bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical note: A volumetric method for measuring the longitudinal arch of human tracks and feet
Authors: Hatala Kevin G. , Gatesy Stephen M. , Manafzadeh Armita R. , Lusardi Elizabeth M. , Falkingham Peter L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFossil footprints (i.e., tracks) were believed to document arch anatomical evolution, although our recent work has shown that track arches record foot kinematics instead. Analyses of track arches can thereby inform the evolution of human locomotion, although quantifying this 3‐D aspect of track morphology is difficult. Here, we present a volumetric method for measuring the arches of 3‐D models of human tracks and feet, using both Autodesk Maya and Blender software. The method involves generation of a 3‐D object that represents the space beneath the longitudinal arch, and measurement of that arch object's geometry and spatial orientation. We provide relevant tools and guidance for users to apply this technique to their own data. We present three case studies to demonstrate potential applications. These include, (1) measuring the arches of static and dynamic human feet, (2) comparing the arches of human tracks with the arches of the feet that made them, and (3) direct comparisons of human track and foot arch morphology throughout simulated track formation. The volumetric measurement tool proved robust for measuring 3‐D models of human tracks and feet, in static and dynamic contexts. This tool enables researchers to quantitatively compare arches of fossil hominin tracks, in order to derive biomechanical interpretations from them, and/or offers a different approach for quantifying foot morphology in living humans.
Purification for Hybrid Entanglement between Discrete‐ and Continuous‐Variable States
Authors: Luo Cheng‐Chen , Zhou Lan , Zhong Wei , Du Ming‐Ming , Li Xi‐Yun , Sheng Yu‐Bo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHybrid entangled states (HES) have attracted significant attention and been utilized in various quantum information processing applications. However, like many other entangled states, maximally entangled HES may degrade to mixed states due to environmental noise and operational imperfections. In this paper, a hybrid entanglement purification protocol (HEPP) for the HES, which consists of photon‐number state and coherent state is proposed. This HEPP is designed to effectively purify a bit‐flip error occurring in any qubit of the HES. Furthermore, HEPP is extended to a general condition, say, the multi‐party scenario, and integrates the generation of HES into the HEPP. Moreover, if different initial mixed states are chosen, then the residual entanglement can be utilized to distill high‐quality entanglement. The HEPP has important applications in the future quantum information processing field.
Zein/polyvinyl alcohol‐based electrospun nanofibrous films reinforced with nano‐hydroxyapatite for efficient Cu(II) adsorption
Authors: Ma Na , Li Ke , Xu Bo , Tian Huafeng , Ma Songbai , Li Jinlong , Ouyang Yuge , Liu Qian , Liu Dagang , Kumar Rakesh 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo solve the problem of the presence of heavy metals in water causing water pollution, the biodegradable film based on zein/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with the incorporation of nano‐hydroxyapatite (nHAP) was fabricated through an electrospinning technique. The copper ion was taken as the representative of heavy metal ions in this study. The result showed that the incorporated nHAP nanoparticles were dispersed within the zein/PVA matrix, and strong hydrogen bonding interactions were formed between the filler and matrix, improving the hydrophobicity of the nanofibrous films and maintaining thermal stability. The adsorption mechanism was analyzed by fitting the adsorption process with pseudo‐first‐order model and pseudo‐second‐order model. Based on the ion exchange effect, electrostatic interaction, and complexation, the adsorption capacities of nanofibrous films for Cu(II) were significantly increased after adding nHAP. When the nHAP content was 20 wt.%, the Cu(II) adsorption capacity reached up to 23.86 mg/g, and the adsorption efficiency was 13.94% higher than that of neat zein/PVA nanofibers. This work suggests the potential of the electrospun zein/PVA/nHAP nanofibrous films as desirable eco‐friendly materials in metal removal applications.
