bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ag/CoFe2O4 as a Fenton‐Like Catalyst for the Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Feng Xueting , Ma Lili , Cai Fanghui , Sun Chunyu , Ding Hanming
Published: June 2022

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of noble metal nanoparticles has been widely exploited in surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, optical biosensing, and photocatalysis. In this work, silver nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) to prepare a composite Fenton‐like catalyst. Such catalyst was utilized to degrade methylene blue under visible light through activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The effects of the loading and particle size of silver nanoparticles, the dosage of the catalyst, PMS concentration, and other variables on the catalytic efficiency were explored. The catalytic efficiency of the composite catalyst is 3.8 times higher than that of CoFe2O4 under optimal conditions. The enhanced catalytic activity can be ascribed to the SPR effect of silver nanoparticles, which can expand the absorption range in the visible region, promote the separation of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs, and accelerate the conversion rate of M(III)/M(II) in CoFe2O4 (M=Co, Fe).
Synergistic Catalysis by Copper Oxide/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: A Facile Approach to Prepare Quinazolines and Quinazoline Containing Triazole/Tetrazole Moieties under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Sarkar Rajib , Gajurel Sushmita , Gupta Ajay , Kumar Pal Amarta
Published: June 2022

A one‐pot three‐component strategy for the synthesis of quinazoline derivatives under catalyst‐free and using CuO/GO nanocomposite has been developed. The catalytic approach proceeded under mild reaction conditions and offered improved yields of the target products within shorter reaction time. The excellent catalytic performance of CuO/GO can be ascribed to the synergistic interaction of the combined graphene oxide (GO) and nano‐sized CuO nanoparticles. A wide variety of substrates, including aromatic, heteroaromatic, and bulky aldehydes were explored to obtain highly functionalized quinazoline products in good to high yields. Furthermore, this atom‐efficient catalytic pathway has also been extended for the synthesis of quinazoline containing triazole and tetrazole rings. Additionally, the nanocatalyst could be easily recycled and reused five times without much appreciable loss in its activity.
Production of Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuels from waste Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) through Pyrolysis
Authors: Sharma Gulshan , Upadhyay Era
Published: June 2022

A novel coronavirus disease (Covid‐19) epidemic identified in a capital of Hubei territory of China in the month of December 2019. Covid‐19 was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐COV‐2) and WHO announced it as pandemic. Health professionals were found at more risk due to frontline patronage during the pandemic. The only way to protect the health of frontliners is to appropriate utilization of PPEs. In this situation, there is always a concern about the shortage of PPEs; on the other hand, environmental consequence is the major issue because of its disposal. Plastic waste pyrolysis may play a major role to modify this waste. Pyrolysis is known as a tertiary recovery process which gives three recyclable end products: an oil, gas, and char. Generally, PPE waste has predominant hydrocarbon polymers which can be utilized as a fuel or feedstock by the synthetic enterprises. In this study, we have used pyrolysis method to transform 50gm PPE waste into hydrocarbons, which can be utilized either as powers or as feedstock in the petrochemical business. The maximum yield of fluid (35 %) was acquired at the reaction performed at 100 °C along with the cooling water at 17.59 °C. Maximum wax (11.02 %) was produced at <500 °C while gas was formed at >500 °C. The findings of this study indicate that non‐biodegradable plastic waste may be transformed into useful products which may further be utilized in demanding segments. We have also tried to explore various potential applications of another product of this study i. e., oil.
Synthesis, Optical Properties, Preliminary Antimycobacterial Evaluation and Docking Studies of Trifluoroacetylated 3‐Pyrrolyl Boron‐Dipyrromethene
Authors: Horetski Matvey , Gorlova Anna , Płocińska Renata , Brzostek Anna , Faletrov Yaroslav , Dziadek Jarosław , Shkumatov Vladimir
Published: June 2022

The article provides the route to trifluoroacetylated fluorescent boron dipyrromethene dye (2). The compound performs intensive absorption and emission bands in near‐red wavelength region. Photophysical properties of 2 are investigated in different solvents. A notable increase of fluorescence quantum yield after trifluoroacetyl group insertion connected with a change in intramolecular interactions parameters. The role of molecular geometry aspects in observed photophysical properties and molecular fragments rotation energy barriers are explained by quantum‐mechanical calculations. 2 performs considerable antimycobacterial activity. According to molecular docking simulations, 2 is capable of affinity binding in the active sites of mycobacterial MycP1 and MycP3 serine proteases. The geometries of final ligand‐protein complexes show the possibility of protein active site covalent modification at the serine residue of the catalytic triad. At lower concentrations, 2 can act as a fluorescent dye for microscopy analysis and corresponding staining patterns are shown for Mycobacterium smegmatis and Staphylococcus aureus cells.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of 5‐MemberedN‐Heterocycles via Rhodium Catalysed Cascade Reactions
Authors: Mishra Deepak R. , Panda Bhabani S. , Nayak Sabita , Panda Jasmine , Mohapatra Seetaram
Published: June 2022

