bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new zwitterionic surfactant with high interfacial activity and high salt tolerance derived from methyl oleate through an eco‐friendly aryl‐introducing method
Authors: Liu Fang‐Hui , Gao Cheng‐Long , Zhang Cui‐Cui , Gang Hong‐Ze , Mu Bo‐Zhong , Yang Shi‐Zhong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSurfactants, that can reduce the interfacial tension between crude oil and formation water to ultra‐low, are needed in tertiary oil recovery. A bio‐based zwitterionic surfactant, N‐phenylpropanaldehyde epoxy acetal octadecanoicamido propyl‐N, N‐dimethyl hydroxy sulfonate (PADS), was derived from methyl oleate. In the process of synthesizing PADS, a new reactive site was introduced by epoxidizing methyl oleate and then the benzene ring was introduced by acetalization, which was a greener new method of introducing benzene ring into hydrophobic chains of surfactants. PADS was identified by ESI‐MS and NMR, and its interfacial activity was measured by interfacial tensiometer. The results showed that PADS possessed excellent interfacial activity and potential for low‐dose application. Under alkali‐free conditions, it could reduce the interfacial tension between crude oil and simulated formation water to ultra‐low in a wide concentration range (0.005–3 g/L). In addition, although the NaCl concentration was 230 g/L in the system, PADS still had good interfacial activity and could maintain ultra‐low oil–water interfacial tension. The protocol of epoxidation and acetalization provides a new feasible path to preparing bio‐based surfactants with high interfacial activity.
Silencing of UCA1 attenuates the ox‐LDL‐induced injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells via miR‐873‐5p/MAPK8 axis
Authors: Zhang Shu‐Xin , Yu Cheng‐Hong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractLncRNA UCA1 plays a vital role in cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial cell dysfunction is a prerequisite for atherosclerosis (AS) development. However, the pathophysiological role of UCA1 in endothelial cell dysfunction induced by ox‐LDL remains obscure. Here, we observed that UCA1 was upregulated in the sera of patients with AS and ox‐LDL‐treated endothelial cells. UCA1 knockdown dramatically reduced the cell apoptosis induced by ox‐LDL and the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and ROS in endothelial cells. Mechanistically, we found that UCA1 directly targeted miR‐873‐5p. UCA1 knockdown increased, while UCA1 overexpression decreased the expression of miR‐873‐5p. Further, we found that mitogen‐activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) was a downstream target gene of miR‐873‐5p. MAPK8 overexpression or miR‐873‐5p knockdown reduced the enhancement of ox‐LDL‐induced cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production conferred by UCA1 knockdown. In conclusion, UCA1 can protect Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells from ox‐LDL‐induced injury via the miR‐873‐5p/MAPK8 axis.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patients with myasthenia gravis: A survey of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America MG patient registry
Authors: De León Andrés M. , Aban Inmaculada , McPherson Tarrant , Granit Volkan , Benatar Michael , Cutter Gary , Lee Ikjae 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroduction/aimsFactors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection among the myasthenia gravis (MG) population are incompletely understood. This study aimed to characterize the behavior of MG patients during the pandemic and to examine risk factors associated with COVID‐19 infection.MethodsA “COVID‐19 Survey” was sent to MG Patient Registry participants in the summer of 2020 (CSS20) and winter of 2021 (CWS21). Survey results were summarized descriptively. Demographics, disease characteristics, medication use, and survey results were compared between those reporting COVID‐19 diagnosis (COVID), COVID‐19 like symptoms without diagnosis (COVID‐Like), and asymptomatic participants.ResultsA total of 454 and 665 participants completed the CSS20 and CWS21 surveys respectively; 326 participants completed both. Most continued follow‐up visits and MG treatments. The frequency of COVID‐like symptoms was similar between CSS20 and CWS21, while COVID‐19 exposure (6% vs. 27%), COVID‐19 testing among symptomatic individuals (35% vs. 78%), and COVID‐19 diagnosis (0.2% vs. 6%) were higher in the CWS21. Cough, fever, fatigue, myalgia, anosmia/ageusia, and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were more frequent in the COVID compared to the COVID‐Like group. COVID‐19 exposure (odds ratio [OR] 7.88), number of people in the household (OR 1.31), and report of MG exacerbation before the pandemic (OR 2.6) were independently associated with COVID‐19 infection.DiscussionCOVID‐19 affected MG patients increasingly through the early pandemic. While face‐to‐face contact with a COVID‐19 infected individual was an obvious risk factor, MG patients who had more people in the household and unstable disease were at elevated risk for COVID‐19 infection.
