bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body weight changes and duration of estrogen exposure modulate the evolution of hepatocellular adenomas after contraception discontinuation
Authors: Demory Alix , Péron Jean‐Marie , Calderaro Julien , Selves Janick , Mokrane Fatima‐Zohra , Amaddeo Giuliana , Paradis Valérie , Ziol Marianne , Sutter Olivier , Blaise Lorraine , Ganne‐Carrié Nathalie , Vilgrain Valérie , Cauchy François , Zucman‐Rossi Jessica , Ronot Maxime , Nault Jean‐Charles
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims:

The natural history of hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) remains to be better described, especially in nonresected patients. We aim to identify the predictive factors of HCA evolution after estrogen‐based contraception discontinuation.

Approach and Results:

We retrospectively included patients with a histological diagnosis of HCA from three centers. Clinical, radiological, and pathological data were collected to identify predictive factors of radiological evolution per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1, and occurrence of complications (bleeding, malignant transformation). We built a score using variables that modulate estrogen levels: body mass index and duration of estrogen‐based contraception. An external cohort was used to validate this score. 183 patients were included in the cohort, including 161 women (89%) using estrogen‐based contraception for a median of 12 years. Thirty percent of patients had at least one HNF1A‐inactivated HCA, 45.5% at least one inflammatory HCA, and 11% at least one HCA with activation of β‐catenin (bHCA). Twenty‐one symptomatic bleedings (11%) and eleven malignant transformations (6%) occurred. Ages < 37 years old (p = 0.004) and HCA > 5 cm at imaging were independently associated with symptomatic bleeding (p = 0.003), whereas a bHCA was associated with malignant transformation (p < 0.001). After a median follow‐up of 5 years, radiological regression was observed in 31%, stabilization in 47%, and progression in 22% of patients. Weight loss was associated with regression (p < 0.0001) and weight gain with progression (p = 0.02). The estrogen exposure score predicted radiological regression (odds ratio, 2.33; confidence interval 95%, 1.29–4.19; p = 0.005) with a linear relationship between the rate of estrogen exposure and the probability of regression. This result was confirmed in an external cohort of 72 female patients (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Weight variation is strongly associated with radiological evolution after oral contraception discontinuation. A score of estrogen exposure, easily assessable in clinical practice at diagnosis, predicts regression of HCA.
Demographic characteristics and anxiety in the educational setting during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Indonesia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Triastuti N. Juni , Herawati Erna
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims

This study aims to analyze the relationship between gender, age, occupation, residence, and anxiety in the education environment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.

Methods

This study used a descriptive‐analytic cross‐sectional design to determine anxiety using the DASS 42 questionnaire given to 181 respondents. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, and the data analysis used was the Chi‐square test and multivariate analysis.

Results

It was found that 66.7% of teenagers experienced anxiety, while 33.3% of adults experienced anxiety. In addition, the school‐age community (86.2%) experienced higher anxiety compared with the working‐age community (13.8%) who experienced anxiety. Women experienced more significant anxiety (66.7%) compared with men (33.3%). People living on the island of Java (74.7%) have a greater incidence of anxiety compared with people living outside Java (25.3%).

Conclusion

There is a significant relationship between the type of occupation and the incidence of anxiety with p < 0.05 (OR = 0.341). A significant correlation was found between age with the incidence of anxiety with p < 0.05 (OR = 0.489). The demographic factors altogether had significant relationships with the anxiety in the educational environment during the COVID‐19 pandemic with a p value < 0.05 and R Square of 0.069. There is a strong relationship between the demographic factors and the incidence of anxiety in the community's educational environment during the COVID‐19 pandemic with p < 0.05. It is suggested that women, school‐age communities, or the un‐employment community need to be supported to alleviate the impact of COVID‐19 on anxiety through several programs.
Biomass‐based biomimetic‐oriented Janus nanoarchitecture for efficient heavy‐metal enrichment and interfacial solar water sanitation
Authors: Zhao Hao‐Yu , Dong Wei‐Xu , Deng Yu , Chen Li‐Feng , Zhao Chen‐Fan , Zhang Chuan‐Ling , Zhou Jie , Qu Yi‐Fan , Li Yan‐Song , Li Dong‐Jun , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: August 2022

Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG), involving the use of solar energy to evaporate water at the water‐to‐vapor interface, has presented prospects for the desalination and purification of water due to high energy conversion efficiency and low‐cost freshwater generation. Herein, inspired by the aligned nanostructure of plants for efficiently transporting nutrient ions, we optimally design and construct a biomass‐based Janus architecture evaporator with an oriented nanostructure for ISSG, using the ice template method, followed by biomimetic mineralization with the resource‐abundant and low‐cost biomass of the carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium alginate as the raw materials. Taking advantage of the oriented nanostructure allowing efficient transportation of water and coordination capacity of sodium alginate for effective enrichment of heavy‐metal ions, the biomass‐based Janus architecture shows much lower thermal conductivity and an ultrahigh steam regeneration rate of 2.3 kg m−2 h−1, considerably surpassing those of previously reported oriented biomass‐based evaporators. Moreover, the biomass precursor materials are used for this Janus evaporator, guaranteeing minimum impact on the water ecology and environment during the regeneration process of clean drinking water. This study presents an efficient, green, and sustainable pathway for ISSG to effectively achieve heavy‐metal‐free drinking water.
Resistance to prostate cancer treatments
Authors: Krause Werner
Published: August 2022

