bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Lot-Sizing Model to Prevent Heat Stress and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Korkulu Sezen , Bóna Krisztián
Published: December 2021

Management of heat stress and metabolic cost is vital for preventing any work-related disorders. In this paper, we integrated rest time formulations for heat strain and metabolic cost to develop a new lot sizing model for preventing heat exposure and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The effects of heat strain and rest allowance on the total cost of the production supply process were investigated. The problem studied in this paper was the handling of the raw materials placed in boxes by manual material handling in order to supply the material requirement of a production line placed in a production area. For the realisation of the material handling transactions between the raw material warehouse and the production line, Electric Pallet Jack (EPJ) was used. The study covers the investigation of picking, storing, and carrying motions for the manual handling of these materials. The result of the analysis has shown that 8.5% savings were achieved by using the heat strain and rest time in comparison to the total cost of this part of the production line supply process with the ISO 7243 maximum metabolic work limit. Consequentially, the analysis results showed that the developed method demonstrated the viability of lot sizing model optimisation with multiple objectives and complex constraints with regards to the metabolic cost and heat strain.
Current Challenges for the Postal Services Sector in the Context of E-Commerce – Predictive Analysis of V4 States
Authors: Novotná Michaela , Gottwald Dalibor
Published: December 2021

The article’s focus is on the postal services sector. The sector plays an important role in a process of delivering packages to the customers. Over the last few years, there has been a significant growth in volume of shipments transported. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the current development and subsequent prediction of two selected indicators that play an important role in the context of e-commerce development in the V4 states. One of the indicators is the number of shipments; the other is the indicator of CO2 emissions. While the values of the CO2 emission in the predictive analysis in comparison with the growing e-commerce turnover indicator stagnate, the number of shipments is growing alongside the e-commerce turnover values. In the light of these findings, it is clear that the growing number of shipments will result in the need to change the approach to the organisation of the parcel delivery process, especially in big cities and agglomerations. It is also necessary to mention that organisational changes in the parcel delivery process in big cities and agglomerations must be carried out in an environmentally friendly way.
Research progress of biological effects of cell membrane under infrared and terahertz irradiation
Authors: Bo Wen-Fei , Che Rong , Kong Lei , Zhang Ming-Jie , Zhang Xiao-Bo ,   College of Information and Communication, National University of Defense Technology, Xi’an 710106, China
Published: December 2021

Irradiation of terahertz electromagnetic wave including its short-wave band in infrared wave shows broad and important application prospects in biological science due to its noninvasive and nonionizing nature. Cell membrane is an important biological barrier for keeping cell integrity and homeostasis, and it is also the cellular structure that electromagnetic fields act first on in the case of terahertz irradiation. The responses of cell membrane to the electromagnetic fields are the mechanisms for most of the biological effects of terahertz irradiation. First, in this paper are expatiated the application safety of terahertz irradiation and its new application prospects in life medicine, neural regulation and artificial intelligence. Then, systematically described are the researches and developments in the biological effects of cell membrane under terahertz electromagnetic irradiation from the following four aspects: the dielectric response characteristics of phospholipid membrane to terahertz electromagnetic irradiation, the transmembrane transport of ions through membrane ion channel proteins under the irradiation, the transmembrane transport of macromolecules and ions through phospholipid membrane under the irradiation, and the potential applications and role of biological effects of cell membrane under the irradiation. Meanwhile, introduced in this paper are the scientific discoveries that terahertz electromagnetic irradiation is able to activate voltage-gated calcium channels, voltage-gated potassium channels and active transport calcium channels in cell membrane and to create hydrophilic pores on the phospholipid membrane of cell membrane. Finally, the directions of future efforts to study the biological effects of cell membrane under terahertz irradiation are presented.
Does the Achievement of Gender Equality in Society Reflect on Gender Issues in Corporate Governance: The Case of the West Balkan's Banking Sector?
Authors: Knežević Goranka , Pavlović Vladan , Bojičić Radica
Published: December 2021

Driven by the idea that women do not realize their full potential in society based on not being equally paid, having lower education level than men and facing discrimination based on maternity leave have been a primary motivation to do the research on the following sources of data: HDI; GDI and GII indexes published for four West Balkan countries and average data of women on boards for the same countries experienced in the most developed and female-dominated industry such as banking. This idea helps us formulate primary research questions -if a country has a better human and gender development index it should have more women that actively participle in business and have a real influence on decision making. Our findings are in line with the fact that Slovenia and Croatia are leading countries in the West Balkan region in terms of the index mentioned, therefore shaping a better place for the position of women in society. On the other hand, Serbia has the lowest value of 2 out of 3 indexes. The similarity between bank board diversity can be found between Serbia and Slovenia. In those two countries, women occupy more positions on the executive boards, but fewer on the supervisory board. The situation is different for Croatia and Montenegro where more women are included in supervisory boards. Contribution is that in Western Balkan countries it is arguable that women have no real influence on businesses and results of operations in the banking sector despite the fact that the mentioned countries have quite a good ranking in the gender development reports.
Cryoprotective activities of FK20, a human genome-derived intrinsically disordered peptide against cryosensitive enzymes without a stereospecific molecular interaction
Authors: Matsuo Naoki , Goda Natsuko , Tenno Takeshi , Hiroaki Hidekazu
Published: December 2021

