bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional differences in plantar surface shape captured by methods used for custom accommodative insole design
Authors: Nickerson Kimberly A. , Carranza Christina , Telfer Scott , Ledoux William R. , Muir Brittney C. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe patient‐specific shape of custom accommodative insoles for individuals with diabetes provides full foot‐to‐insole contact, offloading areas with high plantar pressures and reducing ulceration risk. To design the insole surface, plantar surface shape is captured, traditionally with a foam crush box impression or more recently with 3D scans of the foot. Beyond discrete measurements of the foot, the overall plantar surface shapes obtained from these different methods have yet to be compared, however, differences in the shapes captured by these methods may affect the insole's surface geometry design and subsequent performance.MethodsPlantar surface shapes of 12 individuals with diabetes were captured using a foam crush box, flatbed 3D foot scanner, and handheld 3D scanner. Foot length, width, arch height, and arch volume were measured from each shape‐capture method and compared. Mesh‐to‐mesh distances between the foam crush box mesh and the direct scanning method meshes for each subject were calculated.ResultsFoot length and width measured from the foam crush box scan were greater than the foot length measured from the flatbed scan and handheld scan. The flatbed scan also measured a length and width greater than the handheld scan. Arch heights and volumes from the flatbed scan were less than the heights calculated from the foam crush box and handheld scan. Mesh‐to‐mesh distances for the flatbed scan and areas of the foot not in contact with the scanner were inferior to the corresponding areas in the foam crush box impression. For the handheld scan, the lateral hindfoot and midfoot were superior, and the medial forefoot was inferior to the foam crush box impression.ConclusionsDifferent clinical methods used to capture foot shapes for the design of accommodative insoles may result in different plantar surface shape outputs and therefore impact custom accommodative insole design.
Can Peritoneal Biopsy Diagnose Atypical Cases of Familial Mediterranean Fever?: A Case Report
Authors: Alsaffaf Yousef , Aldolly Ahmed , Shokfa Mahmoud , Alnahhas Ahmad 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundFamilial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a prevalent inherited monogenic autoinflammatory disease that predominantly affects populations from the Mediterranean basin. It is typically characterized by the recurrence of fever episodes and abdominal pain accompanied by recurrent short‐lived inflammatory attacks that usually resolve spontaneously within 1–3 days. It is uncommon to see ascites with large amounts of peritoneal fluid as a manifestation of FMF.Case PresentationA 36‐year‐old Arab female presented with generalized abdominal pain and bloating. No family history of FMF. Analysis of peritoneal fluid identified low‐grade ascites. A CT scan was performed, which did not reveal any suspicious lesions. Laparoscopic surgery was undertaken to rule out the differential diagnoses and obtain a peritoneal biopsy, even though the periton had a normal visual appearance. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimens was compatible with a diagnosis of FMF, after other differential diagnoses were ruled out. The patient showed significant improvement within a month of taking colchicine. The ascites resolved progressively and completely, affirming the FMF diagnosis.ConclusionThe occurrence of chronic ascites in a patient requires the consideration of FMF among the differential diagnoses. A diagnosis of FMF can also be suspected through a peritoneal biopsy, which may be sufficient for diagnosis without the need for genetic testing. Additionally, the patient's response to colchicine therapy can be considered for confirmation, as demonstrated in our case. Future research should focus on considering the inclusion of peritoneal biopsy among the diagnostic criteria for FMF particularly in cases with non‐specific presentations.
