bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P(OEGMA‐co‐LMA) hyperbranched amphiphilic copolymers as self‐assembled nanocarriers
Authors: Balafouti Anastasia , Pispas Stergios 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe report on the synthesis of novel amphiphilic hyperbranched copolymers, namely Hyperbranched‐[poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate‐co‐lauryl methacrylate] (H‐[P(OEGMA‐co‐LMA)]), obtained by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization utilizing the divinyl monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the branching agent. Molecular characterization by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) spectroscopy indicated the success of the polymerization. The self‐assembly behavior in aqueous media was investigated by light scattering techniques and fluorescence spectroscopy. The hyperbranched copolymers form multimolecular aggregates of nanoscale dimensions with a low critical aggregation concentration. In addition, the model hydrophobic drug, curcumin (CUR), known also for its intrinsic fluorescence properties, was used in order to investigate the H‐[P(OEGMA‐co‐LMA)] copolymers drug encapsulation ability. Curcumin is successfully loaded into the polymeric nanoparticles, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Interestingly, curcumin hydrophobic interactions with the hyperbranched copolymers result in more well‐defined co‐assembled nanostructures, in terms of size and size distribution. The mixed copolymer‐CUR nano‐assemblies consist of small size nanoparticles (<100 nm) which exhibit relatively high size uniformity, colloidal stability and fluorescent properties. Overall, results signify that the biocompatible H‐[P(OEGMA‐co‐LMA)] nanostructures could potentially serve as nanocarrier systems for drug delivery and bio‐imaging applications.
Screening for cognitive symptoms among cancer patients during chemotherapy: Sensitivity and specificity of a single item self‐report cognitive change score
Authors: Fardell Joanna E. , Bray Victoria , Bell Melanie L. , Rabe Brooke , Dhillon Haryana , Vardy Janette L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivesCognitive symptoms are commonly reported among cancer patients and survivors, yet guidance on when self‐reported cognitive symptoms warrant follow‐up is lacking. We sought to establish cut‐off scores for identifying patients with perceived low cognitive functioning on widely used self‐report measures of cognition and a novel single item Cognitive Change Score.MethodsAdult patients diagnosed with invasive cancer who had completed at least one cycle of chemotherapy completed a questionnaire containing the EORTC‐Cognitive Function (CF) subscale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Cognitive Function (FACT‐COG) Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI) and our Cognitive Change Score (CCS). We used receiver operating characteristic analyses to establish the discriminative ability of these measures against the Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory (PAOFI) as our reference standard. We chose cut‐off scores on each measure that maximised both sensitivity and specificity for identifying patients with self‐reported low CF.ResultsWe recruited 294 participants (55.8% women, mean age 56.6 years) with mixed cancer diagnoses (25.5 months since diagnosis). On the CCS, 77.6% reported some cognitive change since starting chemotherapy. On the PAOFI 36% had low CF. The following cut‐off scores identified cases of low CF: ≥28.5 on the CCS (75.5% sensitivity, 67.6% specificity); ≤75.0 on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, QLQ‐C30 Cognitive Functioning scale (90.9% sensitivity, 57.1% specificity); ≤55.1 on the FACT‐COG PCI‐18 (84.8% sensitivity, 76.2% specificity), and ≤59.5 on the FACT‐COG PCI‐20 (78.8% sensitivity, 84.1% specificity).ConclusionsWe found a single item question asking about cognitive change has acceptable discrimination between patients with self‐reported normal and low CF when compared to other more comprehensive self‐report measures of cognitive symptoms. Further validation work is required.
