bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term consumption of artificial sweeteners does not affect cardiovascular health and survival in rats
Authors: Guru Satvinder K. , Li Ying , Savinova Olga V. , Zhang Youhua 
Published: March 2022

Background
Recent epidemiological cohort studies have suggested that consumption of artificial sweeteners (AS) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and mortality. However, these population association studies cannot establish a causal relationship. In this study we investigated the effect of long-term (1-year) consumption of AS (Equal and Splenda, two commonly used AS) on cardiovascular health and survival in rats.

Methods
Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (both sexes, 4–5 months old) were randomized into the following 3 groups: control (n = 21), AS Equal (n = 21) and Splenda (n = 18). In the AS groups, Equal or Splenda was added to the drinking water (2-packets/250 ml), while drinking water alone was used in the control rats. The treatment was administered for 12 months. Cardiovascular function and survival were monitored in all animals.

Results
It was found that rats in the AS groups consistently consumed more sweetened water than those in the control group. AS did not affect body weight, non-fasting blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure or pulse wave velocity. There were no significant differences in left ventricular wall thicknesses, chamber dimension, cardiac function or survival. AS did not affect heart rate or atrial effective refractory period. However, rats in both Equal and Splenda groups had prolonged PR intervals (63 ± 5ms in Equal, 68 ± 6 ms in Splenda, vs 56 ± 8 ms in control, p < 0.05) and a tendency of increased atrial fibrillation inducibility.

Conclusion
Long-term consumption of AS does not affect cardiovascular structure, function or survival but may cause some electrophysiological abnormalities with prolonged PR intervals and a tendency of increased atrial fibrillation inducibility in rats.
Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Vegetative Growth and Flowering of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.]
Authors: Kumari Sonu , Meena M. L. , Moond S. K. , Mandeewal Rameshwr Lal , Kalirawna Aditya , Kalirawna Subhash 
Published: March 2022

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of BAP, GA3, and NAA on flowering and growth attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) cv. Arka Anamika at the Instructional farm, Agricultural Research Station, Jodhpur Rajasthan during Kharif, 2020. Three treatments each of BAP@ T1-25, T2-50, andT3-75(ppm), GA3 @T4-25, T5-50, andT6-75 (ppm), and NAA @ T7-25, T8-50, and T9-75 (ppm)were used besides controls i.e. T0 with water spray. These three growth regulators were found to enhance early flowering. Other parameters of growth were also found to be increased by treatments with plant growth regulators in okra. Among the growth parameters, the highest inter-nodal length (6.68 cm), plant height (156.4 cm), and leaf area index (3.1) aswas recorded with GA3 @ 75 ppm treatment, whereas maximum stem diameter (43.88 mm), number of branches per plant (5.10) and number of nodes on the main stem (25.05) were recorded with NAA @ 75 ppm. The minimum number of days to the appearance of first flowering (35.50), 50% flowering (41.80), and node on which the first flower appeared (3.82) were also recorded with NAA @ 75 ppm.
Straw Paper for Art Applications – A Paper Development Study
Authors: Dölle Klaus , Palmer Karl , Palumbo Nicolas , Neary Brian , Shick Ian , Rothwell Ian 
Published: March 2022

Each paper grade, especially art papers have their own unique requirements by the artist using the paper in regard to mechanical integrity, surface topography, optical appearance and printability based on the unique artistic process applied during printing.
Wheat straw fiber, a left over product from agricultural operations, can be used in many papermaking grades if properly processed prior to papermaking.
A wheat straw containing art paper for artistic water color, oil, and encaustic (wax) painting applications was development and produced with a 10% and 15% northern bleached softwood content using a 12-inch (304 mm) wide laboratory scale paper machine, operated at a speed of 3.76 ft/min (1.14 m/min) with and without operating a calendar. The basis weight of the paper product was 350 g/m² with a caliper of 1050 μm to 1640 μm,
The paper products burst load in psi ranged between 2.49 and 4.71. Tensile peak load measured in kilogram-force (kgf) per 15mm wide testing strip ranged from 4.08 to 9.32 for the machine direction and 1.96 to 4.74 for the cross machine direction.
