bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First-principles study of the properties of Cmcm-B5XO (X=Al, Zr)
Authors: Chen Hui , Zhang Zizhu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Boron oxide B6O is an excellent superhard material with good properties such as high thermal conductivity, low density and high chemical inertness. It is widely used in precision machining of construction machinery, coating of national defense equipment, and lacquering of electronic appliances. In order to improve the defects of brittle fracture of B6O, a new material Cmcm-B5XO (X=Al, Zr) is proposed, and based on the first principles, the structure, stability, mechanical properties and the influence of doping on the intrinsic mechanism of the material were studied and analyzed. The results of elastic constants show that Cmcm-B5XO (X=Al, Zr) satisfies the mechanical stability. The analysis of the mechanical properties of the material shows that Cmcm-B5AlO is harder while Cmcm -B5ZrO is more plastic. The research results provide a certain reference value for the future experimental synthesis of new hard materials and the application of optoelectronic device thin films in different scenarios.
A novel silicon photomultiplier readout architecture for low-light applications
Authors: Cianciolo V. , Efremenko Yu.V. , Fabris L. , Imam S.K. , Penttila S.I. , Ramsey J.C. , Santos Estrada R. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In this article we describe the photon detection readout
electronics for the nEDM@SNS experiment. The chosen “photon
counting” architecture, which utilizes high-efficiency silicon
photomultipliers (SiPMs) and is appropriate for low-light
applications, allows the use of a relatively high SiPM operating
voltage. This maximizes photon detection efficiency and minimizes
gain/efficiency voltage-dependence while eliminating direct optical
cross-talk.
A thermal neutron detection system based on boron-coated straw detector with prompt gamma coincidence
Authors: Pan Yongyu , Shen Fengzhao , Fu Qibin , Huang Tuchen 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Accurate measurement of the neutron flux is of crucial importance for rare event search experiments in underground laboratories. The intrinsic radioactive background of the detector becomes the limiting factor for the detection of extremely low neutron flux. In this study, a thermal neutron detection system aimed at low flux measurement was developed based on boron-coated straw (BCS) neutron detectors. The neutron events can be distinguished from the detector background by coincidence measurement of neutron and the prompt gamma ray. With state-of-the-art BCS neutron detectors and NaI(Tl) gamma detector, a system sensitivity of ∼120 cps/nv was achieved, comparable to that of the commonly used 3He counters. Based on the selected coincidence criteria, the background events were rejected to 0.1% with 45.3% of the neutrons preserved. The background accidental coincidence count rate of the system was measured as 2.3×10-5 cps, corresponding to a lower limit of measurable thermal neutron flux of 1.9×10-7 n/cm2/s. The performance of the system can be further improved by using other gamma scintillator with lower neutron absorption (such as BGO) and adding extra shielding for ambient gamma rays.
Measured and GATE predicted PET-image-based activity range verification for carbon therapy: a phantom study
Authors: Pei C.X. , Zhang X.L. , Yan J.W. , Kong J. , Wang C.X. , Hu M.C. , Liang G.Y. , Duan L.M. , Hu Z.G. , Xu H.S. , Yin Y.Z. , Chen J.D. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In-beam PET is one of the imaging-based methods for monitoring carbon therapy by reconstruction of positron-emitters produced by incident particles. The accurate Monte Carlo simulation is necessary for range verification and therapeutic dose monitoring by means of the in-beam PET. GATE is capable of performing in-beam PET imaging but very few studies assess the accuracy of activity range measured from PET imaging with GATE simulated results. In this work, we present both experimental and GATE simulation studies of in-beam PET imaging of a phantom, which is irradiated by carbon ion beam, for range verification. The experiment data is acquired at Wuwei Heavy Ion Cancer Treatment Center in Gansu, China, with a dual-head plate PET prototype. The PET prototype consists of 2 panels, each arranged in 2 × 2 matrix. Each detector block is composed of 20 × 20 LYSO crystal array coupled with the position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (HAMAMATSU H8500). A homogeneous plastic phantom is irradiated with monoenergetic 131.05 MeV and 190.19 MeV 12C ion pencil beams. The irradiation and full response of PET prototype are simulated with GATE macros. A novel mathematical model is established, which is capable of calculating and revealing the variation of the positron activity. Our focus is on the reconstructed activity ranges obtained by the experimental measurement and GATE MC prediction combined with the positron activity distribution calculation mathematical model. Results show that the reconstructed activity distribution of experimental data and GATE MC prediction are in good agreement. The measured and simulated 1D activity peak and falling edge positions are within 1.0 mm in all cases. The 20%, 50% and 80% PET peak positions predicted by GATE are close to measurements. These results indicated that it is feasible to assess the accuracy of activity range measured from the dual-head plate PET system with the modeled GATE hadron-PET simulation.
