bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of hawthorn pectin gained via different ethanol concentrations
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Zhu Yiwei , Li Dan , Zhu Chuanhe 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPectin is identified as an effective delivery material due to its excellent gel‐forming ability, low immunogenic properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These excellent properties depend on the preparation method of pectin. In the study, four pectin fractions (named: CAHP30, CAHP40, CAHP50, and CAHP60, respectively) were obtained by different ethanol precipitations (30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%). Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and emulsifying ability of HP were investigated and analyzed. Results showed that the surface structure of pectin was changed by ethanol fractional precipitation, and four fractions were low methoxy pectin. They had different monosaccharide compositions, but all rich in GalA. The Mw/Mn of CAHP30, CAHP40, CAHP50, and CAHP60 were 3.29, 2.57, 2.66, and 2.77, respectively. CAHP30 and CAHP60 had excellent emulsifying ability; moreover, CAHP60 was endowed with additional lipid antioxidant capacity and had the best thermal stability. E‐CAHP40 exhibited a property between the entangled network structure. Overall, pectin with specific properties could be obtained by different ethanol concentrations.
The Contribution of Digital Sequence Information to Conservation Biology: A Southern African Perspective
Authors: Russo Isa‐Rita M. , de Jager Deon , van Wyk Anna M. , Klopper Arrie W. , Uiseb Kenneth , Birss Coral , Rushworth Ian , Bloomer Paulette 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMany recent contributions have made a compelling case that genetic diversity is not adequately reflected in international frameworks and policies, as well as in local governmental processes implementing such frameworks. Using digital sequence information (DSI) and other publicly available data is supported to assess genetic diversity, toward formulation of practical actions for long‐term conservation of biodiversity, with the particular goal of maintaining ecological and evolutionary processes. Given the inclusion of specific goals and targets regarding DSI in the latest draft of the Global Biodiversity Framework negotiated at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Montreal in December 2022 and the crucial decisions on access and benefit sharing to DSI that will be taken in the coming months and future COP meetings, a southern African perspective on how and why open access to DSI is essential for the conservation of intraspecific biodiversity (genetic diversity and structure) across country borders is provided.
Meandering reduces the influence of stream orientation on riparian shade
Authors: Rutherford J. Christopher 
Published: March 2023

AbstractRestoring riparian shade helps maintain healthy stream ecosystems and computer models are helpful in guiding restoration. The effects of meandering and orientation on shade to direct and diffuse lighting were investigated using a simplified model of riparian vegetation. Previous studies have shown that straight streams oriented east–west (EW) experience higher direct lighting than those oriented north–south (NS). Meandering decreased reach‐averaged direct lighting in EW valley streams, increased lighting in NS valley streams but had little effect on diffuse lighting. When meander amplitude equalled 50% of meander wavelength lighting of streams in EW and NS‐aligned valleys was similar. In EW valleys, lighting was highest at stream bends and a strategy to increase shade quickly would be to prioritize planting tall vegetation on bends. In NS valleys, lighting was lowest at bends suggesting the opposite strategy. Shade exceeding 70%, a criterion for preventing nuisance aquatic plant growths and stressfully high water temperatures, occurs in ‘typical’ meandering streams on cloudless, mid‐summer days at mid‐latitudes once the ratio of tree height to stream width H/W exceeds about 2. The model over‐simplifies riparian vegetation and the effects of canopy shape and overhang merit further investigation.
