bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Controls on buffering and coastal acidification in a temperate estuary
Authors: Hunt Christopher W. , Salisbury Joseph E. , Vandemark Douglas 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEstuaries may be uniquely susceptible to the combined acidification pressures of atmospherically driven ocean acidification (OA), biologically driven CO2 inputs from the estuary itself, and terrestrially derived freshwater inputs. This study utilized continuous measurements of total alkalinity (TA) and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) from the mouth of Great Bay, a temperate northeastern U.S. estuary, to examine the potential influences of endmember mixing and biogeochemical transformation upon estuary buffering capacity (β–H). Observations were collected hourly over 28 months representing all seasons between May 2016 and December 2019. Results indicated that endmember mixing explained most of the observed variability in TA and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), concentrations of which varied strongly with season. For much of the year, mixing dictated the relative proportions of salinity‐normalized TA and DIC as well, but a fall season shift in these proportions indicated that aerobic respiration was observed, which would decrease β–H by decreasing TA and increasing DIC. However, fall was also the season of weakest statistical correspondence between salinity and both TA and DIC, as well as the overall highest salinity, TA and β–H. Potential biogeochemically driven β–H decreases were overshadowed by increased buffering capacity supplied by coastal ocean water. A simple modeling exercise showed that mixing processes controlled most monthly changes in TA and DIC, obscuring impacts from air–sea exchange or metabolic processes. Advective mixing contributions may be as important as biogeochemically driven changes to observe when evaluating local estuarine and coastal OA.
The Influence of Arc Welding Process on the Mechanical and Microstructural Characteristics of Low Carbon Steel in a Corrosive Environment
Authors: Omiogbemi Ibrahim Momoh‐Bello , Faci Nunaya David , Gummadi Anand Kumar , Negash Semir Mohammadibrahim , Sardar Bhuwan , Gad Shedrack Musa , Dagwa Ishaya Musa , Audu Stephen Tsadu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe study is fundamentally geared toward the investigation of the influence of Manual Metal Arc (MMA) welding on the mechanical and microstructural properties of low carbon steel immersed in a 0.5 M nitric acid environment having a pH of 0.3. The corrosion and mechanical behavior of the substrates are investigated prior to and after 336 h of immersion in the test environment. The outcome of the experiment shows that the structural integrity of the immersed substrates is affected due to corrosion in the test environment. Prior to immersion, the bending resistance is seen to decrease at the welded joints relative to the blank sample and then decrease further after immersion in the test solution respectively as 3.95, 3.53, and 4.21KN. Similarly, the tensile strength of the immersed substrate decreases as compared to the unexposed and blank samples; exposed to test environment (30.60%), welded unexposed to test environment (33.25%) and for the control sample (36.33%). Furthermore, the hardness value is observed to be higher at the heat‐affected zone (HAZ) of the test substrate than at the weldment and parent metal, respectively, as 11.3, 17.7, and 15.7HV. Optical micrographs prior to and after immersion have evidently revealed that heat input during welding has caused recrystallization leading to coarser grains at the HAZ.
Analysis of Plasticizer Evaporation from Locally Available Poly(vinyl chloride) Cable Insulations
Authors: Ratnakumar Abirami , Egodage Darshi , Dodampola Roshan , Amarasinghe Don A.S. , Attygalle Dinesh , Weragoda Sampath , Samarasekara Bandu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPoly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most popular and widely used materials for electrical cables that offers insulation and sheathing. It is considered agile and durable as it easily exceeds 25–30 years while being used for household wiring. PVC provides insulation, strength, and protection at a wide range of operating temperatures. During cable manufacturing, plastics are exposed to heat that leads to degradation. Although degradation cannot be eliminated, it must be held to a minimum to keep the quality of the final products high. In this work, locally available single strand plasticized PVC insulations that are used for domestic electrical wiring and lighting purposes are investigated for their initial plasticizer content. The thermal‐induced degradation process is a moderate process that would take years to estimate the lifetime of a cable under ordinary ambient conditions. Thus, the study is carried out in accelerated conditions.
