bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of cooperative excavation in ant and robot collectives
Authors: Prasath S Ganga , Mandal Souvik , Giardina Fabio , Kennedy Jordan , Murthy Venkatesh N , Mahadevan L
Published: October 2022

The solution of complex problems by the collective action of simple agents in both biologically evolved and synthetically engineered systems involves cooperative action. Understanding the resulting emergent solutions requires integrating across the organismal behavior of many individuals. Here, we investigate an ecologically relevant collective task in black carpenter ants Camponotus pennsylvanicus: excavation of a soft, erodible confining corral. These ants show a transition from individual exploratory excavation at random locations to spatially localized collective exploitative excavation and escape from the corral. Agent-based simulations and a minimal continuum theory that coarse-grains over individual actions and considers their integrated influence on the environment leads to the emergence of an effective phase space of behaviors, characterized in terms of excavation strength and cooperation intensity. To test the theory over the range of both observed and predicted behaviors, we use custom-built robots (RAnts) that respond to stimuli to characterize the phase space of emergence (and failure) of cooperative excavation. Tuning the amount of cooperation between RAnts, allows us to vary the efficiency of excavation and synthetically generate the entire range of macroscopic phases predicted by our theory. Overall, our approach shows how the cooperative completion of tasks can arise from simple rules that involve the interaction of agents with a dynamically changing environment that serves as both an enabler and a modulator of behavior.
Presynaptic Rac1 controls synaptic strength through the regulation of synaptic vesicle priming
Authors: Keine Christian , Al-Yaari Mohammed , Radulovic Tamara , Thomas Connon I , Valino Ramos Paula , Guerrero-Given Debbie , Ranjan Mrinalini , Taschenberger Holger , Kamasawa Naomi , Young Samuel M
Published: October 2022

Synapses contain a limited number of synaptic vesicles (SVs) that are released in response to action potentials (APs). Therefore, sustaining synaptic transmission over a wide range of AP firing rates and timescales depends on SV release and replenishment. Although actin dynamics impact synaptic transmission, how presynaptic regulators of actin signaling cascades control SV release and replenishment remains unresolved. Rac1, a Rho GTPase, regulates actin signaling cascades that control synaptogenesis, neuronal development, and postsynaptic function. However, the presynaptic role of Rac1 in regulating synaptic transmission is unclear. To unravel Rac1’s roles in controlling transmitter release, we performed selective presynaptic ablation of Rac1 at the mature mouse calyx of Held synapse. Loss of Rac1 increased synaptic strength, accelerated EPSC recovery after conditioning stimulus trains, and augmented spontaneous SV release with no change in presynaptic morphology or AZ ultrastructure. Analyses with constrained short-term plasticity models revealed faster SV priming kinetics and, depending on model assumptions, elevated SV release probability or higher abundance of tightly docked fusion-competent SVs in Rac1-deficient synapses. We conclude that presynaptic Rac1 is a key regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity mainly by regulating the dynamics of SV priming and potentially SV release probability.
The landscape of transcriptional and translational changes over 22 years of bacterial adaptation
Authors: Favate John S , Liang Shun , Cope Alexander L , Yadavalli Srujana S , Shah Premal
Published: October 2022

Organisms can adapt to an environment by taking multiple mutational paths. This redundancy at the genetic level, where many mutations have similar phenotypic and fitness effects, can make untangling the molecular mechanisms of complex adaptations difficult. Here, we use theEscherichia colilong-term evolution experiment (LTEE) as a model to address this challenge. To understand how different genomic changes could lead to parallel fitness gains, we characterize the landscape of transcriptional and translational changes across 12 replicate populations evolving in parallel for 50,000 generations. By quantifying absolute changes in mRNA abundances, we show that not only do all evolved lines have more mRNAs but that this increase in mRNA abundance scales with cell size. We also find that despite few shared mutations at the genetic level, clones from replicate populations in the LTEE are remarkably similar in their gene expression patterns at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Furthermore, we show that the majority of the expression changes are due to changes at the transcriptional level with very few translational changes. Finally, we show how mutations in transcriptional regulators lead to consistent and parallel changes in the expression levels of downstream genes. These results deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying complex adaptations and provide insights into the repeatability of evolution.
Development of a versatile high-throughput mutagenesis assay with multiplexed short-read NGS using DNA-barcoded supF shuttle vector library amplified in E. coli
Authors: Kawai Hidehiko , Iwata Ren , Ebi Shungo , Sugihara Ryusei , Masuda Shogo , Fujiwara Chiho , Kimura Shingo , Kamiya Hiroyuki
Published: October 2022