A review of the current treatment options for prostate cancer and the formation of resistance to these regimens has been compiled including primary, acquired, and cross‐resistance. The diversification of the pathways involved and the escape routes the tumor is utilizing have been addressed. Whereas early stages of tumor can be cured, there is no treatment available after a point of no return has been reached, leaving palliative treatment as the only option. The major reasons for this outcome are the heterogeneity of tumors, both inter‐ and intra‐individually and the nearly endless number of escape routes, which the tumor can select to overcome the effects of treatment. This means that more focus should be applied to the individualization of both diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer. In addition to current treatment options, novel drugs and ongoing clinical trials have been addressed in this review.
Therapeutic plasma exchange practices in immune thrombocytopenia related hospitalizations: Results from a nationally representative sample
Authors: Makhani Sarah S. , Schwartz Joseph , Vasovic Ljiljana V. , DeSimone Robert A. , Kaicker Shipra , Bussel James , Crowe Elizabeth P. , Bloch Evan M. , Tobian Aaron A. R. , Goel Ruchika
Published: August 2022

Per the American Society for Apheresis, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a Category III indication in the management of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This nationally representative study evaluates TPE utilization in hospitalized adults with a primary admission diagnosis of ITP. Hospitalizations with ITP as the primary admitting diagnosis were analyzed from the 2010 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample, the largest all‐payer inpatient database in the United States. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine clinical outcomes in ITP patients undergoing TPE. Sampling weights were applied to generate nationally representative estimates. From 2010 to 2014, there were a total of 56,149 admissions with a primary admitting diagnosis of ITP, of which 0.66% admissions (n = 372) also coded TPE. Most subjects undergoing TPE were the highest disease severity class: major (34.6%) and extreme severity (31.0%), by all‐patients refined diagnoses‐related groups severity of illness subclass. After multivariable analysis, underlying severity of illness remained the most significant predictor of TPE (P < .001). ITP admissions with TPE had a high rate of comorbidities (50%) and significantly longer mean length of hospital stay than those without (P < .001). TPE was reported in ~0.6% of hospitalizations with ITP as the primary diagnosis in this nationally representative sample from 2010 to 2014. TPE was performed in patients with the highest severity of underlying illness, and higher rates of comorbidities.
Some detrimental effects of conditioned reinforcement on the maintenance of dog behavior
Authors: Peiris Pamela L. , Rosales‐Ruiz Jesús
Published: August 2022

In animal training, there is disagreement regarding whether a conditioned reinforcer, such as the sound of a clicker, should always be followed by an unconditioned reinforcer, such as a treat. Proponents for clicking without always giving a treat argue that the click can substitute for the reinforcer, due to Pavlovian conditioning and the partial reinforcement effect. Those who advise always following the click with a treat argue that the clicker will become an unreliable predictor of food if it is not always followed by an unconditioned reinforcer. In this study, a within‐subject reversal design with two dogs was used to compare the behavioral effects of always following a click with food (one click condition) and only sometimes following a click with food (two clicks condition). Results showed that the two clicks condition disrupted the frequency, accuracy, and topography of the behavior and increased noncompliance and other unwanted behaviors. While the detrimental effects of this condition may seem paradoxical at first, they can be explained by the discriminative properties of the conditioned reinforcer.
Simplified and accessible [18F]F‐AraG synthesis procedure for preclinical PET
Authors: Högnäsbacka Antonia A. , Cortés González Miguel A. , Halldin Christer , Schou Magnus
Published: August 2022

The PET tracer [18F]F‐AraG, an arabinosyl guanine analog, has shown promise for visualizing activated T cells in multiple diseases. Herein, a practitioner's protocol is described, in which the PET tracer is prepared using minimal equipment and manual actions, making it widely accessible for preclinical applications.
Growing luxury brands through culture‐driven innovation
Authors: Heine Klaus , Atwal Glyn
Published: August 2022

The overall objective of the paper is to explore the avenues and success factors to create cultural innovation within the luxury sector. A Brand Culture Canvas was developed that provides a framework to identify the main components of Brand Culture. This framework can be applied for luxury brands to create cultural meaning and innovation.
Superficial Parotidectomy for Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis
Authors: Wilson John , Gorelik Michael , Gulliver Jessica , Jaju Alok , Bhushan Bharat , Rastatter Jeffrey , Johnston Douglas , Maddalozzo John
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To investigate long‐term outcomes, imaging, and pathologic findings in pediatric patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy for recalcitrant juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP).

Methods

Records for 20 children (23 parotidectomies; 9 females, 11 males; age at surgery of 8.6 ± 3.7 years) collected over a 10‐year period (2012–2021) were reviewed. Parents were contacted via telephone to obtain extended follow‐up. A simplified scoring system was used to assess imaging findings and an additional pathologic review was conducted to further clarify the underlying disease process.