When do arts organizations merge? A window of opportunity for nonprofit mergers
Authors: Lee Rawon 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNegative repercussions of the COVID‐19 pandemic have escalated a continued interest in mergers. Research on the reasons or preconditions for merger implementation remains insufficient, however. This study focused on mergers involving arts organizations (“arts mergers”) and identified a set of conditions that open up a window of opportunity for nonprofit merger implementation. Two arts mergers have been studied using grounded theory. This study finds that nonprofit mergers are implemented when a shared concern for long‐term financial viability is coupled with foreseeable merger benefits and provision of merger support by external sources. Additionally, this study reports new findings on arts mergers and their unique traits. Findings suggest that support for mergers or similar types of interorganizational integration can be an effective means for strengthening the long‐term sustainability of nonprofits and the sector at large.
The effects of commercialization on nonprofit efficiency and the moderating roles of government funding and organizational size
Authors: Hung ChiaKo , Berrett Jessica 
Published: November 2022

AbstractDespite concerns raised by some scholars, recent publications have demonstrated that commercialization brings multiple benefits to nonprofits. However, while discussion of the positive effect of commercialization on nonprofit efficiency is on the rise in the literature, very few studies have empirically assessed the relationship. This study fills this gap by examining whether commercialization contributes to greater nonprofit efficiency and under what conditions this effect is more likely. Using fixed effects models with 2008–2018 data, the results from this study indicate that commercialization contributes to nonprofit efficiency in the performing arts subsector. Moreover, findings suggest that the relationship is more positive when performing arts nonprofits receive less government funding. The study concludes with implications for research and practice.
Starch remains from human teeth reveal the Bronze and Early Iron Ages vegetal diet of Xinjiang, Northwest China
Authors: You Sen , Wang Long , Olsen John W. , Guan Ying , Zhang Quanchao 
Published: November 2022

AbstractChina's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has long been a vital link between Europe and Eastern Asia. Xinjiang's geographical location and natural environment have led to unique dietary habits and traditions among both the region's modern inhabitants and their ancient forebears. Here, we report on the analysis of human dental residue samples unearthed from the Jiayi Cemetery, a 10th to 2nd century BCE mortuary complex located in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, generating ancient starch granules produced by vegetal foodstuffs. Morphological analysis of starch granules and comparative data indicate that crops of Triticeae tribe and subfamily Panicoideae comprised a large portion of the diet, whereas common legumes, nuts, root, and tuber were also present, although in relatively smaller proportions. The discovery of these plant starch granules in archaeological context provides direct evidence of the Jiayi population's vegetal diet and sheds light on agricultural practices during this period. With supporting evidence drawn from zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, and paleo‐isotopic studies of Bronze Age sites in Xinjiang, we conclude that the people interred in the Jiayi Cemetery practiced cereal crop cultivation and animal husbandry in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. The species of cereal crops represented suggest meaningful economic communication between Central and West Asia.
