bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods of monitoring thermal ablation of soft tissue tumors – A comprehensive review
Authors: Geoghegan Rory , ter Haar Gail , Nightingale Kathryn , Marks Leonard , Natarajan Shyam
Published: December 2021

Thermal ablation is a form of hyperthermia in which oncologic control can be achieved by briefly inducing elevated temperatures, typically in the range 50–80°C, within a target tissue. Ablation modalities include high intensity focused ultrasound, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and laser interstitial thermal therapy which are all capable of generating confined zones of tissue destruction, resulting in fewer complications than conventional cancer therapies. Oncologic control is contingent upon achieving predefined coagulation zones; therefore, intraoperative assessment of treatment progress is highly desirable. Consequently, there is a growing interest in the development of ablation monitoring modalities. The first section of this review presents the mechanism of action and common applications of the primary ablation modalities. The following section outlines the state‐of‐the‐art in thermal dosimetry which includes interstitial thermal probes and radiologic imaging. Both the physical mechanism of measurement and clinical or pre‐clinical performance are discussed for each ablation modality. Thermal dosimetry must be coupled with a thermal damage model as outlined in Section 4. These models estimate cell death based on temperature‐time history and are inherently tissue specific. In the absence of a reliable thermal model, the utility of thermal monitoring is greatly reduced. The final section of this review paper covers technologies that have been developed to directly assess tissue conditions. These approaches include visualization of non‐perfused tissue with contrast‐enhanced imaging, assessment of tissue mechanical properties using ultrasound and magnetic resonance elastography, and finally interrogation of tissue optical properties with interstitial probes. In summary, monitoring thermal ablation is critical for consistent clinical success and many promising technologies are under development but an optimal solution has yet to achieve widespread adoption.
Fouling Pathways in Emulsion Polymerization Differentiated with a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Integrated into the Reactor Wall
Authors: Böttcher Andreas , Petri Judith , Langhoff Arne , Scholl Stephan , Augustin Wolfgang , Hohlen Annika , Johannsmann Diethelm
Published: December 2021

Emulsion polymerization fouling at hot interfaces is studied in situ, making use of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM‐D). The resonator crystal is heated with a ring‐shaped thermal pad from the back, turning it into a plate with elevated temperature. Configured to be one of the walls of a small reactor for emulsion polymerization, this resonator is prone to heat‐transfer fouling, similar to regular heated parts of process equipment. The fouling kinetics is readily quantified with this QCM. During polymerization at constant temperature (80 °C), some deposition is always observed. However, a film with a thickness of less than 1 μm (determined gravimetrically with the QCM) is sometimes found, which stabilizes the surface against the deposition of much thicker layers. When reaction fouling proceeds directly to thick deposits, a small increase in resonance bandwidth often occurs a few minutes prior to the main transition, presumably caused by coagulum formed in the bulk making first contact with the surface. Furthermore, particle fouling is studied with temperature ramps on nonreactive dispersions. Fouling, if present, is readily observed.
Waste and natural fiber based automotive brake composite materials: Influence of slag and coir on tribological performance
Authors: Rajan R. , Tyagi Yogesh Kumar , Singh Sudhanshu
Published: December 2021

Physical, mechanical, and tribological properties of automotive brake friction materials were investigated to study the influence of various slag waste and coir fiber combinations. The friction composites were manufactured by mechanical mixing and compression molding at varying slag waste (45%, 50%, 55%, and 60%, by weight) and coir fiber (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, by weight) loading. The density, hardness, shear strength, and ash content decreased while porosity and compressibility of the composites increased for decreasing slag waste with a simultaneous increase in coir fiber content. The tribological properties of the manufactured composites were evaluated on a Krauss machine by following the ECE R‐90 standard. The highest friction (0.396), lowest fade (15.40%), and lowest friction fluctuations (0.101) were recorded for the composite having 60 wt% slag waste and 5 wt% coir fiber content. In contrast, recovery performance remains highest (131.80%) in the composite with 45 wt% slag waste and 20 wt% coir fiber content. Besides, the wear of the composites was found to increase with increased coir fiber content. Moreover, the composites' worn surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopy to understand the mechanisms responsible for the surface damage and how slag waste and coir fiber combinations would affect such friction composite materials' friction and wear performance.
Preparation and characterization of polyethylene glycol/polyurea composites for shape stabilized phase change materials
Authors: Wang Renzhang , Chen Liufang , Lei Qian , Shi Junhua , Chen Changzhong
Published: December 2021

