bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endplate abnormalities, Modic changes and their relationship to alignment parameters and surgical outcomes in the cervical spine
Authors: Baker James D. , Sayari Arash J. , Tao Youping , Louie Philip K. , Basques Bryce A. , Galbusera Fabio , Niemeyer Frank , Wilke Hans‐Joachim , An Howard S. , Samartzis Dino 
Published: April 2022

AbstractModic changes (MC) and endplate abnormalities (EA) have been shown to impact preoperative symptoms and outcomes following spinal surgery. However, little is known about how these phenotypes impact cervical alignment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact that these phenotypes have on preoperative, postoperative, and changes in cervical alignment in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). We performed a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of ACDF patients at a single institution. Preoperative magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) were used to assess for the MC and EA. Patients were subdivided into four groups: MC‐only, EA‐only, the combined Modic‐Endplate‐Complex (MEC), and patients without either phenotype. Pre and postoperative MRIs were used to assess alignment parameters. Associations with imaging phenotypes and alignment parameters were assessed, and statistical significance was set atp < 0.5. A total of 512 patients were included, with 84 MC‐only patients, 166 EA‐only patients, and 71 patients with MEC. Preoperative MC (p = 0.031) and the MEC (p = 0.039) had significantly lower preoperative T1 slope compared to controls. Lower preoperative T1 slope was a risk factor for MC (p = 0.020) and MEC (p = 0.029) and presence of MC (Type II) and the MEC (Type III) was predictive of lower preoperative T1 slope. There were no differences in postoperative alignment measures or patient reported outcome measures. MC and endplate pathologies such as the MEC appear to be associated with worse cervical alignment at baseline relative to patients without these phenotypes. Poor alignment may be an adaptive response to these degenerative findings or may be a risk factor for their development.
Treatment strategies to resectable metachronous colorectal liver metastases after adjuvant oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy for primary colorectal cancer
Authors: Julio Camille , Benoist Stephane , Allard Marc‐Antoine , Navarro Francis , Pessaux Patrick , Sa Cunha Antonio , Brouquet Antoine ,   French Colorectal Liver Metastases Working Group: Association Française de Chirurgie (AFC)
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundoutcome of patients who develop resectable metachronous colorectal liver metastases (CLM) after adjuvant oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy for Stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) is not well defined and the value of preoperative chemotherapy is controversial.MethodsFrom 2006 to 2013, all patients undergoing liver resection for Class I metachronous CLM after adjuvant oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy for CRC, across 32 French academic centers, were included.ResultsSixty‐two patients with an average of 2 ± 1 CLM were included. Thirty‐two (52%) patients received preoperative chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the characteristics of CLM between patients with or without preoperative chemotherapy. After a median follow‐up of 29 months, 3‐year overall and disease‐free survival rates were 79.8% and 34.6%, respectively. The median disease‐free survival was not different in patients with or without preoperative chemotherapy (17 vs. 35 months respectively, p = 0.112). In multivariate analysis, only CEA level > 200 ng/ml was associated with the risk of recurrence (p = 0.027; OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.2–18.7).ConclusionLiver resection provides a good outcome in patients with limited metachronous CLM after adjuvant oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy for CRC. The interest of preoperative chemotherapy is not obvious and should be tested in a prospective controlled study.
Sublinear operators on Herz–Hardy spaces with variable exponents
Authors: Ho Kwok‐Pun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we establish the mapping properties of sublinear operators on Herz–Hardy spaces with variable exponents. We obtain these mapping properties by extending the extrapolation theory to Herz–Hardy spaces with variable exponents. In particular, we study the mapping properties of the multiplier operators, the Littlewood–Paley functions and the parametric Marcinkiewicz integrals on the Herz–Hardy spaces with variable exponents.
Label‐free coronavirus disease 2019 lesion segmentation based on synthetic healthy lung image subtraction
Authors: Fang Chengyijue , Liu Yingao , Liu Ying , Liu Mengqiu , Qiu Xiaohui , Li Yang , Wen Jie , Yang Yidong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has become a global pandemic and is still posing a severe health risk to the public. Accurate and efficient segmentation of pneumonia lesions in computed tomography (CT) scans is vital for treatment decision‐making. We proposed a novel unsupervised approach using a cycle consistent generative adversarial network (cycle‐GAN) which automates and accelerates the process of lesion delineation.MethodThe workflow includes lung volume segmentation, healthy lung image synthesis, infected and healthy image subtraction, and binary lesion mask generation. The lung volume was first delineated using a pre‐trained U‐net and worked as the input for the following network. A cycle‐GAN was trained to generate synthetic healthy lung CT images from infected lung images. After that, the pneumonia lesions were extracted by subtracting the synthetic healthy lung CT images from the infected lung CT images. A median filter and k‐means clustering were then applied to contour the lesions. The auto segmentation approach was validated on three different datasets.ResultsThe average Dice coefficient reached 0.666 ± 0.178 on the three datasets. Especially, the dice reached 0.748 ± 0.121 and 0.730 ± 0.095, respectively, on two public datasets Coronacases and Radiopedia. Meanwhile, the average precision and sensitivity for lesion segmentation on the three datasets were 0.679 ± 0.244 and 0.756 ± 0.162. The performance is comparable to existing supervised segmentation networks and outperforms unsupervised ones.ConclusionThe proposed label‐free segmentation method achieved high accuracy and efficiency in automatic COVID‐19 lesion delineation. The segmentation result can serve as a baseline for further manual modification and a quality assurance tool for lesion diagnosis. Furthermore, due to its unsupervised nature, the result is not influenced by physicians’ experience which otherwise is crucial for supervised methods.
