bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notas acerca de la estética y la epistemología de la investigación-creación
Authors: Roncoroni Osio Umberto
Published: November 2022

El objetivo del artículo es estudiar las relaciones entre investigación y creación artística y discutir algunas inconsistencias en sus fundamentos, poniendo especial atención en el pensamiento complejo y la tecnología. Para esto, se analizó la literatura, se sintetizaron los resultados de proyectos de investigación interdisciplinarios y se desarrolló un software experimental. La hipótesis es que al artista investigador le conviene aceptar el reto de las ciencias, actualizar sus procesos y abandonar el romanticismo latente en el arte y sus instituciones. Como sugiere la producción artística y tecnológica de la investigación, esto es posible de acuerdo con la teoría de los programas de investigación de Lakatos, mediante la selección de los elementos interdisciplinarios, la recuperación de los valores formales y el aprovechamiento de las dimensiones mediáticas, estéticas y epistemológicas del software.
Entrevista amb Manel Vidal. Vull Aprendre
Authors: Vidal Manel
Published: November 2022

Et defineixes com a pare i mestre interessat en tecnologia, gestió de centre, teatre i jocs de taula. Parla’ns una mica de la teva formació i la teva experiència professional. Només fa un any que em defineixo com a pare. El naixement de l’Íria m’ha fet replantejar molts aspectes de la vida i considero que la paternitat ha de quedar sempre en primer pla i que t’ajuda a observar la vida des d’una perspectiva diferent.
Increasing Reliability of Robotized Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Bormanis Oskars
Published: November 2022

The Thesis studies robotized manufacturing systems focusing the research on industrial robots. Development and production testing methods of the electronic components of industrial robot and their role in the life cycle of hardware are reviewed in the Thesis. The main achievement of the Thesis is the development of a software tool for robot language code translation to lifetime consumption of robot drive inverter power electronics components. Reliability assessment for various industrial robot electrical cabinet layout and operation options is included in this study by applying the developed tool in practice.
A new approach for SPN removal: nearest value based mean filter
Authors: Turan Bülent
Published: November 2022

In this study, a new adaptive filter is proposed to eliminate salt and pepper noise (SPN). The basis of the proposed method consists of two-stages. (1) Changing the noisy pixel value with the closest pixel value or assigning their average to the noisy pixel in case there is more than one pixel with the same distance; (2) the updating of the calculated noisy pixel values with the average filter by correlating them with the noise ratio. The method developed was named as Nearest Value Based Mean Filter (NVBMF), because of using the pixel value which the closest distance in the first stage. Results obtained with the proposed method: it has been compared with the results obtained with the Adaptive Frequency Median Filter, Adaptive Riesz Mean Filter, Improved Adaptive Weighted Mean Filter, Adaptive Switching Weight Mean Filter, Adaptive Weighted Mean Filter, Different Applied Median Filter, Iterative Mean Filter, Two-Stage Filter, Multistage Selective Convolution Filter, Different Adaptive Modified Riesz Mean Filter, Stationary Framelet Transform Based Filter and A New Type Adaptive Median Filter methods. In the comparison phase, nine different noise levels were applied to the original images. Denoised images were compared using Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Image Enhancement Factor, and Structural Similarity Index Map image quality metrics. Comparisons were made using three separate image datasets and Cameraman, Airplane images. NVBMF achieved the best result in 52 out of 84 comparisons for PSNR, best in 47 out of 84 comparisons for SSIM, and best in 36 out of 84 comparisons for IEF. In addition, values nearly to the best result were obtained in comparisons where the best result could not be reached. The results obtained show that the NVBMF can be used as an effective method in denoising SPN.
A multi-reference poly-conformational method for in silico design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds illustrated for selected SARS-CoV-2 ligands
Authors: Alexandrov Vadim , Kirpich Alexander , Kantidze Omar , Gankin Yuriy
Published: November 2022

Background

This work presents a novel computational multi-reference poly-conformational algorithm for design, optimization, and repositioning of pharmaceutical compounds.

Methods

The algorithm searches for candidates by comparing similarities between conformers of the same compound and identifies target compounds, whose conformers are collectively close to the conformers of each compound in the reference set. Reference compounds may possess highly variable MoAs, which directly, and simultaneously, shape the properties of target candidate compounds.

Results

The algorithm functionality has been case study validated in silico, by scoring ChEMBL drugs against FDA-approved reference compounds that either have the highest predicted binding affinity to our chosen SARS-CoV-2 targets or are confirmed to be inhibiting such targets in-vivo. All our top scoring ChEMBL compounds also turned out to be either high-affinity ligands to the chosen targets (as confirmed in separate studies) or show significant efficacy, in-vivo, against those selected targets. In addition to method case study validation, in silico search for new compounds within two virtual libraries from the Enamine database is presented. The library’s virtual compounds have been compared to the same set of reference drugs that we used for case study validation: Olaparib, Tadalafil, Ergotamine and Remdesivir. The large reference set of four potential SARS-CoV-2 compounds has been selected, since no drug has been identified to be 100% effective against the virus so far, possibly because each candidate drug was targeting only one, particular MoA. The goal here was to introduce a new methodology for identifying potential candidate(s) that cover multiple MoA-s presented within a set of reference compounds.
A Meta-analytic Review of the Relationship between Mathematics Anxiety and the Mathematical Thinking of Africa Students
Authors: Atoyebi Oluwatoyin Motunrayo , Atoyebi Samuel Babajide
Published: November 2022

