bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Oxidative Stress on Malarial Anaemia: Significance of Oxidative Stress Index in Patients with Malarial Infection
Authors: Hatim Syed Ghouse Ali , Phaneendra DS Jagannadha , Kumar V Sampath , Thallapapaneni Sasikala , Suchetha Yericherla BD
Published: April 2022

Introduction: An alteration of oxidant and antioxidant levels is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of malaria. Limited data is found on association between oxidant and antioxidant status and significance of oxidative stress index in patients with malarial infection and anaemia in south Indian population. Aim: To measure the levels of oxidants and antioxidants and oxidative stress index in patients with malaria and their association with anaemia. Materials and Methods: The present case-control study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, India. A total of 50 subjects of malaria aged 20-45 years were included as cases based on inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Control group comprised of 50 healthy age and gender matched subjects. Haemoglobin (Hb), serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) was estimated in both the groups by standard methods using Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer. Independent sample t-test was used to test for the difference in all biochemical parameters among study and control groups. The study of orrelation among the parameters was done by Pearson’s correlation. Results: Both the groups were age and gender matched (p=0.39). MDA was significantly elevated in cases as compared to controls (p<0.0001). SOD, Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP), Hb were significantly lower in cases as compared to controls with p-value <0.0001. In the present study, it was found that there was a significant negative correlation between Hb and oxidative stress index (MDA/FRAP=-0.480) with p-value=0.0001 in patients with malaria. Conclusion: The present study concluded that oxidative stress might be a cause of malarial anaemia. Alterations in oxidant and antioxidant levels might have a role in pathogenesis of malaria. As compared to individual markers, oxidative stress index was found to be significantly associated with malarial anaemia denoting its role as a better marker in these patients. Antimalarial therapy targeting the above factors might decrease the pathogenesis, morbidity and mortality in patients with malaria.
Detection of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern Gujarat, India
Authors: Patel Komal , Patel Purav , Bhumika Gaur , Shah Parul
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged from Wuhan, China in late 2019 and spread across the world in few months. This pandemic has affected people all over the world in terms of not only health but also psychologically, economically and socially. Early diagnosis by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test helped the health system to isolate the patient and prevent the spread of the disease in community. Aim: To know the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study and focused on early detection of asymptomatic COVID19 infection among Healthcare Workers (HCW) by RT-PCR test. Total of 356 samples were collected of all HCW working in Nootan Medical College and Research Centre Visnagar, Gujarat, India, in month of May 2021. Data were analysed on basis of job profile, working area and vaccination status. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of total 356 samples, six were positive showing prevalence of 1.68%. Out of these six positive workers two had exposure to COVID-19 positive patients at home in last 10 days. No significance was found in positivity rate in relation to job profile, working area in hospital and vaccination status. Conclusion: This study reveals low prevalence of asymptomatic infection among HCWs engaged in COVID-19 related duties. The HCWs are at highest risk of contracting infection, hence it is necessary to protect their safety and health as infection among them can spread to other co-workers and patients.
Levels of Serum Selenium and Zinc in Critically ill Type 2 Diabetics and Normal Healthy Individuals at Tertiary Care Hospital, Surat, India
Authors: Patel Sheetalkumari Paresh , Ramavataram Dvss , Chandrika N , Lad Hasitkumar Dalpatbhai
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), accounting for 85-90% of diabetic subjects globally, is reported to be also caused by imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors. This very fact necessitates exploring and evaluating the possibilities of role of various antioxidant trace elements like selenium and zinc, in further understanding the pathogenesis and appropriate applicable intervention required, if any for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. The levels of trace elements like selenium and zinc, representing antioxidant capacity, might be implicated in development of type II diabetes and vice versa. Aim: To evaluate the levels of serum selenium and zinc in critically ill type 2 diabetic patients and comparing them with healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted for a period of nine months from October 2016 to June 2017. Fifty critically ill type 2 diabetic patients and 150 apparently healthy age and gender matched controls were recruited into this study. Serum selenium and zinc levels were estimated in subjects of both the groups. Mean, standard deviation, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and student t-test were statistical tools used to interpret the results. Results: Fifty critically ill T2DM patients constituted the cases and 150 age and sex matched healthy adults were in the control group. Mean Random Blood Sugar (RBS) in controls was 113.14±25.52 mg/dL while in that in cases was 246.48±98 mg/dL and the difference was significant (p-value <0.01). This study showed significant difference (p<0.01) in the level of serum selenium and zinc levels in critically ill diabetic patients compared to healthy individuals across all age groups i.e., <40, 40 to 55 and >55 years. The mean level of selenium in cases and controls were 83.8±11.97 and 103.08±67.7 μg/dL (p-value <0.01) respectively. The mean level of zinc amongst cases and controls were 40.83±21.19 and 103.08±67.7 (p-value <0.01), respectively. Conclusion: Serum selenium and zinc levels were decreased in critically ill type 2 diabetic patients owing to the increased production of free radicals in them. Supplementation of selenium and zinc in these individuals could be beneficial and is therefore recommended.
Opportunistic Fungal Infections in Immunocompromised Patients of a Tertiary Care Centre, Amritsar, India
Authors: Kaur Pavneet , Kaur Simranpreet , Sood Arvinder Singh
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The incidence of opportunistic fungal infections has increased considerably in recent years. The clinical manifestations of these infections are non specific, and laboratory methods generally cannot diagnose infection at an initial phase.So,it is necessary to understand these infections for the treatment of immunocompromised patients adequately. Aim: To study the prevalence of common opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients in northern India. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational prevalence study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, Punjab, India, from March 2020 to August 2021, on 185 immunocompromised patients. Follow-up was done for a period of six month. Weekly blood samples were drawn and presence of any fungal colonisation was identified with methods such as growth in sabouraud dextrose agar and Indian ink staining. Statistical tests used were prevalence and positive prevalence rate to estimate the most common opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Results: Out of 185 patients, oropharyngeal candidasis was found to be most common (143, 77.3%) in which opportunistic fungal infections caused by Candida spp. were found in 67 (46.8%) patients representing the most common causing agents followed by Pneumocystis jiroveci (12.5%) and Cryptococcus meningitis (38.2%). Conclusion: Oropharyngeal candidiasis was found to be most common opportunistic fungal infection. This study would help to extend the awareness to clinicians to come up with the right diagnosis and earlier treatment of those infections with the right management of the patients especially in resource limited regions in India.
A Selective Review of Lipid Autoxidation and Rancidity, Antioxidants, and Dithiooxamide
Authors: Phan Seamus C. C.
Published: April 2022