Nonthermal plasma in the induction of polycondensation processes and intermolecular dehydrochlorination of chloroethanes in the liquid phase
Authors: Bodrikov Ivan , Titov Evgeniy Yurievich , Vasiliev Alexander , Titov Dmitry , Ivanova Anna , Subbotin Andrey 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe nonthermal plasma treatment of 1,2‐dichloroethane, 1,1,2‐trichloroethane, and 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane in the liquid phase leads to the formation of unsaturated chlorine derivatives of hydrocarbons, nanostructures, and hydrogen chloride. In the case of nonthermal plasma‐induced elimination of chloroethanes, the main products are: chloroethene from 1,2‐dichloroethane, 1,1‐dichloro‐, 1,2‐dichloroethene from trichloroethane, and trichloro‐ and tetrachlorethylenes from tetrachloroethane. Solid products are presented in the form of nanoscale carbon structures—multilayer nanotubes, carbon fibers, graphene layers, and others. Quantum‐chemical calculations show that the elimination of HCl under the nonthermal plasma treatment on chloroethanes occurs intermolecularly.
Visual attraction of the European tarnished plant bug Lygus rugulipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae) to a water trap with LED light in chrysanthemum greenhouses and olfactory attraction to novel compounds in Y‐tube tests
Authors: van Tol Robert WHM , Diaz Rodriguez Celia M , de Bruin Antje , Yang Daowei , Taparia Tanvi , Griepink Frans C 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe European tarnished plant bug Lygus rugulipennis Poppius (Hemiptera: Miridae) can cause several types of damage to crops grown in greenhouses and fields, including flower abortion in eggplant, stem and fruit damage in cucumbers, and splits in chrysanthemums. Studies suggest that both male and female L. rugulipennis may be more attracted to traps based on visual attraction than pheromone‐based trap. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a water trap with LED lights and semiochemicals in trapping L. rugulipennis in the laboratory and greenhouse.RESULTSThe results showed that water traps equipped with white LED light caught 20 30 times more bugs than did the sex pheromone‐based traps in greenhouse experiment. During the week of peak flight, the LED water trap caught a total of 29 males and females, whereas the sex pheromone caught only one male. Among the semiochemicals tested in a Y‐tube, both males and females were attracted to ß‐caryophyllene, but not in the presence of the sex pheromone, whereas both males and females were attracted to pentyl butyrate in the presence of the sex pheromone. The pheromone plus bean plant odor was attractive to the insects, suggesting an interaction between plant odor and pheromone.CONCLUSIONOverall, the findings of the study showed that the water trap with LED light could be an effective method for trapping L. rugulipennis in greenhouses. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Dietary polyphenols for management of rheumatoid arthritis: Pharmacotherapy and novel delivery systems
Authors: Maity Siddharth , Wairkar Sarika 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, complex, systemic autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation, swelling, and pain. It affects pulmonary and ocular physiology, gastrointestinal disturbance, skeletal disorders, and renal malfunctioning. Although conventional and biological drugs available to treat RA are potent and effective, they lead to life‐threatening side effects and patient discomfort. Hence, alternative therapies are explored for their treatment which is safe, effective, and economical. Herbal drugs are widely used as an alternative therapy and some medicinal plants, especially dietary polyphenols proved their efficacy in treating RA. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants possessing several pharmacological actions. They exert anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti‐rheumatoid activity by modulating tumor necrosis factor, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells, and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases. Thus, polyphenols could be a promising option for the management of RA. Unfortunately, polyphenols suffer from poor bioavailability due to their physicochemical properties and incorporation into novel delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, micelles improved their oral bioavailability. This review article summarizes dietary polyphenols, their pharmacological actions and novel delivery systems for the treatment of RA. Nevertheless, the commercial translation of polyphenols could be only possible after establishing their safety profile and successful clinical trials.