Five memberedN‐heterocycles are significant targets in organic synthesis because of their ubiquitous existence in bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals. Over the past decade a compelling attractiveness has grown to develop rhodium complex catalysed efficient and atom‐economic chemistry to access structurally diverseN‐heterocyclic frameworks. This present review enlightens notable progresses and advances in synthesis of 5‐memberedN‐heterocycles via rhodium catalysed cascade reactions (annulations, C−H/C−C activation, cycloaddition, rearrangement, cyclization, metathesis) from 2018–2021.
Modification of Poly(Styrene‐co‐Acrylonitrile) with Tetrazine by Inverse Electron Demand Diels‐Alder Reaction
Authors: Meyvacı Ergül , Öztürk Temel
Published: June 2022

Poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) [P(SAN)] copolymer was obtained by using styrene and acrylonitrile monomers via free‐radical polymerization. The tetrazine groups were formed in the P(SAN) copolymer backbone by using 2‐fluorobenzyl cyanide, hydrazine hydrate, zinc iodide as the catalyst, and sodium nitrile. The tetrazine groups in the copolymer backbone were modified using trans‐cyclooctenol by the Inverse Electron Demand Diels‐Alder reaction. The spectroscopic properties of the obtained products were determined by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance and their thermal properties were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The average molecular weights of the synthesized polymers were defined by using gel permeation chromatography method.
Rapid Reduction and Recovery of Au(III) in Water by Hollow Polym‐phenylenediamine Nanospheres
Authors: Feng Zhongmin , Yang Leilei , Zhu Chuanyu , Meng Yupu , Wang Zhuqing
Published: June 2022

To quickly and efficiently recover precious metal gold from electronic waste products, we synthesized a novel hollow polym‐phenylenediamine (PmPD) nanosphere using the sacrificial template method and applied this materials to reduce and recover Au(III) in an aqueous solution. Experimental results show that the as‐prepared hollow PmPD has high selectivity and treatment capacity for Au(III), and can selectively reduce Au(III) from mixture metals solutions, including Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, and Au(III) mixed solutions. Under room temperature and solution pH 4.0, the maximum treatment capacity of hollow PmPD for Au(III) reaches 1185.18 mg/g in 10 min of equilibrium time. The reduction ability of hollow PmPD remains stable in a pH range of 1.0 to 10.0 and under an ambient temperature ranging from 0 °C to 50 °C. Hollow PmPD can be regenerated via simple NaHSO3 solution washing, and its performance remains stable after repeated recycling. The satisfactory results obtained in treating the computer CPU leaching solution suggest that the hollow PmPD has broad application prospects in recovering gold from e‐waste.
Environmentally Benign Approaches towards the Synthesis of Quinolines
Authors: Kumar Asim , Dhameliya Tejas M. , Sharma Kirti , Patel Krupa A. , Hirani Rajvi V.
Published: June 2022

Greener and sustainable synthetic strategies have been evolving as the demanding domain of organic transformations during the last decade. The division of an environmentally benign methodology to construct bioactive heterocyclic scaffolds has always been a perpetual subject of interests for medicinal and synthetic chemists. Thus, the newer and novel synthetic methodologies of quinoline have drawn the attention of synthetic organic or medicinal chemists as evident from the growing numbers of publications. The current review focuses on some of the notable synthetic methodologies carried out in the last decade with the inherent objective to attain sustainability towards the synthesis. The key aspects of the review would include to highlight sustainable and environmentally benign approaches like the solvent‐free reactions, use of alternate reaction media (e. g., water, fluorous alcohols, polyethylene glycols, and ionic liquids), and alternate modes of synthesis such as microwave‐assisted synthesis and flow reactions, nano‐catalysts, etc.
On the Protonation and Deuteration of Simple Phenols**
Authors: Hartmann Horst , Yu Xiuling
Published: June 2022

In analogy with the reaction of phenols with very strong super acids, these compounds can be protonated by the weaker super acid trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoromethanesulphonic acid (TFS) also giving rise to the formation of OH and/or ring protonated products, which can be identified unambiguously by means of 1HNMR spectroscopy. The same reactions are possible with the deuterated acids TFA‐d and TFS‐d. However, from these reactions, additional information on the proton and deuterium attack at different positions in the phenolic compounds is possible not detectable by the hitherto used non‐deuterated acids. Moreover, the reaction of phenols with these deuterated acids allows the preparation of partially or fully deuterated phenols that are also important as markers in biological application and material chemistry.
5‐Fluorouracil‐Loaded Sodium Alginate/Konjac Glucomannan Interacted with Attapulgite as a Potential Drug Delivery System
Authors: Yang Zhe , Fang Jahui , Tian Dating , Hu Sheng
Published: June 2022