Results

All but one patient experienced resolution of their recurrent symptoms after superficial parotidectomy. Three of the patients studied required surgery on the contralateral side, and this could be predicted based on their imaging at the time of the initial surgery. Pathologic findings included ductal fibrosis, metaplasia, and dilatation as well as parenchymal atrophy and fatty deposition. There were no major surgical complications, however, the incidence of Frey's syndrome in this sample was 43.5% of surgical sites.

Conclusion

For patients with frequent recalcitrant symptoms or significant quality of life impairment related to JRP, superficial parotidectomy represents a potential treatment option with the noted reduction in symptom burden following surgery. Further longitudinal studies are needed.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:1495–1500, 2023
Aroma determination in alcoholic beverages: Green MS‐based sample preparation approaches
Authors: Piergiovanni Maurizio , Gosetti Fabio , Rocío‐Bautista Priscilla , Termopoli Veronica
Published: August 2022

Aroma determination in alcoholic beverages has become a hot research topic due to the ongoing effort to obtain quality products, especially in a globalized market. Consumer satisfaction is mainly achieved by balancing several aroma compounds, which are mixtures of numerous volatile molecules enclosed in challenging matrices. Thus, sample preparation strategies for quality control and product development are required. They involve several steps including copious amounts of hazardous solvents or time‐consuming procedures. This is bucking the trend of the ever‐increasing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of analytical chemistry processes. Hence, the evolution of sample preparation procedures has directed towards miniaturized techniques to decrease or avoid the use of hazardous solvents and integrating sampling, extraction, and enrichment of the targeted analytes in fewer steps. Mass spectrometry coupled to gas or liquid chromatography is particularly well suited to address the complexity of these matrices. This review surveys advancements of green miniaturized techniques coupled to mass spectrometry applied on all categories of odor‐active molecules in the most consumed alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, and spirits. The targeted literature consider progresses over the past 20 years.
Transition Services for Children and Young Adults with Movement Disorders: A Survey by the MDS Task Force on Pediatrics
Authors: Batla Amit , Lin Jean‐Pierre , Sahu Jitendra K. , Mink Jonathan W. , Pringsheim Tamara , Roze Emmanuel , Kurian Manju , Fung Victor
Published: August 2022

Background

There is currently very limited data related to transition services for movement disorders.

Objectives

Movement Disorders Society (MDS) Task Force on Pediatrics conducted a survey of current provision of transition for young adults with movement disorders.

Methods

The survey questionnaire was based on review of available evidence, with questions designed to capture service location, transition clinic structure, and core issues discussed. The questionnaire was digitalized as an online survey and sent to all members of the MDS.

Results

Responses were received from a total of 252 MDS members representing 67 countries. Of the responders, 59% confirmed that they provided transition clinics for adolescents with movement disorders. Overall, there was some consensus regarding transition services in terms of patient age at transition, movement disorder etiologies, staffing the service, and medical/social issues discussed.

Conclusion

This survey provides first‐hand data of existing movement disorder transition services and provides useful insights on transition clinics.
Approximation by α$$ \alpha $$‐Bernstein–Schurer operators and shape preserving properties via q$$ q $$‐analogue
Authors: Nasiruzzaman Md. , Aljohani A. F.
Published: August 2022

Our work in this article is to construct the
‐ Bernstein–Schurer operators which includes the
‐integers. For these new operators, we discuss the shape preserving properties, namely, monotonicity and convexity. Next, we study the uniformly global approximation in terms of the Ditzian–Totik modulus of continuity and calculate the local direct estimate by Lipschitz‐maximal functions. In the last Voronovskaja‐type approximation theorems are also presented.
Investigation of the effect of steel fiber (200 mesh size) hybridization on properties of steel/glass fiber and steel/basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composite laminates
Authors: Fayzulla Bayan Jabar , Eroğlu Mehmet , Erkliğ Ahmet
Published: August 2022

Steel fiber is the most common metal fiber used due to its cost‐effectiveness, high performance, and availability despite its heavyweight. This study is an attempt to evaluate the mechanical properties of steel/glass fiber and steel/basalt fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites. The symmetric hybrid laminates were produced by replacing the innermost 1, 2, 3, and 4 layers of steel fiber (200 mesh size) with basalt and glass fiber layers. The specimens were subjected to tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact tests in accordance with relevant ASTM standards. Moreover, fracture surfaces were analyzed, and the micrographs were obtained using a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that a high improvement in tensile strength was achieved with BS1–E (1 layer steel mesh–8 layers basalt) and GS1–E (1 layer steel mesh–8 layers glass) hybrid composites, with an increase of 528% and 233%, respectively, compared to steel fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Similarly, BS1–E and GS1–E hybrid composites showed the highest flexural strength increase of 82.2% and 66.8%, respectively, compared to steel fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Consequently, the potential to hybridize steel fiber with glass fiber and basalt fiber could create new materials with unique physical structures and synergistic effects on mechanical properties.
Accuracy and validity of reported opioid prescription days' supply
Authors: Miracle Dustin K. , Slavova Svetla , Brown John R. , Dasgupta Nabarun , Harris Sarah , Freeman Patricia R.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The primary objective of this study was to estimate the percentage of opioid analgesic (OA) prescriptions dispensed by Kentucky independent pharmacies with correctly entered days' supply in the state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) system in 2019.

