bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of Albumin Fragments on Crystalline SWCNTs: How Surface Curvature Can Affect Protein Secondary Structure
Authors: Raffaini Giuseppina , Ganazzoli Fabio 
Published: October 2023

AbstractProtein adsorption on biomaterial surfaces is a crucial step for biocompatibility. Albumin is the most abundant blood protein, and then this protein is important for biomaterials that will come into contact with blood. In previous work a theoretical study based on molecular mechanics (MM) and molecular dynamics (MD) methods is carried out at atomistic level to investigate the adsorption process of albumin A‐subdomain on graphite surface and single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) having different curvature. The aim of this work is to study the adsorption process of the albumin A‐subdomain on four (10,10) SWCNTs in a crystalline arrangement in order to understand how the curvature of ordered nanotubes affects the adsorption process, providing also a simplified model of a rough surface at the nanometer level of a small crystalline domain. Interestingly, this soft albumin fragment having three α‐helices in the native state, yields a short β‐sheets arrangement during the MD run. This finding suggests the importance not only of the rigidity of protein but also the curvature of the surface which can induce a secondary structure other than the native one. This theoretical work can be useful for investigating aspects that influence the conformation, then both the functionality of proteins adsorbed on CNT surfaces and their biocompatibility, and the favorable interactions interesting for NT solubilization to prepare reinforced composite materials.
PANI/Ferrous Oxide Based Hybrid Material for Ammonia Sensing Applications
Authors: Bora Manisha , Chabukswar Vasant , Lamanna Giuseppe 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn the present study, polyaniline (PANI) and ferrous oxide (α‐Fe2O3) are amalgamated for ammonia sensing purpose. The hybrid nanocomposite is prepared by a single step in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in presence of hydrothermally prepared α‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The structural and compositional analyses of the hybrid material are fully executed by FTIR, PXRD, and SEM techniques. A naive, exceedingly selective, quickly restorable, and ambient temperature functioning ammonia detecting device is established by using PANI/α‐Fe2O3. The investigation results indicate that the PANI/α‐Fe2O3 hybrid nanocomposite exhibits selective sensing ability towards ammonia vapors. The PANI/α‐Fe2O3 displays excellent response for 5 ppm and maximum response for 100 ppm of ammonia. The response time of the PANI/α‐Fe2O3 sensor is found to be quick with reasonably short recovery time. Due to excellent reusability, good environmental stability, and highly economical synthesis the PANI/α‐Fe2O3 delivers a capable, simple, and efficient sensor system for ammonia detection at ambient temperature.
Functional Prototype Design for a Programmable Equipment in Personalized Football Training
Authors: Tunsoiu Nicolae , Doicin Cristian‐Vasile , Ulmeanu Mihaela‐Elena , Pârvu Gabriela‐Marina , Zaharia Cristin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAssembly and testing are the last stages in the design phase to obtain proof of concept for a certain product. Although it is time and cost consuming, assembly fit and test are crucial for the future development of any complex product, unveiling potential consequences in the future product life cycle. The current paper addresses the main assembly stages, testing strategies, feedback implementation, and redesign decisions involved in the development of a programmable equipment in personalized football training. Demountable subassemblies are used for the manufacture of the final prototype, encouraging interchangeability of parts, and modularity of the final product. Coupling, gear, key, and bearing assemblies are mainly used to physically obtain the programmable equipment prototype. Since some components are bespoke and are 3D printed specifically for this product, fit tests are undertaken to ensure proper functioning of all mechanical and electronic components. Software and electronic testing are also done to both calibrate and ensure proper code functioning. Optimization of the prototype is implemented in all three main systems that make up the personalized football training equipment: mechanical, electronic, and software. The optimized functional prototype of the equipment will be subjected to endurance tests in order to evaluate the life expectancy of individual components, subassemblies, and, finally, of the general product.
Design and Fabrication of a Customized and Fully‐Recyclable Carbon Fibers/Epoxy Composites Prostheses via a Functional Additive Manufacturing Approach
Authors: Saitta Lorena , Tosto Claudio , Pergolizzi Eugenio , Rizzo Giuliana , Cicala Gianluca 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study presents an innovative approach based on the combination of two different techniques for fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites manufacturing, i.e., additive manufacturing (AM) and hand lay‐up‐assisted vacuum bagging. It represents a proof of concepts for the manufacturing of a customized and lightweight lower‐limb prostheses having built‐in functional elements, such as sensors. In particular, a soluble tool for fabricating a complex‐shaped carbon reinforced epoxy composite is produced by AM. The 3D printed model is properly designed to integrate a functional element, in a customized way, within the composite structure itself. Moreover, a fully‐recyclable epoxy resin system is used as matrix for the fabricated composite part to recover the expensive functional part and carbon fibers as soon as the prostheses has reached the end of its life (EoL). The prostheses recycle is carried out through a chemical recycling process that relies on the presence of acid‐cleavable groups within the epoxy‐cured network that allows for the cleavage of the crosslink under certain conditions. A similar approach is proposed in the state of art, but by using the traditional autoclave prepreg process and without considering the handling of the part at its EoL.
