bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Simulation of Typhoid Fever Transmission in Yobe State
Authors: Modu Babagana , Wakil Sheriff , Madaki Umar Y. , Mabu Audu M.
Published: April 2022

Aims / Objectives: Typhoid fever is a threat to human race and perhaps not much research is conducted towards mitigating it menace in Yobe State. A classical epidemic model SIR is deployed into GLEaMviz software to simulate typhoid spread and spatially analysed the trend.

Study Design: Computational modeling and simulation.

Place and Duration of Study: Computational Laboratory, Department of Mathematics and Statistics Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria. The duration of the study is between May 2021 and December 2021.

Methodology: SIR epidemic model was used to simulate typhoid spread and time series model was explored to investigate the disease trend.

Results: The model predicts mild seasonal fluctuations in the trend which coincides with rainy season. The agents causing the disease transmission is possibly being transported through flowing water.

Conclusion: A mild seasonality is present in the fluctuations of the trend of typhoid, hence the pattern shows strong evidence of perennial tendency with likelihood of high cases during rainy season. Further work is needed to validate this findings by using real data.
Gene Expression Endpoints Following Subchronic Thiamethoxam Exposure in Adult Male Rabbits
Authors: R. Elsawasany Ahmed , A. Deltsov Alexander , S. El Okle Osama , I. El Euony Omnia , V. Pozyabin Sergey , S. Ostrenko Konstantin
Published: April 2022

Aim: to investigate the sub chronic toxicity of thiamethoxam on some parameters of reproductive performance in adult male rabbits including gene expression of LDH-C4, FSHβ and LHβ and GnRHR.

Method: sixteen adult male Chinchilla rabbits were divided into two equal groups. Animals in the first group were treated orally with TMX at dose of 250 mg/kg body weight for 90 days. The second group was served as control.

Result: Obtained results showed that TMX increased the relative weight of some reproductive organs including testis and prostate. Hormonal analysis revealed that, TMX induced a significant elevation in the serum testosterone level, while the concentrations of FSH and LH hormones did not exhibit any alterations between treated and control groups. In addition, LDH-C4, FSHβ and LHβ and GnRHR genes were down regulated in TMX treated group.

Conclusion: Administration of thiamethoxam for 90 days in male rabbits induced a noticeable adverse effect on serum testosterone level and down regulated genes related to male rabbit reproductive performance.
Technologies for Enhancing Water Productivity through Remote Sensing and GIS
Authors: Prakash Ved , Prasad Pandey Hanuman , Pathak R. K. , Sachan A. K. , Pandey S. B. , Pandey Shivam
Published: April 2022

Water is the essential component of the agricultural system as well as another biota so that precisely management needs to save it for the future generation. So many types of water problems are there on the earth to affect the ecosystem whereas some dangerous problems are created by the uneven management of water such as flood, drought, metallic contamination, water pollution, wastage of water, and drainage, etc. Remote sensing and GIS technology are important and useful tools for the sustainable agricultural management system. The integrated use of remote sensing and GIS technology in several areas for the sustainable agricultural management system in India. Even with their importance, data required monitoring the productivity of land and water resources over the vast areas are usually not available or accessible. Satellite measurements from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather satellite are combined in this study with the ancillary in situ data into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Remote sensing measurements are converted to crop yield, to actual evapotranspiration and indirectly to the net groundwater use. The GIS data consist of canal-water deliveries and rainfall records. For each of the canal commands, the productivity of water is calculated. Maximum variability in the data is found from different canals commands area in the Indus basin. It has resulted that water productivity is being controlled by the crop yields than by water input. Remote sensing and GIS technology are being effectively utilized in India in several areas for sustainable agricultural development and management. The areas of sustainable agricultural development include cropping system analysis, agro-ecological zonation, quantitative assessment of soil carbon dynamics and soil productivity, soil erosion inventory, integrated agricultural drought assessment and management and Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD). Remote Sensing and GIS technology demonstrated to be an effective tool for suggesting action plans or management strategies for agricultural sustainability of any region.
Fluoride in Groundwater, Its Variation with Seasons and Relationship with Other Water Quality Parameters in Rangareddy District of Telangana, India
Authors: Ranjith M. , Sridevi S. , Rao K. Jeevan , Ramesh T.
Published: April 2022

Fluorine, which occurs naturally as fluoride in the earth’s crust in small amounts, is essential to humans and animals and is known to stimulate plant growth when present in small concentrations. However, higher concentrations of fluoride in drinking water cause dental and skeletal fluorosis in animals and humans and when present in high concentrations in groundwater used for irrigation, it accumulates in the plants and the soil and causes undesirable effects. A study was carried out during kharif, 2015 and rabi season of 2015-16 in Talakondapalle Mandal of Rangareddy District, Telangana state, India, to measure and map the distribution of fluoride in groundwater in borewells used for irrigation, to observe seasonal variation in fluoride content and to examine the relationship of fluoride with other water quality parameters such as pH, EC, Cl-1, CO3-, HCO3-, SO4-2, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, RSC and SAR. Fluoride in groundwater ranged between 0.72 to 4.50 ppm with a mean of 2.84 ppm and standard deviation of 1.30 ppm in kharif season and from 1.32 to 4.92 ppm with a mean of 3.29 ppm and standard deviation of 0.24 ppm in rabi season. Except for two borewells in kharif, fluoride concentration was higher than the permissible limit of 1 ppm. Groundwater fluoride map of the study area was generated using kriging technique. Fluoride concentration was higher in all the borewells in rabi over kharif with mean fluoride concentration being 15.8% higher in rabi season. Fluoride concentration was significantly positively correlated with pH, HCO3-, Na+, SAR and RSC of ground water and significantly negatively correlated with Ca+2.
Impact of Biochar Application on the Chemical Properties of Acidic and Neutral Soil
Authors: Haseena K. , Balehonnur Fasiha , Verma Rinku , Prasanna K. T.
Published: April 2022

