bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of frailty with activity levels and sedentary behaviours in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Lili , Fu Xia , He Na , Gan Weiqiang , Zhao Yang , Xie Ri‐hua 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsResearch on the association between activity levels and sedentary behaviour with frailty in patients affected by hepatitis B cirrhosis is sparse. This study aimed to explore the association of frailty with activity levels and sedentary behaviours in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.DesignThis cross‐sectional study followed the STROBE checklist.MethodsThis study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, between August 2021 and October 2022. The frailty condition of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis was assessed using the liver frailty index (LFI). Their physical activity levels and sedentary time were assessed using the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity. Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data.ResultsAmong the 503 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis in the final analysis, 107 (21.3%) were identified as frail. Frailty was negatively correlated with walking time (r = −0.174, p < 0.001), moderate‐intensity activity time (r = −0.185, p < 0.001), high‐intensity activity time (r = −0.243, p < 0.001) and total activity time (r = −0.256, p < 0.001). Patients with insufficient activity (<150 min/week) and sedentary behaviour (≥420 min/day) were found to have 2.829 times higher risk of frailty than those with sufficient activity (≥150 min/week) and no sedentary behaviour (<420 min/day) (95% CI: 1.380, 5.799).ConclusionPatients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who exhibited frailty demonstrated limited physical activity and engaged in sedentary behaviours.No patient or public contributionPatients with hepatitis B cirrhosis contributed their data to the study.
“Fin‐tastic Fish Science”: Using a comic book to disseminate and enhance science literacy
Authors: Wayne C. Rose , Kaller Michael D. , Wischusen William E. , Maruska Karen P. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe need for more interaction between scientists and the public is widely recognized. If we want the public to support science, we need to effectively convey its nature and benefits. Science outreach can help reverse negative attitudes, spark curiosity and enthusiasm, and encourage communities to support science. Better communication tools than traditional texts are needed to increase positive attitudes toward science, which may lead to more self‐motivated engagement with science in the future. The unique language of comics has the potential to portray abstract scientific concepts more easily than just words. Here we report findings from an assessment of how a science comic can affect student learning and attitudes toward engaging with science, compared to more traditional written texts, a journal article, and popular science summary. We used a pre‐ and post‐reading questionnaire to measure learning gains and attitudes toward science engagement. Students who read the comic have the highest learning gain, equivalent to a journal publication, and see the most positive changes in attitude toward engagement with science. Our findings suggest that science comics could be a highly effective form of communication and outreach among the public.
Monolithic FE2 approach for the thermomechanical modeling of beam structures
Authors: Klarmann Simon , Gebhart Philipp , Wallmersperger Thomas , Klinkel Sven 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn the present contribution, the FE2 scheme for beam elements is extended to thermomechanically coupled problems. Beam elements have the advantage of drastically reducing the number of degrees of freedom compared to solid elements. However, the major challenge in modeling structures with beam elements lies in developing sophisticated non‐linear beam material models. This drawback resides in the fact that these elements require effective cross‐sectional properties involving material and geometric properties. The FE2 method, combined with a homogenization scheme based on the Hill‐Mandel condition, solves this problem. Within this scheme, homogenization of a representative volume element (RVE) on the mesoscopic scale provides effective cross‐sectional properties for the macroscopic scale. This homogenization procedure allows the consideration of non‐linear material formulations and cross‐sectional deformation within the analysis of a beam structure. The applicability of such a FE2 scheme for purely mechanical problems was already shown. In the present contribution, an extension to thermomechanically coupled problems is provided. In the proposed setting, the macroscopic scale is represented by beam elements with displacement, rotation, and temperature degrees of freedom. Solid elements with displacements and temperature degrees of freedom describe the behavior of the RVE. Hence, the proposed extension solves both scales in a monolithic approach. The assumption of a steady state problem at both scales allows a focus on a consistent scale transition and a discussion about the choice of suitable boundary conditions under the assumption of beam kinematics.
