bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal reduction in brain volume in patients with schizophrenia and its association with cognitive function
Authors: Yamazaki Ryuichi , Matsumoto Junya , Ito Satsuki , Nemoto Kiyotaka , Fukunaga Masaki , Hashimoto Naoki , Kodaka Fumitoshi , Takano Harumasa , Hasegawa Naomi , Yasuda Yuka , Fujimoto Michiko , Yamamori Hidenaga , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Miura Kenichiro , Hashimoto Ryota 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEstablishing a brain biomarker for schizophrenia is strongly desirable not only to support diagnosis by psychiatrists but also to help track the progressive changes in the brain over the course of the illness. A brain morphological signature of schizophrenia was reported in a recent study and is defined by clusters of brain regions with reduced volume in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy individuals. This signature was proven to be effective at differentiating patients with schizophrenia from healthy individuals, suggesting that it is a good candidate brain biomarker of schizophrenia. However, the longitudinal characteristics of this signature have remained unclear. In this study, we examined whether these changes occurred over time and whether they were associated with clinical outcomes. We found a significant change in the brain morphological signature in schizophrenia patients with more brain volume loss than the natural, age‐related reduction in healthy individuals, suggesting that this change can capture a progressive morphological change in the brain. We further found a significant association between changes in the brain morphological signature and changes in the full‐scale intelligence quotient (IQ). The patients with IQ improvement showed preserved brain morphological signatures, whereas the patients without IQ improvement showed progressive changes in the brain morphological signature, suggesting a link between potential recovery of intellectual abilities and the speed of brain pathology progression. We conclude that the brain morphological signature is a brain biomarker that can be used to evaluate progressive changes in the brain that are associated with cognitive impairment due to schizophrenia.
Service load analysis and ply stacking optimization for composite tool of aerospace cryogenic tank
Authors: Guan Chenglong , Chi Tongming , Zhan Lihua , Yao Shunming , Chen Junhao , Xie Liping , Xiao Yu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe integrated manufacturing of aerospace composite cryogenic tanks is crucial for enhancing payload efficiency, reducing costs, and leading the aerospace industry upgrade. Composite segmented tool, which balances internal support and mold surface, must not only meet the requirements of disassembly and demolding but also ensure sufficient stiffness without deformation under loads like winding tension and curing shrinkage during tank formation. This article addresses the challenge faced by composite tool with uniformly thick ply stacking schemes, where the weight increases significantly with the rocket body diameter, rendering functions such as disassembly and demolding unfeasible. A global–local optimization approach aimed at achieving variable‐thickness ply stacking designs for composite tooling was proposed. Starting with a defined segmented tool design for the Φ3.35 m tank, models for calculating winding tension under complex service conditions and finite element models for curing shrinkage were established. Optimization of ply shapes, dimensions, and sequences using OptiStruct was conducted, which achieved a weight reduction of 34.48% while ensuring that deformations under loading met design standards. Subsequently, the engineering trials for the composite melon petal and wallboard corresponding to the Φ600 mm tank were conducted based on the optimized scheme. The maximum deformations for the two components were 0.43 mm and 0.15 mm, respectively, meeting the manufacturing requirements for engineering applications. The results provide a lightweight, high‐stiffness, and detachable tool design scheme for achieving the integrated manufacturing of extra‐large (Φ10 m) composite tanks.Highlights
The external load was analyzed through theoretical and simulation approaches.
The weight of composite tool was significantly reduced after optimization.
The engineering prototypes of the segmented tools were achieved.