Methods

Using a two‐stage cluster design, pharmacies were sampled with probabilities proportional to the volume of dispensed OAs; 100 random OA prescriptions were sampled from PDMP records submitted by each pharmacy. Following recruitment, demographic information and hard‐copy prescription data for sampled records were abstracted on‐site. Days' supply was independently calculated by two pharmacists using a standard formula with disagreements adjudicated blindly by a third pharmacist. Adjudicated days' supply was compared with that submitted to the PDMP and classified as accurate/inaccurate. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample and a multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between accuracy and prescription/practice‐related factors.

Results

A total of 1281 OA prescriptions were reviewed at 13 participating pharmacies. Accuracy of reported OA days' supply was 89.85%, (95% CI: 86.90, 92.80). Factors associated with accuracy were presence of special instructions from the prescriber (OR 3.13 [95% CI: 1.43, 6.82]), presence of ‘as‐needed’ directions (OR 0.29 [95% CI: 0.18, 0.47]), and billing to a third‐party payer (OR 1.43 [95% CI: 1.01, 2.02]).

Conclusions

Accuracy of OA days' supply reported to the state PDMP was found to be moderately high. Certain prescription‐related factors influence accuracy and should be accounted for in future studies. Patterns, including opioid ‘split‐billing’ were identified and may impact validity of PDMP and administrative claims studies.
Similar protein segments shared between domains of different evolutionary lineages
Authors: Qiu Kaiyu , Ben‐Tal Nir , Kolodny Rachel
Published: August 2022

The emergence of novel proteins, beyond these that can be readily made by duplication and recombination of preexisting domains, is elusive. De novo emergence from random sequences is unlikely because the vast majority of random chains would not even fold, let alone function. An alternative explanation is that novel proteins emerge by duplication and fusion of pre‐existing polypeptide segments. In this case, traces of such ancient events may remain within contemporary proteins in the form of reused segments. Together with the late Dan Tawfik, we detected such similar segments, far shorter than intact protein domains, which are found in different environments. The detection of these, “bridging themes,” was based on a unique search strategy, where in addition to searching for similarity of shared fragments, so‐called “themes,” we also explicitly searched for cases in which the sequence segments before and after the theme are dissimilar (both in sequence and structure). Here, using a similar strategy, we further expanded the search and discovered almost 500 additional “bridging themes,” linking domains that are often from ancient folds. The themes, of 20 residues or more (average 53), do not retain their structure despite sharing 37% sequence identity on average. Indeed, conformation flexibility may confer an evolutionary advantage, in that it fits in multiple environments. We elaborate on two interesting themes, shared between Rossmann/Trefoil‐Plexin‐like domains and a β‐propeller‐like domain.

For a Broad Audience

A fundamental question in molecular evolution is how protein domains emerged. Similar segments shared between domains of seemingly distinct origins, may offer clues, as these may be remnants of the evolutionary process through which these domains emerged. However, finding such cases is difficult. Here, we expand the set of such cases which we curated previously, adding segments shared between domains that are considered ancient.
Contributions of the N‐terminal intrinsically disordered region of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleocapsid protein to RNA‐induced phase separation
Authors: Zachrdla Milan , Savastano Adriana , Ibáñez de Opakua Alain , Cima‐Omori Maria‐Sol , Zweckstetter Markus
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) nucleocapsid protein is an essential structural component of mature virions, encapsulating the genomic RNA and modulating RNA transcription and replication. Several of its activities might be associated with the protein's ability to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation. NSARS‐CoV‐2 contains an intrinsically disordered region at its N‐terminus (NTE) that can be phosphorylated and is affected by mutations found in human COVID‐19 infections, including in the Omicron variant of concern. Here, we show that NTE deletion decreases the range of RNA concentrations that can induce phase separation of NSARS‐CoV‐2. In addition, deletion of the prion‐like NTE allows NSARS‐CoV‐2 droplets to retain their liquid‐like nature during incubation. We further demonstrate that RNA‐binding engages multiple parts of the NTE and changes NTE's structural properties. The results form the foundation to characterize the impact of N‐terminal mutations and post‐translational modifications on the molecular properties of the SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein.

