bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydroelectric plant effects and climate change/land use impacts on flow regime in the tropical headwater watershed
Authors: Soares Laura Melo Vieira , Santos Hersília Andrade , Pereira Letícia Cristina Oliveira 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe effects of hydropower plants (HPPs) and climate/land use change pose a threat to the natural river regime. Although some approaches distinguish the climate action from anthropogenic influence on hydrological regimes in large basins, few methods propose to separate the climate effects from the regulation consequences of unique/few dams. This paper presents a new method to quantify effects of HPP and climate change/land use under the main altered river regime components, which is based on flow duration curves. The method was applied in the Grande River (Brazil), which is regulated by a large reservoir (with surface area > 70 km2). The indicators of hydrological alterations and the range of variability approach indicated that all drivers' effects promoted a moderate alteration in five regime components. The Itutinga‐Camargos HPP implications were the major driver, with a contribution higher than 90% in every component, and it was responsible for a 0.28 × 109m3 year−1reduction in water superficial availability downstream. The flow regimes in headwater watersheds can be highly sensitive to dam operations, but other factors may aggravate their effects on river dynamics. The quantification of anthropogenic actions has possible applicability in other systems worldwide to assess the ecosystem services of flow regimes.
Bone‐targeting polyphosphodiesters that promote osteoblastic differentiation
Authors: Kiyono Kenjiro , Mabuchi Shun , Otaka Akihisa , Iwasaki Yasuhiko 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPolymers for pharmaceutical use have been attractive in medical treatments because of the conjugation of multifunctional components and their long circulation time in the blood stream. Bone‐targeted drug delivery systems are also no exceptional, and several polymers have been proposed for the treatment of bone diseases, such as cancer metastasis and osteoporosis. Herein, we report that polyphosphodiesters (PPDEs) have a potential to enhance osteoblastic differentiation, and they have a targeting ability to bone tissues in vivo. Two types of PPDEs, poly (ethylene sodium phosphate) (PEP•Na) and poly (propylene sodium phosphate) (PPP•Na), have been synthesized. Regardless of the alkylene structure in the main chain of PPDEs, the gene expression of osteoblast‐specific transcription factors and differentiation markers of mouse osteoblastic‐like cells (MC3T3‐E1 cells) cultured in a differentiation medium was significantly upregulated by the addition of PPDEs. Moreover, it was also clarified that the signaling pathway related to cytoplasmic calcium ions was activated by PPDEs. The mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 cells has a similar trend with its gene expression and is synergistically enhanced by PPDEs with β‐glycerophosphate. The biodistribution of fluorescence‐labeled PPDEs was also determined after intravenous injection in mice. PPDEs accumulated well in the bone through the blood stream, whereas polyphosphotriesters (PPTEs) tended to be excreted from the kidneys. Hydrophilic PEP•Na showed a superior bone affinity as compared with PPP•Na. PPDEs could be candidate polymers for the restoration of bone remodeling and bone‐targeting drug delivery platforms.
Examining holistically the experiences of mentors in school‐based programs: A logic analysis
Authors: Bufali Maria Vittoria , Connelly Graham , Morton Alec 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe article presents a Logic Analysis of the Scottish MCR (“Motivation, Commitment and Resilience”) Pathways school‐based mentoring scheme. MCR Pathways provides vulnerable secondary school students with one‐to‐one support, helping them realize their full potential through education. The perceptions of 12 mentors were explored through interviews, thematically analyzed and mapped to derive the program's Theory of Change as regards the volunteers themselves. This model was then assessed against the evidence base yielded from prior studies. The evaluation highlighted a mismatch between mentors' outcome expectations and what they actually gained from the experience. Furthermore, some themes (e.g., being driven by community concerns) turned out to be more prominent in the context of this specific scheme than in the wider literature, as opposed to other ones (e.g., developing friendships). The study generates insights into the ways to attract and retain growing numbers of volunteers, as well as to advance scientific knowledge.
