bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated diffusion image operator (iDIO): A pipeline for automated configuration and processing of diffusion MRI data
Authors: Hsu Chih‐Chin Heather , Chong Shin Tai , Kung Yi‐Chia , Kuo Kuan‐Tsen , Huang Chu‐Chung , Lin Ching‐Po 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe preprocessing of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data involve numerous steps, including the corrections for head motion, susceptibility distortion, low signal‐to‐noise ratio, and signal drifting. Researchers or clinical practitioners often need to configure different preprocessing steps depending on disparate image acquisition schemes, which increases the technical threshold for dMRI analysis for nonexpert users. This could cause disparities in data processing approaches and thus hinder the comparability between studies. To make the dMRI data processing steps transparent and adapt to various dMRI acquisition schemes for researchers, we propose a semi‐automated pipeline tool for dMRI named integrated diffusion image operator or iDIO. This pipeline integrates features from a wide range of advanced dMRI software tools and targets at providing a one‐click solution for dMRI data analysis, via adaptive configuration for a set of suggested processing steps based on the image header of the input data. Additionally, the pipeline provides options for post‐processing, such as estimation of diffusion tensor metrics and whole‐brain tractography‐based connectomes reconstruction using common brain atlases. The iDIO pipeline also outputs an easy‐to‐interpret quality control report to facilitate users to assess the data quality. To keep the transparency of data processing, the execution log and all the intermediate images produced in the iDIO's workflow are accessible. The goal of iDIO is to reduce the barriers for clinical or nonspecialist users to adopt the state‐of‐art dMRI processing steps.
Dysfunctions associated with the intraparietal sulcus and a distributed network in individuals with math learning difficulties: An ALE meta‐analysis
Authors: Tablante Jonathan , Krossa Lani , Azimi Tannaz , Chen Lang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMath learning difficulty (MLD) is a learning disorder characterized by persistent impairments in the understanding and application of numbers independent of intelligence or schooling. The current study aims to review existing neuroimaging studies to characterize the neurobiological basis in MLD for their quantity and arithmetic dysfunctions. We identified a total of 24 studies with 728 participants through the literature. Using the activation likelihood estimate (ALE) method, we found that the most consistent neurobiological dysfunction in MLD was observed in the right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) with distinct patterns of the anterior and posterior aspects. Meanwhile, neurobiological dysfunctions were also observed in a distributed network including the fusiform gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, insula, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and claustrum. Our results suggest a core dysfunction in the right anterior IPS and left fusiform gyrus with atypically upregulated functions in brain regions for attention, working memory, visual processing, and motivation, serving as the neurobiological basis of MLD.
Long‐term effect of childhood pandemic experience on medical major choice: Evidence from the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in China
Authors: Chen Ze , Wang Yuan , Guan Yanjun , Guo Michael Jie , Xu Rong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study examines the long‐term effect of a pandemic on a crucial human capital decision, namely college major choice. Using China's 2008–2016 major‐level National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) entry grades, we find that the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) had a substantial deterrent effect on the choice of majoring in medicine among high school graduates who experienced the pandemic in their childhood. In provinces with larger intensities of SARS impact, medical majors become less popular as the average Gaokao grades of enrolled students decline. Further evidence from a nationally representative survey shows that the intensity of the SARS impact significantly decreases children's aspirations to pursue medical occupations, but does not affect their parents' expectations for their children to enter the medical profession. Our discussion on the effect mechanism suggests that the adverse influence of SARS on the popularity of medical majors likely originates from students' childhood experiences.