The development of mathematical thinking is a crucial component of Mathematics education. Mathematics is needed for students to have the ability to manage, acquire, and make use of information to survive in competitive, uncertain, and ever-changing circumstances. Mathematical thinking is the primary goal of learning Mathematics. Despite the relative importance of Mathematics, it is highly disheartening to see that, due to Mathematics anxiety, students’ mathematical thinking has remained persistently subpar in Africa. Mathematics anxiety, which is the feeling of worry, stress, and trepidation when people engage with mathematics, has long been a topic of concern in education. This study investigated the relationship between Mathematics anxiety and the mathematical thinking of students in Africa. A meta-analysis method was used to statistically analyze the results of studies yielding 1789 samples that examined the relationship between Mathematics anxiety and the mathematical thinking of students. These studies were conducted from 2005 to 2021. The findings showed a strong negative correlation between Mathematics anxiety and the mathematical thinking of students in Africa. This study's statistical findings demonstrate how the problem-solving ability of students and the reasoning of students are affected by Mathematics anxiety. These results can help education stakeholders to create environments that will enhance students' mathematical reasoning abilities. This study recommends that curriculum developers should come up with strategies for incorporating fresh perspectives into the Mathematics curriculum that will make it engaging for African students and boost their thinking to become better not just in their academics but also in their day-to-day living.
Stability and Feedback Control of Volterra Type Systems with Time Delay
Authors: Davies I. , Ebiwareme L. , Ekesiobi O. I. , Brown-Ikiri P. E. , Nnaa F.
Published: November 2022

New results for stability and feedback control of time delay systems were proposed. These results were obtained by using Lyapunov Razumikhin method to approximate the stability of the uncontrolled Volterra type system with delay and designing a state feedback controller using a model transformation technique, the Lyapunov matrix equation and the Razumikhin approach for the stabilization of the controlled Volterra type system with delay. Examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Poly-unsaturated Fatty Acid, Biodiesel Property and Anticancer Activity Analysis of Monoraphidium griffithii
Authors: Vinitha V. , Meignanalakshmi S. , Tirumurugaan K. G. , Sarathchandra Ghadevaru , Sundaram S. Meenakshi
Published: November 2022

Aim: The aim of the study was to isolate and characterize freshwater microalgae from Puzhal lake, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and to analyze its biochemical composition, poly-unsaturated fatty acid content, anticancer activity, cytotoxicity, and biodiesel properties.

Methodology: Pure isolate obtained from freshwater was characterised biochemically and identified by ITS-2 RNA sequence as Monoraphidium griffithii. The microalgal culture was maintained under white light illumination for a photoperiod of 16:8 light/dark hours respectively. The saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acid profiling was performed in a Gas Chromatography-Flame ionization detector and the biodiesel properties were analyzed through BiodieselAnalyzer© Ver. 2.2 software. The anti-cancer and cytotoxicity studies were performed using the human lung cancer cell line (A549) and Vero cell line at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg biomass/ml concentration.

Results: The biochemical composition was determined to be 32.97%±1.648 protein, 15.36%±2.857 carbohydrate, 15.89%±1.407 lipid, 26.27±1.48 µg/mg chlorophyll a+b and 8.03±1.92 µg/mg carotenoid. The fatty acid profiling revealed the presence of 19 different fatty acids of which Palmitic acid was 18.08%, cis-10 heptadecanoic acid was 17.37%, alpha-linolenic acid was 2.05%, and docosahexaenoic acid was 1.27%. The biodiesel properties were within the American standard for testing materials (ASTM) limits. 46.5% cell viability was attained at a microalgal concentration of 80 µg/ml against the human lung cancer cell line (A549) and the cell viability was 77.87% even at the high concentration of 100 µg/ml against the Vero cell line.

Conclusion: The isolated microalgae Monoraphidium griffithii can be used for the production of biodiesel. The presence of alpha-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid and anticancer activity makes them a source for human and animal nutrition.
Effect of Solarization against Bruchid Infestation and Seed Quality in Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wildzek) During Storage
Authors: Padmasri A. , Parimala K. , Rajeswari B. , Madhavi M. , Rao P. Jagan Mohan
Published: November 2022