Background: The authors had a research interest in antiaging, oxidation and antioxidants, and determined that lipids are some of the more common raw materials in foods, cosmetics, and in humans, and would be an area to explore autoxidation, whether in retarding spoilage, or to slow aging.

Objective: The authors selected a few lipids and tested them against common pro-oxidants, and documented the effects of common antioxidants as well as a proposed antioxidant candidate together with a short-term toxicity study.

Methods: The authors subjected the lipids to elevated temperatures, with a control, and various pro-oxidants, as well as some commercial antioxidants, and the antioxidant candidate. The authors subsequently tested the lipids for by-products of oxidation, and used mice for a short-term toxicity study.

Results: Lipids stored in iron, copper, and other heavy metals, or are contaminated with such metals, are prone to accelerated autoxidation. Aluminium seems to provide an induction period to lipids and does not accelerate autoxidation as other metals do. When compared to antioxidants such as vitamin E, BHA, BHT, and PG, the antioxidant candidate dithiooxamide appears to be a proficient antioxidant and free from short-term toxicity in a small sample study, which were far below the LDLo and LD50 conducted on rats and mice using dithiooxamide in other later published studies.

Conclusions: The authors determined that lipids should steer clear of iron, copper and other heavy metals, and suggest that the antioxidant candidate dithiooxamide in low quantities may be useful for external lipid applications.
A Review on the Development of Wiper System for Automotive Car Windscreen Cleaning Application
Authors: Kaur Harwinder , Nirmal Umar
Published: April 2022

The current review focuses on the development of the car wipers and washer’s design from the year 1939 till the year 2021. Based on the review, it is observed that the wipers and washers placed on an automotive vehicle went through major revolutionary designs to optimize the cleaning of windscreen. A review on the importance of a proper functional wiper and washer system was also done to understand the safety factor of having such a system for road passengers’ vehicles. In conclusion, it is known that road accidents are more likely to occur in foul weather especially in rainy and windy conditions as the wiper and washer systems may contribute to temporary blindness during its operation. In regard to this, this review proposes future research pathways to further enhance the car wiper and washer’s design as a whole through comprehensive research, trial and error.
Comparative Study of the Adsorption of Lead and Cadmium by Activated Carbon from Jatropha curcas and Moringa Husk
Authors: Ibrahim D. , Abubakar A. , Babakura M. A. , Musa M. H. , Mohammed Z. A. , Zakariyya A. , Mohammed S. , Esew O. , Danmalam A. A. , Sale I. Dawaki , Umar I. S. , Magaji A. S.
Published: April 2022

