bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural VAR and financial networks: A minimum distance approach to spatial modeling
Authors: Scidá Daniela 
Published: August 2022

SummaryIn this paper, I interpret a time series spatial model (T‐SAR) as a constrained structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model. Based on these restrictions, I propose a minimum distance approach to estimate the (row‐standardized) network matrix and the overall network influence parameter of the T‐SAR from the SVAR estimates. I also develop a Wald‐type test to assess the distance between these two models. To implement the methodology, I discuss machine learning methods as one possible identification strategy of SVAR models. Finally, I illustrate the methodology through an application to volatility spillovers across major stock markets using daily realized volatility data for 2004–2018.
Application value of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography in the treatment of uterine fibroids by high‐intensity focused ultrasound ablation: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Miao , Yin Chengkun , Jiang Jing , Chen Yan , Wang Juan , Wang Qi , Zeng Yuhua , Zhou Honggui 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeTo determine efficacy and safety of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids (UFs).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed women undergoing HIFU ablation for UFs between June 2018 and January 2020. Before and after HIFU, patients underwent CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The relationship between CEUS features and ablation rate was analyzed. The time–intensity curves on CEUS were measured before and after HIFU ablation, and compared with those obtained using MRI. Adverse reactions were recorded.ResultsA total of 64 patients were included. The immediate HIFU ablation rate significantly differed between low‐, iso‐, and high‐enhancement UFs (87.2% ± 1.6%, 83.3% ± 2.1%, and 72.9% ± 3.1%, respectively; p < 0.05). On CEUS, the peak time of the time–intensity curve was significantly longer after treatment than before treatment (32.2 ± 9.7 and 26.7 ± 9.4 s, respectively; p < 0.05). Peak intensity was significantly lower after treatment than before treatment (13.7 ± 7.5 and 30.9 ± 11.2 dB, respectively; p < 0.05). All measurements were comparable between CEUS and MRI. The most common peri‐ and post‐procedure adverse reaction was pain, which was temporary.ConclusionCEUS could dynamically and safely evaluate the immediate effects of the HIFU ablation of UFs.
Humoral and cellular immune response in patients with hematological disorders after two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine: A single‐center prospective observational study (NCT05074706)
Authors: Bossi Elisa , Aroldi Andrea , Borin Lorenza Maria , Verga Luisa , Fontana Diletta , Cocito Federica , Manghisi Beatrice , Rindone Giovanni , Cavalca Fabrizio , Ripamonti Alessia , Raggi Monica , Malandrin Sergio Maria Ivano , Cavallero Annalisa , Antolini Laura , Bonardi Diego , Piazza Rocco Giovanni , Gambacorti‐Passerini Carlo 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHematological patients at higher risk of severe COVID‐19 were excluded from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccine trials. In this single‐center observational prospective study (NCT05074706), we evaluate immune response in the hematological patients followed at the Hematological Division of San Gerardo Hospital, Monza (Italy) deemed to be severely immunosuppressed after vaccination with two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G titers above the cutoff value of 33.8 BAU/ml were detected in 303 (80.2%) out of the 378 patients enrolled. Patients with lymphoproliferative disorders had a significant lower probability of immunization (43.2% vs. 88.4%, p < 0.001). Patients treated with anti‐CD20 showed a significantly lower probability of immunization compared to all other treatments (21.4%, p < 0.0001). Among 69 patients who failed seroconversion, 15 patients (22.7%) showed a positive T‐cell response. Patients previously treated with anti‐CD20 were 2.4 times more likely to test positive for T‐cell responses (p = 0.014). Within a follow‐up of 9 months from the second COVID‐19 vaccination, symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infections were reported by 20 patients (5.3%) and four of them required hospitalization. Successful serological or T‐cell‐mediated immunization conferred protection from symptomatic COVID‐19. Patients treated with anti‐CD20 who were not seroconverted after vaccination might still be protected from COVID‐19 due to the T‐cell immune response.