A linear polyurea (LPU) and a crosslinked polyurea (CPU) were respectively synthesized by condensation between 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane and multivariate isocyanates, and then were used as supporting material to load polyethylene glycol (PEG) for shape‐stabilized phase change materials (ssPCMs). LPU has an incompact flocculent morphology with higher surface area and pore volume than CPU, and CPU is composed of contiguous bead particles with many interspaces. The shape stability of PEG/CPU ssPCMs is better than that of PEG/LPU ssPCMs with the same PEG mass fraction due to the different molecular interactions between PEG and the polymer matrix. The maximum PEG mass fraction in PEG/LPU and PEG/CPU ssPCMs LPU are 65% and 75%, respectively, and the corresponding melting phase change enthalpies are 82.66 J/g and 98.13 J/g, respectively. The heat storage efficiency of PEG/CPU ssPCMs is smaller than that of PEG/LPU ssPCMs with the same PEG content, caused by the greater movement restriction of PEG chains from the crosslinked network of CPU. The prepared ssPCMs have favorable reusability after 100 heating–cooling thermal cycles and have good thermal stability below 250°C, which is helpful to widen extent of application for latent heat storage.
Anticancer effects of myricetin derivatives in non‐small cell lung cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Zha Genlan , Chen Rujun , Chen Xin , Sun Qian , Jiang Hao
Published: December 2021

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer‐related deaths. Moreover, exploring efficient tumor‐killing drugs is urgently needed. In our study, several derivative compounds of myricetin were synthesized and tested. Experiments on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that S4‐2‐2 (5,7‐dimethoxy‐3‐(4‐(methyl(1‐(naphthalen‐2‐ylsulfonyl)piperidin‐4‐yl)amino)butoxy)‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one) had the strongest effect on A549 cell inhibition across all compounds. Furthermore, S4‐2‐2‐treated A549 cells were also suppressed when transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Particularly, we found that the migration and invasiveness of A549 cells became suppressed upon treatment with S4‐2‐2. Furthermore, the compound significantly induced cell apoptosis, but did not affect the cell cycle of A549 cells. Finally, we revealed that S4‐2‐2 inhibited the biological function of NSCLC cells by regulating the protein process in the endoplasmic reticulum, and then by inducing the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins. Taken together, S4‐2‐2 was shown to act as a potential molecular inhibitor of A549 cells.
Towards an automatic characterization of riverscape development by deep learning
Authors: Alfredsen Knut , Dalsgård Arild , Shamsaliei Saeid , Halleraker Jo Halvard , Gundersen Odd Erik
Published: December 2021

Riverscapes are under pressure from anthropogenic development, and this challenges the conservation of biodiversity, hydromorphology and land types. To assess changes and restoration potential, an understanding of alteration to rivers overtime is necessary. This can be challenging due to lack of data, shortcomings in methods and data formats that are not easily incorporated into the assessment process. Historical aerial imagery exists for rivers prior to modification, but the manual classification is time‐consuming. Deep learning is increasingly used in image processing, and here we outline how a convolutional neural network can be used to automatically classify black and white aerial imagery from the database of the Norwegian mapping authority into habitat types. It is demonstrated how historical imagery can be used to develop maps that can be processed further in a GIS to evaluate natural versus anthropogenic changes over time.
On the analysis of power law distribution in software component sizes
Authors: Sharma Shachi , Pendharkar Parag C.
Published: December 2021

Component‐based software development (CBSD) is an active area of research. Ascertaining the quality of components is important for overall software quality assurance in CBSD. One of the important metrics for measuring defects, analyzability, efforts, and cost in CBSD is component size. The paper presents an analytical model based on maximization of Tsallis entropy to obtain closed form expression for component size distribution (maximum Tsallis entropy component size distribution, MTECSD) in steady state. It is found that the component size distribution follows power law asymptotically. A procedure based on generalized Jensen–Shannon measure is developed to estimate model parameters. A detailed analysis of many popular probability distributions along with MTECSD is carried out on many diverse real data sets of component‐based softwares. The analysis reveals that lognormal and MTECSD distributions fit well to component sizes in many software conforming the presence of power law behavior. The software whose component size distributions are described by MTECSD are in equilibrium implying that new defects in these software systems occur occasionally. Power law behavior in component sizes also imply high variation leading to difficulty in software analyzability. The precise knowledge of component size distribution also provides an alternative method to compute efforts and cost estimates by modified COCOMO model.
Content‐adjusted tolerance intervals via bootstrap calibration
Authors: Jiao Junjun , Zhao Xu , Cheng Weihu
Published: December 2021

Tolerance intervals (TIs) are commonly employed in numerous industries, ranging from engineering to pharmaceuticals. However, closed‐form TIs are unavailable for most distributions. Although some approximate methods can be used to obtain TIs, coverage probabilities (CPs) of these TIs cannot achieve the nominal level, or can be even far different from the nominal level. In this study, we propose two content‐adjusted procedures for TIs based on bootstrap. The first one is based on the bootstrap sample quantile, while the second one is based on the asymptotic normality of empirical distribution. The simulation results show that the two calibration procedures can improve CPs of TIs for some non‐normal distributions according to extensive numerical simulations, and they are both proved to be effective through real data examples.
Combinatorial methods for testing Internet of Things smart home systems
Authors: Garn Bernhard , Schreiber Dominik‐Philip , Simos Dimitris E. , Kuhn Rick , Voas Jeff , Kacker Raghu
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we report on applying combinatorial testing to Internet of Things (IoT) home automation hub systems. We detail how to create a dedicated input parameter model of an IoT home automation hub system for use with combinatorial test case generation strategies. Further, we developed an automated test execution framework and two test oracles for evaluation purposes. We applied and evaluated our proposed methodological approach to a real‐world IoT system and analysed the obtained results of various combinatorial test sets with different properties generated based on the derived input model. Additionally, we compare these results to a random testing approach. Our empirical testing evaluations revealed multiple errors in the tested devices and also showed that all considered approaches performed nearly equally well.
The longitudinal response of prestressed cylinder concrete pipe with bell–spigot joints subjected to normal fault
Authors: Li Yanlong , Li Weimei , Wen Lifeng , Li Yang , Li Kangping , Zhang Ye
Published: December 2021