Moringa husks and Jatropha cacus were evaluated using decoloration of methylene blue for the removal of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from water sample. The results showed that Moringa has better properties: physicochemical properties: pH, moisture content (%), ash content (%), carbon content (%), volatile matter (%), surface area (m2/g), electrical conductivity (µs/cm), bulk and density (g/L), 6.4, 14, 4, 63.26, 10, 787, 867 and 400 respectively, decoloration of methylene blue at 10 to 90 minutes ranges from 11 to 87% , Pb and Cd adsorption capacity 55.7 and 86, % degradation 85 and 92 than the Jatropha cacus 50.2 and 55.2, 78 and 83 respectively. The Moringa husk was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and its adsorption properties were studied by Langmuir and Freundlich kinetic isotherms.
Antibacterial, Phytochemical and Preliminary Toxicity Profile Studies of N-hexane Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate and Methanol Extracts of Andira inermis Stem Bark (Leguminosea)
Authors: Isah A. A. , Halilu M. E. , Bature H. B. , Zauro S. A. , Sani J. , Nata’ala M. K. , Salisu A.
Published: April 2022

Phytochemical screening remains the most effective method for identifying and screening medically active components of plant. This research work studied the phytochemical screening, toxicity profile and antibacterial activity of the stem bark of Andira inermis using four different extracts by varying the polarity of the solvents; n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetateand methanol. The screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and carbohydrates in all extracts, tannins and saponins were not detected in chloroform and n-hexane extract, glycoside was also not detected in the chloroform extract. The toxicity profile in vivo studies using the Lorke’s method revealed no significance changes in the body weight of the albino rats, and the LD50 was higher than 5000mg/kg. However, there was a significant changes in behavior of the albino rats such as, fatigue, diarrhea, restlessness etc at 1600 mg/kg, 2900mg/kg and 5000mg/kg doses of the extracts respectively. Antimicrobial studies was evaluated with four (4) each of different bacteria and fungi. The results revealed ethylacetate and chloroform (moderately polar solvents) extracts to be more active against both bacteria and fungi but the methanol (highly polar) and hexane (highly non polar) extracts possessed less activities as compared with the other extracts at 15, 20, 30 and 40% concentrations.
Epidemiological and Clinical Presentation of Dengue Infection in the Gadap Region of Karachi. A Survey Based Study
Authors: Azhar Shazia , Nasir Syeda Shabana , Turab Syed Mohsin , Abbas Hina , Memon Shaima Sultana , Qadeer Nimra
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Dengue fever has emerged as a major arboviral disease with a significant impact oF the disease burden in tropical countries.

Aim: The goal of this study was to look at the clinical and laboratory profiles of dengue infection.

Methodology: During 2018 and 2019; a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of dengue fever in the Gadap region of Karachi, Pakistan.

Results: Positive cases were reported during the study period, which spanned the months of August to December following the monsoon season. Among the 200 positive patients, 160 had dengue fever (DF) and 40 had dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (male 160 and female 40). Fever was the most common symptom, followed by Arthralgia/Myalgia, Headache, and Vomiting. Patients with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever had a higher rate of haemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were discovered to be common laboratory findings in patients with Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Conclusion: Clinical and laboratory characteristics of dengue cases studied could be used to identify patients at risk of severe dengue fever early on.
Spatially Selective Monitoring of Subcellular Enzyme Dynamics in Response to Mitochondria‐Targeted Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Yu Fangzhi , Shao Yulei , Chai Xin , Zhao Yuliang , Li Lele
Published: April 2022

Tracking spatial and temporal dynamics of bioactive molecules such as enzymes responding to therapeutic treatment is highly important for understanding of the related functions. However, in situ molecular imaging at subcellular level during photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been hampered by the limitations of existing methods. Herein, we present a multifunctional nanoplatform (termed as UR‐HAPT) that is able to simultaneously monitor subcellular dynamics of human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) during the near‐infrared (NIR) light‐mediated PDT. UR‐HAPT was constructed by the combination of an upconversion nanoparticle‐based PDT design and a mitochondria‐targeting strategy with an APE1‐responsive DNA reporter. Benefiting from the gain‐of‐function approach, activatable mitochondrial accumulation of APE1 in response to the oxidative stress was observed during the NIR light‐triggered, mitochondria‐targeted PDT process. We envision that this nanoplatform can be applicable to screen and evaluate potential enzyme inhibitors to improve the PDT efficacy.
Avoiding Structural Collapse to Reduce Lead Leakage in Perovskite Photovoltaics
Authors: Wei Xueyuan , Xiao Mengqi , Wang Boyu , Wang Chenyue , Li Yuekang , Dou Jing , Cui Zhenhua , Dou Jie , Wang Hailiang , Ma Sai , Zhu Cheng , Yuan Guizhou , Yang Ning , Song Tinglu , Zhou Huanping , Chen Haining , Bai Yang , Chen Qi
Published: April 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a promising candidate for the next‐generation photovoltaic technologies. As an essential element for high‐efficiency PSCs however, the heavy metal Pb is soluble in water, causing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Due to the weak ionic bonding in three‐dimensional (3D) perovskites, drastic structure decomposition occurs when immersing the perovskite film in water, which accelerates the Pb leakage. By introducing the chemically stable Dion‐Jacobson (DJ) 2D perovskite at the 3D perovskite surface, the film dissolution is significantly slowed down, which retards lead leakage. As a result, the Pb contamination is dramatically reduced under various extreme conditions. In addition, the PSCs device deliver a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.6 % and retain over 95 % of their initial PCE after the maximum power point tracking for over 1100 h.
Design of Stimuli‐Responsive Phenothiazine Derivatives with Triplet‐Related Dual Emission and High‐Contrast Mechanochromism Guided by Polymorph Prediction
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Zhu Mengna , Lu Yunxiang , Zhang Xinghong , Xiao Shuzhang , Lan Haichuang , Yi Tao
Published: April 2022