Effect of irradiation modification above melting point on the wear resistance of polytetrafluoroethylene
Authors: Bekbolatovich Sagin Abay , Wang Xiaojie , Zheng Xiuting , Zhou Shuangquan , Huang Yao , Xu Hong , Skopincev I. , Wu Daming , Gao Xiaolong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe cross‐linked polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and PTFE/carbon fiber (CF) composites were synthesized through electron beam irradiation in the molten state of PTFE at a controlled temperature of 340 ± 3°C under an inert gas atmosphere for this study. The wear resistance of raw (raw‐PTFE), irradiated modified PTFE (RM‐PTFE), and CF‐reinforced PTFE composites were evaluated using a friction and wear testing machine. The testing was conducted under varying ambient temperatures and dynamic loads. After irradiation, the samples were sectioned into specific sizes for subsequent testing purposes. Under the test conditions of 4.64 MPa positive pressure, 800 rpm speed, and a duration of 300 s at 20°C, the wear amount of PTFE after irradiation modification is significantly reduced from 1.4103 mm to only 0.0233 mm, representing a remarkable reduction by a factor of 60. Similarly, under the test conditions of 4.64 MPa positive pressure, 200 rpm speed, and a duration of 300 s at 20°C, the friction coefficient of PTFE after irradiation modification is substantially decreased from an initial value of 0.13 to just 0.03. The observed improvement can be attributed to the transformation of PTFE's crystalline form into spherulite, accompanied by a significant enhancement in the degree of cross‐linking within its molecular chain. The PTFE was supplemented with 10% CF prior to irradiation. Under the test conditions of a positive pressure of 4.64 MPa, rotation speed of 800 rpm, and a duration time of 300 s at 20°C, the wear amount of the composite material measured only 0.0007 mm, representing a reduction by a factor of 2000 compared to that observed for pure PTFE. This improvement can be attributed to the CF filler's high wear resistance properties and the composite's enhanced thermal conductivity.
Surface modification of commercial carbon black by silane coupling agents for improving dispersibility in rubber compounds
Authors: Jaberi Mofrad Farzaneh , Ostad Movahed Saeed , Ahmadpour Ali 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe dispersion of a filler in a rubber matrix is a crucial parameter affecting the mechanical and dynamical properties of a rubber compound. It is the current issue of the rubber compounding industry because, most fillers are categorized as a mineral, while the rubber is an organic material. The surface modification of the filler has been accepted as an effective technique for the improvement of the abovementioned parameter. First, the surface premodification of commercial carbon black with a grade of N660 (CB) was implemented by four different oxidation methods. After that, among of used methods, the oxidation method using citric acid was selected to produce modified carbon black (CB‐Oxi) for further treatment. Subsequently, the coupling agent, Bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT) was functionalized on the surface of CB‐Oxi to produce modified‐CB‐Oxi. Also, for comparison purposes, the TESPT functionalization was accomplished on untreated CB to form modified‐CB. The FTIR spectra of CB‐Oxi showed using the premodification method introduced the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of CB. The correspondent spectra for modified‐CB‐Oxi confirmed the existence of silane groups on the surface of the carbon black. However, the mentioned silane groups were not observed on the surface of modified‐CB. The findings were strengthened by several characteristic techniques including, FESEM, XRD, EDS, CHNS elemental analysis, and RAMAN spectra. The FESEM graphs and elemental mapping showed homogeneous dispersion and uniform distribution of sulfur and silicon elements on the modified‐CB‐Oxi surface. According to RAMAN spectra, the disturbance in the structure of carbon black graphite was reduced after surface modification. modified‐CB‐Oxi is proposed as a potential substitute filler for current commercial carbon black in rubber compounding.
Numerical simulation for bubble growth during supercritical CO2 foaming epoxy resin process based on chemorheology
Authors: Ling Yijie , Chen Yichong , Yao Shun , Xi Zhenhao , Hu Dongdong , Zhao Ling 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe bubble growth process of epoxy resin foams has been evaluated through a combination of numerical simulation and chemorheology. It was discovered that rheological properties play an essential role in forecasting bubble growth during supercritical CO2 epoxy resin foaming. Time–cure superposition was conducted revealing that shear storage modulus increased from 10−3 to 106 Pa during the curing reaction process. The complex viscosity increased up to 105 Pa s and the characteristic relaxation time increased up to 53.1 s with the curing degree. The epoxy resin with high rigid modulus could effectively inhibit bubble growth. Furthermore, the simulation results indicated that the bubble growth process for epoxy resin foams was influenced by both the CO2 content and CO2 plasticization on rheology properties.