Among the storage insect pests the Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis is  predominant storage pest of  green gram which infests during pre and post-harvest stages. The ovipositional potential, adult emergence, seed damage decreased at above 35ºC. After exposing to solar heat, it is better to store the seeds in moisture vapour proof containers like polythene bags having 700 gauge to maintain the quality of seeds during storage. To know the effect of solarization cum  packaging in a clear polyethylene (700 gauge) packets on the storability of seeds and bruchid management in greengram. A laboratory study was conducted during June 2018 to April 2019 at the Seed Research and Technology Centre, PJTSAU. The experiment was conducted with eight treatments with three replications. The data on seed germination percentage, seed moisture content, adult emergence and insect infestation were recorded at every three months upto nine months of storage and statistically analyzed by using completely randomized block design (CRD). Solarization of fresh seeds  in clear polyethylene (700 gauge) packet for 4 h for 6 days was  able to maintain per cent  insect infestation (0.49%) below permissible limit and maintained germination percentage (90.67) >IMSCS upto six months of storage as compared with 4.22 per cent seed damage and 83.33  per cent germination in untreated control (Fresh seeds).   Seeds packed in a clear polyethylene (700 gauge) packet serves as a moisture vapour proof containers and able to reduce moisture by 22.16 per cent over the untreated control.
Methanolysis of Africa Pear Seed Oil via Thermally Activated Empty Palm Fruit Bunch Ash (TAEPFBA) Catalyst, ANN Prediction and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Umeagukwu O. E. , Onukwuli O. D. , Ude C. N. , Asadu C. O.
Published: November 2022

This study investigated the catalytic effect of thermal modified empty palm fruit bunch ash (TAEPFBA) on the transesterification reaction of Africa pear seed oil (APSO) with optimization of the process variable, and relative contribution of each variable ascertained. The TAEPFBA was synthesized from empty palm fruit bunches while the APSO was extracted via solvent extraction. The oil and catalyst were characterized using American Standard for Testing of Material (ASTM) and analytical tools. The biodiesel was produced at optimal condition and the yield of biodiesel was predicted with artificial neural network (ANN). The methyl ester produced was characterized and compared with standard properties for its application. The results showed that the oil and catalyst had comparable properties with other oils and catalysts that have been used for transesterification. The optimal conditions for transesterification reaction are temperature of 60oC, reaction time of 3hrs, 10:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 3wt % catalyst dosage and agitation speed of 300rpm with biodiesel yield of 75%. The biodiesel produced was within the acceptable standard. The ANN predicted the yield of biodiesel with a mean square error (MSE) value of 0.0214 less than 0.05 level of significant. The contributive impact of each process variable shows that the temperature has the highest relative impact on the yield of biodiesel while the methanol/oil molar ratio has the least contribution The overall result shows that the catalyst (TAEPFBA) has the potential to convert the APSO to alkyl ester and the yield can be predicted with ANN tool.
Risk Factors Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Women in Senegal
Authors: Ngom-Cisse Safietou , Dieng Assane , Gassama Omar , Diagne-Samb Habsa , Cisse Moustapha , Ndiaye Serigne Mbaye Lo , Tine Alioune , Karam Farba , Lo Gora , Ba-Diallo Awa , Gaye-Diallo Aïssatou , Toure-Kane Coumba , Diop-Ndiaye Halimatou , Boye Cheikh Saad-Bouh , Camara Makhtar
Published: November 2022

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with a high risk of complications, particularly during pregnancy.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of BV in pregnant women in Dakar, Senegal, and to identify its associated risk factors.

Patients and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 in pregnant women with 34 to 38 weeks of gestation and seen for their routine prenatal consultation at the Nabil Choucair health center in Dakar, Senegal. Vaginal swabs were taken and examined using the Nugent scoring system for the diagnosis of the BV. Data analysis on SPSS (version 25) was done using the chi-square test to measure the strength of association. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: BV was found in 28.0% (112/400) of the screened women with a median age 24 (21-29) years. A pH >4.5 predictive of BV was found in 80.4% (90/112) of samples. BV was associated with vaginal candidiasis in 49.1% (55/112) while Trichomonas vaginitis was found in 1.8% (02/112). In 80.4% (90/112) of affected women, BV was caused by Gardnerella vaginalis. Mobiluncus spp. was found in 19.6% (22/112) pregnant women in association with G. vaginalis. Symptoms characterized by episodes of pruritus, pelvic pain, burning and/or dyspareunia were seen among 59.8% (67/112) of these women with BV while 40.1% (45/112) of them reported no symptoms.

Conclusion: In view of these results and in order to reduce gestational complications and adverse outcomes in the newborn, screening for BV in pregnant women should be favored in developing countries.
Experimental study on the effect of fire alarms on occupants for situational awareness and evacuation decision‐making using a mobile virtual reality head‐mounted display
Authors: Minegishi Yoshikazu , Takahashi Wataru , Ikehata Yuka
Published: November 2022

