bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory activities of Ranunculus japonicus Thunb. ethanol extract against hepatitis B virus
Authors: Luo Minhui , Chen Zhuohang , Liu Miaoya , Liang Qian , Han Ruilian , Liang Zongsuo , Ye Zhuoming , Liu Kuancheng 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide public health problem, which cannot be cured by current therapeutics due to the persistence of viral CCC DNA in the infected hepatocytes. Screening from medicinal herbs for anti‐HBV activities showed that the ethanol extract from Ranunculus japonicus Thunb. could decrease the production of HBV e antigen (HBeAg). Further study showed that the extract had no effect on core protein expression but significantly reduced the efficiency of viral capsid assembly. The levels of viral pgRNA and total core DNA were not affected significantly. However, the ratio of RC DNA/SS DNA decreased, indicating that the conversion of RC DNA from SS DNA was delayed by the extract. More interestingly, though similar levels of RC DNA were accumulated, the CCC DNA level and its formation efficiency were reduced significantly, which was also consistent with the decreased level of HBeAg, indicating that R. japonicus Thunb. extract could inhibit the CCC DNA formation. Together, this study found that R. japonicus Thunb. extract could inhibit HBV replication at multiple steps, especially showed significant inhibitory effects on capsid assembly and CCC DNA formation.
The intersection of fracture healing and infection: Orthopaedics research society workshop 2021
Authors: Hellwinkel Justin E. , Working Zachary M , Certain Laura , García Andrés J. , Wenke Joseph C. , Bahney Chelsea S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractInfection is a common cause of impaired fracture healing. In the clinical setting, definitive fracture treatment and infection are often treated separately and sequentially, by different clinical specialties. The ability to treat infection while promoting fracture healing will greatly reduce the cost, number of procedures, and patient morbidity associated with infected fractures. In order to develop new therapies, scientists and engineers must understand the clinical need, current standards of care, pathologic effects of infection on fractures, available preclinical models, and novel technologies. One of the main causes of poor fracture healing is infection; unfortunately, bone regeneration and infection research are typically approached independently and viewed as two separate disciplines. Here, we aim to bring these two groups together in an educational workshop to promote research into the basic and translational science that will address the clinical challenge of delayed fracture healing due to infection. Statement of clinical significance: Infection and nonunion are each feared outcomes in fracture care, and infection is a significant driver of nonunion. The impact of nonunions on patie[Q2]nt well‐being is substantial. Outcome data suggests a long bone nonunion is as impactful on health‐related quality of life measures as a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and fracture‐related infection has been shown to significantly l[Q3]ower a patient's quality of life for over 4 years. Although they frequently are associated with one another, the treatment approaches for infections and nonunions are not always complimentary and cannot be performed simultaneously without accepting tradeoffs. Furthermore, different clinical specialties are often required to address the problem, the orthopedic surgeon treating the fracture and an infectious disease specialist addressing the sources of infection. A sequential approach that optimizes treatment parameters requires more time, more surgeries, and thus confers increased morbidity to the patient. The ability to solve fracture healing and infection clearance simultaneously in a contaminated defect would benefit both the patient and the health care system.
DL‐EPR and AFM study of sensitization of a 17%Cr multiphase stainless steel
Authors: Tavares Sérgio S. M. , de Sampaio Marcelo T. G. , Perez Geronimo , de Almeida Brígida B. , Ponzio Eduardo A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe corrosion behavior of a 17Cr multiphase martensitic stainless steel quenched (1000°C, water cooling) and tempered at different temperatures was determined using the double‐loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DL‐EPR) test. The specimen tempered at 550°C showed the highest degree of sensitization. For the specimen treated at 600°C, a healing process was observed, followed by a second sensitization at 625°C coincident with an increase in the austenite volume fraction. This phase was quantified using the magnetic method and an increase in this phase was observed with the tempering temperature. The DL‐EPR results were correlated with surface aspects obtained by atomic force microscopy.
