software control as well as information systems. In this paper, we describe a holistic “unified” architecture description methodology towards aligning the underlying domain‐specific design and development contexts. The framework, developed in construction domain, consists of two main parts: a minimalistic reference model as the “common language” for cross‐functional stakeholder communication; a modeling methodology based on existing standard modeling frameworks. We illustrate the methodology using examples from the construction equipment domain.
Architecture‐Centric Model‐Based Systems Engineering at Continental
Authors: Seidel Enrico , Forlingieri Marco 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSince the last decade, the automotive industry has undergone a significant transformation, moving from traditional document‐based systems engineering to a more architecture‐focused and model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) approach. This shift is driven by the rapidly increasing complexity and the difficulties in managing system descriptions using conventional document‐based methods. The paper investigates how MBSE can support this transformation using an architecture framework developed at Continental. As a response, the authors propose an architecture‐centric Systems Engineering approach based on viewpoints. The focus on architecture‐centricity and using models enables a more efficient and effective way of analyzing, developing, and designing complex systems. The authors use an automotive example to demonstrate how this approach can be practically implemented within a development workflow. The article highlights the architecture‐centric model‐based systems engineering application through an in‐house architecture framework used at Continental.
Lung computed tomography image enhancement using U‐Net segmentation
Authors: Sheer Alaa H. , Kareem Hana H. , Daway Hazim G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe goal of image enhancement methods is to improve image's quality. The efficacy of U‐net is evident through its extensive utilization across various significant image modalities, involving computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging, X‐rays, and microscopy. In this study, we provided a novel and efficient strategy to improve lung CT images based on segmentation using U‐Net architecture. Subsequently, contrast enhancement was performed using adaptive histogram equalization and dark channel prior methods. Finally, the lightness of the lung CT image was enhanced using nonlinear mapping. The contrast enhancement performance of the suggested method is quantified by various measures like the average gradient, mean of the local standard deviation, contrast enhancement measure, and structural similarity index. The performance of the suggested method is compared against other methods, and the results indicate that the suggested method achieves better quality measures of 23.4907, 55.20341, 0.961674, and 0.4143 for the four performance metrics.
Groundwater pollution vulnerability assessment using a modified DRASTIC model in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Au Hai , Tat Vy Minh Hong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe Pleistocene aquifer serves as a vital water source for various activities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, including concentrated and individual exploitation. In the present study, the DRASTIC (D, depth of water; R, net recharge; A, aquifer media; S, soil media; T, topography; I, impact of vadose zone; C, hydraulic conductivity) model was used to evaluate the groundwater sensitivity of the study area. To analyse Ho Chi Minh City's Upper‐Middle Pleistocene aquifer vulnerability, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to optimize the DRASTIC score and include land use (LU) characteristics. Four distinct weights were used: DRASTIC, modified DRASTIC‐LU, AHP‐DRASTIC and modified AHP‐DRASTIC‐LU. This study identified low, moderate and high vulnerability for 12%, 55% and 33% of the DRASTIC‐LU index values, respectively. The AHP‐DRASTIC index classifies 61%, 26% and 13% of sites as low, moderate and highly vulnerable, respectively. The study reveals that 52%, 30% and 18% of the area are vulnerable to the modified AHP‐DRASTIC‐LU index classes. The most sensitive factors are shallow aquifer roofs, recharge and LU. The real‐world accuracy of the DRASTIC models was tested using 106 groundwater nitrate concentrations. The modified AHP‐DRASTIC‐LU is the most accurate and appropriate model for the current research region.
