bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure design and sealing performance analysis of the sealing mechanism of the drilling tractor
Authors: Zhao Jianguo , Wang Ju , Wang Guorong , Liu Qingyou , Zhang Ying 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn order to ensure the reliability of drilling tractor in the downhole operation, three high‐temperature and high‐pressure sealing mechanisms are designed in this paper to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the drilling tractor, namely the triangular, the U‐shaped and the right‐angle combined sealing structure. In this paper, three models of combined sealing structures are established, the contact stress of different contact surfaces of the three combined sealing structures is analysed by simulation method, and their sealing performance is studied and compared. By comprehensively comparing the effects of pre‐compression ratio, working medium pressure and reciprocating motion on the sealing effect of the three combined sealing structures, the optimal combined sealing structure of the drilling tractor is selected as the U‐shaped combined sealing structure. The research results of this paper can provide reference and theoretical basis for the design and selection of the combined sealing structure.
Toughening PVC with Biocompatible PCL Softeners for Supreme Mechanical Properties, Morphology, Shape Memory Effects, and FFF Printability
Authors: Rahmatabadi Davood , Aberoumand Mohammad , Soltanmohammadi Kianoosh , Soleyman Elyas , Ghasemi Ismaeil , Baniassadi Majid , Abrinia Karen , Bodaghi Mahdi , Baghani Mostafa 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this article, a first of its kind blend of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) is introduced by melt mixing and then 3D printed successfully via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Experimental tests are carried out on PCL‐PVC blends to assess thermo‐mechanical behaviors, morphology, fracture toughness, shape‐memory effects and printability. Macro and microscopic tests reveal that PVC‐PCL compounds are miscible due to high molecular compatibility and strong interaction. This causes extraordinary mechanical properties specially for PVC‐10 wt% PCL. In addition to the desired tensile strength (45 MPa), this material has a completely rubbery behavior at ambient temperature, and its total elongation is more than 81%. In addition, due to the high formability of PVC‐PCL at ambient temperature, it has capability of being programed via different shape‐memory protocols. Programming tests show that PVC‐PCL blends have an excellent shape‐memory effect and result in 100% shape recovery. SEM results prove a high improvement of PVC printability with the addition of 10 wt% PCL. Toughened PVC by PCL is herein added to the materials library of FFF 3D printers and expected to revolutionize applications of PVC compounds in the field of biomedical 3D and 4D printing due to its appropriate thermo‐mechanical properties, supreme printability, and excellent biocompatibility.
Repurposing clinically available drugs and therapies for pathogenic targets to combat SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Xue Yiying , Mei Husheng , Chen Yisa , Griffin James D. , Liu Qingsong , Weisberg Ellen , Yang Jing 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has affected a large portion of the global population, both physically and mentally. Current evidence suggests that the rapidly evolving coronavirus subvariants risk rendering vaccines and antibodies ineffective due to their potential to evade existing immunity, with enhanced transmission activity and higher reinfection rates that could lead to new outbreaks across the globe. The goal of viral management is to disrupt the viral life cycle as well as to relieve severe symptoms such as lung damage, cytokine storm, and organ failure. In the fight against viruses, the combination of viral genome sequencing, elucidation of the structure of viral proteins, and identifying proteins that are highly conserved across multiple coronaviruses has revealed many potential molecular targets. In addition, the time‐ and cost‐effective repurposing of preexisting antiviral drugs or approved/clinical drugs for these targets offers considerable clinical advantages for COVID‐19 patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various identified pathogenic targets and pathways as well as corresponding repurposed approved/clinical drugs and their potential against COVID‐19. These findings provide new insight into the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies that could be applied to the control of disease symptoms emanating from evolving SARS‐CoV‐2 variants.
Impacts of differentiated services and competition on the pricing strategies of ride‐hailing platforms
Authors: Sun Zhongmiao , Liu Jinrong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDifferentiated services and competition have made the operation of ride‐hailing platforms (i.e., Uber and Didi) more complex. Timely optimizing their pricing strategies will be conducive to the profitability of the platform enterprises. This paper considers the differentiation in service level of two ride‐hailing brands and the Bertrand price competition between platforms, and we propose dynamic, differentiated, and static pricing strategies based on the market demand fluctuation. The optimal prices in each case are derived, and the impacts of the Bertrand competition and differentiated services on the platform's optimal pricing strategies are analyzed. Our results show that competition between platforms will change the impact of the demand fluctuation on the optimal decisions of the platform. Additionally, we find that the optimal prices of two ride‐hailing brands all increase with the coefficient of service differentiation, but the optimal price of the brand with higher service level is increased faster. The numerical studies indicate that if one of the two platforms gives priority to offering differentiated services, the profit loss caused by competition can be attenuated to a great extent.
