bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles using Nepeta extract against multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Zeraatkar Shadi , Tahan Maedeh , Sadeghian Hamid , Nazari Razieh , Behmadi Mostafa , Hosseini Bafghi Mahdi 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe problems of drug resistance in bacteria have become one of the daily challenges of the clinical treatment of patients, which inevitably forces us to use agents other than common antibiotics. Among these, we can take help from different properties and applications of nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, we evaluate the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) against standard strains of multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The production of biosynthesized SeNPs was proved by ultraviolet‐visible, Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffractometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic light scattering, and Zeta potential methods. The cytotoxicity effect of SeNPs was investigated by MTT assay. Disk diffusion agar (DDA) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were performed on the mentioned bacteria using different classes of standard antibiotics and SeNPs separately. The impact of SeNPs combined with the desired antibiotics for better treatment of these infections was evaluated by checkerboard assay to determine the synergism effect. After the confirmation results based on the biosynthesis of SeNPs, both standard bacterial strains were susceptible to SeNPs and had a zone of inhibition using the DDA test. Also, the results of MICs showed that biosynthesized SeNPs in lower concentrations than antibiotics cause no growth of bacteria. On the other hand, according to the checkerboard assay, SeNPs had a synergistic effect with conventional antibiotics. The antibacterial sensitivity tests demonstrated the inhibition of bacterial growth in the presence of lower concentrations of SeNPs than common antibiotics. This property can be exerted in future applications to solve the drug resistance obstacle of microorganisms in bacterial diseases.
Changes in intervertebral sagittal alignment of the cervical spine from supine to upright
Authors: Oyekan Anthony A. , LeVasseur Clarissa M. , Shaw Jeremy D. , Donaldson William F. , Lee Joon Y. , Anderst William J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCervical sagittal alignment is a critical component of successful surgical outcomes. Unrecognized differences in intervertebral alignment between supine and upright positions may affect clinical outcomes; however, these differences have not been quantified. Sixty‐four patients scheduled to undergo one or two‐level cervical arthrodesis for symptomatic pathology from C4–C5 to C6–C7, and forty‐seven controls were recruited. Upright sagittal alignment was obtained through biplane radiographic imaging and measured using a validated process with accuracy better than 1° in rotation. Supine alignment was obtained from computed tomography scans. Coordinate systems used to measure supine and upright alignment were identical. Distances between adjacent bony endplates were measured to calculate disc height in each position. For both patients and controls, the C1–C2, C2–C3, and C3–C4 motion segments were in more lordosis when upright as compared with supine (all p < 0.001). However, the C4–C5, C5–C6, and C6–C7 motion segments were in less lordosis when upright as compared with supine (all p ≤ 0.004). There was an interaction between group and position at the C1–C2 (p = 0.002) and C2–C3 (p = 0.001) motion segments, with the controls demonstrating a greater increase in lordosis at both motion segments when moving from supine to upright. The results indicate that cervical motion segment alignment changes between supine and upright positioning, those changes differ among motion segments, and cervical pathology affects the magnitude of these changes. Clinical Significance: Surgeons should be mindful of the differences in alignment between supine and upright imaging and the implications they may have on clinical outcomes.
Evaluation of lesion and overlying articular cartilage in patients with juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee using quantitative diffusion MRI
Authors: Zbýň Štefan , Kajabi Abdul Wahed , Nouraee Cyrus M. , Ludwig Kai D. , Johnson Casey P. , Tompkins Marc A. , Nelson Bradley J. , Zhang Lin , Moeller Steen , Marette Shelly , Metzger Gregory J. , Carlson Cathy S. , Ellermann Jutta M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCurrent clinical MRI of patients with juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is limited by the low reproducibility of lesion instability evaluation and inability to predict which lesions will heal after nonoperative treatment and which will later require surgery. The aim of this study is to verify the ability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to detect differences in lesion microstructure between different JOCD stages, treatment groups, and healthy, unaffected contralateral knees. Pediatric patients with JOCD received quantitative diffusion MRI between January 2016 and September 2020 in this prospective research study. A disease stage (I‐IV) and stability of each JOCD lesion was evaluated. ADCs were calculated in progeny lesion, interface, parent bone, cartilage overlying lesion, control bone, and control cartilage regions. ADC differences were evaluated using linear mixed models with Bonferroni correction. Evaluated were 30 patients (mean age, 13 years; 21 males), with 40 JOCD‐affected and 12 healthy knees. Nine patients received surgical treatment after MRI. Negative Spearman rank correlations were found between ADCs and JOCD stage in the progeny lesion (ρ = −0.572; p < 0.001), interface (ρ = −0.324; p = 0.041), and parent bone (ρ = −0.610; p < 0.001), demonstrating the sensitivity of ADC to microstructural differences in lesions at different JOCD stages. We observed a significant increase in the interface ADCs (p = 0.007) between operative (mean [95% CI] = 1.79 [1.56–2.01] × 10−3 mm2/s) and nonoperative group (1.27 [0.98–1.57] × 10−3 mm2/s). Quantitative diffusion MRI detects microstructural differences in lesions at different stages of JOCD progression towards healing and reveals differences between patients assigned for operative versus nonoperative treatment.
