bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reclamation of salt‐affected soils in India: Progress, emerging challenges, and future strategies
Authors: Kumar Raj , Singh Awtar , Bhardwaj Ajay Kumar , Kumar Arvind , Yadav Rajender Kumar , Sharma Parbodh Chander 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIndia is facing economic losses of $US ~ 3.0 billion annually due to the existence of ~ 6.73 million ha of un‐reclaimed salt‐affected soils (SASs). The losses may go up significantly as future projections indicate an increase in the area of SASs to the extent of ~16 million ha by 2050, due to the impact of faulty irrigation practices and climate change. Managing the SASs is one of the major challenges in achieving land degradation neutrality, increasing crop productivity, and sustaining food security in India. Although the problem of SASs has been reduced to some extent through various technological interventions yet further efforts are needed for developing new avenues to further improve the productivity and restrict the expansion of salinity to new areas. The major interventions including application of various ameliorants, growing salt‐tolerant crops and cultivars, installation of sub‐surface drainage, adoption of alternate land‐use systems, and use of land shaping techniques have made significant impact nation‐wide in term of reclamation and productivity enhancement. Despite the achieved success in restoring the productivity of SASs, several constraints at the regional and national level have plagued the reclamation progress. The objective of this review is to compile relevant information available on the use and success of technological interventions to restore SASs. The emerging challenges, and the strategies that would be needed to address the problem of SASs in India are also discussed. This review may help India achieve the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the UN for land degradation neutrality and food security.
Quantification of microcystin production and biodegradation rates in the western basin of Lake Erie
Authors: Chaffin Justin D. , Westrick Judy A. , Furr Elliot , Birbeck Johnna A. , Reitz Laura A. , Stanislawczyk Keara , Li Wei , Weber Peter K. , Bridgeman Thomas B. , Davis Timothy W. , Mayali Xavier 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCyanobacterial biomass forecasts currently cannot predict the concentrations of microcystin, one of the most ubiquitous cyanotoxins that threaten human and wildlife health globally. Mechanistic insights into how microcystin production and biodegradation by heterotrophic bacteria change spatially and throughout the bloom season can aid in toxin concentration forecasts. We quantified microcystin production and biodegradation during two growth seasons in two western Lake Erie sites with different physicochemical properties commonly plagued by summer Microcystis blooms. Microcystin production rates were greater with elevated nutrients than under ambient conditions and were highest nearshore during the initial phases of the bloom, and production rates were lower in later bloom phases. We examined biodegradation rates of the most common and toxic microcystin by adding extracellular stable isotope‐labeled microcystin‐LR (1 μg L−1), which remained stable in the abiotic treatment (without bacteria) with minimal adsorption onto sediment, but strongly decreased in all unaltered biotic treatments, suggesting biodegradation. Greatest biodegradation rates (highest of −8.76 d−1, equivalent to the removal of 99.98% in 18 h) were observed during peak bloom conditions, while lower rates were observed with lower cyanobacteria biomass. Cell‐specific nitrogen incorporation from microcystin‐LR by nanoscale imaging mass spectrometry showed that a small percentage of the heterotrophic bacterial community actively degraded microcystin‐LR. Microcystin production and biodegradation rates, combined with the microcystin incorporation by single cells, suggest that microcystin predictive models could be improved by incorporating toxin production and biodegradation rates, which are influenced by cyanobacterial bloom stage (early vs. late bloom), nutrient availability, and bacterial community composition.
Long‐term low‐temperature hot corrosion of PTA welded René 41 superalloy under marine‐like conditions
Authors: Hempel Christian , Mandel Marcel , Schimpf Christian , Krüger Lutz 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe hot corrosion behavior of plasma transferred arc (PTA) welded René 41 in NaCl, NaVO3, Na2SO4, and a salt mixture of 87.5 wt% Na2SO4 + 5 wt% NaCl + 7.5 wt% NaVO3 was investigated at 600°C. The single‐salt experiments were carried out to identify specific corrosion characteristics and to provide insights into and, thus, an understanding of the corresponding corrosion processes. NaVO3 and NaCl showed strong corrosive effects, while Na2SO4 proved less corrosive. Long‐term experiments were carried out to simulate real machine operating conditions. After cyclic studies with repeated changes in temperature, the deep and local corrosive attack became apparent, which is characteristic for low‐temperature hot corrosion.
