bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integer flows on triangularly connected signed graphs
Authors: Li Liangchen , Li Chong , Luo Rong , Zhang Cun‐Quan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA triangle‐path in a graph is a sequence of distinct triangles in such that for any with , and if . A connected graph is triangularly connected if for any two nonparallel edges and there is a triangle‐path such that and . For ordinary graphs, Fan et al. characterize all triangularly connected graphs that admit nowhere‐zero 3‐flows or 4‐flows. Corollaries of this result include the integer flow of some families of ordinary graphs, such as locally connected graphs due to Lai and some types of products of graphs due to Imrich et al. In this paper, Fan's result for triangularly connected graphs is further extended to signed graphs. We proved that a flow‐admissible triangularly connected signed graph admits a nowhere‐zero 4‐flow if and only if it is not the wheel associated with a specific signature. Moreover, this result is sharp since there are infinitely many unbalanced triangularly connected signed graphs admitting a nowhere‐zero 4‐flow but no 3‐flow.
An Investigation of Cerebral Vascular Functional Properties in Middle‐to‐Old Age Community People With High Vascular Risk Profiles
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhang Ruiting , Hong Hui , Wang Shuyue , Xie Linyun , Cui Lei , Li Jixuan , Hong Luwei , Li Kaicheng , Zeng Qingze , Zhou Ying , Zhang Minming , Sun Jianzhong , Huang Peiyu 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundVascular degeneration is an important cause of brain damage in aging. Assessing the functional properties of the cerebral vascular system may aid early diagnosis and prevention.PurposeTo investigate the relationships between potential vascular functional markers and vascular risks, brain parenchymal damage, and cognition.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsTwo hundred two general community subjects (42–80 years, males/females: 127/75).Field Strength/Sequence3 T, spin echo T1W/T2W/FLAIR, resting‐state functional MRI with an echo‐planar sequence (rsfMRI), pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) with a three‐dimensional gradient‐spin echo sequence.AssessmentCerebral blood flow (CBF) in gray matter calculated using pCASL, blood transit times calculated using rsfMRI, and the SD of internal carotid arteries signal (ICAstd) calculated using rsfMRI; visual assessment for lacunes; quantification of white matter hyperintensity volume; permutation test for quality control; collection of demographic and clinical data, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini‐Mental State Examination.Statistical TestsKolmogorov–Smirnov test; Spearman rank correlation analysis; Multivariable linear regression analysis controlling for covariates; The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsAge was negatively associated with ICAstd (β = −0.180). Diabetes was associated with longer blood transit time from large arteries to capillary bed (β = 0.185, adjusted for age, sex, and intracranial volume). Larger ICAstd was associated with less presence of lacunes (odds ratio: 0.418, adjusted for age and sex). Higher gray matter CBF (β = 0.154) and larger ICAstd (β = 0.136) were associated with better MoCA scores (adjusted for age, sex, and education).Data ConclusionProlonged blood transit time, decreased ICAstd, and diminished CBF were associated with vascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. They may serve as vascular functional markers in future studies.Evidence Level3Technical EfficacyStage 3
Increased plasma lipocalin‐2 levels are associated with nonmotor symptoms and neuroimaging features in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Fan Yongyan , Li Xiaohuan , Ma Jianjun , Yang Dawei , Liang Keke , Shen Yu , Wei Wei , Dong Linrui , Liu Chuanze , She Zonghan , Qi Xuelin , Shi Xiaoxue , Gu Qi , Zheng Jinhua , Li Dongsheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLipocalin‐2 (LCN2) is essential for the regulation of neuroinflammation and cellular uptake of iron. This study aimed to evaluate plasma LCN2 levels and explore their correlation with clinical and neuroimaging features in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure plasma LCN2 levels in 120 subjects. Evaluation of motor symptoms and nonmotor symptoms in PD patients was assessed by the associated scales. Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) was used to evaluate brain volume alterations, and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was used to quantitatively analyze brain iron deposition in 46 PD patients. Plasma LCN2 levels were significantly higher in PD patients than those in healthy controls. LCN2 levels were negatively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, total brain gray matter volume (GMV), and GMV/total intracranial volume (TIV) ratio, but positively correlated with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMD) scores and mean QSM values of the bilateral substantial nigra (SN). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves confirmed that plasma LCN2 levels had good predictive accuracy for PD. The results suggest that plasma LCN2 levels have potential as a biomarker for the diagnosis of PD. LCN2 may be a therapeutic target for neuroinflammation and brain iron deposition.