Glycyrrhetinic acid ameliorates diosbulbin B‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice by modulating metabolic activation of diosbulbin B
Authors: Lin Dongju , Liu Jie , Chang Xiaojin , Yang Bufan , Gu Xiaofei , Li Weiwei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractExposure to diosbulbin B (DBB), the primary component of the herbal medicine Dioscorea bulbifera L. (DB), can cause liver injury in humans and experimental animals. A previous study found DBB‐induced hepatotoxicity was initiated by CYP3A4‐mediated metabolic activation and subsequent formation of adducts with cellular proteins. The herbal medicine licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is frequently combined with DB used in numerous Chinese medicinal formulas in an effort to protect against DB‐elicited hepatotoxicity. Importantly, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), the major bioactive ingredient in licorice, inhibits CYP3A4 activity. The study aimed to investigate the protection of GA against DBB‐induced hepatotoxicity and the underlying mechanism. Biochemical and histopathological analysis showed GA alleviated DBB‐induced liver injury in a dose‐dependent manner. In vitro metabolism assay with mouse liver microsomes (MLMs) indicated that GA decreased the generation of metabolic activation‐derived pyrrole‐glutathione (GSH) conjugates from DBB. Toxicokinetic studies demonstrated that GA increased maximal serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the serum–time curve (AUC) of DBB in mice. In addition, GA attenuated hepatic GSH depletion caused by DBB. Further mechanistic studies showed that GA reduced the production of DBB‐derived pyrroline‐protein adducts in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that GA exerted protective effect against DBB‐induced hepatotoxicity, mainly correlated with suppressing the metabolic activation of DBB. Therefore, the development of a standardized combination of DBB with GA may protect patients from DBB‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Intraobserver and Interobserver Reproducibility of Breast Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging Quantitative Parameters: Readout‐Segmented vs. Single‐Shot Echo‐Planar Imaging
Authors: Hu Yiqi , Hu Qilan , Zhan Chenao , Yin Ting , Ai Tao 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe recommended technique for breast diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) acquisitions is not sufficiently standardized in clinical practice.PurposeTo investigate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of DWI measurements, diffusion‐kurtosis imaging (DKI) parameters, and image quality evaluation in breast lesions between single‐shot echo‐planar imaging (ss‐EPI) and readout‐segmented echo‐planar imaging (rs‐EPI).Study TypeProspective.PopulationA total of 295 women with 209 malignant and 86 benign breast lesions.Field Strength/SequenceA 3‐T; fat‐saturated T2‐weighted MR imaging (T2WI); multi‐b‐value DWI with both ss‐EPI and rs‐EPI readouts; T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI).AssessmentMean kurtosis (MK), mean diffusion (MD), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured for each lesion on ss‐EPI and rs‐EPI, respectively. Image quality was visually evaluated regarding image sharpness, geometric distortion, lesion conspicuity, visualization of anatomic structures, and overall quality. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed twice with a time interval of 2 weeks.Statistical TestsIntraobserver and interobserver reproducibility were evaluated using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC), within‐subject coefficient of variation (wCV), and Bland–Altman plots.ResultsMK, MD, and ADC quantitative parameters for breast lesions showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility, with ICCs >0.75 and wCV values ranging from 2.51% to 7.08% for both sequences. The wCV values in both intraobserver and interobserver measurements were higher in the ss‐EPI sequence (3.63%–7.08%) than that of the rs‐EPI sequence (2.51%–3.62%). The wCV values differed in subgroups with different histopathological types of lesions, breast density, lesion morphology, and lesion sizes, respectively. Furthermore, rs‐EPI (ICCs, 0.76–0.97; wCV values, 2.41%–6.04%) had better intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility than ss‐EPI (ICCs, 0.54–0.90; wCV values, 6.18%–13.69%) with regard to image quality.Data ConclusionCompared to the ss‐EPI, the rs‐EPI sequence showed higher intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility for quantitative diffusion‐related parameters and image quality assessments measured in breast DWI and DKI.Evidence Level2.Technical EfficacyStage 2.