FE Analyses of a CFRP–Aluminum Single‐Lap Hybrid Bonded/Bolted Joint at Different Tensile Loads
Authors: Perfetto Donato , Polverino Antonio , Aversano Antonio , De Luca Alessandro 
Published: October 2023

AbstractJoints are often unavoidable and can be critical points in a complex structure made up of different sub‐elements and materials, e.g., a lightweight aircraft structure. Joining can be performed with different techniques as mechanical fasteners, bonding, or hybrid bonded/bolted (HBB) solutions. HBB solutions are effectively used to join different materials, as metals and composites, leading to composite–metal HBB joint. In this paper, the structural behavior of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)–aluminum single‐lap HBB joint is numerically investigated. Specifically, a detailed finite element model (FEM) is developed to study the joint subjected to an external tensile load. Analyses are conducted by considering two different bolt preloads and three external tensile loads (six tests in total). Results are compared with the aim to highlight the behavior of the joint, and in particular the stress–strain state in each component as a consequence of the applied load pair.
Numerical Analysis on the Propagation of Ultrasonic Guided Wave in Damaged Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Laminate
Authors: Polverino Antonio , Aversano Antonio , Rezazadeh Nima , Beneduce Stefano 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn recent years, the propagation of ultrasonic guided waves (UGW) along the structure to inspect has amply proven to be an excellent strategy for the health monitoring of isotropic and composite structures (SHM—structural health monitoring). For the proper development of the SHM system, the finite element method (FEM) must be mentioned, since the possibility to study the UGW in very complex structures, even characterized by different materials. Successfully locating any possible damage and identifying its severity are key factors in SHM, thus allowing to reduce the design costs. Numerically, the damage can be modeled with several approaches but it is still not clear which is the best solution to accurately reproduce the UGW mechanisms in a faulty structure. The objective of this paper is to study the various effects that different severities of damage can have on UGW propagation. For the scope, various numerical approaches are considered and the results are compared.
A Methodology for Determining the Design Variables of a Metal Beam to Minimize Economic and Environmental Costs
Authors: Beneduce Stefano , De Luca Alessandro , Caputo Francesco , Perfetto Donato 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNowadays, the minimization of energy, costs, and resource consumption of industrial products through their lifecycle is at the center of the industry and research community attention. Ideally, all these factors should be considered during the design phase of the component. Although there are many efforts to formulate indicators that can establish the ecological and economic performance of an artifact, less frequent are the attempts to formalize methods that allow for the identification of design variables as the output of an optimization process that previously includes environmental, energy, and cost requirements. This work is an attempt to formulate a methodology that allows the determination of design variables to be obtained downstream of the analysis, which, bound to the fulfilment of predefined structural requirements, are such as to optimize certain objectives of minimizing monetary and environmental costs. The proposed approach has been specified for a case of study dealing with metal section beams, on which a database has been collected about the environmental and economic characteristics of the sources of supply, the usable materials, and the technological processes. This method allows an accurate modeling of the possible production cycles and, on the basis of this, to formulate functional links between the mechanical properties of the structure and the most representative quantities related to environmental impact and costs.
Influence of Building Position and Printing Scheme on Mechanical Properties of Fused Filament Fabrication PLA Specimens
Authors: De Luca Alessandro , Greco Alessandro , Perfetto Donato , Sepe Raffaele 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe recent improvement of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has been attracting the industry and research community attention. This paper aims to investigate the influence of building position and printing scheme on the tensile mechanical properties of Tough polylactic acid (PLA) material, manufactured through a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing – the S5 ProBundle Ultimaker. FDM 3D printing, also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), is an AM process within the realm of material extrusion. FDM builds parts Layer by Layer by selectively depositing melted material in a predetermined path, and uses thermoplastic polymers that come in the form of filaments. In this paper, AM Tough PLA specimens are manufactured according to ASTM‐D638 requirement considering two different positions on the building plate and two printing schemes. Specimens are tested under static tensile test and the mechanical properties are extracted.