A forward mutagenesis assay using the supF gene has been widely employed for the last several decades in studies addressing mutation frequencies and mutation spectra associated with various intrinsic and environmental mutagens. In this study, by using a supF shuttle vector and non-SOS-induced Escherichia coli with short-read next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we present an advanced method for the study of mutations, which is simple, versatile, and cost-effective. We demonstrate the performance of our newly developed assay via pilot experiments with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, the results from which emerge more relevant than expected. The NGS data obtained from samples of the indicator E. coli grown on titer plates provides mutation frequency and spectrum data, and uncovers obscure mutations that cannot be detected by a conventional supF assay. Furthermore, a very small amount of NGS data from selection plates reveals the almost full spectrum of mutations in each specimen and offers us a novel insight into the mechanisms of mutagenesis, despite them being considered already well known. We believe that the method presented here will contribute to future opportunities for research on mutagenesis, DNA repair, and cancer.
On component-wise dissimilarity measures and metric properties in pattern recognition
Authors: De Santis Enrico , Martino Alessio , Rizzi Antonello
Published: October 2022

In many real-world applications concerning pattern recognition techniques, it is of utmost importance the automatic learning of the most appropriate dissimilarity measure to be used in object comparison. Real-world objects are often complex entities and need a specific representation grounded on a composition of different heterogeneous features, leading to a non-metric starting space where Machine Learning algorithms operate. However, in the so-called unconventional spaces a family of dissimilarity measures can be still exploited, that is, the set of component-wise dissimilarity measures, in which each component is treated with a specific sub-dissimilarity that depends on the nature of the data at hand. These dissimilarities are likely to be non-Euclidean, hence the underlying dissimilarity matrix is not isometrically embeddable in a standard Euclidean space because it may not be structurally rich enough. On the other hand, in many metric learning problems, a component-wise dissimilarity measure can be defined as a weighted linear convex combination and weights can be suitably learned. This article, after introducing some hints on the relation between distances and the metric learning paradigm, provides a discussion along with some experiments on how weights, intended as mathematical operators, interact with the Euclidean behavior of dissimilarity matrices.
A block cipher algorithm identification scheme based on hybrid k-nearest neighbor and random forest algorithm
Authors: Yuan Ke , Yu Daoming , Feng Jingkai , Yang Longwei , Jia Chunfu , Huang Yiwang
Published: October 2022

Cryptographic algorithm identification, which refers to analyzing and identifying the encryption algorithm used in cryptographic system, is of great significance to cryptanalysis. In order to improve the accuracy of identification work, this article proposes a new ensemble learning-based model named hybrid k-nearest neighbor and random forest (HKNNRF), and constructs a block cipher algorithm identification scheme. In the ciphertext-only scenario, we use NIST randomness test methods to extract ciphertext features, and carry out binary-classification and five-classification experiments on the block cipher algorithms using proposed scheme. Experiments show that when the ciphertext size and other experimental conditions are the same, compared with the baselines, the HKNNRF model has higher classification accuracy. Specifically, the average binary-classification identification accuracy of HKNNRF is 69.5%, which is 13%, 12.5%, and 10% higher than the single-layer support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and random forest (RF) respectively. The five-classification identification accuracy can reach 34%, which is higher than the 21% accuracy of KNN, the 22% accuracy of RF and the 23% accuracy of SVM respectively under the same experimental conditions.
REORGANIZATION OF THE ASSEMBLY STATION IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE SLIDING FLOOR FOR RELOADING RAMPS IN THE CONTEXT OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT
Authors:   Collegium Witelona State University, Dąbrowska Magdalena , Medyński Daniel , Bieliński Wiktor , Kolbusz Krzysztof
Published: October 2022

The paper presents the definitions of the term quality quoted in the literature on the subject. FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) methodology was presented. A reloading ramp was characterized as the subject of the study. A cause-and-effect analysis of non-compliance in the finished product was performed using the Pareto-Lorenz diagram, Ishikawa diagram and brainstorming. The FMEA analysis of the assembly table indicated the elements of the workstation causing the most frequently occurring non-conformities. Based on the obtained results, corrective actions were proposed to reorganize the assembly station. The implemented activities made it possible to reduce the critical RPN coefficients for the elements of the assembly table and to shorten the time necessary to make one piece of the finished product.
Knowledge of Tribal Farmers about VDVK Activities in Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Srivani Tummala Naga Satya Sai , Rajan Parvez , Sarkar Rajesh , Lingireddy Hema Venkata Latha
Published: October 2022

Van Dhan Vikas Kendra’s (VDVK) were formed as a part of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (PMVDVY) scheme, which constitutes of around 300 members in each VDVK. In VDVK activities like value addition to various forest products, trainings etc., were done in order to provide employment opportunities, avoid exploitation by the middlemen and to improve the livelihood of the tribals. The objectives of the current study were 1. To study the profile characteristics of the tribal farmers. 2. To assess the knowledge of tribal farmers about VDVK activities. 3. To find out the relationship between profile characteristics and knowledge of tribal farmers. The present study i.e., Knowledge of tribal farmers about VDVK activities in Andhra Pradesh was conducted under ITDA-Rampachodavaram which was situated in Andhra Pradesh in the year 2021-2022. Out of the seven tribal mandals, only two mandals i.e., Rampachodavaram, Maredumilli mandals were selected randomly and from each mandal four villages were selected by simple random sampling method. By using proportionate sampling method, a sample size of 105 was taken. Through the findings, it was revealed that majority of the beneficiaries were young age group and belonged to female gender. Most of the beneficiaries were illiterates, having low annual income and small land holdings. Majority of the beneficiaries had moderate level of utilisation of source of information, with medium extension contact and having medium awareness regarding PMVDVY. While knowledge about VDVK activities, majority of the beneficiaries comes under medium category. Thus, the present study helps in finding the lacunae in the implementation of PMVDVY scheme and running VDVK’s smoothly, effectively and efficiently.
Socio-Economic Importance of Beekeeping in the Togo Plateau Region
Authors: Mawussi Koudegnan Comlan , Adoukonou Atchou Kokou , Komlanvi Gatonnou , Pierre Radji , Kouami Kokou
Published: October 2022