Implementation of novel measurement‐based patient‐specific QA for pencil beam scanning proton FLASH radiotherapy
Authors: Huang Sheng , Yang Yunjie , Wei Shouyi , Kang Minglei , Tsai Pingfang , Chen Chin Cheng , Yuan Zhiyong , Choi Jehee Isabelle , Tome Wolfgang A. , Simone Charles B. , Lin Haibo 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have shown pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy is a feasible and safe modality to deliver conformal and ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR) FLASH radiation therapy. However, it would be challenging and burdensome to conduct the quality assurance (QA) of the dose rate along with conventional patient‐specific QA (psQA).PurposeTo demonstrate a novel measurement‐based psQA program for UHDR PBS proton transmission FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH‐RT) using a high spatiotemporal resolution 2D strip ionization chamber array (SICA).MethodsThe SICA is a newly designed open‐air strip‐segmented parallel plate ionization chamber, which is capable of measuring spot position and profile through 2 mm‐spacing‐strip electrodes at a 20 kHz sampling rate (50 μs per event) and has been characterized to exhibit excellent dose and dose rate linearity under UHDR conditions. A SICA‐based delivery log was collected for each irradiation containing the measured position, size, dwell time, and delivered MU for each planned spot. Such spot‐level information was compared with the corresponding quantities in the treatment planning system (TPS). The dose and dose rate distributions were reconstructed on patient CT using the measured SICA log and compared to the planned values in volume histograms and 3D gamma analysis. Furthermore, the 2D dose and dose rate measurements were compared with the TPS calculations of the same depth. In addition, simulations using different machine‐delivery uncertainties were performed, and QA tolerances were deduced.ResultsA transmission proton plan of 250 MeV for a lung lesion was planned and measured in a dedicated ProBeam research beamline (Varian Medical System) with a nozzle beam current between 100 to 215 nA. The worst gamma passing rates for dose and dose rate of the 2D SICA measurements (four fields) compared to TPS prediction (3%/3 mm criterion) were 96.6% and 98.8%, respectively, whereas the SICA‐log reconstructed 3D dose distribution achieved a gamma passing rate of 99.1% (2%/2 mm criterion) compared to TPS. The deviations between SICA measured log, and TPS were within 0.3 ms for spot dwell time with a mean difference of 0.069 ± 0.11 s, within 0.2 mm for spot position with a mean difference of −0.016 ± 0.03 mm in the x‐direction, and −0.036 ± 0.059 mm in the y‐direction, and within 3% for delivered spot MUs. Volume histogram metric of dose (D95) and dose rate (V40Gy/s) showed minimal differences, within less than 1%.ConclusionsThis work is the first to describe and validate an all‐in‐one measurement‐based psQA framework that can fulfill the goals of validating the dose rate accuracy in addition to dosimetric accuracy for proton PBS transmission FLASH‐RT. The successful implementation of this novel QA program can provide future clinical practice with more confidence in the FLASH application.
Generalization and Evaluation of the Analytical Solution of Intraparticle Diffusion Models in Finite Batch Adsorption
Authors: Miglioranza Gabriel , Schwaab Marcio 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this paper, a detailed description of particle adsorption/diffusion model in batch systems is presented. The phenomenological equations are based on a mechanism combining mass transfer by convection from bulk phase to particle surface, intraparticle mass diffusion and equilibrium adsorption processes. The change of bulk and particle concentration is modeled through differential mass balance equations, leading to a system of one ordinary differential equation and one partial differential equation. When adsorption equilibrium follows a linear relationship, this system of equations can be solved by the Laplace transform method. The purpose of this paper is the development of a generalized analytical solution, that is rewritten specifically for each of the traditional particle shapes: slab, cylinder, and sphere. Finally, this analytical solution is evaluated through several simulations in different batch conditions and compared to simulated experimental data, showing the capability of this analytical solution to predict batch adsorption processes when adsorbate concentration is low. This result clearly indicates the feasibility of applying the analytical solution presented in this paper, which is based on phenomenological concepts, to describe the adsorption kinetics of processes, when the linear isotherm can be considered adequate to represent the adsorption equilibrium.