The roughness range of the wheat straw art paper was 2909 ml to 2963 ml for the top side and 2880 ml to 2954 ml for the bottom side of the paper.
The ISO brightness and opacity of the yellowish wheat straw art paper was at 22.74% and 100.00%, The ISO color value was for the L*, a*, b* Hunter color scale 69.46%, 02.02, and 15.47 respectively.
The finished art paper product met the expectations by the artists. The paper was used for several encaustic art studio projects.
A Comparative Study to Assess the Problems Faced During Postnatal Period among Mothers with Normal Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Delivery at Selected Private Maternity Care Hospital of the Nadiad City, Gujarat
Authors: Patel Dharti , Bariya Divyaben , Patel Hirvaben , Makwana Kapilkumar , Prajapati Minesh , Patel Nilesh , Macwan Nishit , Parmar Pragati , Patel Richa , Savaliya Paras 
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Postnatal period brings many physiological changes in mothers. This period is crucial for the mother as there is a new addition to her life. Hence the health of the postnatal mother is associated with the type of delivery.
Objective: This study aims to assess and compare the problems faced during postnatal period among mothers with normal vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery.
Methods: Quantitative research approach & a comparative descriptive research design was used with 60 postnatal mothers who had fulfilled the inclusion criteria, among them 30 mothers with normal vaginal delivery and 30 mothers with cesarean delivery were selected using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using modified standardized observation checklist to assess the problems faced during postnatal period among mothers with normal vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery.
Setting: The postnatal ward of selected private maternity care hospital-N.D. Desai medical college and hospital of Nadiad city, Gujarat.
Results: There was statistically significant difference found in problems faced during postnatal period in group 1 and group 2 which shows that mean difference between group 1 and group 2 was 1.79 and standard deviation 0.15. In group 1 overall percentage of severity of pain according to mild, moderate, severe and no pain criteria were 57%, 20%, 0% and 23% respectively and in group 2 overall percentage of severity of pain according to mild, moderate, severe and no pain criteria were 0%, 70%, 30% and 13% respectively
Conclusion: The study concluded that postnatal mothers with cesarean delivery have to face more problems than those following normal vaginal delivery. The level of pain score was also high in mothers with cesarean delivery.
Bounding of earthquake response via critical double impulse for efficient optimal design of viscous dampers for elastic‐plastic moment frames
Authors: Akehashi Hiroki , Takewaki Izuru 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAn input velocity adjustment method of the critical double impulse (DI) is presented for efficient design of viscous dampers for elastic‐plastic moment frames. The input velocity is adjusted so that the input energy to the lowest eigenmode under the critical DI is equal to those under the selected recorded ground motions. This adjustment makes the critical DI work as the active earthquake. The response bounding property of the critical DI is supported by, (1) the multi‐modal property of the critical DI, (2) the usual excitation of the lowest mode response under recorded ground motions, (3) the large proportion of the instantaneous input energy to the total input energy in the critical DI. The proposed method can treat not only pulse‐like near‐fault ground motions but also ground motions of random nature. To validate the proposed method, the input energies and the maximum interstory drifts under the recorded ground motions and the critical DI with the adjusted input velocity are investigated for elastic single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) models, elastic proportionally damped MDOF models, and elastic‐plastic proportionally damped MDOF models. The optimization method presented in the previous paper is extended so that the critical DI can be treated for the design of viscous dampers for elastic‐plastic moment frames.
What makes a good bat box? How box occupancy depends on box characteristics and landscape‐level variables
Authors: Pschonny Sandra , Leidinger Jan , Leitl Rudolf , Weisser Wolfgang W. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Bat populations are in steep decline and presently, 16% of all species are classified as ‘threatened’. One main driver identified for this decline is the loss of natural roosting opportunities, caused by the removal of natural habitats. Installation of bat boxes is one solution to compensate for the lack of natural roosting opportunities. Current recommendations for box design emphasize low maintenance costs and are rarely based on empirical evidence.
We investigated occupancy of 13,634 bat boxes in northern Bavaria, Germany. In our study, boxes differed in type, age and mounting height, as well as in maximum community age, that is the length of time a group of boxes had been installed in a particular place, the size of box groups and the distance to the next box in the surrounding area, that is box isolation.