Toward MR‐only proton therapy planning for pediatric brain tumors: Synthesis of relative proton stopping power images with multiple sequence MRI and development of an online quality assurance tool
Authors: Wang Chuang , Uh Jinsoo , Patni Tushar , Merchant Thomas , Li Yimei , Hua Chia‐ho , Acharya Sahaja 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeTo generate synthetic relative proton stopping power (sRPSP) images from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence(s) and develop an online quality assurance (QA) tool for sRPSP to facilitate safe integration of magnetic resonance (MR)‐only proton planning into clinical practice.Materials and methodsPlanning computed tomography (CT) and MR images of 195 pediatric brain tumor patients were utilized (training: 150, testing: 45). Seventeen consistent‐cycle generative adversarial network (ccGAN) models were trained separately using paired CT‐converted RPSP and MRI datasets to transform a subject's MRI into sRPSP. T1‐weighted (T1W), T2‐weighted (T2W), and FLAIR MRI were permutated to form 17 combinations, with or without preprocessing, for determining the optimal training sequence(s). For evaluation, sRPSP images were converted to synthetic CT (sCT) and compared to the real CT in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) in Hounsfield units (HU). For QA, sCT was deformed and compared to a reference template built from training dataset to produce a flag map, highlighting pixels that deviate by >100 HU and fall outside the mean ± standard deviation reference intensity. The gamma intensity analysis (10%/3 mm) of the deformed sCT against the QA template on the intensity difference was investigated as a surrogate of sCT accuracy.ResultsThe sRPSP images generated from a single T1W or T2W sequence outperformed that generated from multi‐MRI sequences in terms of MAE (all p < 0.05). Preprocessing with N4 bias and histogram matching reduced MAE of T2W MRI‐based sCT (54 ± 21 HU vs. 42 ± 13 HU, p = 0.002). The gamma intensity analysis of sCT against the QA template was highly correlated with the MAE of sCT against the real CT in the testing cohort (r = ‐0.89 for T1W sCT; r = ‐0.93 for T2W sCT).ConclusionAccurate sRPSP images can be generated from T1W/T2W MRI for proton planning. A QA tool highlights regions of inaccuracy, flagging problematic cases unsuitable for clinical use.
Separating layer recycling strategy for continuous fiber reinforced thermo‐sets based on thermally expanding particles
Authors: von Freeden Justus , Erb Johannes , Schleifenbaum Maren 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFiber‐plastic composites with a thermosetting matrix are considered to have only limited recyclability. Either the high density‐specific mechanical properties of the material are lost in the recycling process or the recycling processes are associated with very high costs, so that implementation is not economically worthwhile. A new approach is the reuse of continuous fiber reinforced laminate layers separated from a composite. In the present work, the extent to which laminate layers can be made separable from a thermosetting fiber‐plastic composite was investigated. The separation is based on the volume increase mechanism of thermally expanding particles (TEP) introduced into the polymeric matrix of a laminate layer. Heating leads to expansion of the particles. As a result, the laminates can be separated. Glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin laminates with TEP in the separating matrix layer were fabricated and tested using hand lay‐up techniques. Using the double cantilever beam test, it was determined that the force required for separation is drastically reduced with increasing TEP mass fraction. In addition, the extent to which the thermally expanding particles affect the mechanical properties of the laminates was tested. Through the 45° tensile test, it was determined that loads not parallel to one of the fiber directions have a negative effect on tensile strength and tensile stiffness.