Climatological characteristics and interannual variability of the leading mode of eastern African precipitation in January and February
Authors: Kebacho Laban Lameck 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe climatology and variability of the January to February (JF) season in eastern Africa's (EA) precipitation are examined during the 1960–2020 period, as off‐season climate could have dire consequences, considering agricultural practices tie to the seasonal cycle of precipitation. The analysis in this study is divided into four parts. The first is the climatological background of variability during the JF season. Second, the spatiotemporal variability of the leading mode of the JF precipitation is described using an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) method. Third, anomalous atmospheric circulations linked to the variability of the JF precipitation were examined through composite analysis. Fourth, the link between JF precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) is explored using composite and correlation analyses. The leading mode (EOF1) shows a monopole variation, with a positive anomaly in the entire region accounting for 55.1% of the total variance. EOF1 is linked to the SST anomaly (SSTA) over the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO). A warm (cool) SSTA in the TIO induces diabatic warming/adiabatic cooling (diabatic cooling/adiabatic warming). This leads to the rising (sinking) of warm and moist air (cold and dry air) from the lower to higher (higher to lower) troposphere via the ascending (descending) branch of the Walker circulation and contributes to the upper warm (cold) temperature anomaly centred at ~300 hPa. The warm (cold) anomaly is closely associated with the upper‐level westerly (easterly) and divergence (convergence) anomalies at the upper side of the warm (cold) core, coupled with ascending (descending) and deep wet (dry) anomalies below the warm (cold) core. This induces moisture convergence (divergence) and unstable (stable) conditions that favour (suppresses) precipitation over EA. Consequently, this study may facilitate the prediction of the JF precipitation and decrease in socio‐economic losses in EA.
Auditory Brainstem Implant Outcomes in Tumor and Nontumor Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Garcia Alejandro , Haleem Afash , Poe Sonja , Gosh Deborah , Christian Brown M. , Herrmann Barbara S. , Lee Daniel J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo elucidate the differences in auditory performance between auditory brainstem implant (ABI) patients with tumor or nontumor etiologies.Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection from 1990 to 2021.Review MethodsWe included published studies with 5 or more pediatric or adult ABI users. Auditory outcomes and side effects were analyzed with weighted means for closed‐set, open‐set speech, and categories of auditory performance (CAP) scores. Overall performance was compared using an Adult Pediatric Ranked Order Speech Perception (APROSPER) scale created for this study.ResultsThirty‐six studies were included and underwent full‐text review. Data were extracted for 662 tumor and 267 nontumor patients. 83% were postlingually deafened and 17% were prelingually deafened. Studies that included tumor ABI patients had a weighted mean speech recognition of 39.2% (range: 19.6%‐83.3%) for closed‐set words, 23.4% (range: 17.2%‐37.5%) for open‐set words, 21.5% (range: 2.7%‐48.4%) for open‐set sentences, and 3.1 (range: 1.0‐3.2) for CAP scores. Studies including nontumor ABI patients had a weighted mean speech recognition of 79.8% (range: 31.7%‐84.4%) for closed‐set words, 53.0% (range: 14.6%‐72.5%) for open‐set sentences, and 2.30 (range: 2.0‐4.7) for CAP scores. Mean APROSPER results indicate better auditory performance among nontumor versus tumor patients (3.5 vs 3.0, P = .04). Differences in most common side effects were also observed between tumor and nontumor ABI patients.ConclusionAuditory performance is similar for tumor and nontumor patients for standardized auditory test scores. However, the APROSPER scale demonstrates better ABI performance for nontumor compared to tumor patients.