A double‐expanded polytetrafluoroethylene fabrication method for increased mechanical compliance in tubular vascular graft applications
Authors: Chen Edward , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA novel manufacturing technique has been developed to enhance the compliance of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) for vascular graft applications. This new method involves modifying the existing processing procedures by introducing an additional expansion step while using a lower temperature during the first expansion stage. The new process results in the production of highly compliant ePTFE grafts without the need for supplementary additives or inherent material alterations. Tensile testing in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions as well as cyclical tensile testing were conducted to characterize the mechanical properties of double‐expanded ePTFE grafts prepared using varying expansion ratios. The double‐expanded ePTFE grafts consistently outperformed the prevailing, single‐expanded counterparts in both tensile stress tests and cyclical assessments of its elastic compliance. Notably, the double‐expanded ePTFE samples exhibited the desirable, biomimetic “toe‐region” and an elastic strain capacity of up to 50%, comparable to native vascular materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was used to examine the morphological characteristics of the wavy fibers within the double‐expanded PTFE samples, which contributed to the enhanced compliance that is needed for vascular graft applications.Highlights
A new process has been developed for expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).
This new process involves an additional expansion step at a lower temperature.
This new process results in the production of highly compliant ePTFE grafts.
Double‐expanded D‐ePTFE grafts outperform the single‐expanded counterparts.
D‐ePTFE grafts exhibit an elastic strain capacity similar to native vasculature.
The role of monomer geometry on the properties of polyolefins: A numerical study
Authors: Vargas‐Lara Fernando , Lopez‐Barron Carlos , Rodriguez George 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe explore the role of monomer geometry on the structural, dynamic, and thermodynamic properties of polyolefis by employing all‐atom molecular dynamic simulations. Specifically, we compare properties of atactic polyolefins in the molten state including polypropylene (aPP), a short‐chain branched polymer: poy(1‐hexene) (aPH), and a polymer having cyclic olefins: poly(vinyl cyclobutane) (aPVCB). We find polymers having the same chain mass and atom composition (hydrocarbon‐based molecules), but having different monomer architecture differ strongly in material properties. In particular, the polymer glass transition () and bulk modulus () show higher values for aPVCB in comparison to aPP and aPH. This increase is caused by having the carbon atoms in a cyclic structure, making aPVCB achieve higher mass and energy densities. By contrast, adding linear short side chains to polymer backbones causes a reduction in and , since side chains make backbones displace each other reducing their packing and thus their mass and energy densities. More broadly, our numerical results suggest that the incorporation of VCB monomers to linear polyolefins will enhance their properties, opening the possibility for designing a new set of materials.
Adaptive stabilization of stochastic systems with polynomial nonlinear conditions, unknown parameters, and dead‐zone actuator
Authors: Xue Lingrong , Liu Zhen‐Guo , Zhang Weihai 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMany practical dynamic models always suffer from complex nonlinearities, parameter uncertainties and random noises. Such kind of models are always characterized by uncertain stochastic nonlinear systems. Besides, many factors will lead to dead‐zone actuator, which further adds more challenges to control engineering. This paper studies stabilization issue of stochastic systems with polynomial nonlinear conditions, unknown parameters and dead‐zone actuator. An adaptive control approach is proposed by exploring homogeneous domination control and using dynamic‐gain‐based adaptive design strategy. It shows that all the signals are bounded almost surely and the system states converge to the origin almost surely. The presented method is successfully applied to the mass spring mechanical system.