Ultrasound visualization of the thumb annular pulleys: A cadaveric validation study
Authors: Hoffman Douglas F. , Honsvall Hoefler Amanda , Bianchi Stefano , Hoxie Samuel , Smith Jay 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe thumb annular pulley system is unique from the other digits and is integral to normal thumb function. Injuries to this pulley system can present a diagnostic challenge. No prior study has evaluated the ability of ultrasound (US) to evaluate all four thumb pulleys.ObjectiveTo validate the sonographic visualization of all four thumb pulleys.DesignProspective cadaveric laboratory investigation.SettingAcademic center procedural skills laboratory.ParticipantsTwelve unembalmed cadaveric hands from seven adult male donors ages 78‐89 years with body mass index 21.9‐26.6 kg/m2.InterventionsBased on anatomic descriptions, a single examiner used a standardized protocol and high‐frequency linear transducers to identify the A1, variable (Av), oblique (Ao), and A2 pulleys of the thumb in 10 cadaveric hands. As part of the validation process, the presumed Ao pulley was injected with diluted colored latex using US guidance. Two additional cadaveric specimens were dissected for detailed study of the thumb pulley system.Main Outcome MeasuresCorrelation between the four anatomic pulleys as revealed by dissection and the US findings, including identification of latex location with respect to the Ao pulley.ResultsUS correctly identified all four thumb pulleys as distinct anatomic structures and the sonographic appearance of the pulleys correlated with the dissection in all 10 specimens. Latex was observed in the Ao pulley in 100% of the cadavers.ConclusionsUltrasound can be used to accurately identify all four thumb pulleys, including distinct Ao and Av pulleys, and should be considered in the evaluation of thumb pulley injuries. This is the first study to validate the US visualization of the annular pulley system of the thumb.
Poly(ether ester) and related block copolymers via organocatalytic ring‐opening polymerization
Authors: Li Bo , Zhang Yong‐Lu , Zhu Xiao‐Feng , Li Zhuo‐Qun , Li Zi‐Hui , Qiu Hua‐Yu , Wu Guang‐Peng 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPoly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) produced by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) ofp‐dioxanone (PDO) has been attracted intensive attention in bioengineering and environmental materials due to the coexistence of ester and ether bonds in the repeating units. Herein, we systematically study the ROP behavior of PDO using classical organic amidine and guanidine compounds. The cyclic and linear PPDO homopolymers are efficiently produced and confirmed by the combination of1H,13C NMR and MALDI‐TOF MS spectra. Furthermore, triblock copolymers (PPDO‐b‐PCL‐b‐PPDO) containing poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) as the soft segment and PPDO as the hard segment are prepared in the presence of ethylene glycol. The resultant block copolymers are well characterized using NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. It is found that the prepared triblock copolymers exhibit tunable flexibility, stabilization, hydrophilicity, and mechanical strength, which could be used as thermoplastic materials in biological and tissue engineering areas.
Identification of lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein as a novel citrullinated autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhao Xiaozhen , Chen Yuling , Wen Wen , Cheng Yongjing , Li Ru , Liu Xu , Li Yuhui , Jia Rulin , Deng Haiteng , Li Zhanguo , Sun Xiaolin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundA specific feature of the autoimmune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the presence of anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) in patient sera. These antibodies can appear several years before disease onset and are involved in the development of RA.ObjectiveWe performed proteomic analysis by mass spectroscopy to identify novel citrullinated antigens and autoantibodies in RA patients.MethodsPolypeptides isolated from the sera of RA patients were identified by Orbitrap high‐precision mass spectrometry and then citrulline‐containing proteins were selected. The levels of ACPAs against these newly identified citrullinated autoantigens in sera of 100 RA patients and 50 healthy controls were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsA total of 135 proteins were identified in RA patients and the protein profile included 11 citrulline‐containing antigens. Three of the 11 citrullinated proteins had been reported in previous studies. ACPAs against the novel citrullinated epitopes from these proteins were increased in sera from the RA patients compared with those from healthy controls. Autoantibodies against one of the citrullinated antigens, lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP), was significantly increased in RA patients and associated with disease activities. The titer of anti‐citrullinated LBP antibodies (anti‐cLBP) was closely related to the infection incidence in RA patients.ConclusionSerum protein analysis by high‐precision proteomic technology is a feasible method to identify novel citrullinated epitopes in RA patients. Anti‐cLBP antibodies are associated with disease severity and infection in RA patients.