Charcoal  produced from plant matter and stored in the soil as a means of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of biochar application on soil pH and chemical properties in both acidic and neutral soils. Three types of biochar were used in a greenhouse experiment: 1) red gram straw biochar produced at 400°C, 2) pongamia fruit husk biochar produced at 500°C, 3) Calophyllum fruit husk biochar produced at 500°C, and a control in which neither of the biochar was used. Each treatment was applied with four levels of 4t/ha,8t/ha.12t/ha and 16t/ha biochars. Each treatment was replicated five times and whole experiment set up was done in factorial CRD (Completely randomised design). Two-way ANOVA was also used to analyze the impact of the biochars on soil acidity and other chemical properties. The results showed the application of biochar increased the soil pH in both soils. The increase in pH was more noticeable in acidic soil. In acidic soil calophyllum fruit husk biochar produced at 500 °C applied at 16t/ha showed highest pH at all intervals except at 120 days. The increase in pH in neutral soil doesn’t show any particular pattern throughout the incubation period. In acidic soil exchangeable bases such as Ca, Mg, K and Na were highest in red gram straw produced at 400°C. In both acidic and neutral soils, there was no definite trend in micronutrient contents such as extractible Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu. The incorporation of biochar can cause beneficial changes in soil chemical properties and improve the bioavailability of plant essential nutrients.
Integrated Farming System: A Tool for Doubling Farmer’s Income
Authors: Mir Mohd Salim , Naikoo Nasir Bashir , Amin Zakir , Bhat Tauseef A. , Nazir Aijaz , Kanth Raihana Habib , Singh Parmeet , Raja Waseem , Singh Lal , Fayaz Shayista , Ahngar Tanveer A. , Palmo Tsultim , Rehman Ummaisa
Published: April 2022

Integrated Farming System is a holistic approach in which different enterprises are utilized in a collaborative way, wherein the resources are managed efficiently so that waste output of one enterprise serves as the input for another. Due to an ever-increasing population, the arable land is becoming increasingly scarcer per person, leaving little room for horizontal agricultural expansion. There are 115 million working farms in India, with about 80% of them being small or marginal farmers. With Integrated Farming System, the living standards of these farmers can be enhanced by efficient utilization of different enterprises. The IFS is actually a mixed farming system wherein different enterprises like dairy, fish, poultry, and other beneficial enterprises give an enhanced returns with lower risks, which can intermediate the losses of crops in case of severe climatic conditions. Under IFS, various enterprises having lower dependency on severe weather circumstances, the farmer is comparatively on safer side as far as the adversities of crop losses are concerned There are many advantages to integrated farming systems (IFS), such as a more efficient use of farm resources and an eco-friendlier strategy to farming. As a system of crop and livestock farming, IFS consists of at least two distinct but logically interdependent parts. Water efficiency, weed and pest control, and soil health can all be improved with IFS. It also helps to maintain water quality. Chemical fertilisers, weed killers, and pesticides should be used sparingly in an integrated farming system in order to protect the environment from their harmful effects. Adopting an Integrated Farming System (IFS) ensures a stable and long-term source of farm income by integrating a number of businesses to make the most of the land's natural resources. IFS itself is important for sustainable development of farmer by improving yield, economic return, employment generation, nutritional security and livelihood.
Impact of Aerobic and Anaerobic Field Tests on Physical Fitness of Female Athletes
Authors: Sattar Sumera , Iqbal Yasmeen , Khan Shahzaman
Published: April 2022