Beekeeping is an agricultural activity that was more or less developed and practiced in different ways in the different regions of Togo. In recent years, in certain regions of the country, such as the plateau region, we have noticed a special consideration of the populations for beekeeping, which they practice as a subsistence activity. It is with the aim of seeing if a beekeeper can live exclusively from this activity that the study was carried out. This work has to evaluate the economic contribution of the beekeeping activity in the life of the producers of the region of the plateaus of Togo.

To achieve this objective, socio-economic surveys were carried out on the basis of a semi-structured questionnaire via individual interviews. The questionnaire took into account: the profile of the beekeeper, annual investments, number and type of hive used, harvested products, the quantity obtained per hive and per year, selling price.

The results obtained on the sale of honey and wax, showed that the beekeeping activity would be economically profitable. For the evaluation of profitability, the cost/revenue method was used. Production costs relate to materials and various expenses incurred. Gross receipts were estimated from cash flows from the sale of hive products. After investigation of the turnover, the profits are calculated by difference between income and expenditure for each product harvested for the year 2019. In short, the activity allows an average annual profit of 766.600 FCFA for beekeepers harvesting only honey and 829.000 FCFA for those harvesting both honey and beeswax, for an average number of 33 hives per producer.

This study has shown that a serious beekeeper who is well organized and has at least thirty hives can normally make a good living from this beekeeping activity.
Morphological Depiction of Seeds of Landraces of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Sundarrao Gadge Sushant , Roy Bidhan
Published: October 2022

The landraces of rice play an important role as donor in breeding of varieties for desirable traits. One hundred twenty-one Farmers’ Varieties (FVs) of rice collected from West Bengal, Assam and Manipur had used to characterize the physical parameters of seeds. Based on the kernel length and L/B ratio, most of the FVs were found to be long bold (31 FVs) and short bold (47 FVs). Out of the remaining 43 FVs, 27 were long slender, 03 were short slender and 11 were medium slender. Rice seeds were also classified based on test weight. Most of the FVs were medium-heavy (50 FVs) and heavy (27 FVs). The yield of the FVs varied from 0.91 t/ha to 5.19 t/ha. Jadudhan (5.19 t/ha) was found to be the maximum seed-yielding genotype followed by Jaldhyapa-1 (4.92 t/ha), Jagratikartik (4.69 t/ha), Jamainaru (4.68 t/ha), Kerala Sundari (4.58 t/ha), Satiya (4.44 t/ha), Dubari Komal (4.32 t/ha), Jugal (4.08 t/ha), Boichi (4.06 t/ha), Patanai (4.06 t/ha), UBL-4 (4.05 t/ha) and Khayamdhan (4.01 t/ha). From this collection, donors may be selected for breeding long-grained rice as well as rice with high test weight.
Research Progress of Febrile Seizures in Children
Authors: Guo Kexin , Wang Jiemin , Jiao Fuyong
Published: October 2022

Febrile seizures (FS) are common neurological diseases in childhood. It is age-dependent and often occurs in children from 6 months to 5 years old. The etiology of FS is diverse and the mechanism is complex, which is not completely clear, but most children have a good prognosis. Through timely identification, symptomatic treatment and health guidance to patients’ families, we can get a good prognosis. In the treatment of FS, we should pay attention to finding the cause, and do a good job in the health education and guidance for children's families. At present, the long-term use of antiepileptic drugs is not recommended to prevent the recurrence and secondary epilepsy of FS. In the future, through the development of traditional Chinese medicine, the combination of Chinese and Western medicine can be considered in order to improve the therapeutic effect of FS. This paper reviews the relevant literature about the research progress of FS in recent years in China and abroad, to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of FS in children.
Servant Leadership's Contribution to Organizational Culture-Mediated Job-Related Outcomes and Leader-Related Outcomes
Authors: Naa Willem , Jasfar Farida , Warsindah Lucy , Kristaung Robert
Published: October 2022

Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of servant Leadership on psychological empowerment, organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction, and leader effectiveness with organizational culture as moderation of third-echelon officials in the Mimika District Government of Papua Province, Indonesia.

Study Design: The study design of this research is a hypothesis-testing with non-probability sampling.

Place and Duration of Study: 120 respondents from November 2021 to January 2022.

Methodology: Partial Least Square with Structural Equation Modeling.