Buried pipelines inevitably pass through complicated geological areas because of their wide coverage. A three‐dimensional numerical model subjected to normal fault considering the geometrical and mechanical properties of the bell–spigot joint in Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) is proposed to analyze the effects of location, displacement, and dip angle of fault on the rotation angle and axial translation of bell–spigot joints as well as the effects on the deformation of pipe bodies. At a dip angle of 90°, the maximum joint rotation angle and pipe deformation are larger when the relative location of fault and joints is under the odd configuration than under the even configuration. The kinematic characteristics of joints and the mechanical characteristics of pipe bodies on the moving side are opposite to those on the stationary side. The amount of offset has a significant impact on the longitudinal response of the pipeline. The rotation angle and axial translation of the joints on both sides of the fault increase with increasing fault displacement. When the offset reaches 270 mm, the joint rotation angle is 1.05°, which exceeds the specification limit of 1°. On the basis of numerical results, the simplified estimate of the maximum rotation angle is improved, and the error is reduced to 3%. With the increase of fault dip angle, the affected area gradually moves left to the fixed part. When the dip angle is 75°–90°, the pipeline longitudinal response is large, which is unfavorable to the pipeline safety.
Sonochemical preparation and characterization of Sm‐doped GO/KSrPO4 nanocomposite photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue dye
Authors: Bajpai Jyotsna S. , Barai Divya P. , Bhanvase Bharat A. , Pawade Vijay B.
Published: December 2021

The present work pertains to synthesis of Sm‐doped GO/KSrPO4 (GO/KSrPO4:Sm) nanocomposite using ultrasound‐assisted method. Successful decoration of graphene oxide sheets with the KSrPO4:Sm3+ phosphor was confirmed using analysis techniques including SEM, EDS, UV/visible spectrometry, XRD, and FTIR of the prepared GO/KSrPO4:Sm nanocomposite. Further, photocatalytic activity of this nanocomposite material was studied by examining degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye from water. The effects of several parameters like concentration of Sm3+ in KSrPO4:Sm3+ phosphor within the GO/KSrPO4:Sm nanocomposite photocatalyst, photocatalyst loading, initial dye concentration, pH, and preparation method were evaluated. At a higher concentration of Sm3+ in the photocatalyst (1 mol.%), higher photocatalyst loading (1.5 mg/ml), lesser dye concentration (20 mg/L), and higher pH (11.4), the GO/KSrPO4:Sm nanocomposite photocatalyst prepared using ultrasound‐assisted method showed higher dye removal compared to other conditions. A maximum of 83.35% removal of MB dye was achieved by the use of ultrasonically prepared GO/KSrPO4:Sm nanocomposite photocatalyst having a concentration of 1 mol.% of Sm3+ in the KSrPO4:Sm3+ phosphor at a loading of 1.5 mg/ml, initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, and a pH of 11.4. Rate constant for MB dye degradation using the GO/KSrPO4:Sm nanocomposite photocatalyst synthesized by ultrasonic‐assisted method was found to be 0.0053 min−1.

Practitioner Points

GO/KSrPO4:Sm nanocomposite photocatalyst prepared by ultrasonic‐assisted method.

Higher Sm3+ doping in nanocomposite with the use of ultrasound assisted method showed better performance of photocatalyst.

A maximum removal of 83.35% of methylene blue dye was achieved.
Strategies for sustained drug release from electrospun multi‐layer nanostructures
Authors: Yu Deng‐Guang , Wang Menglong , Ge Ruiliang
Published: December 2021

Among different kinds of modified release profiles, sustained drug release (SDR) has received the most attention due to its capability to provide a “safe, efficacious, and convenient” drug delivery effect. Electrospun nanofibers have shown their popularity in this interdisciplinary field, as demonstrated by the first reports about SDRs on drug delivery applications of blended nanofibers and core–shell nanofibers. Along with the evolution of electrospinning from a single‐fluid blending process to coaxial, tri‐axial, side‐by‐side, and other multi‐fluid processes, more multi‐chamber nanostructures can be created through a single‐step straight forward manner. These multi‐chamber nanostructures can act as a powerful platform to support a wide variety of new strategies for the development of novel SDR nanomaterials. Thus, this review describes a combination history of electrospinning and SDR and its further development trend. After a summary of the presently popular multi‐chamber core–shell nanostructures, 15 strategies for furnishing SDR profiles are categorized and exemplified. The perspectives of electrospun multi‐chamber nanostructures for further promoting SDR are narrated.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Modified gravity with disappearing cosmological constant
Authors: Granda L. N.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