Emancipatory technology and developing‐world supply chains: A case study of African women gemstone miners
Authors: George Jordana , Whitten Dwayne , Metters Richard , Abbey James 
Published: August 2022

AbstractArtisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) make up roughly 90% of the colored gemstone trade, a still untamed industry where money laundering, cartels, arms purchases, and crime run rampant while many miners prospect and dream of finding “the big one.” Women make up to 30% to 50% of ASM, often in developing regions. Struggling to make a living and support their families, women miners are subject to discrimination, unfair labor practices, and poor access to rich foreign markets. Grounded in a longitudinal case study in Africa, this qualitative research examines the journey of an organization seeking to emancipate women miners through supply chains that embrace technology, provenance, and disintermediation. This research demonstrates the strategic value of emancipatory technologies for firms. Secondly, we find evidence that combinations of storytelling and digital records create multidimensional provenance that mitigates a number of supply chain risks, particularly in tainted chains. Lastly, this research extends Tang's framework for engaging marginalized populations as suppliers and producers.
Interactions involved in heat‐induced gelatin gel containing hsian‐tsao gum, and mechanisms to improve its properties
Authors: You Gang , Niu Gaigai , Zhou Xinyi , Fan Heliang , Liu Xiaoling 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundHsian‐tsao gum (HG) has unique gel‐promoting and nutritional properties; however, its use in processed foods is limited to starchy foods, partially due to a lack of knowledge related to its interaction with proteins. This study elucidated the interaction mechanism of heat‐induced gelatin (G) (50 g kg−1) gel fortified with HG (0 ~ 20 g kg−1) using rheology, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), large deformation tests, low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).ResultsHeating promoted synergistic interactions between G and more HG molecules with enhanced apparent viscosity and higher storage modulus G′ than loss modulus G″, thus shortening the gel time (tg) of G‐HG sols into gels. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and DSC also confirmed the chemical interactions that occurred, facilitating the formation of β‐sheet structures of G. The microstructure of G gradually formed separate, coarse strands, and aggregated as HG was added, as observed by CLSM and SEM. This accelerated the gel formation rate and changed the textural properties. Although HG caused a disruptive decrease in the helix structure of G, it was possible to compensate for this by accelerating synergistic interactions, including depletion attractions and Maillard reactions, by heating.ConclusionHsian‐tsao gum interacted synergistically with G as a result of heating and this accelerated the gel formation rate and improved the gel properties. Novel complex gels could be designed by blending HG to improve the gel properties of G in the heat processing of the food gel formulation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of Primary Structure of Reactive Polymers on Network Structure and Mechanical Properties of Gels
Authors: Furuya Tsutomu , Koga Tsuyoshi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe effects of the primary structure of multifunctional reactive polymers on the network structure and the mechanical properties of gels formed by crosslinking the reactive polymers with crosslinkers are studied by a coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation. When functional groups are randomly arranged on the polymers, the network structure, such as the number densities of elastically effective chains and entanglements, and the mechanical properties depend on the number average molecular weight of the polymers; however, these properties are almost independent of the molecular weight distribution and the functional group number distribution of the polymers. The control of the arrangement of functional groups on the polymers improves the uniformity and the mechanical properties. By changing the arrangement from a random one to a periodic one, the number of elastically effective chains and the shear modulus increase, and the occurrence of entanglement is suppressed. The detailed analysis of the network structure reveals that the improvement of the mechanical properties is mainly due to the reduction of intramolecular crosslinking.
Polyvinylidene fluoride‐poly(vinyl acetate)‐natural graphite blend nanocomposites: Investigations of electroactive phase formation, electrical, thermal, and wetting properties
Authors: Haridas Menon Niranjan , Sabu Aleena , B. T. S. Ramanujam 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSolution blended polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)‐20 wt% poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)‐natural graphite (NtGr) blend nanocomposites exhibit a very low electrical percolation threshold of less than 0.5 wt% NtGr due to the formation of graphite nanosheets. The electroactive gamma phase induced with and without NtGr in PVDF‐20 wt% PVAc blend film is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry analyzes. The onset degradation temperature corresponding to PVDF in PVDF‐20 wt% PVAc blend nanocomposites is increased by 27°C when 1 wt% NtGr is incorporated into the blend, suggesting enhanced thermal stability of blend nanocomposites. Due to an increase in surface roughness of PVDF‐20 wt% PVAc‐3 wt% NtGr as evidence by field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, the water contact angle increases to 141.6° from 83.44° for PVDF‐20 wt% PVAc blend. AC conductivity analysis suggests hopping conduction in PVDF‐20 wt% PVAc‐x wt% NtGr (x = 1, 3, 5) blend nanocomposites. The interjunction capacitance increases with graphite loading in the blend.