Reaching the target dose with one single 131I‐mIBG administration in high‐risk neuroblastoma: The determinant impact of the primary tumour
Authors: Fiz Francesco , Cirone Alessio , Righi Sergio , Massollo Michela , Amoroso Loredana , Bottoni Gianluca , Conte Massimo , Gambaro Monica , Massone Federico , Orengo Stefano , Bruzzone Guido Semino , Sorrentino Stefania , Garaventa Alberto , Piccardo Arnoldo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground: 131I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I‐mIBG) effectiveness in children with metastasised neuroblastoma (NB) is linked to the effective dose absorbed by the target; a target of 4 Gy whole‐body dose threshold has been proposed. Achieving this dose often requires administering 131I‐mIBG twice back‐to‐back, which may cause haematological toxicity. In this study, we tried identifying the factors predicting the achievement of 4 Gy whole‐body dose with a single radiopharmaceutical administration.Materials and methods: Children affected by metastatic NB and treated with a high 131I‐mIBG activity (>450 MBq (megabecquerel)/kg) were evaluated retrospectively. Kinetics measurements were carried out at multiple time points to estimate the whole‐body dose, which was compared with clinical and activity‐related parameters.Results: Seventeen children (12 females, median age 3 years, age range: 1.5–6.9 years) were included. Eleven of them still bore the primary tumour. The median whole‐body dose was 2.88 Gy (range: 1.63–4.22 Gy). Children with a ‘bulky’ primary (>30 mL) received a higher whole‐body dose than those with smaller or surgically removed primaries (3.42 ± 0.74 vs. 2.48 ± 0.65 Gy, respectively, p = .016). Conversely, the correlation between activity/kg and the whole‐body dose was moderate (R: 0.42, p = .093). In the multivariate analysis, the volume of the primary tumour was the most relevant predictor of the whole‐body dose (p = .002).Conclusions: These data suggest that the presence of a bulky primary tumour can significantly prolong the 131I‐mIBG biological half‐life, effectively increasing the absorbed whole‐body dose. This information could be used to model the administered activity, allowing to attain the target dose without needing a two‐step radiopharmaceutical administration.
Effect of recycled fibers and shredded intermediates variation on the mechanical properties and energy absorption of fiber‐reinforced composite panels
Authors: Vaidya Uday , Fono Tamo Romeo Sephyrin , Chahine Georges , Hiremath Nitilaksha , Ozcan Soydan , Unser John , Holmes Jay 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe global composite industry generates large quantities of waste which mostly ends up in landfills due to a lack of established end‐use applications for multiple waste streams. The scrap from end‐of‐life (EoL) includes manufacturing waste such as dry chopped fiber tows, loose fibers, shredded fibers from fabric textile operations, cured/semi‐cured prepregs, and fully cured composite structure waste from aircraft, automobiles, wind blades, boats, and pressure vessels. In this work, different composite waste streams were reduced to shredded intermediates, followed by simple blending, and subjected to wet compression molding to produce composite panels. The panels/plaques were tested for mechanical properties (flexure and impact), fiber‐matrix wet‐out, and property bounds. It was found that wet‐compression molding was a viable and scale‐able approach to produce recycled panels from EoL composites shredded scrap. Furthermore, full‐scale size panels for use in truck bodies and intermodal shipping container flooring were manufactured and their impact resistance was tested using a drop weight impact test. They were tested both for high‐ and low‐velocity load. In the case of high‐velocity load, the average impact load was 14,673 N; the average absorbed energy was 101.6 J; the average elastic energy was 11.7 J and the impact resistance was 1065 J/m. In the case of the low‐velocity drop weight impact test, it was found that the average impact load was 7877.358 N; the average absorbed energy was 9.718 J; the average elastic energy was 9.14 J, and the impact resistance was 184.1 J/m. The shredded composite was shown to be a candidate material for the manufacture of truck bodies and intermodal containers’ flooring panels.Highlights
By using shredded intermediates from different composite waste streams, it is possible to manufacture composite panels.
Wet–compression process is an appropriate technique for manufacturing recycled fiber composite panels.
Regardless of the source of scrap, the mechanical properties of the produced composite panels were improved.
The recycling process technology can be transformed to commercial scale to produce full‐size transportation flooring panels.