Social Media for Chemistry Scholars**
Authors: Ciriminna Rosaria , Scurria Antonino , Pagliaro Mario 
Published: May 2023

AbstractUsed by nearly 60 % of the world's population, social media are highly interactive websites (“platforms”) today widely used also by researchers. This perspective aims at identifying the main benefits of social media utilization by chemistry scholars with respect to the three main dimensions (research, education and societal service) of scholarly activity. The main risks arising from the use of social media, as we suggest in the conclusions, must be managed and new education on their purposeful utilization should be planned and delivered
Conversion of polystyrene foams into auxetic metamaterials
Authors: Chen Xiao Yuan , Rodrigue Denis 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAuxetic foams have gained popularity within the research community because of their enhanced properties, such as low density combined with high relative stiffness, toughness, and damping properties. Low density polystyrene (PS) foams are commonly used in the packaging industry, but have a short service life and generate a high volume of waste (white pollution). This is why their recycling and valorizing is necessary and imperative. The objective of this work is to present a simple and environmentally friendly process combining low pressure (vacuum) and mechanical compression to convert recycled PS foams (15 kg/m3) into low density foams (50–63 kg/m3) having negative tensile and compressive Poisson's ratios (NPR). The effect of processing conditions (vacuum level, temperature, mechanical pressure, and time) were studied. Based on the optimized conditions, the tensile Poisson's ratio of the resulting auxetic foams reached −0.65 for theYdirection (width) and −0.74 for theZdirection (thickness) when stretching in theXdirection (length). On the other hand, the minimum compressive Poisson's ratios were −0.32 for theYdirection and −0.28 for theZdirection. The foam structure was characterized via morphological analysis to determine the changes after treatment. Finally, tensile and compressive properties (Young's modulus, strain energy, energy dissipation, and damping capacity) are also discussed. It was observed that the mechanical properties of the resulting auxetic foams were improved compared to the original PS foam (PS‐O) in terms of resilience and strength. For example, the elongation at break of auxetic foams (31%–62%) were much higher compared to PS‐O (7%). These auxetic foams can be used in several applications, such as sports and military protective equipment.
Scoring festination and gait freezing in people with Parkinson's: The freezing of gait severity tool‐revised
Authors: Scully Aileen E. , Tan Dawn , Oliveira Beatriz Ito Ramos de , Hill Keith D. , Clark Ross , Pua Yong Hao 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackground and PurposeTo improve existing clinical assessments for freezing of gait (FOG) severity, a new clinician‐rated tool which integrates the varied types of freezing (FOG Severity Tool‐Revised) was developed. This cross‐sectional study investigated its validity and reliability.MethodsPeople with Parkinson's disease who were able to independently ambulate eight‐metres and understand study instructions were consecutively recruited from outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital. Those with co‐morbidities severely affecting gait were excluded. Participants were assessed with the FOG Severity Tool‐Revised, three functional performance tests, the FOG Questionnaire, and outcomes measuring anxiety, cognition, and disability. The FOG Severity Tool‐Revised was repeated for test‐retest reliability. Exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha were computed for structural validity and internal consistency. Reliability and measurement error were estimated with ICC (two‐way, random), standard error of measurement, and smallest detectable change (SDC95). Criterion‐related and construct validity were calculated with Spearman's correlations.ResultsThirty‐nine participants were enrolled [79.5% (n = 31) male; Median (IQR): age–73.0 (9.0) years; disease duration–4.0 (5.8) years], with fifteen (38.5%) who reported no medication state change contributing a second assessment for reliability estimation. The FOG Severity Tool‐Revised demonstrated sufficient structural validity and internal consistency (α = 0.89–0.93), and adequate criterion‐related validity compared to the FOG Questionnaire (ρ = 0.73, 95% CI 0.54–0.85). Test‐retest reliability (ICC = 0.96, 95%CI 0.86–0.99) and random measurement error (%SDC95 = 10.4%) was acceptable in this limited sample.Discussion and ConclusionsThe FOG Severity Tool‐Revised appeared valid in this initial sample of people with Parkinson's. While its psychometric properties remain to be confirmed in a larger sample, it may be considered for use in the clinical setting.
Unlike woodland edges, flower strips do not act as a refuge for cabbage stem flea beetle aestivation
Authors: Pigot Justine , Gardarin Antoine , Doré Thierry , Morisseau Alexandre , Valantin‐Morison Muriel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDSemi‐natural habitats are generally considered to be beneficial to natural enemies of crop pests and pollinators. However, they could also be used by pests, such as the Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB), Psylliodes chrysocephala, a major pest of winter oilseed rape, Brassica napus. Adults emerge from pupation in late spring and move to aestivation habitats. Published reports identify forest edges as the major shelter used, but flower strips may also constitute an alternative habitat. This study aimed to: (i) determine the role of perennial flower strips in CSFB aestivation in comparison with woodland edges; (ii) determine the influence of landscape composition on the abundance of aestivating CSFB and (iii) identify the characteristics of the local habitat associated with a high abundance of aestivating CSFB.RESULTSCSFB emergence from aestivation was monitored with emergence traps from mid‐August to mid‐October 2021, at 14 sites in France. We found that CSFB preferred woodland edges and did not aestivate in flower strips. We found a negative effect of percentage woodland cover only for the smallest scale studied (250 m radius). We also found positive effects of the percentage of litter and mean tree circumference on the number of aestivating CSFB in woodland edges.CONCLUSIONThe aestivation of CSFB is supported by woodland edges, but not by flower strips. This implies that the presence of flower strips near oilseed rape fields does not exacerbate the problems due to this pest. However, the crops in the vicinity of woodlands could be colonized earlier by this pest than more distant fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Belimumab shows promise in neuropsychiatric lupus: Another challenge to find the offender
Authors: Yu Shuilian , Hou Zhongjun , Liu Zhiping , Lin Zeying , Zhong Ling , Yang Qilin , Huang Wenhui 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionAgents that can be used for the treatment of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) are lacking in the therapeutic armamentarium. Belimumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the B‐cell activating factor (BAFF) and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an additional treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus patients with persistent disease activity and lupus nephritis (LN); however, severe active central nervous system manifestations were excluded.Case ReportWe report on a treatment‐naïve LN patient with refractory NPSLE complicated with progressive posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) who was successfully treated via the combination of mycophenolate and belimumab, resulting in reversal of persistent headache and neuroradiologic manifestations.ConclusionResearch on this topic could be relevant for identifying a possible correlation between BAFF and psychiatric NPSLE manifestations.