Hypothalamic Atrophy, Expanded CAG Repeat, and Low Body Mass Index in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3
Authors: Guo Jing , Jiang Zhouyu , Biswal Bharat B. , Zhou Bo , Xie Dongjing , Gao Qing , Sheng Wei , Chen Hui , Zhang Yuhan , Fan Yunshuang , Wang Jian , Liu Chen , Chen Huafu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundSpinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an inherited motor disorder that is characterized by low body mass index (BMI). Considering the role of the hypothalamus in regulating appetitive behaviors and metabolism, low BMI may result from hypothalamic degeneration.ObjectivesTo examine hypothalamic volume changes in SCA3 by comparing patients and matched healthy controls and to identify potential mediating effects of hypothalamic pathology on CAG repeats for BMI.MethodsMagnetic resonance imaging datasets of hypothalamic volumes from 41 SCA3 patients and 49 matched controls were analyzed. Relationships among CAG repeat number, hypothalamic volumes, and BMI were assessed using correlation and mediation analyses.ResultsSCA3 patients exhibited significant hypothalamic atrophy. Tubular hypothalamic volume was significantly associated with BMI. Mediation analysis revealed an indirect effect of CAG repeat number on BMI via tubular hypothalamic atrophy.ConclusionsLow BMI in SCA3 is related to neurodegeneration within the tubular hypothalamus, providing a potential target for energy‐based treatment. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Clostridium butyricum Inhibits Fat Deposition via Increasing the Frequency of Adipose Tissue‐Resident Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Li Haifang , Jia Yanxin , Weng Dan , Ju Zijing , Zhao Yunfei , Liu Shuang , Liu Yan , Song Mengze , Cui Lulu , Sun Shuhong , Lin Hai 
Published: April 2022

ScopeClostridium butyricum (CB) exerts beneficial actions in several disorders. However, the impact and molecular cues of CB in fat metabolism remain elusive. This study demonstrates the CB inhibition of fat deposition by increasing the relative number of adipose tissue‐resident Treg cells (aTregs).Methods and ResultsCB is administered orally to wild type (WT) mice fed with chow diet, which decrease fat deposition and adipogenic gene expression, associating with elevated serum levels of butyrate. Sodium butyrate (SB) feeding mimics the CB suppression of fat accumulation. Of note, the frequency of aTregs in both the CB and SB treatments, analyzed by flow cytometry, is markedly increased, accompanied by activated Wnt10b expression in white adipose tissues. However, CB and SB fail to inhibit fat deposition in Wnt10b‐KO mice. Intriguingly, CB and SB are able to alleviate the obesity, fatty liver, and glucose abnormalities in high fat diet (HFD)‐fed WT mice.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that CB, through its metabolite butyrate, inhibits fat deposition via potentiating aTreg cell generation, and support the option of CB and SB for therapeutic interventions in obesity and related disorders.
On‐demand digital predistortion for broadband transmitters with carrier aggregation
Authors: Chen Long , Chen Wenhua , Liu Youjiang , Feng Zhenghe 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis paper proposes a single and dual‐band compatible digital predistortion (SDBC‐DPD) for broadband transmitters with carrier aggregation. Since complicated spectrum scheduling, the stimuli of the power amplifiers (PAs) can be single‐band and dual‐band. The proposed SDBC‐DPD scheme can well linearize a dual‐band signal in a conventional 1‐D‐DPD way utilizing a spectrum splicing and segmentation method. A series of experiments were carried out on a dual‐band test bench based on a 3.0–4.0 GHz PA. The stimuli with different bandwidths and sampling rates were used in the experiments. Measurement results show that the SDBC‐DPD can well mitigate the nonlinearity in the dual‐band signals and needs a much lower sampling rate for model identification.