A product pathway is established in consideration of lower cost and improved recyclability.
Highly thermally conductive electrically insulating composites composed of core–shell structure fiber boron nitride@titanium dioxide filler
Authors: Yang Kailun , Feng Yu , Liang Liang , Zhang Zhonghua , Chen Xuesong , Chen Qingguo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWith the increasing integration and power density of electronic and electrical equipment, highly thermally conductive insulating materials have a wide range of application scenarios. In this paper, a novel core–shell structure fiber thermal conductive filler hexagonal boron nitride@anatase titanium dioxide (h‐BN@AT) has been prepared by electrospinning technology first. The h‐BN@AT/epoxy resin (EP) thermally conductive and insulating composite was prepared by hot pressing. When the filler content was 30 wt%, the optimal thermal conductivity (λ) of h‐BN@AT/EP composite was 7.62 W/(m·K) (in‐plane) and 0.76 W/(m·K) (out‐of‐plane), which were 3088% and 324% higher than EP. The incorporation of high aspect ratio core–shell structural fibers significantly improves the efficiency of thermal conduction (TC) pathways formation within the composite. Moreover, the utilization of one‐dimensional (1‐D) anatase titanium dioxide fiber (ATO) and two‐dimensional (2‐D) boron nitride (h‐BN) establishes a multi‐level TC channel in EP, significantly increasing the λ of the composite. Notably, the composite retains outstanding insulation properties. The innovative core–shell structural fibers filler developed in this study provides a feasible method for producing thermal conductivity insulating materials.Highlights
A new type of core–shell structure h‐BN@AT fiber filler is designed.
High thermal conductivity insulating composite h‐BN@AT/EP are prepared by hot pressing.
h‐BN@AT can effectively improve the thermal conductivity of composite to ensure good electrical properties.
The effect of h‐BN content in h‐BN@AT filler on the properties of the composite was obtained.
The superiority of h‐BN@AT in heat conduction is verified by the classical heat conduction model and simulation.
Aramid nanofiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites with enhanced thermal stability, melt‐crystallization rates, and mechanical toughness
Authors: Kim Seok‐Ju , Eom Tae‐Gyeong , Seo Minyoung , Song Young‐Gi , Tang Feng , Park Jin‐Hyeok , Jeong Young Gyu 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe main goal of this study is to investigate the impact of aramid nanofiber (ANF) on enhancing various properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), including thermal stability, crystallization rates, melt‐rheological behavior, and mechanical properties. To achieve this, ANF fillers were produced using a modified deprotonation process from commercial aramid fibers, and a masterbatch (PLA/ANF = 90/10 by wt%) was prepared through solution blending and drying. The masterbatch was then combined with neat PLA through melt‐blending to create a range of PLA nanocomposites containing 1–10 wt% ANF loadings. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the uniform dispersion and intermolecular interaction of ANFs within the PLA matrix, respectively. As a result, the nanocomposites exhibited a slight increase in glass transition temperature with higher ANF loading, while the cold‐crystallization temperature decreased due to ANFs acting as nucleating agents during PLA crystallization. Isothermal crystallization analysis confirmed accelerated melt‐crystallization rates in nanocomposites with greater ANF content. The introduction of ANFs enhanced the thermal degradation temperature of the PLA matrix and the 700°C residue of the nanocomposites, attributed to ANFs' barrier and flame retardant effects on PLA. Moreover, the nanocomposites with higher ANF loading demonstrated superior tensile strength, strain at break, toughness, and impact strength owing to the effective bonding interactions at the interfaces between the PLA matrix and the ANF fillers.Highlights
ANF‐reinforced PLA nanocomposites are prepared by masterbatch melt‐compounding.
Uniform dispersion of ANFs in PLA is attained via effective interfacial bonding.
ANFs boost the melt‐crystallization of the PLA matrix.
ANFs enhance the thermal stability of the PLA matrix.
Tensile strength and toughness of PLA are improved with higher ANF content.