The development of high‐contrast stimulus‐responsive materials with excited triplet emission is of great significance for anti‐counterfeiting, sensor and memory applications, but remains a challenge. Here, we report a strategy for the rational design of stimulus‐responsive phenothiazine derivatives with triplet‐related dual emissions and high‐contrast mechanochromism guided by Polymorph Prediction. The designed phenothiazine derivatives have the characters of simple structures, a facile synthetic procedure, and a good crystalline nature. We found that the crystals of those derivatives with the potential to form both quasi‐axial (ax) and quasi‐equatorial (eq) conformations could undergo conformation transition and show significant emission difference (Δλem>100 nm) under mechanical force. Meanwhile, all these phenothiazine derivatives exhibit aggregation‐induced emission and emit room‐temperature phosphorescence or thermally activated delayed fluorescence. The significant luminescent change of these materials under different stimuli gives them promise for applications in encryption and anti‐counterfeiting.
Relativistic Spin–Orbit Electronegativity and the Chemical Bond Between a Heavy Atom and a Light Atom
Authors: Cuyacot Ben Joseph R. , Novotný Jan , Berger Raphael J. F. , Komorovsky Stanislav , Marek Radek
Published: April 2022

Radek Marek and his co‐workers at Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia have been invited to prepare the cover of this issue. The image depicts the relativistic spin–orbit coupling that is associated with the presence of a heavy atom in a molecule influencing the electron density around a light atom and modulating the chemical bond between these two atoms. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202200277.
Prediction of geoid undulations: Random forest versus classic interpolation techniques
Authors: Akar Alper , Konakoğlu Berkant , Akar Özlem
Published: April 2022

Local geoid determination studies are commonly carried out today to establish the relationship between the ellipsoidal height determined by satellite geodesy methods and the orthometric height found using geoid undulation . The aim of this study was to determine a local geoid using the kriging, local polynomial (LP), and inverse distance to a power (IDP) interpolation methods along with the random forest (RF) regression method and to compare the performance. For the application, 193 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/leveling points homogeneously distributed over the study area were selected as reference data, and 70 GNSS/leveling points were selected as test data. The results were compared in terms of accuracy using well‐known performance metrics, namely, the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2) values. According to the results, the highest R2 and the lowest RMSE and MAE values were obtained with the RF regression method. These findings demonstrated the superiority of the RF regression over the classic interpolation methods applied in the local geoid determination for the study area.
A bartering double auction resource allocation model in cloud environments
Authors: Ghasemian Koochaksaraei Mohammad Hossein , Toroghi Haghighat Abolfazl , Rezvani Mohammad Hossein
Published: April 2022

Resource provisioning and allocation are two essential operations of cloud service providers (CSPs). Due to limited resources, it may sometimes not be cost‐effective for CSPs to obtain them from the market. On the other hand, releasing some less profitable resources may violate the service level agreement (SLA). This article presents an auction‐inspired model for providing/demanding resources without exchanging money among CSPs. The core idea is that CSPs do not need to pay monetary values. Instead, they exchange free resources through an auction mechanism and are encouraged to cooperate. This model, which we call bartering double auction resource allocation, helps CSPs receive the resources they need in the form of virtual machine instances with different types of functionalities. Under this mechanism, if one party violates the SLA, the other takes back its resources to avoid possible loss. The experimental results using the CloudSim simulator and the statistical analyses show that the proposed mechanism can increase CSPs' social welfare and profitability while significantly reducing SLA violations. Also, the proposed model provides four essential economic properties, that is, individual rationality, incentive compatibility, budget balancing, and economic efficiency.
Ultrasound Assisted Formation of the Stable Form of Glycine and Its Mechanism
Authors: Jiang Yujie , Song Yujie , Su Min
Published: April 2022