Single shot spiral TSE with annulated segmentation
Authors: Hennig Juergen , Barghoorn Antonia , Zhang Shuoyue , Zaitsev Maxim 
Published: April 2022

PurposeTo develop, optimize, and implement a single shot spiral turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence at 3T and to demonstrate its feasibility to acquire artifact free images of the central nervous system with 1 mm spatial resolution in <200 ms.Theory and MethodsSpiral TSE sequences with annulated spiral segmentation have been implemented with different acquisition modes. In fixed mode, the duration of each spiral segment is fixed to fill the available acquisition time tacq. In tangential mode, the beginning of each spiral segment is reached via a straight tangential trajectory. Tangential mode allows faster transition and thus longer tacq for a given echo spacing (ESP), but less data points can be acquired per acquisition interval. Alternating between spiral‐in and spiral‐out readout in alternating echoes leads to a somewhat different point spread function for off‐resonant spins.ResultsImages of the brain with 1 mm spatial resolution acquired with a variable density spiral with ∼40% undersampling can be acquired in a single shot. All acquisition modes produce comparable image quality. Only mild artifacts in regions of strong susceptibility effects can be observed for ESP of 10 ms and below. The use of variable flip angle schemes allows seamless acquisition of consecutive slices and/or dynamic scans without waiting time between consecutive acquisitions. Comparison with images acquired at 1.5T shows reduced susceptibility artifacts within the brain and facial structures.ConclusionSingle shot spiral TSE has been demonstrated to enable highly efficient acquisition of high‐resolution images of the brain in <200 ms per slice.
Improving high frequency image features of deep learning reconstructions via k‐space refinement with null‐space kernel
Authors: Ryu Kanghyun , Alkan Cagan , Vasanawala Shreyas S. 
Published: April 2022

PurposeDeep learning (DL) based reconstruction using unrolled neural networks has shown great potential in accelerating MRI. However, one of the major drawbacks is the loss of high‐frequency details and textures in the output. The purpose of the study is to propose a novel refinement method that uses null‐space kernel to refine k‐space and improve blurred image details and textures.MethodsThe proposed method constrains the output of the DL to comply to the linear neighborhood relationship calibrated in the auto‐calibration lines. To demonstrate efficacy, we tested our refinement method on the DL reconstruction under a variety of conditions (i.e., dataset, unrolled neural networks, and under‐sampling scheme). Specifically, the method was tested on three large‐scale public datasets (knee and brain) from fastMRI's multi‐coil track.ResultsThe proposed scheme visually reduces the structural error in the k‐space domain, enhance the homogeneity of the k‐space intensity. Consequently, reconstructed image shows sharper images with enhanced details and textures. The proposed method is also successful in improving high‐frequency image details (SSIM, GMSD) without sacrificing overall image error (PSNR).ConclusionOur findings imply that refining DL output using the proposed method may generally improve DL reconstruction as tested with various large‐scale dataset and networks.
A novel shape memory polymer composites with grafted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for high strength and stiffness applications
Authors: Antony G. Jerald Maria , Kevin R. Sanjeeth , Jarali Chetan S. , Samikkannu Raja , Lu Y. Charles 
Published: April 2022

AbstractShape memory polymer (SMP) composites have evolved uniquely, employing nanoscale fillers, which add multifunctionality to the basic resin. In this work, the effect of inorganic, grafted hydroxyapatite (g‐HAp) nanoparticles on the dynamic (mechanical), thermo‐mechanical and microstructural properties of copolymer, based on diurethane dimethacrylate (DUDMA), (t‐butyl acrylate (tBA), and crosslinker poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), has been investigated. The agglomeration of nanofillers is limited by using PEG dimethacrylate monomer to graft HAp nanoparticles. Importantly, it is observed that mixing DUDMA in (tBA + PEGDMA) has improved the Young's Modulus of SMP composite to 5.4 GPa at RT (comparable to aircraft grade resin) with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 55°C. Tensile stress is high as 51.46 MPa with improved strain at failure from 0.07% to 0.05%. The elongation strains of 4–8% are achieved, which provide the required strain compatibility to develop aerospace SMPs as well as SMP composites for structural and bio‐medical applications.