Time Course Changes of Synthetic Relaxation Time During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: The Optimal Parameter for Treatment Response Evaluation
Authors: Zhao Ruimeng , Du Siyao , Gao Si , Shi Jing , Zhang Lina 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundSynthetic MRI (syMRI) has enabled quantification of multiple relaxation parameters (T1/T2 relaxation time [T1/T2], proton density [PD]), and their longitudinal change during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) promises to be valuable parameters for treatment response evaluation in breast cancer.PurposeTo investigate the time course changes of syMRI parameters during NAC and evaluate their value as predictors for pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer.Study TypeRetrospective, longitudinal.PopulationA total of 129 women (median age, 50 years; range, 28–69 years) with locally advanced breast cancer who underwent NAC; all performed multiple conventional breast MRI examinations with added syMRI during NAC.Field Strength/SequenceA 3.0 T, T1‐weighted dynamic contrast enhanced and syMRI acquired by a multiple‐dynamic, multiple‐echo sequence.AssessmentBreast MRI was set at four time‐points: baseline, after one cycle, after three or four cycles of NAC and preoperation. SyMRI parameters and tumor diameters were measured and their changes from baseline were calculated. All parameters were compared between pCR and non‐pCR. Interaction between syMRI parameters and clinicopathological features was analyzed.Statistical TestsMann–Whitney U tests, random effects model of repeated measurement, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, interaction analysis.ResultsMedian synthetic T1/T2/PD and tumor diameter generally decreased throughout NAC. Absolute T1 at early‐NAC, T1, and PD at mid‐NAC were significantly lower in the pCR group. After early‐NAC, the T1 change was significantly higher in the pCR (median ± IQR, 18.17 ± 11.33) than the non‐pCR group (median ± IQR, 10.90 ± 10.03), with the highest area under the ROC curves (AUC) of 0.769 (95% CI, 0.684–0.838). Interaction analysis showed that histological grade III patients had higher odds ratio (OR) (OR = 1.206) compared to grade II patients (OR = 1.067).Data ConclusionSynthetic T1 changes after one cycle of NAC maybe useful for early evaluating NAC response in breast cancer during whole treatment cycles. However, its discriminative ability is significantly affected by histological grade.Evidence Level4Technical EfficacyStage 2.
Assessment of atrial conduction times in patients with frequent premature ventricular complex
Authors: Kahraman Erkan , Keles Nursen , Parsova Kemal Emrecan , Bastopcu Murat , Karatas Mesut 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundPremature ventricular complex (PVC) is a frequent finding in the general population. The atrial conduction time (ACT) is the period between the electrocardiographic P wave and the atrial mechanical contraction, and its prolongation indicates an atrial electromechanical delay (EMD). In our study, we compared atrial conduction parameters by echocardiographic methods between patients with frequent PVC and healthy control subjects.MethodsThe study included 54 patients with PVC and 54 healthy volunteers. Atrial conduction parameters were measured with echocardiographic examination. The time difference between the p wave and the Am wave was measured in the septal, lateral, and tricuspid annulus regions. The interatrial EMD, left atrial intra‐atrial delay, and the right atrial intra‐atrial delay were calculated from these measurements. The groups were compared for demographic and electrocardiographic features and echocardiographic parameters.ResultsLeft intra‐atrial EMD, right intra‐atrial EMD, and interatrial EMD were significantly longer in the patient group (p = .001, p < .001, p < .001, respectively). PA lateral, PA septal, and PA tricuspid durations were significantly prolonged in the patient group (all p < .001). All ACT parameters were significantly prolonged in patients with PVC QRS duration of 150 ms and above (all p < .001). All ACT parameters were prolonged in PVCs of right ventricular origin than those of left ventricular origin (all p < .001). ACT parameters were prolonged in patients with a coupling interval time below 485 ms (all p < .001).ConclusionsAtrial conduction times are prolonged in patients with frequent PVC.