Effect of ammonium polyphosphate on fire‐retardant, mechanical, and vibrational analysis of epoxy/glass/ramie hybrid composite
Authors: Thiyagu Chenniappan , NarendraKumar Uttamchand 
Published: November 2022

AbstractHybrid polymer composites (synthetic and/or natural fiber) are highly prominent in the fields of automotive, aerospace, construction, and marine. This work aims at developing a novel epoxy/glass/ramie (EGR) hybrid composite incorporated with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) using a vacuum bag technique, thus by changing the weight percentage of APP. The hybrid composites were characterized for the fire‐retardant (vertical and horizontal burning test), mechanical (hardness, tensile, and flexural testing), wettability, porosity (ethanol infiltration), and vibrational properties. The flammability data show that the hybrid composites made of 10, 15, and 20 weight percentages of APP obtained V‐1, V‐0, and V‐0 grades in the UL‐94 vertical burning test. Furthermore, there is an enhancement in hardness properties, but it reduces the tensile and flexural strength. However, the integration of APP reduces the water absorption rate of the composite from 11% to 5%. This study found that APP‐reinforced EGR hybrid composite improves fire resistance, thereby reducing the water absorption rate, which hikes the usage of the material for structural application.
Inherited pulmonary surfactant metabolism disorders in Argentina: Differences between patients with SFTPC and ABCA3 variants
Authors: Balinotti Juan E. , Mallie Camila , Maffey Alberto , Colom Alejandro , Epaud Ralph , de Becdelievre Alix , Fanen Pascale , Delestrain Céline , Medín Martín , Teper Alejandro 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundPatients with inherited pulmonary surfactant metabolism disorders have a wide range of clinical outcomes and imaging findings. Response to current anti‐inflammatory therapies has been variable and efficacy is unclear.ObjectiveTo describe and compare genetic, clinical, histological, and computed tomography (CT) outcomes in a cohort of patients with variants in the genes encoding surfactant protein C (SP‐C) or adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter A3 (ABCA3) in Argentina.MethodsObservational cohort retrospective study. Patients carrying variants in genes encoding SP‐C and ABCA3 proteins were included.ResultsFourteen patients met the inclusion criteria: SFTPC n = 6, ABCA3 n = 8 (seven were heterozygous and one compound heterozygous). Neonatal respiratory distress was more frequent and severe in neonates with variants in the ABCA3 gene. The onset of the disease occurred in infancy before the age of 20 months in all cases. Patients with ABCA3 pathogenic variants had a severe clinical course, while long‐term outcomes were more favorable in individuals with SFTPC variants. Initial CT findings were ground glass opacities and intraparenchymal cysts in both groups. Over time, signs of lung fibrosis were present in 57% of patients with ABCA3 variants and in 33% of the SFTPC group. The efficacy of anti‐inflammatory interventions appears to be poor, especially for patients with ABCA3 pathogenic variants.ConclusionsClinical, histological, and radiological features are similar in patients with SFTPC and ABCA3 variants; however, the latter have more severe clinical course. Current anti‐inflammatory regimens do not appear to stop the progression of the disease.
A backbone‐dependent rotamer library with high (ϕ, ψ) coverage using metadynamics simulations
Authors: Mortensen Jennifer C. , Damjanovic Jovan , Miao Jiayuan , Hui Tiffani , Lin Yu‐Shan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackbone‐dependent rotamer libraries are commonly used to assign the side chain dihedral angles of amino acids when modeling protein structures. Most rotamer libraries are created by curating protein crystal structure data and using various methods to extrapolate the existing data to cover all possible backbone conformations. However, these rotamer libraries may not be suitable for modeling the structures of cyclic peptides and other constrained peptides because these molecules frequently sample backbone conformations rarely seen in the crystal structures of linear proteins. To provide backbone‐dependent side chain information beyond the α‐helix, β‐sheet, and PPII regions, we used explicit‐solvent metadynamics simulations of model dipeptides to create a new rotamer library that has high coverage in the (ϕ, ψ) space. Furthermore, this approach can be applied to build high‐coverage rotamer libraries for noncanonical amino acids. The resulting Metadynamics of Dipeptides for Rotamer Distribution (MEDFORD) rotamer library predicts the side chain conformations of high‐resolution protein crystal structures with similar accuracy (~80%) to a state‐of‐the‐art rotamer library. Our ability to test the accuracy of MEDFORD at predicting the side chain dihedral angles of amino acids in noncanonical backbone conformation is restricted by the limited structural data available for cyclic peptides. For the cyclic peptide data that are currently available, MEDFORD and the state‐of‐the‐art rotamer library perform comparably. However, the two rotamer libraries indeed make different rotamer predictions in noncanonical (ϕ, ψ) regions. For noncanonical amino acids, the MEDFORD rotamer library predicts the χ1 values with approximately 75% accuracy.