The fantasies of money
Authors: Eisold Kenneth 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe tend to think of money as concrete and simple, a thing, but in fact it is multi‐faceted and complex, more symbolic than actual. In the modern world it has come to take such a variety of forms that economists can no longer define it. On the other hand, our reliance on it causes us to invest it with a stability it does not and, probably, cannot have. Our ideas about money are, essentially, social defenses, and the money we think we have in our pockets or in our bank accounts is based on widely shared fantasies. The anxieties underlying these defenses spring from two sources: awareness that money's fixed values are unreliable, unable to protect us from loss, and an opposite irrational optimism about its capacity to grow magically. This paper suggests that the understanding psychoanalysis can offer about such common fantasies inextricably woven around money can provide the groundwork for an interdisciplinary collaboration with economics and the social sciences.
L2‐gain analysis and fault‐tolerant control for uncertain nonlinear switched system with actuator saturation and time‐varying delay
Authors: Chen Wenxiang , Li Huiju , Zhang Xinquan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFor the nonlinear continuous‐time switched system with input saturation and time‐varying delay, the problem of actuator failure is investigated in the presence of external disturbances. First, the sufficient conditions for the tolerance disturbances of system are obtained by using the multiple augmented Lyapunov Krasovskii functionals method combined with the Wirtinger integral inequality method and the reciprocally convex combination inequality. Second, the restricted
‐gain is analyzed. Third, the switching law and the disturbance suppression fault‐tolerant controllers are designed to obtain the maximum value of tolerance disturbance and the minimum upper bound on the restricted
‐gain. Finally, the numerical examples are given to verified the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing the state trajectories under the action of the fault‐tolerant controllers and the standard controllers.
‘Populism’ and competing epistemic communities in English educational policy: A response to Craske and Watson
Authors: Menzies Loic 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article constitutes a ‘reply and alternative’ to two papers that appeared in a 2021 Special Issue of British Educational Research Journal. Both articles drew on theories of populism as a political logic to explain recent trends in England's education policy. I begin by highlighting how the contributors mobilise ‘populist’ political logics within their own ‘anti‐populist’ discourse. I then argue that the theory of epistemic communities, borrowed from the field of public policy analysis, offers an alternative interpretation of the dynamics described in (and exemplified by) the two articles. This alternative interpretation foregrounds the values, beliefs and policy enterprises of two rival communities that seek to influence education policy through the supply of expertise. I argue that attending to how these communities function helps explain how a new group of policy entrepreneurs has come to constitute an increasingly influential ‘counter‐epistemic community’ and established a mutually beneficial trade in legitimacy with English policy makers. To date, the theory of epistemic communities has been under‐utilised in the study of education policy, but applying the theory to education policy in England provides new insights into how these communities function when the nature of expertise is contested. England's educational policy context also exemplifies the importance of ‘fit’ between policy makers and experts’ beliefs, and the role of policy makers in assembling and curating communities of experts.
More than a bystander: RNAs specify multifaceted behaviors of liquid‐liquid phase‐separated biomolecular condensates
Authors: Zheng Hui , Zhang Hong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCells contain a myriad of membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates with distinct compositions of proteins and RNAs. RNP condensates participate in different cellular activities, including RNA storage, mRNA translation or decay, stress response, etc. RNP condensates are assembled via liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS) driven by multivalent interactions. Transition of RNP condensates into bodies with abnormal material properties, such as solid‐like amyloid structures, is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this review, we focus on how RNAs regulate multiple aspects of RNP condensates, such as dynamic assembly and/or disassembly and biophysical properties. RNA properties – including concentration, sequence, length and structure – also determine the phase behaviors of RNP condensates. RNA is also involved in specifying autophagic degradation of RNP condensates. Unraveling the role of RNA in RNPs provides novel insights into pathological accumulation of RNPs in various diseases. This new understanding can potentially be harnessed to develop therapeutic strategies.