Effects of whey protein aggregates with different sizes on the gelatinization and retrogradation behavior of wheat starch
Authors: Fan Zixuan , Chai Junyue , Zhu Lirong , Yang Chunxi , Wang Jiage , Lü Xin , Shan Yuanyuan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBACKGROUNDStarch retrogradation leads to undesirable changes in the texture and taste of starchy foods. The fibrous aggregates of whey protein fibrils (WPF) formed by heating under acidic conditions possess enhanced emulsification and foaming properties, but their effect on the retrogradation behavior of starch is unclear.RESULTSWPFs with various molecular sizes were obtained by heating at 85 °C under acidic conditions (pH 2.0) for different times (0, 0.5, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 h). Their effects on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat starch were investigated. Particle size distribution and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the formation of WPFs. Compared to native starch, WPFs reduced swelling, lowered the storage modulus (G') peak, and increased the gelatinization temperature, indicating inhibition of starch gelatinization. High molecular weight WPF (WPF5) had the strongest inhibitory effect, significantly enhancing G' during cooling after gelatinization, suggesting a stronger gel network. Moreover, all WPFs reduced retrogradation and crystallinity of starch gels over 14 days, with WPF5 showing the most significant effect, reducing retrogradation by 35.85% and relative crystallinity by 5.53%.CONCLUSIONWhey protein fibrous aggregates, especially those with high molecular weight (WPF5), inhibit starch gelatinization and retrogradation. This study presents a novel approach to improve starch‐based food quality by reducing retrogradation and enhancing gel structure. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Qualität sichern – frag Eurachem
Authors: Koch Michael 
Published: January 2025

AbstractIn der chemischen Analytik ist Qualitätssicherung entscheidend für genaue, zuverlässige und vergleichbare Messergebnisse – sie stellt sicher, dass analytische Verfahren den gesetzlichen und wissenschaftlichen Anforderungen genügen. Wie unterstützt das Netzwerk Eurachem Labore dabei, Methoden zu harmonisieren und Qualitätsstandards zu erfüllen?
Trendbericht Anorganische Chemie 2025: Hauptgruppen‐ und Molekülchemie
Authors: Abbenseth Josh , Tambornino Frank 
Published: January 2025

AbstractDas erste heterobimetallische Dimetallocen; mit sterisch anspruchsvollen Liganden lassen sich einfach‐koordinierte Hauptgruppenverbindungen der Gruppen 13 bis 15 herstellen; neue Diazoverbindungen erlauben es, B‐R‐Einheiten und Kohlenstoffatome zu übertragen.
Chemische Energie richtig speichern
Authors: Osterland Thomas , Hübinger Wolfgang , Roduner Emil 
Published: January 2025

AbstractUm erneuerbare Energie effizient zu nutzen und CO2‐Emissionen zu senken, braucht es zusätzliche Energiespeicher und ein besseres System, um die Stromnachfrage flexibel an die Verfügbarkeit anzupassen. Wie lassen sich dafür chemische Energiespeicher wie Wasserstoff einsetzen?
SDOG: Scalable Scheduling of Flows Based on Dynamic Online Grouping in Industrial Time‐Sensitive Networks
Authors: Liu Chang , Wang Jin , Liu Chang , Wang Jie , Tian Li , Yu Xiao , Wei Min 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAlthough many studies have conducted the traffic scheduling of time‐sensitive networks, most focus on small‐scale static scheduling for specific scenarios, which cannot cope with dynamic and rapid scheduling of time‐triggered (TT) flows generated in scalable scenarios in the Industrial Internet of Things. In this paper, we propose a Scalable TT flow scheduling method based on Dynamic Online Grouping in industrial time‐sensitive networks (SDOG). To achieve that, we establish an undirected weighted flow graph based on the conflict index between TT flows and divide available time into equally spaced time windows. We dynamically group the TT flows within each window locally. When the number of flows to be scheduled doubles, we can achieve scalable and efficient solutions to efficiently schedule dynamic TT flows, avoiding unnecessary conflicts during data communication. In addition, a topology pruning strategy is adopted to prune the network topology of each group, reducing unnecessary link variables and further effectively shortening the scheduling time. Experimental results validated our expected performance and demonstrated that our proposed SDOG scheduling method has advantages in terms of overall traffic schedulability and average time for scheduling individual traffic.