Success in sports and many other group activities requires a total feeling of well-being as well as specialized and strategic skills in individual and team activities. One of the fundamental characteristics that influence athletic performance is viewed as PF. The main objective of this study was to analyze the impact of aerobic and anaerobic systems on PF of female athletes. This paper is a part of doctoral thesis and one of the objectives of this thesis was “to analyze the impact of aerobic and anaerobic fitness on the PF of female athletes”. The study used an experimental design with pre and post-test. Only female players of basketball and netball participated from two different universities namely “Lahore College Women University (LCWU)’ and “The University of the Punjab (PU)” from Lahore, Pakistan. Stratified random sampling method was used to collect data. In addition to demographic data, detailed information on health status was also collected through “Student-Athlete Health History Questionnaire” as part of the inclusion criteria. An equal number of participants were assigned to the control group (n=52) and the experimental group (n=52). . The training program started with a pre-test and the training was implemented three times a week for 8 weeks under the direct supervision of trained instructors at LCWU and PU on alternate days. The score of each training session was recorded for each participant in all the fitness tests, and a post-test was performed at the end of the training. Scores of the 20-meter shuttle run test were used to measure aerobic fitness. Mean scores agility and speed tests were used to measure anaerobic fitness. Mean scores of all the tests were computed to generate scores for PF. Mean comparisons were performed under descriptive analysis and Paired Sample t-test and Univariate Analysis of Variance was performed for hypothesis testing. Paired Sample t-test for all three fitness variables showed “a significant difference for aerobic fitness from pretest to posttest as t (207) = 0.89, p = 0.000 and a significant difference for anaerobic fitness was also found as t (207) =110, p = 0.000 and similarly, a significant difference for PF from pretest to posttest was found as t (207) = 95, p=0.000.” A significant impact of aerobic fitness on PF was found (F=3.08, p=0.000) and a significant impact of anaerobic fitness on PF was also found (F=2.36, p=0.005). The results of the study concluded that aerobic and anaerobic fitness showed significant improvement in PF of female athletes. Aerobic fitness showed significant effect on CRF, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and agility of the participants with no significant effect on BMI and anaerobic fitness showed significant effect on muscular strength and speed only.
Cacao flower visitation: Low pollen deposition, low fruit set and dominance of herbivores
Authors: Vansynghel Justine , Ocampo‐Ariza Carolina , Maas Bea , Martin Emily A. , Thomas Evert , Hanf‐Dressler Tara , Schumacher Nils‐Christian , Ulloque‐Samatelo Carlos , Tscharntke Teja , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: April 2022

Pollination services of cacao are crucial for global chocolate production, yet remain critically understudied, particularly in regions of origin of the species. Notably, uncertainties remain concerning the identity of cacao pollinators, the influence of landscape (forest distance) and management (shade cover) on flower visitation and the role of pollen deposition in limiting fruit set.

Here, we aimed to improve understanding of cacao pollination by studying limiting factors of fruit set in Peru, part of the centre of origin of cacao. Flower visitors were sampled with sticky insect glue in 20 cacao agroforests in two biogeographically distinct regions of Peru, across gradients of shade cover and forest distance. Further, we assessed pollen quantities and compared fruit set between naturally and manually pollinated flowers.

The most abundant flower visitors were aphids, ants and thrips in the north and thrips, midges and parasitoid wasps in the south of Peru. We present some evidence of increasing visitation rates from medium to high shade (40%–95% canopy closure) in the dry north, and opposite patterns in the semi‐humid south, during the wet season.

Natural pollination resulted in remarkably low fruit set rates (2%), and very low pollen deposition. After hand pollination, fruit set more than tripled (7%), but was still low.

The diversity and high relative abundances of herbivore flower visitors limit our ability to draw conclusions on the functional role of different flower visitors. The remarkably low fruit set of naturally and even hand pollinated flowers indicates that other unaddressed factors limit cacao fruit production. Such factors could be, amongst others, a lack of effective pollinators, genetic incompatibility or resource limitation. Revealing efficient pollinator species and other causes of low fruit set rates is therefore key to establish location‐specific management strategies and develop high yielding native cacao agroforestry systems in regions of origin of cacao.
Elastomeric Indoor Organic Photovoltaics with Superb Photothermal Endurance
Authors: Kim Tae Hyuk , Lee Ho Jin , Saeed Muhammad Ahsan , Son Jae Hoon , Woo Han Young , Kim Tae Geun , Shim Jae Won
Published: April 2022

Despite recent improvements in their power‐conversion efficiency (PCE), organic photovoltaics (OPVs) cannot yet be guaranteed stable in an indoor environment. In this study, the destabilizing effects of morphological evolution and molecular‐ordering variation on photoactive layers containing two to four photoactive components are investigated under realistic indoor photothermal (>55 °C for 1000 h) and mechanical (10% strain and 1000 cycles) deformation conditions. Layers with more stable morphologies are obtained by increasing the number of photoactive components; consequently, the quaternary OPVs show the best PCE retention (over 90% and 82% of the initial values after the photothermal and mechanical stresses, respectively). The increase in entropy caused by the additional components in the quaternary blend leads to a more balanced molecular arrangement and excellent photothermal stability. Stronger intermolecular bonding and less variation of molecular ordering likewise occur in the quaternary OPVs, enhancing their mechanical endurance.
Practically Accessible All‐Solid‐State Batteries Enabled by Organosulfide Cathodes and Sulfide Electrolytes
Authors: Ji Weixiao , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zheng Dong , Huang He , Lambert Tristan H. , Qu Deyang
Published: April 2022

The combination of organic electrode materials and sulfide electrolytes is expected to enable the development of all‐solid‐state organic batteries featuring high energy density, safety, and sustainability. Here, thiuram hexasulfide is first reported as a low‐cost and high‐capacity cathode material for solid‐state organic batteries based on sulfide electrolytes. Notably, a capacity of ≈600 mA h g−1 is delivered and the capacity retention is 80.8% after 500 cycles. An electrochemically reversible change of the cathode interface is revealed upon cycling. The full cell displays an oscillating stress change of up to 0.6 MPa during cycling, predominated by the anode side. The energy density is 1140 Wh kg−1 at the material level and 376 Wh kg−1 at the electrode level, which are among the best‐reported organic cathodes to date. A high areal capacity of 10.4 mA h cm−2 is reached with a high mass loading cathode. A dry‐film approach is further explored to manufacture sheet‐type cells. The free‐standing Li6PS5Cl film with a thickness of only 48 µm demonstrates an ultralow areal resistance of 3.9 Ω cm2, which significantly boosts the cell‐level energy density and reduces the cell internal resistance.
Twins of Minimalistic Carbon Dots: Uniform Emitting‐Units and Molecular Level Repeatable Photoluminescence
Authors: Wang Chuchu , Guo Ge , Wang Yi , Yin Xueer , Zong Hui , Xia Yunsheng
Published: April 2022