Single‐shot quantitative x‐ray imaging using a primary modulator and dual‐layer detector
Authors: Shi Linxi , Bennett Nathaniel Robert , Vezeridis Alexander , Kothary Nishita , Wang Adam S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundConventional x‐ray imaging and fluoroscopy have limitations in quantitation due to several challenges, including scatter, beam hardening, and overlapping tissues. Dual‐energy (DE) imaging, with its capability to quantify area density of specific materials, is well‐suited to address such limitations, but only if the dual‐energy projections are acquired with perfect spatial and temporal alignment and corrected for scatter.PurposeIn this work, we propose single‐shot quantitative imaging (SSQI) by combining the use of a primary modulator (PM) and dual‐layer (DL) detector, which enables motion‐free DE imaging with scatter correction in a single exposure.MethodsThe key components of our SSQI setup include a PM and DL detector, where the former enables scatter correction for the latter while the latter enables beam hardening correction for the former. The SSQI algorithm allows simultaneous recovery of two material‐specific images and two scatter images using four sub‐measurements from the PM encoding. The concept was first demonstrated using simulation of chest x‐ray imaging for a COVID patient. For validation, we set up SSQI geometry on our tabletop system and imaged acrylic and copper slabs with known thicknesses (acrylic: 0–22.5 cm; copper: 0–0.9 mm), estimated scatter with our SSQI algorithm, and compared the material decomposition (MD) for different combinations of the two materials with ground truth. Second, we imaged an anthropomorphic chest phantom containing contrast in the coronary arteries and compared the MD with and without SSQI. Lastly, to evaluate SSQI in dynamic applications, we constructed a flow phantom that enabled dynamic imaging of iodine contrast.ResultsOur simulation study demonstrated that SSQI led to accurate scatter correction and MD, particularly for smaller focal blur and finer PM pitch. In the validation study, we found that the root mean squared error (RMSE) of SSQI estimation was 0.13 cm for acrylic and 0.04 mm for copper. For the anthropomorphic phantom, direct MD resulted in incorrect interpretation of contrast and soft tissue, while SSQI successfully distinguished them quantitatively, reducing RMSE in material‐specific images by 38%–92%. For the flow phantom, SSQI was able to perform accurate dynamic quantitative imaging, separating contrast from the background.ConclusionsWe demonstrated the potential of SSQI for robust quantitative x‐ray imaging. The integration of SSQI is straightforward with the addition of a PM and upgrade to a DL detector, which may enable its widespread adoption, including in techniques such as radiography and dynamic imaging (i.e., real‐time image guidance and cone‐beam CT).
Nutrition practices in hospitalized adults receiving noninvasive forms of respiratory support: A scoping review
Authors: Page Kaitlyn , Viner Smith Elizabeth , Chapple Lee‐anne S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe use of noninvasive respiratory support is increasing, with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and high‐flow nasal cannula providing unique barriers to nutrition support. Limited data related to nutrition management for these patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) exist; however, the literature in non–critically ill patients is not well described, and its improvement may help to inform practice within the ICU. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted of MEDLINE, EmCare, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases on August 18, 2022, to identify original publications that included adult patients receiving noninvasive respiratory support in a hospital setting with data related to nutrition management. Data were extracted on study design, population, details of respiratory support, and concepts relating to nutrition management (grouped into nutrition screening, assessment, delivery route, intake, and anthropometry). Eleven studies were included, most of which were small (<100 patients), single‐center, observational trials in patients receiving NIV only. Five studies reported results related to route of nutrition and nutrition assessment, two on anthropometry, and one each on quantifying intake and nutrition screening; some studies reported multiple parameters. There was a lack of consensus regarding the ideal method for nutrition assessment and route of nutrition. Oral nutrition was the route most frequently reported, yet calorie and protein delivery via this route were inadequate, and barriers to intake included poor appetite, fatigue, and patient cognition. Future research should address barriers pertinent to this population and the impact of nutrition on outcomes.
Noise reduction algorithm of GPR data based on MMSE‐PDS
Authors: Ma Dejun , Fan Meng , Zhang Di , Fan Baode 
Published: October 2023

AbstractGround‐penetrating radar (GPR) technology is widely used in tunnel engineering detection; however, various factors, such as environmental interference and low signal‐to‐noise ratio characteristics of the echo data, limit the detection accuracy. A noise and interference suppression algorithm based on improved singular value decomposition is proposed in this paper. Compared with traditional filtering methods, the proposed method has the advantages of thorough denoising, no clutter, efficient improvement of profile resolution and less dependence on parameters. The main features of the proposed algorithm are as follows. (1) Given the global characteristics of the noise disturbance on the signal space, the minimum mean square error estimation is employed to approximate the effective signal, introducing the correction factor to suppress the larger singular value from the noise output in the reconstructing process of the effective signal subspace and to eliminate the strong direct wave interference to avoid producing false signals. (2) A positive difference sequence search algorithm based on rank order variance as well as the method of selecting correction factors are proposed to improve the processing accuracy. In order to verify the design, the tunnel lining simulation model and the actual tunnel lining detection data are used. The results show good performance for noise and interference suppression, providing technical support for improving GPR data quality and tunnel detection accuracy.