Results: The results of this study are Servant Leadership has a positive and significant effect on four job-related outcomes, namely psychological empowerment; organizational commitment; organizational citizenship behavior, and job satisfaction. Meanwhile, corporate culture only significantly modifies the relationship between Servant Leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, and job satisfaction.

Conclusion: The practical implications of the research are that the most robust dimensions of servant leadership are listening, persuasion, visionary and capable. For organizational culture, the dimensions of Uncertainty avoidance, especially those related to complex monitoring systems, need to be simplified. And for the psychological empowerment variable, third echelon officials expect self-determination to choose to initiate and manage actions as leaders.
Application Progress of Artificial Neural Network in Chemical Industry
Authors: Feng Xindi , Sun Li
Published: October 2022

The design and optimization of chemical equipment and devices and the control of chemical processes involve many factors and are very complex. The traditional methods and technologies cannot obtain satisfactory results. Artificial neural network technology has the ability to deal with complex objects and has been widely used in various engineering fields including chemical industry. In this paper, the research progress of artificial neural network in chemical industry is reviewed. The application progress of artificial neural network in signal peak recognition, catalyst optimization, industrial process, reaction process, physical data and other aspects is summarized. The advantages and limitations of artificial neural network in chemical industry are analyzed. Finally, the development trend of its application in chemical industry is prospected.
Theoretical content of a mobile application on COVID-19: contributions from healthcare students / Conteúdo teórico de um aplicativo móvel sobre covid-19: contribuições de acadêmicos da área da saúde
Authors: Fonseca Pinto Layanne , Silva Aline Cerqueira Santos Santana da , Góes Fernanda Garcia Bezerra , Cristynne Souza Bonifácio Michelly , Coelho Yasminn Canella Cabral Banjar , Goulart Maithê de Carvalho e Lemos
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: identificar dúvidas de acadêmicos da área da saúde sobre a COVID-19 para a composição do conteúdo teórico de um aplicativo móvel. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida no estado do Rio de Janeiro, em julho de 2020, por meio de formulário eletrônico com acadêmicos da saúde, cujos dados foram processados no software Interface de R pour Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes Et de Questionnaires. Resultados: as dúvidas de acadêmicos da área da saúde sobre a COVID-19 que subsidiaram a composição do conteúdo do aplicativo móvel, versaram sobre: formas de contágio, cadeia de transmissão da doença, sinais e sintomas, contágio e prevenção, além do tratamento frente à COVID-19.   Conclusão: a identificação de temas para composição do aplicativo móvel sob a ótica dos acadêmicos da área da saúde, possibilitará o uso deste como tecnologia educacional no âmbito da saúde, promovendo mudanças de atitudes, autonomia, além de favorecer a tomada de decisão frente a pandemia.
Investigation of space and its composition in Craig Ellwood's residential buildings with focus on material and modular system
Authors: Masuoka Ryo , Suekane Shingo
Published: October 2022

This study investigates the type and transformation of spatial composition in Craig Ellwood's residential buildings and focuses on the material and modular systems. Herein, 28 works and structures, primary exterior finishing materials, primary interior finishing materials, and modular systems on both plan and section are analyzed. This analysis derived the following points: when standardization of construction paved the way for uniform spaces in the 1950s, Ellwood countered this trend by spatially arranging the materials with texture in one modular system and controlling them with the exposed beams. Through this approach, he created an architecture that gave rhythm to the space. In the 1960s, Ellwood used various column spans, defining the appearance of buildings by exposing beams and columns on the outside and creating compositions that gave rhythm to the outside.
Drought response of 10 bermudagrass genotypes under field and controlled environment conditions
Authors: Gopinath Lakshmy , Moss Justin Quetone , Wu Yanqi , Schwartz Brian M.
Published: October 2022

Fresh water scarcity is increasingly affecting urban landscapes, and the best strategy for sustaining the turfgrass industry would be to create, select, and use drought‐resistant genotypes. Bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) have different mechanisms to survive drought stress either by growing long roots, stomatal regulation, or accumulating biochemical solutes in the leaf. The drought response of 10 bermudagrasses was evaluated under two environments: (a) unrestricted root zone in the field and (b) restricted 17‐cm root zone in a greenhouse. Each study consisted of four commercially available (‘Latitude 36’, ‘Tifway’, ‘TifTuf’, and ‘Celebration’) and six experimental genotypes (OSU1337, OSU1403, OSU1439, TifB16101, TifB16113, and TifB16120). In the field study, all the genotypes survived the 60‐ and 49‐d dry‐down periods in 2017 and 2018, respectively, without completely browning off. Results showed a range of drought performance among genotypes, with TifTuf and Latitude 36 being the best‐ and worst‐performing industry standards, respectively. TifB16101, TifB16120, and TifB16113 were consistently the top performers with a leaf firing (LF) and turf quality (TQ) above 6, lower canopy temperature (CT), and greater normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values in the field. However, when grown in 17‐cm pots, TifTuf, TifB16113, and TifB16120 demonstrated a TQ below 6 within 6 and 9 days of drought (DOD) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The discrepancy between studies suggests that these genotypes may have the ability to extract water from deeper soil profiles when root zones are unrestricted. Furthermore, these findings reinforce the importance of soil depth in maintaining turfgrasses without supplemental irrigation.
Trends in the number of patients from traffic accidents and the state of emergency
Authors: Igarashi Yutaka , Mizobuchi Taiki , Nakae Ryuta , Yokobori Shoji
Published: October 2022

Aim

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the number of traffic accidents and injured patients was reported to be lower than that before the pandemic. However, little is known regarding the relationship between periods of the state of emergency and the number of patients who met with traffic accidents.