New corrections to General Relativity are considered in the context of modified f(R) gravity, that satisfy cosmological and local gravity constraints. The proposed models behave asymptotically as R − 2Λ at large curvature and show the vanishing of the cosmological constant at the flat spacetime limit. The chameleon mechanism and thin shell restrictions for local systems were analyzed, and bounds on the models were found. The steepness of the deviation parameter m at late times leads to measurable signal of scalar-tensor regime in matter perturbations, that allows to detect departures form the ΛCDM model. The theoretical results for the evolution of the weighted growth rate fσ8(z), from the proposed models, were analyzed.
On the Existence of Linearly Oscillating Galaxies
Authors: Hadžić Mahir , Rein Gerhard , Straub Christopher
Published: December 2021

We consider two classes of steady states of the three-dimensional, gravitational Vlasov-Poisson system: the spherically symmetric Antonov-stable steady states (including the polytropes and the King model) and their plane symmetric analogues. We completely describe the essential spectrum of the self-adjoint operator governing the linearized dynamics in the neighborhood of these steady states. We also show that for the steady states under consideration, there exists a gap in the spectrum. We then use a version of the Birman-Schwinger principle first used by Mathur to derive a general criterion for the existence of an eigenvalue inside the first gap of the essential spectrum, which corresponds to linear oscillations about the steady state. It follows in particular that no linear Landau damping can occur in the neighborhood of steady states satisfying our criterion. Verification of this criterion requires a good understanding of the so-called period function associated with each steady state. In the plane symmetric case we verify the criterion rigorously, while in the spherically symmetric case we do so under a natural monotonicity assumption for the associated period function. Our results explain the pulsating behavior triggered by perturbing such steady states, which has been observed numerically.
Marine turf of an invasive alga expels lugworms from the lower shore
Authors: Reise Karsten , Lackschewitz Dagmar , Wegner K. Mathias
Published: December 2021

Bare sandy flats at and below low tide level of the Wadden Sea (eastern North Sea, European Atlantic) were observed in 2020 to have been invaded by an introduced grass-like alga,Vaucheriacf.velutina(Xanthophyceae). A dense algal turf accumulated and stabilized mud, where resident seniors of the lugwormArenicola marinahad reworked rippled sand.Algae and worms were incompatible. Initially, rising patches with algal turf alternated with bare pits where lugworms crowded. Their bioturbation inhibited young algae, while the felt of established algal rhizoids clogged feeding funnels of worm burrows. Eventually, a mosaic pattern of competitors gave way to a coherent algal turf without lugworms. Concomitantly, a rich small-sized benthic fauna took advantage of the novel algal turf. This exoticVaucheriamay have the potential for drastically altering the ecological web at the lower shore.
Isokinetic and functional shoulder outcomes after arthroscopic capsulolabral stabilization
Authors: Breborowicz Ewa , Lubiatowski Przemyslaw , Jokiel Marta , Breborowicz Maciej , Stefaniak Jakub , Zygmunt Adam , Wojtaszek Marcin , Kaczmarek Piotr , Romanowski Leszek
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Shoulder stability is secured by dynamic and static stabilizers. Rotator cuff is responsible for dynamic stabilization. In cases of shoulder instability their activity is disturbed. Capsulolabral repair restores mainly static stabilization. This surgery treatment technique of shoulder instability was first described by Bankart in 1923. His idea, with further modifications, is commonly used up to this day. Evaluation of muscle shoulder recovery after stabilization should be one of the important criteria to allow patient to return to sport and work. However, not much isokinetic assessment after capsulolabral repair was described. The aim of this study were the following: the comparative assessment of the shoulder rotatory strength in patients following arthroscopic capsulolabral repair of unilateral anterior traumatic instability and clinical assessment with comparison of pre and post-operative results.

Material and methods

Forty-five patients, 14 women and 31 men, with an average follow-up of 4.4 years were tested bilaterally for internal and external rotation strength at four angular velocities. ASES and UCLA tests were collected before and after surgery.

Results

The values of peak moment and muscle power parameters were slightly lower for an operated shoulder in comparison to a healthy shoulder for the external rotation. Total work parameter in external rotation was significantly lower for the operated shoulder in comparison to the non-operated side. The internal/external muscle group balance was lower for the operated shoulder in comparison to reference values in the women group. Furthermore, both ASES and UCLA scores were significantly higher after operation.