Ultrasound is a useful method to obtain the stable form for polymorph systems. The stable crystal form of glycine as a model compound in cooling crystallization using ultrasound is studied. The form of the crystal products is characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction. The influences of ultrasound process parameters, including the ultrasound treating timing, treating mode, power density and duration, on the γ‐glycine in cooling crystallization are conducted. The nucleation moment when a “critical size of cluster” is formed is the most effective moment for the ultrasound treatment, and at the same time produces more stable form. Pulse treating mode can effectively solve the ultrasound thermal effect problem. The total energy input and duration has a peak value in promoting the form transformation in practice. The mechanism of the ultrasound in promoting the stable form formation is also discussed.
Host plants and pollination regions for the long‐distance migratory noctuid moth, Hadula trifolii Hufnagel in China
Authors: He Limei , Liu Yongqiang , Guo Jianglong , Chang Hong , Wu Kongming
Published: April 2022

Nocturnal moths are important pollinators of plants. The clover cutworm, Hadula trifolii, is a long‐distance migratory nocturnal moth. Although the larvae of H. trifolii are polyphagous pests of many cultivated crops in Asia and Europe, the plant species pollinated by the adult are unclear. Pollen species that were attached to individual migrating moths of H. trifolii were identified based on pollen morphology and DNA to determine their host plants, geographic origin, and pollination areas. The moths were collected on their seasonal migration pathway at a small island, namely Beihuang, in the center of the Bohai Sea of China during 2014 to 2018. Pollen was detected on 28.60% of the female moths and 29.02% of the male, mainly on the proboscis, rarely on compound eyes and antennae. At least 92 species of pollen from 42 plant families, mainly from Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, and Pinaceae, distributed throughout China were found on the test moths. Migratory H. trifolii moths visited herbaceous plants more than woody plants. Pollen of Macadamina integrifolia or M. tetraphylla was found on moths early in the migratory season. These two species are distributed in Guangdong, Yunnan, and Taiwan provinces in China, indicating that migratory moths probably traveled about 2000 km from southern China to the Beihuang Island in northern China. Here, by identifying plant species using pollen, we gained a better understanding of the interactions between H. trifolii moths and a wide range of host plants in China. This work provides valuable and unique information on the geographical origin and pollination regions for H. trifolii moths.
The potential impacts of invasions on native symbionts
Authors: Creed Robert P. , Brown Bryan L. , Skelton James
Published: April 2022

Symbionts, including parasites, pathogens, and mutualists, can play important roles in determining whether or not invasions by host species will be successful. Loss of enemies from the native habitat, such as parasites and pathogens, can allow for higher invader fitness in the invaded habitat. The presence of mutualists (e.g., pollinators, seed dispersers, mycorrhizae, and rhizobial bacteria) in the invaded habitat can facilitate invasion success. Although there has been a great deal of research focusing on how invading hosts may benefit from enemy losses or mutualist gains, far less attention has focused on how native symbiont populations and communities respond to invasion by non‐indigenous hosts and symbionts. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework examining how symbionts such as parasites, pathogens, commensals, and mutualists can influence invader success and whether these native symbionts will benefit or decline during invasion. The first major factor in this framework is the competence of the invading host relative to the native hosts. Low‐ or non‐competent hosts that support few if any native symbionts could cause declines in native symbiont taxa. Competent invading hosts could potentially support native parasites, pathogens, commensals, and mutualists, especially if there is a closely related or similar host in the invaded range. These symbionts could inhibit or facilitate invasion or have no discernible effect on the invading host. An understanding of how native symbionts interact with competent versus non‐competent invading hosts as well as various invading symbionts is critical to our understanding of invasion success, its consequences for invaded communities and how native symbionts in these communities will fare in the face of invasion.
Disturbance‐mediated invasions are dependent on community resource abundance
Authors: Lear Luke , Padfield Daniel , Inamine Hidetoshi , Shea Katriona , Buckling Angus
Published: April 2022

Disturbances can facilitate biological invasions, with the associated increase in resource availability being a proposed cause. Here, we experimentally tested the interactive effects of disturbance regime (different frequencies of biomass removal at equal intensities) and resource abundance on invasion success using a factorial design containing five disturbance frequencies and three resource levels. We invaded populations of the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens with two ecologically different invader morphotypes: a fast‐growing “colonizer” type and a slower growing “competitor” type. As resident populations were altered by the treatments, we additionally tested their effect on invader success. Disturbance frequency and resource abundance interacted to affect the success of both invaders, but this interaction differed between the invader types. The success of the colonizer type was positively affected by disturbance under high resources but negatively under low. However, disturbance negatively affected the success of the competitor type under high resource abundance but not under low or medium. Resident population changes did not alter invader success beyond direct treatment effects. We therefore demonstrate that the same disturbance regime can either be beneficial or detrimental for an invader depending on both community resource abundance and its life history. These results may help to explain some of the inconsistencies found in the disturbance‐invasion literature.
Iron(III)‐Mediated Nucleophilic Halogenation of Phenols Using an Amido Directing Group
Authors: Yuan Ye , Guo Dou , Liu Yibo , Wan Congcong , Lu Dongbiao , Yang Hongxiang , Lu Yufan , Meng Wei , Wang Hongling , Zhang Xiang
Published: April 2022

