bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of Diffusion MRI‐Based Tractography in the Fetal Brain
Authors: Xiao Jiaxin , Sun Cong , Chen Ruike , Zhao Zhiyong , Wang Guangbin , Wu Dan 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundTractography based on diffusion MRI (dMRI) is a useful tool to study white matter of the developing brain. However, its application in fetal brains is limited due to motion artifacts and low resolution of in utero dMRI, leading to reduced reliability, which was scarcely investigated in previous studies.PurposeTo identify reliably traceable fibers in fetal brains and assess whether reproducibility varies with gestational age (GA) and varies between brain regions.Study TypeProspective cohort study.SubjectsA total of 44 healthy fetuses with GAs between 25 and 37 (31 ± 6).Field Strength/Sequence3‐T, diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging sequence (2–5 repeated dMRI scans within the same session per subject).AssessmentWe fitted dMRI with constrained spherical deconvolution model and conducted tractography on eight fibers. We extracted volume, fractional anisotropy, and fiber count for each fiber and assessed the reproducibility of these metrics between repeated scans within each subject. Data were divided into two age‐based subgroups (≤30 weeks, N = 28, and >30 weeks, N = 16) for further tests.Statistical TestsThe reproducibility were compared between fibers by analysis of variance and two‐sample t tests. Multiple comparisons were corrected by the false discovery rate (5% was accepted).ResultsThe reproducibility of the anterior thalamic radiation, inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), genu of the corpus callosum (GCC), and body of the corpus callosum (BCC) significantly decreased with advancing GA (correlation coefficient = 0.525–0.823), as confirmed by group comparisons between fetuses in early GA (≤30 weeks) and late GA (>30 weeks) groups. Corticospinal tract, inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus, and GCC showed high reproducibility for fiber count (weighted dice average = 0.846 vs. 0.814), while BCC and ILF exhibited the lowest reproducibility in both age groups.Data ConclusionThe study indicates that the reliability of fetal brain tractography depends on GA and varies among different fibers.Level of Evidence2Technical EfficacyStage 2
MR Spectroscopy Assessment of Daily Variations of GABA Levels within the Parietal Lobe and Anterior Cingulate Gyrus Regions of Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Ye Yujie , Zhong Zhaomin , Wu Xiaojuan , Tian Yangyang , Wei Zifan , Han Shuting , Wu Peng , Dai Hui , Shen Lan , Wang Han , Li Yonggang 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundThe changes that occur in the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels within specific brain regions throughout the day are less clear.PurposeTo evaluate the daily fluctuations of GABA levels within the parietal lobe (PL) and anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC) regions and explore their association with melatonin (MT) levels, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure.Study TypeProspective.Subjects26 healthy young adults (15 males and 11 females aged 22–27 years).Field Strength/Sequence3.0T, T1‐weighted imaging, Mescher–Garwood point resolved spectroscopy (MEGA‐PRESS) sequence.AssessmentThe acquired GABA signal contained the overlapping signals of macromolecules and homocarnosine, hence expressed as GABA+. The creatine (Cr) signal was applied as an endogenous reference. The GABA+, GABA+/Cr were measured at six different time points (1:00, 5:00, 9:00, 13:00, 17:00, and 21:00 hours) using MEGA‐PRESS. The blood pressure, HR and sputum MT levels, were also acquired.Statistical TestsThe one‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the GABA, blood pressure, HR, and MT levels throughout the day. A general linear model was used to find the correlation between GABA and blood pressure, HR, and MT. P < 0.05 was statistically significant.ResultsSignificant variations in GABA+/Cr and GABA+ levels were observed throughout the day within the PL region. The lowest levels were recorded at 9:00 hour (GABA+/Cr: 0.100 ± 0.003，GABA+:1.877 ± 0.051 i.u) and the highest levels were recorded at 21:00 hour (GABA+/Cr: 0.115 ± 0.003, GABA+:2.122 ± 0.052 i.u). The MT levels were positively correlated with GABA+/Cr (r = 0.301) and GABA+ (r = 0.312) within the ACC region.Data ConclusionGABA+/Cr and GABA+ in ACC are positively correlated with MT. GABA levels in the PL have diurnal differences. These findings may indicate that the body's GABA level change in response to the light–dark cycle.Level of Evidence1Technical EfficacyStage 2
Effect of in vitro simulated digestion on the physicochemical properties and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of fucoidan