Conclusions

After arthroscopic capsulolabral shoulder stabilization, slight differences in isokinetic evaluation, especially in external shoulder rotation, occur. It affects rotators muscle balance. In functional evaluation significant improvement in shoulder function occurs.
A novel anatomo-physiologic high-grade spondylolisthesis model to evaluate L5 nerve stretch injury after spondylolisthesis reduction
Authors: Ishak Basem , Pierre Clifford A. , Ansari Darius , Lachkar Stefan , von Glinski Alexander , Unterberg Andreas W. , Oskouian Rod J. , Chapman Jens R.
Published: December 2021

L5 nerve palsy is a well-known complication following reduction of high-grade spondylolisthesis. While several mechanisms for its occurrence have been proposed, the hypothesis of L5 nerve root strain or displacement secondary to mechanical reduction remains poorly studied. The aim of this cadaveric study is to determine changes in morphologic parameters of the L5 nerve root during simulated intraoperative reduction of high-grade spondylolisthesis. A standard posterior approach to the lumbosacral junction was performed in eight fresh-frozen cadavers with lumbosacral or lumbopelvic screw fixation. Wide decompressions of the spinal canal and L5 nerve roots with complete facetectomies were accomplished with full exposure of the L5 nerve roots. A 100% translational slip was provoked by release of the iliolumbar ligaments and cutting the disc with the attached anterior longitudinal ligament. To evaluate the path of the L5 nerves during reduction maneuvers, metal bars were inserted bilaterally at the inferomedial aspects of the L5 pedicle at a distance of 10 mm from the midpoint of the L5 pedicle screws. There was no measurable change in length of the L5 nerve roots after 50% and 100% reduction of spondylolisthesis. Mechanical strain or displacement during reduction is an unlikely cause of L5 nerve root injury. Further anatomical or physiological studies are necessary to explore alternative mechanisms of L5 nerve palsy in the setting of high-grade spondylolisthesis correction, and surgeons should favor extensive surgical decompression of the L5 nerve roots when feasible.
P2X7 receptor: the regulator of glioma tumor development and survival
Authors: Matyśniak Damian , Chumak Vira , Nowak Natalia , Kukla Artur , Lehka Lilya , Oslislok Magdalena , Pomorski Paweł
Published: December 2021

P2X7 is an ionotropic nucleotide receptor, forming the cation channel upon ATP stimulation. It can also function as a large membrane pore as well as transmit ATP-dependent signal without forming a channel at all. P2X7 activity in somatic cells is well-known, but remains poorly studied in glioma tumors. The current paper presents the comprehensive study of P2X7 activity in C6 and glioma cell line showing the wide range of effects the receptor has on glioma biology. We observed that P2X7 stimulation boosts glioma cell proliferation and increases cell viability. P2X7 activation promoted cell adhesion, mitochondria depolarization, and reactive oxygen species overproduction in C6 cells. P2X7 receptor also influenced glioma tumor growth in vivo via activation of pro-survival signaling pathways and ATP release. Treatment with Brilliant Blue G, a selective P2X7 antagonist, effectively inhibited glioma tumor development; decreased the expression of negative prognostic cancer markers pro-survival and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins; and modulated the immune response toward glioma tumor in vivo. Finally, pathway-specific enrichment analysis of the microarray data from human patients also showed an upregulation of P2X7 receptor in gliomas from grades I to III. The presented results shed more light on the role of P2X7 receptor in the biology of this disease.
Pigments—Lead-based whites, reds, yellows and oranges and their alteration phases
Authors: Gliozzo Elisabetta , Ionescu Corina
Published: December 2021

This review summarises the state-of-the-art of lead-based pigment studies, addressing their production, trade, use and possible alteration. Other issues, such as those related to the investigation and protection of artworks bearing lead-based pigments are also presented. The focus is mineralogical, as both raw materials and degradation products are mineral phases occurring in nature (except for very few cases). The minerals described are abellaite, anglesite, blixite, caledonite, challacolloite, cerussite, cotunnite, crocoite, galena, grootfonteinite, hydrocerussite, laurionite, leadhillite, litharge, macphersonite, massicot, mimetite, minium, palmierite, phosgenite, plattnerite, plumbonacrite, schulténite, scrutinyite, somersetite, susannite, vanadinite and an unnamed phase (PbMg(CO3)2). The pigments discussed are lead white, red lead, litharge, massicot, lead-tin yellow, lead-tin-antimony yellow, lead-chromate yellow and Naples yellow. An attempt is made to describe the history, technology and alteration of these pigments in the most complete manner possible, despite the topic's evident breadth. Finally, an insight into the analytical methods that can (and should) be used for accurate archaeometric investigations and a summary of key concepts conclude this review, along with a further list of references for use as a starting point for further research.
To be or not to be: reassessing the origins of portable art in the Cantabrian Region (Northern Spain)
Authors: Rivero Olivia , Salazar Sergio , Mateo-Pellitero Ana María , Bustos Paula García , Garate Diego , Rios-Garaizar Joseba
Published: December 2021