Corrosion performance of powder‐coated aluminum profiles with increased trace element content
Authors: Lutz Alexander , Chojak Halseid Malgorzata , De Graeve Iris 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this study, the corrosion susceptibility of powder‐coated Al6060 alloys with increasing Cu and Zn content is evaluated in a benchmark test. Although higher Cu and Zn limits would enable the industry to increase the use of end‐of‐life scrap and thus produce eco‐friendlier aluminum profiles, such alloys are often disregarded due to concerns of corrosion, especially filiform corrosion. Our results suggest that this concern is ungrounded as long as typical quality specifications for the pretreatment and coating process are followed and the alloy composition is kept within the limits of the European norm AW6060. Furthermore, we point out that the variation of the results due to processing at different coating production lines is larger than the difference between alloys of different Cu and Zn contents.
Dipentaerythritol‐Derived Hyperbranched Polyurethane Elastomers and Their Applications in Flexible Strain Sensors
Authors: Wei Chuanjuan , Zhou Hongwei , Li Shuangli , Zhao Guoxu , Jin Zhaoyang , Jin Xilang , Chen Weixing , Zhao Weifeng , Ma Aijie 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPolyurethane (PU) elastomers have great potential to work as flexible substrates in electronic materials. In this work, hyperbranched PU elastomers are designed and prepared utilizing dipentaerythritol, isophorone diisocyanate, and polytetrahydrofuran as the monomers. The mechanical properties and transparency of the PU elastomers are regulated by the molar ratio of hydroxyl group to isocyanate group (OH/NCO). High tensile strength (26 MPa) and elongation at break (>600%) are achieved. Furthermore, PU elastomer composites are developed by introducing graphene into the surface of PU elastomers. PU elastomer composites are further utilized in assembling flexible strain sensors, which achieve a gauge factor (GF) of 170 in the strain range of 0–75% and a GF of 549 in the strain range of 75–225%. The response time is as low as 140 ms and at least 1000 reversible sensing cycles are successfully conducted. Utilizing such flexible sensors, monitoring of various human motions, including biceps motion, finger bending, knee joint bending, elbow bending, and vocal cord vibration, are demonstrated. Overall, this work not only develops a new kind of PU elastomer with hyperbranched structure but also provides candidate materials for flexible sensors and other flexible electronic devices.
Influence of Proteins on the Absorption of Lipophilic Vitamins, Carotenoids and Curcumin – A Review
Authors: Iddir Mohammed , Vahid Farhad , Merten Diane , Larondelle Yvan , Bohn Torsten 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWhile proteins have been widely used to encapsulate, protect, and regulate the release of bioactive food compounds, little is known about the influence of co‐consumed proteins on the absorption of lipophilic constituents following digestion, such as vitamins (A, D, E, K), carotenoids, and curcumin. Their bioavailability is often low and very variable, depending on the food matrix and host factors. Some proteins can act as emulsifiers during digestion. Their liberated peptides have amphiphilic properties that can facilitate the absorption of microconstituents, by improving their transition from lipid droplets into mixed micelles. Contrarily, the less well digested proteins could negatively impinge on enzymatic accessibility to the lipid droplets, slowing down their processing into mixed micelles and entrapping apolar food compounds. Interactions with mixed micelles and proteins are also plausible, as shown earlier for drugs. This review focuses on the ability of proteins to act as effective emulsifiers of lipophilic vitamins, carotenoids, and curcumin during digestion. The functional properties of proteins, their chemical interactions with enzymes and food constituents during gastro‐intestinal digestion, potentials and limitations for their use as emulsifiers are emphasized and data from human, animal, and in vitro trials are summarized.