Background

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have been shown to exhibit cryoprotective activity toward other cellular enzymes without any obvious conserved sequence motifs. This study investigated relationships between the physical properties of several human genome-derived IDPs and their cryoprotective activities.

Methods

Cryoprotective activity of three human-genome derived IDPs and their truncated peptides toward lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) was examined. After the shortest cryoprotective peptide was defined (named FK20), cryoprotective activity of all-D-enantiomeric isoform of FK20 (FK20-D) as well as a racemic mixture of FK20 and FK20-D was examined. In order to examine the lack of increase of thermal stability of the target enzyme, the CD spectra of GST and LDH in the presence of a racemic mixture of FK20 and FK20-D at varying temperatures were measured and used to estimate Tm.

Results

Cryoprotective activity of IDPs longer than 20 amino acids was nearly independent of the amino acid length. The shortest IDP-derived 20 amino acid length peptide with sufficient cryoprotective activity was developed from a series of TNFRSF11B fragments (named FK20). FK20, FK20-D, and an equimolar mixture of FK20 and FK20-D also showed similar cryoprotective activity toward LDH and GST. Tm of GST in the presence and absence of an equimolar mixture of FK20 and FK20-D are similar, suggesting that IDPs’ cryoprotection mechanism seems partly from a molecular shielding effect rather than a direct interaction with the target enzymes.
Genomic profiling and expression analysis of the diacylglycerol kinase gene family in heterologous hexaploid wheat
Authors: Jia Xiaowei , Si Xuyang , Jia Yangyang , Zhang Hongyan , Tian Shijun , Li Wenjing , Zhang Ke , Pan Yanyun
Published: December 2021

The inositol phospholipid signaling system mediates plant growth, development, and responses to adverse conditions. Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is one of the key enzymes in the phosphoinositide-cycle (PI-cycle), which catalyzes the phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) to form phosphatidic acid (PA). To date, comprehensive genomic and functional analyses of DGKs have not been reported in wheat. In this study, 24 DGK gene family members from the wheat genome (TaDGKs) were identified and analyzed. Each putative protein was found to consist of a DGK catalytic domain and an accessory domain. The analyses of phylogenetic and gene structure analyses revealed that each TaDGK gene could be grouped into clusters I, II, or III. In each phylogenetic subgroup, the TaDGKs demonstrated high conservation of functional domains, for example, of gene structure and amino acid sequences. Four coding sequences were then cloned from Chinese Spring wheat. Expression analysis of these four genes revealed that each had a unique spatial and developmental expression pattern, indicating their functional diversification across wheat growth and development processes. Additionally, TaDGKs were also prominently up-regulated under salt and drought stresses, suggesting their possible roles in dealing with adverse environmental conditions. Further cis-regulatory elements analysis elucidated transcriptional regulation and potential biological functions. These results provide valuable information for understanding the putative functions of DGKs in wheat and support deeper functional analysis of this pivotal gene family. The 24 TaDGKs identified and analyzed in this study provide a strong foundation for further exploration of the biological function and regulatory mechanisms of TaDGKs in response to environmental stimuli.
Comparison of African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) fatty acid profiles in whole blood, whole blood dried on blood spot cards, serum, and plasma
Authors: Wood Jordan , Minter Larry J. , Bibus Doug , Stoskopf Michael K. , Fellner Vivek , Ange-van Heugten Kimberly
Published: December 2021

Background

African elephants in managed care have presented differences in the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, a situation primarily thought to be due to dietary differences between the managed animals and their free-ranging counterparts. Because of this, circulating fatty acid status is included in routine monitoring of elephant health. A method of blood collection that requires only a few drops of whole blood, dried on filter paper (DBS) and can be used for analyzing full fatty acid profiles offers advantages in clinical application.

Methods

This study compared the use of whole blood, and whole blood DBS, serum or plasma for use in evaluating circulating fatty acid composition in African savannah elephants. Samples from six African elephants (two males and four females) were collected during the same week at the NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC.