Multi‐event‐triggered adaptive dynamic programming for non‐zero‐sum game of unknown nonlinear system
Authors: Zhu Qi , Zhang Kun , Xie Xiangpeng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this article, a multi‐event‐triggered (MET) near‐optimal tracking control algorithm is developed for a discrete‐time (DT) nonlinear non‐zero‐sum game (NZSG). Firstly, the iterative dual heuristic dynamic programming (DHP) approach is utilized to obtain the optimal tracking control set. Subsequently, distinct independent triggering conditions are formulated for control inputs to improve the utilization efficiency of resources and ensure that the independence between them and the closed‐loop system has an excellent control performance. Meanwhile, input‐to‐state stability (ISS) is proven for the MET tracking plant. Additionally, neural networks (NNs) are designed in the iterative DHP algorithm to construct the model module, the critic module and the action modules, with aims to identify the unknown system, approximate costate function and estimate optimal tracking control strategy set, respectively. Finally, two numerical experimental simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Using photographs and deep neural networks to understand flowering phenology and diversity in mountain meadows
Authors: John Aji , Theobald Elli J. , Cristea Nicoleta , Tan Amanda , Hille Ris Lambers Janneke 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMountain meadows are an essential part of the alpine–subalpine ecosystem; they provide ecosystem services like pollination and are home to diverse plant communities. Changes in climate affect meadow ecology on multiple levels, for example, by altering growing season dynamics. Tracking the effects of climate change on meadow diversity through the impacts on individual species and overall growing season dynamics is critical to conservation efforts. Here, we explore how to combine crowd‐sourced camera images with machine learning to quantify flowering species richness across a range of elevations in alpine meadows located in Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. We employed three machine‐learning techniques (Mask R‐CNN, RetinaNet and YOLOv5) to detect wildflower species in images taken during two flowering seasons. We demonstrate that deep learning techniques can detect multiple species, providing information on flowering richness in photographed meadows. The results indicate higher richness just above the tree line for most of the species, which is comparable with patterns found using field studies. We found that the two‐stage detector Mask R‐CNN was more accurate than single‐stage detectors like RetinaNet and YOLO, with the Mask R‐CNN network performing best overall with mean average precision (mAP) of 0.67 followed by RetinaNet (0.5) and YOLO (0.4). We found that across the methods using anchor box variations in multiples of 16 led to enhanced accuracy. We also show that detection is possible even when pictures are interspersed with complex backgrounds and are not in focus. We found differential detection rates depending on species abundance, with additional challenges related to similarity in flower characteristics, labeling errors and occlusion issues. Despite these potential biases and limitations in capturing flowering abundance and location‐specific quantification, accuracy was notable considering the complexity of flower types and picture angles in this dataset. We, therefore, expect that this approach can be used to address many ecological questions that benefit from automated flower detection, including studies of flowering phenology and floral resources, and that this approach can, therefore, complement a wide range of ecological approaches (e.g., field observations, experiments, community science, etc.). In all, our study suggests that ecological metrics like floral richness can be efficiently monitored by combining machine learning with easily accessible publicly curated datasets (e.g., Flickr, iNaturalist).
Recent Advances on Sustainable Synthesis of Furocoumarins
Authors: Borah Pallabi , Roy Subhasish , Saikia Pallabi , Yadav Lovely , Kharbteng Ophilia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBeing an important constituent of naturally occurring heterocyclic compounds with a myriad of interesting biological activities, the furocoumarin motif has claimed vast interest in synthetic and medicinal research. Designing organic synthesis following a green and sustainable approach finds special importance in terms of energy efficiency, and cost‐effectiveness and hence becoming an important domain of research in the recent past. The methodologies for the sustainable synthesis of furocoumarin presented here particularly include the strategies developed under microwave irradiation, solvent‐free conditions or uses of green solvent, metal‐free routes, room temperature mediated and following one‐pot MCR reactions. This review article attempts to highlight the recent advances in the sustainable synthesis of furocoumarins along with general aspects like natural occurrence, and biological activities of this particular heterocyclic scaffold.
Effects of Metal Ions on Antioxidant Activity of Red Wine
Authors: Yao Song‐Po , Wang Wen‐Zhu , Li Xue‐Ying , Liu Xin‐Yu , Han Rui‐Min , Zhang Jian‐Ping 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe biological properties of red wine are attributed to potent antioxidants and the antiradical activity of polyphenols. Recently, it has been noted that metal ions can substantially alter the reactivity of polyphenols. In this study, we observed that the radical scavenging activity of red wine increases when Cu(II), an exemplar of transition metal ions, is either removed or chelated. However, Conversely, the elimination of alkaline earth metal ions such as Mg(II) and Ca(II), representing main group elements, has negligible impact on this activity. We explored the interactions between Cu(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II) with three most abundant phenolic substances –gallic acid, catechin, and caffeic acid – and analyzed the corresponding radical scavenging kinetics in a uniform buffer solution at pH 7.2. Cu(II) formed 1 : 1 complexes with these three polyphenols, substantially diminishing their inherent radical scavenging potential. In accordance with the effect in red wine, Ca(II) and Mg(II) displayed no significant influence on the radical scavenging kinetics of these three polyphenols within the buffer solution. Our findings suggest that the removal of Cu(II), and potentially other transition metal ions, during the wine production process could enhance the antioxidant activity of red wine.