A method for converting microdosimetric spectra in diamond to tissue in proton therapy
Authors: Yu Songke , Fan Wenjie , Tang Lin , Liao Xianli , Liu Ze 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPurposeDiamond has been regarded as a promising microdosimeter in radiation protection and radiotherapy due to its excellent properties. However, as the diamond is not tissue equivalent, a conversion of the measured spectra in the diamond microdosimeter to the tissue site is needed. In this work, we intend to deduce a method for converting the microdosimetric spectra from diamond to tissue in the proton therapy application based on the Chapman–Kolmogorov equation and investigate the validity of this method in spectral conversion.MethodsThe comparison of stopping power and energy deposition distribution of diamond and tissue shows that the conversion of the spectra in diamond to tissue can be performed by a simple scaling factor. Therefore, the equivalence of the energy deposition spectra in the diamond microdosimeter and a tissue site of the same size in the same radiation field was studied first to obtain the scaling factor. Then, the spectra conversion method was derived from the Chapman–Kolmogorov equation and the scaling factor. The Geant4 simulation was employed to settle this study.ResultsTheoretical and Geant4 simulation results indicate that the linear stopping power ratio of diamond to tissue is adequate to convert the microdosimetric spectra in diamond to tissue of identical dimension. The conversion results indicate that the energy deposition spectra converted from diamond to bone agree well with the spectra calculated by Geant4 along the Bragg curve. As for water, a good agreement of the converted and calculated spectra was found at the plateau of the Bragg curve and the distal part of the Bragg peak. At the proximal part of the Bragg peak, the converted and calculated spectrum is poorly coincident.ConclusionsThe method of the energy deposition spectra conversion from the diamond microdosimeter to the tissue site of equal size shows relatively good results in most situations. But the deficiency was also found. Therefore, further investigation is needed to improve the reliability of this method.
Coupled peridynamic model for geometrically nonlinear deformation and fracture analysis of slender beam structures
Authors: Zheng Guojun , Li Lili , Han Fei , Xia Yang , Shen Guozhe , Hu Ping 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSlender beam structures can experience large displacements, large rotations and fractures, even if the structures are only subjected to small loads. A coupling model of peridynamics (PD) and classical continuum mechanics (CCM) for beam fracture analysis in geometrically nonlinear deformations is developed in this study. Firstly, the formulations of virtually nonlinear strain energy density of each incremental step are obtained by using the updated Lagrangian (UL) formulation and von Karman beam theory, then the nonlinear PD beam parameters are established on the geometrically nonlinear micro‐beam bonds via the principle of virtual work and homogenization. Secondly, the coupling model of PD and CCM for geometrically nonlinear beams is proposed, for which the morphing method is applied to create a balance between the stiffness of geometrically nonlinear CCM beam model and the weighted coefficients of geometrically nonlinear PD beam model. Thirdly, a new fracture criterion for PD beam models considering the effect of geometrical nonlinearity is adopted. Finally, the large deformation and fracture analysis of straight beam, spiral slender beam and complex frame subjected to different loading conditions illustrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed PD‐CCM coupling model.
A class of strain‐displacement elements in upper bound limit analysis
Authors: Makrodimopoulos Athanasios 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe main restriction in applying the upper bound theorem in limit analysis by means of the finite element method is that once the displacement field has been discretized, the flow rule and the boundary conditions should be satisfied everywhere throughout the discretized structure. This is to secure mathematically that the result will be a rigorous upper bound of the exact limit load multiplier. So far, only the linear and the quadratic displacement elements with straight sides, which result in constant and linear strains, respectively, satisfy this requirement. In this article, it is proven both theoretically and practically that there is a general class of strain‐displacement triangular elements with straight sides which provide rigorous upper bounds. The interpolation scheme is based on the Bernstein polynomials, and there is no upper restriction of the polynomial order. Both continuous and discontinuous displacements can be considered. The efficiency is examined through plane strain and Kirchhoff plate examples. The generalization to 3D (i.e., tetrahedral elements with plane faces) and other structural conditions is straightforward.