Statement

The nucleocapsid protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 plays an important role in both genome packaging and viral replication upon host infection. Replication has been associated with RNA‐induced liquid–liquid phase separation of the nucleocapsid protein. We present insights into the role of the N‐terminal part of the nucleocapsid protein in the protein's RNA‐mediated liquid–liquid phase separation.
Large half‐metallic band gap in a new series CoRhZrZ (Z = Pb, B, Ga, In, Al, Sn, Si) quaternary Heusler
Authors: Lazizi Mohamed , Mohamed Mahfoud , Mokhtari Mohamed , Dahmane Fethallah , Khenata Rabah , Zekri Noureddine
Published: August 2022

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a new series CoRhZrZ quaternary Heusler were investigated theoretically by using the density of function theory calculation. All the compounds were found to be stable at the ferromagnetic phase. The magnetic moments of the compound show a positive value ranging from 1 to 2 μB. In addition, the electronic structure of CoRhZrSi shows a large value of the half‐metallic band gap of 0.34 eV. This reflects the high thermal stability of the compound at high temperatures and allowing for a wide range of applications of this material in varying domains, especially those requiring high thermal stability such as the oil and gas sectors, geological applications, and space applications.
Recent Applications and Trends in the Julia‐Kocienski Olefination
Authors: Rinu Pulluparambil Xavier Thresia , Radhika Sankaran , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: August 2022

The Julia‐Kocienski (J‐K) olefination is a modified version of Julia‐Lythgoe olefination. In this reaction, an aldehyde or ketone is coupled with heterocycle‐bearing sulfone in the presence of a strong base to yield alkene. It has shown wide application in the synthesis of olefinic fragments in natural product synthesis. The Julia‐ Kocienski olefination is one of the most efficient protocols for the synthesis of E‐alkenes. Nowadays, a variety of natural products were synthesised by using the Julia‐Kocienski olefination as the key step, and several developments and modifications were witnessed in this area. This review comprehends the recent developments and achievements in Julia‐Kocienski olefination along with its application in natural product synthesis covering literature from 2016 to 2021.
Immobilized Cu‐Schiff Base Complex on MCM‐41as Catalyst in the Synthesis of Benzimidazole Derivatives
Authors: Malik Arti , Singh Udai P.
Published: August 2022

Benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized through the coupling ofO‐phenylenediamine and substituted benzaldehydes by using a heterogeneous catalyst MCM@CP@PYO@Cu, which was synthesized by anchoring the Cu‐Schiff base complex on the surface of chloro‐functionalized MCM‐41 via grafting method. FT‐IR, TGA, low angle Powder XRD, SEM, TEM, MP‐AES and N2 adsorption‐desorption analysis were used in the characterization of MCM@CP@PYO@Cu.98 % of product yield was obtained with this catalyst. The synthesized heterogeneouscatalyst can be reused up to 7 runs with insignificant change in its catalytic properties. Reusability, high surface area, low metal loading, short reaction time and good to excellent product yield are the main advantages of the present catalyst.
Polyacrylamide‐Conductive Hydrogel Modified with Regenerated Silk Fibroin Resulting in Low‐Temperature Resistance and Self‐Healing Properties for Flexible Electronic Skin
Authors: Ma Xudong , Maimaitiyiming Xieraili
Published: August 2022

In this work, we developed a novel method to prepare a hydrogel‐based electronic skin by self‐assembling cross‐linking. The conductive hydrogel (named PGRS) integrates multiple properties. The hydrogel has good moisture retention (70 °C, 14 days), adhesion, and high elongation (2799 %). When the hydrogel is damaged externally, it can repair itself without external stimulation. The hydrogel adheres to the skin surface and monitors large strain movements, such as finger joints, wrist joints, elbow joints, head lowering and head lifting. It can also detect small movements, such as drinking and talking. It is used as an adhesive in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C). PGRS conductive hydrogel with multiple synergistic functions. It has great potential in the direction of flexible electronic skin. It indicates that PGRS conductive hydrogels have highly prospective applications in wearable devices.
Green Catalytic Synthesis of the Pyrroles by N and P Functionalized Activated Carbon supported Ir
Authors: Fu Aixiao , Sun Mengqing , Jiang Shifeng , Xu Huanfei , Xu Guoqiang
Published: August 2022

Pyrroles are a significant class of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds and the derivatives. Here, an efficient procedure has been proposed for the loading of Ir on N, P‐doped activated carbon to exploit pyrroles are synthesized from alcohols and amino alcohols. And the optimal conversion of 1‐phenylethanol is up to 65 % with 2‐phenylpyrrole selectivity of 80 %. The good performance is attributed to the interaction between metal Ir and N, P‐doped activated carbon, which could also be confirmed from BET and XPS characterizations. What's more, the catalyst could be generally used for a range of reactions to produce pyrroles from alcohols and amino alcohols.
Prediction of Arsenic Concentration in Water Samples Using Digital Imaging Colorimetry and Multi‐Variable Regression
Authors: Sajed Samira , Kolahdouz Mohammadreza , Sadeghi Mohammad Amin
Published: August 2022