A regioselective and nucleophilic halogenation of electron‐rich amidophenols was realized in the presence of Fe(III) reagents and amido‐directing groups. Halides could be sequentially introduced to specific positions to form mono‐, di‐ and mixed di‐ halogenated amidophenols. Furthermore, this protocol provides new methods for the syntheses of IKK2 inhibitor (IMD‐0354), muscle relaxant (Chlorzoxazone) and related derivatives.
Correlation analysis of mechanical and state characteristics of diesel engine exhaust particles
Authors: Liu Shuai , Zhang Libin , Wang Zhong
Published: April 2022

Aiming at the influence of diesel engine exhaust particle mechanical characteristics on the state characteristics, studies were carried out using atomic force microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and x‐ray small‐angle scattering. The variation rules of cluster‐particle interaction force and state characteristic parameters such as particle morphology and spatial structure were discussed. According to the principle of normalization, the relationship between the mechanical and state characteristics of the particles is analyzed. The results show that as the particle size increases in the exhaust process, the attractive force Fat, adhesion Fad, and adhesion energy Wad increase between the particles, Fat from 1.27 to 1.58 nN, Fad from 3.75 to 4.38 nN, Wad from 2.17 × 10−16 to 2.44 × 10−16 J. The particles are gradually agglomerated, and the cluster size is increased, indicating a certain relationship between the mechanical characteristics of the particles and the morphology. Along the exhaust direction, the particle equivalent diameter increases, and the mechanical characteristics are enhanced, while the organic matter and moisture in the exhaust are continuously adsorbed, aggravating the aggregation and shrinkage between the particles. The scattering characteristic parameters qminand qTdecrease, qminfrom 0.34 to 0.28 and qTfrom 0.72 to 0.63, the pore structure parameters decrease, the pore number concentration decreases, the peak pore size changes from 7–9 nm to 5–6 nm, the agglomerate particle structure defects decrease and the density is increased, indicating that there is a certain relationship between the mechanical characteristics of the particles and the spatial structure.
The role of interoception in the overlap between eating disorders and autism: Methodological considerations
Authors: Adams Kiera Louise , Murphy Jennifer , Catmur Caroline , Bird Geoffrey
Published: April 2022

Significant comorbidity has been demonstrated between feeding and eating disorders and autism. Atypical interoception (perception of bodily signals) may, at least in part, be responsible for this association, as it has been implicated in the aetiology of both conditions. However, significant methodological limitations are impeding progress in this area. This paper provides a brief overview of how interoception has been linked to autism and feeding and eating disorders in both adolescent and adult populations before identifying several issues with current measures of interoception. We suggest that methodological issues may be contributing to the inconsistency in the empirical literature, and provide suggestions for future research.
Simultaneous minimization of side‐band power and PAPR in OFDM based cognitive radio without additional bandwidth requirement for sending SI
Authors: Namitha A. S.
Published: April 2022

Cognitive radio (CR) incorporating orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is an intelligent spectrum sharing technique that acquires high data rate in frequency selective fading environment. OFDM has been successfully used for 4G and specific version of OFDM is being considered as the multiple access technology for 5G as well. However OFDM signal is more likely to have high peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). Similarly, the sideband power of secondary or temporary users (SU) in CR can lead to interference to the licensed or primary users of the neighboring bands. In this work, an improved technique for the joint minimization of sideband power and PAPR using Zadoff‐Chu (ZC) sequence is proposed for CR based on OFDM technology. Furthermore, we propose a detection algorithm based on a binary hypothesis testing problem to recover the chosen ZC sequence at the receiver side eliminating the requirement of side information (SI) transmission. Simulation studies of the proposed method exhibits the efficiency of the concurrent reduction of PAPR and sideband power along with a huge bandwidth saving by the omission of the SI transmission.
Landmark‐guided region‐based spatial normalization for functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: He Hengda , Razlighi Qolamreza R.
Published: April 2022