Efficacy and safety of long‐acting cabotegravir versus oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate‐emtricitabine as HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Xiu , Li Jun , Kou Liqiu , Xie Xiaolu , Wei Deqing , Li Yaling 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWHO guidelines recommend daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) for pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV in people at high risk of HIV infection. However, due to social, psychological and other reasons, the compliance with daily oral TDF‐FTC in real life is low. Long‐acting cabotegravir is currently the only long‐acting drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HIV PrEP. Due to the long dosing interval (8 weeks), long‐acting cabotegravir has low compliance requirements for people at high risk of HIV infection. We aimed to discuss the feasibility of long‐acting cabotegravir to replace TDF‐FTC as HIV PrEP based on efficacy and safety analyses. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved, and R software was used for meta‐analysis after data extraction. and discussion: Results of the meta‐analysis showed that compared with TDF‐FTC, long‐acting cabotegravir was associated with a lower risk of HIV infection (HR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08–0.59, p < 0.01), less decreased creatinine clearance (RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99, p < 0.01), but more tolerated injection sites adverse events (p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found between long‐acting cabotegravir and oral placebo in non‐injection‐related adverse events (creatine phosphokinase, headache, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection and gastroenteritis) (p > 0.05). Long‐acting cabotegravir has a manageable safety profile and is more effective than TDF‐FTC in preventing HIV infection. Interestingly, decreased creatinine clearance occurred less frequently with long‐acting cabotegravir than with TDF‐FTC. Long‐acting cabotegravir is very promising to replace TDF‐TFC in the future, which requires more large‐sample, high‐quality RCTs to verify.
Adaptive changes in traditional settlements in the Loess Plateau of the Yellow River Basin over 500 years
Authors: Wang Fang , Xu Haoyi , He Peiwen , Xue Pengcheng , Gao Xingxi 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBasin settlements are social‐ecological systems that embody human–land relationships in river basins and face the challenge of adaptive development. The traditional human–land relationship in the Loess Plateau of the Yellow River Basin has changed under the combined effects of human activities and natural disturbances. Traditional settlements face the challenge of balancing conservation, development, ecology, and livelihood. To clarify the long‐time evolution process of settlements in this region, a framework of “population–production–ecology” coupled system in the Loess Plateau of the Yellow River Basin was proposed from the perspective of social‐ecological systems. Based on long‐term time‐series data, the evolution of the regional human–land relationship and the coupling coordination degree of the system were identified. Further, based on the differences in the levels of systems, the adaptation of basin settlements to the external environment was analyzed using water resources as an example. The results showed that the coupling coordination degree within the basin had been decreasing, suggesting the disintegration of the dynamic mechanism of regional development. Moreover, the changes in the development pattern of basin settlements were more delayed compared with those in the basin environment. Overall, this study provides suggestions for the development of sustainable integrated river basin management strategies.
How does policy coherence shape effectiveness and inequality? Implications for sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda
Authors: Browne Katherine , Dzebo Adis , Iacobuta Gabriela , Faus Onbargi Alexia , Shawoo Zoha , Dombrowsky Ines , Fridahl Mathias , Gottenhuber Sara , Persson Åsa 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDuring the formulation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, many promoted policy coherence as a key tool to ensure achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a way that “leaves no one behind.” Their argument assumed that coherent policymaking contributes to more effective policies and supports over‐arching efforts to reduce inequality. As the 2030 Agenda reaches the halfway point, however, countries are falling short on many SDGs, particularly SDG 10 (reduce inequality). This study revisits the basic assumptions about policy coherence underpinning the SDGs. We systematically screened the peer‐reviewed literature to identify 40 studies that provide evidence about whether coherent policymaking contributes to more effective outcomes and helps to reduce inequality. We find that coherent policymaking did not help reduce inequality in a majority of cases and made it worse in several. Our findings challenge the narrative that coherence is a necessary pre‐condition for progress on the SDGs for all people.