Results

Results found only 2 of 36 individual fatty acids and none of the 10 fatty acid groupings were different when comparing the four blood fraction sample types to each other with Mann-Whitney U-Test pairwise comparisons. Myristic acid (14:0) was lower in the DBS samples than in whole blood, serum, and plasma and pentadecaenoic acid (15:1) was slightly more concentrated in DBS and whole blood.

Discussion

Results indicate that fatty acid profile of serum, plasma, whole blood, and DBS are comparable in African elephants. The DBS method offers advantages in acquisition and handling and may be preferable to other methods in both routine health assessment of captive animals and field research on free ranging animals.
Evaluation of Major and Trace Elements Present in Extracted Humic Acid from Bog Peat
Authors: Gmeling K. , Kocsis T. , Osan J. , Kis Z. , Pocsai M. A. , Tokesi K. , Barna I. F. , Padi Gy.
Published: December 2021

The human consumption of humic acid is increasingly relevant therefore the knowledge of exact composition is essential. To make a step in that direction we present gap filling results obtained from three different element analytical investigations of humic acid extracted from fen peat examined in the Carpathian Basin. Prompt-gamma activation (PGAA), neutron activation analytical method (NAA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was carried out. After presenting and explaining the essence of used analytical methods we show some collected spectra and a table where all the concentration of the iden- tified elements are presented with the corresponding measurement errors. All together 42 elements were  identified. PACS.78.70.En, 78.70. Nx,78. 90.+t X-ray emission spectra and fluorescence, Neutroninelastic scattering, Other topics in optical properties, condensed matter aspect.
Cause and Socio-Economic Impact of Water Shortage on the Households of Laptsakha Community, Punakha
Authors: Dorji Singye , Choden Kezang
Published: December 2021

Water is indispensable for life since it is a basic need and is also important for economic activities. Although Bhutan has one of the highest per capita water resource availability in the world with 94,500 m3/capita/annum, the imbalance of geographical and temporal distributions is leading to experience of shortages in local areas.This study determined the shortage of water supply and its socio-economic impacts in Laptsakha community under Punakha,Bhutan.The semi structured questionnaires were distributed to the household of 74 following census method sampling.The result showed that the climate change had significant effect on water scarcity (R²=.208, p<.05). There was a moderate positive correlation between total income and total spent on buying food items (r=304, p<.05); however, there was no significant between total annual incomes and annual expenditure on materials to cope up water shortage (r=.209, p >.05). Ability to maintain hygiene was significantly affected by numbers of days the water was available in the tap per week H(2)=7.030, p<.05). The findings from the study also shows that due to decrease of water supply, it has adverse impacts on total annual income of the households and on their health.This study concluded that water shortage has adversely impact on socio economic of the people of Laptsakha Chiwog, which requires implementation of new strategies and actions towards allocating new source of water for households.
Effect of Replacing Bone Ash with Fresh Water Snail (Pila Ampullacea) Shell Ash on Serum Biochemical Indices of Weaned Rabbits
Authors: Abang F. B. P. , Emmanuel S. S. , Attah S.
Published: December 2021

Twenty five (25) mixed breed weaned rabbits were utilized in 84-days experiment to investigate the effect of replacing bone ash with fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash on the serum biochemical composition of weaned rabbits. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria for a period of 12 weeks. The rabbits were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments and replicated five times giving a total of one rabbit per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD).   Rabbits were raised intensively in hutches of about 4ft × 4ft. Five experimental diets tagged T1 to T5 were formulated  such that fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash replaced bone ash at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Feed and water were served ad libitum. Bio sanitary and bio security measures were strictly adhered to. At the end of the feeding trial, three rabbits per treatment were selected for the evaluation of serum biochemistry. The parameters assayed for were: total serum protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, cholesterol, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus. The study showed that the serum biochemical indices were not influenced (P˃0.05) by the dietary treatments except for calcium which was significantly (P<0.05) influenced, however, calcium values were within the normal reference values for rabbits. This study had shown that fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash can serve as a substitute for bone ash in weaned rabbit diet up to 100% inclusion levels without adverse effect on the serum biochemical indices.
Prevalence of Infection and Malaria Parasite Density among Under Five Children: A Case Study of Dunukofia Rural Community in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Okeke O. A. , Igboka C.C. , Udeh N. P. , Nnatuanya I. O. , Elosiuba V. N. , Nwadike C. C. , Imakwu A. C. , Afoemezie P. I. , Egwuagu C.C.
Published: December 2021

Aim: Malaria still remains an overwhelming cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The study was carried out to evaluate malaria prevalence amongst children less than five years old. 