Influence of the Degree of Swelling on the Stiffness and Toughness of Microgel‐Reinforced Hydrogels
Authors: Kessler Michael , Yuan Tianyu , Kolinski John M. , Amstad Esther 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe stiffness and toughness of conventional hydrogels decrease with increasing degree of swelling. This behavior makes the stiffness‐toughness compromise inherent to hydrogels even more limiting for fully swollen ones, especially for load‐bearing applications. The stiffness‐toughness compromise of hydrogels can be addressed by reinforcing them with hydrogel microparticles, microgels, which introduce the double network (DN) toughening effect into hydrogels. However, to what extent this toughening effect is maintained in fully swollen microgel‐reinforced hydrogels (MRHs) is unknown. Herein, it is demonstrated that the initial volume fraction of microgels contained in MRHs determines their connectivity, which is closely yet nonlinearly related to the stiffness of fully swollen MRHs. Remarkably, if MRHs are reinforced with a high volume fraction of microgels, they stiffen upon swelling. By contrast, the fracture toughness linearly increases with the effective volume fraction of microgels present in the MRHs regardless of their degree of swelling. These findings provide a universal design rule for the fabrication of tough granular hydrogels that stiffen upon swelling and hence, open up new fields of use of these hydrogels.
An empirical analysis of evaluating the operational and economic efficiency of retail stores under an adverse operating environment
Authors: Aggelopoulos Eleftherios , Lampropoulos Ioannis , Paraschi Elen Paraskevi 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper evaluates the relative efficiency of 83 food retail stores of a major Greek Supermarket network using monthly panel data that relates to an extended period of deep economic recession (2012–2013). We highlight the importance of the comparative analysis of operational and economic perspectives of the retail stores' efficiency, as they fully capture the real conditions in very competitive and dynamic recessionary environments given that retail stores are interested in minimizing costs while maximizing sales and profits. Efficiency measurements and comparisons led to the identification of benchmark stores and problematic ones thus leading to a series of management actions.
Convergence analysis of the splitting method to the nonlinear heat equation
Authors: Choi Hyung Jun , Choi Woocheol , Koh Youngwoo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this article, we analyze an operator splitting scheme of the nonlinear heat equation in (): where and with and . We establish the well‐posedness of the approximation of in ‐space (), and furthermore, we derive its convergence rate of order for a time step . Finally, we give some numerical examples to confirm the reliability of the analyzed result
A comprehensive investigation of drilling performance of anisotropic stacked glass‐carbon fiber reinforced hybrid laminate composites
Authors: Ergene Berkay , Bolat Cagin , Karakilinc Ucan , Irez Alaeddin Burak 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAmong the various renewable energy sources, wind energy offers an effective solution to the energy providers. Onshore wind turbines are generally designed for sites with low wind resources, while offshore wind turbines can be more efficient in producing energy thanks to their longer blades that provide more than 10 MW of rated power. Offshore wind turbine blades are subjected to significantly higher stresses and harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, hybrid composites composed of carbon and glass fibers can offer cost‐effective and long‐lasting solutions for wind turbine blade manufacturers. Turbine blades are connected with main spars through bolted connections and high interlaminar stresses occurring during the drilling process can cause to delamination in the composites. To prevent catastrophic failure related to defective machining, the drilling process must be performed meticulously and all machining‐related results must be analyzed step by step. In this paper, dry drilling properties of hybrid glass‐carbon fiber laminate epoxy matrix composites were examined experimentally in order to contribute to the wind energy sector. The results showed that the delamination factor could be decreased with higher cutting speeds or lower feed rates. Besides, higher feed levels caused higher thrust forces on the tool body.
Transverse fatigue behavior analysis of symmetric and asymmetric glass fiber‐reinforced laminates
Authors: Sharma Nisha , Singh Kalyan Kumar 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis study examined the effect of interchanging the position of (0°/90°) and (±45°) angle ply around the midplane of an eight‐layer symmetric [(0°/90°)/(±45°)2/(0°/90°)]s and asymmetric woven glass fiber reinforced composite laminate having [(0°/90°)/(±45°)2/(0°/90°)//(±45°)/(0°/90°)2/(±45°)] and (±45°)/(0°/90°)2/(±45°)//(0°/90°)/(±45°)2/(0°/90°) stacking sequence by means of flexure and fatigue test. The flexural and fatigue behavior of glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates was analyzed as well. The GFRP laminates in varying stacking sequence having a volume fraction of 55 ± 0.9% were subjected to fatigue and damage analysis under stress levels ranging from 90% to 50% of their ultimate flexural strength at f = 1 Hz, R = 0.1. Flexure and fatigue testing was done in accordance with ASTM D790/D790‐17. The experiment results showed that the symmetric laminate with (0°/90°) ply at the compression and tension sides exhibited greater flexural strength (458.09 MPa) and fatigue lives as compared to the asymmetric A (352.70 MPa) and asymmetric B (272.89 MPa) laminates with (0°/90°) and (±45°) ply at the compression sides respectively. Microscopy and transmission light photography techniques were used to detect the damage behavior and capture the debond zone images. The correlation between the load‐deflection curve, Wohler‐curve, hysteresis loops, dynamic stiffness and debond zones was also examined with regard to different stacked laminates.