Placental ontogeny in the Yucca Night Lizard, Xantusia vigilis
Authors: Stewart James R. , Presch William 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSquamate placentas support physiological exchange between mothers and embryos. Uterine and embryonic epithelial cells provide sites for transporting mechanisms and extraembryonic membranes provide the scaffolding for embryonic epithelial cells and vascular systems. Diversity in placental structure involves variation in extraembryonic membrane development as well as epithelial cell specializations. Variation in placental ontogeny is known to occur and, although lineage specific patterns have been described, phylogenetic distribution of specific patterns is poorly understood. Xantusia vigilis is a viviparous lizard in a monophyletic clade, Xantusiidae, of predominantly viviparous species. Xantusiidae is one of two viviparous lineages within the clade Scincoidea that provides an important outgroup comparison for Scincidae, which includes the largest number of independent origins of viviparity among Squamata. Previous reports contain brief descriptions of placental structure of X vigilis but the developmental pattern is unknown including relevant details for comparison with skinks. We studied placental ontogeny in X. vigilis to address two hypotheses: (1) the pattern of development of placental architecture is similar to species of Scincidae and, (2) placental epithelial cell specializations are similar to species of Scincidae. The terminal placental stage of X. vigilis is similar to skinks in that it includes a chorioallantoic placenta and an omphaloplacenta. The chorioallantoic placenta is richly vascularized with thin, squamous epithelial cells separating the two vascular systems. This morphology differs from the elaborate epithelial cell specializations as occur in some skink species, but is similar to many species. Epithelial cells of the omphaloplacenta are enlarged, as they are in scincids, yet development of the omphaloplacenta includes a vascular pattern known to occur only in gerrhonotine lizards. Histochemical staining properties of the epithelium of the omphalopleure of the omphaloplacenta indicate the potential for protein transport, a function not previously reported for lizards.
Effect of quinoa protein concentration and oil volume fraction on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of alginate‐based emulsion gels
Authors: Lingiardi Nadia , Galante Micaela , Spelzini Darío 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis work studies emulsion gel (EG) formulation with quinoa proteins (QP), high‐oleic sunflower oil and alginate, and the effect of QP concentration (0.5–1–2%) and the oil volume fraction (10–30–50%) on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of EG systems. EGs were tested for their microstructural and textural attributes, color, and water holding capacity as well as for their thermal, physical, and oxidative stability.ResultsThe microstructure of EG showed that with increasing QP concentrations, the gel structure tended to be much denser, with oil droplets entrapped within the network. A significant decrease in droplet diameter with increasing QP concentration (p = 0.015) and oil volume fraction (p < 0.000) was observed. Hardness mean value was 2.8 N ± 0.5, reaching the highest value with 1 and 2% QP and 30% oil (p < 0.000). Cohesiveness shows a similar trend to that observed for hardness, while springiness showed the opposite behavior. As for adhesiveness, there were no significant differences between samples. EG have high lightness with slight yellow and green contributions. The mean water holding capacity was 88 ± 4%, and after heat treatment all samples exhibited a good fluid retention, significantly lower for the lower oil volume fraction (p = 0.001). EG, also proved to be highly stable against creaming and oxidative damage.ConclusionResults suggest that EG could be useful to create a new generation of healthier and innovative products that could substitute animal fat and deliver nutrients and biological compounds, thus improving food quality.
Migration and remediation of typical contaminants in soil and groundwater: A state of art review
Authors: Zhao Ying , Song Jian , Cheng Kui , Liu Zhuqing , Yang Fan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSoil and groundwater contamination has always been a global concern. Contaminants are migrated and transformed in the soil and groundwater environments, which in turn pose potential environmental risks to humans. This paper describes four typical contaminants, including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, microplastics, and perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Based on a systematic summary of the sources, hazards, and migration behaviors of these four contaminants, various existing remediation methods are analyzed, and the advantages and disadvantages of different methods are discussed. Finally, the future research prospects of soil and groundwater remediation are described, and the significance of the study of contaminant migration and remediation in the subsurface environment is emphasized. This research can help to provide theoretical and technical support for the study of contaminant migration and removal in soil and groundwater environments, and further improve the removal rate in actual contaminant sites.
Mode reconfigurable OAM helical array antenna for higher mode generation
Authors: Zhang Yunqi , Yang Rui , Li Xuping , Chen Jiateng , Hu Peng , Zhang Xuanming , Wang Shanzhe 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper, an orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode reconfigurable antenna based on a uniform circular array (UCA) is presented. The phase superposition method is presented to overcome the limitation of the number of array units on the mode order in the conventional four‐element UCA antenna, which is limited to generating first‐order OAM beams. The unit phase is introduced by a bifilar helical antenna in this method, and the unit phase is superimposed with the feed phase of the UCA to enable the generation of 3rd‐order OAM beams from the four‐element UCA. At the same time, the DC signal‐controlled feed network assigns three distinct feed phases to the UCA, which realizes the reconfigurability of the three OAM beams. To achieve mode reconfigurability, 20 p‐i‐n diodes were integrated as switches in the feed network for controlling the ON/OFF status of p‐i‐n diodes in the feed network using DC signals. Finally, simulated and measured results show that three OAM beams (lz = −1, −2, and −3) have been generated in the frequency band from 10.6 to 11.8 GHz.