Simplifying the complexity of the soil microbiome to guide the development of next‐generation SynComs
Authors: Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionMicrobial synthetic communities (SynComs) are commonly commercialised to improve crop yield and restoration outcomes. However, many times, these SynComs are over‐simplistic and are far from being able to unleash the soil microbiome's full potential. This is partially due to the fact that harnessing the full potential of the soil microbiome to fuel new SynComs is highly complex.Materials and MethodsHere, I used a multidisciplinary approach combining data from a global grassland field survey and ecological theory with satellite‐based measurements for aboveground biomass and ‘omics’ to provide an example of how to connect the soil microbiome of real‐world ecosystems with the development of the next generation of SynComs. The same approach could be used to identify individual taxa associated with plant productivity within and across any ecosystem type from local to global scales.ResultsI used a three‐step approach (#1 Dominant taxa + #2 correlation networks + #3 microbe‐function) aiming at identifying individual soil taxa with the potential to promote plant production across contrasting environments. This approach simplified the complexity of the soil microbiome to 0.4% of all investigated taxa, which were positively associated with plant productivity after statistically accounting for other key environmental factors. These taxa are common, ubiquitous and native across contrasting global grasslands, suggesting that they could be used under different soil and climatic conditions, and potentially, under different climate change scenarios. Finally, this study further provides a list of soil taxa associated with high and low productive grassland ecosystems globally.ConclusionThe multidisciplinary approach presented here, along with the use of SynComs, can help unlock the soil microbiome's full potential when aiming to support food production and the restoration of ecosystems under global change.
Semiparametric multiple inflation count model with application to a smoking cessation study
Authors: Das Ujjwal , Basu Ranojoy 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCount data are observed by practitioners across various fields. Often, a substantially large proportion of one or some values causes extra variation and may lead to a particular case of mixed structured data. In these cases, a standard count model may lead to poor inference of the parameters involved because of its inability to account for extra variation. Furthermore, we hypothesize a possible nonlinear relationship of a continuous covariate with the logarithm of the mean count and with the probability of belonging to an inflated category. We propose a semiparametric multiple inflation Poisson (MIP) model that considers the two nonlinear link functions. We develop a sieve maximum likelihood estimator (sMLE) for the regression parameters of interest. We establish the asymptotic behavior of the sMLE. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed sieve MIP (sMIP). Then, we illustrate the methodology on data from a smoking cessation study. Finally, some remarks and opportunities for future research conclude the article.
Improving large‐scale estimation and inference for profiling health care providers
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Yang Yuan , Kang Jian , He Kevin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractProvider profiling has been recognized as a useful tool in monitoring health care quality, facilitating inter‐provider care coordination, and improving medical cost‐effectiveness. Existing methods often use generalized linear models with fixed provider effects, especially when profiling dialysis facilities. As the number of providers under evaluation escalates, the computational burden becomes formidable even for specially designed workstations. To address this challenge, we introduce a serial blockwise inversion Newton algorithm exploiting the block structure of the information matrix. A shared‐memory divide‐and‐conquer algorithm is proposed to further boost computational efficiency. In addition to the computational challenge, the current literature lacks an appropriate inferential approach to detecting providers with outlying performance especially when small providers with extreme outcomes are present. In this context, traditional score and Wald tests relying on large‐sample distributions of the test statistics lead to inaccurate approximations of the small‐sample properties. In light of the inferential issue, we develop an exact test of provider effects using exact finite‐sample distributions, with the Poisson‐binomial distribution as a special case when the outcome is binary. Simulation analyses demonstrate improved estimation and inference over existing methods. The proposed methods are applied to profiling dialysis facilities based on emergency department encounters using a dialysis patient database from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
A Dual‐Cross‐Linked Hydrogel Patch for Promoting Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Liu Jing , Qu Moyuan , Wang Canran , Xue Yumeng , Huang Hui , Chen Qianming , Sun Wujin , Zhou Xingwu , Xu Guihua , Jiang Xing 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDiabetic wound treatment faces significant challenges in clinical settings. Alternative treatment approaches are needed. Continuous bleeding, disordered inflammatory regulation, obstruction of cell proliferation, and disturbance of tissue remodeling are the main characteristics of diabetic wound healing. Hydrogels made of either naturally derived or synthetic materials can potentially be designed with a variety of functions for managing the healing process of chronic wounds. Here, a hemostatic and anti‐inflammatory hydrogel patch is designed for promoting diabetic wound healing. The hydrogel patch is derived from dual‐cross‐linked methacryloyl‐substituted Bletilla Striata polysaccharide (B) and gelatin (G) via ultraviolet (UV) light. It is demonstrated that the B–G hydrogel can effectively regulate the M1/M2 phenotype of macrophages, significantly promote the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts in vitro, and accelerate angiogenesis. It can boost wound closure by normalizing epidermal tissue regeneration and depositing collagen appropriately in vivo without exogenous cytokine supplementation. Overall, the B–G bioactive hydrogel can promote diabetic wound healing in a simple, economical, effective, and safe manner.