Methods

The numbers of trauma patients and deaths due to traffic accidents in Tokyo and Osaka were collected monthly from the statistics published by the police department. A state of emergency was declared four times in both cities. The number of trauma patients and deaths was compared between the emergency and other periods.

Results

The number of monthly patients per 100,000 due to traffic accidents during the state of emergency was significantly lower than that during other periods in Tokyo (16.56 versus 18.20; P = 0.008) and Osaka (24.12 versus 28.79; P = 0.002). However, the monthly number of deaths during the state of emergency was not significantly different compared with those during the other periods in Tokyo (0.08 versus 0.08; P = 0.65) and Osaka (0.10 versus 0.14; P = 0.082). A decrease in the number of trauma patients was observed before the emergency period; however, the reduction rate dropped as the period passed.

Conclusion

There were significantly fewer trauma patients due to traffic accidents during the state of emergency than during the other periods, with no significant difference in the number of deaths.
Magnetic ResonanceImages Implicate That Glymphatic Alterations Mediate Cognitive Dysfunction inAlzheimer Disease
Authors: Hsu Jung‐Lung , Wei Yi‐Chia , Toh Cheng Hong , Hsiao Ing‐Tsung , Lin Kun‐Ju , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Liao Ming‐Feng , Ro Long‐Sun
Published: October 2022

Objective

The glymphatic system cleans amyloid and tau proteins from the brain in animal studies of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, there is no direct evidence showing this in humans.

Methods

Participants (n = 50, 62.6 ± 5.4 years old, 36 women) with AD and normal controls underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), tau PET, structural T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and neuropsychological evaluation. Whole‐brain glymphatic activity was measured by diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI‐ALPS).

Results

ALPS‐indexes showed negative correlations with deposition of amyloid and tau on PET images and positive correlations with cognitive scores even after adjusting for age, sex, years of education, andAPOE4genotype covariates in multiple AD‐related brain regions (allp < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that ALPS‐index acted as a significant mediator between regional standardized uptake value ratios of amyloid and tau images and cognitive dysfunction even after correcting for multiple covariates in AD‐related brain regions. These regions are responsible for attention, memory, and executive function, which are vulnerable to sleep deprivation.

Interpretation

Glymphatic system activity may act as a significant mediator in AD‐related cognitive dysfunction even after adjusting for multiple covariates and gray matter volumes. ALPS‐index may provide useful disease progression or treatment biomarkers for patients with AD as an indicator of modulation of glymphatic activity. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:164–174
Influence of drawing and annealing on the structure and properties of bio‐based polyamide 56 fibers
Authors: Kang Hongliang , Wang Zhe , Lin Na , Hao Xinmin , Liu Ruigang
Published: October 2022

The influences of drawing and annealing parameters on the structure and mechanical properties of melt spinning polyamide 56 (PA56) fibers were investigated and discussed in details. The as‐spun PA56 fibers have the relatively low crystallinity and rather low orientation. The crystalline phase in as‐spun PA56 fibers is mainly in γ phase. PA56 α‐like crystalline phase develops from the amorphous phase with the increase in chain orientation upon drawing of the as‐spun PA56 fibers. The crystallinity of PA56 fiber increases with rising draw ratio, which accompanies the increase in thickness of the crystalline lamella. The increase in draw ratio leads to the increase in tensile strength and the decrease in elongation at break of the resultant fibers. Tension annealing of the full‐drawn PA56 fibers at specific temperatures has obvious influences on the structure and properties of the fibers. The crystallinity and orientation increase with rising annealing temperature in the range of 150–210°C, during which the content of PA56 α‐like phase increases with the rising annealing temperature. Annealed the fibers at 230°C results in the increase in the content of PA56 γ phase with a tremendous decrease in the content of α‐like phase due to Brill transition. The optimum annealing temperature is around 170°C, at which the tenacity of the PA56 fibers is the highest. These results can provide valuable information for the production of PA56 fibers.
PEG‐based polymer coated proppants in supercritical CO2: A new approach in current fracturing protocols
Authors: Pramanik Nabendu B. , Adiyala Vidyasagar , Wang Weipeng , Liang Feng , Ajayan Pulickel , John George
Published: October 2022