The characterization of the first portable artistic depictions in Cantabrian Spain is crucial for comprehension of the symbolic development of Neandertals and Homo sapiens in the context of the passage from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic. However, despite the importance of these first graphic representations, their study has tended to lack the application of suitable methodologies to be able to discriminate between graphic activity and other kind of alterations (use-wear, taphonomic, or post-depositional). The present study has examined a significant sample of Middle and Upper Paleolithic lithic and osseous objects from Cantabrian Spain that have been cited as evidence of graphic activity in the literature. The contexts in which the objects were found have been considered, and the objects have been analyzed through the microscopic observation of the marks to distinguish between incisions, pecking, and engraving made for a non-functional purpose (graphic activity) and those generated by diverse functional actions or taphonomic processes (cutmarks, trampling, root marks, percussion scars, and use-wear). The results show that some regional Middle Paleolithic osseous objects display incisions that are neither functional nor taphonomic and whose characteristics are similar to graphic evidence attributed to Neandertals in Europe and the Near East. In turn, the first portable art produced by Homo sapiens in the Cantabrian Spain seems to be limited mostly to linear signs, and no figurative representation can be recognized until the Gravettian. This appears to indicate a particular idiosyncrasy of the region in the Early Upper Paleolithic, which, in comparison with other regions such as south-west France and the Swabian Jura, shows a later and less abundant production of portable art.
Bipolar Membrane and Water Splitting in Electrodialysis
Authors: Miesiac Ireneusz , Rukowicz Beata
Published: December 2021

The traditional view of the conductivity of electrolytes is based on the mobility of ions in an electric field. A new concept of water conductivity introduces an electron–hole mechanism known from semiconductor theory. The electrolyte ions in the hydrogen bond network of water imitate the structure of a doped silicon lattice. The source of the current carriers is the electrode reaction generating H+ and OH− ions. The continuity of current flow is provided through the electron–hole mechanism, and the movement of electrolyte ions is only a side process. Bipolar membrane in the semiconductor approach is an electrochemical diode forward biased. Generation of large amounts of H+ and OH− has to be considered as a result of current flow and does not require any increase in the water dissociation rate. Bipolar membranes are essential in electrodialysis stacks for the recovery of acids and bases by salt splitting.

Graphic Abstract
Optimization of hydraulic fracturing treatment in tight sand reservoir of lower indus basin: an integrated approach
Authors: Ali Faizan , Chaudhry Muhammad Hassaan , Khan Muhammad Arqam , Ahmed Qazi Ismail
Published: December 2021

An approach for post-frac production profiling has been presented in this study by integrating a fracture model with a reservoir simulation model for a well drilled in tight sand reservoir of Lower Indus Basin in Pakistan. The presented integrated approach couples the output from the fracture growth model with a reservoir simulation model to effectively predict the behavior of a fractured reservoir. Optimization of hydraulic fracturing was done efficiently through the work presented in this study. The integrated model was used to perform various sensitivities. The production profiles obtained for each case were subsequently used to determine the most profitable case, using an economic model.
Characterization based machine learning modeling for the prediction of the rheological properties of water-based drilling mud: an experimental study on grass as an environmental friendly additive
Authors: Ismail Atif , Rashid Hafiz Muhammad Awais , Gholami Raoof , Raza Arshad
Published: December 2021

The successful drilling operation depends upon the achievement of target drilling attributes within the environmental and economic constraints but this is not possible only on the basis of laboratory testing due to the limitation of time and resources. The chemistry of the mud decides its rheological potential and selection of the techniques required for recycling operations. Conductivity, pH, and photometer testing were performed for the physio-chemical characterization of the grass to be used as an environmental friendly drilling mud additive. In this study, different particle sizes (75, 150, and 300 µm) of grass powder were mixed in mud density of 8.5, 8.6, and 8.7 ppg in the measurement of gel strength and viscosity of drilling mud. The grass additive was added in different weight conditions considering no additive, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g to assess the contribution of grass on the gel strength and viscosity of the drilling mud. The machine learning techniques (Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis, Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Machine Regression, k-Nearest Neighbor, Decision Stump, Random Forest, and Random Tree approaches) were applied to the generated rheological data. The results of the study show that grass can be used for the improvement of the gel strength and viscosity of the drilling mud. The highest improvement of the viscosity was seen when grass powder of 150 µm was added in the 8.7 ppg drilling mud in 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g weights. The gel strength of the drilling mud was improved when the grass additive was added to the drilling mud 8.7 ppg. Random forest and Artificial Neural Network had the same results of 0.72 regression coefficient (R2) for the estimation of viscosity of the drilling mud. The random tree was found as the most effective technique for the modeling of gel strength at 10 min (GS_10min) of the drilling mud. The predictions of Artificial Neural Network had 0.92 R2 against the measured gel strength at 10 s (GS_10sec) of the drilling mud. On average, Artificial Neural Network predicted the rheological properties of the mud with the highest accuracy as compared to other machine learning approaches. The work may serve as a key source to estimate the net effect of grass additives for the improvement of the gel strength and viscosity of the drilling mud without the performance of any large number of laboratory tests.
A big data analysis of Twitter data during premier league matches: do tweets contain information valuable for in-play forecasting of goals in football?
Authors: Wunderlich Fabian , Memmert Daniel
Published: December 2021