High‐speed shear dispersion of MWCNTs assisted by PVP in water and its effective combination with wet‐mixing technology for NR/MWCNTs nanocomposites
Authors: Xiao Wei , Yu Shengtao , Cao Xujia , Su Kaiyu , Qu Qinglong , Tan Yijing , Zhao Fa , Zhao Shuai , Zhang Guangfa , Gao Ailin , Cui Jian , Yan Yehai 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDue to their advantages of low lost, low filling, high‐performance and multifunction, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are ideal filler for preparing high‐performance and multifunctional rubber‐based nanocomposites. However, the poor dispersion of MWCNTs in rubber matrix and their weak interfacial adhesion with rubber matrix limit their industrial applications seriously. Herein, natural rubber (NR)/MWCNTs nanocomposites (NMNCs) with good static and dynamic mechanical properties, electrical and thermal conductivity have been successfully prepared via high‐speed shear dispersion of MWCNTs assisted by polyvinylpyrrolidone in water and its effective combination with rubber wet‐mixing technology, on the basis of the systematic optimization of the most common dispersants and exfoliation methods of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Compared with NMNCs prepared by traditional dry‐mixing technology (D‐NMNCs), NMNCs prepared by wet‐mixing technology (W‐NMNCs) in this work exhibit better tensile properties, lower compression temperature rise and DIN abrasion, higher electrical and thermal conductivity, better ice and wet‐slip resistance (i.e., the higher loss tangents at −20 and 0°C, respectively), and lower rolling resistance (i.e., the lower loss tangent at 60°C), benefiting from the better dispersion of MWCNTs and the stronger interface interaction of NR‐MWCNTs in W‐NMNCs. In a word, the preparation route of W‐NMNCs developed in this work is very suitable for industrialization and conductive to breaking the insurmountable “Devil's Triangle” problem in tire industry, and W‐NMNCs have potential high‐technology applications in green, antistatic, and heat‐dissipation tires, antistatic conveyors, vibration absorption, and so forth.
The effect of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the morphology and degradation of polyamide 6 prepared by anionic ring‐opening polymerization
Authors: Semperger Orsolya Viktória , Osváth Zsófia , Pásztor Szabolcs , Suplicz András 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThermoplastic Resin Transfer Molding can be used to produce polyamide 6‐based composites from ε‐caprolactam by anionic ring‐opening polymerization. However, the service life and applicability of these composites are limited because polyamide 6 is sensitive to UV radiation. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of nanosized titanium dioxide on the UV stability of polyamide 6 produced from ε‐caprolactam. Despite the very low viscosity of caprolactam, we dispersed nanoparticles homogeneously in it before producing polyamide 6 from it. We have shown that both structural and chemical changes occur in the material under UV exposure. We proved that UV irradiation increases the crystalline fraction of the samples. This is caused by the shortening of the polymer chains. The crystalline fraction increases less with the addition of TiO2, which shows its UV protective effect. The particles prevent the rays from reaching the inside of the sample, producing a chalking effect on the surface. We analyzed and proved the chemical change in the samples by FTIR and color measurement. Our results showed that surface‐treated titanium dioxide was more stable, and the ideal filler content was about 0.6 w/w%, above which photodegradation accelerated. This can be attributed to the photocatalytic activity of the titanium dioxide particles.