Influence of different configurations of western North Pacific anticyclone and Siberian high on spring climate over China
Authors: Zeng Zixuan , Sun Jianqi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis study analyses the spring climate anomalies under different configurations of western North Pacific anticyclone (WNPA) and Siberian high (SH). Compared to the WNPA alone with increased precipitation over southern China, the out‐of‐phase configuration (strong‐WNPA–weak‐SH) can enhance the WNPA‐related southwesterlies over eastern China, favouring increased precipitation with larger amplitude over southern China and southern Northeast China. Differently, the in‐phase configuration (strong‐WNPA–strong‐SH) decreases and confines WNPA‐related southwesterlies over southern China, causing decreased precipitation over eastern Southwest China; additionally, the WNPA‐related southwesterlies converge with SH‐related northwesterlies over the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, causing increased precipitation there. For surface air temperature, the WNPA alone induces warming over western Southwest China through changing heat flux, while the SH alone induces cooling over northern China through changing temperature advection, and over Northwest and southern China through changing heat flux. In the out‐of‐phase configuration, warming expands into Northern China due to the cooperation of weakening SH. In the in‐phase configuration, SH‐related cooling mainly occurs to the north of the Yangtze River because of the obstruction of WNPA. Further analysis indicates the eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), European low and Ural high contribute to the different configurations of WNPA and SH. The EP ENSO‐related zonal overturning circulation intensifies the WNPA and European low‐induced warm advection weakens the SH, resulting in the out‐of‐phase configuration. The CP ENSO‐related zonal overturning circulation intensifies the WNPA with a northeast–southwest tilt and Ural high‐induced cold advection intensifies SH, resulting in the in‐phase configuration.
Spatio‐temporal variations of wet and dry spells in Iran and their association with large‐scale climatic indices
Authors: Mahbod Mehdi , Mashayekhi Sajad , Rafiee Mohammad Rafie , Parnian Amir 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe spatial and temporal variations of wet and dry spells may be related to large‐scale climatic indices. To date, no comprehensive study has been conducted on Iran's spatial and temporal variations of wet and dry spells. To fill this gap, 14 wet/dry spell indices were calculated for 512 rain gauges across Iran from 1985 to 2016. The modified non‐parametric Mann–Kendall test was then used to examine the temporal variations of wet and dry spell indices. Whether any relationships between spell indices and 13 large‐scale climatic indicators existed was determined. The maps showing the degree of correlation between wet/dry spell indices and two climatic indicators that reflect short‐ and long‐term El Niño oscillation were presented. The results demonstrated that precipitation typically occurs in bursts of 1 or 2 days in length, with most of the annual precipitation coming from a few exceptionally heavy or extreme events. Most dry spells in Iran occur from 6 to 27 days or longer. The length, frequency, and intensity of wet spells declined in southern Iran while expanding in northern Iran. However, extreme wet spells have intensified significantly across the country. When El Niño occurs, Iran experiences wetter weather. However, long‐term oscillations in sea‐surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are found to be significantly correlated with wet/dry spells, outperforming those obtained for shorter periods. A smaller portion of the country showed a significant correlation in extreme spell indices, though.
Characteristics and antioxidant properties of Harpadon nehereus protein hydrolysate‐xylose conjugates obtained from the Maillard reaction by ultrasound‐assisted wet heating in a natural deep eutectic solvents system