Arsenic is perhaps the most harmful components and may be found in drinking water. In this work, a convenient and low‐cost gadget is designed and connected to smartphone to predict arsenic concentration. The smartphone captures the images of color change and analyzes data in RGB color space. The color change is the result of functionalized gold nanoparticle aggregations in the presence of arsenic ions. By implementing a multi‐variable regression model, the captured data is converted into the arsenic concentration values. Under optimum analytical conditions, the proposed algorithm provides better detection limit and linearity as compared to other studies. The nanoprobe has high sensitivity to arsenic, with detection limit of 0.45 ppb at the linear range of 1–7500 ppb and a mean squared error of 0.24. The quantitative results agreed with those obtained by the reference ICP‐MS method at a 94 % confidence level and can be used for on‐site detection of low‐content arsenic ions.
An Efficient Method for Synthesis of New Tricyclic Benzimidazoles by Using Sodium Metabisulphite Adsorbed on Silica and Their Antimicrobial Studies
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Pandey Sushil K. , Khanna Leena , Mansi  , Gupta Deepshikha
Published: August 2022

New tricyclic benzimidazoles have been synthesized by condensation of 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b][1,4]oxazin‐5‐amine and different aldehydes in presence of sodium metabisulfite adsorbed on silica. The method is very efficient, and reactions are completed at room temperature with easy product isolation. The synthesized compounds showed antimicrobial potential against gram‐positive bacteria S. aureus and gram‐negative bacteria E. coli with MIC of 0.625 mg/ml for compounds 6 f (cyclohexyl substituent) and 6 h (furan substituent) and 0.312 mg/ml for compound 6 c (chlorophenyl substituent) respectively, were evaluated by Resazurin microtiter plate visual method. Molecular docking studies using Autodock 4.2 showed theoretical binding energy −6.74 to −8.32 Kcal/mol for S. aureus and −5.94 to −8.01 Kcal/mol for E. coli with PDB Id 2W9S and 2EX6 respectively.
Synthesis of Mesoporous Fe/N/C Electrocatalyst for Improved Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity Through CO2‐Assisted Pyrolysis
Authors: Rauf Muhammad , Wang Jingwen , Handschuh‐Wang Stephan , Iqbal Waheed , Khan Muhammad Ali , Khan Sayed Ali , Li Yongliang
Published: August 2022

Fe/Nx/C electrocatalysts have appeared as one of the promising non‐platinum group metal (non‐PGM) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in energy conversion devices. These non‐PGM electrocatalysts Fe/N/C need structural tuning of pores to improve the surface area for high‐performance ORR in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this report, the specific surface area of poly‐melamine‐formaldehyde (PMF)‐based Fe/N/C electrocatalysts was enhanced without using a template through simple CO2‐assisted pyrolysis. The highly porous electrocatalyst exhibited an onion‐like graphitic structure and an efficient catalytic activity for ORR, comparable to Pt/C electrocatalyst. At 0.95 VRHE, the mass activity of the PMF‐based PMF−Fe/N/C‐CO2/Ar electrocatalyst was 63 % that of a commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. Moreover, the devised fabrication process for the PMF−Fe/N/C electrocatalysts with a high specific surface area can be readily scaled up.
Impacts, causes, and solutions of architectural smells in microservices: An industrial investigation
Authors: Zhong Chenxing , Huang Huang , Zhang He , Li Shanshan
Published: August 2022

As a recently predominant architecture style, MicroService Architecture (MSA) is likely to suffer the issues of poor maintainability due to inappropriate microservice boundaries. Architectural Smell (AS), as a metaphor for potential architectural issues that may have negative impacts on software maintenance, can be used to pinpoint refactoring opportunity for evolving microservice boundary. However, existing studies mostly focus on AS detection with little further investigation on the possible impacts, causes, and solutions of AS, which does little help in addressing the bad smells in architecture. Our goal in this study is to bridge this gap by investigating the possible impacts, causes, and solutions of AS in MSA‐based systems. An industrial case study is carried out to collect repository data and practitioners' views on six typical ASes in a real MSA‐based telecommunication system. Statistical Analysis and Coding techniques are used in the analyses of quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The results show that AS influences the modularity, modifiability, analyzability, and testability of the MSA‐based system, which further induce extra cross‐team communication, change‐ and fault‐prone microservices. To explore the causes for AS, a five‐aspect conceptual classification with technology, project, organization, business, and professional is proposed, in which the business and organization aspects take the major roles. Both technical and non‐technical solutions are distilled to deal with ASes despite potential constraints. These results and their comparison to current literature are discussed, which provide practical implications in coping with AS in microservices.
Change‐point analysis when proportional hazards are violated: Time‐to‐decannulation among paediatric tracheostomy patients
Authors: Minard Charles G. , Guffey Danielle
Published: August 2022

The Cox proportional hazards regression model is commonly used to measure relative associations between independent variables and time until a well‐defined event in the presence of censored event times. A requisite assumption of this model is that the relative hazards are constant over time. That is, it is assumes that for two different specifications of covariates, the relative ratio of the hazard rates is constant over the time of interest. Although this assumption is generally robust to deviations, interpretation of model results may be misleading and invalid when this assumption is substantially violated. A single point in time where the relative hazard ratios change significantly is known as a change‐point. Estimating the change‐point may be clinically or scientifically important and can be used for stratified analysis. This paper describes common methods for testing the proportional hazards assumption, estimating the change‐point, and conducting a stratified analysis. Methods are illustrated through an analysis on time‐to‐decannulation among paediatric tracheostomy patients.
Addressing Key Challenges in Fermentative Production of Xylitol at Commercial Scale: A Closer Perspective
Authors: Ravella Sreenivas Rao , Warren-Walker David J. , Gallagher Joe , Winters Ana , Bryant David N.
Published: August 2022