Declaration of emergency state due to COVID‐19 spread in Japan reduced maternal transports without reduction in preterm delivery
Authors: Homma Chika , Hasegawa Junichi , Nishimura Yoko , Furuya Natsumi , Nakamura Masamitsu , Suzuki Nao 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionTo clarify whether the declaration of an emergency state due to the spread of COVID‐19 in Japan affected the number of maternal transports and premature births.MethodsA questionnaire‐based descriptive study was conducted in perinatal centers throughout Japan in 2020. The incidence of maternal transport and preterm delivery rates every month after the COVID‐19 spread in 2020 were compared with those in 2019.ResultsParticipants were recruited from 52 perinatal centres. The maternal transport rate (maternal transports per number of deliveries) was 10.6% in April and 11.0% in June 2020, compared with 12.5% in 2019 (P < 0.05). The maternal transport rate due to preterm labor was 4.8% in April 2020 and 5.8% in 2019 (P < 0.05). The maternal transport rate during the declaration of emergency state decreased by 21% in April 2020 in non‐emergency‐declared prefectures, and decreased by 17% in May 2020 in emergency‐declared prefectures. However, there was no significant difference in the preterm delivery rate between 2020 and 2019, regardless of the prefecture and gestational period.ConclusionDeclaration of the emergency status due to COVID‐19 spread in Japan reduced maternal transport due to preterm labor, but did not reduce preterm delivery itself.
Examining Children and adolescent mental health trajectories during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Findings from a year of the Co‐SPACE study
Authors: Guzman Holst Carolina , Bowes Lucy , Waite Polly , Skripkauskaite Simona , Shum Adrienne , Pearcey Samantha , Raw Jasmine , Patalay Praveetha , Creswell Cathy 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundA major concern throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic has been on young people's experiences with mental health. In this study we mapped children and adolescents' mental health trajectories over 13 months of the pandemic and examine whether family, peer, and individual‐level factors were associated with trajectory membership.MethodsThis study focuses on a sub‐sample from the Co‐SPACE study of 3322 children and adolescents (aged 4–16 years) for whom parents completed a survey at Time 0 and at least one follow‐up survey between March 2020 and May 2021. We used growth mixture models to examine trajectories in emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity/inattention difficulties using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and multinomial logistic regression models to estimate factors associated with individual trajectory membership.ResultsThe average trend in young people's mental health appeared to follow changes in national guidelines regarding the pandemic. Distinct trends in GMM models highlighting individual differences showed that a 5‐trajectory model best explained the changes in emotional problems whilst 4‐trajectory models best explained variation in hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems. While most young people followed low stable (62%–85%) or moderate stable (28%) symptom trajectories, 14%–31% experienced very high, high stable or increasing mental health difficulties. Young people following high stable trajectories were more likely to have special educational needs and/or neurodevelopmental disorders, parents reporting higher levels of distress and parent‐child conflict, and were less likely to have at least one close friend.ConclusionsMost young people adapted well and experienced low stable symptoms, but nearly one third experienced high stable or increasing mental health difficulties. Young people with complex needs and parents with higher psychological distress were particularly vulnerable to high stable problems while those with positive peer relationships were less vulnerable. This study offers insight into potential factors that can be addressed using targeted interventions to improve the wellbeing of parents and young people in the event of future lockdowns and school closures.
Use of archived data to derive soil health and water quality indicators for monitoring shifts in natural resources
Authors: Fortuna Ann‐Marie , Starks Patrick J. , Moriasi Daniel N. , Steiner Jean L. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCurrent gaps impeding researchers from developing a soil and watershed health nexus include design of long‐term field‐scale experiments and statistical methodologies that link soil health indicators (SHI) with water quality indicators (WQI). Land cover is often used to predict WQI but may not reflect the effects of previous management such as legacy fertilizer applications, disturbance, and shifts in plant populations) and soil texture. Our research objectives were to use nonparametric Spearman rank‐order correlations to identify SHI and WQI that were related across the Fort Cobb Reservoir experimental watershed (FCREW); use the resulting rho (r) and p values (P) to explore potential drivers of SHI‐WQI relationships, specifically land use, management, and inherent properties (soil texture, aspect, elevation, slope); and interpret findings to make recommendations regarding assessment of the sustainability of land use and management. The SHI values used in the correlation matrix were weighted by soil texture and land management. The SHI that were significantly correlated with one or more WQI were available water capacity (AWC), Mehlich III soil P, and the sand to clay ratio (S:C). Mehlich III soil P was highly correlated with three WQI: total dissolved solids (TDS) (0.80; P < 0.01), electrical conductivity of water (EC‐H2O) (0.79; P < 0.01), and water nitrates (NO3‐H2O) (0.76; P < 0.01). The correlations verified that soil texture and management jointly influence water quality (WQ), but the size of the soils dataset prohibited determination of the specific processes. Adoption of conservation tillage and grasslands within the FCREW improved WQ such that water samples met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards. Future research should integrate current WQI sampling sites into an edge‐of‐field design representing all management by soil series combinations within the FCREW.
