bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MetOrigin: Discriminating the origins of microbial metabolites for integrative analysis of the gut microbiome and metabolome
Authors: Yu Gang , Xu Cuifang , Zhang Danni , Ju Feng , Ni Yan
Published: March 2022

The interactions between the gut microbiome and metabolome play an important role in human health and diseases. Current studies mainly apply statistical correlation analysis between the gut microbiome and all the identified metabolites to explore their relationship. However, it remains challenging to identify the specific metabolic functions of microbes without in vitro culture experiments for validation. Discriminating the microbial metabolites from others (e.g., host, food, or environment) and exploring their metabolic functions and correlations with microbiome specifically may improve the efficiency and accuracy of biomarker discovery. So far, there have been no such bioinformatics tools available. Herein, we developed MetOrigin, an interactive web server that discriminates metabolites originating from the microbiome, performs the origin‐based metabolic pathway enrichment analysis, and integrates the statistical correlations and biological relationships in the database using Sankey network visualization. MetOrigin not only enables the quick identification of microbial metabolites and their metabolic functions but also facilitates the discovery of specific bacterial species that are closely associated with metabolites statistically and biologically. MetOrigin is freely available at http://metorigin.met-bioinformatics.cn/.
New body mass index for predicting prognosis in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Pyo Jung Y. , Ahn Sung S. , Lee Lucy E. , Song Jason J. , Park Yong‐Beom , Lee Sang‐Won
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Body mass index (BMI) is a known indicator of all‐cause mortality. However, conventional BMI does not reflect the three‐dimensional human body. To overcome this limitation, a new BMI has been proposed that provides a closer approximation of real human body shape. This study investigated the associations between the new BMI and poor outcomes in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV).

Method

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 242 patients with AAV in a single tertiary medical center. Based on the new BMI, the patients were categorized into four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2.5), healthy weight (18.5 to <25.0 kg/m2.5), overweight (25.0 to <30.0 kg/m2.5), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2.5). The association among the new BMI and death, relapse, end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) development, cerebrovascular accident, and cardiovascular disease was analyzed.

Results

The underweight group, according to the new BMI, had higher hazard ratios (HRs) for all‐cause mortality (HR: 3.180, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.134–8.922, p = 0.028), relapse (HR: 2.141, 95% CI: 1.019–4.368, p = 0.036), and ESRD development (HR: 2.729, 95% CI: 1.190–6.259, p = 0.018) than the healthy weight group. However, according to the conventional BMI, there were no differences in the risks for all poor outcomes between the underweight and healthy weight groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that being underweight, according to the new BMI, was an independent risk factor for all‐cause mortality (HR: 5.285; 95% CI: 1.468–19.018; p = 0.011).

Conclusion

Being underweight, according to the new BMI, is associated with poor outcomes in patients with AAV.
Surface aspects and multifractal features of 3D spatial patterns of low‐cost Amazon açaí‐loaded kefir microbial films
Authors: Ţălu Ştefan , Monteiro Michael D. S. , Filho Henrique D. F. , Ferreira Nilson S. , Matos Robert S.
Published: March 2022

In this study, açaí‐loaded kefir microbial films obtained in solutions containing demerara sugar, a low‐cost and relatively organic sugar, were prepared. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), stereometric and multifractal analyses were applied to study the influence of the concentration of açaí over the surface morphology as well as its multifractal nature. The ESEM and AFM images showed that low concentrations of acai berry form surface covered by bacteria, while higher concentrations promote yeast growth. The autocorrelation function suggested that the degree of surface anisotropy changes as the concentration of açaí increases, while the Minkowski Functionals confirmed that the sample with the highest content has a different morphology than the samples containing 10–40 ml. The multifractal analysis revealed that the surfaces have a strong multifractal behavior, where the multifractal singularity strength was higher in the sample containing the highest concentration of açaí. The sample with the highest concentration was then mapped to have a greater vertical growth of its spatial patterns. These results prove that image analysis using mathematical tools can be very useful for the characterization of biological‐based systems for application in the biomedicine field.

We characterized the micromorphology of the 3D surface of the kefir biofilms associated with Acai extract.

The 3D surface analysis of the samples was performed using by environmental scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy.

We determined the multifractal and Minkowski Functionals of the analyzed samples.
The Erdős–Gyárfás function with respect to Gallai‐colorings
Authors: Li Xihe , Broersma Hajo , Wang Ligong
Published: March 2022

For fixed and , an edge‐coloring of the complete graph is said to be a ‐coloring if every receives at least distinct colors. The function is the minimum number of colors needed for to have a ‐coloring. This function was introduced about 45 years ago, but was studied systematically by Erdős and Gyárfás in 1997, and is now known as the Erdős–Gyárfás function. In this paper, we study with respect to Gallai‐colorings, where a Gallai‐coloring is an edge‐coloring of without rainbow triangles. Combining the two concepts, we consider the function that is the minimum number of colors needed for a Gallai‐‐coloring of . Using the anti‐Ramsey number for , we have that is nontrivial only for . We give a general lower bound for this function and we study how this function falls off from being equal to when and to being when . In particular, for appropriate and , we prove that when and , is at most a fractional power of when , and is logarithmic in when .
Independence number of edge‐chromatic critical graphs
Authors: Cao Yan , Chen Guantao , Jing Guangming , Shan Songling
Published: March 2022