Understanding the photoluminescence mechanism of carbon dots (C‐dots) is both of fundamental and technical significance. However, it has remained an extreme challenge due to C‐dots’ indeterminate constitution and complicated composition/structure. Herein, a combined processing system, namely extraction and subsequent preparative thin layer chromatography for C‐dots separation is presented. Benefiting from its powerful separation performances, two minimalistic C‐dots with almost identical structure and optical properties (named as “twin” C‐dots) are well separated. Then, by contrastive analysis, a photophysical picture for the C‐dots’ photoluminescence is presented: The C‐dots’ photoluminescence comes from uniform surface polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon units instead of the whole particles, which is both size‐ and oxygen‐independent. The products not only are highly bright and stable against photobleaching, but possess repeatable photoluminescence with molecular level accuracy. So, the C‐dots favorably integrate the advantages from small molecule dyes to photoluminescent nanomaterials, which is unprecedented and desirable for property exploration and application expansion.
A Ferroelectric p–i–n Heterostructure for Highly Enhanced Short‐Circuit Current Density and Self‐Powered Photodetection
Authors: Yan Tao , Liu Fengjing , Wang Yanrong , Yang Jia , Ding Chuyun , Cai Yuchen , Wu Zilong , Zhan Xueying , Wang Feng , Tian Yanhong , He Jun , Wang Zhenxing
Published: April 2022

2D‐layered materials and van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) have attracted intense interests in optoelectronic applications. However, the performance of photovoltaic effect based on vdWHs is still unsatisfactory, which is subjected to many factors, including settled small built‐in potentials and low light absorptions. Here, a pronounced photovoltaic effect is reported in MoTe2/(C4H9NH3)2(CH3NH3)2Pb3I10/α‐In2Se3 ferroelectric p–i–n vdWHs. An all‐dry transfer method held in an inert environment is utilized to ensure a good materials’ stability and high interfacial quality. The short‐circuit current density can increase three orders to 38 mA cm−2 by introducing perovskite; hence, the device works as a sensitive self‐powered photodetector with a photo on/off ratio of 2.4 × 105, a detectivity of 1.2 × 1012 Jones, and response times of 730 µs/620 µs. Moreover, the short‐circuit current density increases more than 25 times by enhancing the built‐in potential through programming the ferroelectric polarization of α‐In2Se3. In total, short‐circuit current density as high as 468 mA cm−2 is reached, which is one‐to‐two orders higher than that of typical lateral vdWHs. This work demonstrates the potential of high‐performance optoelectronic devices based on ferroelectric van der Waals p–i–n heterostructures.
Farm households' consumption of ad hoc program payments
Authors: Williams David J. , Brewer Brady E. , Todd Jessica E.
Published: April 2022

The increasing size, scope, and cost of ad hoc programs underscore the importance of understanding their effects. This article examines how Market Facilitation Program payments affected farm household consumption expenditures. Payments received in 2018 from the Market Facilitation Program were consumed at statistically significant rates that are considerably larger than other income sources. Farm households may have prespent the second tranche of the 2018 program payments before they were received in 2019. The consumption behaviors of commercial, intermediate, and residence farm households are contrasted, and less consumption smoothing is noticed among more leveraged households.
Building strength for the long haul toward liberation: What psychology can contribute to the resilience of communities targeted by state‐sanctioned violence
Authors: Gebhard Kris T. , Hargrove Stephanie , Chaudhry Tahani , Buchwach Syeda Y. , Cattaneo Lauren B.
Published: April 2022

State‐sanctioned violence (SSV) has resounding effects on entire populations, and marginalized communities have long persisted in the work toward liberation despite continued SSV. This paper aims to bridge the gap between the vast scholarship on resilience and the practical challenge of sustaining and thriving in communities targeted by SSV. We use the theoretical frame of the Transconceptual Model of Empowerment and Resilience (TMER) to articulate the process of resilience and the resources that support it: maintenance, efficacy, skills, knowledge, and community resources. As a practical frame, we ground our application of the model in the experiences of the first two authors in their own communities. Centering examples from the Black Lives Matter movement and the CeCe McDonald Support Committee, we use our theoretical and practical frames to explore the scholarship on resilience relevant to resisting SSV, and we identify mechanisms for supporting community stakeholders' efforts to move toward liberation from SSV. We discuss implications for future research and activism, and we include a toolkit with suggested strategies as an appendix for psychologists, activists, and community stakeholders to consider as they work to facilitate community resilience and build a society free from SSV.
Long‐term oncologic outcomes in esthesioneuroblastoma: An institutional experience of 143 patients
Authors: McMillan Ryan A. , Van Gompel Jamie J. , Link Michael J. , Moore Eric J. , Price Daniel L. , Stokken Janalee K. , Van Abel Kathryn M. , O'Byrne Jamie , Giannini Caterina , Chintakuntlawar Ashish , Pinheiro Neto Carlos D. , Peris Celda Maria , Foote Robert , Choby Garret
Published: April 2022

Objective

Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is a rare malignant neoplasm arising from the olfactory epithelium of the cribriform plate. The goal of this study was to update our oncologic outcomes for this disease and explore prognostic factors associated with survival.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with ENB treated at a single tertiary care institution from January 1, 1960, to January 1, 2020. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. Overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS) were reported.