Prescribed burning effectively maintains threatened species in semi‐natural grasslands on lava flows
Authors: Asada Airi A. , Ohwaki Atsushi , Yaida Yuki A. , Kawakami Fuma , Masuda Masaki , Ushimaru Atushi 
Published: January 2025

Societal Impact StatementPrescribed burning shows promise for managing certain grassland types, but relying solely on it often reduces plant diversity, including threatened species. In Japanese dry grasslands established on volcanic ejecta, we explored conditions under which burning maintains high diversity. Lava grasslands, especially those on young lava flows with hard, shallow, and acidic soil and high rock and stone cover, harbored the most diverse plants, including threatened species. Burning helps prevent forest encroachment, efficiently maintaining species‐rich grasslands on lava flows. We recommend this approach to land managers for maintaining grasslands and conserving threatened plants, particularly in shallow, acidic soil conditions.Summary
Prescribed burning can be an effective and efficient method for managing large areas of grasslands, particularly in face of global increases in grassland abandonment. However, relying solely on regular burning often leads to declines in diversity of grassland plants including threatened species in Eurasian countries. Therefore, investigating conditions under which prescribed burning effectively conserves threatened species is highly important. We hypothesized that under specific soil physicochemical conditions, even burning‐only management can maintain high threatened species diversity.
To test the hypothesis, we compared soil physicochemical properties and vegetation among burning‐managed grasslands on different volcanic bedrocks (young/old lava and scoria) in Nashigahara, Yamanashi, Japan. We quantitatively investigated how bedrock, soil, and vegetation properties affected diversity of plants, including threatened species.
We found the highest plant diversity in young lava grasslands, which were characterized by hard and shallow soil and high rock and stone cover, than old lava and young/old scoria grasslands. Meanwhile, soil nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) did not vary among bedrock types and had no significant effects on plant diversity. In young lava grasslands, shallow soil, low soil pH, and resulting low vegetation height caused high threatened species diversity, supporting the hypothesis.
Mature vegetation on lava flows often comprises forests worldwide. Nonetheless, our findings suggest that prescribed burning successfully suppresses tree dominance and promotes the establishment of highly species‐rich grasslands on lava flows. We propose that prescribed burning can effectively conserve threatened species in semi‐natural grasslands established under specific soil environments, such as those on lava flows.
Oxygen Consumption and Metabolic Equivalents During Physical Activities in Stroke: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shimizu Natsuki , Kanai Masashi , Ota Tomohiro 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposePatient education on physical activity (PA) requires a clear understanding of PA intensity. However, there is no organized list of PAs intensities specific to individuals with stroke. This review aimed to clarify the intensity of PAs in people with stroke and summarize the methodologies and participant characteristics in previous investigations of energy expenditure (EE) during PAs.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and PEDro databases in October 2021, and repeated in February 2024. Reports meeting the eligibility criteria were reviewed to extract participant characteristics and summarized EE for each PA type according to gait ability. Where possible, EE during PA was integrated using a weighted mean.ResultsA total of 55 eligible articles and 1719 participants were included. Twenty‐one PAs were identified, most of which involved walking or exercise. Data on acute stroke were sparse, accounting for only 1.2% of all participants. PAs related to daily living were typically measured over 5–8 min, with steady‐state means used for movement tasks. Among ambulatory patients, walking with maximal effort corresponded to moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (> 3 METs), even at low speeds. However, comfortable walking at slow speeds, sit‐to‐stand, and reaching while standing corresponded to light PA (1.6–2.9 METs).DiscussionEE during PA in people with stroke has been inadequately investigated, particularly for daily activities other than walking, and studies involving acute stroke remain limited. Additionally, EE during light PAs, such as reaching, sit‐to‐stand, wheelchair propulsion, and comfortable walking at slow speed in ambulatory stroke patients, was found to align closely with values reported in the Compendium of PAs.Trial Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42022300366.