Authors: Lu Chunqi , Gu Qiuya , Yu Xiaobin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDFucoidan has an anti‐obesity effect. However, there are few studies on its mechanism. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in silico inhibitory properties of fucoidan against pancreatic lipase for the first time. We examined the changes in composition, structure, and pancreatic lipase inhibition of fucoidan during in vitro digestion.RESULTSSimulated saliva‐gastrointestinal digestion resulted in a slight decrease in the molecular weight of fucoidan but no significant changes in the monosaccharide composition, sulfate content, and functional groups. Moreover, the digestion process significantly increased the inhibition of pancreatic lipase by fucoidan. The study on the type of inhibition showed that the inhibition of pancreatic lipase by fucoidan belonged to mixed inhibition with competitive inhibition. Molecular docking analysis showed that fucoidan could bind to the active site of pancreatic lipase.CONCLUSIONThis study indicates that fucoidan can be a potential functional food for anti‐obesity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Evaluating Quality, Credibility, and Readability of Online Over‐the‐Counter Hearing Aid Information
Authors: Shah Veranca , Lava Christian X. , Hakimi Amir A. , Hoa Michael 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveWith over‐the‐counter hearing aids being recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the accuracy and usefulness of online information has not yet been examined. This study evaluates the quality, credibility, readability, and accessibility of online over‐the‐counter hearing aids education materials.MethodsGoogle was queried using the search term “over‐the‐counter hearing aids”. The top 50 results were categorized into healthcare versus non‐healthcare authored resources. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) tests were utilized to assess readability, whereas the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (CRAAP) test and DISCERN instruments were used to assess quality and credibility. The number of clicks taken to access relevant information on each website was used to assess accessibility.ResultsThere was no significant difference in FRES or FKGL readability scores between healthcare and non‐healthcare authored websites (p = 0.5548, p = 0.5981, respectively), but both readability scores were higher than that of the recommended reading level for patient education materials. There was no significant difference in CRAAP and DISCERN scores between both groups (p = 0.5746, p = 0.1699, respectively). The number of clicks did not significantly differ between healthcare and non‐healthcare authored resources (p = 0.4932).ConclusionThis study highlights poor readability and accessibility of virtual healthcare information regarding OTC hearing aids. Although credibility in articles authored by healthcare and non‐healthcare professionals was adequate, readability was greatly compromised due to the written information exceeding the recommended United States reading level. Accessibility posed a similar issue, as many sites required multiple clicks to access product information.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 134:3302–3309, 2024
Identify a sustainable afforestation pattern for soil carbon sequestration: Considering both soil water‐carbon conversion efficiency and their coupling relationship on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Nan Guowei , He Xinyu , Ma Le , Qin Shuying , Han Lei , Xu Shicai 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAfforestation is considered to be an important means to improve the ecological environment and mitigate climate change. However, inappropriate vegetation restoration can result in severe soil desiccation and ecosystem degradation in water‐limited regions. Here, we evaluated the effects of six different afforestation patterns on soil moisture content, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, and especially the conversion efficiency of the two on the Loess Plateau, taking abandoned land (Al) as a control sample, and attempting to recognize a suitable afforestation pattern based on these parameters. The six afforestation patterns considered were two single‐species shrub plantations (Caragana korshinskii, Ck and Hippophae rhamnoides, Hr), two single‐species tree plantations (Robinia pseudoacacia, Rp and Platycladus orientalis, Po), and two mixed‐species plantations (Rp, Po, Pinus tabuliformis, Pt, and Ulmus pumila, Up mixed plantations (MP); Po and Pt with terracing [MP + T]). We found that mixed‐species plantations (MP + T and MP) have less soil moisture depletion than single‐species plantations, Ck had the highest SOC sequestration but also had a significant deep soil moisture deficit. MP + T had less deep soil moisture deficit but also had lower SOC sequestration than MP. MP show a better comprehensive effect when considering both soil organic carbon sequestration and soil water‐carbon conversion efficiency. Therefore, multispecies MP represent a potentially valuable approach to sustainable afforestation patterns for soil carbon sequestration on the Loess Plateau. This afforestation pattern has the potential to be applied in other similar semi‐arid and semihumid regions. Our results provide insight into vegetation restoration in areas with degraded land. In future afforestation activities, planners must alleviate regional water pressure, increase soil carbon sequestration by increasing species richness, and select the best combination of species to optimize the stability and sustainability of the plantation ecosystem.