Research on calculation model for ultimate bearing capacity of tensile type anchor cables and the shape of internal fracture surface in anchorage segment
Authors: Ren Qingyang , Meng Xin , Chen Bin , Xiao Songqiang , Jin Honghua , Mou Shan , Li Zhongyao 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe generalized model and parameter equation for the internal fracture surface of tensile type anchor cable anchorage section are constructed, and the calculation model of ultimate bearing capacity is derived based on the principle of limit equilibrium. The shape of the internal fracture surface in the anchorage section and the expression of its parameter equation are experimentally studied, and the variation law of the parameter equation and fracture range with the diameter of the anchor cable and confining pressure is analyzed. The parameter equation is substituted into the calculation model to realize the calculation and verification of the model. Through theoretical derivation, a calculation model of ultimate bearing capacity of anchor cable is obtained, which comprehensively considers the average shear strength of anchorage section, the shape of fracture surface, fracture range and confining pressure. The tests show that according to the magnitude of the confining pressure on the anchorage section, the internal fracture surface takes on two shapes: cylindrical and trumpet‐shaped, the parameter equation of trumpet‐shaped fracture surface obeys logarithmic distribution approximately. The coefficient a decreases with the increase of confining pressure but increases with the increase of anchor cable diameter, the constant b increases with the increase of confining pressure but decreases with the increase of anchor cable diameter. The ranges of horizontal and vertical fracture decrease with the increase of confining pressure, and increase with the increase of anchor cable diameter. The deviations between the theoretical calculation and the experimental results are less than 6.5%.
Enhanced mechanical properties of polyphenylene sulfide and liquid crystal polymer composites by interfacial bonding capacity of graft‐modified graphene oxide and glass fibers
Authors: Xu Ke , Guan Shengxin , Xu Jianguang , Xia Lin , Huang Zhaoge 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study is to broaden the potential applications of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) by incorporating graphene oxide (GO)‐grafted glass fiber (GF) to enhance the mechanical properties of liquid crystal polymer (LCP)/PPS composites. The surface of GF was modified using γ‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550), allowing for the grafting of GO. Subsequently, GO‐GF/LCP/PPS composites were prepared through extrusion injection molding. The properties of the composites were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The findings indicate that the interfacial adhesion between GF and composites is significantly improved with the addition of GO, The mass fractions of GO used were 0.1%, 0.5%, and 0.7%. The incorporation of GO‐grafted GF proves to be an effective approach in enhancing the tensile and flexural strengths of LCP/PPS composites. Additionally, a reduction in wear volume and tribological coefficient is observed compared to composites without GO‐treated GF. Notably, when the GO content is 0.5 wt%, the mechanical properties of the composites show significant improvement, with a 50% increase in impact strength compared to the composite without GO, and a decrease in friction coefficient from 0.28 to 0.22.
A rare‐earth‐based nano‐flame retardant with 2D MXene for improving fire safety and mechanical property of thermoplastic polyurethane composites
Authors: He Ruofan , Yin Zhenting , Yu Xiaoli , Jia Pengfei , Zhou Xiaodong , Lu Tingting , Guo Liying , Song Lei , Ma Chao , Wang Bibo , Hu Yuan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA kind of rare earth flame retardant, two‐dimensional lamellar compounds (MXene) loading with cerium phosphate nanorod, MXene@CePO4 (CMX) was prepared by hydrothermal and electrostatic adsorption methods. It was then applied in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). With the 3 wt% addition of CMX improving the mass rate of residual char from 4.42 wt% to 11.33 wt% compared to pristine TPU, there were reductions of 53.8%, 12.3%, and 24.7% in peak heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release (THR), and smoke density maximum (Ds max), respectively. Moreover, the TPU/CMX composites were shown to have superior mechanical properties compared with pristine TPU. For TPU/CMX‐3.0, there was a visible improvement in tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) of 12.5% and 54.1% respectively, compared to pure TPU. The analysis of the flame retardancy mechanism of TPU/CMX shows that CMX plays an effective role in quenching free radicals in the gas phase and promotes char formation of TPU in the condense phase. Therefore, this paper offers a new solution for designing multifunctional rare earth flame retardants that are applied in TPU, thereby extending its application in industries and daily life.