Fire alarms play a significantrole in situational awareness and decision‐making pertaining to evacuation for fire evacuation safety in office buildings that include small rooms, where many occupants cannot directly see fire or smoke. We conducted experiments using a mobile VR head‐mounted display to examine how individuals perceive the sound of fire alarms in rooms of different sizes. Comparing the cases of hearing the alarm sound in the large room and the small room, approximately 70% of the test participants answered that they wanted to check the situation more when they were in the small room because they could not understand the surrounding situation. Regardless of the room size, when test participants hear the early warning voice, approximately 40% of them would check the neighborhood and evacuate, and when they hear the evacuation directive voice alarm, more than 90% will take the same action. We also discussed the awareness process of occupants considering this result and the configuration of a smoke detection system in Japan. Approximately half of the people in the large room take checking actions; however, the remaining people do not take specific confirmation actions for about 1–3 min and do not check for fires or evacuate.
Polysaccharide Nanodonuts for Photochemotherapy‐Amplified Immunogenic Cell Death to Potentiate Systemic Antitumor Immunity Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yaping , Qian Junmin , Xu Weijun , Wang Jinlei , Li Zhi , Tan Gang , Suo Aili
Published: November 2022

Immunotherapy shows great promise in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the low response rate of HCC patients to immunotherapy caused by inadequately immunogenic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is a huge challenge. Herein, a donut‐like multifunctional polysaccharide nanoplatform (GH‐PID) is constructed from doxorubicin/aldehyde hyaluronan nanoring, indocyanine green/hydroxyethyl chitosan nanocomplex, and HCC‐bitargeted galactosamine‐hyaluronan conjugate via a facile self‐assembly process. The GH‐PID nanodonuts exhibit excellent HCC‐targeted ability and synergetic photochemotherapy effect with a coefficient index of about 0.44. Moreover, near infrared laser‐irradiated GH‐PID nanodonuts show robust therapeutic efficacy in HCC mouse models by virtue of photochemotherapy‐augmented immunogenic cell death (ICD) effect. The remarkable ICD in combination with programmed death‐1 antibody efficiently eradicates primary tumors and inhibits distant tumor growth and lung metastasis of HCC by maturing dendritic cells, increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration, suppressing the expansion and trafficking of immunosuppressive myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, and ameliorating immunosuppressive TME. This study provides a facile and versatile strategy to construct polysaccharide nanodonuts integrating multifunctionality and highly efficient HCC‐targeted ability, and the nanodonuts‐based ICD inducer holds great promise for potentiating systemic antitumor immunity and programmed death‐1/programmed death‐ligand 1 blockade efficacy.
Adapting time domain reflectometry to measure surface moisture of sand‐based putting greens
Authors: O'Brien Daniel , Richardson Michael , Karcher Douglas
Published: November 2022

Managing root zone moisture is critical to both the health and performance of sand‐based golf course putting greens. Ensuring adequate water for root uptake while preserving firm, dry surfaces is an ever‐present challenge. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is an accepted technology for obtaining objective, nondestructive measurements of volumetric water content (VWC). However, portable TDR meters have limited ability to describe VWC near the surface, the region that ultimately defines putting green quality. The objective of this research was to expand the measurement capabilities of an existing TDR meter to estimate VWC in the uppermost 1.2 and 2.5 cm of sand‐based putting greens. Spacer‐blocks were constructed to effectively reduce the measurement depth of the Field Scout TDR300 (Spectrum Technologies Inc.). Samples from creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and ultradwarf bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] putting greens were removed, saturated, and dried for various intervals so that measurements with the modified TDR300 could be correlated to gravimetrically determined ground‐truth VWC. At both 1.2 and 2.5 cm, highly significant (p < .0001) quadratic prediction models were produced, with R2 values of 0.93 and 0.96, respectively. The use of spacer‐blocks expanded the capabilities of the TDR300, providing additional VWC data near the surface, thus creating a more comprehensive depiction of putting green moisture. The methods developed in this research have implications beyond turfgrass and may provide valuable information for studying seedling germination, disease development, or other situations where shallow, non‐destructive VWC measurements are beneficial.
Adverse driving behaviors increase over time as a function of preclinical Alzheimer's disease biomarkers
Authors: Doherty Jason M. , Murphy Samantha A. , Bayat Sayeh , Wisch Julie K. , Johnson Ann M. , Walker Alexis , Schindler Suzanne E. , Ances Beau M. , Morris John C. , Babulal Ganesh M.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

We investigated the relationship between preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers and adverse driving behaviors in a longitudinal analysis of naturalistic driving data.

Methods

Naturalistic driving data collected using in‐vehicle dataloggers from 137 community‐dwelling older adults (65+) were used to model driving behavior over time. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were used to identify individuals with preclinical AD. Additionally, hippocampal volume and cognitive biomarkers for AD were investigated in exploratory analyses.

Results

CSF biomarkers predicted the longitudinal trajectory of the incidence of adverse driving behavior. Abnormal amyloid beta (Aβ42/Aβ40) ratio was associated with an increase in adverse driving behaviors over time compared to ratios in the normal/lower range.

Discussion

Preclinical AD is associated with increased adverse driving behavior over time that cannot be explained by cognitive changes. Driving behavior as a functional, neurobehavioral marker may serve as an early detection for decline in preclinical AD. Screening may also help prolong safe driving as older drivers age.
Rapid character scoring and tabulation of large leaf‐image libraries using Adobe Bridge
Authors: Rossetto‐Harris Gabriella , Stiles Elena , Wilf Peter , Donovan Michael P. , Zou Xiaoyu
Published: November 2022

Premise

Digital image libraries are an integral part of specimen‐based research. However, coding and extracting metadata for hundreds of specimens on a personal computer can be complex. In addition, most existing workflows require downsampling or platform switching and do not link character data directly to the images.