Long-term corona behaviour and performance enhancing mechanism of SiC/epoxy nanocomposite in SF6 gas environment
Authors: WANG Jingrui , LI Qingmin , GONG Yanfeng , HOU Qixin , LIU Heng , WANG Jian , REN Hanwen 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Surface coating technology is an effective way to solve the interface insulation problem of DC GIS/GIL basin insulators, but the performance of the coating will change greatly, and the insulation strength will be completely lost, after long-term use in the extreme conditions of corona erosion. In this research, the multi-needle-plate electrode platform was constructed to explore the long-term use performance of SiC-doped nanocomposite exposed to corona discharge in SF6 gas. Samples with a high SiC content have advantages in maintaining physical and chemical properties such as elemental composition, erosion depth, surface roughness and mass loss. The nanocomposite doped with 6 wt.% SiC has prominent surface insulation strength after long term exposure to corona, and the others are close to losing, or have completely lost, their insulating properties. Furthermore, the degradation mechanism of physicochemical properties of composite exposed to corona discharge was investigated with the proposed ReaxFF MD model of energetic particles from SF6 decomposition bombarding the epoxy surface. The reaction process of SF particles and F particles with the cross-linked epoxy resin, and the SiC nanoparticles providing shelter to the surrounding polymer and mitigating their suffering direct bombardment, have been established. The damage propagation depth, mass loss and surface roughness change of nanocomposite material bombarded by SF6 decomposition products is reproduced in this simulation. Finally, the deterioration mechanism of insulation properties for the SiC-doped composite was elucidated with DFT analysis. The band gap of the molecule containing S drops directly from the initial 7.785 eV to 1.875 eV, which causes the deterioration of surface electric properties.
Countering Moral Hazard in Higher Education: The Role of Performance Incentives in Need-Based Grants*
Authors: Montalbán José 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Using a unique reform in the Spanish financial aid program, I estimate the impact of need-based grants on student achievement and dropout decisions under different intensities of academic requirements. Utilising comprehensive administrative data from a large university, I exploit sharp discontinuities in the grant eligibility formula to identify the effect of aid on student outcomes. I find that aid eligibility has no effect on student outcomes when the academic requirements are comparable with most existing national grant schemes worldwide. In contrast, I find that need-based grants have strong positive impacts on student performance and degree completion when they are combined with more demanding academic requirements.
Complex chromosomal rearrangements induced by transposons in maize
Authors: Sharma Sharu Paul , Peterson Thomas 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are large and complex, and gene expression can be affected by multiple regulatory elements and their positions within the dynamic chromatin architecture. Transposable elements are known to play important roles in genome evolution, yet questions remain as to how transposable elements alter genome structure and affect gene expression. Previous studies have shown that genome rearrangements can be induced by Reversed Ends Transposition involving termini of Activator and related transposable elements in maize and other plants. Here, we show that complex alleles can be formed by the rapid and progressive accumulation of Activator-induced duplications and rearrangements. The p1 gene enhancer in maize can induce ectopic expression of the nearby p2 gene in pericarp tissue when placed near it via different structural rearrangements. By screening for p2 expression, we identified and studied 5 cases in which multiple sequential transposition events occurred and increased the p1 enhancer copy number. We see active p2 expression due to multiple copies of the p1 enhancer present near p2 in all 5 cases. The p1 enhancer effects are confirmed by the observation that loss of p2 expression is correlated with transposition-induced excision of the p1 enhancers. We also performed a targeted Chromosome Conformation Capture experiment to test the physical interaction between the p1 enhancer and p2 promoter region. Together, our results show that transposon-induced rearrangements can accumulate rapidly and progressively increase genetic variation important for genomic evolution.