Enhanced sensing performance of flexible strain sensors prepared from biaxially stretched carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites
Authors: Li Zhen , Chen Xiaoyu , Tang Shuai , Xiang Dong , Harkin‐Jones Eileen , Chen Yong , Zhao Chunxia , Li Hui , Wang Ping , Zhou Lihua , Wang Junjie , Li Yuntao , Wu Yuanpeng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractFlexible strain sensors from biaxially stretched carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites are fabricated in this study. It is shown that biaxial stretching promotes the homogeneous distribution and alignment of CNTs in the stretching plane, improving the sensing performance of the strain sensors. The optimized stretching ratios (SRs) of CNT/PDMS nanocomposites are determined. Compared to an unstretched CNT/PDMS‐1.0 sensor (gauge factor [GF] value = 0.73, detectable range from 0 to 60%), the 1.5 wt% CNT/PDMS‐1.5 sensor (SR = 1.5) exhibits enhanced strain sensitivity (GF = 2.8), a wider detectable range (0–370%) and better performance stability. The GF values of CNT/PDMS‐2.0 and CNT/PDMS‐2.5 sensors with SRs of 2.0 and 2.5, respectively, were 1.18 and 1.06, respectively, due to more significant conductive network reconstruction in the process of applying strain, leading to a decreasing GF. The possibility of sensors in the application of wearable electronic components is also demonstrated. The sensor shows a clear and stable signal output when different strain modes are applied, such as tensile, compressive, bending, and twisting.
The yeast ALA synthase C‐terminus positively controls enzyme structure and function
Authors: Tran Jenny U. , Brown Breann L. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract5‐Aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) is a pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent enzyme that catalyzes the first and rate‐limiting step of heme biosynthesis in α‐proteobacteria and several non‐plant eukaryotes. All ALAS homologs contain a highly conserved catalytic core, but eukaryotes also have a unique C‐terminal extension that plays a role in enzyme regulation. Several mutations in this region are implicated in multiple blood disorders in humans. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae ALAS (Hem1), the C‐terminal extension wraps around the homodimer core to contact conserved ALAS motifs proximal to the opposite active site. To determine the importance of these Hem1 C‐terminal interactions, we determined the crystal structure of S. cerevisiae Hem1 lacking the terminal 14 amino acids (Hem1 ΔCT). With truncation of the C‐terminal extension, we show structurally and biochemically that multiple catalytic motifs become flexible, including an antiparallel β‐sheet important to Fold‐Type I PLP‐dependent enzymes. The changes in protein conformation result in an altered cofactor microenvironment, decreased enzyme activity and catalytic efficiency, and ablation of subunit cooperativity. These findings suggest that the eukaryotic ALAS C‐terminus has a homolog‐specific role in mediating heme biosynthesis, indicating a mechanism for autoregulation that can be exploited to allosterically modulate heme biosynthesis in different organisms.