Novel quality features to expand durum wheat applications
Authors: Aoun Meriem , Boukid Fatma 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDurum wheat represents a staple food in the human diet owing to its nutritional and technological features. In comparison to common wheat, durum wheat has higher tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, its production and culinary uses are limited compared to common wheat. Therefore, significant attention was attributed to upgrading the key quality of durum wheat (i.e., hardness, protein, starch and color). This review intends to put the spotlight on the modification of these properties to create new functionalities suiting a wider range of food applications based on critical compilation of scientific publications. Targeting specific genes has been shown to be a valuable strategy to design novel wheat varieties with higher nutritional value (e.g., high amylose), improved technological properties (e.g., higher glutenin content), attractive appearance (e.g., colored wheat) and new uses (e.g., soft durum wheat for breadmaking). Further efforts are still needed to find efficient ways to stabilize and maintain these properties. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of different amendments on aggregate stability and microbial communities of coastal saline–alkali soil in the Yellow River Delta
Authors: Li Shan , Yao Yuanyuan , Yang Mingchuan , Zhang Yanpeng , Zhang Shugang , Shen Tianlin , Ding Fangjun , Li Ziyao , Liu Wenzheng , Cui Jiutao , Yang Yuechao 
Published: December 2022

AbstractOrganic amendments have been widely used in coastal saline–alkali soil remediation; however, the mechanisms involved and the interactions between organic and inorganic amendments are still unclear. In this work, furfural residue (particulate; C/N ratio: 51.87; O‐alkyl C + di‐O‐alkyl C: 42.35%, aromatic C: 40.89%) and black liquor (dissolved; C/N ratio: 3.11; O‐alkyl C + di‐O‐alkyl C: 32.20%, aromatic C: 28.32%) were tested to examine their effects on chemical properties, water‐stable aggregate fractions, chemical compositions of solid‐state soil organic matter (SOM), gloaming‐related soil protein contents, and microbial communities of coastal saline–alkali soil under a 400‐day incubation experiment. Furthermore, organic amendments mixed with mineral amendment (4:1) were employed to explore the interactions between organic and inorganic amendments. Furfural residue had stronger and longer effects on soil macroaggregate stability (~240 days, intense) than black liquor (~15 days, weak), and mineral amendment addition had a positive effect on the stability of microaggregates. Our results revealed that qualities (primary form, C/N ratio, and chemical composition) of organic amendment which can change microbial communities by increasing soil C/N ratio and effective chemical compositions of solid‐state SOM, are the key factors in promoting the rapid formation and longer stability of coastal saline–alkali soil aggregates. Moreover, inorganic amendment addition can further improve the formation and stability of microaggregates rather than those of macroaggregates. This study provided a much‐needed technical basis for remediation of coastal saline–alkali soil.
Disentangling the independent and interacting impacts of biophysical factors on the transpiration of a black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) plantation in the semiarid Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Fan Chun , Jiao Lei , Lu Nan , Li Maotian , Li Zongshan , Keyimu Maierdang , Zhang Liwei , Wang Hao 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTranspiration (Tr) is the largest continental water flux. Tr is jointly affected by biophysical factors, including atmospheric demand, soil water supply, and plant physiological features, represented by potential evapotranspiration (PET), soil water content (SWC), and leaf area index (LAI) respectively. Disentangling the independent and interacting impacts of the biophysical factors on Tr provides a better understanding on the mechanism of ecohydrological controls on forest water use. In this study, taking the black locust plantation of the Loess Plateau as an example, independent contributions of the three factors and their interactions on Tr were quantified based on field observation, model development, and factorial analysis. First, sapflow density, meteorological variables, SWC, and LAI were observed during five growing seasons. Second, a coupled Tr model (R2 = 0.85, RMSE = 5.92) was established by the long‐term observed data of Tr, PET, SWC, and LAI. Finally, factorial experiment analysis showed that contributions of LAI, PET, and SWC and their interactions (PET×LAI, LAI × SWC, and PET×SWC) on Tr accounted for 50.82%, 9.77%, 9.30%, 13.88%, 13.75%, and 2.47%, respectively. The results indicated that LAI and PET×LAI had the largest independent and interacting impact on Tr of black locust. This study suggested that regulation of canopy leaf area through forest cultivation practices could reduce forest water use, which was beneficial for soil desiccation mitigation and meeting the soil water capacity for vegetation in this region. This study also provided a methodological reference for disentangling the impacts of biophysical factors on forest transpiration.
