bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of gibberellin applications before flowering on the phenotype, ripening, and flavonoid compounds of Syrah grape berries
Authors: Xie Sha , Liu Yunqi , Chen Huawei , Yang Bowei , Ge Maosheng , Zhang Zhenwen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDVitis vinifera L. cv. Syrah grapevines in most Chinese viticulture regions generally have compact clusters that increase the susceptibility to diseases and inhibit coloration of the inner berries. Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a plant growth regulator that is widely used during grape cultivation to elongate the rachis, control fruit set, and decrease cluster compactness. In this study, Syrah grapevines were treated with GA3 before flowering in 2019 and 2020 to determine the optimal GA3 treatment concentrations and times for decreasing bunch compactness, while minimizing the negative effects on the wine grape cluster weight.RESULTSPre‐flowering GA3 applications at 3, 5, and 7 mg L−1, especially treatment at 20 days before flowering, decreased Syrah grape bunch compactness by decreasing the fruit set rate and promoting bunch elongation, with minimal adverse effects on the healthy grape cluster weight in both years. The 7 mg L−1 GA3 treatment at 20 days before flowering significantly increased reducing sugar, total phenolic, tannin, and total anthocyanin contents of Syrah grape berries in 2019 and 2020. Moreover, high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry, hierarchical cluster, and principal component analysis results indicated GA3 applications before flowering (3, 5, and 7 mg L−1) significantly affected the accumulation of different anthocyanins in Syrah grape berries. Notably, the application of 7 mg L−1 GA3 at 20 days before flowering resulted in the highest anthocyanin content.CONCLUSIONPre‐flowering gibberellin application can decrease bunch compactness and improve the quality of Syrah grape berries. These findings reflect the potential utility of gibberellin treatments for decreasing cluster compactness and increasing the quality of wine grapes. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
WHY ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE IS HARD—AND HOW TO MAKE IT EASIER
Authors: Andersen Erika 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe author explains why organizational change can be such a difficult endeavor, and what leaders can do about it. And it is not just in business. She points out that this also happens in “charitable and religious organizations, academic institutions and government entities.” As a species, humans have “anti‐change wiring,” yet in today’s fast‐paced world “We need to re‐wire ourselves to be more comfortable with and open to change; we need to become more change‐capable.” Based on research at the author’s company, Proteus, a figure is presented, representing what she calls “The Change Arc.” It outlines what happens from when a change is proposed to when it occurs, including the mindset shifts leading to new behaviors. For helping people embrace change, she proposes four “change levers,” which “are force multipliers that help accelerate people through their mindset shift around change.”
Versatility of perforator flaps for lower extremity defect coverage: Technical highlights and single center experience with 87 consecutive cases
Authors: Scaglioni Mario F. , Meroni Matteo , Knobe Matthias , Fritsche Elmar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundLower extremity defects have been and remain one of the greatest challenges in reconstructive surgery. Perforator flaps have been accepted as a valid procedure to cover such a defect. Different techniques have been described and nowadays many options are available. However, there were not studies that comprehensively review the most modern techniques and clinical application of the use of perforator flaps in the lower extremity reconstruction. In the present report, we gathered most of them, presenting an updated and large case series where different pedicled and free perforators flaps were employed in simple and complex scenarios in a large series of cases.Patients and MethodsEighty‐seven patients presenting soft tissue defects of the lower extremities were treated by means of different perforator‐based flaps, in either free or pedicled fashion. The flaps were based on different perforator vessels, namely deep lateral circumflex femoral artery, profunda femoris artery, superficial femoral artery, medial sural artery, peroneal artery, posterior tibial artery, anterior tibial artery, and medial plantar artery. Patients' mean age was 61.9 years old (range 21—87 years old), 58 were males and 29 females. The 12 patients received sequential flaps and 9 received double free flaps, for a total sum of 106 flaps. The causes of the defects were trauma in 41 patients and tumors in 46 patients, located throughout the lower limbs. Size of the defect ranged from 3 cm × 4 cm to 25 cm × 9 cm.ResultsThe dimensions of the flap skin paddles ranged from 3 cm × 4 cm to 16 cm × 5 cm for the pedicled flaps (42 cases) and from 6 cm × 4 cm to 25 cm × 8 cm for the free ones (45 cases). Mean flap's size was 48 cm2 (range 12–80 cm2) for the pedicle flaps and 104 cm2 (range 24—200 cm2) for free flaps. In two pedicled cases, a distal congestion was encountered, requiring a second surgery. Debulking procedures were performed in 2 patients. All the patients were successfully treated and no flaps were lost. Mean follow‐up period was 8.4 months (range 3–12 months). No range of motion impairment was encountered after surgery and all the patients were able to return to habitual life.ConclusionsThe present case series highlights the reliability and versatility of perforator flaps for lower extremity defect coverage. Following careful consideration of the etiology, dimensions, location, patient comorbidities, and presence of adequate perforators, a pedicled or free perforator flap can be potentially successful in the most disparate circumstances.