Methods and Results

We demonstrate a method to code and embed into images the standard leaf architecture and insect‐damage characters that are widely used in paleobotany. Using the visual file browser Adobe Bridge, customizable and searchable keywords can be applied directly and reversibly to individual full‐resolution images, and the data can be extracted and formatted into a matrix using scripts.

Conclusions

Our approach is intuitive and acts as a digital mimic and complement to the experience of sorting and analyzing specimens in‐person. Keywords can be easily customized for other data types that require visual sorting using image libraries.
Neural network‐based event‐triggered cluster quasi‐consensus for unknown multiagent systems with directed topology
Authors: Tang Wenyan , Mo Haihong , Wu Jia , Xia Yaping
Published: November 2022

This paper studies cluster quasi‐consensus problem for a class of unknown nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) with directed communication topology. First, a distributed continuous neural network (NN)‐based adaptive protocol is presented for solving this problem by introducing reference model to each agent. Then, taking limited communication resource and energy consumption into account, a distributed event‐triggered cluster quasi‐consensus protocol is proposed. Different from the existing results, two event‐triggered mechanisms are constructed in the proposed event‐triggered protocol to reduce communication load and control update frequency as possible. The sufficient conditions that guarantee cluster quasi‐consensus under the both proposed protocols are obtained, respectively. Zeno behavior is proved to be excluded. Finally, simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed protocols.
Adjusting the Electrolyte Polarity to Address the Dissolution Issue of Organic Electrode
Authors: Liu Zitong , Xu Ting , Meng Xianjiao , Zhao Yali , Lan Qing , Liu Yutao , Song Zhiping , Qin Jian , Zhan Hui
Published: November 2022

Small organic molecules with carbonyl active site are a prominent member in the family of organic electrode material, due to the reversible reaction and more tunable electrochemical property. However, the dissolution loss is the biggest obstacle in its application. In this work, we tried to address the dissolution issue of 5,7,12,14‐pentacenetetrone (PT), a typical quinone‐based organic electrode. Highly concentrated electrolyte of 5 M LiTFSI DME was used and it significantly reduced the dissolution and well maintained the capacity after 500 cycles. Besides, through the investigation of the relationship between solvent/electrolyte property and dissolution, and the interaction between electrode and electrolyte, a guiding rule of the dependence of dissolution on polarity was proposed. With the rule, non‐polar solvent of hexane was further added as co‐solvent and its‐adding decreased the polarity and substantially eliminated the dissolution loss. The work supplies a common electrolyte strategy to address the dissolution issue of small organic molecules.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical Research: A Path Toward Precision Health for Everyone
Authors: Washington Vindell , Franklin Joseph B. , Huang Erich S. , Mega Jessica L. , Abernethy Amy P.
Published: November 2022

Healthcare disparities are a persistent societal problem. One of the contributing factors to this status quo is the lack of diversity and representativeness of research efforts, which result in nongeneralizable evidence that, in turn, provides suboptimal means to enable the best possible outcomes at the individual level. There are several strategies that research teams can adopt to improve the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) of their efforts; these strategies span the totality of the research path, from initial design to the shepherding of clinical data through a potential regulatory process. These strategies include more intentionality and DEI‐based goal‐setting, more diverse research and leadership teams, better community engagement to set study goals and approaches, better tailored outreach interventions, decentralization of study procedures and incorporation of innovative technology for more flexible data collection, and self‐surveillance to identify and prevent biases. Within their remit of overlooking research efforts, regulatory authorities, as stakeholders, also have the potential for a positive effect on the DEI of emerging clinical evidence. All these are implementable tools and mechanisms that can make study participation more approachable to diverse communities, and ultimately generate evidence that is more generalizable and a conduit for better outcomes. The research community has an imperative to make DEI principles key foundational aspects in study conduct in order to pursue better personalized medicine for diverse patient populations.
Stocking method and terminology in grazing management: Evaluation of assertions from educational, outreach, and engagement programs
Authors: Castillo Miguel S. , Wallau Marcelo
Published: November 2022

We revisited terminology and assertions about grazing management in general, but more specifically the choice of the stocking method, and considered their merit in the context of evidence from the literature, including a chapter entitled Prescribed Grazing on Pasturelands from a National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) literature synthesis published in 2012 (Nelson, 2012). We framed those assertions in the form of questions. Our objectives were to consider whether these often‐stated assertions about grazing management were supported, refuted, or simply not adequately assessed by the body of scientific evidence and to help focus future discussion about the topic.
Associations among relationship status, gender, and sexual attraction in Australian adolescents' eating pathology
Authors: Roberts Savannah R. , Hay Phillipa , Bussey Kay , Trompeter Nora , Lonergan Alexandra , Mitchison Deborah
Published: November 2022

Objective

Engaging in romantic relationships in adolescence may inadvertently increase participation in appearance culture and the risk for eating pathology. Little research has considered this effect, particularly as it relates to adolescents' gender identity and sexual attraction. Therefore, this study examined the associations among relationship status, gender, and sexual attraction in adolescents' eating pathology.