Our results showed that box occupancy depended on box type and bat species. As a case study, we analysed the two most common species found within the investigated boxes, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Myotis nattereri, in more detail. Both species showed preference to a voluminous box that had a narrow entrance (‘Gable box’ 14 mm). For P. pipistrellus, only box type affected occupancy, whereas for M. nattereri, the relationship between box type and box age was important. Older boxes and boxes in areas with higher maximum community age of boxes showed higher box occupancy by bats. Box occupancy decreased with the distance between adjacent box groups (‘box isolation’). High mounting height showed a tendency for increased box occupancy, but the effect was only weakly significant.
Because of the species‐specific responses in our study, we suggest installing a combination of different box types, including at least one box type with a narrow entrance (14 mm). Boxes should be placed as box groups of three to four boxes, and there should be short distances between adjacent box groups. We also recommend installing new box groups close to areas of high maximum community age of boxes.
Deep learning‐based auto segmentation using generative adversarial network on magnetic resonance images obtained for head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Kawahara Daisuke , Tsuneda Masato , Ozawa Shuichi , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Nishio Teiji , Nagata Yasushi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeAdaptive radiotherapy requires auto‐segmentation in patients with head and neck (HN) cancer. In the current study, we propose an auto‐segmentation model using a generative adversarial network (GAN) on magnetic resonance (MR) images of HN cancer for MR‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT).Material and methodsIn the current study, we used a dataset from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine MRI Auto‐Contouring (RT‐MAC) Grand Challenge 2019. Specifically, eight structures in the MR images of HN region, namely submandibular glands, lymph node level II and level III, and parotid glands, were segmented with the deep learning models using a GAN and a fully convolutional network with a U‐net. These images were compared with the clinically used atlas‐based segmentation.ResultsThe mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of the U‐net and GAN models was significantly higher than that of the atlas‐based method for all the structures (p < 0.05). Specifically, the maximum Hausdorff distance (HD) was significantly lower than that in the atlas method (p < 0.05). Comparing the 2.5D and 3D U‐nets, the 3D U‐net was superior in segmenting the organs at risk (OAR) for HN patients. The DSC was highest for 0.75–0.85, and the HD was lowest within 5.4 mm of the 2.5D GAN model in all the OARs.ConclusionsIn the current study, we investigated the auto‐segmentation of the OAR for HN patients using U‐net and GAN models on MR images. Our proposed model is potentially valuable for improving the efficiency of HN RT treatment planning.
The feasibility study on the generalization of deep learning dose prediction model for volumetric modulated arc therapy of cervical cancer
Authors: Qilin Zhang , Peng Bao , Ang Qu , Weijuan Jiang , Ping Jiang , Hongqing Zhuang , Bin Dong , Ruijie Yang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeTo develop a 3D‐Unet dose prediction model to predict the three‐dimensional dose distribution of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for cervical cancer and test the dose prediction performance of the model in endometrial cancer to explore the feasibility of model generalization.MethodsOne hundred and seventeen cases of cervical cancer and 20 cases of endometrial cancer treated with VMAT were used for the model training, validation, and test. The prescribed dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. Eight independent channels of contoured structures were input to the model, and the dose distribution was used as the output of the model. The 3D‐Unet prediction model was trained and validated on the training set (n = 86) and validation set (n = 11), respectively. Then the model was tested on the test set (n = 20) of cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, respectively. The results between clinical dose distribution and predicted dose distribution were compared in the following aspects: (a) the mean absolute error (MAE) within the body, (b) the Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) under different isodose volumes, (c) the dosimetric indexes including the mean dose (Dmean), the received dose of 2 cm3 (D2cc), the percentage volume of receiving 40 Gy dose of organs‐at‐risk (V40), planning target volume (PTV) D98%, and homogeneity index (HI), (d) dose–volume histograms (DVHs).ResultsThe model can accurately predict the dose distribution of the VMAT plan for cervical cancer and endometrial cancer. The overall average MAE and maximum MAE for cervical cancer were 2.43 ± 3.17% and 3.16 ± 4.01% of the prescribed dose, respectively, and for endometrial cancer were 2.70 ± 3.54% and 3.85 ± 3.11%. The average DSCs under different isodose volumes is above 0.9. The predicted dosimetric indexes and DVHs are equivalent to the clinical dose for both cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, and there is no statistically significant difference.ConclusionA 3D‐Unet dose prediction model was developed for VMAT of cervical cancer, which can predict the dose distribution accurately for cervical cancer. The model can also be generalized for endometrial cancer with good performance.