Let be a simple graph with maximum degree and chromatic index . A classical result of Vizing shows that either or . A simple graph is called edge‐‐critical if is connected, and for every . Let be an ‐vertex edge‐‐critical graph. Vizing conjectured that , the independence number of , is at most . The current best result on this conjecture, shown by Woodall, is . We show that for any given , there exist positive constants and such that if is an ‐vertex edge‐‐critical graph with minimum degree at least and maximum degree at least , then . In particular, we show that if is an ‐vertex edge‐‐critical graph with minimum degree at least and , then
The evidence of hydrated proton in eudialyte‐group minerals based on Raman spectroscopy data
Authors: Chukanov Nikita V. , Vigasina Marina F. , Rastsvetaeva Ramiza K. , Aksenov Sergey M. , Mikhailova Julia A. , Pekov Igor V.
Published: March 2022

Hydronium (oxonium) cation H3O+ plays an important role in mineralogy and mineral structures. However, it is rather difficult to detect it using conventional methods of crystal structure analysis. In particular, hydronium‐bearing eudialyte‐group minerals (EGMs) are well known. In this paper, we provide data on a low‐temperature X‐ray structure analysis and vibrationl spectroscopy study of previously described “potassium‐oxonium eudialyte” from the Khibiny alkaline massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia) as well as new data on vibrational spectra and hydrogen bonding of a series of sodium‐deficient hydrated EGMs including new samples and minerals whose crystal structures were investigated earlier. Based on single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis and Raman spectroscopy, it is shown that natural sodium‐deficient hydrated zirconosilicates related to eudialyte contain different hydrated proton complexes with extremely strong hydrogen bonds. The data obtained have been compared with recent high‐level quantum electronic and vibrational calculations. Some hydrated proton complexes in hydrated eudialyte‐related minerals have Zundel‐ and Eigen‐type configurations with the O˙˙˙O distances of ~2.40 and ~2.55 Å, respectively.
Transient Idiopathic Polyhydramnios
Authors: Wax Joseph R. , Cartin Angelina , Craig Wendy Y. , Pinette Michael G.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with transient and persistent idiopathic polyhydramnios to those with normal amniotic fluid volume.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included subjects delivering a singleton pregnancy between January 1, 2015, and June 30, 2020, with sonography ≥26 weeks' gestation demonstrating transient or persistent idiopathic polyhydramnios (amniotic fluid index [AFI] ≥24.0 cm) or normal AFI (referent group). The primary maternal outcome was a composite of spontaneous preterm delivery <37 weeks, cesarean delivery for malpresentation, abnormal labor progress, or nonreassuring fetal status, operative vaginal delivery, hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and umbilical cord prolapse. The primary perinatal outcome was a composite of birthweight >4500 g, fetal or neonatal death, 5‐minute Apgar score <7, and neonatal intensive care unit admission for >24 hours.

Results

Patients with transient polyhydramnios (n = 259) exhibited maternal outcomes similar to those of the referent group (n = 435) but had significantly increased odds for the primary perinatal outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–2.53; P = .008) and for birthweight ≥4500 g (OR 8.70, 95% CI 1.89–40.0; P = .005). Persistent polyhydramnios (n = 176) was significantly associated with both the primary maternal (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.27–2.95, P = .002) and primary perinatal outcome (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.40–3.30; P < .001), and individually with cesarean delivery for abnormal labor (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.55–6.68; P = .002) and birthweight ≥4500 g (OR 8.97, 95% CI 1.84–43.6; P = .007).

Conclusions

Transient idiopathic polyhydramnios does not impact maternal outcomes but is associated with increased odds of newborn birthweight >4500 g. Persistent polyhydramnios is associated with both adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Donor–recipient human leukocyte antigen A mismatching is associated with hepatic artery thrombosis, sepsis, graft loss, and reduced survival after liver transplant
Authors: Bricogne Christopher , Halliday Neil , Fernando Raymond , Tsochatzis Emmanuel A. , Davidson Brian R. , Harber Mark , Westbrook Rachel H.
Published: March 2022