As the size of the neuroimaging cohorts being increased to address key questions in the field of cognitive neuroscience, cognitive aging, and neurodegenerative diseases, the accuracy of the spatial normalization as an essential preprocessing step becomes extremely important. Existing spatial normalization methods have poor accuracy particularly when dealing with the highly convoluted human cerebral cortex and when brain morphology is severely altered (e.g., aging populations). To address this shortcoming, we propose a novel spatial normalization technique that takes advantage of the existing surface‐based human brain parcellation to automatically identify and match regional landmarks. To simplify the nonlinear whole brain registration, the identified landmarks of each region and its counterpart are registered independently with topology‐preserving deformation. Next, the regional warping fields are combined by an inverse distance weighted interpolation technique to have a global warping field for the whole brain. To ensure that the final warping field is topology‐preserving, we used simultaneously forward and reverse maps with certain symmetric constraints to yield bijectivity. We have evaluated our proposed solution using both simulated and real (structural and functional) human brain images. Our evaluation shows that our solution can enhance structural correspondence compared to the existing methods. Such improvement also increases the sensitivity and specificity of the functional imaging studies, reducing the required number of subjects and subsequent study costs. We conclude that our proposed solution can effectively substitute existing substandard spatial normalization methods to deal with the demand of large cohorts which is now common in clinical and aging studies.
Altered myelination in youth born with congenital heart disease
Authors: Easson Kaitlyn , Gilbert Guillaume , Rohlicek Charles V. , Saint‐Martin Christine , Descoteaux Maxime , Deoni Sean C. L. , Brossard‐Racine Marie
Published: April 2022

Brain injury and dysmaturation is common in fetuses and neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) and is hypothesized to result in persistent myelination deficits. This study aimed to quantify and compare myelin content in vivo between youth born with CHD and healthy controls. Youth aged 16 to 24 years born with CHD and healthy age‐ and sex‐matched controls underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging including multicomponent driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 and T2 (mcDESPOT). Average myelin water fraction (MWF) values for 33 white matter tracts, as well as a summary measure of average white matter MWF, the White Matter Myelination Index, were calculated and compared between groups. Tract‐average MWF was lower throughout the corpus callosum and in many bilateral association tracts and left hemispheric projection tracts in youth with CHD (N = 44) as compared to controls (N = 45). The White Matter Myelination Index was also lower in the CHD group. As such, this study provides specific evidence of widespread myelination deficits in youth with CHD, likely representing a long‐lasting consequence of early‐life brain dysmaturation in this population. This deficient myelination may underlie the frequent neurodevelopmental impairments experienced by CHD survivors and could eventually serve as a biomarker of neuropsychological function.
Digital Engineering Measures: Research and Guidance
Authors: McDermott Tom , Henderson Kaitlin , Salado Alejandro , Bradley Joseph
Published: April 2022

Digital Engineering and Model‐Based Engineering continue to grow in adoption across the systems engineering community. However, programs and enterprises still struggle to quantify the value of this digital transformation. Research conducted by the Systems Engineering Research Center in collaboration with a government/industry Digital Engineering Measures Working Group is creating the first formal measurement framework for this transformation. This article describes the research, formation of a causal measurement model, and initial specification of candidate measures.
Smartness in engineering: Beliefs of undergraduate engineering students
Authors: Dringenberg Emily , Kramer Amy , Betz Amy R.
Published: April 2022

Background

Modern engineering culture is rooted in assumptions of intellectual superiority. Scholars have demonstrated that smartness functions as an oppressive cultural practice in educational settings. However, the shared ways in which undergraduate engineering students understand what it means to be smart remain largely implicit and unexamined.

Purpose/Hypothesis

We investigated the beliefs held by students about what it means to be smart and the role of smartness in their undergraduate education.

Design/Method

We conducted one‐on‐one, semi‐structured interviews with 20 students at a predominately White institution. Our team utilized open, descriptive coding to iteratively condense our data into categories, codes, and subcodes, followed by analysis to identify and characterize the participants' commonly held beliefs.

Results

Students believed that being smart is working efficiently or maximizing outcomes while minimizing effort. Determining smartness as efficiency included social comparison and assumptions about effort, which introduced ambiguity into students' judgments of smartness. The resulting social hierarchy (relative positioning as smart) was commonly believed to enable or restrict access to necessary resources.

Conclusions

Students' belief that smartness is an individual capacity to work more efficiently than others obfuscates the reality of smartness as a cultural practice that is baked into our systems and perpetuates inequity. Without action to reveal and disrupt smartness as a structural and oppressive practice, the status quo of inequitable participation in engineering will persist.
The Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework Financial and Nutrient Reduction Tool: A planning tool for cost effective conservation
Authors: Bravard Emma E. , Zimmerman Emily , Tyndall John C. , James David
Published: April 2022