5‐FU loaded sodium alginate / konjac glucomannan (SA/KGM) and sodium alginate / konjac glucomannan / attapulgite (SA/KGM/ATP) microbeads were fabricated by an injection method. FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA, DSC, and EDS were used to characterize these fabricated microbeads. Besides, encapsulation efficiency, swelling and in vitro drug release studies were also carried out. The results show that the addition of ATP can make the encapsulation efficiency of the model drug reach 76.58±0.91 %, and significantly reduce the burst release of 5‐FU within 300 minutes. Moreover, four common kinetic models were used to assessed the in vitro release kinetics and the results supported Ritger‐Peppas models, also indicating the mechanism of drug transport was controlled by Fickian diffusion. The results suggest that the prepared SA/KGM/ATP microbeads could potentially to be used in drug delivery system.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Glycine‐L‐Histidine‐Based Chiral Ionic Liquid and Enantioselectivity Evaluation by Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Kimaru Irene W. , Maltese Leanne
Published: June 2022

A chiral ionic liquid (CIL) derived from the dipeptide glycine‐L‐histidine (Gly‐L‐His) cation and bis(trifluoroethyl)sulfonyl imide (NTF2) anion was prepared. The CIL was synthesized via ion‐exchange and evaluated for purity, melting points, thermal stability, and chiral recognition ability. The thermal decomposition temperature of [Gly‐L‐His][NTF2] CIL was 356 °C. The melting point of the CIL was ∼100 °C. The CIL was found to have a fluorescence emission peak with a λmax at 440 nm upon excitation at 364 nm. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies showed that the CIL exhibited chiral recognition ability for enantiomers of naproxen, propranolol, and 2,2,2‐trifluoroanthryl ethanol. The glycine‐L‐histidine bis(trifluoroethyl) sulfonyl imide IL effectively served as a solvent and chiral selector. The high thermal stability of this CIL indicates potential to be used as a solvent and chiral selector in high temperature reactions and as a stationary phase for gas chromatography.
A comparison of mixed‐mode survey designs for collecting deer and fall turkey harvest data in North Dakota
Authors: Kalinowski Ethan J. , Parent Chad J. , Newman Robert , Boulanger Jason R.
Published: June 2022

Achieving state wildlife agency biological goals for deer (Odocoileusspp.) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) rely on high quality data collection via hunter harvest surveys. Concomitantly, better information is needed to optimize harvest survey methods. From 2017 to 2019, we surveyed North Dakota, USA, deer and fall turkey hunters using a self‐administered mail survey as a control and 3 mixed‐mode, internet/mail surveys to evaluate the efficacy of alternative survey designs for estimating harvest of game populations and informing future management. We measured response rates across segments of North Dakota deer and fall turkey hunters, and across mixed‐mode treatments that could easily be implemented with existing wildlife agency resources. We also determined whether early survey respondents were more likely to harvest deer or turkey. Finally, we estimated the effects of demographic factors that may be associated with hunters returning survey treatment modes to further North Dakota Game and Fish Department's ability to tailor surveys to certain hunter groups. We found that internet‐mail and mail‐internet treatments resulted in significantly higher response rates than a traditional mail‐only survey mode. We also found that hunters who successfully harvested an animal were more likely to return questionnaires shortly after the initial wave of surveying. Finally, we found that older, nonresident, and urban hunters were more likely to return questionnaires. Our research demonstrates potential use of tailored mixed‐mode surveys to increase response rates.
Stress average rule derived through the principle of virtual power
Authors: Jiménez Segura Nabor , Pichler Bernhard L.A. , Hellmich Christian
Published: June 2022

Stress and strain average rules are the key conceptual pillars of the wide field of continuum micromechanics of materials. The aforementioned rules express that the spatial average of (micro‐)stress and (micro‐)strain fields throughout a microscopically finite representative volume element (RVE) are equal to the (macro‐)stress and (macro‐)strain values associated with the corresponding macroscopically infinitesimal volume element (macroscopic material point). According to the famous contribution of Hashin, stress and strain average rules are derived from equilibrium and compatibility conditions, together with (micro‐)displacement and (micro‐)traction boundary conditions associated with homogeneous (macro‐)strains and (macro‐)stresses, respectively. However, as, strictly speaking, only displacements or tractions can be described at the boundary, the remaining average rule turns out as a mere definition. We here suggest a way to do without such a definition, by resorting to the principle of virtual power (PVP) as a means to guarantee mechanical equilibrium: at the boundary of the RVE, we prescribe virtual (micro‐)velocities, which are linked to arbitrary, but homogeneous virtual (macro‐)velocities and (macro‐)strain rates, while the latter are also linked, in a multilinear fashion, with the microscopic virtual strain rate fields inside the RVE. Considering, under these conditions, equivalence of the macroscopic and the microscopic expressions for the virtual power densities of the internal and the external forces yields the well‐known stress average rule and, in case of microscopically uniform force fields, a volume force average rule. The same strategy applied to an RVE hosting single forces between atomistic mass points, readily yields the macroscopic “internal virial stress tensor.”
Discussion on On the role of data, statistics and decisions in a pandemic
Authors: Berger Ursula , Kauermann Göran , Küchenhoff Helmut
Published: June 2022