A Presurgical‐Window Intervention Trial of Isothiocyanate‐Rich Broccoli Sprout Extract in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Zinian , Tu Chengjian , Pratt Rachel , Khoury Thaer , Qu Jun , Fahey Jed W. , McCann Susan E. , Zhang Yuesheng , Wu Yue , Hutson Alan D. , Ambrosone Christine B. , Edge Stephen B. , Cappuccino Helen H. , Takabe Kazuaki , Young Jessica S. , Tang Li 
Published: April 2022

ScopeDietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables have shown potent anti‐breast cancer activities in preclinical models, but their anticancer effects in vivo in breast cancer patients remain elusive. A proof‐of‐principle, presurgical window of opportunity trial is conducted to assess the anticancer effects of dietary ITCs in breast cancer patients.Methods and ResultsThirty postmenopausal breast cancer patients are randomly assigned to receive ITC‐rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) (200 µmol ITC per day) or a placebo for 2 weeks. Expression of biomarkers related to ITCs functions are measured in breast cancer tissue specimens at pre‐ and post‐interventions using immunohistochemistry staining. First morning urine samples are collected at both timepoints for proteomic analysis. Overall, the study shows high compliance (100%) and low toxicity (no grade 4 adverse event). Trends of increase in cleaved caspase 3 and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and trends of decrease in Ki‐67 and nuclear to cytoplasm ratio of estrogen receptor (ER)‐α are observed in the BSE arm only, consistent with the significantly altered signaling pathways identified in urinary proteomic analysis.ConclusionsAnticancer activities of ITCs are observed in breast cancer patients, supporting the potential beneficial roles of ITC‐containing cruciferous vegetables in breast cancer prognosis.
Improving the reproducibility of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain thermometry: Theoretical and empirical approaches
Authors: Dong Zhengchao , Kantrowitz Joshua T. , Mann J. John 
Published: April 2022

In proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS)‐based thermometry of brain, averaging temperatures measured from more than one reference peak offers several advantages, including improving the reproducibility (i.e., precision) of the measurement. This paper proposes theoretically and empirically optimal weighting factors to improve the weighted average of temperatures measured from three references. We first proposed concepts of equivalent noise and equivalent signal‐to‐noise ratio in terms of frequency measurement and a concept of relative frequency that allows the combination of different peaks in a spectrum for improving the precision of frequency measurement. Based on these, we then derived a theoretically optimal weighting factor and proposed an empirical weighting factor, both involving equivalent noise levels, for a weighted average of temperatures measured from three references (i.e., the singlets of NAA, Cr, and Ch in the 1H MR spectrum). We assessed these two weighting factors by comparing their errors in measurement of temperatures with the errors of temperatures measured from individual references; we also compared these two new weighting factors with two previously proposed weighting factors. These errors were defined as the standard deviations in repeated measurements or in Monte Carlo studies. Both the proposed theoretical and empirical weighting factors outperformed the two previously proposed weighting factors as well as the three individual references in all phantom and in vivo experiments. In phantom experiments with 4‐ or 10‐Hz line broadening, the theoretical weighting factor outperformed the empirical one, but the latter was superior in all other repeated and Monte Carlo tests performed on phantom and in vivo data. The proposed weighting factors are superior to the two previously proposed weighting factors and can improve the reproducibility of temperature measurement using 1H MRS‐based thermometry.