Icariside II prevents kidney fibrosis development in chronic kidney disease by promoting fatty acid oxidation
Authors: Wang Meng , Wang Jing , Wang Lingchen , Feng Xiaoxuan , Qian Yiling , Ye Chaoyang , Wang Chen 
Published: December 2023

AbstractRenal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the main pathological basis for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), however, effective interventions are limited. Here, we investigated the effect of Icariside II (ICA‐II) on RIF and explored the underlying mechanisms. Rats receiving 5/6 ablation and infarction (A/I) surgery were gavaged with ICA‐II (5 or 10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. In vitro, TGF‐β1‐stimulated NRK‐52E cells were treated with ICA‐II and (or) oleic acid, etomoxir, ranolazine, fenofibrate, and GW6471. The effects of ICA‐II on RIF, fatty acid oxidation, lipid deposition, and mitochondrial function were determined by immunoblotting, Oil red O staining, colorimetric, and fluorometric assays. Using adeno‐associated virus injection and co‐culture methods, we further determined mechanisms of ICA‐II anti‐RIF. ICA‐II ameliorated the fibrotic responses in vivo and in vitro. RNA‐seq analysis indicated that ICA‐II regulated fatty acid degradation and PPAR pathway in 5/6 (A/I) kidneys. ICA‐II attenuated lipid accumulation and up‐regulated expression of PPARα, CPT‐1α, Acaa2, and Acadsb proteins in vivo and in vitro. Compared to ICA‐II treatment, ICA‐II combined with Etomoxir exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction and fibrotic responses in TGF‐β‐treated NRK‐52E cells. Importantly, we determined that ICA‐II improved lipid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial function, and RIF by restoring PPARα. Co‐culture revealed that ICA‐II decreased the expression of Fibronectin, Collagen‐I, α‐SMA, and PCNA proteins in NRK‐49F cells by restoring PPARα of renal tubular cells. ICA‐II may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for RIF in 5/6 (A/I) rats, which may be important for the prevention and treatment of CKD.
An unsupervised subdomain adversarial network for remaining useful life estimation under various conditions
Authors: Wen Zhenfei , Lyu Yi , Chen Aiguo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDomain adaptation is a transfer learning method that is widely applied for remaining useful life (RUL) prediction under different operating conditions. However, current RUL prediction methods based on domain adaptation only consider minimizing degradation feature differences, while ignoring the correlation between features and labels, which may result in significant errors in the mapping relationship between the two learned by the model, and thus reduce the accuracy of prediction. To address this issue, this paper proposes an unsupervised subdomain adversarial network (USDAN) for RUL estimation under various conditions. On the basis of traditional domain adversarial adaptation networks, the network uses temporal convolutional networks to construct the feature extractor to learn the long‐term dependencies between degradation data, and a multilinear conditioning scheme is designed to combine the features and subdomain labels as input features to the domain discriminator. Finally, with backpropagation and gradient reversal, the feature extractor is prompted to generate cross‐domain invariant features that are correlated with the labels, improving the prediction accuracy and enhancing the transferability of the network. In the experimental section, the public turbofan engine degradation dataset is used to validate the effectiveness of the network, and the comparison with other approaches demonstrates its advantages.
Design of shifting state‐feedback controllers for constrained feedback linearized systems: Application to quadrotor attitude control
Authors: Ruiz Adrián , Rotondo Damiano , Morcego Bernardo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis paper proposes a shifting feedback linearization controller for nonlinear systems under input saturation. The suggested approach for determining a linear parameter‐varying (LPV) state‐feedback controller is based on employing a linear matrix inequality (LMI)‐based methodology, the input‐output feedback linearization approach, and the shifting paradigm concept. The resultant controller deals with a full linearized version of the nonlinear system under state‐dependent input constraints, and it modifies the closed‐loop convergence speed of the system in accordance with changes in the system's region of linearity. The proposed approach is validated by means of an experimental example.