The impact of ethnic fractionalisation on labor productivity: Does firm size matter?
Authors: Khalid Usman , Amin Mohammad 
Published: March 2023

AbstractEthnic fractionalisation has both positive and negative consequences. We contend that the positive effects of skill complementarity in the production process apply to large firms. Because small businesses rely more on public goods and have less access to institutions, the negative effects of lower quality public goods and higher transaction costs have a greater impact on them. Consistent with this viewpoint, we find that larger firm size significantly mitigates the negative impact of higher ethnic fractionalisation on the level and growth rate of labor productivity in manufacturing firms across 84 developing countries. Evidence on the potential mechanisms is provided.
Mediators of county‐level racial and economic privilege in cancer screening
Authors: Munir Muhammad Musaab , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Alaimo Laura , Moazzam Zorays , Lima Henrique A. , Endo Yutaka , Beane Joal , Kim Alex , Dillhoff Mary , Cloyd Jordan , Ejaz Aslam , Pawlik Timothy M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundArea‐level social determinants of health (SDoH) impact access to cancer care and prevention. Little is known about the factors that underlie the impact of residential privilege on county‐level cancer screening uptake.MethodsPopulation‐based cross‐sectional study examining county‐level data was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's PLACES database, American Community Survey and the County Health Rankings and Roadmap database. The Index of Concentration of Extremes (ICE), a validated measure of racial and economic privilege, was examined relative to county‐level rates of US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guideline‐concordant screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Generalized structural equation modeling was used to determine the indirect and direct effects of ICE on cancer screening uptake.ResultsAcross 3142 counties, county‐level cancer screening rates demonstrated geographical variation ranging from 54.0% to 81.8% for breast cancer screening, from 39.8% to 74.4% for colorectal cancer screening, and from 69.9% to 89.7% for cervical cancer screening. Of note, cancer screening rates for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer all increased from lower (ICE‐Q1) to higher (ICE‐Q4) privileged areas (breast: Q1 = 71.0% vs. Q4 = 72.2%; colorectal: Q1 = 59.4% vs. Q4 = 65.0%; cervical: Q1 = 83.3% vs. Q4 = 85.2%; all p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that the observed disparities between ICE and cancer screening uptake were explained by mediators such as poverty status, lack of health insurance or employment, urban–rural location and access to primary care physicians that accounted for 64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 61%–67%), 85% (95% CI: 80%–89%), and 74% (95% CI: 71%–77%) of the effect on breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening, respectively.ConclusionsIn this cross‐sectional study, the association between racial and economic privilege on USPSTF‐recommended cancer screening was complex and influenced by an interplay of sociodemographic, geographical, and structural factors. Understanding the underlying area‐level SDoH that mediate disparities in cancer prevention strategies can help focus interventions to improve equity in cancer prevention.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma characteristics and outcomes: A SEER‐Medicare analysis
Authors: Taioli Emanuela , Wolf Andrea , Alpert Naomi , Rosenthal Daniel , Flores Raja 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundPleural mesothelioma is rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Previous research has indicated that female individuals have better survival than male individuals, but this has never been examined in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare database.Materials and MethodsMalignant pleural mesothelioma cases diagnosed from 1992 to 2015 were queried from the linked SEER‐Medicare database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the clinical and demographic factors associated with sex. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and propensity matching methods were used to assess sex differences in overall survival (OS) while accounting for potential confounders.ResultsAmong 4201 patients included in the analysis, 3340 (79.5%) were males and 861 (20.5%) females. Females were significantly older, with more epithelial histology than males were, and had significantly better OS, adjusted for confounders (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.76–0.90). Other variables independently associated with improved survival included younger age at diagnosis, having a spouse/domestic partner, epithelial histology, lower comorbidity score, and receipt of surgery or chemotherapy.ConclusionsThe study describes sex differences in mesothelioma occurrence, treatment, and survival and is the first to examine SEER‐Medicare. It provides directions for future research into potential therapeutic targets.