Methods

Data from the first wave of the EveryBODY study, a large sample of Australian adolescents aged 11–19 years (n = 3262, Mage = 15.00, 53.80% girls), were used. Participants reported their relationship status and eating pathology (fasting, purging, binge eating, driven exercise, steroid use, and shape/weight concerns) using an online survey.

Results

Logistic regressions adjusting for age and BMI percentile revealed that romantic relationships were associated with higher adjusted odds (AORs) for reporting clinical frequency/severity threshold of fasting, purging, steroid use, and shape and weight concerns (AORs: 1.34–3.68). Relative to boys, girls had higher adjusted odds of reporting clinical frequency/severity threshold of all eating disorder features (AORs: 1.47–7.40), except for steroid use for muscle gain. Adolescents who reported same‐sex attraction, were unsure of their sexual attraction, or did not endorse any sexual attraction had greater adjusted odds of reporting clinical frequency/severity threshold of fasting, purging, and shape and weight concerns (AORs: 1.35–1.83) than those with only other‐sex sexual attraction. Interactions among relationship status, gender, and sexual attraction were nonsignificant.

Conclusions

Romantic experience emerged as a novel correlate for adolescents' eating pathology. Future research should uncover the contextual factors within relationships that may contribute to this association.

Public Significance

The initiation of romantic relationships is normative during adolescence. However, adolescents' romantic desirability is often determined by their physical appearance, increasing the risk for eating pathology. Among a large sample of Australian adolescents, romantic involvement was associated with greater likelihood of clinical threshold eating pathology for adolescent boys and girls, regardless of sexual attraction. It is urgent to identify the factors within romantic relationships that are associated with eating pathology.
Defining plant ecological specialists and generalists: Building a framework for identification and classification
Authors: Kirsch Alex , Kaproth Matthew A.
Published: November 2022

Specialization is a widespread but highly ambiguous and context‐dependent ecological concept. This quality makes comparisons across related studies difficult and makes associated terms such as “specialist” and “generalist” scientifically obscure. Here, we present a metric‐based framework to quantify specialization in 141 Quercus species using functional traits, biogeography, and species interactions. Rankings of specialization based on five metrics were used to answer questions about how specialization is used colloquially (i.e., individual species assessment by experts) and influenced by phylogenetics (Ancestral Character State Reconstruction, Automatic Shift Detection), biogeography (patterns of clustering by region and with climate), and species threat level (IUCN Red List). Metric‐based ranking can be representative of specialization in a consistent and practical manner, correlating with IUCN Red List data, and the mean scores of individual expert assessments. Specialization is shown to be highly correlated with precipitation seasonality and only moderately influenced by evolutionary history. Data‐deficient species were more likely to be highly specialized, and higher specialization was positively correlated with greater IUCN threat level. Frameworks for characterizing specialization and generalization can be done using metric ranking and can turn concepts that are often unclear into a definitive system. Metric‐based rankings of specialization can also be used to reveal interesting insights about a clade's evolutionary history and geographic distribution when paired with the related phylogenetic and geographic data. Metric‐based rankings can be applied to other systems and be a valuable tool for identifying species at risk and in need of conservation.
Positive Impact of Acid‐Heat Treatment on the Electrocatalytic Performance of Highly Active and Low Pt‐Based Nanostructured Alloy Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reactions to Electrochemical Energy Conversion Devices
Authors: Rahman Md. Mijanur
Published: November 2022

Platinum‐based catalysts have been widely examined for energy conversion devices and other applications. However, a significant reduction in costs by reducing the amount of precious Pt in the catalyst without reducing its effectiveness is necessary for large‐scale commercialization. In this regard, low‐Pt alloyed with 3d transition‐metal (M = Co, Ni, Cr) catalysts supported by carbon have been synthesized. Here, an inexpensive, simple, and fast dry‐mixing method and an alloying process using a rapid quenching technique are used for the synthesis of PtM/C catalysts. After synthesis, an acid‐heat treatment is conducted to reconstruct the surface of nanoparticle (NP) catalysts. The result shows that acid‐heat treatment eliminates surface oxidation and reduces the size of NPs, resulting in increased active surface area and the number of Pt‐active sites. Acid‐heat treatment also modifies the composition ratio of NPs, leading to the uniform dispersion of Pt and M atoms in the alloy. Oxygen reduction reaction activity of PtM/C alloy catalysts after acid‐heat treatment has improved considerably, and this improvement depends on the unique structural features of Pt and M. Among the different catalysts, PtCo/C has the highest electrocatalytic activity because of the effective modification of electronic surface structure and the increased number of active sites.
Impact resistance of BIPV systems: New testing procedure for performance assessment of multifunctional products
Authors: Bonomo Pierluigi , Parolini Fabio , Corti Paolo , Frontini Francesco , Bellenda Giovanni , Caccivio Mauro
Published: November 2022