Results

Among 143 included patients, the 5‐year OS was 82.3% and the 5‐year PFS was 51.6%; 5‐year OS and PFS have improved in the modern era (2005–present). Delayed regional nodal metastasis was the most common site of recurrence in 22% of patients (median, 57 months). On univariate analysis, modified Kadish staging (mKadish) had a negative effect on OS, PFS, and DMFS (p < 0.05). Higher Hyams grade had a negative effect on PFS and DMFS (p < 0.05). Positive margin status had a negative effect on PFS (p < 0.05). Orbital invasion demonstrated worsening OS (hazard ratio, 3.1; p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, high Hyams grade (3 or 4), high mKadish stage (C+D), and increasing age were independent negative prognostic factors for OS (p < 0.05). High Hyams grade (3+4), high mKadish stage (C+D), age, and positive margin status were independent negative prognostic factors for PFS (p < 0.05). High Hyams grade (3+4) was an independent negative prognostic factor for DMFS (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with low Hyams grade and mKadish stage have favorable 5‐year OS, PFS, and DMFS.
Ni‐Catalyzed Divergent Synthesis of 2‐Benzazepine Derivatives via Tunable Cyclization and 1,4‐Acyl Transfer Triggered by Amide N‐C Bond Cleavage
Authors: Ping Yuanyuan , Li Xiao , Pan Qi , Kong Wangqing
Published: April 2022

Ligand‐directed divergent synthesis can transform common starting materials into distinct molecular scaffolds by simple tuning different ligands. This strategy enables the rapid construction of structurally rich collection of small molecules for biological evaluation and reveals novel modes of catalytic transformation, representing one of the most sought‐after challenges in synthetic chemistry. We herein report a Ni‐catalyzed ligand‐controlled tunable cyclization/cross‐couplings for the divergent synthesis of pharmacologically important 2‐benzazepine frameworks. The bidentate ligand facilitates the nucleophilic addition of the aryl halides to the amide carbonyl, followed by 1,4‐acyl transfer and cross‐coupling to obtain 2‐benzazepin‐5‐ones and benzo[c]pyrano[2,3‐e]azepines. The tridentate ligand promotes the selective 7‐endo cyclization/cross‐coupling to access to 2‐benzazepin‐3‐ones. The protocol operates under mild reaction conditions with divergent cyclization patterns that can be easily modulated through the ligand backbone.
Hydrophilic Catalysts with High Activity and Stability in the Aqueous Polymerization of Ethylene to High‐Molecular‐Weight‐Polyethylene
Authors: Lin Fei , Mecking Stefan
Published: April 2022

Water‐soluble synthetic transition metal catalysts have been studied extensively for many reactions, but for olefin polymerization such catalysts have been lacking. We report herein a straightforward synthesis of phosphinephenolato NiII catalysts endowed permanently with a hydrophilic sulfonate moiety bound to the chelating ligand. These catalysts’ hydrophilic active sites promote aqueous ethylene polymerization with high activity (TOF up to 6.3×104 molEthylene molNi−1 h−1) to high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE), with half‐lives on the order of hours also at elevated temperatures. The obtained polyethylene dispersions feature narrow particle size distributions without any aggregates.
(PNSiMe3)4(NMe)6: A Robust Tetravalent Phosphaza‐adamantane Scaffold for Molecular and Macromolecular Construction**
Authors: Bedard Joseph , Roberts Nicholas J. , Shayan Mohsen , Bamford Karlee L. , Werner‐Zwanziger Ulrike , Marczenko Katherine M. , Chitnis Saurabh S.
Published: April 2022

Tetraarylmethanes and adamantanes are important rigid covalent connectors that play a four‐way scaffolding role in molecular and materials chemistry. We report the synthesis of a new tetravalent phosphaza‐adamantane cage, (PNSiMe3)4(NMe)6 (2), that shows high thermal, air, and redox stability due to its geometry. It nevertheless participates in covalent four‐fold functionalization reactions along its periphery. The combination of a robust core and reactive corona makes 2 a convenient inorganic scaffold upon which tetrahedral molecular and macromolecular chemistry can be constructed. This potential is demonstrated by the synthesis of a tetrakis(bis(phosphine)iminium) ion (in compound 3) and the first all P/N poly(phosphazene) network (5).
Quasi‐min‐max MPC for visual servoing stabilization of omnidirectional wheeled mobile robots
Authors: Lin Yegui , Xing Kexin , He Defeng , Zhang Wen‐An , Ni Weiqi
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a new visual servoing quasi‐min‐max MPC algorithm for stabilization control of an omnidirectional wheeled mobile robot subject to physical and visual constraints. The visual servoing dynamics of the robot are modeled as the state‐dependent linear error system with nonlinear control inputs of rotation and deflection velocities of wheels. The state‐dependent linear error system is covered as linear parameters‐varying models which is used to design the visual servoing quasi‐min‐max MPC controller. The actual control inputs of the robot are then computed by the solution of an inverse algebraic equation of the MPC actions. The recursive feasibility and stability of the new visual servoing MPC are ensured by some LMIs conditions. The performance and practicability of the visual servoing MPC are verified by some simulation and experiment results.
Model predictive position control of permanent magnet synchronous motor servo system with sliding mode observer
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Xudong
Published: April 2022