Liquified carbon dioxide (CO2) can be used in hydraulic fracturing fluids to provide nonaqueous alternatives to conventional water‐based fluids as it is more environmentally benign and minimizing depletion of natural‐source freshwater. However, conventional CO2‐based fluids are not sufficiently viscous to suspend proppants that are added to fracturing fluids to hold open subterranean fractures. Because of this reduced ability to suspend proppants, CO2‐based fluids have not found its niche yet as future fracturing fluids. Accordingly, a need exists for nonaqueous hydraulic fracturing fluids that adequately support and suspend proppant particles. The present study presents a green alternative of developing a poly(ethylene glycol) based polymers coated proppants which can swell in supercritical CO2 so as to decrease the entire density of the proppant during fracturing process.
Study on the actuation characteristics of a graphene oxide‐modified biological gel electroactive actuator
Authors: Jia Weikun , Wang Lan , Xu Yan , Wen Xiaotao , Ma Xueyan , Cui Zhaoyang
Published: October 2022

To overcome the poor conductivity of electrode film in bio‐gel electroactive actuator, graphene was introduced into its structure to prepare a kind of bio‐gel electroactive actuator based on chitosan, and its actuation characteristics were analyzed. First of all, the output characteristics of the electroactive actuator prepared with the addition of graphene oxide （GO）were tested to obtain the variation patterns of bending force and displacement. Second, electrochemical and microscopic tests were carried out and the water retention rate was analyzed to explore the internal reasons for the improvement of output characteristics. Third, how the mass fraction of GO influences the polymer electroactive actuator's bending force performance was comprehensively analyzed. The results show that adding GO significantly improved the electroactive actuator's performance. Adding graphene oxide into the polymer actuator was proved to be an effective strategy to improve the actuator's actuation properties.
Revisiting Fara: Comparison of merged prospection results of diverse magnetometers with the earliest excavations in ancient Šuruppak from 120 years ago
Authors: Hahn Sandra E. , Fassbinder Jörg W. E. , Otto Adelheid , Einwag Berthold , Al‐Hussainy Abbas Ali
Published: October 2022

Ancient Šuruppak, today Fara, was one of the major Sumerian cities in Mesopotamia. It was situated along one of the ancient watercourses of the Euphrates River. Findings date it back to the Jemdet Nasr period around 3000 bcwith a continuous occupation until the end of the Ur III period around 2000 bc. Fara was first explored and excavated by the Deutsche Orient‐Gesellschaft in the years 1902 and 1903 under the direction of Walter Andrae. Multiple excavation trenches with lengths up to 900 m transect the 1 km2wide mound and are still visible today which enables us to georeference the excavation maps. Today, the 2.2 km2wide archaeological area is dry and without any vegetation. Thousands of deep looting pits are covering the majority of mound which not only destroyed its upper metres but also challenge the application of geophysical prospection methods and their interpretation. The magnetometer prospecting of selected areas on and around the mound was carried out with three devices, two total field magnetometers and one gradiometer. The individual survey areas were combined in post‐processing by applying a high‐pass filter on the total field data sets and multiplying the vertical gradiometer data sets by a factor of two. This approach provides visually uniform magnetograms, despite being obtained by different devices, which simplifies subsequent visual interpretation. These magnetograms enable us to review, and to extend the results of the old excavations. The comparison show a good correlation in accuracy to the old drawings and positive identification of the already excavated features with magnetometry. Highlights of the survey are the discovery of the city wall confirming its existence, the layout of a unique building complex in the centre of the mound, likely a temple, traces of canals inside the city and an evaluation of magnetometer prospection over a looted area.
Ni‐Catalyzed Regioselective C‐5 Halogenation of 8‐Aminoquinoline and Co‐Catalyzed Chelation Assisted C−H Iodination of Aromatic Sulfonamides with Molecular Iodine
Authors: Fernandes Rodney A. , Choudhary Priyanka
Published: October 2022

A Ni(II)‐ and Co(II)‐catalyzed sequential iodination of sulfonamides using inexpensive and milder molecular iodine (I2) as an iodinating reagent is reported for the first time. The 8‐amino‐5‐iodoquinoline moiety prepared via nickel catalysis act as a directing group for second iodination by chelation assisted cobalt catalysis resulting in ortho‐iodinated arylsulfonamide products. This methodology has been elaborated to various value added products by coupling reactions.
Tuning the Red Emission to Instigate Intrinsic White‐Light Emission in Single‐Phase Phosphor with Excellent Color Rendering Index
Authors: Dehury Asish K. , Behera Santosh Kumar , Chirauri Satya Kamal , Basu Suddhasatwa , Chaudhary Yatendra S.
Published: October 2022