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is progressively achieving an advanced level of technical maturity and considerable market penetration. In the last kilometre for considerable market implementation, major challenges are today mostly related to improving cost‐effectiveness and product reliability. BIPV multifunctional products are still framed in complex and sometimes unclear qualification processes, in the grey area between electrotechnical and construction sectors, impacting commercialization and users' confidence. The EN 50583 part 1 and part 2 standards today represent the main regulatory framework in Europe for BIPV. However, acts in force for product certification, in the construction and electrical sectors, in most national and local contexts are not yet harmonized for BIPV and imply wide margins of interpretation. The product's qualification in the EU is therefore based on electrical standards for photovoltaics modules or, on the other hand, on standards for construction products. To overcome some of these barriers and challenges, the authors propose a newly developed procedure for testing the impact resistance of BIPV products, introducing a performance‐based approach with the goal of combining building and electrical‐related limit states and responding to the need for a harmonized assessment to ensure the product's safety in use. The methodology and preliminary findings resulting from the application of real test cases, taking also into account the effect of temperature, are presented and analysed. As a result, it is envisaged that the implementation will help operators and prospective normative upgrades, ensuring more outstanding product quality for BIPV's market and driving towards a drop in life cycle costs.
Distinct genetic landscapes and their clinical implications in younger and older patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Lee Wan‐Hsuan , Lin Chien‐Chin , Wang Yu‐Hung , Yao Chi‐Yuan , Kuo Yuan‐Yeh , Tseng Mei‐Hsuan , Peng Yen‐Ling , Hsu Cheng‐An , Sun Hsun‐I , Chuang Yi‐Kuang , Hsu Chia‐Lang , Tien Feng‐Ming , Tsai Cheng‐Hong , Chou Wen‐Chien , Hou Hsin‐An , Tien Hwei‐Fang
Published: November 2022

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of clinically and genetically diverse diseases that impose patients with an increased risk of leukemic transformation. While MDS is a disease of the elderly, the interplay between aging and molecular profiles is not fully understood, especially in the Asian population. Thus, we compared the genetic landscape between younger and older patients in a cohort of 698 patients with primary MDS to advance our understanding of the distinct pathogenesis and different survival impacts of gene mutations in MDS according to age. We found that the average mutation number was higher in the older patients than younger ones. The younger patients had more WT1 and CBL mutations, but less mutated ASXL1, DNMT3A, TET2, SF3B1, SRSF2, STAG2, and TP53 than the older patients. In multivariable survival analysis, RUNX1 mutations with higher variant allele frequency (VAF) and U2AF1 and TP53 mutations were independent poor prognostic indicators in the younger patients, whereas DNMT3A and IDH2 mutations with higher VAF and TP53 mutations conferred inferior outcomes in the older patients. In conclusion, we demonstrated the distinct genetic landscape between younger and older patients with MDS and suggested that mutations impact survival in an age‐depended manner.
Epstein‐Barr virus miR‐BART2‐5p and miR‐BART11‐5p regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration by targeting RB and p21 in gastric carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Meng‐He , Liu Wen , Zhang Xing , Zhang Yan , Luo Bing
Published: November 2022

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) was the first tumor virus discovered in humans and can cause various types of tumors. Molecular classification suggests that EBV‐associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is a unique subtype of gastric cancer.EBV was also the first virus found to encode its own microRNAs. However, the functions of many miRNAs remain unknown. This study investigated the roles and targets of miR‐BART2‐5p (BART2‐5p) and miR‐BART11‐5p (BART11‐5p) in EBVaGC. The expression of RB and p21 in EBVaGC and EBV negative GC (EBVnGC) cells was evaluated by western blotting. Expression of BART2‐5p and BART11‐5p in EBVaGC cells was evaluated by droplet digital PCR. The effects of BART2‐5p or BART11‐5p and their potential mechanisms were further investigated using cell counting kit‐8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry analysis, and transwell assay. BART2‐5p and BART11‐5p were abundantly expressed and RB and p21 were downregulated in EBVaGC cells. BART2‐5p regulates RB and p21 expression by directly targeting them. BART11‐5p regulates RB expression by directly targeting RB. Both BART2‐5p and BART11‐5p promoted proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, while inhibiting apoptosis and promoting S‐phase arrest of the cell cycle. Thus, BART2‐5p and BART11‐5p play important roles in promoting proliferation and migration, and inhibiting apoptosis in EBVaGC by targeting RB and p21, thus providing new potential therapeutic targets for EBVaGC.
Graphite and multilayer graphene detected on ~70,000‐year‐old stone tools: Geological origin or constituent of hafting resin?
Authors: Prinsloo Linda C. , Bordes Luc , Mauran Guilhem , Lombard Marlize , Wadley Lyn
Published: November 2022