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching is not routinely performed for liver transplantation as there is no consistent evidence of benefit; however, the impact of HLA mismatching remains uncertain. We explored the effect of class I and II HLA mismatching on graft failure and mortality. A total of 1042 liver transplants performed at a single center between 1999 and 2016 with available HLA typing data were included. The median follow‐up period was 9.38 years (interquartile range 4.9–14) and 350/1042 (33.6%) transplants resulted in graft loss and 280/1042 (26.9%) in death. Graft loss and mortality were not associated with the overall number of mismatches at HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C, HLA‐DR, and HLA‐DQ loci. However, graft failure and mortality were both increased in HLA mismatching on graft failure and mortality the presence of one (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively) and two (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively) HLA‐A mismatches. Elevated hazard ratios for graft failure and death were observed with HLA‐A mismatches in univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Excess graft loss with HLA‐A mismatch (138/940 [14.7%] mismatched compared with 6/102 [5.9%] matched transplants) occurred within the first year following transplantation (odds ratio 2.75; p = 0.02). Strikingly, transplants performed at a single all grafts lost due to hepatic artery thrombosis were in HLA‐A–mismatched transplants (31/940 vs. 0/102), as were those lost due to sepsis (35/940 vs. 0/102). In conclusion, HLA‐A mismatching was associated with increased graft loss and mortality. The poorer outcome for the HLA‐mismatched group was due to hepatic artery thrombosis and sepsis, and these complications occurred exclusively with HLA‐A–mismatched transplants. These data suggest that HLA‐A mismatching is important for outcomes following liver transplant. Therefore, knowledge of HLA‐A matching status may potentially allow for enhanced surveillance, clinical interventions in high‐risk transplants or stratified HLA‐A matching in high‐risk recipients.
Retrieval of the piecewise‐constant mass density in the Bergman wave equation
Authors: Wirgin Armand
Published: March 2022

This investigation is concerned with the 2D acoustic scattering problem of a plane wave propagating in a non‐lossy, isotropic, homogeneous fluid host and soliciting a linear, isotropic, macroscopically homogeneous, generally lossy, flat‐plane layer in which the mass density and wavespeed are different from those of the host. The focus is on the inverse problem of the retrieval of the layer mass density. The data are the transmitted pressure field, obtained by simulation (resolution of the forward problem) in exact, explicit form via the domain integral form of the Bergman wave equation. This solution is exact and more explicit in terms of the mass‐density contrast (between the host and layer) than the classical solution obtained by separation of variables. A perturbation technique enables the solution (in its form obtained by the domain integral method) to be cast as a series of powers of the mass density contrast, the first three terms of which are employed as the trial models in the treatment of the inverse problem. The aptitude of these models to retrieve the mass density contrast is demonstrated both theoretically and numerically.
Susceptibility artifact correction in MR thermometry for monitoring of mild radiofrequency hyperthermia using total field inversion
Authors: Boehm Christof , Goeger‐Neff Marianne , Mulder Hendrik T. , Zilles Benjamin , Lindner Lars H. , van Rhoon Gerard C. , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Wu Mingming
Published: March 2022

Purpose

MR temperature monitoring of mild radiofrequency hyperthermia (RF‐HT) of cancer exploits the linear resonance frequency shift of water with temperature. Motion‐induced susceptibility distribution changes cause artifacts that we correct here using the total field inversion (TFI) approach.

Methods

The performance of TFI was compared to two background field removal (BFR) methods: Laplacian boundary value (LBV) and projection onto dipole fields (PDF). Data sets with spatial susceptibility change and ‐drift were simulated, phantom heating experiments were performed, four volunteer data sets at thermoneutral conditions as well as data from one cervical cancer, two sarcoma, and one seroma patients undergoing mild RF‐HT were corrected using the proposed methods.

Results

Simulations and phantom heating experiments revealed that using BFR or TFI preserves temperature‐induced phase change, while removing susceptibility artifacts and ‐drift. TFI resulted in the least cumulative error for all four volunteers. Temperature probe information from four patient data sets were best depicted by TFI‐corrected data in terms of accuracy and precision. TFI also performed best in case of the sarcoma treatment without temperature probe.

Conclusion

TFI outperforms previously suggested BFR methods in terms of accuracy and robustness. While PDF consistently overestimates susceptibility contribution, and LBV removes valuable pixel information, TFI is more robust and leads to more accurate temperature estimations.
Theoretical method for additional horizontal stress of isolation piles due to adjacent loading
Authors: Zhou Shunhua , Shan Yao , Wang Changdan , Yao Qiyu , Jia Yu , Lin Zihan
Published: March 2022

Isolation piles are widely used to increase the horizontal resistance of high‐speed railway under adjacent loading in soft soils. This study proposes a theoretical model for horizontal additional stress of pile‐reinforced area subjected to adjacent loading. The isolation piles and the soil between piles in the reinforcement area are equivalent to a uniform medium in the proposed model. The Heaviside function is introduced to avoid the partition solution problem of pile‐reinforced area and the foundation soils. A combined method with the inverse Fourier transform, Gauss integral, Lagrange quadratic interpolation, and Simpson quadrature formula is employed in the calculation process. The theoretical model is validated by the finite element method. According to the calculated results, the distribution of horizontal additional stress is obtained. The horizontal soil displacements at the location of the railway increases in the depth range of 0–2.5 m and then gradually decreases. The proposed model with engineering significance is available for preliminary design of isolation piles.
Quantitative 23Na‐MRI of the intervertebral disk at 3 T
Authors: Çavuşoğlu Mustafa , Pazahr Shila , Ciritsis Alexander P. , Rossi Cristina
Published: March 2022