Multiplex epigenome editing of ion channel expression in nociceptive neurons abolished degenerative IVD‐conditioned media‐induced mechanical sensitivity
Authors: Stover Joshua D. , Trone Matthew A. , Lawrence Brandon , Bowles Robby D. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain is a major contributor to disability worldwide and generates a tremendous socioeconomic impact. The degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) has been hypothesized to contribute to discogenic pain by sensitizing nociceptive neurons innervating the disc to stimuli that is nonpainful in healthy patients. Previously, we demonstrated the ability of degenerative IVDs to sensitize neurons to mechanical stimuli; however, elucidation of degenerative IVDs discogenic pain mechanisms is required to develop therapeutic strategies that directly target these mechanisms.AimsIn this study, we utilized CRISPR epigenome editing of nociceptive neurons to identify mechanisms of degenerative IVD‐induced changes to mechanical nociception and demonstrated the ability of multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing of nociceptive neurons to modulate inflammation‐induced mechanical nociception.Methods and ResultsUtilizing an in vitro model, we demonstrated degenerative IVD‐produced IL‐6‐induced increases in nociceptive neuron activity in response to mechanical stimuli, mediated by TRPA1, ASIC3, and Piezo2 ion channel activity. Once these ion channels were identified as mediators of degenerative IVD‐induced mechanical nociception, we developed singleplex and multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing vectors that modulate endogenous expression of TRPA1, ASIC3, and Piezo2 via targeted gene promoter histone methylation. When delivered to nociceptive neurons, the multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing vectors abolished degenerative IVD‐induced mechanical nociception while preserving nonpathologic neuron activity.ConclusionThis work demonstrates the potential of multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing as a highly targeted gene‐based neuromodulation strategy for the treatment of discogenic pain, specifically; and, for the treatment of inflammatory chronic pain conditions, more broadly.
Efficient Dense Orbital Angular Momentum Demultiplexing Enabled by Quasi‐Wavelet Conformal Mapping
Authors: Cao Han , Liang Yize , Wang Lulu , Ruan Zhengsen , Wang Hongya , Zeng Jinwei , Wang Jian 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOrbital angular momentum (OAM) has recently attracted increasing interest in optical communications for capacity scaling by OAM mode‐division multiplexing (MDM). OAM (de)multiplexer is crucial to the success of OAM‐MDM communications. Scalable and efficient dense OAM demultiplexing is highly desired, but full of challenges. Here, a quasi‐wavelet conformal mapping method is proposed and demonstrated to implement scalable and efficient dense OAM demultiplexing. The OAM mode is divided at the input plane into multiple concentric rings, which are mapped to multiple tilted plane waves and arranged side by side in a line. The engineered transformed light beams with periodic extension and increased length enable narrow focused spot width, reduced beam overlap, and suppressed demultiplexing crosstalk. The quasi‐wavelet conformal mapping method is compared with conventional log‐polar transformation scheme and hybrid log‐polar and fan‐out technique, and the crosstalk matrix for OAM demultiplexing is measured. Efficient OAM demultiplexing is demonstrated for 15 OAM modes (OAM−7 to OAM+7) with a maximum crosstalk of −12.1 dB in the experiment. Moreover, the method is also applied to system‐level data‐carrying OAM‐MDM communications with favorable performance. The demonstrated quasi‐wavelet conformal mapping method may pave the way for future ultrahigh capacity dense OAM‐MDM communications with a large number of OAM modes.