Polypharmacy With High Drug Burden Index (DBI) Alters the Gut Microbiome Overriding Aging Effects and Is Reversible With Deprescribing
Authors: Gemikonakli Gizem , Mach John , Zhang Fan , Bullock Martyn , Tran Trang , El-Omar Emad , Hilmer Sarah N 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAging, medication use, and global function are associated with changes in the microbiome. However, their interrelationships and changes over time require further characterization. In a longitudinal aging mouse study, we investigated the effects of aging, chronic polypharmacy with a high Drug Burden Index (DBI, measure of total anticholinergic and sedative medication exposure) and gradual cessation (deprescribing) on the microbiome, further exploring any association with global outcomes. Chronic administration of high DBI polypharmacy attenuated the aging-related reduction in alpha diversity, which was not sustained after deprescribing. Beta diversity and LEfSe (Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size) features varied with age, polypharmacy, and deprescribing. Aging with and without polypharmacy shared decreases in Bifidobacteriaceae, Paraprevotellaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Clostridiaceae, while only aging with polypharmacy showed increased LEfSe features. Microbiome diversity correlated with frailty, nesting, and open field performance. Polypharmacy deprescribing reversed changes that occurred with treatment. However, the microbiome did not recover to its pretreatment composition at 12 months, nor develop the same aging-related changes from 12 to 24 months as the control group. Overall, aging, chronic polypharmacy, and deprescribing differentially affected the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome, which is associated with frailty and function.
Why Are Old-Age Disabilities Decreasing in Sweden and Denmark? Evidence on the Contribution of Cognition, Education, and Sensory Functions
Authors: Badache Andreea C , Mäki-Torkko Elina , Widen Stephen , Fors Stefan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectivesImprovements in educational attainment, cognitive and sensory functions, and a decline in the prevalence of disabilities have been observed in older adults in Sweden and Denmark. In the present study, it was investigated whether better cognition, higher educational attainment, and improved sensory function among older adults aged 60 and older in these countries have contributed to decreasing rates of old-age disabilities.MethodsThe analyses were based on repeated cross-sectional data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe for the 2004–2017 period. Descriptive data were used to benchmark the declining prevalence of disabilities, improving cognitive and sensory functions, and increased educational level. The association between time and disabilities was analyzed with logistic regression models, and the contribution of the improved cognitive function, education, and sensory function to the declining prevalence of old-age disabilities was estimated using the Karlson–Holm–Breen method for mediation analysis.ResultsThe analysis suggests that the declining prevalence of old-age disabilities in Sweden and Denmark between 2004 and 2017 can largely be attributed to improved cognitive function and vision and to a lesser extent by education and hearing ability.DiscussionThese findings raise important questions about the causal mechanisms producing the associations between cognition, education, and sensory functions and disability in older age. Future studies should explore the causal nature of the associations between these mediators and old-age disabilities. In addition, they should explore whether these findings differ across regional and cultural contexts and over different time periods.