Monitoring the tissue sodium content (TSC) in the intervertebral disk geometry noninvasively by MRI is a sensitive measure to estimate changes in the proteoglycan content of the intervertebral disk, which is a biomarker of degenerative disk disease (DDD) and of lumbar back pain (LBP). However, application of quantitative sodium concentration measurements in 23Na‐MRI is highly challenging due to the lower in vivo concentrations and smaller gyromagnetic ratio, ultimately yielding much smaller signal relative to 1H‐MRI. Moreover, imaging the intervertebral disk geometry imposes higher demands, mainly because the necessary RF volume coils produce highly inhomogeneous transmit field patterns. For an accurate absolute quantification of TSC in the intervertebral disks, the
field variations have to be mitigated. In this study, we report for the first time quantitative sodium concentration in the intervertebral disks at clinical field strengths (3 T) by deploying 23Na‐MRI in healthy human subjects. The sodium
maps were calculated by using the double‐angle method and a double‐tuned (1H/23Na) transceive chest coil, and the individual effects of the variation in the
field patterns in tissue sodium quantification were calculated. Phantom measurements were conducted to evaluate the quality of the Na‐weighted images and
mapping. Depending on the disk position, the sodium concentration was calculated as 161.6 mmol/L–347 mmol/L, and the mean sodium concentration of the intervertebral disks varies between 254.6 ± 54 mmol/L and 290.1 ± 39 mmol/L. A smoothing effect of the
correction on the sodium concentration maps was observed, such that the standard deviation of the mean sodium concentration was significantly reduced with
mitigation. The results of this work provide an improved integration of quantitative 23Na‐MRI into clinical studies in intervertebral disks such as degenerative disk disease and establish alternative scoring schemes to existing morphological scoring such as the Pfirrmann score.
Application of polyfunctional nanomaterials for 3D printing
Authors: Gaidar Sergey , Samusenkov Vadim , Strigin Sergey , Martínez‐García Rebeca
Published: March 2022

The use of 3D printing is becoming more and more popular, and new applications in extrusion and photopolymerization are being discovered every day. Due to the unidirectional action of the materials used, it is necessary to develop polyfunctional composites that provide a complex of extrusion and photopolymerization processes for 3D printing technology. The current problem of 3D printing application is the availability of ineffective composite materials with deteriorated mechanical and damping properties, which makes it difficult to use existing composite materials for application in 3D printing technologies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to create a biodegradable composite material based on polylactic acid and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) reinforced with cellulose fibrils and plasticized with polyoxyethylene for possible application in extrusion, using the example of Maestro 3D printer. The study looked at mechanical, dynamic and thermal indicators. Except for the mechanical ones, all of the indicators tested out to be quite good. Thus, composite PLA: PHB (3:7) + 10% CFs demonstrated the highest glass transition temperature of 57°C. A 75% weight loss occurred at 373.58°C. In future, it is necessary to investigate alternative types of characteristics, modify the material's composition, or use it in applications where they are not critical. The scientific novelty of the work is the creation of a biodegradable composite material to study the properties of the composite material by extrusion for the purpose of application in 3D printing technologies.
Effect of biomass‐biochar content on the erosion wear performance of biochar epoxy composites
Authors: Minugu Om Prakash , Panchal Manoj , Gujjala Raghavendra , Ojha Shakuntala , Krzyzak Aneta , Kumar Dheeraj
Published: March 2022

Biomass waste processing with a potential to commercialization is always concern for achieving sustainable ecosystem. In the current work, biochar was extracted from the arhar stalks (AS) and bael shells (BS) biowaste which has carbon as major constituent. As a result, biochar in particle form has excellent mechanical and tribological properties and hence when combined with epoxy forms a composite with enhanced tribological properties. In this context, the biochar epoxy composites were prepared with three different compositions of 2, 4, and 6% wt, and characterized for adsorption and solid erosion wear studies. The adsorption studies conferred that BS biochar materials consist large Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area, that is, 294.3393 m2/g and pore volume of 0.13166 cm3/g comparative to AS biochar materials. It was observed from the results that BS based biochar epoxy composites displayed excellent enhancement in erosion wear resistance of about 52% comparative to pure epoxy that of AS at 2%. Alongside further increment in the composition of the biochar constituent to 4% exhibited semi ductile behavior with a peak wear rate at 45° impact angle. Applications pertaining to the realized composites in the current work is expected to meet the aerospace and automotive industries in specific.
Large‐area monoPoly solar cells on 110 μm thin c–Si wafers with a rear n+poly‐Si/SiOx stack deposited by inline plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Nandakumar Naomi , Rodriguez John W. , Padhamnath Pradeep , Nampalli Nitin , Aberle Armin G. , Duttagupta Shubham
Published: March 2022