Model reference adaptive control: A finite‐time approach
Authors: Franco Roberto , Ríos Héctor , Ferreira de Loza Alejandra 
Published: March 2022

SummaryThis article contributes with a finite‐time model reference adaptive control approach to solve the robust tracking problem for a class of disturbed scalar linear systems. A nonlinear continuous control law, composed of nonlinear adaptive gains, provides a finite‐time rate of convergence. For the ideal case, that is, without external disturbances, the tracking and the parameter (ideal control gains) identification error converge to zero in a finite time. For the disturbed case, the tracking and the parameter identification error dynamics are finite‐time input‐to‐state stable with respect to the external disturbance. The corresponding convergence proofs and the robustness analysis are based on a Lyapunov function approach, input‐to‐state stability theory, and homogeneity theory. Finally, simulation and experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Sensitivity and Detection Limit of Spectroscopic‐Grade Perovskite CsPbBr3 Crystal for Hard X‐Ray Detection
Authors: He Yihui , Hadar Ido , De Siena Michael C. , Klepov Vladislav V. , Pan Lei , Chung Duck Young , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSpectroscopic‐grade single crystal detectors can register the energies of individual X‐ray interactions enabling photon‐counting systems with superior resolution over traditional photoconductive X‐ray detection systems. Current technical challenges have limited the preparation of perovskite semiconductors for energy‐discrimination X‐ray photon‐counting detection. Here, this work reports the deployment of a spectroscopic‐grade CsPbBr3 Schottky detector under reverse bias for continuum hard X‐ray detection in both the photocurrent and spectroscopic schemes. High surface barriers of ≈1 eV are formed by depositing solid bismuth and gold contacts. The spectroscopic response under a hard X‐ray source is assessed in resolving the characteristic X‐ray peak. The methodology in enhancing X‐ray sensitivity by controlling the X‐ray energies and flux, and voltage, is described. The X‐ray sensitivity varies between a few tens to over 8000 μC Gyair−1 cm−2. The detectable dose rate of the CsPbBr3 detectors is as low as 0.02 nGyair s−1 in the energy discrimination configuration. Finally, the unbiased CsPbBr3 device forms a spontaneous contact potential difference of about 0.7 V enabling high quality of the CsPbBr3 single crystals to operate in “passive” self‐powered X‐ray detection mode and the X‐ray sensitivity is estimated as 14 μC Gyair−1 cm−2. The great potential of spectroscopic‐grade CsPbBr3 devices for X‐ray photon‐counting systems is anticipated in this work.
Electrochemically Exfoliated Chlorine‐Doped Graphene for Flexible All‐Solid‐State Micro‐Supercapacitors with High Volumetric Energy Density
Authors: Liu Binbin , Zhang Qinghua , Zhang Lina , Xu Caixia , Pan Zhenghui , Zhou Qiuxia , Zhou Weijia , Wang John , Gu Lin , Liu Hong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractGraphene‐constructed micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) have received considerable attention recently, as part of the prospective wearable and portable electronics, owing to their distinctive merits of well‐tunable power output, robust mechanical flexibility, and long cyclability. In the current work, the focus is on the fabrication of high‐quality and solution‐processible chlorine‐doped graphene (Cl‐G) nanosheets through a handy yet eco‐friendly electrochemical exfoliation process. The Cl‐G is characteristic of the large lateral size of ≈10 µm, abundant nanopores with sizes of as small as 2 nm, as well as numerous steps from the rugged surface. Arising from the rich chemical functionalities and structure defects, the all‐solid‐state MSC built by using Cl‐G via a facile mask‐assisted method delivers a large reversible capacity and ultrasteady charge/discharge performance, with the capacitance being maintained at 98.1% even after 250 000 cycles. The Cl‐G‐MSC with EMIMBF4/PVDF‐HFP as the electrolyte displays a large volumetric capacitance up to 160 F cm−3 at the scan rate of 5 mV s−1 and high volumetric energy density of 97.9 mW h cm−3 at the power density of 3.4 W cm−3. The device can also output a high voltage up to 3.5 V and robust capability with 94.8% of capacitance retention upon 10 000 cycles.