In order to improve the control accuracy and robustness of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo system, a new non‐cascade predictive control strategy is proposed to replace the traditional three‐closed‐loop servo control in this paper. The design process is as follows. First, the state variables and a discrete‐time state space model of motor are defined; meanwhile, the lumped term of disturbance is included in the motor model. Second, the optimal cost function is chosen to design the model predictive controller (MPC). Then, according to the uncertain parameters and external disturbance, the sliding mode observer (SMO) is introduced to estimate and compensate the disturbance. Finally, the comparative experimental result proves that the proposed predictive control method not only has less regulation parameters but also has high position tracking accuracy and strong anti‐interference ability even under different conditions.
Deep dynamic modeling with just two time points: Can we still allow for individual trajectories?
Authors: Hackenberg Maren , Harms Philipp , Pfaffenlehner Michelle , Pechmann Astrid , Kirschner Janbernd , Schmidt Thorsten , Binder Harald
Published: April 2022

Longitudinal biomedical data are often characterized by a sparse time grid and individual‐specific development patterns. Specifically, in epidemiological cohort studies and clinical registries we are facing the question of what can be learned from the data in an early phase of the study, when only a baseline characterization and one follow‐up measurement are available. Inspired by recent advances that allow to combine deep learning with dynamic modeling, we investigate whether such approaches can be useful for uncovering complex structure, in particular for an extreme small data setting with only two observations time points for each individual. Irregular spacing in time could then be used to gain more information on individual dynamics by leveraging similarity of individuals. We provide a brief overview of how variational autoencoders (VAEs), as a deep learning approach, can be linked to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for dynamic modeling, and then specifically investigate the feasibility of such an approach that infers individual‐specific latent trajectories by including regularity assumptions and individuals' similarity. We also provide a description of this deep learning approach as a filtering task to give a statistical perspective. Using simulated data, we show to what extent the approach can recover individual trajectories from ODE systems with two and four unknown parameters and infer groups of individuals with similar trajectories, and where it breaks down. The results show that such dynamic deep learning approaches can be useful even in extreme small data settings, but need to be carefully adapted.
Peptide purity assignment for antibody quantification by combining isotope dilution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography
Authors: Lee Hwashim , Lee Jinhwan
Published: April 2022

Peptide purity assignment is necessary for quantification of antibody. Recently, isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) has been proposed as a primary method for an accurate antibody measurement with traceability. When using the IDMS method, antibodies are measured using their signature peptide as the calibration standard. Therefore, the purity assignments of their signature peptide are essential for the standardization and harmonization of the antibody measurement. In this study, SI‐traceable purity assignments of the signature peptides of an antibody were investigated by combining the IDMS and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The final purity was calculated from the mass fraction of the total peptide determined by IDMS and the relative fraction of the target peptide determined by HPLC. The uncertainty was evaluated within the 95% confidence range. These peptides with the certified purity value can also be used for the quantification of antibodies for SARS‐CoV‐2.
Implementation of online genetic laboratories by using free resources
Authors: Selvarajah Geeta
Published: April 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic forced the adoption of online laboratories. The present article discusses the virtual laboratories used by students. The questions posed by students provided targeted teaching opportunities.
Anatomical considerations and clinical implications of bicipital aponeurosis: A magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Balaban Mehtap , Torun Bilge İpek
Published: April 2022

The bicipital aponeurosis (BA) is the distal aponeurosis of the biceps brachii which usually covers the median nerve (MN), and the brachial artery (BrA) and sometimes causes compression of these structures. Since these situations are rarely reported in the literature, BA frequently does not come to mind as a cause of such compression. Therefore, the diagnosis may be delayed. In this study, we aimed to investigate the morphometry of BA and its relationship with the surrounding neurovascular structures and to draw attention to BA as a structure that can cause entrapment of the MN and rarely, the BrA. We examined the MRIs of the elbow of 279 patients (107 women, 172 men) aged between 18 and 72 years. We measured the thickness, length and width of BA, and investigated the anatomical relationship between BA, BrA, and MN. The respective median thickness, width, and length of BA were 0.7 (0.4–1.8 mm), 18.0 (6.0–34.0 mm), and 32.0 (18.0–50.0 mm), respectively. In all sections examined, the BA covered the BrA and MN, and was located immediately anterior to the BrA. In 225 (80.6%) of 279 MRIs, the BrA was located anterior to the MN and posterior to the BA. In the remaining 54 (19.4%) MRIs, the MN was located anterior to the BrA and posterior to the BA. The respective median thickness, width, and length of the BA were 0.7 mm, 18.0 mm, and 32.0 mm, respectively. It covered the BrA and MN and was located immediately anterior to the BrA. The BA sometimes causes compression syndromes of these structures, therefore, for physicians, it is important to understand the anatomy of the BA.
Adverse events and stroke prevention by interventional left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with low CHA2DS2‐VASc score—results from the multicenter German LAARGE registry
Authors: Fastner Christian , Brachmann Johannes , Lewalter Thorsten , Zeymer Uwe , Sievert Horst , Ledwoch Jakob , Geist Volker , Hochadel Matthias , Schneider Steffen , Senges Jochen , Akin Ibrahim , Ansari Uzair
Published: April 2022

Background

Interventional left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is routinely performed in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and contraindications to standard anticoagulation.