Examining the relationship between board member selection criteria and board boundary spanning into internal, upward, and outward accountability environments
Authors: Cody Christopher A. , Lawrence Kara L. , Prentice Christopher R. , Clerkin Richard M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPrevious literature establishes a contingency‐based framework of external conditions, internal organizational characteristics, and board attributes and composition that impact board effectiveness and calls for more industry‐specific nonprofit studies to build the field's knowledge of the factors that lead to nonprofit board effectiveness. In this manuscript, we use a national study of nonprofit charter school boards to answer this call. Controlling for internal organizational characteristics and external conditions, we examine how board member selection criteria is related to levels of board boundary spanning in inward, upward, and outward accountability environments. Selecting board members because of their knowledge of the organization, have membership in the group being served and for their willingness to give time is all associated with higher levels of inward, upward, and outward accountability activities. Alternatively, selecting board members because they are friends/acquaintances of current board members is associated with lower levels of activities across all three accountability environments. Our findings suggest that charter school boards may be recruiting board members who can relate to multiple stakeholder groups across accountability environments rather than selecting for members who operate in distinct accountability environments.
Preparation of cellulose nanocrystals coated with polymer crystals and their application in composite films
Authors: Uchida Tetsuya , Nishioka Ryohei , Yanai Risa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIncreasing the dispersibility of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a reinforcing material is highly desirable to obtain composites with enhanced mechanical properties. To this aim, nanocomposite fibers (NCF(CNC/polymer)) were fabricated by coating CNCs with polymer crystals. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐ethylene) (EVOH) were crystallized from a dilute solution in the presence of CNCs, which acted as nucleating agents for polymer crystal growth on the CNC surface. NCF consisting of CNCs coated with PVA crystals (NCF(CNC/PVA)) and CNCs coated with EVOH crystals (NCF(CNC/EVOH)) were successfully obtained. Both NCF(CNC/polymer) showed good dispersibility in water, even after drying, and were used to prepare composite films with improved mechanical properties. The reinforcement effect of NCF(CNC/PVA) was greater than that of pure CNCs and NCF(CNC/EVOH). The PVA composite films exhibited optical transmittance above 99% compared with additive‐free PVA films. No agglomerates appeared even under the optical microscopic observation of the PVA composite film, and NCF(CNC/PVA) dispersibility was extremely good. NCF(CNC/PVA)‐added PVA composite films exhibited increased glass transition temperature compared with additive‐free PVA films, and the crystallinity of the PVA film increased. The highly dispersed CNCs in the PVA matrix and the increase in the glass transition temperature and crystallinity caused an increase in the mechanical modulus of the PVA composite film at low NCF(CNC/PVA) content. Furthermore, the effect of the morphologies of cellulose nanofibers and CNCs on the mechanical properties of the composite films prepared using the respective NCFs was investigated.