EGFR and JAK2 were significant master gene biomarkers in invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenoma
Authors: Ghasemi Afsaneh , Fereidouni Zhila , Maleki‐Sheikhabadi Fahimeh , Shariati Far Fateme , Dokoohaki Roya , Zaferani Arani Hamid , Bereimipour Ahmad 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe pituitary adenoma (PA) is a common benign tumor of the pituitary gland. Pituitary tumors and healthy tissues, as well as different types of tumors, have distinct metabolite profiles. However, noninvasive to invasive transcriptional alterations, widely assumed to be therapeutic targets, have not yet been characterized. We describe the comprehensive identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumors and controls, using microarray data for 70 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, spanning the four most frequent tumor subtypes. There were a total of 940 DEGs unique to prolactin tumors, 437 DEGs unique to nonfunctional tumors, and 217 DEGs shared by all four categories. Many relevant biological functions were altered, as revealed by functional enrichment analysis. Involvement in cell cycle, AGE‐RAGE, NF Kappa B, cytokine–cytokine interaction, and B‐ and T‐cell receptors signaling were identified as significant pathways in high‐expression genes. In contrast, the extracellular matrix, RAS signaling, breast cancer‐related pathways, focal adhesion, RAP1 signaling, axon guidance, and RNA degradation were identified as significant pathways in low‐expression genes. Also, EGFR and JAK2 had a prominent role in the invasion of PA. By performing a thorough bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptomics data available for PA, we were able to isolate a subset of metabolically related DEGs that may represent novel and highly promising treatment targets.
Wenshen Yiqi Granule Alleviates Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via the Long Noncoding RNA‐XIST/MicroRNA‐200c‐3p Axis
Authors: Deng Haoran , Zhu Shiping , Yu Fei , Song Xue , Jin Xinlai , Ding Xuchun 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major challenge to global public health. Evidence showed that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)‐XIST/microRNA (miRNA)‐200c‐3p axis regulated apoptosis and inflammation in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‐exposed human bronchial epithelial cells. Wenshen Yiqi granule (WSYQG) is a Traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription and often used for treating COPD. However, the current understanding of the mechanism by which WSYQG improves COPD is still limited, which has somewhat restrained its widespread application. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects and biological mechanisms of WSYQG on CSE‐exposed type II alveolar epithelial (AEC II) cells with cell transfection and miRNA mimics/inhibitors intervention. Cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry, Transwell, Western blot, real‐time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were used. Results showed that WSYQG intervention increased cell viability and decreased levels of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and apoptosis, also preventing cell migration in CSE‐exposed ACE II cells. Additionally, expression of epithelial marker (ZO‐1), Notch1/4 decreased, and mesenchymal markers (vimentin) and Notch2 expression increased in CSE‐exposed ACE II cells, while WSYQG intervention antagonized them and also decreased N‐cadherin and increased E‐cadherin. Silencing lncRNA‐XIST enhanced WSYQG's effects on CSE‐exposed ACE II cells, while inhibiting miR‐200c‐3p reversed silencing lncRNA‐XIST's effects. Furthermore, dual‐luciferase reporter assay system and RNA immunoprecipitation assay proved that lncRNA‐XIST acts as a miR‐200c‐3p sponge. This study highlights the importance of the lncRNA‐XIST/miR‐200c‐3p axis in WSYQG improving COPD, providing a research basis for WSYQG to improve COPD and expanding the possibility of expanding its clinical application.
Disaster Insurance for Climate Loss and Damage: Assessing Challenges and Opportunities to Adoption in Malawi
Authors: Kita Stern Mwakalimi 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTDisaster insurance is gaining prominence as a tool to address climate‐induced loss and damage in developing countries. Despite ongoing efforts to pilot disaster insurance in Malawi, adoption by households remains low. This study examines factors influencing the adoption of disaster insurance in Malawi, a country highly susceptible to climate‐related impacts. Drawing on qualitative research across seven districts and guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, the study identifies key opportunities and barriers to insurance uptake. It stresses the importance of awareness raising, integration with existing services, and partnerships in promoting insurance adoption. Additionally, the study explores novel approaches, including communities applying disaster insurance knowledge to design local risk pooling mechanisms, integrating insurance into existing projects, and designing hybrid indices for risk assessment and premium calculation. These offer insights into the potential synergies between formal insurance schemes and grassroots initiatives. However, challenges such as limited awareness, affordability constraints, absence of enabling policy and legal frameworks, and capacity gaps in the local insurance industry hinder widespread adoption. Addressing these barriers requires targeted interventions, including awareness campaigns, innovative financing mechanisms, and policy reforms. The study contributes to the debate on disaster insurance in low‐income countries, underscoring the need for reforms to build resilience.