Electrical nanocomposites of PA6/ABS/ABS‐MA reinforced with carbon nanotubes (MWCNTf) for antistatic packaging
Authors: Luna Carlos Bruno Barreto , da Silva Barbosa Ferreira Eduardo , Siqueira Danilo Diniz , Araújo Edcleide Maria , do Nascimento Emanuel Pereira , Medeiros Eliton Souto , de Mélo Tomás Jeferson Alves 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHerein, we prepared toughened and electrical nanocomposites of polyamide 6 (PA6)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) compatibilized with maleic anhydride‐grafted acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS‐MA). Functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTf) were used as conductive nanofillers. Nanocomposites were processed in an internal mixer and injection molded. Torque rheometry, impact strength, elastic modulus, heat deflection temperature (HDT), differential exploratory calorimetry (DSC), melting and crystallization kinetic curves, electrical conductivity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were evaluated. Torque increased with the MWCNTf content in the PA6/ABS/ABS‐MA/MWCNTf nanocomposites, suggesting an increase in viscosity. The MWCNTf were well dispersed in the nanocomposites, generating an electrical percolation path. The impact strength of the PA6/ABS/ABS‐MA/MWCNTf nanocomposites was superior to that of pure PA6, indicating improved flexibility and toughness. The addition of 1 pcr of MWCNTf in the PA6/ABS/ABS‐MA system was sufficient for antistatic application, with a 221% higher impact strength, compared to pure PA6. The DSC studies showed that the crystallization temperature of the nanocomposites shifted to higher temperatures. This was due to the MWCNTf that accelerated crystallization. Additionally, the nanocomposites HDT increased by 20°C compared to the PA6 matrix, suggesting a superior thermomechanical strength. The developed nanocomposites show improved mechanical, electrical, and thermomechanical properties. Therefore, they exhibit great technological potential for application in antistatic packaging.
Integrated multicomponent analysis based on UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap‐MS and network pharmacology to elucidate the potential mechanism of Baoyuan decoction against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Binbin , Gao Dongyang , Xu Gonghao , Zhu Wenxiang , Liu Jing , Sun Rui , Wang Lu , Zhang Chen , Ding Qi , Shi Yuanyuan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung disease with a high mortality rate. Baoyuan decoction (BYD), a classic medicinal food homology recipe, has anti‐apoptotic effects, enhances immune function, and alleviates fibrosis, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic drug for IPF.ObjectivesWe aimed to identify the main active ingredients of BYD, determine the basis of its efficacy, prove its anti‐IPF effects, and explore the mechanisms underlying its anti‐IPF effects.Materials and methodsIn this study, the active components of BYD were detected and analysed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap‐MS). A network pharmacology analysis was performed to determine the potential targets and relevant pathways of BYD in treating IPF. Western blotting and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were conducted to verify the efficacy of BYD against IPF. Finally, molecular docking and qPCR were performed to identify the central targets of BYD.ResultsA total of 39 components of BYD were identified. After performing the network pharmacology analysis, 35 active components and eight presumptive targets of BYD were found to play a central role in its anti‐IPF effects. The molecular docking results indicated that most of the active components of BYD exhibited good binding activity with these eight central target proteins. In addition, the expression of collagen, α‐SMA, and these eight targets in human pulmonary fibroblast (HPF) cells was suppressed from treatment with BYD.ConclusionThis study determined the efficacy of BYD against IPF and clarified its multiple‐target and multiple‐pathway mechanisms. Furthermore, the study also provides a new method for exploring the chemical and pharmacological bases of other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Elastic composites fabricating for electromagnetic interference shielding based on MWCNTs and Fe3O4 unique distribution in immiscible NR/NBR blends
Authors: Zhang Xinjin , Fan Chunyan , Ma Yongjie , Zhao Hongying , Sui Jing , Liu Jiwen , Sun Chong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractElectromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding rubber nanocomposites were fabricated via a simple rubber roll milling technique based on the filler distribution behavior in the immiscible natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile‐butadiene (NBR) (50/50) blends with varying amounts of multiwall carbon nanotubes and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. All nanocomposites showed a co‐continuous phase structure, while the distribution behavior of filler was diverse correlated with the filler content and type. The mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of rubber composites were characterized. The maximum EMI SE of 29.4 dB at 12.4 GHz was achieved in the rubber composites loaded with 15 phr MWCNTs and 15 phr Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The EMI shielding mechanisms of such materials were also discussed. The observation in this work provided a possible idea to the industrial manufacture electromagnetic interference shielding rubber nanocomposites, and contributed to expanding its application fields with higher mechanical property requirements and flexibility.