There is ever‐growing interest to develop intrinsic white light emitting single‐phase phosphors that have high CRI, devoid of bluish tinge, ease of synthesis and are scalable. Herein, manipulating vacuum pressure to instigate white light emission in Cu2+‐doped‐ZnS phosphors is reported. The detailed X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy confirm the cubic phase of Cu2+‐doped‐ZnS phosphor having agglomerated particles (∼130–150 nm). The incorporation of Cu2+ in the ZnS lattice is substantiated by the anti‐Stokes shift of Raman peaks and shifting of XRD peaks to higher 2θ values. Upon increasing Cu2+ doping concentration, the resulted decrease in the FWHM of XRD peaks implies shrinkage of the ZnS lattice. Interestingly, by tailoring the excitation wavelength, the stoichiometry of dopant ion, and defect states by varying the vacuum pressure, the optimized ZSC‐3 (3% Cu2+‐doped‐ZnS) displays the origin of clear blue, green and red emission bands, consequently giving rise to white light emission (CIE values: 0.345:0398). The PLQY and average lifetime calculated for ZSC‐3 are 5.98% and 1.5 ms, respectively. Such intense white light emission prompted to fabricate a prototype using a 310 nm UV LED. It exhibits high CRI (97) and warm CCT (4538 K), meeting highly desired values for a white light‐emitting phosphor for different lighting and electroluminescence applications.
Determinants of firms' greenness towards sustainable development: A multi‐country analysis
Authors: Horbach Jens , Prokop Viktor , Stejskal Jan
Published: October 2022

A higher greenness of firms is crucial for the mitigation of climate change and other environmental pollution problems. This paper analyses the drivers of a greening of firms from a theoretical and empirical perspective. Three theoretical concepts—the stakeholder theory, the institutional theory and the resource‐based view—contribute to identifying the determinants of firms' greenness. In our empirical analysis based on recent World Bank data, greenness is measured by different environmentally related measures firms adopted over the preceding 3 years, such as more climate‐friendly energy generation, waste minimisation and the improvement of lighting systems. The results of probit and negative binomial regressions show that a high affectedness by environmental regulation triggers firms' greenness. In addition to this ‘forced greenness’, the results demonstrate that innovative firms are more likely to realise environmentally related measures. This finding also holds for firms affected by extreme weather events. A highly competitive environment is negatively connected with greenness. The corporate social responsibility of family‐owned firms seems to be higher than non‐family‐owned firms.
Ultrasound‐guided injection of the long head of the biceps tendon sheath with concomitant subacromial bursa injection through the same needlestick
Authors: Pujalte George , Hudspeth Loren J. , Troyer Wesley D. , Shapiro Shane A.
Published: October 2022

Sonography and specific shoulder positions allow for injections into both the long head of the biceps tendon sheath (LHBTS) and the subacromial space (SS) with one needlestick. We validated this technique using cadavers. An experienced proceduralist injected latex solution into 12 unembalmed cadaveric shoulders, aiming for the LHBTS and SS, using an ultrasound‐guided injection technique that employs a single‐needle entry point. An experienced surgeon dissected each specimen and graded latex location as: (1) completely accurate (in both the SS and LHBTS); (2) partially accurate (in either the SS or LHBTS); (3) accurate with overflow (in both locations, but also elsewhere); (4) partially accurate with overflow (in either location, but also somewhere else); or (5) completely inaccurate (no latex in either location). All 12 ultrasound‐guided injections using the technique accurately placed latex into both LHBTS and SS (100% accuracy). Latex was also found in adjacent regions after two (17%) injections: one within the shoulder joint and one within the deltoid musculature. This newly described technique allows highly accurate access to the LHBTS and SS with single‐needle entry. This technique could become a favored alternative to subjecting patients to two needlesticks and preparing separate injections to address often concomitant pathologies.
Increasing equitable access to telehealth oncology care in the COVID‐19 National Emergency: Creation of a telehealth task force
Authors: Worster Brooke , Waldman Lauren , Garber Gregory , Zhan Tingting , Lopez AnaMaria , Trachtenberg Olivia , Handley Nathan , Rising Kristin L. , Csik Valerie , Leader Amy
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Telehealth (TH) utilization in cancer care prior to COVID‐19 was variable. Research highlights disparities in access determined by socioeconomic factors including education, income, race, and age. In response to COVID‐19 and these disparities, we assessed the impact of a personalized digital support structure, the Telehealth Task Force (TTF), to reduce disparities in TH.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of cohorts between January 1, 2020 and August 30, 2020: Pre (TH use with basic telephone support), Intervention (TH access with TTF), and Post (TH access after TTF initiation and educational material dissemination). Data collected included successful TH access, health literacy (HL), and Area Deprivation Index, a ranking of neighborhoods by socioeconomic disadvantage (ADI). The data were analyzed in univariate ordinary least squares model and adjacent categories ratio model using statistical software R to understand the relationship between TTF, HL, ADI, and TH access.

Results

We included 555 patients from January 1, 2020 to August 30, 2020 (90 preintervention, 194 intervention, and 271 postintervention), excluding patients without ADI/HL. TTF support successfully engaged older, racially, and socioeconomically diverse patients in TH; ADI is significantly higher in the postintervention group vs. preintervention (mean difference = 7.66, 95% CI 1.00–4.32, p = 0.024) and more patients had low HL during intervention compared with preintervention (adjacent categories ratio = 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.93, p = 0.021).

Discussion

COVID‐19 created an immediate need for TH. Implementation of the TTF helped close the digital divide, increasing TH access for vulnerable patients. Attention to digital readiness can mitigate disparities in access to care. Future research should explore the implementation of widespread routine digital support initiatives.
Long noncoding RNA HULC regulates the NF‐κB pathway and represents a promising prognostic biomarker in liver cancer
Authors: Liu Shihai , Huttad Lakshmi , He Guifang , He Weitai , Liu Changchang , Cai Duo , Chen Hao , Qiu Jing
Published: October 2022

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in a diverse array of biological processes. While lncRNAs are commonly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the specific regulatory roles they play in this oncogenic context require further study and clarification. Although HULC (lncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer) is involved in disease pathogenesis, its precise role in this context remains unclear.