Designable Synthesis of Layered Silicates and Tunable Interlayer Expanded to Zeolites
Authors: Wang Ya , Peng Rusi , Sun Weihao , Li Shiqing , Wu Shitao , Xu Hao , Jiang Jingang , Chen Shifu , Wu Peng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLayered zeolitic silicates and corresponding interlayer‐expanded porous materials exhibit attractive application potential in wide fields. Nonetheless, designable synthesis and structure analysis of layered silicates remain challenging. Herein, two kinds of layered silicates are synthesized using different di‐quaternary ammonium‐type organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs). Their crystal structures are analyzed and verified by 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) and high‐resolution TEM imaging. The suitable configurations of OSDA can lead to desirable interlayer states. Additionally, two new zeolite structures both with 12‐membered ring (MR) channels intersected by 8 MR channels and larger interlayer spaces are constructed from layered silicate precursors by interlayer silylation. The new zeolitic material exhibits potential application in adsorption of organic pollution and catalytic reaction. This study is expected to develop versatile ways for the design and synthesis of layered silicates even zeolites and provide references in characterizing layered materials and zeolites as well.
Do women with severely diminished ovarian reserve undergoing modified natural‐cycle in‐vitro fertilization benefit from earlier trigger at smaller follicle size?
Authors: Lawrenz B. , Kalafat E. , Ata B. , Melado L. , Del Gallego R. , Elkhatib I. , Fatemi H. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate whether trigger and oocyte collection at a smaller follicle size decreases the risk of premature ovulation while maintaining the reproductive potential of oocytes in women with a severely diminished ovarian reserve undergoing modified natural‐cycle in‐vitro fertilization.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study including women who had at least one unsuccessful cycle (due to no response) of conventional ovarian stimulation with a high dosage of gonadotropins and subsequently underwent a modified natural cycle with a solitary growing follicle (i.e. only one follicle > 10 mm at the time of trigger). The association between follicle size at trigger and various cycle outcomes was tested using regression analyses.ResultsA total of 160 ovarian stimulation cycles from 110 patients were included in the analysis. Oocyte pick‐up (OPU) was performed in 153 cycles and 7 cycles were canceled due to premature ovulation. Patients who received their trigger at smaller follicle sizes (≤ 15 mm) had significantly lower rates of premature ovulation and thus higher rates of OPU (98.9% vs 90.8%; odds ratio, 9.56 (95% CI, 1.58–182.9); P = 0.039) compared with those who received their trigger at larger follicle sizes (> 15 mm). On multivariable analysis, smaller follicle sizes at trigger (> 10 to 13 mm, > 13 to 15 mm, > 15 mm to 17 mm) were not associated significantly with a lower rate of cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) retrieval, metaphase‐II (MII) oocytes or blastulation when compared to the > 17‐mm group. On sensitivity analysis including only the first cycle of each couple, the maturity rate among those with COC retrieval was highest in follicle sizes > 15 to 17 mm (92.3%) and > 13 to 15 mm (91.7%), followed by > 10 to 13 mm (85.7%) and lowest in the > 17‐mm group (58.8%). During the study period, five euploid blastocysts developed from 48 fertilized MII oocytes with follicle sizes of 12 mm (n = 3), 14 mm (n = 1) and 16 mm (n = 1) at trigger. Of those, four were transferred and resulted in two live births, both of which developed from follicles with a size at trigger of 12 mm.ConclusionsThe ideal follicle size for triggering oocyte maturation may be smaller in women with a severely diminished ovarian reserve managed on a modified natural cycle when compared to conventional cut‐offs. The risk of OPU cancellation was significantly higher in women triggered at follicle size > 15 mm and the yield of mature oocytes was not adversely affected in women triggered at follicle size > 13 to 15 mm compared with > 15 to 17 mm. Waiting for follicles to reach sizes > 17mm may be detrimental to achieving optimal outcome. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Effects of bed depths and the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic zone on the performance of horizontal subsurface flow macrophyte‐assisted high‐rate vermifilters treating synthetic brewery wastewater