External wrist ratio is not a proxy for internal carpal tunnel shape: Implications for evaluating carpal tunnel syndrome risk
Authors: Loomis Katherine J. , Roll Shawn C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is highly prevalent, resulting in decreased function and increased need for costly healthcare services. External wrist ratio (depth/width >0.70) is a strong predictor of the development of CTS and has been suggested to be a proxy for internal carpal tunnel (CT) shape. Conversely, sonography can more directly evaluate CT shape. The purpose of our study was to explore the relationship between wrist ratio and sonographic CT measurements to (1) evaluate the reliability of sonographic CT measurements and (2) explore how external wrist measures relate to anthropometric features of the CT. We used sonographic imaging on a sample of healthy participants (n = 226) to measure CT cross‐sectional area, depth, width, and depth/width ratio. We conducted exploratory correlation and regression analyses to identify relationships of these measures with external wrist ratio. Reliability for dominant and nondominant sonographic CT measures ranged from good to excellent (0.79–0.95). Despite a moderate correlation between CT width and depth and their external wrist counterparts (0.33–0.41, p < 0.001), wrist ratio and CT ratio demonstrated weak to no correlation (dominant: r = 0.12, p = 0.053; nondominant: r = 0.20, p = 0.002) and the mean CT ratio was far lower than the mean wrist ratio (0.45 vs. 0.71 bilaterally). Supporting this, we observed several key differences in the relationship between external wrist measures compared to corresponding CT measures. Additionally, regression analyses combining participant factors and CT measurements produced models accounting for less than 15% of the variability in external wrist ratio (linear models) or correctly predicting less than 68% of wrist ratio‐based risk categorization (logistic models). Overall, among healthy young adults, wrist shape is not an adequate proxy for CT shape.
Evaluation of breast skin and tissue stiffness using a non‐invasive aspiration device and impact of clinical predictors
Authors: Duraes Martha , Briot Noemie , Connesson Nathanael , Chagnon Gregory , Payan Yohan , Duflos Claire , Rathat Gauthier , Captier Guillaume , Subsol Gerard , Herlin Christian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA personalized 3D breast model could present a real benefit for preoperative discussion with patients, surgical planning, and guidance. Breast tissue biomechanical properties have been poorly studied in vivo, although they are important for breast deformation simulation. The main objective of our study was to determine breast skin thickness and breast skin and adipose/fibroglandular tissue stiffness. The secondary objective was to assess clinical predictors of elasticity and thickness: age, smoking status, body mass index, contraception, pregnancies, breastfeeding, menopausal status, history of radiotherapy or breast surgery. Participants were included at the Montpellier University Breast Surgery Department from March to May 2022. Breast skin thickness was measured by ultrasonography, breast skin and adipose/fibroglandular tissue stiffnesses were determined with a VLASTIC non‐invasive aspiration device at three different sites (breast segments I–III). Multivariable linear models were used to assess clinical predictors of elasticity and thickness. In this cohort of 196 women, the mean breast skin and adipose/fibroglandular tissue stiffness values were 39 and 3 kPa, respectively. The mean breast skin thickness was 1.83 mm. Only menopausal status was significantly correlated with breast skin thickness and adipose/fibroglandular tissue stiffness. The next step will be to implement these stiffness and thickness values in a biomechanical breast model and to evaluate its capacity to predict breast tissue deformations.
Anticandidal Effect of New Imidazole Derivatives Over Aspartic Protease Inhibition
Authors: S Jeevitha , A Manikandan , P Pavan , G Rubalakshmi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCandidiasis is one of the most serious microbial infections in the world. One of the main virulence factors for Candida albicans is the crucial secretion of aspartic proteases (Saps). Saps are hydrolytic enzymes that play a major role in many fungal pathophysiological processes as well as in many levels of the associations between the fungus and its host. In this work, we report on the synthesis, characterization, and anti‐candida agent evaluation of a family of 13 imidazolidine‐based aspartate protease inhibitors. In vitro and in silico enzyme inhibition studies have confirmed these compounds′ ability to inhibit fungal aspartate protease. Based on the molecular mechanistic value scores from molecular docking and MD simulations, we selected the top compounds 5b (binding energy −13.90 kcal/mol) and 5m (binding energy −12.94 kcal/mol) from among 5a–l based on the molecular mechanistic value scores from molecular docking and MD simulations for use in in vitro validations. In the results, imidazolidine derivatives showed strong aspartic protease inhibition activity. In conclusion, compounds 5b and 5m were found as potent anti‐candida agents and screened for further pre‐clinical and clinical validations.