Surface Modification of 2D Photocatalysts for Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Feng Chengyang , Wu Zhi‐Peng , Huang Kuo‐Wei , Ye Jinhua , Zhang Huabin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract2D materials show many particular properties, such as high surface‐to‐volume ratio, high anisotropic degree, and adjustable chemical functionality. These unique properties in 2D materials have sparked immense interest due to their applications in photocatalytic systems, resulting in significantly enhanced light capture, charge‐transfer kinetics, and surface reaction. Herein, the research progress in 2D photocatalysts based on varied compositions and functions, followed by specific surface modification strategies, is introduced. Fundamental principles focusing on light harvesting, charge separation, and molecular adsorption/activation in the 2D‐material‐based photocatalytic system are systemically explored. The examples described here detail the use of 2D materials in various photocatalytic energy‐conversion systems, including water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen fixation, hydrogen peroxide production, and organic synthesis. Finally, by elaborating the challenges and possible solutions for developing these 2D materials, the review is expected to provide some inspiration for the future research of 2D materials used on efficient photocatalytic energy conversions.
Engineering High Strength and Super‐Toughness of Unfolded Structural Proteins and their Extraordinary Anti‐Adhesion Performance for Abdominal Hernia Repair
Authors: Su Juanjuan , Liu Baimei , He Haonan , Ma Chao , Wei Bo , Li Ming , Li Jingjing , Wang Fan , Sun Jing , Liu Kai , Zhang Hongjie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe utility of unfolded structural proteins with diverse sequences offers multiple potentials to create functional biomaterials. However, it is challenging to overcome their structural defects for the development of biological fibers with a combination of high strength and high toughness. Herein, robust fibers from a recombinant unfolded protein consisting of resilin and supercharged polypeptide are fabricated via wet‐spinning approaches. Particularly, the highly ordered structures induced by supramolecular complexation significantly improve the fiber's mechanical performance. In contrast to chemical fibers with high strength and low toughness (or vice versa), the present fibers demonstrate exceptional high strength and super‐toughness, showing a breaking strength of ≈550 MPa and a toughness of ≈250 MJ m–3, respectively, surpassing many polymers and artificial protein fibers. Remarkably, the outstanding biocompatibility and superior mechanical properties allow application of the constructed fiber patches for efficient abdominal hernia repair in rat models. In stark contrast to clinical patches, there is no observed tissue adhesion by this treatment. Therefore, this work provides a new type of engineered protein material for surgical applications.
Large Transverse and Longitudinal Magneto‐Thermoelectric Effect in Polycrystalline Nodal‐Line Semimetal Mg3Bi2
Authors: Feng Tao , Wang Panshuo , Han Zhijia , Zhou Liang , Zhang Wenqing , Liu Qihang , Liu Weishu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractTopological semimetals provide new opportunities for exploring novel thermoelectric phenomena, owing to their exotic and nontrivial electronic structure topology around the Fermi surface. Herein, the discovery of large transverse and longitudinal magneto‐thermoelectric (MTE) effects in Mg3Bi2 is reported and predicted to be a type‐II nodal‐line semimetal in the absence of spin‐orbit coupling (SOC). The maximum transverse power factor is 2182 μW m−1K−2 at 13.5 K and 6 Tesla. The longitudinal power factor reaches up to 3043 μW m−1K−2, which is 20 times higher than that in a zero‐strength magnetic field and is also comparable to state‐of‐the‐art MTE materials. By compensating the Mg loss in Mg‐rich conditions for tuning the carrier concentration close to intrinsic state, the sample fabricated in this study exhibits a large linear non‐saturating magnetoresistance of 940% under a field of 14 Tesla. Using density functional calculations, the authors attribute the underlying mechanism to the parent linear‐dispersed nodal‐line electronic structure without SOC and the anisotropic Fermi surface shape with SOC, highlighting the essential role of high carrier mobility and open electron orbits in the moment space. This work offers a new avenue toward highly efficient MTE materials through defect engineering in polycrystalline topological semimetals.