Nanohelix‐Induced Optical Activity of Liquid Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Lin , Ma Yicong , Lin Chao , Qu Geping , Bai Xiaopeng , Huang Zhifeng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLiquid metals (such as gallium or Ga) exist in liquid states under ambient conditions and are hardly sculpted in chiral structures. Herein, through electron‐beam evaporation of Ga, hemispherical achiral Ga nanoparticles (NPs) are randomly immobilized along helical surfaces of SiO2nanohelices (NHs), functioning as a chiral template. Helical assembly of Ga NPs shows chiroplasmonic optical activity owing to collective plasmon–plasmon interactions, which can be tuned as a function of a helical SiO2pitch (P) and the amount of Ga evaporated. At aPof ≈150 nm, the chiroplasmonic optical activity, evaluated with anisotropicg‐factor, can be as large as ≈0.1. Because the SiO2NHs and Ga NPs have high environmental stability of nanostructures, the chiroplasmonic optical activity shows excellent anti‐aging stability, despite slight blue shift and chiroplasmonic degradation for the first 2 weeks. Spontaneous oxidation of the Ga NPs enables the formation of dense Ga2O3layers covering Ga cores to prevent further oxidation and thus to stabilize the chiroplasmonic optical activity. This work devises an alternative approach to impose optical activity onto Ga NPs, providing an additional degree of freedom (i.e., chirality) for Ga‐based flexible electronic devices to develop advanced applications of 3D display, circular polarizers, bio‐imaging, and bio‐detection.
Transforming Policy Standards to Promote Equity and Developmental Success Among Latinx Children and Youth
Authors: Aceves Lorena , Crowley Daniel Max , Rincon Brenda , Bravo Diamond Y. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTThe main goal of this social policy report is to propose a holistic approach for promoting developmental success among Latinx children and youth. This report highlights the need to 1) redefine success and 2) account for intersectional inequalities. First, the current demographic landscape of Latinx students is presented to showcase the variability in experiences among Latinx children and youth. We review past policies (across the last two and current U.S. Administrations and within the state of California), educational programs (e.g., McNair scholars' program, AVID), and theoretical frameworks (within developmental and sociocultural disciplines). Next, we introduce a nuanced holistic approach for promoting Latinx children and youth's developmental success, underscoring the integration of factors within the sociocultural, family, and individual domains. Finally, this report provides accessible recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to effectively promote equity and developmental success among diverse groups of Latinx children and youth.
High‐coverage metamorphic testing of concurrency support in C compilers
Authors: Windsor Matt , Donaldson Alastair F. , Wickerson John 
Published: March 2022

SummaryWe present a technique and automated toolbox for randomized testing of C compilers. Unlike prior compiler‐testing approaches, we generate concurrent test cases in which threads communicate using fine‐grained atomic operations, and we study actual compiler implementations rather than abstract mappings. Our approach is (1) to generate test cases with precise oracles directly from an axiomatization of the C concurrency model; (2) to apply metamorphic fuzzing to each test case, aiming to amplify the coverage they are likely to achieve on compiler codebases; and (3) to execute each fuzzed test case extensively on a range of real machines. Our tool, C4, benefits compiler developers in two ways. First, test cases generated by C4 can achieve line coverage of parts of the LLVM C compiler that are reached by neither the LLVM test suite nor an existing (sequential) C fuzzer. This information can be used to guide further development of the LLVM test suite and can also shed light on where and how concurrency‐related compiler optimizations are implemented. Second, C4 can be used to gain confidence that a compiler implements concurrency correctly. As evidence of this, we show that C4 achieves high strong mutation coverage with respect to a set of concurrency‐related mutants derived from a recent version of LLVM and that it can find historic concurrency‐related bugs in GCC. As a by‐product of concurrency‐focused testing, C4 also revealed two previously unknown sequential compiler bugs in recent versions of GCC and the IBM XL compiler.