A review of the opportunities for spectral‐based technologies in post‐harvest testing of pulse grains
Authors: McDonald Linda , Panozzo Joe 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPulse grains are phenotypically diverse varying in colour, size, shape, and uniformity and have been integrated within many cultures and cuisines for several thousand years. Consumption of pulses within traditional dishes is still the dominant use for these grains, and therefore, the marketability is largely based on visual characteristics. There is also increasing interest into the utilisation of pulses in new processed food products because of their high protein content.Pulse‐quality assessment is critical within industry to determine marketability of the produce and remuneration for growers; however, the methods for assessment are largely subjective, completed by visual appraisal. Furthermore, targeted pulse‐quality traits form part of the overall strategy of plant breeding programmes, but the grain‐assessment methodologies are time consuming, constraining testing efficiency, and some destructive tests are reserved for advanced germplasm.Recent advances in computing and spectral sensing technology have improved opportunities for development of non‐destructive, high‐throughput and accurate machine vision (MV) systems for product‐quality evaluation. Algorithms based on digital image analysis have been developed to classify and quantify characteristics relating to the size, shape, colour and defects of grains and other agricultural products. Additionally, near‐infrared‐spectral processing has been successfully applied in the prediction of compositional constituents, such as protein and moisture, for some agricultural products.This review describes the standard methodologies for the assessment of pulse‐quality traits and developments in MV applications for grain quality assessment. Opportunities are identified, both within the pulse grain industry and plant breeding programmes, for objective and standardised post‐harvest testing of pulse grains through MV.
Targeting inorganic nanoparticles to tumors using biological membrane‐coated technology
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Chen Qian , Zhu Yefei , Pei Manman , Wang Kairuo , Qu Xiao , Zhang Yang , Gao Jie , Qin Huanlong 
Published: December 2022

AbstractInorganic nanoparticles have extensively revolutionized the effectiveness of cancer therapeutics due to their distinct physicochemical properties. However, the therapeutic efficiency of inorganic nanoparticles is greatly hampered by the complex tumor microenvironment, patient heterogeneity, and systemic nonspecific toxicity. The biomimetic technology based on biological membranes (cell‐ or bacteria‐derived membranes) is a promising strategy to confer unique characteristics to inorganic nanoparticles, such as superior biocompatibility, prolonged circulation time, immunogenicity, homologous tumor targeting, and flexible engineering approaches on the surface, resulting in the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of inorganic nanoparticles against cancer. Therefore, a greater push toward developing biomimetic‐based nanotechnology could increase the specificity and potency of inorganic nanoparticles for effective cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in biological membrane‐coated inorganic nanoparticles in cancer precise therapy and highlight the different types of engineered approaches, applications, mechanisms, and future perspectives. The surface engineering of biological membrane can greatly enhance their targeting, intelligence, and functionality, thereby realizing stronger tumor therapy effects. Further advances in materials science, biomedicine, and oncology can facilitate the clinical translation of biological membrane‐coated inorganic nanoparticles.
A flexible 16‐channel custom coil array for accelerated imaging of upper and infraglottic airway at 3 T
Authors: Alam Wahidul , Reineke Scott , Raja Viswanath Madavan , Rusho Rushdi Zahid , Van Daele Douglas , Meyer David , Liu Junjie , Lingala Sajan Goud 
Published: December 2022

PurposeTo develop a custom coil and evaluate its utility for accelerated upper and infraglottic airway MRI at 3 T.MethodsA 16‐channel flexible and anatomy‐conforming coil was developed to provide localized sensitivity over upper and infraglottic airway regions of interest. Parallel‐imaging capabilities were compared against existing head and head–neck coils. SENSE geometry factor losses were quantified for retrospectively accelerating 3D MRI. Blinded image‐quality ratings from two experts were performed. Spiral GRAPPA reconstructions were evaluated for a speaking task at a time resolution of 40 ms. Contrast‐to‐noise ratios between air and tissue at key landmarks along the vocal tract were compared. SENSE imaging with the custom coil in the lateral recumbent posture was evaluated. Multislice imaging was performed to image swallowing at 17 ms/frame via constrained reconstruction.ResultsThe custom coil showed improved SENSE imaging up to 3‐fold acceleration when accelerated along either the anterior–posterior or the superior–inferior direction and a net 4‐fold acceleration when accelerated along both directions. Spiral GRAPPA reconstructions with the custom coil showed higher contrast‐to‐noise ratio when compared with existing coils. In the lateral posture, robust SENSE imaging was achieved at up to 2‐fold and 3‐fold acceleration levels in the superior–inferior and anterior–posterior directions, respectively. Key events of swallowing in the multislice dynamic images were identified by an otolaryngologist.ConclusionThe coil provided improved parallel imaging of upper and infraglottic airway in both supine and lateral recumbent postures. It enabled efficient accelerated dynamic imaging of speaking and swallowing.