Bias field correction in hyperpolarized 129Xe ventilation MRI using templates derived by RF‐depolarization mapping
Authors: Lu Junlan , Wang Ziyi , Bier Elianna , Leewiwatwong Suphachart , Mummy David , Driehuys Bastiaan 
Published: May 2022

PurposeTo correct for RF inhomogeneity for in vivo 129Xe ventilation MRI using flip‐angle mapping enabled by randomized 3D radial acquisitions. To extend this RF‐depolarization mapping approach to create a flip‐angle map template applicable to arbitrary acquisition strategies, and to compare these approaches to conventional bias field correction.MethodsRF‐depolarization mapping was evaluated first in digital simulations and then in 51 subjects who had undergone radial 129Xe ventilation MRI in the supine position at 3T (views = 3600; samples/view = 128; TR/TE = 4.5/0.45 ms; flip angle = 1.5; FOV = 40 cm). The images were corrected using newly developed RF‐depolarization and templated‐based methods and the resulting quantitative ventilation metrics (mean, coefficient of variation, and gradient) were compared to those resulting from N4ITK correction.ResultsRF‐depolarization and template‐based mapping methods yielded a pattern of RF‐inhomogeneity consistent with the expected variation based on coil architecture. The resulting corrected images were visually similar, but meaningfully distinct from those generated using standard N4ITK correction. The N4ITK algorithm eliminated the physiologically expected anterior–posterior gradient (−0.04 ± 1.56%/cm, P < 0.001). These 2 newly introduced methods of RF‐depolarization and template correction retained the physiologically expected anterior–posterior ventilation gradient in healthy subjects (2.77 ± 2.09%/cm and 2.01 ± 2.73%/cm, respectively).ConclusionsRandomized 3D 129Xe MRI ventilation acquisitions can inherently be corrected for bias field, and this technique can be extended to create flip angle templates capable of correcting images from a given coil regardless of acquisition strategy. These methods may be more favorable than the de facto standard N4ITK because they can remove undesirable heterogeneity caused by RF effects while retaining results from known physiology.
Saturated multi‐delay renal arterial spin labeling technique for simultaneous perfusion and T1 quantification in kidneys
Authors: Ning Zihan , Chen Shuo , Chen Zhensen , Han Hualu , Qiao Huiyu , Zhang Nan , Wang Rui , Shen Rui , Zhao Xihai 
Published: May 2022

PurposeTo propose a free‐breathing simultaneous multi‐delay arterial spin labeling (ASL) and T1 mapping technique with a stepwise kinetic model for renal assessment in a single 4‐min scan at 3 T.MethodsThe proposed saturated multi‐delay renal arterial spin labeling (SAMURAI) sequence used flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) preparation, followed by acquisition of 9 images with Look‐Locker spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR). Pre‐saturation at the imaging slice was used to achieve saturation‐based T1 mapping. A 4‐step 2‐compartment kinetic model was proposed to characterize water transition through artery‐ and tissue‐compartment. The impact of the Look‐Locker sampling scheme on the ASL signal was corrected in this model. T1 estimation with dictionary searching method and perfusion quantification based on the proposed kinetic model fitting were conducted after groupwise registration of the acquired images. The feasibility and repeatability of SAMURAI were validated in healthy subjects (n = 11) and patients with different renal diseases (n = 4).ResultsThe proposed SAMURAI technique can provide accurate T1 map with strong correlation (R2 = 0.98) with inversion recovery spin echo (IR‐SE) on phantom. SAMURAI provided equally reliable whole kidney and cortical ASL and T1 quantification results compared with multi‐TI FAIR (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.880‐0.958) and IR‐SPGR (ICC, 0.875‐0.912), respectively. Low renal blood flow and increased T1 were detected by SAMURAI in the affected kidneys of the patients. SAMURAI had excellent scan‐rescan repeatability (ICC, 0.905‐0.992) and significantly reduced scan time (4 min 6 s vs. 45 min for 9 TIs) compared to multi‐TI FAIR.ConclusionThe proposed SAMURAI technique is feasible and repeatable for simultaneously quantifying T1 and perfusion of kidneys with high time‐efficiency.