Decreased Infliximab Concentrations in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Who Carry a Variable Number Tandem Repeat Polymorphism in the Neonatal Fc Receptor or VariantHLADQA1*05G&gt;AGenotype
Authors: Choi Bethany , Sey Michael , Ponich Terry , Beaton Melanie , Kim Richard , Wilson Aze 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundMultiple variables contribute to variation in patient exposure and response to tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist biologics such as infliximab. This study aimed to assess the association between maintenance-phase infliximab concentrations and genetic variation in HLADQA1*05G&gt;A and fragment crystallisable (Fc) fragment of IgG receptor and transporter (FCGRT) among patients with inflammatory bowel disease.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in participants with inflammatory bowel disease prescribed infliximab who were in the maintenance phase of treatment. Participants were genotyped for the presence of the FCGRT variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and HLADQA1*05G&gt;A (rs74291249). A point estimate of the infliximab trough concentration during the maintenance phase was determined using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for each patient. Other variables associated with infliximab pharmacokinetics were collected.ResultsA total of 156 participants with inflammatory bowel disease were included from 2 tertiary care centers affiliated with Western University, London, Canada. Median infliximab trough concentrations were lower in participants who carried the FCGRT VNTR 2/3 or 2/2 (4.14 µg/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 6.48 µg/mL) vs wild type individuals (7.00 µg/mL; IQR, 7.66; P = .0027). Median infliximab trough concentrations were significantly lower in participants who were HLADQA1*05G&gt;A variant carriers (4.73µg/mL; IQR, 4.79) vs wild type individuals (7.85µg/mL; IQR, 7.44; P = .0006). A significant decrease in infliximab trough concentrations was seen in individuals who were dual carriers of variant polymorphisms in HLADQA1*05G&gt;A and FCGRT VNTR (no variants, 8.96µg/mL; IQR, 6.84 vs one variant, 4.96 µg/mL; IQR, 4.95 vs dual variants, 0.86µg/mL; IQR, 5.82).ConclusionFCGRT VNTR and HLADQA1*05G&gt;A are associated with lower maintenance-phase infliximab concentrations, particularly among patients who carry both variants.
Shedding Light on Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-clavulanate, and Cephalexin Dosing in Children from a Pharmacist’s Perspective
Authors: Yu Diana , Bio Laura L 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSelection of an antibiotic and dosing regimen requires consideration of multiple factors including microbiological data, site of infection, pharmacokinetics, and how it relates to the pharmacodynamic target. Given the multiple dosage regimens of amoxicillin with/without clavulanate and cephalexin, we review the principles of dose selection from a pharmacist’s perspective.
Verification of dose distribution in high dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer using a normoxic N-vinylpyrrolidone polymer gel dosimeter
Authors: Watanabe Yusuke , Maeyama Takuya , Mizukami Shinya , Tachibana Hidenobu , Terazaki Tsuyoshi , Takei Hideyuki , Muraishi Hiroshi , Gomi Tsutomu , Hayashi Shin-ichiro 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The polymer gel dosimeter has been proposed for use as a 3D dosimeter for complex dose distribution measurement of high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. However, various shapes of catheter/applicator for sealed radioactive source transport used in clinical cases must be placed in the gel sample. The absorbed dose readout for the magnetic resonance (MR)-based polymer gel dosimeters requires calibration data for the dose-transverse relaxation rate (R2) response. In this study, we evaluated in detail the dose uncertainty and dose resolution of three calibration methods, the multi-sample and distance methods using the Ir-192 source and the linear accelerator (linac) method using 6MV X-rays. The use of Ir-192 sources increases dose uncertainty with steep dose gradients. We clarified that the uniformly irradiated gel sample improved the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to the large slice thickness of MR images and could acquire an accurate calibration curve using the linac method. The curved tandem and ovoid applicator used for intracavitary irradiation of HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer were reproduced with a glass tube to verify the dose distribution. The results of comparison with the treatment planning system (TPS) calculation by gamma analysis on the 3%/2 mm criterion were in good agreement with a gamma pass rate of 90%. In addition, the prescription dose could be evaluated accurately. We conclude that it is easy to place catheter/applicator in the polymer gel dosimeters, making them a useful tool for verifying the 3D dose distribution of HDR brachytherapy with accurate calibration methods.