Perceived exertion is not a substitute for fatiguability in spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Cheng Ricky , Feng Julia , Goodwin Ashley M. , Uher David , Rao Ashwini K. , McDermott Michael P. , De Vivo Darryl C. , Ewing Garber Carol , Montes Jacqueline 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsFatiguability and perceived fatigue are common unrelated symptoms in ambulatory individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) measures the sense of effort during an activity and has been used as a proxy for fatigue. Relationships between perceived fatigue, fatiguability, and RPE have been described in healthy populations, but the relationship in SMA has not been examined.MethodsEighteen ambulatory individuals with SMA and 16 age‐matched controls (age, 13 to 57 years; 26 [76.5%] males) performed the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance test (CPET) and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire‐‐‐short form (IPAQ). RPE was collected during the CPET and 6MWT. Fatiguability was measured during the 6MWT. Physical activity (PA) volume was calculated using the IPAQ. Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests were used to compare groups. Spearman correlation coefficients evaluated associations between variables. SMA subgroups were predetermined using 6MWT distances of over or under 300 meters.ResultsThere were no significant associations between fatiguability and RPE or PA in SMA (P > .05). PA was strongly associated with 6MWT RPE (r = 0.71) in SMA individuals who walked fewer than 300 meters (n = 7). There were no significant associations between any variables in controls (P > .05).DiscussionRPE is not associated with fatiguability in SMA. The possible association of PA and RPE may reflect the increased intensity of the 6MWT in weaker patients. RPE represents a sense of effort during exercise and should not be used as a substitute for fatiguability but may be a measure of patient experience during exercise.
Forum Theatre as a mechanism to explore representation of local people's values in environmental governance: A case of study from Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Olvera‐Hernández Silvia , Mesa‐Jurado M. Azahara , Novo Paula , Martin‐Ortega Julia , Walsh Aylwyn , Holmes George , Borchi Alice 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNature degradation, poverty and social discrimination are some of the consequences of unfair decision‐making over environmental resources within rural communities in the Global South. Barriers to achieving fair environmental decisions are entrenched power differences and the lack of representation of the diversity of local values in environmental decision‐making.Using intersectionality and value pluralism as a conceptual base, this is the first paper to examine the potential of Forum Theatre, a performance arts‐based method, to discuss ‘solutions’ regarding power differences and values towards nature in environmental decision‐making.We implemented Forum Theatre in two rural villages in Chiapas, Mexico, framed around conflicts and power differences in eco‐tourism development.Participants felt empathy with the Forum Theatre characters and dissatisfaction over the conflicts, and this motivated them to engage and participate in collective reflections on their own personal experiences with power differences in environmental decision‐making.From these reflections, participants performed diverse ‘solutions’ to the conflicts, bringing to the fore plural interconnected and dynamic values towards nature in these narratives. Despite this, Forum Theatre does not look to ‘solve’ conflicts; it is a safe space to explore how power differences and values towards nature play out in environmental decision‐making.Results offer a promising picture of the potential of Forum Theatre as an opening where participants could discuss power differences and values towards nature. However, establishing its potential as a tool in environmental decision‐making would require engaging those involved in implementing environmental decisions that affect the communities but who operate from other levels of the governance structure, such as policy‐makers and large NGOs.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Imaging of pediatric extragonadal pelvic soft tissue tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper
Authors: Pace Erika , Johnson Tatum S. , Kao Simon C. , Parikh Ashish K. , Qi Jing , Rajderkar Dhanashree A. , Reid Janet R. , Towbin Alexander J. , States Lisa J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe most common pediatric extragonadal pelvic cancers include germ cell tumors, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas (arising from the urinary bladder, prostate, paratesticular tissues, vagina, uterus, and perineum). This paper describes the radiological and nuclear medicine features of these entities and provides consensus‐based recommendations for the assessment at diagnosis, during, and after treatment.
Application of capacitive sensors and controlled injection pressure to minimize void formation in resin transfer molding
Authors: Neitzel Benedikt , Puch Florian 
Published: December 2022

AbstractVoid formation as a result of irregular resin flow at the flow front is discussed and a practical method for reducing void formation during resin transfer molding (RTM) is introduced. In this study, a sensor system is developed for in situ measurement of resin velocity inside a closed cavity. Assisted by the acquired data, a resin injection system is augmented to automatically adjust the injection pressure and achieve a uniform flow front velocity. It is proven, that the developed system is suited to monitor the resin flow front and is able to sufficiently control flow velocity of a linear flow front. Test specimen produced by this method show significantly reduced void contents in comparison to a common resin transfer molding process.