Crystallinity and chain stem length dependence of yield kinetics in polyethylene
Authors: Furmanski Jevan , Govaert Leon , Schaefer Jonathan , Throckmorton Joseph A. , van Dommelen Johannes A. W. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractResearchers have long sought to predict the mechanical behavior of polyethylene from its microstructure. In particular, the yield strength and yield kinetics have been reported to be dependent on crystallinity and crystal thickness, but the relative importance of these two microstructural attributes has not been shown. In the present work, a series of microstructures was obtained through a combination of controlled quench rates from the melt and inclusion of various amounts of hexene comonomer. The yield strength for a wide range of strain‐rates was linearly dependent on the crystallinity, and independent of crystal thickness (chain stem length), both measured by Raman spectroscopy. Similarly, yield kinetics described by a Ree‐Eyring two‐process stress activated model showed linear dependence on crystallinity and no dependence on crystal thickness. The results of the present work call into question models of yield kinetics dependent on screw dislocation nucleation, which depend on crystal thickness.
Differential effects of omega‐3 PUFAS on tumor progression at early and advanced stages in TRAMP mice
Authors: Amaro Gustavo M. , da Silva Alana D. T. , Tamarindo Guilherme H. , Lamas Celina de A. , Taboga Sebastião R. , Cagnon Valéria Helena Alves , Góes Rejane M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn vitro studies evidenced antitumor effects of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ([n−3] PUFAs), but their effects on prostate cancer (PCa) remain controversial in epidemiological studies. Here we investigated whether an (n−3) PUFA‐enriched diet affects tumor progression in transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP), at early (12 weeks age) and advanced stages (20 weeks age).MethodsTRAMP mice were fed with standard rodent diet (C12, C20) or (n−3) PUFA‐enriched diet containing 10% fish oil (T12, T20). A group of 8 weeks age animals fed standard diet was also used for comparison (C8). The ventral prostate was processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses and serum samples submitted to biochemical assays.ResultsAt early stages, (n−3) PUFA increased the frequency of normal epithelium (3.8‐fold) and decreased the frequency of high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (3.3‐fold) and in situ carcinoma (1.9‐fold) in the gland, maintaining prostate pathological status similar to C8 group. At advanced stages, 50% of the animals developed a large primary tumor in both C20 and T20, and tumor weight did not differ (C20: 2.2 ± 2.4; T20: 2.8 ± 2.9 g). The ventral prostate of T12 and of T20 animals that did not develop primary tumors showed lower cell proliferation, tissue expressions of androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors, than their respective controls. For these animals, (n−3) PUFA also avoided an increase in the number of T‐lymphocytes, collagen fibers, and αSMA immunoreactivity, and preserved stromal gland microenvironment. (n−3) PUFA also lowered serum triglycerides and cholesterol, regulating the lipid metabolism of TRAMP mice.Conclusions(n−3) PUFAs had a protective effect at early stages of PCa, delaying tumor progression in TRAMP mice, in parallel with reductions in cell proliferation, AR, and GR and maintenance of the stromal compartment of the gland. However, (n−3) PUFAs did not prevent the development of primary tumors for the T20 group, reinforcing the need for further investigation at advanced stages of disease.