Authors: Ren Shao‐tian , Fu Jing‐jing , He Fan‐yu , Chai Ting‐ting , Yu‐ting Liu , Jin Dan‐li , Chen Yue‐wen 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundHarpadon nehereus is a high‐protein marine fish. A valuable way to add value to H. nehereus is to convert it into protein hydrolysate. The Maillard reaction is an effective way to improve the functional properties of peptides and proteins, which are affected by many factors such as reactant concentration, water activity, pH, temperature, and heating time. However, the traditional Maillard reaction method is inefficient. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the effect of the ultrasound‐assisted wet heating method on the Maillard reaction of H. nehereus protein hydrolysate (HNPH) in a new‐type green solvent – a natural hypereutectic solvent (NADES).ResultsHarpadon nehereus protein hydrolysate‐xylose (Xy) conjugates were prepared via a Maillard reaction in a NADES system using an ultrasound‐assisted wet heating method. The effects of different treatment conditions on the Maillard reaction were studied. The optimized glycation degree (DG) of HNPH‐Xy conjugates was obtained with a water content of 10%, a reaction temperature of 80 °C, a reaction time of 35 min, and an ultrasonic power level of 300 W. Compared with HNPH, the structure of HNPH‐Xy conjugates were significantly changed. Moreover, the functional properties and antioxidant activity of HNPH‐Xy were all superior to the HNPH.ConclusionsAn ultrasound‐assisted wet‐heating Maillard reaction between HNPH and Xy in the NADES system could be a promising way to improve the functional properties of HNPH. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Computed tomography‐based preoperative muscle measurements as prognostic factors for anastomotic leakage following oncological sigmoid and rectal resections
Authors: van Kooten Robert T. , Ravensbergen Cor J. , van Büseck Sophie C. D. , Grootjans Willem , Peeters Koen C. M. J. , Holman Fabian A. , Heemskerk Jan W. T. , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , Navas Cañete Ana , Tollenaar Rob A. E. M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundOncological sigmoid and rectal resections are accompanied with substantial risk of anastomotic leakage. Preoperative risk assessment and patient selection remain difficult, highlighting the importance of finding easy‐to‐use parameters. This study evaluates the prognostic value of contrast‐enhanced (CE) computed tomography (CT)‐based muscle measurements for predicting anastomotic leakage.MethodsPatients that underwent oncological sigmoid and rectal resections in the LUMC between 2016 and 2020 were included. Preoperative CE‐CT scans, were analyzed using Vitrea software to measure total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and total psoas area (TPA). Muscle areas were standardized using patient's height into: psoas muscle index (PMI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) (cm2/m2).ResultsIn total 46 patients were included, of which 13 (8.9%) suffered from anastomotic leakage. Patients with anastomotic leakage had a significantly lower PMI (22.1 vs. 25.1, p < 0.01) and SMI (41.8 vs. 46.6, p < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders (age and comorbidity), lower PMI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71–0.99, p = 0.03) and SMI (OR: 0.93, 95%CI 0.86–0.99, p = 0.02) were both associated with anastomotic leakage.ConclusionThis study showed that lower PMI and SMI were associated with anastomotic leakage. These results indicate that preoperative CT‐based muscle measurements can be used as prognostic factor for risk stratification for anastomotic leakage.
One‐Pot, Open‐Air Synthesis of Flexible and Degradable Multifunctional Polymer Composites with Adhesion, Water Resistance, Self‐Healing, Facile Drug Loading, and Sustained Release Properties
Authors: Huang Wen , Yang Guang , Xu Qingbo , Zhan Meixiao , Yao Lijuan , Li Honghui , Xiao Fengfeng , Chen Zirun , Zhao Xiaoguang , Li Wenting , Zhao Wei , Zhang Fujun , Li Yong , Lu Ligong 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDeveloping proper wound management via wound dressings represents a global challenge. Ideal wound dressings shall encompass multiple integrated functionalities for variable, complex scenarios; however, this is challenging due to the complex molecular design and synthesis process. Herein, polymer composites, cross‐linked poly(styrene oxide‐co‐hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane)/crosslinked poly(hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane) (cP(SO‐co‐HPCTS)/cPHPCTS) with multiple functionalities are prepared by a one‐step, open‐air method using catalytic ring‐opening polymerization. The introduction of a mobile polymer cP(SO‐co‐HPCTS) endows the composite with good flexibility and self‐healing properties at human body temperature. The hydrophobic groups in the main chain provide hydrophobicity and good water resistance, while the hydroxyl groups contained in the end groups enable good adhesion properties. Drugs can be efficiently loaded by blending and then sustainably release from the polymer composite. The material can rapidly degrade in a tetrahydrofuran solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride due to its SiOSi bonds. The facile, one‐step, open‐air synthesis procedure and multiple functional properties integrated into the composites provide good prospects for their extensive application and batch production as wound dressing materials.