The authors make an important contribution presenting a comprehensive and thoughtful overview about the many different aspects of data, statistics and data analyses in times of the recent COVID-19 pandemic discussing all relevant topics. The paper certainly provides a very valuable reflection of what has been done, what could have been done and what needs to be done. We contribute here with a few comments and some additional issues. We do not discuss all chapters of Jahn et al. (AStA Adv Stat Anal, 2022. 10.1007/s10182-022-00439-7), but focus on those where our personal views and experiences might add some additional aspects.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor–kynurenine axis promotes oncogenic activity in BCP-ALL
Authors: Wang Li-Ting , Liu Kwei-Yan , Wang Shen-Nien , Lin Ming-Hong , Liao Yu-Mei , Lin Pei-Chin , Huang Shau-Ku , Hsu Shih-Hsien , Chiou Shyh-Shin
Published: June 2022

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), the most common childhood cancer, originates from lymphoid precursor cells in bone marrow committed to the B-cell lineage. Environmental factors and genetic abnormalities disturb the normal maturation of these precursor cells, promoting the formation of leukemia cells and suppressing normal hematopoiesis. The underlying mechanisms of progression are unclear, but BCP-ALL incidence seems to be increasing in parallel with the adoption of modern lifestyles. This study hypothesized that air pollution and haze are risk factors for BCP-ALL progression. The current study revealed that indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP), a major component of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air, promotes oncogenic activities (proliferation, transformation, and disease relapse) in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IP treatment activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)–indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDOs) axis, thereby enhancing tryptophan metabolism and kynurenine (KYN) level and consequent promoting the KYN–AHR feedback loop. IP treatment decreased the time to disease relapse and increased the BCP-ALL cell count in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Additionally, in 50 clinical BCP-ALL samples, AHR and IDO were co-expressed in a disease-specific manner at mRNA and protein levels, while their mRNA levels showed a significant correlation with disease-free survival duration. These results indicated that PAH/IP exposure promotes BCP-ALL disease progression.

Graphical abstract
Quantum mechanics, statistics, standard model and gravity
Authors: ’t Hooft Gerard
Published: June 2022

Careful considerations concerning the interpretation of quantum mechanics serves not only for a better philosophical understanding of the physical world, but can also be instrumental for model building. After a resume of the author’s general views and their mathematical support, it is shown what new insights can be gained, in principle, concerning features such as the Standard Model of the elementary particles and the search for new approaches to bring he gravitational force in line with quantum mechanics. Questions to be asked include the cure for the formal non-convergence of renormalised perturbation expansions, the necessary discreteness of physical variables at the Planck scale, and the need to reconcile these with diffeomorphism invariance in General Relativity. Finally, a program is proposed to attempt to derive the propagation laws for cellular automaton models of the universe.
Effect of bulk density on flame resistance of rockwool in combined fire-resistant facings
Authors: Lublóy Éva , Biró András , Hlavička Viktor , Németh Zsolt , Csanaky Judit
Published: June 2022

Fire protection of steel structures is playing an increasingly important role nowadays. The fire protection of steel structures can be solved with intumescent paint, mortar, fire protection coating and concrete coating. Several fire tests have been performed to check these solutions. Combined structures, which consist of insulation material and fire protection panels, can be used to increase the fire resistance of steel structures. In this article, the application of combined fire protection solutions (combined use of fire protection panels and thermal insulation) was examined. In the experiments, six types of rockwool products with different densities were used as an additional insulation. As a result, the behaviour of combined insulations made with rockwool products of different densities was compared at high temperatures. Based on the laboratory measurements, a finite-element model was also created.
OpenBioMaps – self-hosted data management platform and distributed service for biodiversity related data
Authors: Bán Miklós , Boné Gábor Máté , Bérces Sándor , Barta Zoltán , Kovács István , Ecsedi Kornél , Sipos Katalin
Published: June 2022

Biodiversity related observational data are collected in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes, mostly in the form of some sort of organised data collection action. Data management solutions are often developed to manage the data collection processes and organise the data, which may work well on their own but are less compatible with other data management tools.

In a continuous development process, we have created the OpenBioMaps (OBM) biodiversity data management platform, which can be used as a self-hosted data management platform and as a free service, hosted by several institutions for biological database projects. OBM has the ability to integrate biological databases without any structural or functional constraints, allowing a high degree of flexibility in data management and development; it provides interfaces to facilitate communication between different end-user communities, including scientists, citizens, conservationists and educational staff. We have also established a network of OBM services based on collaboration between government, educational and scientific institutions and NGOs to provide a public service to those who lack the capacity or knowledge to set up or manage their own self-hosted servers.

OpenBioMaps uniquely focuses on the entire data management process, from building the data structure to data collection, visualisation, sharing and processing.
Rare presentation of multiple thromboses in Erdheim–Chester disease: a case-based review
Authors: Liu Yongchang , Huang Changpin , Meng Xiaohu , Fang Xin , Xie Xupin , Wang Changrong , Wang Meiyun
Published: June 2022

Background

ECD is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis with diverse and heterogeneous clinical manifestations, ranging from single-lesion forms to multi-system involvement, including slowly progressing unifocal forms to rapidly evolving life-threatening disease.