Down-regulation of tomatoSTEROL GLYCOSYLTRANSFERASE 1perturbs plant development and facilitates viroid infection
Authors: Cisneros Adriana E , Lisón Purificación , Campos Laura , López-Tubau Joan Manel , Altabella Teresa , Ferrer Albert , Daròs José-Antonio , Carbonell Alberto 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPotato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is a plant pathogen naturally infecting economically important crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Here, we aimed to engineer tomato plants highly resistant to PSTVd and developed several S. lycopersicum lines expressing an artificial microRNA (amiRNA) against PSTVd (amiR-PSTVd). Infectivity assays revealed that amiR-PSTVd-expressing lines were not resistant but instead hypersusceptible to the viroid. A combination of phenotypic, molecular, and metabolic analyses of amiRNA-expressing lines non-inoculated with the viroid revealed that amiR-PSTVd was accidentally silencing the tomato STEROL GLYCOSYLTRANSFERASE 1 (SlSGT1) gene, which caused late developmental and reproductive defects such as leaf epinasty, dwarfism, or reduced fruit size. Importantly, two independent transgenic tomato lines each expressing a different amiRNA specifically designed to target SlSGT1 were also hypersusceptible to PSTVd, thus demonstrating that down-regulation of SlSGT1 was responsible for the viroid-hypersusceptibility phenotype. Our results highlight the role of sterol glycosyltransferases in proper plant development and indicate that the imbalance of sterol glycosylation levels favors viroid infection, most likely by facilitating viroid movement.
RNAi and CRISPR–Cas silencing E3-RING ubiquitin ligase AIP2 enhances soybean seed protein content
Authors: Shen Bo , Schmidt Monica A , Collet Kristin Haug , Liu Zhan-Bin , Coy Monique , Abbitt Shane , Molloy Lynda , Frank Mary , Everard John D , Booth Russ , Samadar Partha P , He Yonghua , Kinney Anthony , Herman Eliot M 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The majority of plant protein in the world’s food supply is derived from soybean (Glycine max). Soybean is a key protein source for global animal feed and is incorporated into plant-based foods for people, including meat alternatives. Soybean protein content is genetically variable and is usually inversely related to seed oil content. ABI3-interacting protein 2 (AIP2) is an E3-RING ubiquitin ligase that targets the seed-specific transcription factor ABI3. Silencing both soybean AIP2 genes (AIP2a and AIP2b) by RNAi enhanced seed protein content by up to seven percentage points, with no significant decrease in seed oil content. The protein content enhancement did not alter the composition of the seed storage proteins. Inactivation of either AIP2a or AIP2b by a CRISPR–Cas9-mediated mutation increased seed protein content, and this effect was greater when both genes were inactivated. Transactivation assays in transfected soybean hypocotyl protoplasts indicated that ABI3 changes the expression of glycinin, conglycinin, 2S albumin, and oleosin genes, indicating that AIP2 depletion increased seed protein content by regulating activity of the ABI3 transcription factor protein. These results provide an example of a gene-editing prototype directed to improve global food security and protein availability in soybean that may also be applicable to other protein-source crops.
Meeting the New Commission on Cancer Operative Standards: Where Do We Stand Now?
Authors: Carpenter Elizabeth L , Adams Alexandra M , McCarthy Patrick M , Chick Robert C , Spitzer Holly V , Nelson Daniel W , Clifton Guy T , Bowen Donnell K , Krell Robert W , Vreeland Timothy J 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The 2020 Commission on Cancer accreditation standards 5.7 and 5.8 address total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer and lymph node sampling for lung cancer. The purpose of this review was to assess our institution’s compliance with these operative standards, which will be required in 2022 and 2023, and provide recommendations to other military training facilities seeking to comply with these standards.

Materials and Methods
A 2018-2020 single institution chart review was performed of operative and pathology reports. Identified deficits were addressed in meetings with colorectal and thoracic surgery leadership, and cases were followed to reassess compliance.

Results
A total of 12 rectal and 48 lung cancer cases met the inclusion criteria and were examined. Pre-intervention compliance for standards 5.7 and 5.8 was 58% and 35%, respectively, because of inadequate synoptic reporting and lymph node sampling. After intervention, compliance was 100%.

Conclusions
Our institution requires changes to comply with new standards, including in areas of documentation and systematic pulmonary lymph node sampling. We provide lessons learned from our own institutional experience, including practical tips and recommendations to achieve compliance. All military training facilities performing lung and rectal oncologic resections should conduct an internal review of applicable cases in preparation for upcoming American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer site visits.