Antidiabetic drugs, glycemic control and risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Nygård Lotta H. , Talala Kirsi , Taari Kimmo , Tammela Teuvo L. J. , Auvinen Anssi , Murtola Teemu J. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes has been associated with an increased risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the role of antidiabetic drugs as a BPH risk factor is unclear. The objective of our study was to examine the risk of BPH by antidiabetic drug use and glycemic control in a large population‐based cohort of Finnish men.MethodsA total of 74,754 men in the Finnish Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (FinRSPC) free of BPH at baseline in 1996–1999 were linked to the national medication reimbursement database for information on physician‐prescribed antidiabetic drug purchases. Information on recorded BPH procedures and diagnoses was obtained from the National Care Register for Health Care, and for a subgroup of 17,739 men, information on blood glucose levels (BGLs) from the Fimlab Laboratories database. Cox regression with antidiabetic drug use and BGL as time‐dependent variables was used to analyze the risks for starting BPH medication, recorded BPH diagnosis, and undergoing BPH surgery. The analysis was adjusted for age, use of statins, antihypertensive medication, and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.ResultsOf the subjects, 14,012 men (18.7%) used antidiabetic medication. Of the subgroup with fasting blood glucose data available, 7487 (42.2%) had diabetic level. The risks for BPH diagnosis (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03–1.13) and surgery (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09–1.24) were slightly elevated among antidiabetic drug users compared to nonusers. The association was strongest for insulin use. Similarly, risk of BPH surgery was increased in men with diabetic blood glucose compared to normoglycemic men. The risk association was attenuated by use of antidiabetic drugs.ConclusionsDiabetic BGL and antidiabetic medication use, especially insulin, are associated with an elevated risk of BPH surgery compared to nondiabetic men. These findings support the roles of insulin use and untreated hyperglycemia as possible BPH risk factors.
Mean square leader‐following consensus of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems with Markovian switching topologies and communication delays
Authors: Guo Haihua , Meng Min , Feng Gang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis article considers the mean square leader‐following output consensus problem of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems under randomly switching topologies and time‐varying communication delays. By modeling the switching topologies as a time‐homogeneous Markov process and taking the communication delays into consideration, a distributed observer is proposed to estimate the state of the leader. A novel distributed output feedback controller is then designed. By constructing a novel switching Lyapunov functional, an easily‐verifiable sufficient condition to achieve the mean square leader‐following output consensus is given. Finally, two simulation examples are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Comparative study on overall and local static performance of steel open‐web girders
Authors: Yuchun Wang , Zhiqiang Bai , Huagang Zhang , Kejian Ma , Jing Chen , Zidong Tian , Fang Yu 
Published: November 2022

SummaryTo quantify the mechanical properties of five types of steel open‐web girders that have been tested or applied in practical engineering, a systematic study of the overall and local mechanical properties of steel open‐web girders based on the same dimensions and material conditions was presented. An overall study of the quasi‐intersection beam method for shear deformation was introduced for 8 × 8 grid open‐web girders to derive the determinants of the load distribution factor. Based on the load distribution factors, the essence and formula of any shear key node domain (SKND) were derived theoretically. The reliability of the numerical model was verified by tests on the H‐type unidirectional SKNDs, which led to a comparative load–displacement study of unidirectional and bidirectional SKNDs. Quantitative results of the overall flexural capacity and SKND load capacity of the H‐type, TH‐type, TS‐type, T‐type, and DT‐type open‐web girders were obtained. The maximum shear deformation in the elastic phase of the five open‐web girders accounted for 39.04% to 54.76% of the overall deformation. In this study, the adjustment factors of the modeling analysis based on the current practical design of equivalent dense‐ribbed solid beams (DRSBs) were revised. A method of SKND's design load capacity under the action of bidirectional forces was put forward for the first time.