Behavioral, psychological, and environmental predictors of weight regain in a group of successful weight losers in a widely available weight‐management program
Authors: Phelan Suzanne , Cardel Michelle I. , Lee Alexandra M. , Alarcon Noemi , Foster Gary D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify predictors of weight regain and continued weight maintenance among individuals already successful at long‐term weight loss in a widely available weight‐management program.MethodsParticipants were 2843 weight‐loss maintainers in WeightWatchers who had maintained weight loss ≥9.1 kg for ≥1 year (average 25.5 kg for 3.5 years; BMI = 26.7 kg/m2). Validated behavioral, psychosocial, and home environmental questionnaires were administered at study entry and 1 year later. Discriminant analysis identified variables that discriminated gainers (≥2.3‐kg gain) from maintainers (±2.3‐kg change).ResultsOver the 1 year of follow‐up, 43% were gainers (mean [SD], 7.2 [5.4] kg), and 57% were maintainers (0.4 [1.2] kg). Compared with maintainers, gainers were younger and had higher initial weight, more recent weight losses, and larger initial weight losses. Standardized canonical coefficients indicated that the 1‐year changes that most discriminated gainers from maintainers were greater decreases in the ability to accept uncomfortable food cravings, urges, and desires to overeat (0.232); self‐monitoring (0.166); body image (0.363); and body satisfaction (0.194) and greater increases in disinhibition (0.309) and bodily pain (0.147). The canonical correlation was 0.505 (p < 0.001).ConclusionsFuture interventions to prevent regain should consider targeting overeating in response to internal and external food cues and declines in self‐monitoring and body image.
A machine learning framework for optimizing obesity care by simulating clinical trajectories and targeted interventions
Authors: Nudel Jacob , Kenzik Kelly M. , Rajendran Iniya , Hofman Melissa , Srinivasan Jayakanth , Woodson Jonathan , Hess Donald T. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the important clinical management bottlenecks that contribute to underuse of weight loss surgery (WLS) and assess risk factors for attrition at each of them.MethodsA multistate conceptual model of progression from primary care to WLS was developed and used to study all adults who were seen by a primary care provider (PCP) and eligible for WLS from 2016 to 2017 at a large institution. Outcomes were progression from each state to each subsequent state in the model: PCP visit, endocrine weight management referral, endocrine weight management visit, WLS referral, WLS visit, and WLS.ResultsBeginning with an initial PCP visit, the respective 2‐year Kaplan‐Meier estimate for each outcome was 35% (n = 2063), 15.6% (n = 930), 6.3% (n = 400), 4.7% (n = 298), and 1.0% (n = 69) among 5876 eligible patients. Individual providers and clinics differed significantly in their referral practices. Female patients, younger patients, those with higher BMI, and those seen by trainees were more likely to progress. A simulated intervention to increase referrals among PCPs would generate about 49 additional WLS procedures over 3 years.ConclusionsThis study discovered novel insights into the specific dynamics underlying low WLS use rates. This methodology permits in silico testing of interventions designed to optimize obesity care prior to implementation.
Adipose triglyceride lipase gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with obesity and its association with insulin resistance, inflammation and lipid accumulation in liver
Authors: Ezzati‐Mobaser Samira , Yarahmadi Sahar , Dadkhah Nikroo Nikta , Maleki Mohammad Hasan , Yousefi Zeynab , Golpour Pegah , Nourbakhsh Mona , Nourbakhsh Mitra 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionAdipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is a crucial enzyme responsible for the release of fatty acids from various tissues. The expression of ATGL is regulated by insulin and this enzyme is linked to Insulin resistance (IR). On the other hand, ATGL‐mediated lipolysis is connected to macrophage function and thus, ATGL is involved in inflammation and the pathogenesis of lipid‐related disorders. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between ATGL, obesity, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), and inflammation.MethodsA total of 100 participants, including 50 individuals with obesity and 50 healthy participants, were recruited for this study and underwent comprehensive clinical evaluations. Blood samples were collected to measure plasma lipid profiles, glycemic indices, and liver function tests. Additionally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and used for the assessment of the gene expression of ATGL, using real‐time PCR. Furthermore, PBMCs were cultured and exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with simultaneous ATGL inhibition, and the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, along with the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), were measured.ResultsThe gene expression of ATGL was significantly elevated in PBMCs obtained from participants with obesity and was particularly higher in those diagnosed with MetS. It exhibited a correlation with insulin levels and Homeostatic Model Assessment for IR (HOMA‐IR), and it was associated with lipid accumulation in the liver. Stimulation with LPS increased ATGL expression in PBMCs, while inhibition of ATGL attenuated the inflammatory responses induced by LPS.ConclusionsObesity and MetS were associated with dysregulation of ATGL. ATGL might play a role in the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and act as a significant contributor to the development of metabolic abnormalities related to obesity.