Multilevel Information Encryption Mediated by Reconfigurable Thermal Emission in Smart Bilayer Material
Authors: Wang Jiong , Wang Maoren , Xie Qindong , Li Wenxin , Zhang Li , Zhang Linbo , Xie Jianliang , Liu Donghua , Zhou Peiheng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSmart thermal emission, which is response to external stimuli, has provided an unparalleled approach to exploiting optical devices that allows for tunable photon radiance. Here, an approach of implementing information encryptions using a smart thermal emission material that exhibits non‐volatile, multifunctional, and on‐chip‐integrable properties is reported. The smart material is a bilayer structure, consisting of a tungsten (W)‐doped vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin film layer and a self‐assembled polystyrene (PS) microsphere layer. Significant differences between the phase transition temperatures of differently doped VO2 films enable reconfigurable thermal emission in response to heat. Levels of information recorded by the patterning of these VO2 films are thus encrypted thermo‐radiatively. Additionally, the structural color of PS layer, as a result of photonic crystal bandgap effect, shades the encoded patterns from visible observation, and provides an anti‐counterfeiting function. Notable observation angle independence and device‐friendly encoding processes are also demonstrated. Based on these thermo‐tunable emission characteristics, the concept of multilevel data encryption via infrared radiation detection, temperature dependence, and visible anti‐counterfeiting, is realized by the smart bilayer material.
Preparation of Block Copolymer Self‐Assemblies via Pisa in a Non‐Polar Medium Based on RCMP
Authors: Zheng Yichao , Niino Hiroshi , Chatani Shunsuke , Goto Atsushi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPolymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) is conducted in a non‐polar medium (n‐dodecane) via reversible complexation‐mediated polymerization (RCMP). Stearyl methacrylate (SMA) is used to synthesize a macroinitiator, and subsequent block polymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) from the macroinitiator in n‐dodecane afforded a PSMA–PBzMA block copolymer, where PSMA is poly(stearyl methacrylate) and PBzMA is poly(benzyl methacrylate). Because PSMA is soluble but PBzMA is insoluble in n‐dodecane, the block copolymer formed a self‐assembly during the block polymerization (PISA). Spherical micelles, worms, and vesicles are obtained, depending on the degrees of polymerization of PSMA and PBzMA. “One‐pot” PISA is also attained; namely, BzMA is directly added to the reaction mixture of the macroinitiator synthesis, and PISA is conducted in the same pot without purification of the macroinitiator. The spherical micelle and vesicle structures are also fixed using a crosslinkable monomer during PISA. RCMP‐PISA is highly attractive as it is odorless and metal‐free. The “one‐pot” synthesis does not require the purification of the macroinitiator. RCMP‐PISA can provide a practical approach to synthesize self‐assemblies in non‐polar media.