Methods for downhole soil water sensor calibration—Complications of bulk density and water content variations
Authors: Evett Steven R. , Marek Gary W. , Colaizzi Paul D. , Copeland Karen S. , Ruthardt Brice B. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractDownhole soil volumetric water content (VWC) sensors are used in access tubes to assess the soil water content at multiple depths. If sensor readings are spaced closely enough vertically and are accurate enough, then accurate soil profile water content storage and change in storage can be determined over the depth range of readings, leading to accurate estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) if readings extend to well below the root zone. Even if sensing only covers the active root zone, soil water depletion may be determined well enough to inform irrigation scheduling. While sensor accuracy is dependent on many factors, including the sensor's physical principle of operation, soil‐specific calibration is typically required for good accuracy. In soils with multiple horizons (layers) of different texture, bulk density (BD), or chemical composition, horizon‐specific calibrations may be necessary. We describe methods and equipment used for downhole sensor calibration to typical accuracy of <0.01 m3 m−3 with specific reference to calibration of 10 neutron scattering meters in a soil that required three different horizon‐specific calibrations. Our results contrast with the factory calibration, which would result in a 38‐mm error in water stored in a 1.5‐m deep profile of our soil. We describe variability of measured VWC and BD with depth, distance, and water content and the errors that result from using BD to convert mass basis (g g−1) water content data to VWC data, which can be as much as 35 mm (7.26% underestimation) for soil water storage in a 1.5‐m deep profile of our soil.
Automatic planning of the lower extremities for total marrow irradiation using volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Lambri Nicola , Dei Damiano , Hernandez Victor , Castiglioni Isabella , Clerici Elena , Crespi Leonardo , De Philippis Chiara , Loiacono Daniele , Navarria Pierina , Reggiori Giacomo , Rusconi Roberto , Tomatis Stefano , Bramanti Stefania , Scorsetti Marta , Mancosu Pietro 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Total marrow (and lymphoid) irradiation (TMI-TMLI) is limited by the couch travel range of modern linacs, which forces the treatment delivery to be split into two plans with opposite orientations: a head-first supine upper-body plan, and a feet-first supine lower extremities plan. A specific field junction is thus needed to obtain adequate target coverage in the overlap region of the two plans. In this study, an automatic procedure was developed for field junction creation and lower extremities plan optimization.

Methods
Ten patients treated with TMI-TMLI at our institution were selected retrospectively. The planning of the lower extremities was performed automatically. Target volume parameters (CTV_J‑V98% > 98%) at the junction region and several dose statistics (D98%, Dmean, and D2%) were compared between automatic and manual plans. The modulation complexity score (MCS) was used to assess plan complexity.

Results
The automatic procedure required 60–90 min, depending on the case. All automatic plans achieved clinically acceptable dosimetric results (CTV_J‑V98% > 98%), with significant differences found at the junction region, where Dmean and D2% increased on average by 2.4% (p < 0.03) and 3.0% (p < 0.02), respectively. Similar plan complexity was observed (median MCS = 0.12). Since March 2022, the automatic procedure has been introduced in our clinic, reducing the TMI-TMLI simulation-to-delivery schedule by 2 days.

Conclusion
The developed procedure allowed treatment planning of TMI-TMLI to be streamlined, increasing efficiency and standardization, preventing human errors, while maintaining the dosimetric plan quality and complexity of manual plans. Automated strategies can simplify the future adoption and clinical implementation of TMI-TMLI treatments in new centers.