Effect of oil‐based emulsion on air bubbles in the spray sheet produced through the air‐induction nozzle
Authors: Gong Chen , Li Dongyang , Kang Can 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe air‐induction spray featured by air bubbles involved in the spray sheet has attracted great attention in applications of agricultural spray due to its advantages of alleviating spray drift and promoting deposition. The objective of the presented study is to deepen the understanding of the mechanism of the air‐induction spray through elucidating the effect of sprayed liquid on characteristics of air bubbles in the spray sheet.RESULTSThe air bubbles with relatively large sizes are stable for a long time span. As velocity of the water spray increases from 6.85 m s−1 to 17.87 m s−1, average size of the air bubbles decreases from 383.21 μm to 236.47 μm. With the introduction of organosilicone surfactant, the surface tension of the sprayed liquid decreases from 67.38 mN m−1 to 31.32 mN m−1; accordingly, average size of the bubbles decreases from 383.21 μm to 160.9 μm. Compared to aqueous solutions spray, the oil‐based emulsion spray is responsible for relatively small average size of air bubbles as the surface tension and spray velocity are respectively similar.CONCLUSIONLow drainage rate of the bubble lamella contributes to high stability of large air bubbles. The decrease of the average size of air bubbles is responsible for small volumetric median diameter of oil‐based emulsion spray compared with water spray. Besides the increase of the spray velocity and the decrease of the surface tension, the Marangoni effect caused by dynamics of oil droplets at air–liquid interface also contributes to the decrease of average size of air bubbles. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Top ten public health challenges to track in 2022
Authors: Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo III , Kouwenhoven M. B. N. , Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo , Miranda Adriana Viola , Gyeltshen Dawa , Suleman Mohamed Hoosen , Chiumia Isabel Kazanga , Lowe Mat , Dorji Thinley , Huang Junjie , Gacutno‐Evardone Angelica Joyce , Lin Xu , Dzhusupov Kenesh , Abordo Gacutno Kristine Joy , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Jensen Olaf , Amnatsatsue Kwanjai , Fessehaye Sium Abraham , Ikeda Takaaki , Wong Martin C. S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe identify ten public health challenges that need to be closely tracked in 2022. These challenges are COVID‐19, inadequate human resources for health, poor health systems financing, conflict and humanitarian crises, mental health, poverty, climate change, the health of children, reproductive health issues, and the infodemic. These global priorities, based on opinion of experts and current evidence and literature, need immediate attention and scaled‐up actions. This list of priorities does not discount the existence of other major public health challenges. We forecast and highlight those that may impact global public health in 2022 in order to progress and to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Thus, we advocate for stronger international cooperation, solidarity, and sustainable funding to address these challenges, and improve health across and within populations globally.
Understanding the effect of spatial positioning of coated blade spray devices relative to the mass spectrometry inlet on different instrument platforms and its application to quantitative analysis of fentanyl and related analogs
Authors: Rickert Daniel , Gómez‐Ríos German Augusto , Singh Varoon , Pawliszyn Janusz 
Published: August 2022

RationaleWe evaluated the effect that the spatial positioning of coated‐blade spray (CBS) devices with respect to the mass spectrometry (MS) inlet has when coupling to diverse MS platforms (i.e., triple quadrupole, linear ion trap and time of flight). Furthermore, as a proof of concept, we evaluated CBS‐MS as a tool for quantitation of fentanyl and four analogues on said instruments.MethodsCustom‐made MS interfaces were made to accurately position the blade in front of the MS inlet. CBS devices, coated with hydrophilic–lipophilic balanced particles, were used for both the optimization of the CBS position and the quantitation of fentanyl and analogues in urine and plasma samples on all instruments.ResultsThe SCIEX triple quadrupole instrument was the most sensitive to the position of the blade due to the presence of a curtain gas flowing laminarly out of the MS inlet. After optimization, the analytical capabilities of CBS on each instrument were assessed and the results obtained on both SCIEX and Waters platforms matched the performance obtained using a more advanced instrument by ThermoFisher Scientific. Furthermore, excellent figures of merit were attained for the quantitation of fentanyl and analogues on both triple quadrupole and linear ion trap platforms.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that optimization of MS parameters on different instrument vendors and front ends, such as the position of the CBS tip regarding the MS inlet, is vital to exploit the full quantitative potential of this technology. Application of the technology to screen and quantify fentanyl and analogues showed great potential when considering its coupling with portable mass spectrometers for therapeutic drug monitoring and point‐of‐care applications.