Dissecting the pleiotropic roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung cancer: From carcinogenesis toward therapy
Authors: Hou Ying , Wang Heng , Wu Jiarui , Guo Hongwei , Chen Xiuping 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLung cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The specific pulmonary structure to directly connect with ambient air makes it more susceptible to damage from airborne toxins. External oxidative stimuli and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in promoting lung carcinogenesis and development. The biological properties of higher ROS levels in tumor cells than in normal cells make them more sensitive and vulnerable to ROS injury. Therefore, the strategy of targeting ROS has been proposed for cancer therapy for decades. However, it is embarrassing that countless attempts at ROS‐based therapies have had very limited success, and no FDA approval in the anticancer list was mechanistically based on ROS manipulation. Even compared with the untargetable proteins, such as transcription factors, ROS are more difficult to be targeted due to their chemical properties. Thus, the pleiotropic roles of ROS provide therapeutic potential for anticancer drug discovery, while a better dissection of the mechanistic action and signaling pathways is a prerequisite for future breakthroughs. This review discusses the critical roles of ROS in cancer carcinogenesis, ROS‐inspired signaling pathways, and ROS‐based treatment, exemplified by lung cancer. In particular, an eight considerations rule is proposed for ROS‐targeting strategies and drug design and development.
AAPM Task Group Report 261: Comprehensive quality control methodology and management of dental and maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems
Authors: Mihailidis Dimitris N. , Stratis Andreas , Gingold Eric , Carlson Ray , DeForest William , Gray Joel , Lally Mary T. , Pizzutiello Robert , Rong John , Spelic David , Hilohi Mike C. , Massoth Richard 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems specifically designed and manufactured for dental, maxillofacial imaging (MFI) and otolaryngology (OLR) applications have been commercially available in the United States since 2001 and have been in widespread clinical use since. Until recently, there has been a lack of professional guidance available for medical physicists about how to assess and evaluate the performance of these systems and about the establishment and management of quality control (QC) programs. The owners and users of dental CBCT systems may have only a rudimentary understanding of this technology, including how it differs from conventional multidetector CT (MDCT) in terms of acceptable radiation safety practices. Dental CBCT systems differ from MDCT in several ways and these differences are described. This report provides guidance to medical physicists and serves as a basis for stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding how to manage and develop a QC program for dental CBCT systems. It is important that a medical physicist with experience in dental CBCT serves as a resource on this technology and the associated radiation protection best practices. The medical physicist should be involved at the pre‐installation stage to ensure that a CBCT room configuration allows for a safe and efficient workflow and that structural shielding, if needed, is designed into the architectural plans. Acceptance testing of new installations should include assessment of mechanical alignment of patient positioning lasers and x‐ray beam collimation and benchmarking of essential image quality performance parameters such as image uniformity, noise, contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), spatial resolution, and artifacts. Several approaches for quantifying radiation output from these systems are described, including simply measuring the incident air‐kerma (Kair) at the entrance surface of the image receptor. These measurements are to be repeated at least annually as part of routine QC by the medical physicist. QC programs for dental CBCT, at least in the United States, are often driven by state regulations, accreditation program requirements, or manufacturer recommendations.
Zero‐DeepSub: Zero‐shot deep subspace reconstruction for rapid multiparametric quantitative MRI using 3D‐QALAS
Authors: Jun Yohan , Arefeen Yamin , Cho Jaejin , Fujita Shohei , Wang Xiaoqing , Grant P. Ellen , Gagoski Borjan , Jaimes Camilo , Gee Michael S. , Bilgic Berkin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPurposeTo develop and evaluate methods for (1) reconstructing 3D‐quantification using an interleaved Look‐Locker acquisition sequence with T2 preparation pulse (3D‐QALAS) time‐series images using a low‐rank subspace method, which enables accurate and rapid T1 and T2 mapping, and (2) improving the fidelity of subspace QALAS by combining scan‐specific deep‐learning‐based reconstruction and subspace modeling.Theory and MethodsA low‐rank subspace method for 3D‐QALAS (i.e., subspace QALAS) and zero‐shot deep‐learning subspace method (i.e., Zero‐DeepSub) were proposed for rapid and high fidelity T1 and T2 mapping and time‐resolved imaging using 3D‐QALAS. Using an ISMRM/NIST system phantom, the accuracy and reproducibility of the T1 and T2 maps estimated using the proposed methods were evaluated by comparing them with reference techniques. The reconstruction performance of the proposed subspace QALAS using Zero‐DeepSub was evaluated in vivo and compared with conventional QALAS at high reduction factors of up to nine‐fold.ResultsPhantom experiments showed that subspace QALAS had good linearity with respect to the reference methods while reducing biases and improving precision compared to conventional QALAS, especially for T2 maps. Moreover, in vivo results demonstrated that subspace QALAS had better g‐factor maps and could reduce voxel blurring, noise, and artifacts compared to conventional QALAS and showed robust performance at up to nine‐fold acceleration with Zero‐DeepSub, which enabled whole‐brain T1, T2, and PD mapping at 1 mm isotropic resolution within 2 min of scan time.ConclusionThe proposed subspace QALAS along with Zero‐DeepSub enabled high fidelity and rapid whole‐brain multiparametric quantification and time‐resolved imaging.