We present an overview of SERIS' monoPoly technology on screen‐printed, M2‐size (244.4 cm2) n‐type bifacial silicon solar cells with a rear n+:poly‐Si/SiOx passivating contact stack, where the SiOx and n+:poly‐Si layers are fabricated by single‐side inline plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). We demonstrate the application of these stacks on thin (~110 μm) silicon wafers, giving an excellent open‐circuit voltage of 707 mV and an externally verified cell efficiency of 23.2% using commercial screen‐printed and fire‐through metal pastes. A detailed power analysis is presented, with a breakdown of the voltage and current losses. Finally, we share the progress on standard wafers with an efficiency of 23.8% achieved and present the outlook for this technology with a selective passivating contact stack at the front and a full‐area passivating contact stack at the rear.
Approximation of crime, poverty, and misery index across quasi‐democratic and dictatorship regimes in Pakistan: Static and dynamic analysis
Authors: Shah Aadil Hameed , Khan Atta Ullah , Saboor Abdul , Iftikhar‐ul‐Husnain Muhammad
Published: March 2022

The study explores the nexus of crime rate, misery indices, and poverty in Pakistan for longer and shorter periods by using time series data (1965–2018). Granger causality and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approaches have been used to examine the long run and short run associations. Results indicate that all variables cause the crime rate unidirectionally, while the ARDL model states that misery index, poverty, and crime rate are cointegrated. Interestingly, any change in the poverty and misery index during the long run makes people violent, which ultimately fosters the crime rate. Finally, the error correction mechanism demonstrates the quick adjustment process and about 72% and 68% disequilibrium in crime rate from its equilibrium path is corrected every year. It is evident through the study results that democratic governments have been less effective than dictatorships to address the socioeconomic aspects of human life; rather functioning as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Dehydroandrographolide targets CD300f and negatively regulated MRGPRX2‐induced pseudo‐allergic reaction
Authors: Che Delu , Zheng Yi , Hou Yajing , Li Ting , Du Xueshan , Geng Songmei
Published: March 2022

Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) mediates mast cells (MCs) activation, which is a key target for the treatment of allergic diseases. However, there are few drugs targeting MRGPRX2. Leukocyte mono‐immunoglobulin‐like receptor 3 (CD300f) is a negative regulator of FcεRΙ‐mediated MC activation. However, the regulatory effect of CD300f on MRGPRX2 remains unclear. Dehydroandrographolide (DA) is a main contributor of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (family: Acanthaceae) have been shown to inhibit type I hypersensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine whether DA negatively regulated MRGPRX2‐mediated MC activation via CD300f and showed therapeutic effect on pseudo‐allergic reactions. Mouse allergic models and MC degranulation were detected in vivo and in vitro, and inflammatory mediators were detected. siRNA interference and Biacore were used to verify the target. DA inhibited pseudo‐allergic reactions by reducing vasodilation and serum cytokine levels in mice and inhibited MRGPRX2‐mediated MC activation. The regulatory effect of DA was significantly decreased after the knockdown of CD300f expression. Moreover, DA upregulated the phosphorylation level of Src homology region 2 domain‐containing phosphatase (SHP)‐1 and SHP‐2, which are key kinases in the negative regulatory signaling pathways associated with CD300f. In conclusion, DA negatively regulates MRGPRX2‐mediated MC activation via CD300f to inhibit pseudo‐allergic reactions.
An unusual case of CTEPH treated by BPA in a patient with a single lung after cancer surgery
Authors: Darocha Szymon , Kurzyna Paweł , Banaszkiewicz‐Cyganik Marta , Kędzierski Piotr , Florczyk Michał , Pietrasik Arkadiusz , Zieliński Dariusz , Biederman Andrzej , Torbicki Adam , Kurzyna Marcin
Published: March 2022

A 46‐year‐old man 1 year after left‐sided pneumonectomy for squamous cell lung cancer presented with severely limited exercise tolerance and dyspnea corresponding to World Health Organization functional class IV (WHO Class IV). After right heart catheterization (RHC), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 43 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was 10.2 Wood units (WU). Arteriography revealed organized clots located at the proximal level of the right pulmonary artery, leading to a diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The CTEPH team disqualified the patient from surgical treatment due to high perioperative risk and referred him for balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) together with pulmonary hypertension‐specific pharmacotherapy (sildenafil). The patient underwent a cycle of nine BPA sessions and completed treatment without complications. Follow‐up showed sustained hemodynamic improvement in RHC (mPAP 23 mmHg, PVR 2.6 WU), improved physical capacity (WHO Class II), and relief of dyspnea symptoms.
Thermal and Catalytic Pyrolysis Process of Neem Seed to Produce Valuable Fuels over RFCC Catalyst: Process Development and Evaluation
Authors: Zhandnezhad Alireza , Saidi Majid , Taheri Najafabadi Ali
Published: March 2022