Polyhydroxybutyrate: a review of experimental and simulation studies of the effect of fillers on crystallinity and mechanical properties
Authors: Majerczak Katarzyna , Wadkin‐Snaith Dominic , Magueijo Vitor , Mulheran Paul , Liggat John , Johnston Karen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPolyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a sustainable polymer that is a promising candidate for replacing petroleum‐based plastics in food packaging. Fillers are used to improve the mechanical properties of PHB composites, simultaneously changing the crystallinity of the polymer matrix. However, it is not well understood how fillers affect crystallisation and microstructure, and thus the resulting mechanical properties of the composite. This review summarises simulation work on polymer nucleation and crystallisation and how nucleation is influenced by different types of polymer–filler interfaces. Experimental studies of PHB composites with a wide variety of fillers are reviewed to find trends between the filler type, crystallinity and mechanical properties. It is clear that fillers act as nucleants that increase the number of spherulites while reducing spherulite size. This behaviour is apparent for almost all fillers regardless of filler chemistry or topology. However, the data obtained from the literature do not seem to produce strong conclusions about the effect of the degree of crystallinity on the tensile properties of PHB–filler composites, although there are some weak trends that indicate the importance of microstructure. In order to enable prediction and control of PHB composite properties, further systematic studies are required to elucidate the effect of specific filler types and the connection between crystallinity, microstructure and mechanical properties. © 2022 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
In‐liquid plasma synthesis of iron–nitrogen‐doped carbon nanoflakes with high catalytic activity
Authors: Kondo Hiroki , Hamaji Ryo , Amano Tomoki , Ishikawa Kenji , Sekine Makoto , Hiramatsu Mineo , Hori Masaru 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFlake‐shaped carbon nanomaterials with nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) addition, so‐called carbon nanoflakes (CNFLs), were synthesized by the in‐liquid plasma using two different kinds of additive agents, such as hemin and iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc). According to scanning electron microscopy images and Raman spectra, CNFLs with a size of at least 100 nm order were formed regardless of types of additive agents, and crystallinity of six‐membered ring structures was improved as additive agents increased. Photoelectron spectra showed that pyridinic N contents increased from 1.05% to 2.02% with increasing FePc, while those decreased from 0.34% to 0.14% with hemin. In the oxygen reduction reaction, onset potential values also increased from 0.71 to 0.79 eV with increasing FePc, while those decreased from 0.60 to 0.47 eV with hemin. These results suggested that the catalytic activity of CNFLs was effectively improved by the increase of pyridinic N by the in‐liquid plasma synthesis with FePc. In contrast, the electron transfer numbers reached 3.81 when hemin increased, although those were less than 2.88 in the cases using FePc. These results mean that the in‐liquid plasma synthesis method of CNFLs using FePc has the potential to further improve its catalytic activity.
Meta‐analysis of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) fruit and juice quality traits for potential use in hard cider production
Authors: VanderWeide Joshua , van Nocker Steve , Gottschalk Christopher 
Published: April 2022

Societal Impact StatementThe production of hard cider is a burgeoning industry in North America. However, traditional European cider‐specific apples are largely unsuitable for production in modern systems and have not been widely adopted. Evaluation of the biochemical variability in apples can provide a better characterization of varieties for use in hard cider production. Many varieties exhibited extensive variability in biochemical traits. Varieties with high phenolics and acidity displayed greater plasticity of these traits between seasons, which supports the concept of “vintage quality” and opens new marketing opportunities. This study provides valuable insight for apple producers to integrate cider‐specific and nonspecific varieties into their production systems.Summary

The North American fermented beverage market has undergone extensive growth in the fermented apple juice (hard cider) sector over the last decade. Traditional hard cider producing regions such as England, France, and Spain have historically utilized cider‐specific apples that have desirable balances between sugar, organic acid, and phenolics. However, in North America, culinary apples (lower acidity and phenolics) are predominantly used, and information distinguishing the varieties with novel use for hard cider production is lacking.
In this study, we evaluated variation of four major apple biochemical traits (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and total phenolics) as they relate to use for hard cider production by using a meta‐analysis approach. We analyzed the variation in cider quality traits across 47 published works and more than 800 unique apple varieties, including an additional analysis of 142 varieties from cider apple germplasms in the United States.
The biochemical traits of many varieties exhibited plasticity, and the characterization of a subset of varieties using two cider classification system revealed that most belonged to the “sweet” or “sharp” (acidic) categories rather than “bitter” (high phenolic content). We also compared the classification of a subset of varieties from two US germplasm resources across two seasons and found varieties that have high percent phenolics and/or malic acid experienced greater biochemical plasticity and potential classification change across vintages.
Ultimately, this work provides information regarding the variability in apple biochemical traits and also suggests a unique opportunity for producers to market “vintage” quality.