Molecular insight into the specific interactions of the SARS‐Coronavirus‐2 nucleocapsid with RNA and host protein
Authors: Lee Eunjeong , Redzic Jasmina S. , Saviola Anthony J. , Li Xueni , Ebmeier Christopher C. , Kutateladze Tatiana G. , Hansen Kirk Charles , Zhao Rui , Ahn Natalie , Sluchanko Nikolai N. , Eisenmesser Elan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) nucleocapsid protein is the most abundantly expressed viral protein during infection where it targets both RNA and host proteins. However, identifying how a single viral protein interacts with so many different targets remains a challenge, providing the impetus here for identifying the interaction sites through multiple methods. Through a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron microscopy, and biochemical methods, we have characterized nucleocapsid interactions with RNA and with three host proteins, which include human cyclophilin‐A, Pin1, and 14–3–3τ. Regarding RNA interactions, the nucleocapsid protein N‐terminal folded domain preferentially interacts with smaller RNA fragments relative to the C‐terminal region, suggesting an initial RNA engagement is largely dictated by this N‐terminal region followed by weaker interactions to the C‐terminal region. The nucleocapsid protein forms 10 nm ribonuclear complexes with larger RNA fragments that include 200 and 354 nucleic acids, revealing its potential diversity in sequestering different viral genomic regions during viral packaging. Regarding host protein interactions, while the nucleocapsid targets all three host proteins through its serine‐arginine‐rich region, unstructured termini of the nucleocapsid protein also engage host cyclophilin‐A and host 14–3–3τ. Considering these host proteins play roles in innate immunity, the SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein may block the host response by competing interactions. Finally, phosphorylation of the nucleocapsid protein quenches an inherent dynamic exchange process within its serine‐arginine‐rich region. Our studies identify many of the diverse interactions that may be important for SARS‐CoV‐2 pathology during infection.
Slow conformational changes in the rigid and highly stable chymotrypsin inhibitor 2
Authors: Gavrilov Yulian , Prestel Andreas , Lindorff‐Larsen Kresten , Teilum Kaare 
Published: February 2023

AbstractSlow conformational changes are often directly linked to protein function. It is however less clear how such processes may perturb the overall folding stability of a protein. We previously found that the stabilizing double mutant L49I/I57V in the small protein chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 from barley led to distributed increased nanosecond and faster dynamics. Here we asked what effects the L49I and I57V substitutions, either individually or together, have on the slow conformational dynamics of CI2. We used 15N CPMG spin relaxation dispersion experiments to measure the kinetics, thermodynamics, and structural changes associated with slow conformational change in CI2. These changes result in an excited state that is populated to 4.3% at 1°C. As the temperature is increased the population of the excited state decreases. Structural changes in the excited state are associated with residues that interact with water molecules that have well defined positions and are found at these positions in all crystal structures of CI2. The substitutions in CI2 have only little effect on the structure of the excited state whereas the stability of the excited state to some extent follows the stability of the main state. The minor state is thus most populated for the most stable CI2 variant and least populated for the least stable variant. We hypothesize that the interactions between the substituted residues and the well‐ordered water molecules links subtle structural changes around the substituted residues to the region in the protein that experience slow conformational changes.
A comparative study on nonlinear optical properties of zinc porphyrins analogs: Coordination atoms and group effects
Authors: Hou Na , Liu Ting‐Ting , Fang Xiao‐Hui 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDensity functional theory (DFT) has been carried out to investigate the electronic characteristics, UV–VIS–NIR absorption spectra, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of two series of zinc porphyrin analogs (FPD‐Nxand TPD‐Nx,x = 0–4) with donor‐π‐donor frameworks. The design of these analogs is based on previously synthesized furan‐linked zinc porphyrins (FPDs) and thiophene‐linked zinc porphyrins (TPDs). It is noted that their electro‐optical features are sensitive to the numbers of N‐coordination atoms and the attached groups. A dramatic enhancement of static first and second hyperpolarizabilities (β0andγ0) occurs when two furan/thiophene rings are attached to the zinc porphyrin. Among the two series, FPD‐N3 and TPD‐N3 have the largestβ0values of about 7600 a.u. The staticγ0values of these complexes range from 0.41 × 106to 1.79 × 106 a.u. The FPD‐Nxhas a largerγ0value than the corresponding TPD‐Nx, but theγ0value of FPD‐N2 is close to that of TPD‐N2. In the dynamic NLO process, the electro‐optical Pockels effect, second harmonic generation, and electro‐optic Kerr effect can be enhanced at the wavelength of 1907 nm. This study provides a new strategy for the experimental design of high‐performance NLO materials.