In this research, thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of neem seed as a non‐edible feed has been investigated for the production of valuable chemicals including bio‐oil, bio‐char and bio‐gas. The sensitivity analysis of main operating parameters of thermal pyrolysis process including temperature (350–550 °C), reaction time (30–180 min) and heating rate (10–40 °C/min) on the major products yield has been performed and the optimum operating condition to maximize the bio‐oil production has been determined. The achieved results indicated that the maximum bio‐oil production yield is obtained at temperature of 450 °C. The bio‐oil production yield enhances with increasing the heating rate, whereas the process time in the considered range has not significant effect on the bio‐oil production yield. Since the main focus of this study was catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis‐derived bio‐oil to valuable fuels, catalytic pyrolysis of neem seeds over industrial RFCC catalyst has been examined using different catalyst loading in the range of 10–40 wt %. It is inferred that more aromatic compounds will be generated with increasing the RFCC catalyst loading which could be attributed to the presence of Al2O3 and zeolite in the catalyst structure. Also, the bio‐oil and bio‐gas production yields via catalytic pyrolysis process over 20 wt. % RFCC catalyst enhanced from 44.3 % to 49.5 % and 22.4 % to 27 % with increasing temperature from 350 and 450 °C, respectively.
Depression Effect of Thioglycolic Acid (TGA) on Flotation Separation of Molybdenite from Copper Sulfides with different Collectors: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Taheri Bijan , Hossein Darvishnejad Mohammad , Rezaei Farideh
Published: March 2022

In the present study, the depression effect of thioglycolic acid (TGA) on chalcopyrite and pyrite in the presence of different collectors, including potassium ethyl xanthate (PEX), sodium isopropyl xanthate (SIPX), and mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) in the flotation separation of molybdenite from copper and iron sulfide minerals was evaluated by micro‐flotation and bench‐scale flotation experiments. Surface characterization and adsorption mechanism were investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The flotation experiment results demonstrated that the depression effect of TGA depends on the type of collector applied in the previous stages. DFT calculation provided strong evidence for the results of experiments. It was found that both chalcopyrite and pyrite were effectively depressed in the selective flotation of molybdenite from copper and iron sulfides by TGA when PEX was used as the collector in the bulk flotation stage. It was also found that the use of MBT causes effective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite in the bulk flotation stage, however, its removal from the mineral surface by TGA was not as convenient as PEX.
Highly Capacitive Mesoporous Polyaniline Spheres as Scalable and High Electrochemical Performance Supercapacitor Electrode
Authors: Singh Gyan , Alam Mashqoor , Kumar Yogesh , Husain Samina
Published: March 2022

This article demonstrates morphological based fabrication of Polyaniline mesopores (PANIMS) via the standard polymerization approach using Triton as an additive and 0.1 M H2SO4 as an electrolyte to achieve improved specific capacity (736 F g−1) in contrast to reported bulk PANI as well as PANI sphere morphologies. PANIMS1 exhibit long cyclic stability and capacitive retention ∼83 % in 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte after 5000 cycles. This easy and low‐cost fabrication of PANIMS was conducted by varying minimal amount of Triton in 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution to form mesopores. The adsorption and desorption isotherm of the mesopores suggests a specific surface area of 50.9 m2 g−1with a pore diameter of 2.2 nm. The protocol followed to form these PANIMS involves the variation of surfactant Triton to achieve sphere morphology thereby enhancing the charge storage property of PANI. These spheres also possess an enhanced electrical conductivity to be around ∼23 S/m than their bulk counterpart. The electrochemical assays show that there is excellent electrolyte ion penetration in the H2SO4 electrolyte which promotes a rapid ion transport to the PANIMS active sites. Also, a low value of Rct ∼2.17 Ω helps in giving a good capacitive performance of the PANIMS1 electrode. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis shows a phase degree at 68°, response frequency at 0.38 Hz and time constant at 2.63 s. The study shows the present mesopores morphology of PANI projects to be one of the good electrode candidates for supercapacitor applications.
Cost‐Effective Fabrication of Micro‐Nanostructured Superhydrophobic Polyethylene/Graphene Foam with Self‐Floating, Optical Trapping, Acid‐/Alkali Resistance for Efficient Photothermal Deicing and Interfacial Evaporation
Authors: Xie Heng , Xu Wen‐Hua , Du Yu , Gong Jiang , Niu Ran , Wu Ting , Qu Jin‐Ping
Published: March 2022

Solar evaporation is one of the most attractive and sustainable approaches to address worldwide freshwater scarcity. Unfortunately, it is still a crucial challenge that needs to be confronted when the solar evaporator faces harsh application environments. Herein, a promising polymer molding method that combines melt blending and compression molding, namely micro extrusion compression molding, is proposed for the cost‐effective fabrication of lightweight polyethylene/graphene nanosheets (PE/GNs) foam with interconnected vapor escape channels and surface micro‐nanostructures. A contact angle of 155 ± 2°, a rolling angle of 5 ± 1° and reflectance of ≈1.6% in the wavelength range of 300–2500 nm appears on the micro‐nanostructured PE/GNs foam surface. More interestingly, the micro‐nanostructured PE/GNs foam surface can maintain a robust superhydrophobic state under dynamic impacting, high temperature and acid‐/alkali solutions. These results mean that the micro‐nanostructured PE/GNs foam surface possesses self‐cleaning, anti‐icing and photothermal deicing properties at the same time. Importantly, the foam exhibits an evaporation rate of 1.83 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 Sun illumination and excellent salt rejecting performance when it is used as a self‐floating solar evaporator. The proposed method provides an ideal and industrialized approach for the mass production of solar evaporators suitable for practical application environments.
Understanding the Formation of β‐Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes and Their Use in Active Packaging Systems
Authors: Ravindran Maniam Manivannan Melvin , Loong Ye Heng , Samsudin Hayati
Published: March 2022