A hardware and software system for MRI applications requiring external device data
Authors: Isaieva Karyna , Fauvel Marc , Weber Nicolas , Vuissoz Pierre‐André , Felblinger Jacques , Oster Julien , Odille Freddy 
Published: May 2022

PurposeNumerous MRI applications require data from external devices. Such devices are often independent of the MRI system, so synchronizing these data with the MRI data is often tedious and limited to offline use. In this work, a hardware and software system is proposed for acquiring data from external devices during MR imaging, for use online (in real‐time) or offline.MethodsThe hardware includes a set of external devices – electrocardiography (ECG) devices, respiration sensors, microphone, electronics of the MR system etc. – using various channels for data transmission (analog, digital, optical fibers), all connected to a server through a universal serial bus (USB) hub. The software is based on a flexible client–server architecture, allowing real‐time processing pipelines to be configured and executed. Communication protocols and data formats are proposed, in particular for transferring the external device data to an open‐source reconstruction software (Gadgetron), for online image reconstruction using external physiological data. The system performance is evaluated in terms of accuracy of the recorded signals and delays involved in the real‐time processing tasks. Its flexibility is shown with various applications.ResultsThe real‐time system had low delays and jitters (on the order of 1 ms). Example MRI applications using external devices included: prospectively gated cardiac cine imaging, multi‐modal acquisition of the vocal tract (image, sound, and respiration) and online image reconstruction with nonrigid motion correction.ConclusionThe performance of the system and its versatile architecture make it suitable for a wide range of MRI applications requiring online or offline use of external device data.
Extremely large deformation of tunnel induced by rock mass fracture using GPGPU parallel FDEM
Authors: Ma Hao , Wang Weiqin , Liu Quansheng , Tian Yongchao , Jiang Yalong , Liu He , Huang Dan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIt is essential to better understand the large deformation behavior of deep tunnels in weak rock mass to improve the long‐term stability of tunnel surrounding rock mass and design effective supports for squeezing tunnels. This paper introduces two representative large deformation engineering examples to study squeezing behavior. First, new algorithms of contact search, determination of actual contact, and calculation law of contact pairs are proposed for general‐purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPUs), by improving the original serial algorithms and developing a compute unified device architecture (CUDA) parallel program, to satisfy the large‐scale rock fracture process simulation. Then, tunnels excavation and rock reinforcement effect including the combination of U‐shaped steel and steel fabric, spray concrete (SMC), and grouting were modeled. The verification, done by comparing the field observation data and the FDEM simulation results of progressive fracture and the tunnel wall convergence displacement, shows that stress remarkable rebalancing after excavation because of high in situ stress, low rock mass strength, and rock mass long‐term strength reduction properties, thus, the rock mass fracture progressively and the rock blocks move continuously, leading to the rock mass volume increase significantly. The result demonstrates one of the root causes of squeezing. To effectively reduce the tunnel wall displacement and maintain tunnel stability, support with higher stiffness or multifactorial combined support methods and grouting with a better bonding effect should be used together. The findings provide insights into the progress of tunnel squeezing and the basis for support design in the squeezing tunnel.
Superaccurate effective elastic moduli via postprocessing in computational homogenization
Authors: Schneider Matti 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWith the complexity of modern microstructured materials, computational homogenization methods have been shown to provide accurate estimates of their effective mechanical properties, reducing the involved experimental effort considerably. After solving the balance of linear momentum on the microscale, the effective stress is traditionally computed through volume averaging the microscopic stress field. In the work at hand, we exploit the idea that averaging the elastic energy may lead to much more accurate effective elastic properties than through stress averaging. We show that the accuracy is roughly doubled when using energy equivalence instead of strain equivalence for compatible iterates of iterative schemes. Thus, to achieve a prescribed accuracy, the necessary effort is roughly reduced by a factor of two. In addition to the theory, we provide a handbook for utilizing these ideas for modern solvers prominent in FFT‐based micromechanics. We demonstrate the superiority of energy averaging through computational examples, discuss the peculiarities of polarization methods with their non‐compatible iterates and expose a superaccuracy phenomenon occurring for the linear conjugate gradient method.