Data-related analysis in football increasingly benefits from Big Data approaches and machine learning methods. One relevant application of data analysis in football is forecasting, which relies on understanding and accurately modelling the process of a match. The present paper tackles two neglected facets of forecasting in football: Forecasts on the total number of goals and in-play forecasting (forecasts based on within-match information). Sentiment analysis techniques were used to extract the information reflected in almost two million tweets from more than 400 Premier League matches. By means of wordclouds and timely analysis of several tweet-based features, the Twitter communication over the full course of matches and shortly before and after goals was visualized and systematically analysed. Moreover, several forecasting models including a random forest model have been used to obtain in-play forecasts. Results suggest that in-play forecasting of goals is highly challenging, and in-play information does not improve forecasting accuracy. An additional analysis of goals from more than 30,000 matches from the main European football leagues supports the notion that the predictive value of in-play information is highly limited compared to pre-game information. This is a relevant result for coaches, match analysts and broadcasters who should not overestimate the value of in-play information. The present study also sheds light on how the perception and behaviour of Twitter users change over the course of a football match. A main result is that the sentiment of Twitter users decreases when the match progresses, which might be caused by an unjustified high expectation of football fans before the match.
Fuglede’s theorem in generalized Orlicz–Sobolev spaces
Authors: Juusti Jonne
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we show that Orlicz–Sobolev spaces $$W^{1,\varphi }(\varOmega )$$

W

1
,
φ

(
Ω
)

can be characterized with the ACL- and ACC-characterizations. ACL stands for absolutely continuous on lines and ACC for absolutely continuous on curves. Our results hold under the assumptions that $$C^1(\varOmega )$$

C
1

(
Ω
)

functions are dense in $$W^{1,\varphi }(\varOmega )$$

W

1
,
φ

(
Ω
)

, and $$\varphi (x,\beta ) \ge 1$$

φ
(
x
,
β
)
≥
1

for some $$\beta > 0$$

β
>
0

and almost every $$x \in \varOmega $$

x
∈
Ω

. The results are new even in the special cases of Orlicz and double phase growth.
Locomotion and searching behaviour in the honey bee larva depend on nursing interaction
Authors: Vázquez Diego E. , Farina Walter M.
Published: December 2021

Although honey bee brood does not need to seek shelter or food and restricts its movements to small wax cells, larvae have some degree of motility. Previously, other studies described how honey bee larvae showed analogous behaviours to the wandering period in holometabolous insects. The current research aimed to measure locomotion of the honey bee brood at different conditions of food supply and larval stadia. Besides, we developed an actometry assay to describe the larval behaviour under laboratory conditions. Our results suggested that the satiety and developmental program of larvae modulated their locomotion. Before they pupated, larval speed increased sharply and then it dropped until quiescence. However, starvation also induced an increase in angular velocity of brood. Starved larvae were between three and five times faster than the satiated ones. Moreover, fifth instars left their wax cells after 2 h of starvation without nurse bees. In the actometry assay, larvae showed behaviours of dispersion and changes in their kinematic parameters after detecting a tactile stimulus like the edge of arenas.
The do’s, don’ts and don’t knows of redressing differential attainment related to race/ethnicity in medical schools
Authors: Fyfe Molly , Horsburgh Jo , Blitz Julia , Chiavaroli Neville , Kumar Sonia , Cleland Jennifer
Published: December 2021

Introduction Systematic and structural inequities in power and privilege create differential attainment whereby differences in average levels of performance are observed between students from different socio-demographic groups. This paper reviews the international evidence on differential attainment related to ethnicity/race in medical school, drawing together the key messages from research to date to provide guidance for educators to operationalize and enact change and identify areas for further research. Methods Authors first identified areas of conceptual importance within differential attainment (learning, assessment, and systems/institutional factors) which were then the focus of a targeted review of the literature on differential attainment related to ethnicity/race in medical education and, where available and relevant, literature from higher education more generally. Each author then conducted a review of the literature and proposed guidelines based on their experience and research literature. The guidelines were iteratively reviewed and refined between all authors until we reached consensus on the Do’s, Don’ts and Don’t Knows. Results We present 13 guidelines with a summary of the research evidence for each. Guidelines address assessment practices (assessment design, assessment formats, use of assessments and post-hoc analysis) and educational systems and cultures (student experience, learning environment, faculty diversity and diversity practices). Conclusions Differential attainment related to ethnicity/race is a complex, systemic problem reflective of unequal norms and practices within broader society and evident throughout assessment practices, the learning environment and student experiences at medical school. Currently, the strongest empirical evidence is around assessment processes themselves.
Uniform and weak stability of Bresse system with one infinite memory in the shear angle displacements
Authors: Bekhouche Rania , Guesmia Aissa , Messaoudi Salim
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we consider a one-dimensional linear Bresse system in a bounded open interval with one infinite memory acting only on the shear angle equation. First, we establish the well posedness using the semigroup theory. Then, we prove two general (uniform and weak) decay estimates depending on the speeds of wave propagations and the arbitrary growth at infinity of the relaxation function.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their Derivatives (O-PAHs, N-PAHs, OH-PAHs): Determination in Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) – a Review
Authors: Nowakowski M. , Rykowska I. , Wolski R. , Andrzejewski P.
Published: December 2021