Aims

We investigated its role in patients at low stroke risk, and compared the effectiveness and safety in patients with low versus high risk.

Methods

LAARGE is a prospective registry depicting the clinical reality of LAAO. LAAO was conducted with different standard commercial devices, and follow‐up period was 1 year. Patients with started procedure and documented CHA2DS2‐VASc score were selected from the whole database.

Results

A total of 638 patients from 38 centers were divided into CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≤2, i.e., low‐risk group (10.2%), and >2, i.e., high‐risk group (89.8%). The latter had a pronounced cardiovascular risk profile and preceding strokes (0% vs. 23.9%; p < 0.001). Implantation success was consistently high (97.6%), frequencies of intrahospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (0% vs. 0.5%) and other major complications (4.6% vs. 4.0%) were low (each p = not significant [NS]). Numerous moderate complications were also observed in the low‐risk patients (12.3% vs. 9.4%; p = NS). Frequencies of nonfatal strokes (0% vs. 0.7%) and severe bleedings (0% vs. 0.7%) were low (each p = NS). In a specific analysis, patients at very high risk of stroke (i.e., CHA2DS2‐VASc score >4) did not have increased rates of complications or nonfatal strokes in the first year after the procedure.

Conclusions

Low‐risk patients had no nonfatal strokes and major bleedings within 1 year after hospital discharge but had unexpectedly high rates of moderate procedural complications. The indication in these patients should be strictly defined based on an individual benefit‐risk assessment.
Impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes after revascularization with the dual therapy CD34 antibody‐covered sirolimus‐eluting Combo stent and the sirolimus‐eluting Orsiro stent
Authors: Jakobsen Lars , Christiansen Evald H. , Freeman Phillip , Kahlert Johnny , Veien Karsten , Maeng Michael , Raungaard Bent , Ellert Julia , Kristensen Steen D. , Christensen Martin K. , Terkelsen Christian J. , Thim Troels , Eftekhari Ashkan , Jensen Rebekka V. , Støttrup Nicolaj B. , Junker Anders , Hansen Henrik S. , Jensen Lisette O.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of the dual therapy CD34 antibody‐covered sirolimus‐eluting Combo stent (DTS) and the sirolimus‐eluting Orsiro stent (SES) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) included in the Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome (SORT OUT) X study.

Background

The incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) after treatment with modern drug‐eluting stents has been reported to be significantly higher in patients with DM when compared to patients without DM. Thus, whether the results from the SORT OUT X study apply to patients with and without DM remains unknown.

Methods

In total 3146 patients were randomized to stent implantation with DTS (n = 1578; DM: n = 279) or SES (n = 1568; DM: n = 271). The primary end point, TLF, was a composite of cardiac death, target‐lesion myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) within 1 year.

Results

At 1 year, the rate of TLF was increased in the DTS group compared to the SES group, both among patients with DM (9.3% vs. 4.8%; risk difference: 4.5%; incidence rate ratio: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–3.90) and without DM (5.7% vs. 3.5%; incidence rate ratio: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.15–2.42). The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR.

Conclusion

Compared to the SES, the DTS was associated with an increased risk of TLF at 12 months in patients with and without DM. The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR, whereas rates of cardiac death and target lesion MI did not differ significantly between the two stent groups in patients with or without DM.
Deposition of Vertically Aligned Ag/Ag2S Nanoflakes on EGaIn Particles for Humidity Sensing
Authors: Liu Yanlei , Yang Lei , Chen Qian , Wang Zeyi , Yang Zhiwei , Cao Jiacheng , Wang Xiaoshan , Li Hai , Huang Xiao
Published: April 2022

Liquid metals, which possess both good electrical conductivity and liquid‐like processability, have drawn much attention recently. They are also capable of acting as synthesis templates to guide the deposition of other functional materials. Herein, through an in‐situ galvanic replacement reaction assisted by ultrasonication, core–shell EGaIn/Ag particles composed of EGaIn cores and vertically aligned Ag nanoflakes as shells were prepared; they were further sulfurized to yield ternary EGaIn/Ag/Ag2S core–shell composite particles. A humidity sensor based on EGaIn/Ag/Ag2S particles showed much higher sensing response than EGaIn and EGaIn/Ag. Such superior performance could be attributed to the n‐type semiconducting character of Ag2S allowing it to receive electrons from water molecules at low humidity, and its highly hydrophilic surface allowing it to absorb more water molecules at higher humidity so as to enable the formation of ion‐conductive paths.
Encapsulating sulphur inside Magnéli phase Ti4O7 nanotube array for high performance lithium sulphur battery cathode
Authors: Wu Hsiwen , Hu Xijun , Shao Minhua , Zhang Shuwei , Chen Guohua
Published: April 2022