Case presentation

A female patient presented with a 2-month history of fever. Imaging revealed multiple thromboses, bone destruction, an abnormal pituitary stalk, and clinical manifestations of diabetes insipidus. Excisional biopsy of a tibial lesion was sent for microscopic examination, and subsequent immunohistochemical testing was positive for expression of CD68 and CD163, and negative for expression of the immune markers CD1a, S100, and langerin. This confirmed the diagnosis of ECD. Treatment with methylprednisolone to inhibit the immune inflammatory response along with anti-cytokine therapy with an interleukin-6 antagonist resulted in satisfactory disease control.

Conclusion

We report a rare case of multiple thromboses, embolism, and multiple organ involvement as the main presentation of ECD, suggesting that ECD should be considered in patients presenting with multiple thromboses associated with multisystem damage. We successfully treated our patient with glucocorticoids and interleukin-6 antagonist. This patient’s response to treatment suggests that hormone therapy and cytokine/chemokine therapy may be a potential novel treatment for patients with ECD without gene mutations.
Exploring the Interplay Between Message Format, Need for Cognition and Personal Relevance on Processing Messages About Physical Activity: a Two-Arm Randomized Experimental Trial
Authors: Short Camille E. , Crutzen Rik , Stewart Emma M. , O’Rielly Jessica , Dry Mathew , Skuse Andrew , Quester Pascale , Rebar Amanda L. , Vandelanotte Corneel , Duncan Mitch J. , Vincent Andrew
Published: June 2022

Background

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, persuasion can occur via two different routes (the central route and peripheral route), with the route utilized dependent on factors associated with motivation and ability. This study aimed to explore the moderating role of need for cognition (NFC) and perceived relevance on the processing of physical activity messages designed to persuade via either the central route or the peripheral route.

Method

Participants (N = 50) were randomized to receive messages optimized for central route processing or messages optimized for peripheral route processing. Eye-tracking devices were used to assess attention, which was the primary outcome. Message perceptions and the extent of persuasion (changes in physical activity determinants) were also assessed via self-report as secondary outcomes. Moderator effects were examined using interaction terms within mixed effects models and linear regression models.

Results

There were no detected interactions between condition and NFC for any of the study outcomes (all ps > .05). Main effects of personal relevance were observed for some self-report outcomes, with increased relevance associated with better processing outcomes. An interaction between need for cognition and personal relevance was observed for perceived behavioral control (p = 0.002); greater relevance was associated with greater perceived behavioral control for those with a higher need for cognition.

Conclusion

Matching physical activity messages based on NFC may not increase intervention efficacy. Relevance of materials is associated with greater change in physical activity determinants and may be more so among those with a higher NFC.
High Shock Pressure Metamorphism Induced Transformations of Olivine and Feldspar in Natun Balijan L4 Chondrite: Evidence from Micro-Raman, Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Electron Microprobe Analysis
Authors: Saikia Bhaskar J. , Parthasarathy G. , Chalapathi Rao N.V. , Borah Rashmi R. , Borah Rashmi R. , Kumar Deepak
Published: June 2022

For the first time, the presence of olivine-ringwoodite and plagioclase-maskelynite transformations is reported in Natun Balijan L4 chondrite determined by micro-Raman and infrared spectroscopic techniques with mineral phases characterised by electron microprobe analysis. Micro-Raman spectra reveal trace of ringwoodite, which is independently confirmed with the powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Full width at half maximum data of Raman spectrum reveals structural disordered olivine and pyroxene. The nature of infrared peaks at 639 and 724 cm–1 depicts the presence of maskelynite. Observed maskelynite Raman band at 509 and 581 cm–1 are used to estimate the shock stage of Natun Balijan L4 chondrite as at least S5. The impact metamorphism with a shock pressure of at least 40 GPa is estimated.
Experimental Synthesis of Coloured Soda-lime-silica (SLS) Glasses using Untreated Silica Sand of Shankargarh Area (Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh, India) and its Ramifications
Authors: Singh Anuj Kumar , Rajak Pawan Kumar , Pati Jayanta Kumar , Dwivedi Mrigank Mauli , Pandey Kamlesh , Prakash Kuldeep , Rai Abhishek Kumar , Dwivedi Shivanshu
Published: June 2022