Semaglutide 2.4 mg clinical outcomes in patients with obesity or overweight in a real‐world setting: A 6‐month retrospective study in the United States (SCOPE)
Authors: Ruseva Aleksandrina , Michalak Wojciech , Zhao Zhenxiang , Fabricatore Anthony , Hartaigh Bríain Ó. , Umashanker Devika 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundManagement guidelines for obesity suggest maintaining a minimum of 5% body weight reduction to help prevent or lower the risk of developing conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. However, achieving long‐term weight control is difficult with lifestyle modification alone, making it essential to combine pharmacotherapy with diet and exercise in individual cases. Semaglutide 2.4 mg has demonstrated significant reductions in body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in clinical trials, but information on outcomes in a real‐world setting is limited.ObjectiveTo assess changes in body weight and other clinical outcomes at 6‐month follow‐up among adults on semaglutide 2.4 mg in a real‐world setting in the United States (US).MethodsObservational and retrospective cohort study of patients initiating treatment between 15 June 2021, and 31 March 2022, using a large US claims‐linked electronic health record database.ResultsMean (±SD) body mass index (BMI) of the 343 patients included in the analysis was 37.9 ± 5.5 kg/m2. After 6 months, mean body weight change was −10.5 ± 6.8 kg (95% CI: −11.2; −9.8, p < 0.001) and mean percentage body weight change was −10.0% ± 6.6% (95% CI: −10.7; −9.3, p < 0.001). Most (79.0%) patients had ≥5% body weight reduction, 48.1% had ≥10% body weight reduction, and 19.0% had ≥15% body weight reduction. Among patients with available data, the mean change in HbA1c (n = 30) was −0.6% ± 1.2% (95% CI: −1.0; −0.1, p = 0.016) and nearly two‐thirds of patients with prediabetes or diabetes at baseline reverted to normoglycemia. Mean reductions of −4.4 ± 12.3 mmHg (95% CI: −5.7; −3.0, p < 0.001) and −1.7 ± 8.4 mmHg (95% CI: −2.6; −0.7, p < 0.001) were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively (n = 307). Statistically significant reductions in mean total cholesterol (−12.2 ± 38.8 mg/dl [95% CI: −24.3 to −0.06, p < 0.049]) and triglycerides (−18.3 ± 43.6 mg/dl [95% CI: −4.7; −31.9, p < 0.009]) were also observed (n = 42).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the effectiveness of semaglutide 2.4 mg in reducing body weight and improving cardiometabolic parameters in adults with overweight or obesity in a real‐world clinical practice setting, showing a significant mean body weight reduction and improvements in biomarkers like blood pressure and HbA1c over a 6‐month period. These findings, aligning with previous clinical trials at comparable time points, highlight the clinical relevance of semaglutide as an effective therapeutic option for obesity.
The 3‐Dimensional Temporal Bone Dissection Manual: Operable Stepwise Models for Teaching Otologic Surgery
Authors: Freiser Monika E. , Magnetta Michael , Ghodadra Anish , Castaño Johnathan E. , Jabbour Noel 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDeconstructing surgeries into steps and providing instructions with illustrations has been the staple of surgical textbooks for decades. However, it may be difficult for the novice surgeon to interpret 2‐dimensional (2D) illustrations into 3D surgeries. The objective of this study is to create operable models that demonstrate the progression of surgery in 3D and allow for mastering the final steps of the operation first. Mastoidectomy was performed in a stepwise fashion to different end points on 5 identical 3D‐printed temporal bone models to represent 5 major steps of the operation. The drilled models were computed tomography scanned and the subsequent images were used to create 3D model copies of each step. This is the first study to demonstrate that it is possible to create, scan, and copy stepwise, operable, patient‐specific 3D‐printed models, which the trainee can both reference as a 3D dissection guide and can operate on repeatedly and in any order.