Environmental injustice and Escherichia coli in urban streams: Potential for community‐led response
Authors: Davis Lacey J. , Milligan Richard , Stauber Christine E. , Jelks Na'Taki Osborne , Casanova Lisa , Ledford Sarah H. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEscherichia coli are fecal indicator bacteria that reach waterbodies through aging and failing infrastructure in cities. Exposure to pathogens in untreated sewage can result in gastrointestinal disease, which frequently goes unreported. In the United States, the Clean Water Act regulates point source discharges of sewage and treated wastewater, but fecal indicator bacteria remain the second leading cause of river impairment. The burden of this contamination is not equitably distributed, with Black, Indigenous, and communities of color suffering from a disproportionate burden of untreated and overflowing waste and subsequent health impacts. Regulatory failures, and even abandonment, along with the exclusion of people of color from the mainstream environmental movement, mean that new approaches are needed to help communities empower themselves to address contamination. Community‐led groups that engage residents in addressing issues within and beyond regulatory frameworks have used approaches including trash traps, riparian planting and restoration, and community‐led monitoring. Mycofiltration, or the use of fungi to filter pollutants from water, is an emerging and understudied method of remediating E. coli. The low cost of mycofilter installation and maintenance may give agency to communities that have been unduly burdened with sewage contamination to diminish harmful exposures in the near term, even as they continue working toward longer‐term regulatory fixes. Continued research is needed to fully understand how different species of mycelium work under varying hydrologic conditions, including in‐field installations, along with long‐term monitoring and community acceptance to understand the efficacy and the potential impact of this strategy.
Evaluating the accuracy of the actuator line model against blade element momentum theory in uniform inflow
Authors: Liu Luoqin , Franceschini Lucas , Oliveira Daniel F. , Galeazzo Flavio C.C. , Carmo Bruno S. , Stevens Richard J. A. M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe evaluate the accuracy of the actuator line model (ALM) approach by performing simulations for the NREL 5‐MW wind turbine in uniform inflow using three large eddy simulation codes. The power and thrust coefficients obtained using the three codes agree within 1% when the grid spacing
m and are cross‐validated against blade element momentum (BEM) theory. We find that the results of ALM converge towards BEM theory without the need for tip correction when the numerical resolution is increased. For
m, the difference between the power and thrust coefficient obtained using ALM and BEM is 4.5% and 2.1%, respectively, although we note that no absolute convergence between ALM and BEM can be obtained as both models use different assumptions, such as the use of a force projection method in the ALM. The difference in the local axial and tangential forces along the blades obtained from ALM simulations using
m and
m can be as large as 10%. The effect of the number of actuator points on the obtained turbine power and thrust coefficients is limited as the results converge when the spacing between the actuator points is about three times the grid spacing. This insight on the required number of blade points can be used to improve the efficiency of actuator line simulations.
Longtime behavior of multidimensional wave equation with local Kelvin–Voigt damping
Authors: Han Zhong‐Jie , Yu Kai , Zhang Qiong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this paper, the longtime behavior of a coupled multidimensional elastic–viscoelastic waves system is considered. This model consists of an elastic wave domain and an viscoelastic wave domain, connecting by a common interface. The dissipative damping is produced in the viscoelastic wave via the boundary connection. By the resolvent estimate together with microlocal analysis argument, we show that the corresponding semigroup is polynomially stable with decay rate under certain conditions.