One‐step in‐situ growth of CNTs on oxidized carbon fiber: Effects of catalyst concentration and growth time on mechanical properties of carbon fiber
Authors: Yao Zhiqiang , Zhang Kaining , Xia Anqi , Wang Dongzhi , Wang Chengguo , Li Huaifu , Chen Yulin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChemical vapor deposition (CVD) method was performed to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on oxidized carbon fiber (CF). First, CF was oxidized by a simple and gentle way to increase the number of active groups and the optimal treatment time was determined. Then, effects of catalyst concentration and growth time on morphologies and loading amount of CNTs, the properties of CF/CNTs reinforcements, and the interlayer properties of CF/CNTs composites were explored. When the catalyst concentration and growth time were controlled at a reasonable level, CNTs can be uniformly grown on the CF surface. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was characterized and the fracture surfaces of CF/CNTs composites were observed. The results demonstrated that when the catalyst precursor was kept at 0.05 mol/L and the growth time was controlled at 10 min, CNTs had the best strength effect and the ILSS increased by 30.25% compared to that of composites without CNTs. The fracture surface showed that CNTs can penetrate the matrix at the interface and enhance the interface through mechanical interlocking effect. The CNTs‐induced interphase allows the stress inside the composites to propagate continuously between resin and fibers, thereby heightening the load carrying capacity.Highlights
A simple and gentle way was performed to activate CF without strength reduction.
The influence mechanism of various parameters was revealed in detail.
The mechanism of CNTs enhancing the interface was revealed.
Fatigue performance of carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer strengthened single‐edge cracked steel plates: Effects of adhesive property and CFRP arrangement
Authors: Ke Lu , Chen Ailong , Feng Zheng , Li Chuanxi , Li Youlin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCarbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) is increasingly used to improve the fatigue behavior of damaged steel structures due to its advantages, including high strength and convenient processing. However, several issues, such as the effects of the adhesive property and CFRP arrangement, still need to be studied. In this study, a total of 20 single‐cracked steel specimens were tested under fatigue load, including two unstrengthened specimens, six single‐sided strengthened specimens, and 12 double‐sided strengthened specimens. The failure mode, fatigue life, crack propagation pattern, and interface damage development were obtained from experiments. The results show that epoxy resin structural adhesives (adhesives Araldite 420 and J133C) have the best bonding properties with CFRP. For the conventional epoxy adhesives, Araldite 420 and J133C can considerably improve fatigue life, which increased by more than 44.84 times to unstrengthened specimens. CFRP plate strengthening can significantly improve the fatigue life of single‐edge cracked steel plates. For the double‐sided strengthened specimens, the fatigue life can be improved by 6.93–44.84 times that of unstrengthened specimens. For the single‐sided, the fatigue life can be improved by 2.24–2.77 times. Properties of epoxy adhesive have a more significant effect on fatigue life compared to the thickness of the CFRP plate due to debonding.Highlights
Ductile epoxy adhesives are most conducive to improving the fatigue behavior of CFRP strengthened steel plates.
The fatigue life of steel plates can be improved by increasing the thickness of CFRP plates and using double‐sided CFRP strengthening.
Interface debonding is the main failure mode of CFRP plates strengthening single‐edge cracked steel plates under fatigue.