Xylitol has been recognized by the US Department of Energy (DOE) as one of the top 12 value-added chemicals obtained from biomass, with a world market of 200,000 tonnes per year. The global xylitol market is expected to reach a value of US$ 1 Billion by 2026 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during 2021–2026. Historically, the commercial xylitol production process has been dependent on the chemical hydrogenation of xylose. Several xylitol production plants, mainly in China that use the chemical process have had to reduce their production capacity to address regulations governing sustainability and environmental standards. In this chapter, key challenges and possible solutions for fermentative xylitol production at commercial scale are discussed in terms of: (1) Feedstock supply for commercial production plants; (2) Industrial biomass pretreatment; and (3) Lessons learned from industrial operations. These are drawn together to identify technology gaps and scaling-up challenges in light of the capital expenditure required to build a state-of-the art xylitol industrial biotechnology (IB) production facility and the potential to reduce climate change impact and contribute towards achieving net-zero targets.
Translating Globalised Ideals into Local Settings: The Actors and Complexities of Post-settlement Water Infrastructure Planning in Urban Ghana
Authors: Dakyaga Francis
Published: August 2022

Following the principles of the networked city and urban planning, pro-active planning of water infrastructure is pertinent for attaining universal water access. Ironically, in cities of the Global South, water infrastructure provision takes the form of post-settlement networks—where human settlements evolve to steer the provision of the large-scale water network. However, little is known about the complexities, the processes and motives, the actors involved and how they navigate towards universalising water access. I investigate this kind of infrastructure planning ideal, drawing inspiration from technological translations from the Global North to the Global South, using the case of Wa, a secondary city of Ghana. The study revealed that off-grid water systems initially served water in secondary cities. The large-scale water network later evolved as a “reactive measure” driven by the rise in population, and the failure of the off-grid water infrastructure to attain universal water access. Despite that, resistance from residents, spatial disorder and sprawling growth, utility policies and in capabilities challenged the efforts of the state utility towards attaining a universal water supply. Through creativity, the utility providers negotiated and invented multiple models of water supply contradictory to the “mono-modal” principles of the networked city. This produced and segregated water access across the urban zones of the city. The findings suggest that though the post-settlement water network provision represents an attempted translation of the networked city ideal, in practice, it does not conform with the hegemonic premise of a networked city to foster universal water supply in the cities of the Global South.
Theoretische und begriffliche Grundlagen der Consumer Decision Neuroscience
Authors: Gier Nadine R.
Published: August 2022