Novel olive stone biochar particle network for piezoresistive strain sensing in natural fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Schulte Sarina , Lübkemann‐Warwas Franziska , Kroll Stephen , Siebert‐Raths Andrea 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNatural fiber‐reinforced composites (NFRCs) suffer from water absorption and low temperature stability, resulting in fiber degradation and subsequent material failure. Built‐in piezoresistive sensors are investigated to monitor the deformation/strain of the component. As a low‐cost material from renewable resources biochar particles derived from olive stones were applied on flax plies and yarn bundles that served as model systems. Carbon black samples as petrochemical variants were used as a reference material. Biochar and carbon black‐covered fiber systems were laminated in epoxy resin followed by tensile tests. The electrical resistance was recorded simultaneously during testing. Biochar with a broad size distribution from nano to high micrometer range (D < 200 μm) was superior in sensor performance compared to carbon black and biochar with a smaller particle size range D < 20 μm. Gauge factors (GF) of NFRC samples with integrated biochar particles reached 30–80 while carbon black could not exceed a GF of 8. To obtain maximum GFs, yarn count of flax yarn/ply substrate should be as thin as possible, but still enable percolation of the adhering particle network. Comparatively large particle size was identified as a contributing factor enabling the high GF for coarse biochar compared to carbon black.Highlights
A nonfossil biochar built‐in piezoresistive sensor in natural fiber‐reinforced composites was fabricated
Deposing biochar directly on flax fibers facilitates processing
The biochar piezoresistive sensor exhibits superior sensitivity compared to carbon black
Synthesis and comparative study of high Tg and colorless polyamide‐imides with different amide‐to‐imide ratio
Authors: Mushtaq Nafeesa , Xing Jinglei , Li Xiaohong , Chen Guofei , Fang Xingzhong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractColorless polyimide (CPI), a heat‐resistant polymer being widely used in optoelectrical devices, has attracted worldwide attention. Polyamide‐imides due to the incorporation of amide groups into the CPI chains enhance the polymer performance by improving the thermal dimensional stability and excellent mechanical properties without sacrificing the optical transparency. In this article, CPI films PI‐(1‐3) are synthesized from one‐step polymerization of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and cyclopentanone bis‐spironorbornane tetracarboxylic dianhydride (CpODA) with amide‐containing diamine N,N′‐(2,2′‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐diyl)bis(4‐aminobenzamide) (AB‐TFDB) and bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFDB). In comparison, by adjusting the ratio of imide and amide groups in the repeating unit, PI‐(4‐5) are prepared from copolymerization of terephthaloyl chloride (TPC), 6FDA, and CpODA with TFDB diamine. PI‐(1‐5) with 90% transmittance in the visible region tailored the excellent thermal and mechanical properties. Particularly, PI‐3 exhibited a high glass transition temperature of 412°C, a coefficient of thermal expansion of 20.8 ppm/K, a tensile strength of 128 MPa, and an elastic modulus of 5.4 GPa. The results also concluded that irrespective of the polyamide‐imide synthesis strategy, CPI films with similar amide‐to‐imide ratio in polymer chain demonstrated comparable optical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
A risk‐based evaluation of safe distance for a hydrogen refueling station
Authors: Bai Mingqi , Du Xin , Li Jianguo , Shu Chi‐Min , Feng Wei , Li Bing , Liu Yi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo ensure the safety of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) and protective targets in the surrounding area, this paper has introduced a risk‐based safe distance assessment method for a 35MP HRSs, emphasizing the impact of the station's surrounding area. The findings indicate that the safe distance is determined by vapor cloud explosion (VCE) accident scenarios arising from pipeline leaks (compressor‐hydrogen storage tanks) at 125 m. Therefore, a crucial focus should be placed on safeguarding and maintaining hydrogen pipelines. Furthermore, based on societal risk, the requirement of a 358‐m safe distance specifies that the population gathering within this range should be <500 people, virtually eliminating the possibility of constructing hydrogen stations in urban residential areas. Only in scenarios where VCE risks are not considered, less‐populated surrounding environments might reduce the safe distance of hydrogen stations. Eliminating the risk scenarios of VCE is a crucial approach to lowering the safe distance of HRSs, making establishing such stations in urban centers feasible. Therefore, factors such as open spaces, well‐ventilated facilities, and blast walls become critical elements in reducing the safe distance of HRSs.