Recent advances in the construction of sustainable asphalt roads with recycled plastic
Authors: Enfrin Marie , Giustozzi Filippo 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlthough various polyolefins have intermittently been used for making roads since the 1980s, the recycling of plastic waste into roads raises new challenges related to the production, performance and durability of plastic‐modified asphalt. This review critically discusses the challenges of incorporating recycled plastics into bitumen/asphalt in terms of plastic selection, chemical compatibility, long‐term performance and potential contributions to fuming, microplastic pollution and contaminant leaching. Recent advances in the field are also presented and recommendations for future work to address current research and industrial gaps are suggested. Challenges related to the construction of plastic roads include the wide variability in the plastic composition and its properties after recycling, which not only affect the successful incorporation of plastic in bitumen but also impact the mechanical properties and environmental impact of the roads. The lack of representative testing procedures prevents an accurate understanding of the short‐ and long‐term performance of plastic roads in real conditions and the contribution of plastic roads to fuming and microplastic release remains unclear. However, promising laboratory‐based procedures have been developed to benchmark the release of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds, as well as microplastics, from recycled plastic‐modified asphalt against conventional polymer‐modified asphalts. Standards are still required to facilitate bitumen/asphalt modification by recycled plastics, meet the needs of bitumen/asphalt manufacturers and convince local authorities to foster the construction of plastic roads if proven to be a sustainable practice. © 2022 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Registration of ‘Faraj’, a Hessian fly– and multiple disease–resistant durum wheat cultivar in Morocco
Authors: Nsarellah N. , Nachit M. , Taghouti M. , Lhaloui S. , Amamou A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDurum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.)] is cultivated on nearly one million hectares in Morocco.About half of the durum‐planted areas are located in unfavorable rainfed areas. The predominant abiotic stresses are drought and heat, and the predominant biotic stresses are Hessian fly, leaf rust, tan spot, Septoria blotch, and root rot. End use grain quality‐related traits are important. ‘Faraj’ (Reg. no. CV‐1190, PI 699898) is a durum cultivar that possesses adaptation to drought and genetic resistance to Hessian fly, leaf rust, tan spot, and Septoria leaf blotch and tolerance to root rot. Faraj possesses good levels of grain yellow pigment and grain protein concentration. Faraj was registered in 2007 and released to seed commercialization in 2014. Faraj could be used by breeders as a good genetic resource with grain yield potential and end use quality as well as resistance or tolerance to multiple diseases and pests.
Systemic assessment of the chiral insecticide pyriproxyfen in a citrus nectar source system: Stereoselective degradation, biological effect and exposure risk
Authors: Tong Zhou , Yang Tingmi , Sun Mingna , Dong Xu , Chu Yue , Meng Dandan , Wang Mei , Gao Tongchun , Duan Jinsheng 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDBalancing the safety and efficiency of chiral pesticides can help protect pollinators. We evaluated the stereoselective behavior, bioactivity, toxicity and exposure risk of the chiral insecticide pyriproxyfen in a citrus nectar system.RESULTSDensity functional theory (DFT) and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC–MS/MS) were applied for absolute configuration appraisal and chiral analysis validation, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 72.3% to 100.5% with an relative standard deviation (RSD) ranging from 1.2% to 9.7%. In a field trial, we determined insecticide half‐lives in citrus leaves and flowers, which were 7.0 and 8.6 days for R‐(+)‐pyriproxyfen, and 11.7 and 14.7 days for S‐(−)‐pyriproxyfen, respectively. We found that the bioactivity of R‐(+)‐pyriproxyfen was 3.39 and 2.37 times higher than S‐(−)‐pyriproxyfen against Unaspis yanonensis and Diaphorina citri nymphs, respectively. S‐(−)‐pyriproxyfen had 3.8 times higher acute toxicity than R‐(+)‐pyriproxyfen on Apis mellifera L., and its exposure risk was moderate based on the hazard quotient.CONCLUSIONThe phenomenon of stereoselective degradation and biological effect demonstrated that the high‐risk stereoisomer of S‐(−)‐pyriproxyfen degraded more slowly than R‐(+)‐pyriproxyfen, but R‐(+)‐pyriproxyfen with better efficiency for target. Therefore, an increased duration of R‐(+)‐pyriproxyfen activity on citrus was beneficial for efficacy. Our results could guide the scientific application and evaluation of chiral pesticides on nectar plants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Weighted McNemar's test for the comparison of two screening tests in the presence of verification bias
Authors: Wu Yougui 
Published: April 2022

AbstractStatistical methods have been well‐developed for comparing two binary screening tests in the presence of verification bias. However, the complexity of existing methods and the computational difficulty in implementing them have restricted their use. A simple and easily implemented statistical method is therefore needed. In this paper, we propose a weighted McNemar's test statistic for comparing two sensitivities(specificities). The proposed test statistics are intuitive and simple to compute, only involving some minor modification of a McNemar's test statistic using the estimated verification probabilities for discordant pairs. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed weighted McNemar's test statistics preserve type I error as well as or better than the existing statistics. Furthermore, unlike the existing methods, the proposed weighted McNemar's test statistics can still be applied even when none of the accordant pairs are verified.