Methods

Here, we have explored the mechanistic relevance of HULC expression by assessing its expression in patient samples. The importance of this lncRNA in the onset and progression of HCC was investigated through in vitro approaches including Western blotting, quantitative PCR, Transwell assays, electron microscopy, wound healing assays, and real‐time cell analysis (RTCA). Additionally, the in vivo functions of this lncRNA were assessed using an orthotopic HCC xenograft in nude mouse model system.

Results

HULC was identified as a lncRNA that is highly upregulated in human liver tumors. In vitro, HULC was able to promote HCC malignancy, although its excess overexpression also led robust autophagic induction, promoting the increased expression of autophagy‐associated genes including LC3 and Beclin‐1. At a mechanistic level, HULC was able to promote the phosphorylation of p65 and IkBkB thus enhancing autophagy by increasing LC3II levels in a manner dependent upon the NF‐κB pathway. HULC downregulation was also linked to impaired orthotopic HCC tumor growth in vivo. The link between HULC and autophagy may play a role in disease progression.

Conclusions

These results suggest that HULC is an oncogenic lncRNA, and may thus offer value as a prognostic biomarker and promoter of HCC development, in addition to being a potential therapeutic target in this cancer type.
Preoperative systemic inflammation response index is an independent prognostic marker for BCG immunotherapy in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Ye Kun , Xiao Ming , Li Zitaiyu , He Kancheng , Wang Jinhua , Zhu Liang , Xiong Wei , Zhong Zhaohui , Tang Yuxin
Published: October 2022

Background

The Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) is a novel prognostic biomarker based on peripheral blood counts of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Recent evidence suggests that it is associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. However, the predictive value of the SIRI in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy remains elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of SIRI as a prognostic factor in these patients.

Methods

A total of 540 patients with NMIBC who underwent BCG immunotherapy following transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) were enrolled in this study. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Youden index, patients were divided into high and low SIRI groups based on the cutoff values. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of BCG non‐response. Thereafter, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate bias due to confounding factors between the low and high SIRI groups. Finally, the Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) between the two groups.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that high SIRI (p = 0.001), high MLR (p = 0.015), and high tumor pathological T stage (p = 0.015) were significantly correlated with non‐response to BCG therapy. In addition, both RFS and PFS were shorter in the high SIRI group than in the other group before and after PSM (both p < 0.05). Collectively, our results indicate that the combination of tumor pathological T staging and the SIRI can enhance the predictive power of BCG response.

Conclusion

Pretreatment peripheral blood SIRI can be employed to predict the response to BCG immunotherapy and the prognosis of NMIBC patients. Taken together, the combination of T stage and SIRI demonstrated robust performance in predicting the response to BCG immunotherapy in NMIBC patients.
Variability in the Essential Oil Composition ofAchillea erba‐rottasubsp.moschata(Wulfen) I. Richardson Growing in the Eastern Italian Alps
Authors: Fusani Pietro , Aiello Nicola , Biazzi Elisa , Tava Aldo
Published: October 2022

Achillea erba‐rottasubsp.moschata(Wulfen) I. Richardson is endemic of the Central Alps and distributed in several Italian Regions, where is used for its medicinal and aromatic properties. Nine wild populations of the species were characterized for their essential oil content and composition. In total 45 components were detected of which 40 were identified, accounting from 96.3 % to 98.8 % of the total oil. Monoterpenes represented the main class of compounds (from 84 % to 90.9 %), beingcis‐thujone (from 1.1 % to 48.4 %), camphor (from 1.8 % to 36.9 %), 1,8‐cineole (from 4.9 % to 23.4 %),trans‐thujone (from 2.2 % to 33.9 %) andp‐cymene (from 1.8 % to 4.8 %) the most abundant ones. The relative amount of chamazulene, detected in some accessions, was here reported for the first time in this species. High variability in the essential oil composition resulted among the investigated accessions, which were grouped by multivariate analysis into four main clusters, in some cases according to their site of origin. Beyond their possible chemo‐systematic significance, the obtained results represent useful indications for the selection of interesting chemotypes within the species, especially in the perspective of its future cultivation.
Painful shoulder and scapula as initial presentation of advanced lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cabrera‐Cardozo Fernando , Martínez‐Ávila María Cristina , Hernández‐Blanquisett Abraham , Quintero‐Carreño Valeria , Álvarez‐Londoño Angelina
Published: October 2022

Lung adenocarcinoma is a common cancer; even though it has a strong association with previous smoking, there has been described nonsmokers‐related cases. Symptoms varies from asymptomatic to hemoptysis or pleural effusion. We describe a case of a patient who presented with painful scapula as primary manifestation of advanced pulmonary malignancy.