The aim of this paper is the presentation of the current state-of-the-art about the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxidized forms originating from Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) samples. The influence of SPM on health is twofold. SPM, as composed of small particles, is dangerous for the respiratory system. Additionally, SPM is a carrier of many hazardous compounds, particularly PAHs. Recently, several researches focus on the derivatives of PAHs, particularly nitro-, oxy- and hydroxy-PAHs, which are more dangerous than the parent PAHs. Both gas and high-performance liquid chromatography with various detection techniques are used to analyze both PAHs and their oxidized forms. Due to the appearance of these compounds in the environment, at a very low level, an analyte concentration step has to be applied prior to analysis. If GC and HPLC techniques are chiefly used as analytical tools for these analyses, the spectrum of analyte concentration procedures is very broad. Many analyte concentration techniques are proposed: from classic liquid-solid extractions, including Soxhlet technique, pressurized liquid extraction (ASE) or microwave oven (MWE) and sonic supported extraction to SPE techniques applications. However, one should remember that PAH determination methods are tools for solving the main problem, i.e., the evaluation the health hazard connected to the presence of SPM in air. Thus, the main drawback of several papers found in this review, i.e., the lack of information concerning limit of detection (LOD) of these methods makes their applicability very limited.
Elements in Pointed Invariant Cones in Lie Algebras and Corresponding Affine Pairs
Authors: Neeb Karl-Hermann , Oeh Daniel
Published: December 2021

In this note, we study in a finite dimensional Lie algebra $${\mathfrak g}$$
g
the set of all those elements x for which the closed convex hull of the adjoint orbit contains no affine lines; this contains in particular elements whose adjoint orbits generates a pointed convex cone $$C_x$$

C
x

. Assuming that $${\mathfrak g}$$
g
is admissible, i.e., contains a generating invariant convex subset not containing affine lines, we obtain a natural characterization of such elements, also for non-reductive Lie algebras. Motivated by the concept of standard (Borchers) pairs in QFT, we also study pairs (x, h) of Lie algebra elements satisfying $$[h,x]=x$$

[
h
,
x
]
=
x

for which $$C_x$$

C
x

pointed. Given x, we show that such elements h can be constructed in such a way that $$\mathop {\mathrm{ad}}\nolimits h$$

ad
h

defines a 5-grading, and characterize the cases where we even get a 3-grading.
A new roadmap for the breeding of disease-resistant and high-yield crops
Authors: Wang Yiming , Dong Suomeng
Published: December 2021

Breeding of disease-resistant and high-yield crops is essential to meet the increasing food demand of the global population. However, the breeding of such crops remains a significant challenge for scientists and breeders. Two recent discoveries may help to overcome this challenge: the discovery of a novel molecular framework to fine-tune disease resistance and yields that includes epigenetic regulation of antagonistic immune receptors, and the discovery of a Ca2+ sensor-mediated immune repression network that enables the transfer of subspecies-specific and broad-spectrum disease resistance. These breakthroughs provide a promising roadmap for the future breeding of disease resistant crops.
RegVar: Tissue-Specific Prioritization of Non-Coding Regulatory Variants
Authors: Lu Hao , Ma Luyu , Quan Cheng , Li Lei , Lu Yiming , Zhou Gangqiao , Zhang Chenggang
Published: December 2021

Non-coding genomic variants constitute the majority of trait-associated genome variations; however, the identification of functional non-coding variants is still a challenge in human genetics, and a method for systematically assessing the impact of regulatory variants on gene expression and linking these regulatory variants to potential target genes is still lacking. Here, we introduce a deep neural network (DNN)-based computational framework, RegVar, which can accurately predict the tissue-specific impact of non-coding regulatory variants on target genes. We show that by robustly learning the genomic characteristics of massive variant–gene expression associations in a variety of human tissues, RegVar vastly surpasses all current non-coding variant prioritization methods in predicting regulatory variants under different circumstances. The unique features of RegVar make it an excellent framework for assessing the regulatory impact of any variant on its putative target genes in a variety of tissues. RegVar is available as a web server at https://regvar.omic.tech/.
“Part of Being a Citizen is to Engage and Disagree”: Operationalizing Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Citizenship Education with Late Arrival Emergent Bilingual Youth
Authors: Jaffee Ashley Taylor
Published: December 2021

During a divisive political time, it is critical that social studies teachers, teacher educators, and scholars commit to justice, equity, inclusivity, and diversity when teaching, engaging, and learning with emerged bilingual (EB) students. This study examines how late arrival EB students and their teachers conceptualize social studies, citizenship, and civic education through a framework of culturally and linguistically relevant citizenship education (CLRCE). The findings in this study extend the original CLRCE framework by drawing from multiple sites of pedagogical ideas and action to support late arrival EB students inside and outside of the social studies classroom. This study offers examples for how to implement CLRCE in communities experiencing similar demographic shifts as well as in schools who are interested in centering the cultural, linguistic, and civic experiences of their students. Specifically, this study reveals pedagogical examples and sites of critical citizenship that center EB students’ ideas, experiences, assets, and actions in civic society and in the social studies classroom, offering ways to rethink and reimagine civics education.