Authors: Dey Chowdhury Sanket , Bhunia Puspendu , Surampalli Rao Y. , Zhang Tian C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEffects of total vermibed depth, as well as the ratio of aerobic (the unsubmerged) to anaerobic (the submerged) zone on the performance of the horizontal subsurface flow macrophyte‐assisted vermifilters (HSSF‐MAVFs) treating synthetic brewery wastewater at a higher hydraulic loading rate (HLR), were investigated for the first time. Results showed that the HSSF‐MAVF with a 50 cm total and 18 cm submerged vermibed depth yielded the optimum removal of the pollutants, ensuring a (91.2 ± 1.7)%, (81.8 ± 1.9)%, (67.4 ± 3.9)%, and (63.1 ± 2.3)% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium N (NH4+–N), total N (TN), and organic N, respectively, whereas there was an increase of (142 ± 6.3)% in the effluent nitrate–N (NO3−–N) than that in the influent. At the optimum condition, the effluent concentrations of all the pollutants including COD, NH4+–N, NO3−–N, TN, and organic N were well below the surface water discharge standards specified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and thus, the effluent of the HSSF‐MAVF could be safely discharged into the surface water bodies.Practitioner Points
Total vermibed depth of HSSF‐MAVFs was optimized for organic and nitrogen removal.
HSSF‐MAVFs were subjected to the higher HLR of synthetic brewery wastewater.
Removal of COD and NH4+–N was decreased with the increase in submerged bed depth.
Removal of organic N and TN was increased with the increase in submerged bed depth.
Total/unsubmerged bed depth had a positive impact on the organic and N removal.
Application of X‐ray fluorescence in forensic archeology: A review
Authors: Manhas Mehak , Tomar Anjali , Tiwari Maanvendra , Sharma Shweta 
Published: February 2024

AbstractForensic Archeology is the application of techniques and principles of archeology in the pursuit of examining a crime or incident with legal interest. A wide range of analytical studies are employed in examining archeological remains. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy remains to be one of the most used techniques for rapid examination of trace evidence typically found on an archeological crime scene. Studies of interest generally include finding trace elements from various sources, samples, and different environmental conditions and distinguishing whether a skeletal remains under examination is human, animal, or marine species. The present study has been designed to focus on the application of XRF in archeological and anthropological evidences such as the examination of human skeletal and dental remains, determination of species, examination of soil, ceramics, paintings, coins, and so on. The advantage of XRF as derived from the reported literature is that it is a non‐destructive technique making it ideal for forensic analysis and in situ examination. The study also discusses the factors affecting forensic investigations of archeological evidences and the limitations of XRF.
Ecosystem Management and Sustainable Livelihoods in Drylands
Authors: Wang Yanfen , Liu Yali , Shan Liwen , Du Jianqing , Liu Yuexian , Li Tong , Cui Xiaoyong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDrylands are very vulnerable ecosystems because of their resource constraints and environmental pressures etc. They are sensitive to a range of pressures, including climate change and human disturbance in many forms. The livelihoods of people in dryland regions must be made sustainable if the stability of dryland social-ecological systems is to be maintained. Human livelihoods in drylands are characterised by a single structure, great dependence on natural resources, and vulnerability to disruption by disturbance. In the context of global climate change and the associated expansion of arid biomes, livelihoods in drylands face growing challenges. Maintaining and rebuilding sustainable livelihoods are inseparable from good ecosystem management. However, ecosystem management is recognised as a “wicked problem” without clear-cut solutions because of the complexities involved. This chapter identifies the issues and challenges facing human livelihoods in drylands and proposes a research framework for dryland ecosystem management and sustainable livelihoods. The framework clarifies the core characteristics of sustainable livelihoods and the principles and strategies of ecosystem management while proposing a research philosophy to guide future enquiry.