The physical, mechanical and chemical processing of silica sand, the main ingredient of silicate glass, are routinely carried out in glass and ceramic industries worldwide to enhance the silica content and to reduce the concentration of ferromagnesian impurities. The processing of silica sand prior to glass synthesis generally involves washing with water, physical screening (size and magnetic separation) and chemical treatments. The silica sand mining, in parts of Prayagraj (earlier known as Allahabad) district, Uttar Pradesh, is continuing for more than six decades and yet meager peer-reviewed published scientific data is available hitherto. On the other hand, the continued rampant water cleaning of silica sand for more than six decades has led to the accumulation of toxic sludge in the vicinity and also causing ground water depletion in the area. In order to find an amicable balance amongst silica sand processing, ground water depletion and environmental degradation, an attempt has been made to use untreated/raw silica sand of Prayagraj district, mainly from the Shankargarh area, to synthesize soda-lime-silica (SLS) glass. Following this objective, thirty five silica sand samples are collected from different washeries and grouped into seven classes based on their magnetic susceptibility values (30.23 to -0.71 x 10-8 m3kg-1). Representative silica sand samples from these seven groups are mixed with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in a ratio of 75:15:10 and melted at 1300°C under one atmospheric pressure for a run duration of 90 minutes. Transparent to translucent SLS glasses of various hues and variable refractive indices (1.504 - 1.547) are formed. The glasses, thus analyzed by the electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA), comprise SiO2 (80.56 - 85.79 wt%), Na2O (9.70 - 12.69 wt%), CaO (4.80 - 6.51 wt%),Al2O3 (0.51 - 1.46 wt%),FeOT (0.15 - 0.95 wt%) and TiO2 (0.12 - 0.29 wt%), similar to the commercial SLS glasses manufactured worldwide. The present study suggests that the raw silica sand from Shankargarh area can be used to synthesize coloured SLS glasses even without washing with water and as a consequence the water resources and geo-environment of the area shall remain protected from further degradation.
Can Ammonium Records in Antarctic Ice Cores be a Proxy for Sea Ice Fluctuations?
Authors: Nuruzzama Mohammad , Ejaz Tariq , Mohan Rahul
Published: June 2022

Ammonium (NH4+) accumulation and variability in Antarctic ice cores possess signals of various biological, anthropogenic, and atmospheric processes. However, the use of NH4+ variability in Antarctic ice cores for paleoclimate reconstructions is not well established. Addressing this, we have utilized, published NH4+ ice core records from the Dronning Maud Land (DML), Antarctica to assess the sources of NH4+, its transport, major forcing factors, and their mechanism in controlling the variability of ammonium signals in coastal ice cores. The first principle component (PC1) derived from PC analysis of NH4+ data comprises ~43% of total variability and also depicts a significant spatial correlation with the NSIDC Sea ice concentration (SIC) variability in the Weddell Sea region of the Southern Ocean. In addition, the PC1 shows strong 2-9 year periodicities related to El Niño Southern Oscillation along with two major decadal to centennial periodicities of ~40 and 100 years. The control of sea ice fluctuations and related oceanic processes (ENSO) provide evidence of the marine sources and influence of ocean-related processes as a major controlling factor for the NH4+ variability in DML ice cores. The cumulative accumulation of the NH4+ produced from enhanced biological decomposition, and unutilized ammonium during nitrification under high SIC conditions are possible mechanisms for the increased supply. The correlation of ERA5 surface air temperatures with Nino3.4 suggests that during El Niño conditions, the air temperatures significantly dropped in the Weddell Sea sector, fostering the high SIC conditions. The findings of this study regarding the role of the SIC in the ammonium variability in Antarctic ice cores would help us better interpret the paleo NH4+ records and their applications to deduce the paleoclimate conditions in coastal Antarctic regions.
Assessment of Geothermal Renewable Energy with Reference to Tapoban Geothermal Fields, Garhwal Northwest Himalaya, India
Authors: Tiwari Sameer K. , Sain Kalachand , Yadav Jairam Singh
Published: June 2022

The energy potential of geothermal resources at Tapoban Geothermal Field, situated in the orogenic region of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state in the Himalaya, is investigated based on physical parameters, reservoir temperature, borehole depth, and geochemical indicators. It is a prospective field of geothermal water exploitation for both electrical and non-electrical usages. The anomalous geothermal gradient due to the active Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone plays a significant role. To explore the feasibility of exploitation, the surface water temperature and pH from existing geothermal springs is calculated, which ranged from 45°C-93°C and 6.2-7.3, respectively. The study based on dissolved silica geothermometry shows an average reservoir temperature of ~125 ± 2.0°C. The springs emerge from the prominent joint/ weak zone in the country-rock with the discharge of hot waters up to 300 liter minute-1. The total geothermal heat energy of the reservoir is estimated as ~874.35 x 1011 KJ. The energy estimated for the binary power geothermal plant is ~1.02 MWe and 0.71 MWe for 20 years and 30 years, respectively. This energy can be increased manifolds by operating binary cycle power plant technique at multiple sites for an electric generation. The heat capacity from two dominant hot springs from Tapoban geothermal resource was found to be ~0.84 MWt, which can be harnessed by the local people for direct usage. The annual energy use from this reservoir is ~15.89 TJ per year with a capacity factor (CF) of ~ 0.60, indicating that the energy reserve of the Tapoban geothermal field can be used for low to moderate scale energy production to partially meet the energy gap and future requirements.
Review on the Comparative Sedimentology of Late Jurassic Transgressive Deposits of Tendaguru Hill - Mandawa Basin (Tanzania) and Wagad Hill - Kachchh Basin (India)
Authors: Mishra Diwakar , Msabi Michael , Salimu Mohamedi
Published: June 2022