Thermo‐solutal Marangoni convective assisting/resisting flow of a nanofluid with radiative heat flux: A model with heat transfer optimization
Authors: Mackolil Joby , Basavarajappa Mahanthesh 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe mixed Marangoni assisting/resisting flow of a nanofluid with thermal radiative heat flux is analyzed when thermal and solutal buoyant forces are significant. The heat and mass transfer rates are simultaneously optimized by utilizing the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The face‐centered Central Composite Design (fc‐CCD) is used for the numerical experimental design involved in RSM. The sensitivities of the heat and mass transfer rates are evaluated to compare the impact of the thermal and solutal buoyant forces. Appropriate scaling and similarity transformations are utilized to simplify the problem and then numerical solutions are obtained. The nanoliquid flow, temperature, and concentration profiles are plotted for the buoyancy assisting and opposing Marangoni cases. The Marangoni flow with opposite buoyancy is found to have a greater magnitude of velocity while the flows assisted by the buoyancy have a greater magnitude of temperature and concentration profiles. Thermal buoyancy force has a predominant (0.6%) impact on both heat and mass transfer rates compared to solutal buoyancy force. Buoyancy forces are positively sensitive to heat and mass transfer rates. The thermal radiation aspect augments the temperature profile throughout the domain. The optimized mass and heat transfer rates ( and ) is achieved at the highest level of the buoyancy forces and ratio of Marangoni numbers.
Collaborative Research on Droplet Dynamics Under Extreme Ambient Conditions
Authors: Weigand Bernhard , Schulte Kathrin , Dreizler Andreas , Munz Claus-Dieter , Tropea Cameron 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA fundamental understanding of droplet dynamics is important for the prediction and optimization of technical systems involving drops and sprays. The Collaborative Research Center (CRC) SFB-TRR 75 was established in January 2010 to focus on the dynamics of basic drop processes, and in particular on processes involving extreme ambient conditions, for example near thermodynamic critical conditions, at very low temperatures, under the influence of strong electric fields, or in situations involving extreme gradients of the boundary conditions. The goal of the CRC was to gain a profound physical understanding of the essential processes, which is the basis for new analytical and numerical descriptions as well as for improved predictive capabilities. This joint initiative involved scientists at the University of Stuttgart, the TU Darmstadt, the TU Berlin, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen. This first chapter provides a brief overview of the overall structure of this CRC as well as a summary of some selected scientific achievements of the subprojects involved. For further details the reader is referred to the subsequent chapters of this book related to the individual subprojects.
Analysis and Numerics of Sharp and Diffuse Interface Models for Droplet Dynamics
Authors: Magiera Jim , Rohde Christian 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe modelling of liquid–vapour flow with phase transition poses many challenges, both on the theoretical level, as well as on the level of discretisation methods. Therefore, accurate mathematical models and efficient numerical methods are required. In that, we focus on two modelling approaches: the sharp-interface (SI) approach and the diffuse-interface (DI) approach. For the SI-approach, representing the phase boundary as a co-dimension-1 manifold, we develop and validate analytical Riemann solvers for basic isothermal two-phase flow scenarios. This ansatz becomes cumbersome for increasingly complex thermodynamical settings. A more versatile multiscale interface solver, that is based on molecular dynamics simulations, is able to accurately describe the evolution of phase boundaries in the temperature-dependent case. It is shown to be even applicable to two-phase flow of multiple components. Despite the successful developments for the SI approach, these models fail if the interface undergoes topological changes. To understand merging and splitting phenomena for droplet ensembles, we consider DI models of second gradient type. For these Navier–Stokes–Korteweg systems, that can be seen as a third order extension of the Navier–Stokes equations, we propose variants that are more accessible to standard numerical schemes. More precisely, we reformulate the capillarity operator to restore the hyperbolicity of the Euler operator in the full system.