β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD) is a 7‐glucose subunit macrocyclic compound that has enormous potential in a variety of fields. The ability of β‐CD to form an inclusion complex with a hydrophobic guest molecule that has food preserving properties (e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant) qualifies it for use in active packaging. Numerous studies have reported the efficacy of β‐CD in extending the shelf‐life of packaged food through an antimicrobial/antioxidant mechanism that is not present in conventional packaging. Despite extensive research into the potential of β‐CD, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the formation of the inclusion complex by β‐CD and the factors that can affect the encapsulation efficiency. In this work, factors such as reactant medium, drying method, and type of guest molecule are discussed, as well as an overview of the use of the β‐CD inclusion complex in active packaging applications in terms of the guest compounds involved, the polymer host, and its effect on the quality and/or shelf stability of food products.
Diffusion model of sulfate ions in concrete based on pore change of cement mortar and its application in mesoscopic numerical simulation
Authors: Zhuang Yang , Liu Xinrong , Zhou Xiaohan , Du Libing
Published: March 2022

Sulfate attack is a major cause of the deterioration of concrete structures. Accurately predicting the temporal and spatial distribution of sulfate ions in concrete is the basis for revealing the mechanism of concrete performance deterioration caused by sulfate attack. In this article, based on the pore change caused by sulfate damage to cement mortar, a diffusion model of sulfate ions in cement mortar considering changes in surface concentration was established. Furthermore, a two‐dimensional mesoscopic concrete model composed of cement mortar, coarse aggregate, the intrafacial transition zone (ITZ) and macroscopic defects, which can reflect the real aggregate shape, was constructed to study the diffusion of sulfate ions in concrete. The correctness of the model is verified with existing experimental data, and the model is further studied. The results show the following. (1) The average value of the calculation results of multiple sets of models can be used to eliminate the influence of the randomness of the construction of the two‐dimensional mesoscopic concrete model. (2) With increasing stone content, the corrosion depth increases, but the average concentration at a given location decreases. (3) With increasing sulfate solution concentration and water‐cement ratio, the sulfate ion concentration and the corrosion depth in concrete increase.
Comparative analysis of model‐based and traditional systems engineering approaches for simulating a robotic space system architecture through automatic knowledge processing
Authors: Younse Paulo , Cameron Jessica , Bradley Thomas H.
Published: March 2022

Model‐based Systems Engineering (MBSE) case studies in the literature assert that there are benefits to MBSE when applied to modeling and simulating space systems. This research evaluates the benefits of an MBSE modeling and simulation approach over a traditional, non‐MBSE approach through modeling and simulation of an orbiting sample Capture and Orient Module (COM) architecture for potential Mars Sample Return (MSR). The COM architecture was modeled, simulated, and evaluated against nominal load power and output data rate requirements to compare the two approaches. A new modeling and simulation‐centric V‐model was synthesized from existing V‐model and modeling and simulation process models to map out the modeling and simulation activities within the context of the system development lifecycle and used as a tool to compare the non‐MBSE and MBSE approaches. A three‐phase modeling and simulation process consisting of an analysis and modeling phase, computer programming and implementation phase, and experimentation phase was used to model and simulate the COM. The total number of manual and automatic knowledge processed was calculated for both approaches and used to quantify the benefits of the MBSE approach relative to the non‐MBSE approach. In the non‐MBSE approach, all knowledge elements were manually processed during the modeling and simulation process. In the MBSE approach, 49% of total knowledge processing was automated. The MBSE approach showed user experience benefits with modeling and simulating the COM robotic space system through providing a higher level of support for automation, reducing the burden of systems engineering tasks, and reducing effort.
Recent Advancements in Electrochemical Deposition of Metal‐Based Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Authors: Islam Santa , Mia Md. Mithu , Shah Syed Shaheen , Naher Shamsun , Shaikh M. Nasiruzzaman , Aziz Md. Abdul , Ahammad A. J. Saleh
Published: March 2022

The demand for energy storage devices with high energy and power densities has increased tremendously in this rapidly growing world. Conventional capacitors, fuel cells, and lithium‐ion batteries have been used as energy storage devices for the long term. However, supercapacitors are one of the most promising energy storage devices because of their high specific capacitance, high power density, and longer cycle life. Recent research has focused on synthesizing transition‐metal oxides/hydroxides, carbon materials, and conducting polymers as supercapacitor electrode materials. The performance of supercapacitors can be improved by altering electrolytes, electrode materials, current collectors, experimental temperatures, and film thickness. Thousands of papers on supercapacitors have already been published, reflecting the significance and elucidating how much demanding such energy storage devices for this fast‐growing generation. This review aims to illustrate the electrode materials loaded on various conductive substrates by electrochemical deposition employed for supercapacitors to provide broad knowledge on synthetic pathways, which will pave the way for future research. We also discussed the basic parameters involved in supercapacitor studies and the advantages of the electrochemical deposition techniques through literature analysis. Finally, future trends and directions on exploring metals/metal composites toward designing and constructing viable, high‐class, and even newly featured flexible energy storage materials, electrodes, and systems are presented.
A multi‐trait multi‐locus stepwise approach for conducting GWAS on correlated traits
Authors: Fernandes Samuel B. , Casstevens Terry M. , Bradbury Peter J. , Lipka Alexander E.
Published: March 2022