Studies on mechanical and thermal properties of cellulosic fiber fillers reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Sathish Thanikodi , Jagadeesh Praveenkumara , Rangappa Sanjay Mavinkere , Siengchin Suchart 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEnvironment protection is the current theme for many industries by utilizing biodegradable natural fibers for products development. The growing awareness of the environmental harm caused by synthetic materials has resulted in the emergence of eco‐friendly materials. This work aims to fabrication of jute, bamboo, and coir fiber reinforced hybrid composites (12 combinations) with the analysis of mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The tensile and flexural tests reveal that the composite JC8 (21% jute, 1.5% coir, 7.5% bamboo) exhibited maximum tensile and flexural strengths of 129.3 and 98 MPa respectively due to higher cellulose constituents in jute and bamboo fibers that resulted in higher degree cellulose polymerization with the epoxy matrix, and also the capability of tension and bending resistance. The combined effect of hybrid fibers stiffness and strong interfacial adhesion were also the reason for maximum flexural strength. The thermal stability of all the composites was remains the same, and considerable weight loss was observed between the ranges of 200 and 500°C. Overall, the hybrid composite JC8 has 21% jute, 1.5% coir, and 7.5% bamboo on the basis of volume percentage exhibited a maximum tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal stability and better surface morphology than other hybrid composites.
Effect of poly(catechol/polyamine) modified boron nitride on microstructure and properties of thermally vulcanized silicone rubber
Authors: Jiang Guo , Dong Wenyong , Liao Kai , Liu Tao 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWith the increasing integration of electronic devices, better heat dissipation of components is urgently required. In this work, a poly(catechol/polyamine) (PCPA) layer is formed on the surface of boron nitride (BN) through chemical modification and then grafted modification by a silane coupling agent. The effect of modified BN (mBN) on microstructure, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of silicone rubber (SR) is investigated by FTIR, XPS, SEM, thermal and mechanical property testing. Results show that the thermal property of SR composites is improved. When the filling content of mBN is 100 phr, the thermal conductivity of the SR/100mBN composites reaches 1.26 W m−1 K−1, which is 26% higher than that of the SR/100BN composites. For the purpose of further building a thermal network to improve the thermal conductivity of composites, blocky SiC and flaky BN are introduced into the SR composites. When the ratio of mSiC to mBN is 1:9 in SR composites, the thermal conductivity of the SR/mSiC/mBN composites is 1.35 W m−1 K−1, which is higher than that of SR composites filled with a single type of filler.
Mechanical characterization of soft microparticles prepared by droplet microfluidics
Authors: Kim Eunseo , Lee Hyomin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDroplet microfluidics is one of the most promising approaches that allows preparation of microparticles with tailored structure and composition. Various functional microparticles have been developed using microfluidics, where their controlled structure shows high potential for a wide range of applications. Among these, soft polymeric microparticles which exhibit low elastic modulus compared to ceramics and metals are extensively investigated in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, high surface‐to‐volume ratio, as well as soft and deformable nature. As the mechanical properties of soft microparticles play important role in determining how they function in each application, it is essential to adequately characterize them for the optimal design of functional microparticles. In this review, we mainly discuss the mechanical characterization methods of soft microparticles and their elastic property. A brief overview of the droplet microfluidics‐assisted fabrication of microparticles is also provided before discussing the mechanical characterization techniques. We then describe the general characterization methods and models employed to determine the elastic properties of microparticles. In addition, we discuss the relationship between the physical parameters (size, composition, and structure) and the elastic properties of the microparticles, followed by the role of elastic properties in various applications including microcarrier, bioink, and self‐healing to name a few.
Role of Complexity on Self‐gravitating Compact Star by Gravitational Decoupling
Authors: Maurya S. K. , Errehymy Abdelghani , Nag Riju , Daoud Mohammed 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we study novel classes of solutions characterizing the role of complexity on static and spherically symmetric self‐gravitating systems proposed by L. Herrera (Phys Rev D 97: 044010, 2018) in the gravitational decoupling background. We start by considering the minimal geometric deformation approach as a ground‐breaking tool for generating new physically viable models for anisotropic matter distributions by exploiting the Buchdahl and Tolman models. In both models, all solutions show similar results with a slight change in their magnitude for a non‐vanishing complexity factor i.e., , where β is a decoupling constant. However, under vanishing complexity factor i.e., , the minimally deformed anisotropic Buchdahl model yielded a constant density isotropic fluid distribution and anisotropic matter distribution becomes an isotropic fluid matter distribution without invoking any isotropy requirement. On the other hand, Tolman model possesses an increasing pressure when the complexity factor vanishes. Furthermore, we also extend our findings by calculating the mass‐complexity factor relationship for both presented models, revealing that the mass is larger for small values of the decoupling constant β and the complexity factor .