Im folgenden Kapitel 2 werden die theoretischen und begrifflichen Grundlagen der Consumer Decision Neuroscience dargestellt. Dabei werden in Abschnitt 2.1 zunächst ökonomische, behavioristische und kognitive Ansätze beschrieben, wobei das Kapitel mit ersten Dual-Process Theorien und dazugehörigen Kritikpunkten endet, die eine theoretische Weiterentwicklung der Modelle durch die Integration von neurowissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen zur Erklärung von Konsumentenentscheidungsprozessen avisieren. Die Forschungsgebiete, die sich aus dieser neurowissenschaftlichen Integration ergeben, werden in Abschnitt 2.2 definiert, systematisiert und differenziert, um anschließend das daraus entstandene Forschungsgebiet der Consumer Decision Neuroscience von bestehenden Forschungsgebieten abzugrenzen. Aufbauend auf den beiden vorangegangenen Kapiteln, wird in Abschnitt 2.3 anschließend das Reflektiv-Impulsiv Modell als eine neurowissenschaftlich fundierte Dual-Process Theorie vorgestellt, die als konzeptioneller Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit dient.
Analytical evaluation of cosmological correlation functions
Authors: Heckelbacher Till , Sachs Ivo , Skvortsov Evgeny , Vanhove Pierre
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Using the Schwinger-Keldysh-formalism, reformulated in [1] as an effective field theory in Euclidean anti-de Sitter, we evaluate the one-loop cosmological four-point function of a conformally coupled interacting scalar field in de Sitter. Recasting the Witten cosmological correlator as flat space Feynman integrals, we evaluate the one-loop cosmological four-point functions in de Sitter space in terms of single-valued multiple polylogarithms. From it we derive anomalous dimensions and OPE coefficients of the dual conformal field theory at space-like, future infinity. In particular, we find an interesting degeneracy in the anomalous dimensions relating operators of neighboring spins.
Island mirages
Authors: Rolph Andrew
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We point out a loophole in the proof that the Island Finder conditions [1] are sufficient for the existence of islands. We explore examples which satisfy the conditions, but have no islands, which we call island mirages. We also describe and give resolutions to two new puzzles associated with islands, including a direct tension with the quantum Bousso bound.
Sgoldstino signal at FASER: prospects in searches for supersymmetry
Authors: Demidov Sergey , Gorbunov Dmitry , Kalashnikov Dmitry
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We investigate FASER@LHC perspectives in searches for light (0.1–5 GeV) sgoldstinos in models with low energy (10–104 TeV) supersymmetry breaking. We consider flavor conserving and flavor violating couplings of sgoldstinos to Standard Model fermions and find the both options to be testable at FASER. Even the first FASER run allows one to probe interesting patches in the model parameter space, while the second run, FASER-II, with significantly larger detector fiducial volume, gives a possibility to thoroughly explore a wide class of supersymmetric extensions of particle physics complementary to those probed at LHC with ATLAS and CMS detectors.
Causality constraints on black holes beyond GR
Authors: Serra Francesco , Serra Javi , Trincherini Enrico , Trombetta Leonardo G.
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We derive causality constraints on the simplest scalar-tensor theories in which black holes differ from what General Relativity predicts, a scalar coupled to the Gauss-Bonnet or the Chern-Simons terms. Demanding that time advances are unobservable within the regime of validity of these effective field theories, we find their cutoff must be parametrically of the same size as the inverse Schwarzschild radius of the black holes for which the non-standard effects are of order one. For astrophysical black holes within the range of current gravitational wave detectors, this means a cutoff length of the order of kilometers. We further explore the leading additional higher-dimensional operators potentially associated with the scale of UV completion and discuss their phenomenological implications for gravitational wave science.
Deforming symmetric product orbifolds: a tale of moduli and higher spin currents
Authors: Apolo Luis , Belin Alexandre , Bintanja Suzanne , Castro Alejandra , Keller Christoph A.
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We analyze how deforming symmetric product orbifolds of two-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 conformal field theories by an exactly marginal operator lifts higher spin currents present at the orbifold point. We find on the one hand that these currents are universally lifted regardless of the underlying CFT. On the other hand the details of the lifting are surprisingly non-universal, with dependence on the central charge of the underlying CFT and the specific marginal operator in use. In the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, our results illustrate the mechanism by which the stringy spectrum turns into a supergravity spectrum when moving through the moduli space. They also provide further evidence that symmetric product orbifolds of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 minimal models are holographic.
Probing 7-branes on orbifolds
Authors: Giacomelli Simone , Moleti Marina , Savelli Raffaele
Published: August 2022

Abstract

D3 branes in the vicinity of an E6, E7, or E8 stack of 7-branes in flat space are known to host at low energy a famous class of strongly-coupled $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theories featuring exceptional global symmetry. What if, instead, the 7-branes wrap an orbifold? We give a systematic characterization of such theories in the case of ℂ2/ℤn, and determine their main properties, like global symmetries, spectra of Coulomb-branch operators, and patterns of Higgs-branch flows. We put forward a set of rules to construct their magnetic quivers, which directly generalize what happens in the perturbative case, and later derive them using the duality with M5 branes probing M9 walls.
BPS coherent states and localization
Authors: Berenstein David , Wang Shannon
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We introduce coherent states averaged over a gauge group action to study correlators of half BPS states in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory. The overlaps of these averaged coherent states are a generating function of correlators and can be written in terms of the Harish-Chandra-Itzykzon-Zuber (HCIZ) integral. We show that this formula immediately leads to a computation of the normalization of two point functions in terms of characters obtained originally in the work of Corley, Jevicki and Ramgoolam. We also find various generalizations for An−1 quivers that follow directly from other solvable integrals over unitary groups. All of these can be computed using localization methods. When we promote the parameters of the generating function to collective coordinates, there is a dominant saddle that controls the effective action of these coherent states in the regime where they describe single AdS giant gravitons. We also discuss how to add open strings to this formulation. These will produce calculations that rely on correlators of matrix components of unitaries in the ensemble that is determined by the HCIZ integral to determine anomalous dimensions. We also discuss how sphere giants arise from Grassman integrals, how one gets a dominant saddle and how open strings are added in that case. The fact that there is a dominant saddle helps to understand how a 1/N expansion arises for open strings. We generalize the coherent state idea to study 1/4 and 1/8 BPS states as more general integrals over unitary groups.
A robust knockoff filter for sparse regression analysis of microbiome compositional data
Authors: Monti Gianna Serafina , Filzmoser Peter
Published: August 2022

Microbiome data analysis often relies on the identification of a subset of potential biomarkers associated with a clinical outcome of interest. Robust ZeroSum regression, an elastic-net penalized compositional regression built on the least trimmed squares estimator, is a variable selection procedure capable to cope with the high dimensionality of these data, their compositional nature, and, at the same time, it guarantees robustness against the presence of outliers. The necessity of discovering “true” effects and to improve clinical research quality and reproducibility has motivated us to propose a two-step robust compositional knockoff filter procedure, which allows selecting the set of relevant biomarkers, among the many measured features having a nonzero effect on the response, controlling the expected fraction of false positives. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposal in an extensive simulation study, and illustrate its usefulness in an application to intestinal microbiome analysis.