We have developed an add‐on tool for use with the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) that features a multistate financial analysis and field‐scale nitrogen (N) reduction tool for use when analyzing different ACPF conservation scenarios. Financial and expected field‐scale N loss data are used to calculate total long‐term cost and cost effectiveness of various conservation plans. Unique to the ACPF Financial and Nutrient Reduction Tool is the ability to identify individual treatment areas for each practice evaluated, allowing users to create combinatorial conservation planning scenarios drawing from multiple ACPF‐identified conservation practices. Financial data account for direct long‐term annualized costs for best management practice (BMP) installation and management in Iowa and Minnesota. Opportunity costs of BMPs that retire cropland are spatially determined according to weighted‐average crop productivity indices and land rent relationships. The tool quantifies the N requirements for each field, based on 6‐yr land‐use data, and evaluates the proportion of N likely to be lost from the field as nitrate load via leaching. Financial analyses that can be accomplished by using the ACPF are illustrated in case study watershed scenarios in Iowa and Minnesota. In Iowa, featured scenarios range from 26 to 31% reduction in total nitrate, for a total cost between US$0.580 million and $2.3 million per year, respectively. In Minnesota, example scenarios range from 28 to 51% total nitrate reduction, for total costs of $1.7 million to $2.1 million per year. Tradeoffs in BMP selection related to N reduction outcome and cost are also demonstrated.
Extended criteria donors for robotic right hepatectomy: A propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Varghese Christi Titus , Chandran Biju , Gopalakrishnan Unnikrishnan , Nair Krishnanunni , Mallick Shweta , Mathew Johns Shaji , Sivasankara Pillai Thankamony Amma Binoj , Balakrishnan Dinesh , Othiyil Vayoth Sudheer , Sudhindran Surendran
Published: April 2022

Background

Robotic right donor hepatectomy (RDH) has been reported from experienced centers with reduced morbidity when compared to open RDH. However, outcomes in donors with large grafts/complex biliovascular anatomy are unknown.

Methods

Out of 170 robotic RDH, 100 had one or more of the following: graft weight ≥800 g, type 2/3 portal vein, >1 bile duct or hepatic artery and inferior hepatic veins >5 mm requiring reconstruction (extended criteria donors [ExRDH]), while the remaining 70 had standard anatomy (SRDH). After propensity score matching, 66 ExRDH were compared with 66 SRDH. Additionally, all robotic RDH performed were analyzed in three temporal phases (60, 60, and 50).

Results

Peak AST and ALT were higher amongst donors and recipients in the ExRDH arm compared to SRDH. Other intraoperative parameters and postoperative complications were similar between the two groups. During the last phase, donors demonstrated reduction in duration of surgery, postoperative complications, and hospital stay while recipients showed decreased blood loss and hospital stay.

Conclusion

Robotic right hepatectomy performed in donors with extended criteria have similar perioperative outcomes as standard donors. However, a significant learning curve needs to be traversed. Further studies are required before safely recommending robotic RDH for all donors.
Micro‐CT guided illustration of the head anatomy of penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes: Spheniscidae)
Authors: Hadden Peter W. , Ober William C. , Gerneke Dane A. , Thomas Daniel , Scadeng Miriam , McGhee Charles N. J. , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2022

The illustration is an important tool to aid in the description and understanding of anatomy, and penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes: Spheniscidae) are an important clade in environmental monitoring, paleontology, and other research fields. Traditionally, anatomic illustration has been informed by dissection. More recently, micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) has proven to be a powerful tool for three‐dimensional anatomic imaging, although larger specimens are more challenging to image due to increased X‐ray attenuation. Here, we used traditional dissection and micro‐CT to illustrate the skulls of Aptenodytes patagonicus, Eudyptula minor, and Pygoscelis papua, and the extracranial soft tissue of E. minor. Micro‐CT prevented the loss of orientation, disarticulation, and distortion of bones that might result from cleaning and drying skulls, while immobilization was achieved by freezing the specimens before imaging. All bony elements in the head were accurately depicted. Fixing, dehydrating, and diffusion staining with iodine (diceCT) enabled the identification of muscles and other large nonmineralized structures, but specimen preparation precluded the ability to show smaller nerves and vessels. The results presented here provide a guide for anatomic studies of penguins and our summary of sample preparation and imaging techniques are applicable for studies of other similarly sized biological specimens.
Assessing nonsexual transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV): Do our current cleaning methods work?
Authors: Tucker Jacqueline , Milici Janice , Alam Samina , Ferster Ashley P. O'Connell , Goldenberg David , Meyers Craig , Goyal Neerav
Published: April 2022

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is thought to be sexually transmitted; however, there have been a few studies investigating a possible iatrogenic source of infection. Therefore, it is important to assess the cleaning methods of reusable medical devices. This study assessed whether cleaning methods of flexible endoscopes in an otolaryngology clinic are effective against HPV. There were 24 patients with a history of head and neck cancer in the study; however, two outliers were excluded. Nine patients were confirmed to have HPV‐associated cancer. PCR was used to measure and quantify the viral genomes of samples collected before and after cleaning. After cleaning, few HPV+ samples had endoscopes with less DNA than before cleaning. Additionally, for several patients with non‐HPV‐associated head and neck cancer, PCR showed more DNA after cleaning than before cleaning, suggesting residual HPV DNA within the cleaning solution. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between pre‐ and post‐cleaning in both cohorts. Current cleaning methods of reusable endoscopes may not be effective in completely removing viral DNA.