The Genetic Etiology of Parkinson's Disease Does Not Robustly Affect Subthalamic Physiology
Authors: Weill Caroline , Gallant Akiva , Baker Erdman Halen , Abu Snineh Muneer , Linetsky Eduard , Bergman Hagai , Israel Zvi , Arkadir David 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundIt is unknown whether Parkinson's disease (PD) genetic heterogeneity, leading to phenotypic and pathological variability, is also associated with variability in the unique PD electrophysiological signature. Such variability might have practical implications for adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS).ObjectiveThe aim of our work was to study the electrophysiological activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of patients with PD with pathogenic variants in different disease‐causing genes.MethodsElectrophysiological data from participants with negative genetic tests were compared with those from GBA, LRRK2, and PRKN‐PD.ResultsWe analyzed data from 93 STN trajectories (GBA‐PD: 28, LRRK2‐PD: 22, PARK‐PD: 10, idiopathic PD: 33) of 52 individuals who underwent DBS surgery. Characteristics of β oscillatory activity in the dorsolateral motor part of the STN were similar for patients with negative genetic tests and for patients with different forms of monogenic PD.ConclusionsThe genetic heterogeneity in PD is not associated with electrophysiological differences. Therefore, similar adaptive DBS algorithms would be applicable to genetically heterogeneous patient populations. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Beam shaping for magnetoelectric transverse electromagnetic horn by using gradient refractive index lens
Authors: Yang Guangyao , Zhang Naibo , Song Ruiliang , Ye Shengbo , Ji Yicai , Fang Guangyou 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a new type of flat gradient index lens used for the beam shaping of a miniaturized magnetoelectric transverse electromagnetic (ME‐TEM) horn antenna. Novel metamaterial unit cells with variable sizes are proposed to achieve high refractive index distribution. After applying the novel meta‐lens to the modified transverse electromagnetic horn, the inherent E‐plane beam squint of the low‐profile ME‐TEM horn is corrected. The radiation patterns in E‐plane and H‐plane are focused and the peak gain at 4 GHz is improved to 17.3 dBi. The  dB matching bandwidth of 0.4–4 GHz is achieved while the measured is a little poor at 0.8 GHz. The length of the total antenna is still shorter than half of the largest wavelength. The application potential of the gradient index meta‐lens in the low‐frequency band is verified.
Modeling linear accelerator (Linac) beam data by implicit neural representation learning for commissioning and quality assurance applications
Authors: Liu Lianli , Shen Liyue , Yang Yong , Schüler Emil , Zhao Wei , Wetzstein Gordon , Xing Lei 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundLinear accelerator (Linac) beam data commissioning and quality assurance (QA) play a vital role in accurate radiation treatment delivery and entail a large number of measurements using a variety of field sizes. How to optimize the effort in data acquisition while maintaining high quality of medical physics practice has been sought after.PurposeWe propose to model Linac beam data through implicit neural representation (NeRP) learning. The potential of the beam model in predicting beam data from sparse measurements and detecting data collection errors was evaluated, with the goal of using the beam model to verify beam data collection accuracy and simplify the commissioning and QA process.Materials and MethodsNeRP models with continuous and differentiable functions parameterized by multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) were used to represent various beam data including percentage depth dose (PDD) and profiles of 6 MV beams with and without flattening filter. Prior knowledge of the beam data was embedded into the MLP network by learning the NeRP of a vendor‐provided “golden” beam dataset. The prior‐embedded network was then trained to fit clinical beam data collected at one field size and used to predict beam data at other field sizes. We evaluated the prediction accuracy by comparing network‐predicted beam data to water tank measurements collected from 14 clinical Linacs. Beam datasets with intentionally introduced errors were used to investigate the potential use of the NeRP model for beam data verification, by evaluating the model performance when trained with erroneous beam data samples.ResultsLinac beam data predicted by the model agreed well with water tank measurements, with averaged Gamma passing rates (1%/1 mm passing criteria) higher than 95% and averaged mean absolute errors less than 0.6%. Beam data samples with measurement errors were revealed by inconsistent beam predictions between networks trained with correct versus erroneous data samples, characterized by a Gamma passing rate lower than 90%.ConclusionA NeRP beam data modeling technique has been established for predicting beam characteristics from sparse measurements. The model provides a valuable tool to verify beam data collection accuracy and promises to simplify commissioning/QA processes by reducing the number of measurements without compromising the quality of medical physics service.