Combined ultrasound and angiographic guidance to facilitate transradial access procedures
Authors: Bianchini Francesco , Lombardi Marco , Ricchiuto Alfredo , Paraggio Lazzaro , Aurigemma Cristina , Romagnoli Enrico , Trani Carlo , Burzotta Francesco 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe introduction of transradial access for percutaneous coronary diagnostic and interventional procedures has led to a decrease in access site complications. The aim of this paper is to propose a combined stepwise technical approach where real time ultrasound (“echo‐first” approach) can be used to select the best vascular access and, together with angiography, to manage the potential obstacles that may occur during transradial procedures. In each section, we summarize some tips and tricks based on both our experience and current literature that can be easily implemented in daily practice to increase the success of transradial procedures.
Stepwise Functionalization of a Pillar[5]arene‐Containing [2]Rotaxane with Pentafluorophenyl Ester Stoppers
Authors: Becharguia Nihed , Wasielewski Emeric , Abidi Rym , Nierengarten Iwona , Nierengarten Jean‐François 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue are the group of Iwona and Jean‐François Nierengarten from the University of Strasbourg (LIMA, UMR 7042, CNRS) and collaborators from the University of Carthage. The image depicts a sky of umbrellas floating in the air to illustrate the protective effect allowing the efficient mono‐acylation of a symmetrical rotaxane building block with two pentafluorophenyl ester stoppers. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.2023003501.
AKR1C3 silencing inhibits autophagy‐dependent glycolysis in thyroid cancer cells by inactivating ERK signaling
Authors: Gao Ying , Tao Weijie , Wang Shoujun , Duan Ran , Zhang Zhendong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThyroid cancer is a highly differentiated and poorly malignant tumor. Interfering with glycolysis has become an effective means of controlling cancer progression and autophagy is negatively correlated with glycolysis. Aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) has been demonstrated to be highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissue and the higher AKR1C3 expression predicted the worse prognosis. We aimed to explore whether AKR1C3 could affect thyroid cancer progression by regulating autophagy‐dependent glycolysis. AKR1C3 expression in thyroid cancer cells was detected by western blot. Then, AKR1C3 was knocked down by transfection with short hairpin RNA specific to AKR1C3 in the absence or presence of 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) or PMA treatment. Cell cycle and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze LC3B expression. Extracellular acidification, glucose uptake and lactic acid secretion were detected. To evaluate the tumorigenicity of AKR1C3 insufficiency on thyroid cancer in vivo, TPC‐1 cells with AKR1C3 knockdown were injected subcutaneously into nude mice. Then, cyclinD1 and Ki67 expression in tumorous tissues was measured by immunohistochemical analysis. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal‐deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling staining. Additionally, the expression of proteins related to cell cycle, apoptosis, glycolysis, autophagy, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in cells and tumor tissues was assessed by western blot. Highly expressed AKR1C3 was observed in thyroid cancer cells. AKR1C3 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of TPC‐1 cells. Besides, autophagy was activated and glycolysis was inhibited following AKR1C3 silencing, and 3‐MA treatment restored the impacts of AKR1C3 silencing on glycolysis. The further experiments revealed that AKR1C3 insufficiency inhibited ERK signaling and PMA application reversed AKR1C3 silencing‐induced autophagy in TPC‐1 cells. The in vivo results suggested that AKR1C3 knockdown inhibited the development of subcutaneous TPC‐1 tumors in nude mice and inactivated the ERK signaling. Collectively, AKR1C3 silencing inhibited autophagy‐dependent glycolysis in thyroid cancer by inactivating ERK signaling.