Secure Observer‐Assisted Fuzzy Tracking Control for Non‐Linear Networked Systems With Event‐ and Protocol‐Based Communication
Authors: Li Yan , Zhu Ding , Zha Lijuan , Liu Jinliang , Tian Engang 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the secure observer‐assisted Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy tracking control issue for non‐linear networked control systems (NCSs) with communication constraints is comprehensively investigated. Firstly, to deal with the limited network bandwidth, a novel two‐stage data transmission scheme (TS‐DTS), which employs an adaptive event‐triggered mechanism (AETM) and round robin (RR) protocol, is proposed to effectively reduce bandwidth pressure as well as to avoid potential data collision. Meanwhile, considering the frequent occurrence of cyber attacks in a networked environment, deception attack that seriously threats the data integrity is particularly concerned and elaborately modeled. Then, an augmented T‐S fuzzy system is constructed based on designing the framework of the observer‐assisted tracking controller in aid of solving the considered problem. Subsequently, the observer and controller gains are devised with the analysis of sufficient conditions for the stability and tracking control performance of the established system. A simulation example is finally conducted to verify the availability of the proposed T‐S fuzzy tracking control approach.
Cluster Consensus Control for Second‐Order Multi‐Agent Systems: An Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Approach
Authors: Li Xin , Zhang Yuting , Huang Lu , Wang Xin , Zhu Liangkuan 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe paper is concerned with leader‐following cluster consensus control for second‐order multi‐agent systems (MAS) with non‐identical nonlinear dynamics and external disturbance. The communication topology of MAS is represented by a digraph. The purpose of the problem under consideration is to design an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller such that cluster consensus of the MAS is guaranteed while only information exchange between followers and communication from leaders to followers. First of all, the fuzzy logic theory is introduced to approximate the nonlinear function. An event‐triggered communication protocol is adopted over the MAS with hope to reduce the communication burden. Lyapnov stability theory is used to analyze the convergence of adaptive parameters and sliding mode surfaces. Based on this, some sufficient conditions with the restrictions on parameters are established in the framework of the MAS cluster consensus. Finally, a simulation example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed event‐triggered controller.
Structure, Dielectric, and Thermal Behavior of Bismuth Titanate Nanoparticles
Authors: Kumari Pillalamarri Anita , Devi Damala Madhuri , Chandrasekhar Madunuri , Kumar Nune Satya Vijaya 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBismuth titanate (BTI) nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal method. The XRD spectra show that the maximum intense peaks are associated to orthorhombic Bi4Ti3O12, and the pH did not show any significant effect on the structural transformation. The X‐ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) of BTI nanoparticles clearly shows the presence of elements like Bi, Ti, and O. It is noticed that the grain size is increasing from 64.9 to 97.0 nm with an increase in pH from 9 to 12. The TEM images evidenced the presence of spherical nanoparticles. The bandgap values are decreased from 3.201 to 2.595 eV (for pH = 9–12). The absorption spectra established a fact that the maximum absorption wavelength is decreasing from 218–225 nm with an increase of pH from 9 to 12. In case of BTI of pH = 12, the loss is noted to be 153.201, providing the dielectric absorber applications at high frequency. The M′ versus M″ plots show the partial relaxations, indicating the existence of carriers of partial relaxation strength and exhibit the non‐Debye relaxations. The mass losses are increased for BTI samples till pH = 11, while the mass loss is decreased.