Fusion dsRNA designs incorporating multiple target sequences can enhance the aphid control capacity of an RNAi‐based strategy
Authors: Wang Zi‐Guo , Qin Cong‐Yan , Chen Yang , Yu Xin‐Yuan , Chen Ruo‐Yu , Niu Jinzhi , Wang Jin‐Jun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDRNA interference (RNAi) is the sequence‐dependent suppression of gene expression by double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). This is a promising strategy for the control of insect pests because dsRNA can be rationally designed to maximize efficacy and biosafety, the latter by using sequences that are found in target pests but are safe for non‐target insects. However, this has yet to be optimized in aphids, destructive sap‐sucking pests that also transmit plant viruses. We used the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) as a case study to optimize the efficiency of RNAi by applying a novel fusion dsRNA design.RESULTSComparative transcriptomics revealed a number of genes that are induced in feeding aphids, and eight candidate genes were chosen as RNAi targets. To improve RNAi efficiency, our fusion dsRNA design approach combined optimal gene fragments (highly conserved in several aphid species but with less homology in beneficial insects such as the predator ladybeetle Propylea japonica) from three candidate genes. We compared this RNAi‐based biological control approach with conventional chemical control using imidacloprid. We found that the fusion dsRNA strategy inhibited the aphid population to a significantly greater extent than single‐target RNAi and did not affect ladybeetle fitness, allowing an additive effect between RNAi and natural predation, whereas imidacloprid was harmful to aphids and ladybeetles.CONCLUSIONOur fusion dsRNA design approach enhances the ability of RNAi to control aphids without harming natural predators. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Photothermal controlled‐release microcapsule pesticide delivery systems constructed with sodium lignosulfonate and transition metal ions: construction, efficacy and on‐demand pesticide delivery
Authors: Huang Lingling , Jiang Guangqi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDWidespread application of controlled‐release pesticide delivery systems is a feasible and effective method to improve the utilization efficiency of pesticides. However, owing to the high cost and complicated preparation technologies of controlled‐release pesticide delivery systems, their applications in agricultural production have been seriously hindered.RESULTSThis study aimed to construct inexpensive photothermally controlled‐release pesticide delivery systems using chitosan (CS) and sodium lignosulfonate (LS) as the wall materials, and a coordination assembly strategy of LS with transition metal ions to encapsulate a model pesticide, avermectin (AVM). The resulting complex or nanoparticle photothermal layers in these systems effectively achieved photothermal conversions, and replaced the use of common photothermal agents. In the prepared pesticide‐delivery systems, two systems had remarkable photothermal conversion performance and photothermal stabilities with a photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of 24.03% and 28.82%, respectively, under 808 nm, 2 W near‐infrared irradiation. The slow‐release and ultraviolet‐shielding performance of these two systems were markedly enhanced compared with other formulations. The insecticidal activities of these two systems against Plutella xylostella under irradiation with light‐emitting diode (LED)‐simulated sunlight were also enhanced by 5.20‐ and 5.06‐fold, respectively, compared with that without irradiation of LED‐simulated sunlight.CONCLUSIONBecause of their convenient preparations, inexpensive and renewable raw materials, and excellent photothermally controlled‐release performance, these on‐demand pesticide delivery systems might have significant potential in improving the utilization efficiency of pesticides in modern agriculture. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Predicting subgroup treatment effects for a new study: Motivations, results and learnings from running a data challenge in a pharmaceutical corporation
Authors: Bornkamp Björn , Zaoli Silvia , Azzarito Michela , Martin Ruvie , Müller Carsten Philipp , Moloney Conor , Capestro Giulia , Ohlssen David , Baillie Mark 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe present the motivation, experience, and learnings from a data challenge conducted at a large pharmaceutical corporation on the topic of subgroup identification. The data challenge aimed at exploring approaches to subgroup identification for future clinical trials. To mimic a realistic setting, participants had access to 4 Phase III clinical trials to derive a subgroup and predict its treatment effect on a future study not accessible to challenge participants. A total of 30 teams registered for the challenge with around 100 participants, primarily from Biostatistics organization. We outline the motivation for running the challenge, the challenge rules, and logistics. Finally, we present the results of the challenge, the participant feedback as well as the learnings. We also present our view on the implications of the results on exploratory analyses related to treatment effect heterogeneity.