ZnO2‐Based Carbon Composite Doped with Sulphur for the Removal of Highly Toxic Thiamethoxam from Wastewater
Authors: Kumar Shrawan , Yadav Sachin , Gupta Harshit , Varathan Ezhilselvi , Gautam Arvind , Singh Nahar 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe ongoing exponential increase in population intensifies the overexploitation of food, water, energy, and other resources. Overcoming the problem has emerged as a tedious task, and the most probable solution seems to be upgradation in agricultural practices. To achieve a superior quality harvest with maximum yield, synthetic herbicides, insecticides, weedicides, and pesticides have been extensively developed and employed. These pesticides generally wash down to the water bodies, polluting the water and causing serious health issues for human, animal, and aquatic lives. The suggested study uses a zinc peroxide (ZnO2) based carbon composite doped with sulphur adsorbent to remove the very hazardous pesticide thiamethoxam (TMX) from the contaminated water in a cost‐effective and efficient manner. In an acidic environment, a remarkable removal efficiency of 99.5 % is achieved at pH levels 1–3. Additionally, at pH level 11, an impressive removal rate of 96.4 % is obtained. Furthermore, this composite material exhibits a high adsorption capacity of 142.86 mg/g. The batch studies experiments revealed that the adsorption of TMX. complied with the Langmuir isotherm model and demonstrated Pseudo‐second order kinetics. The adsorbent eco‐friendly and effective, can be prepared easily, is ecologically friendly, and does not cause any sort of secondary pollution. The present work has high potential to take the science of water purification to the next step further.
Development of Carbon Dots Synthesized from Green Tea and Alpha‐hydroxyl Acids with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity, Photostability and UV Protection Properties
Authors: Nuntahirun Pattaraporn , Hanchaina Rattanavinan , Ratchatacharoensak Arsikan , Supjaroenpisan Monthakarn , Suptawornkul Siriwas , Wang Yao , Kangsamaksin Thaned , Paoprasert Peerasak 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe exhaustion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere has caused an escalation of dangerous UV radiation penetrating the earth's surface. Reactive oxygen species generated under UV exposure through photocatalytic reactions can lead to severe skin health risks, such as skin cancer and premature aging. Although chemical sunscreens are widely used for protection against UV radiation, their long‐term use poses safety concerns and causes environmental damage. In this regard, we have developed carbon dots (CDs) with excellent UV absorption along with extraordinary antioxidant activity, photostability, and biocompatibility from green tea as the main precursor and alpha‐hydroxy acids (AHA) as the co‐precursors, including gluconic acid (GA), citric acid (CA), and tartaric acid (TA). All CDs have a strong UV absorption, especially in the UVB and UVC regions, with G‐CDs having the highest UV absorption. The G‐CDs also have the highest antioxidant activity, which is also higher than that of their parent green tea, AHAs, and ascorbic acid, a well‐known antioxidant. The photostability and cell viability of the G‐CDs were also excellent. The potential of G‐CDs as multifunctional materials makes them a promising candidate for cosmetic applications, particularly for their ability to absorb UV radiation with exceptionally high antioxidant activity, photostability, and biocompatibility.
Thiazole Heterocycle: An Incredible and Potential Scaffold in Drug Discovery and Development of Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Bhanwala Neeru , Gupta Vaibhav , Chandrakar Lokesh , Khatik Gopal L. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn 2020, 15 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), and 2.4 million died. Additionally, the TB situation is worse with multidrug resistance (MDR) and extended‐drug resistance (XDR)‐TB. Research into innovative anti‐tubercular drugs with improved MDR‐TB activity, lower toxicity, and shorter therapy duration is crucial for solving this issue. Fortunately, numerous novel potential anti‐tubercular candidates are currently under clinical trials. Most of these candidates have five‐membered rings and are most likely effective against sensitive and resistant strains. This review discusses current developments in the five‐membered heterocyclic thiazole ring, emphasizing its anti‐tubercular properties, toxicity, structure‐activity relationship, and mechanism of action. Thiazole ring has a wide range of biological activities and thus gained much synthetic interest. Due to the popularity of thiazole as an anti‐tubercular moiety, it combined with other medicinally active chemical functionality and nuclei to design and synthesize novel hybrid analogues with maximum activity and minimal toxicity. In this review we have done the literature survey of the past 10 years, and compiled the structural and functional studies of thiazole as an anti‐tubercular agent with its potent chemical entities showing prominent pharmacological action.