This review study has focused on existing sedimentological information of Late Jurassic transgressive deposits of Tendaguru Formation (110 m thick), Mandawa basin, Tanzania exposed around Tendaguru hill and Kanthkot Formation (150 m thick), Kachchh basin, India exposed near Wagad hill. Based on comparison between the two coeval deposits shows variable transgressive characteristics. Studies have revealed that during transgression there existed a storm-dominated sedimentary facies in Kanthkot Formation and tidally influenced facies type in Tendaguru Formation. Both represent similar cyclic sedimentation patterns and high-energy transgressive deposits into different depositional regimes. Lithofacies review reveals that Kachchh basin (Wagad region) was an open marine and relatively deeper and steeper shelf environment in late Jurassic time. However, Mandawa basin (Tendaguru region) was a restricted marginal marine with an estuarine setting. Faunal affinities in both formations indicate a shallow marine environment of deposition with variable depth.The close similarity of transgressive episodes and upward stacking pattern of facies successions in both basins indicates overall shallowing of the sea that correlates with the global trend of relative sea-level fall during late Jurassic time.
Estimating Static, Dynamic and Monsoon Groundwater Reserves in a Dense Well Network of Basaltic Terrain, Central India
Authors: Ajaykumar V. , Mondal N. C.
Published: June 2022

Water is an essential resource for life. Effective management and sustainable development of this limited resource have become difficult not only in India but also in the world. Groundwater is a replenishable resource, but its availability is a heterogeneous distribution of complex hydrogeological terrain in both space and time. In this article, the groundwater reserves was estimated in a dense well network of basaltic terrain (area:360 km2) in central India for both regional and local scales. Groundwater level data were collected from four observation wells at a regional scale, which in general, were used to assess groundwater reserves, and also from a dense 58 well network at a local scale. These data were utilized for groundwater reserves at each well site in terms of static groundwater reserve (SGWR), dynamic groundwater reserve (DGWR), and monsoon groundwater reserve (MGWR). Their spatial and temporal variabilities were also compared with the help of Thiessen polygons. Results show that the SGWR and DGWR of the dense monitoring network range from 66.7 to 87.13 MCM, with an average of 75.77 MCM, and from 34.83-48.17 MCM, with an average of 41.95 MCM, respectively. Whereas, the MGWR varies from 36.81 to 55.08 MCM, with an average of 44.92 MCM. The comparison in the reserves of the regional scale is found to be higher than the dense well network data. This outcome could be useful for the implementation of groundwater development and sustainable management in this basaltic area in future.
Spatial and Temporal Pattern Assessment of Meteorological Drought in Tumakuru District of Karnataka during 1951-2019 using Standardized Precipitation Index
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Ahmed S. A. , Harishnaika N. , Arpitha, M.
Published: June 2022

Tumakuru district of Karnataka state is situated in the semiarid climatic region which is considered most sensitive area/zone in response to climate change. This study analyses the spatio-temporal changes of meteorological drought in the Tumakuru district during 1951-2019. To understand the spatial and temporal characteristics of drought, annual and seasonal drought trends were examined using standardized precipitation index. Based on three-seasons, pre-monsoon (January -May), southwest monsoon (June -September), northeast monsoon (October-December) the annual SPI were calculated. Characteristics, classification and the threshold value of drought classes were determined. The correlation between precipitation and SPI was similar and showed the strong correlation. The wettest (1962 & 2006), and driest years (1968,1954, 1965, & 1976) during the study were identified. The higher frequency distribution of the driest years addresses roughly 57% drought years detected for Madhugiri and Tumakuru (1) in SW-monsoon of the total years of study, in pre-monsoon Kunigal have 21.73%, and in NE-monsoon it was 50.72 % at Kunigal. In the district southwest monsoon is long spell rainy season which is contributing 54% of total rainfall and advantageous for early stage of Rabi and maturation of Kharif crops. Maximum evaporation from soil and vegetation measured by potential evaporation which is the criteria of the water consumption by crops. In the event of monsoon failure and very less rainfall during southwest monsoon, farmers could not able to sow new crops and existing rain-fed crops would be decimated.
Beyond Li-ion Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage
Authors: Wheeler Garrett P. , Wang Lei , Marschilok Amy C.
Published: June 2022

In order to improve the resiliency of the grid and to enable integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, the utilization of battery systems to store energy for later demand is of the utmost importance. The implementation of grid-scale electrical energy storage systems can aid in peak shaving and load leveling, voltage and frequency regulation, as well as emergency power supply. Although the predominant battery chemistry currently used is Li-ion; due to cost, safety and sourcing concerns, incorporation of other battery technologies is of interest for expanding the breadth and depth of battery storage system installations. This Element discusses existing technologies beyond Li-ion battery storage chemistries that have seen grid-scale deployment, as well as several other promising battery technologies, and analyzes their chemistry mechanisms, battery construction and design, and corresponding advantages and disadvantages.
Personalized Drug Screening for Functional Tumor Profiling
Authors: El-Khoury Victoria , Michel Tatiana , Kim Hichul , Kwon Yong-Jun
Published: June 2022