The ability to accurately quantify the simultaneous effect of multiple genomic loci on multiple traits is now possible due to current and emerging high‐throughput genotyping and phenotyping technologies. To date, most efforts to quantify these genotype‐to‐phenotype relationships have focused on either multi‐trait models that test a single marker at a time or multi‐locus models that quantify associations with a single trait. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the performance of a multi‐trait, multi‐locus stepwise (MSTEP) model selection procedure we developed to (a) a commonly used multi‐trait single‐locus model and (b) a univariate multi‐locus model. We used real marker data in maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) to simulate multiple traits controlled by various combinations of pleiotropic and nonpleiotropic quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs). In general, we found that both multi‐trait models outperformed the univariate multi‐locus model, especially when analyzing a trait of low heritability. For traits controlled by either a combination of pleiotropic and nonpleiotropic QTNs or a large number of QTNs (i.e., 50), our MSTEP model often outperformed at least one of the two alternative models. When applied to the analysis of two tocochromanol‐related traits in maize grain, MSTEP identified the same peak‐associated marker that has been reported in a previous study. We therefore conclude that MSTEP is a useful addition to the suite of statistical models that are commonly used to gain insight into the genetic architecture of agronomically important traits.
Globalization and climate change: State of knowledge, emerging issues, and policy implications
Authors: Jakob Michael
Published: March 2022

In an integrated global economy, trade policy and climate policy are closely intertwined. This paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach to provide an overview of the key debates in economics, political science, and legal studies related to globalization and climate change. We identify a number of emerging issues that deserve increased attention in future research in this direction. These include international financial flows, migration, telecommunication, and digitization as well as changing lifestyles and consumption patterns across the globe. We also present potential research question regarding the diversification of import and export portfolios in the face of growing climate impacts and the decarbonization of industry, aviation, and shipping. Finally, we discuss how these recent developments could shape trade and climate policy formulation. We conclude that ambitious climate policies seem more likely to flourish in an open world trading system which provides sufficient flexibility for individual countries to adopt nationally appropriate climate policies.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Economics and Climate Change
Antler detection from the sky: deer sex ratio monitoring using drone‐mounted thermal infrared sensors
Authors: Ito Takehiko Y. , Miyazaki Atsushi , Koyama Lina A. , Kamada Kisa , Nagamatsu Dai
Published: March 2022

Sex differences in large mammals with sexual dimorphism are important ecological and evolutionary issues and key factors for wildlife management. To examine the potential use of drone (unmanned aerial vehicle; UAV) observation using thermal infrared images for sex ratio monitoring of deer, we conducted UAV surveys at night in a sparse forest located on the distribution periphery of sika deer Cervus nippon and wild boar Sus scrofa local populations during summer and winter. Of the 163 thermal infrared images of large mammals detected, 132 (81.0%) and 16 (9.8%) were identified for deer and wild boar, respectively. In addition, velvet antlers of deer were visually recognized during summer, and 92% of the detected deer were antlered. This biased sex ratio would be a characteristic in the distribution periphery of local deer populations. Therefore, monitoring abundance and sex ratio using thermal infrared sensors on UAVs can improve deer management especially in the distribution periphery of local populations.
Multi‐model application informs prey composition of mountain lions Puma concolor
Authors: Clapp Justin G. , Atkinson Clint D. , Brunet Mitchell J. , Burke Patrick W. , Ellsbury Luke R. , Gregory Zach W. , Kindermann Ryan J. , Ryder Sean P. , Thompson Daniel J. , Holbrook Joseph D.
Published: March 2022

Global positioning system (GPS) receivers allow researchers to collect location data that provide information about fine‐scale animal movements. For large carnivores, these data are routinely processed to identify clusters of GPS locations which are investigated to validate feeding sites, estimate prey species composition and model the likelihood of predation events based on characteristics of GPS location data within clusters. Although developing predation models entails a high level of field effort, researchers are apprehensive in applying system‐specific models to other systems both spatially and temporally. Our objectives were to apply and compare multiple predation models to predict and identify feeding events outside of the geographic areas where models were developed. Using our multi‐model approach, we identified feeding sites and estimated kill rates and prey composition of mountain lions Puma concolor in southwest Wyoming, USA from 2017 to 2019. Our approach increased our field efficiency by reducing potential field site investigations by 63%. We provide results of estimated diet composition in our study area where mountain lion prey included relatively high proportions of pronghorn (12.3%) and smaller mammals, particularly coyotes (7.6%). We also provide a comparison of the predation models developed across unique ecoregions of North America, and how they performed when applied to our area. We believe a similar approach could be adopted for other large carnivore populations where multiple models have been developed to characterize feeding events.