The lithium–sulphur battery is a promising system for next‐generation energy storage because of its high energy density and the abundant supply of sulphur. In this study, Magnéli phase Ti4O7 nanotube arrays (NTA) were grown on titanium nitride mesh substrates via anodization of titanium mesh followed by high‐temperature reduction under a hydrogen atmosphere. When prepared into a composite material with sulphur via electrodeposition, Ti4O7 NTA provides sulphur with high electronic conductivity and strong polysulphide chemisorption during battery operation. The structure of NTA allows sufficient access of incorporated sulphur to the liquid electrolyte and supports high sulphur loadings per unit area of the electrode. The application of an additional layer of conductive carbon coating to confine electrodeposited sulphur inside the NTA further improved the cell cycling performance. Under sulphur loadings of around 2.0 mg/cm2, high values of specific capacity (1604 mAh/g at a 1/20 C rate), ultra‐low capacity decay rate (0.03% per cycle for 1800 cycles), and versatile rate capability (660 mAh/g at 2 C and 500 mAh/g at 4 C) were achieved. Under high sulphur loadings of around 5.0 mg/cm2, stable cycling (decay rate below 0.10% per cycle) and high areal capacity (4.97 mAh/cm2) were attained.
Adsorption to the Surface of Hemozoin Crystals: Structure‐Based Design and Synthesis of Amino‐Phenoxazine β‐Hematin Inhibitors
Authors: Olivier Tania , Loots Leigh , Kok Michélle , de Villiers Marianne , Reader Janette , Birkholtz Lyn‐Marié , Arnott Gareth E. , de Villiers Katherine A.
Published: April 2022

In silico adsorption of eight antimalarials that inhibit β‐hematin (synthetic hemozoin) formation identified a primary binding site on the (001) face, which accommodates inhibitors via formation of predominantly π‐π interactions. A good correlation (r2=0.64, P=0.017) between adsorption energies and the logarithm of β‐hematin inhibitory activity was found for this face. Of 53 monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic scaffolds, the latter yielded the most favorable adsorption energies. Five new amino‐phenoxazine compounds were pursued as β‐hematin inhibitors based on adsorption behaviour. The 2‐substituted phenoxazines show good to moderate β‐hematin inhibitory activity (<100 μM) and Plasmodium falciparum blood stage activity against the 3D7 strain. N1,N1‐diethyl‐N4‐(10H‐phenoxazin‐2‐yl)pentane‐1,4‐diamine (P2a) is the most promising hit with IC50 values of 4.7±0.6 and 0.64±0.05 μM, respectively. Adsorption energies are predictive of β‐hematin inhibitory activity, and thus the in silico approach is a beneficial tool for structure‐based development of new non‐quinoline inhibitors.
Optimum scheduling of machines, automated guided vehicles and tools without tool delay in a multi‐machine flexible manufacturing system using symbiotic organisms search algorithm
Authors: Mareddy Padma Lalitha , Narapureddy Sivarami Reddy , Dwivedula Venkata Ramamurthy , Karanam Prahlada Rao
Published: April 2022

This article deals with machines, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and tools simultaneous scheduling in multimachine flexible manufacturing system (FMS) with the lowest possible number of copies of every tool type without tool delay considering jobs' transport times among machines to minimize makespan (MSN). The tools are kept in a central tool magazine (CTM), which is shared by and serves many machines. Tool transporter (TT) and AGVs shift tools and jobs among machines respectively. This concurrent scheduling problem is extremely complex in nature as it involves determining the lowest possible tool copies of every type of tool, allocation of AGVs and tools copies to job‐operations, job‐operations sequencing on machines, and associated trip operations including the dead heading trip and loaded trip times of AGVs. This paper proposes nonlinear mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation to model this problem and symbiotic organisms search algorithm (SOSA) for solving this problem. Verification is carried out using an industrial problem in a manufacturing firm. The results show that employing two copies for one tool type and one copy each for the remaining tool types results in no tool delay and reduction in MSN which causes a reduction in cost, and SOSA is providing better solution than Jaya algorithm.
Adding MgCl2 to Molten NaCl−UCln (n=3, 4): Insights from First‐Principles Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Li Bo , Dai Sheng , Jiang De‐en
Published: April 2022

Molten chlorides are proposed for fast‐spectrum molten salt reactors. Molten MgCl2 with NaCl forms eutectic mixtures and is considered as a promising dilutant to dissolve fuel salts such as UCl3 and UCl4. A previous study suggests the formation of a U−Cl network at the U : Na=1 : 1 binary salt. However, it is unclear how the structure of UCln (n=3, 4) in NaCl will change after adding MgCl2 in the salt. Here, we use first‐principles molecular dynamics to investigate the molten ternary salts NaCl−MgCl2−UCln (n=3, 4) at various concentrations of Mg2+ in NaCl−UCln with a fixed ratio of Na : U at 1 : 1. It is found that the addition of Mg2+ to NaCl−UCl3 leads to a higher coordination number (from 6.5 to 6.7) of Cl around U while the U−Cl network structure slightly decreases with the Mg concentration. Adding MgCl2 to NaCl−UCl4, however, breaks down the U−Cl network more completely. We attribute the different behavior of adding Mg2+ into NaCl−UCl3 and NaCl−UCl4 to the difference between U(III) and U(IV) in attracting Cl− ions to form the first coordination shell. The present work reveals the impact of MgCl2 as a dilutant solvent for NaCl−UCln fuel salts, which will be helpful in further studies and understanding of the thermophysical and transport properties of ternary systems.