Effect of aging on the biopolymer composites: Mechanisms, modes and characterization
Authors: Nagaraja Santhosh , Bindiganavile Anand Praveena , Mahadeva Naik Rudra Naik , Gunashekaran Shankar 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe biopolymer composites have gained greater significance due to their eco compatibility. However, the performance, longevity, and the durability of the biopolymer composites are greatly influenced by the aging. The functioning of the bio composites in the varying environmental conditions are strongly influenced by their inherent characteristics and physico‐chemical changes that they undergo due to aging. These biopolymer composites are subject to the chemical degradations such as oxidation, and physical modifications which affects the physical structure of the biopolymers in the composites. The material kinetics, especially related to the plasticizers and the thermomechanical attributes related to the fiber dispersion in the bio composites is greatly influenced by the aging of the composites under different environmental conditions, viz., saline, acidic, and alkaline environments and under different physical degradations, viz., wear, delamination, and surface ruptures. The modes and mechanisms of aging of the biopolymer composites under different operating environments, and the influence of aging on the characteristics of the biopolymer composites are critically reviewed and summarized in this article.
A new ethical framework to determine acceptable risks in fetal therapy trials
Authors: Hendriks Saskia , Grady Christine , Wasserman David , Wendler David , Bianchi Diana W. , Berkman Benjamin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectiveFetal therapy trials pose complex ethical challenges because risks and benefits to both fetuses and pregnant persons must be considered. Existing regulatory guidance is limited and many proposed ethical frameworks have unnecessarily restrictive criteria that would block the development and implementation of important new fetal therapies. We aimed to develop a new ethical framework for assessing the risks and benefits of fetal therapy trials.MethodsWe reviewed existing regulatory and ethical guidance on fetal therapy trials. We used conceptual analysis to design a new ethical framework, which is grounded in general ethical principles for clinical research.ResultsWe propose a new framework for assessing the risks and benefits of fetal therapy trials. We suggest that the potential benefits of a fetal therapy trial – for the fetus, the pregnant person, and society – should outweigh the risks for the fetus and the pregnant person. Furthermore, the risk‐benefit profile for just the fetus and the risk‐benefit profile for just the pregnant person should be appropriate.ConclusionsWe hope that this new framework will permit important studies while protecting pregnant persons and fetuses from disproportionate harms.
A cross‐sectional survey to evaluate prescribers' knowledge and understanding of safety messages following Dengvaxia® product information update
Authors: Almas Mariana F. , Toussi Massoud , Valero Elisa , Moureau Annick , Marcelon Lydie 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPurposeWe evaluated the effectiveness of additional risk minimisation measures (aRMMs; i.e., educational materials) distributed to prescribers to ensure that only individuals with evidence of prior dengue infection (PDI, i.e., dengue seropositive) would be vaccinated with the tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD‐TDV; Dengvaxia®).MethodsA survey was conducted in 2020 among 300 CYD‐TDV prescribers in Brazil and Thailand to ascertain three success criteria: prescribers' awareness of the materials (receiving and reading them); knowledge of the key messages; and whether their self‐reported behaviour regarding practice‐related scenarios was aligned with the updated guidance.ResultsThe aRMMs were not generally effective as <80% of prescribers in both countries met two of the three predefined success criteria. In Brazil, 98.7% were aware of the aRMMs whereas in Thailand this criterion was fulfilled by 74.0%. Almost all prescribers knew that CYD‐TDV was recommended only in individuals with PDI (98.7% and 96.7% in Brazil and Thailand, respectively). In Brazil, where vaccination was restricted to those with a documented history of PDI, 11.3% considered that confirmation should be done through a blood test. More than 75% in both countries considered additional signs of dengue, as early warning signs, and not only those regarded as such by the 2009 WHO guidelines.ConclusionsThese results do not support that the aRMMs were effective as the predefined success criteria were not met. The use of reliable rapid diagnosis tests together with the revised prescribing information and educational materials will facilitate the implementation and compliance with pre‐vaccination screening for CYD‐TDV eligibility.