Hydrophobic perfluoroalkane modified metal‐organic frameworks for the enhanced electrocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Yang Xu , Li Qiu‐Xia , Chi Shao‐Yi , Li Hong‐Fang , Huang Yuan‐Biao , Cao Rong 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals would be an efficient way to utilize CO2 and mitigate greenhouse gas emission. However, the associated competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in aqueous electrolytes usually leads to poor selectivity for the CO2 electroreduction reactions (CO2RR). Due to their high specific surface areas and tunable single active sites, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as promising candidates for CO2RR. Herein, the Fe‐porphyrin based Zr‐MOF, PCN‐222(Fe), was treated with perfluorocarboxylic acid to afford the hydrophobic Fn‐PCN‐222(Fe) (n = 5 and 7, n is the number of fluorine atoms in the perfluoroalkyl chain) for improving the selectivity CO2RR via inhibiting the HER. Owing to the single active Fe sites were positioned in a hydrophobic microenvironment, the optimal F5‐PCN‐222(Fe) shows a high Faradic efficiency of 97% toward production of CO at −0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Meanwhile, F5‐PCN‐222(Fe) achieved a high turnover frequency value of 3850 h−1 at −0.8 V, which was almost 3.6 times higher than that of PCN‐222(Fe) and surpassed most of other reported MOFs. This study paves a new way to improve the selectivity of the CO2RR via inhibiting the associated HER by increasing the hydrophobicity of the electrocatalysts.
Influence of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows
Authors: Akhlaghi B. , Ghasemi E. , Alikhani M. , Ghaedi A. , Nasrollahi S. M. , Ghaffari M. H. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundIt is not clearly known whether parity can affect the outcomes of starch reduction in the diet of lactating dairy cows.IntroductionA 2 × 2 factorial study was conducted to evaluate the effects of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) dairy cows.MethodsTwenty PP cows (DIM = 37 ± 10; 40 ± 5 kg/day of milk; mean ± SD) and 20 MP cows (DIM = 37 ± 9; 48 ± 5 kg/day of milk) were used in present study. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of two levels of starch (high vs. low) and two parity categories (PP vs. MP): (1) high‐starch diet (29.2% ± 0.70) and PP cows (HS‐PP); (2) low‐starch diet (22.3% ± 0.52) and PP cows (LS‐PP); (3) high‐starch diet and MP cows (HS‐MP) and (4) low‐starch diet and MP cows (LS‐MP). All diets were formulated to be similar in crude protein (16.1 % of dry matter) and NEL (1.60 Mcal/kg of dry matter) contents. The amount of metabolise protein was 2688 g/day in high‐starch diet and 2728 g/day in low‐starch diet. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive periods and included 4 weeks for adaptation and 3 weeks for data collection.ResultsDry matter intake and the yield of milk true protein and lactose increased but milk fat: protein ratio and nutrient digestibility decreased for cows fed the HS diets compared with the LS diets. The ruminal proportion of propionate was greater but acetate, the acetate to propionate ratio and sorting against long particles (19 and 8 mm) were lower for cows fed the HS diets than the LS diets. Multiparous cows had a greater nutrient intake and milk yield, longer rumination meal length, greater BW, but lower plasma total antioxidant capacity, non‐esterified fatty acids, faeces pH compared with PP cows. An interaction between parity and the dietary level of starch was detected on feed efficiency measured as FCM yield/DMI in the way that only within PP cows low‐starch diet was more efficient than HS diets. We found another interaction effect of parity × starch on back fat thickens (BFT) change in the way that only within PP cows BFT change was greater for HS compared with LS diet.ConclusionOverall, regardless of the benefit derived from feeding a reduced‐starch diet by partially replacing grains with sugar beet pulp in the diets on nutrient digestibility, a reduced‐starch diet may be used more efficiently in PP than in MP cows but at expense of body reserves (i.e. BFT) loses.