Organ‐PAM: Photoacoustic Microscopy of Whole‐organ Multiset Vessel Systems
Authors: Zhang Junning , Peng Dinglu , Qin Wei , Qi Weizhi , Liu Xiaoya , Luo Yucheng , Guo Qiongyu , Xi Lei 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOrgans maintain their unique functions through a variety of distinctive vessel systems. However, examination of multiset vessels over the entire organ still remains challenging due to the difficulties of assigning multiple vessel systems and labor‐intensive imaging reconstruction technologies. Here, an organ‐level photoacoustic microscopic imaging platform, named Organ‐PAM, with a micron‐scale spatial resolution and ultra‐large field of view (FOV), which can achieve a lateral and axial FOV of up to ≈81 cm2 and ≈30 mm, respectively, is presented. With the assistance of whole‐organ decellularization, optical clearing, and a specifically designed photoacoustic gradient concentration differential angiographic pipeline, the visualization of up to four sets of vessel systems inside diversified organs is successfully achieved with multiple scales. In addition, quantitative analyses of vessel systems in both healthy livers and kidneys as well as cancerous livers with exogenous transplanted tumors are conducted at different stages. Thus, the platform enables high‐efficiency multiset vessel imaging, recognition, and quantification of different organs, providing critical insights into distinct vessel systems under varying pathological conditions.
Remote Preparation of Optical Cat States Based on Gaussian Entanglement
Authors: Han Dongmei , Sun Fengxiao , Wang Na , Xiang Yu , Wang Meihong , Tian Mingsheng , He Qiongyi , Su Xiaolong 
Published: March 2023

AbstractRemote state preparation enables one to prepare and manipulate quantum state non‐locally. As an essential quantum resource, optical cat state is usually prepared locally by subtracting photons from a squeezed vacuum state. For remote quantum information processing, it is essential to prepare and manipulate optical cat states remotely based on Gaussian entanglement, which remains a challenge. Here, experimental preparation of optical cat states based on a remotely distributed two‐mode Gaussian entangled state in a lossy channel is presented. By performing photon subtraction and homodyne projective measurement at Alice's station, an optical cat state is prepared remotely at Bob's station. Furthermore, the prepared cat state is rotated by changing Alice's measurement basis of homodyne detection, which demonstrates the remote manipulation of it. By distributing two modes of the two‐mode Gaussian entangled state in lossy channels, it is demonstrated that the remotely prepared cat state can tolerate much more loss in Alice's channel than that in Bob's channel. It is also shown that cat states with amplitudes larger than 2 can be prepared by increasing the squeezing level and subtracting photon numbers. The results make a crucial step toward remote hybrid quantum information processing involving discrete‐ and continuous‐variable techniques.
Melt Instability Identification Using Unsupervised Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Gansen Alex , Hennicker Julian , Sill Clemens , Dheur Jean , Hale Jack S. , Baller Jörg 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn industrial extrusion processes, increasing shear rates can lead to higher production rates. However, at high shear rates, extruded polymers and polymer compounds often exhibit melt instabilities ranging from stick‐slip to sharkskin to gross melt fracture. These instabilities result in challenges to meet the specifications on the extrudate shape. Starting with an existing published data set on melt instabilities in polymer extrusion, we assess the suitability of clustering, unsupervised machine learning algorithms combined with feature selection, to extract and identify hidden and important features from this data set, and their possible relationship with melt instabilities. The data set consists of both intrinsic features of the polymer as well as extrinsic features controlled and measured during an extrusion experiment. Using a range of commonly available clustering algorithms, it is demonstrated that the features related to only the intrinsic properties of the data set can be reliably divided into two clusters, and that in turn, these two clusters may be associated with either the stick‐slip or sharkskin instability. Furthermore, using a feature ranking on both the intrinsic and extrinsic features of the data set, it is shown that the intrinsic properties of molecular weight and polydispersity are the strongest indicators of clustering.
Liouville‐type theorems for a nonlinear fractional Choquard equation
Authors: Duong Anh Tuan , Loan Tran Thi , Quyet Dao Trong , Thang Dao Manh 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we are concerned with the fractional Choquard equation on the whole space with , and . We first prove that the equation does not possess any positive solution for . When , we establish a Liouville type theorem saying that if
then the equation has no positive stable solution. This extends, in particular, a result in [27] to the fractional Choquard equation.