Raman spectroscopy identified graphite and multilayer graphene on ~70,000‐year‐old stone tools from Middle Stone Age deposits at Sibudu Cave, KZN, South Africa. The graphite/multilayer graphene appeared to be concentrated on the hafting side of the artefacts, suggesting that it was added to the hafting glue. However, graphite/multilayer graphene was only identified on stone tools made of hornfels and not on those made of dolerite and quartzite. A geological origin is therefore not out of the question. In this paper, we present arguments for and against its origin as geological or as constituent of the hafting resin. Our results favour its geological origin and serve as a cautionary tale for interpreting residues on archaeological artefacts without an in‐depth study of the raw materials used to produce the tools.
Mechanically Strong and Tough Poly(urea‐urethane) Thermosets Capable of Being Degraded under Mild Condition
Authors: Yin Yanlong , Xu Yang , Zhang Xuhao , Duan Baorong , Xin Zhirong , Bao Chunyang
Published: November 2022

The development of degradable polymeric materials such as degradable polyurethane or polyurea has been much highlighted for resource conservation and environmental protection. Herein, a facile strategy of constructing mechanically strong and tough poly(urea‐urethane) (PUU) thermosets that can be degraded under mild conditions by using triple boron‐urethane bonds (TBUB) as cross‐linkers is demonstrated. By tailoring the molecular weight of the soft segment of the prepolymers, the mechanical performance can be finely controlled. Based on the cross‐linking of TBUB units and hydrogen‐binding interactions between TBUB linkages, the as‐prepared PUU thermosets have excellent mechanical strength of ≈40.2 MPa and toughness of ≈304.9 MJ m−3. Typically, the PBUU900 strip can lift a barbell with 60 000 times its own weight, showing excellent load‐bearing capacity. Meanwhile, owing to the covalent cross‐linking of TBUB units, all the PUU thermosets show initial decomposition temperatures over 290 °C, which are comparable to those of the traditional thermosets. Moreover, the TBUB cross‐linked PUU thermosets can be easily degraded in a mild acid solution. The small pieces of the PBUU sample can be fully decomposed in 1 m HCl/THF solution for 3.5 h at room temperature.
Effect of Diets on Plasma and Aorta Lipidome: A Study in the apoE Knockout Mouse Model
Authors: Busnelli Marco , Manzini Stefano , Colombo Alice , Franchi Elsa , Lääperi Mitja , Laaksonen Reijo , Chiesa Giulia
Published: November 2022

Scope

Specific lipid molecules circulating in plasma at low concentrations have emerged as biomarkers of atherosclerotic risk. The aim of the present study is that of evaluating, in an athero‐prone mouse model, how different diets can affect plasma and aorta lipidome.

Methods and results

Thirty‐six apoE knockout mice are divided in three groups and feed 12 weeks with diets differing for cholesterol and fatty acid content. Atherosclerosis is measured at the aortic sinus and aorta. Lipids are quantified in plasma and aorta with mass spectrometry. The cholesterol content of the diets is the main driver of lipid accumulation in plasma and aorta. The fatty acid composition of the diets affects plasma levels both of essential (linoleic acid) and nonessential (myristic and arachidonic acid) ones. Lipidomics show a comparable distribution, in plasma and aorta, of the main lipid components of oxidized LDL, including cholesteryl esters and lysophosphatidylcholines. Interestingly, lactosylceramide, glucosyl/galactosylceramide, and individual ceramide species are found to accumulate in diseased aortic segments.

Conclusion

Both the cholesterol and fatty acid content of the diets profoundly affect plasma lipidome. Aorta lipidome is likewise affected with the accumulation of specific lipids known as markers of atherosclerosis.
Rapid anatomical imaging of the neonatal brain using T2‐prepared 3D balanced steady‐state free precession
Authors: Park Jinho , Jang MinJung , Heier Linda , Limperopoulos Catherine , Zun Zungho
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To develop a new approach to 3D gradient echo‐based anatomical imaging of the neonatal brain with a substantially shorter scan time than standard 3D fast spin echo (FSE) methods, while maintaining a high SNR.

Methods

T2‐prepration was employed immediately prior to image acquisition of 3D balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) with a single trajectory of center‐out k‐space view ordering, which requires no magnetization recovery time between imaging segments during the scan. This approach was compared with 3D FSE, 2D single‐shot FSE, and product 3D bSSFP imaging in numerical simulations, plus phantom and in vivo experiments.

Results

T2‐prepared 3D bSSFP generated image contrast of gray matter, white matter, and CSF very similar to that of reference T2‐weighted imaging methods, without major image artifacts. Scan time of T2‐prepared 3D bSSFP was remarkably shorter compared to 3D FSE, whereas SNR was comparable to that of 3D FSE and higher than that of 2D single‐shot FSE. Specific absorption rate of T2‐prepared 3D bSSFP remained within the safety limit. Determining an optimal imaging flip angle of T2‐prepared 3D bSSFP was critical to minimizing blurring of images.

Conclusion

T2‐prepared 3D bSSFP offers an alternative method for anatomical imaging of the neonatal brain with dramatically reduced scan time compared to standard 3D FSE and higher SNR than 2D single‐shot FSE.