Flood-Control Basins as Green Infrastructures: Flood-Risk Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation, and Sustainable Management in Japan
Authors: Ishiyama Nobuo , Yamanaka Satoshi , Ooue Keita , Senzaki Masayuki , Kitazawa Munehiro , Morimoto Junko , Nakamura Futoshi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGreen infrastructure (GI) is a strategic planning infrastructure that uses the functions of ecosystems. Under an increased river flood risk, flood-risk management utilizing GI is gaining attention from managers and ecologists in Japan. Flood-control basins are facilities that temporarily store river water in adjacent reservoirs to mitigate flood peaks and gradually drain the water back to the main channels after a flood. GI is expected to provide multiple functions, such as flood-risk reduction and habitat provisions. However, there are limited studies on the ecological functions of flood-control basins. In this article, we first introduce the characteristics of flood-control basins constructed in Japan. Next, we show the ecological importance of flood-control basins in terms of wetland organism biodiversity conservation. Finally, to aid the integration of GI into conventional flood-control measures, we highlight ecological and social issues about introducing and managing flood-control basins.
Biodiversity Conservation through Various Citizen Activities in a Flood Control Basin
Authors: Nishihiro Jun , Koike Shohei , Ono Atsushi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFlood control basins (FCBs) are artificially constructed facilities with the potential to conserve the biodiversity of floodplain ecosystems. However, the intensity of disturbance in FCBs is generally lower than that in natural floodplains; thus, habitats for plants with disturbance-dependent life histories and for animals that use temporary waters or mudflats can be lost in the years following FCB construction. Here, the Asahata FCB in Shizuoka city, Japan, was studied as an example, where the species diversity of wetland plants has been conserved as a result of diverse activities. Although most activities had objectives other than biodiversity conservation, they contributed to conserving plant diversity and providing habitats for endangered plants. The FCB is a green infrastructure that not only enables flood control but also supports activities for various purposes. Additionally, its proper use contributes to biodiversity conservation.
Effectiveness and Sustainability of Coastal Hybrid Infrastructures for Low-Frequency Large-Scale Disasters: A Case Study of Coastal Disaster Assessment for a Complex Disaster
Authors: Yamanaka Ryoichi , Nakagawa Kosuke 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the functioning of hybrid infrastructures in coastal areas and identify the factors influencing their sustainability. The hybrid infrastructure targeted in this study is in the Osato area in southern Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and consists of a seashore, coastal embankment, coastal forest, rice paddles, and dune. Numerical analysis and field observations of tsunamis and storm surges were conducted in this study. In the tsunami analysis, the response of the inundation area to the reference water level was evaluated assuming a complex disaster involving a tsunami, storm surge, and sea-level rise. In the storm surge analysis, the mechanism of beach deformation and damage in the coastal forest caused by Typhoon Hagibis (No. 19 in Japan) in 2019 was evaluated, and the historical dune formation process was discussed in this case study. Finally, the design strategy required for hybrid infrastructure is discussed.
Green Infrastructures in Megacity Jakarta: Current Status and Possibilities of Mangroves for Flood Damage Mitigation
Authors: Kawata Yukichika 
Published: January 2022

AbstractJakarta is Southeast Asia’s most disaster-vulnerable city and recently has suffered from severe floods almost every year. Flood events have worsened mainly because of ground subsidence, reduction of green spaces, and littering into streams. The mangrove forests remaining in coastal urban areas of northern Jakarta can be utilized for mitigating flood damage. In the first two sections of this chapter, an overview of flood events is presented and the status of mangroves in Jakarta Bay is introduced. Mangroves may serve as hard and soft measures for disaster reduction. Because enlargement of the area of mangroves in urban Jakarta is difficult, in the last section, soft measures, especially the utilization of mangroves as an icon for disaster reduction, are proposed. Activities such as the incorporation of a mangrove design as a logo in documents of disaster prevention education may enhance citizens’ recognition of disaster risks because they will see both logos and mangroves repeatedly in real life.