Effects of cross‐pollination among non‐Bt and pyramided Bt corn expressing cry proteins in seed mixtures on resistance development of dual‐gene resistant Helicoverpa zea
Authors: Yang Fei , Kennedy Haley , Santiago‐González José C , Kerns David L 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDSeed mixture strategy can guarantee the compliance of planting non‐Bt crops to host the susceptible insects for resistance management. However, pollen movement between Bt and non‐Bt corn in the mixed plantings could reduce the efficacy of this strategy for ear‐feeding insects. Few studies have evaluated the effects of cross‐pollination among non‐Bt and pyramided Bt corn in seed mixtures on the resistance development of insects possessing multiple resistances. Here, we provided the first study to investigate whether cross‐pollination in mixed plantings of pyramided Bt corn producing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 would increase the dominance of resistance of dual‐gene resistant populations of Helicoverpa zea, a target of pyramided Bt corn and cotton in the USA.RESULTSWe compared the survival and development of susceptible, dual‐gene resistant (resistance to both Cry1 and Cry2 proteins) and heterozygous genotypes of H. zea in the laboratory on non‐Bt and pyramided Bt corn ears collected from mixed plantings and structured plantings in the field. We found higher fitness for F1 heterozygous insects than for the susceptible insects of H. zea on both pyramided Bt corn and non‐Bt corn in the mixed plantings.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that cross‐pollination in mixed plantings will significantly increase the dominance of resistance by supporting survival of heterozygous insects for dual‐gene resistant populations of H. zea, and therefore accelerate evolution of resistance to pyramided Bt crops. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Micromilling vs hand drilling in stable isotope analyses of incremental carbonates: The potential for δ13C contamination by embedding resin
Authors: Branscombe Tansy , Lee‐Thorp Julia , Schulting Rick , Leng Melanie 
Published: April 2022

RationaleEmbedding resins are commonly used to facilitate high‐resolution sampling for stable isotope analysis but anomalous δ13C values have been observed in some cases. Here we compare the results of microsampling strategies for hand‐drilled versus resin‐embedded micromilled samples from the same marine shells to assess whether resin contamination is implicated in δ13C spikes. The comparison allows assessment of the relative benefits for spatial resolution, seasonal range for both δ18O and δ13C, and sample failure rates.MethodsHand‐drilled samples were obtained from two bivalve shells (Spisula sachalinensis), corresponding to micromilled samples on the same shells where high δ13C spikes were observed. All carbonate powders were analysed using a dual‐inlet Isoprime mass spectrometer and Multiprep device. Results from both sample sets were compared statistically.ResultsNo anomalous high δ13C values and no failures due to insufficient gas were observed in the hand‐drilled samples in contrast to the embedded micromilled sequences. Spatial resolution was reduced (~2.5×) in the former compared with the latter, resulting in a small reduction in the total range observed in the micromilled δ13C and δ18O values. Reduced sampling resolution between the two datasets was only significant for δ18O.ConclusionsFor S. sachalinensis (as with other similar bivalves), rapid growth mitigates the reduced sampling resolution of hand drilling and does not significantly impact observed isotopic range and seasonal patterning. Occurrence of anomalous δ13C values were eliminated and failure rates due to insufficient sample size greatly reduced in the hand‐drilled dataset. We can find no other explanation for the occurrence of δ13C spikes than contamination by the embedding agent. We conclude that the logistical and interpretational benefits of careful hand drilling may be preferable to resin embedding for micromilling in marine shells, corals or speleothems where growth rate is rapid and the highest resolution is not required.