Despite considerable advances in our understanding of the biology that underlies tumor development and progression of cancer and the rapidly evolving field of personalized medicine, cancer is still one of the deadliest diseases. Many cancer patients have benefited from the survival improvements observed with targeted therapies but only a small subset of patients receiving targeted drugs experience an objective response. Because cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease, the search for effective cancer treatments will need to address not only patient-specific molecular defects but also aspects of the tumor microenvironment. The functional tumor profiling directly measures the cellular phenotype, in particular tumor growth, in response to drugs using patient-derived tumor models and might be the next step toward precision oncology. In this Element, the authors discuss the personalized drug screening as a novel patient stratification strategy for the determination of individualized treatment choices in oncology.
There's No Such Thing as Creativity
Authors: Baer John
Published: June 2022

Most people (including creativity researchers) act as if they believe that creativity is not simply a useful category or label but a real thing with its own essence (just as Plato would argue that an ideal triangle has an essence that is shared with all actual triangles). Most people (including creativity researchers) also believe that there is a set of general creativity-relevant skills that can be applied to most problems in ways that will lead to more creative outcomes. Creativity research now calls these beliefs into question. A domain-general misunderstanding of the nature of creativity-relevant skills and the equally mistaken belief that creativity exists independently of actual creative things and ideas have together hindered creativity theory, research, assessment, and training. A more domain-specific and nominalist understanding of creativity will free creativity researchers to make progress in areas where it is currently stymied.
A Philosopher Looks at Science
Authors: Cartwright Nancy
Published: June 2022

What is science and what can it do? Nancy Cartwright here takes issue with three common images of science: that it amounts to the combination of theory and experiment; that all science is basically reducible to physics; and that science and the natural world which it pictures are deterministic. The author's innovative and thoughtful book draws on examples from the physical, life, and social sciences alike, and focuses on all the products of science – not just experiments or theories – and how they work together. She reveals just what it is that makes science ultimately reliable, and how this reliability is nevertheless still compatible with a view of nature as more responsive to human change than we might think. Her book is a call for greater intellectual humility by and within scientific institutions. It will have strong appeal to anyone who thinks about science and how it is practised in society.
Fuel burn evaluation of a transonic strut-braced-wing regional aircraft through multipoint aerodynamic optimisation
Authors: Chau T. , Zingg D.W.
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a relative fuel burn evaluation of the transonic strut-braced-wing configuration for the regional aircraft class in comparison to an equivalent conventional tube-and-wing aircraft. This is accomplished through multipoint aerodynamic shape optimisation based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Aircraft concepts are first developed through low-order multidisciplinary design optimisation based on the design missions and top-level aircraft requirements of the Embraer E190-E2. High-fidelity aerodynamic shape shape optimisation is then applied to wing–body–tail models of each aircraft, with the objective of minimising the weighted-average cruise drag over a five-point operating envelope that includes the nominal design point, design points at
$\pm 10\%$
nominal
$C_L$
at Mach 0.78, and two high-speed cruise points at Mach 0.81. Design variables include angle-of-attack, wing (and strut) twist and section shape degrees of freedom, and horizontal tail incidence, while nonlinear constraints include constant lift, zero pitching moment, minimum wing and strut volume, and minimum maximum thickness-to-chord ratios. Results show that the multipoint optimised strut-braced wing maintains similar features to those of the single-point optimum, and compromises on-design performance by only two drag counts to achieve up to 11.6% reductions in drag at the off-design conditions. Introducing low-order estimates for approximating full aircraft performance, results indicate that the multipoint optimised strut-braced-wing regional jet offers a 13.1% improvement in cruise lift-to-drag ratio and a 7.8% reduction in block fuel over a 500nmi nominal mission when compared to the similarly optimised Embraer E190-E2-like conventional tube-and-wing aircraft.
Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders in Patients with Superior Parietal Lobule Infarcts
Authors: Kumral Emre , Çetin Fatma Ece , Özdemir Hüseyin Nezih
Published: June 2022

Background/Objective:

The superior parietal lobule (SPL) plays a strategic role in somatosensory and visuomotor integration. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, neurocognitive, and behavioral characteristics of isolated SPL stroke.

Methods

We assessed neuropsychological and behavioral findings in 14 patients with isolated SPL stroke among 4200 patients with ischemic stroke. All patients underwent neuroimaging, clinical and neuropsychological assessment after stroke.

Results:

Of the 14 patients enrolled, the first complaints were tactile and visuospatial disorders at stroke onset. Except for 6 patients with only 1 cognitive impairment, the majority of patients (57%) experienced more than 1 cognitive impairment category. Functional hemispheric asymmetries have been found in different cognitive processes, such as between visuospatial and body image functions and language process. Among visuospatial abilities disorders, spatial disorientation, visuospatial neglect, and visual extinction were found in two-thirds (63%) of patients with right SPL lesion. Body schema and image disorders were observed in all patients with right-sided lesions, such as alien hand, autotopagnosia for body parts (36%), autotopagnosia for sensory sensations (36%), and fading limb (21%). Two-thirds (57%) of patients with left SPL had impairment in language abilities.

Conclusion

Our findings after stroke suggest that SPL plays a pivotal role in the regulation of visuospatial abilities, body schema and body image processing, and language skills through bilateral frontoparietal networks and interhemispheric parietal networks.