Study Design: A cross sectional study was carried out. The study adopted a retrospective descriptive survey using the hospital records and diagnostic cross sectional survey by examination of blood samples across three variables: gender, age group and mosquito net usage.

Duration: The study was done in 2021 from the month of March to April in the rural community. 

Methodology: Parasitological diagnosis was with Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2-based malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and microscopy of giemsa-stained blood smears. Demographic information was collected using questionnaire.

Results: Three hundred (300) children aged less than five years malaria infection status was investigate, 174 (58.00% ) of them were females while 126 (42.00%. ) were males. Twenty one percent (21.00%) of the respondents are <1 year, 23.33% (70) of them are between the ages of 2 to 3 years, while 55.67% (167) were 4 years and above. Current malaria prevalence was higher with microscopy (67.33%) than that of RDT (23.33%).  Also, previous RDT results showed that there was a higher prevalence (73.56%) of malaria parasites in females than males (58.73%). The microscopy results showed that males had a higher prevalence (38.10%) of malaria parasites than females (12.64%). Overall gender result also revealed that males had a higher prevalence (96.83%) of malaria parasites than females (86.21%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence result with gender (P<0.05). Females had higher parasite density (28.05±15.390) than males (23.22±19.171), there was no significant difference (P>0.05). It further revealed that children from 4 years and above had higher intensity (29.68±17.357) while those of 1 year and below had the least (14.89±16.069). However, there was no significant difference in the malaria parasite among the age groups of patients (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was still high in Dunukaofia, Anamba State, Nigeria despite various control measures and interventions put in place by WHO.
Performance of TyrerCuzick Model for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment among Pakistan’s Females
Authors: Soomro Rufina , Niaz Rabia
Published: December 2021

Background: Breast cancer incidence is highest in Pakistan among Asian countries. The known risk factors are family history, hormonal exposure, benign proliferative diseases, and high mammographic density which are included in the TyrerCuzick model. The model needs validation studies to implement in prediction, screening, and prevention strategies among different populations. This study aims to validate the TyrerCuzick model for Pakistan's females.

Methods and Materials: A total of 317 biopsy-proven breast cancer patients from the breast surgery clinic at Liaquat National Hospital were included. The 10 years risk score is calculated by applying the TyrerCuzick model software. Subcategories of low risk <2%, moderate risk 2-7%, and high risk >8% were identified. Further risk group stratification is done to find the association with individual factors i.e., age group, menopausal status, family history, and mammographic density.

Results: The mean TyrerCuzick score was low to moderate i.e. 2.23±1.66. The score was distributed as low risk 174(54.9%), moderate risk 137(43.2%), and high risk 6(1.9%). Low risk was observed among 116(81.7%) of less than 50 years old, 105(78.9%) premenopausal, 113(59.8%) with no family history, and 120 patients (59.7%) with low mammographic density. Most of the moderate risk was found in 113(64.6%) of more than 50 years old, 109(60.2%) with postmenopausal, 24(61.5%) with family history, 58(50%) with high mammographic density respectively.

Conclusion: The TyrerCuzick model can predict risk for developing breast cancer among Pakistan’s femalesclose to accurate among older age, postmenopausal, family history of breast cancer, and high mammographic density.
Acclimatization of Tissue Culture Pineapple Plantlet Using Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics Technique in Comparison with Other Conventional Substrates
Authors: Olagunju Y. O. , Aduloju A. O. , Akin-Idowu P. E. , Esuola C. O.
Published: December 2021

Aims: Previously conventional substrates consisting of topsoil mixtures have produced low yield and low survival rate of the tissue culture plantlets. Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technique is being compared with Sawdust (SD) and Topsoil (TS) as a suitable method of acclimatization and further rooting of the plantlets. This research is aimed at optimizing the protocol for acclimatization of tissue culture pineapple plantlets.

Study Design:  Experimental Research Design.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Biotechnology Research Unit, Tissue Culture Laboratory, National Horticultural Research Institute, Jericho-Idi-Ishin, Ibadan. Feb 2021 – April 2021.

Methodology: The technique employed was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 10 samples per treatment in 6 replicates. 5 treatments were investigated in this research. Data analysis was done with the use of SAS statistical analysis software (p<0.05).

Fresh crowns of Ananas comosus (pineapple) were extracted and were cultivated in test tubes containing full MS media. The plantlets were sub-cultured twice, after which they were taken into the hardening chamber. The plantlets were acclimatized in the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics substrate and other substrates – Topsoil(TS), Sawdust(SD), Sawdust + Topsoil (3:1), and Sawdust + Topsoil (1:3).

Results: The result shows that the mean difference in Plant Height and Root Length for SAH substrate was significant as against other substrates used in this study (p<0.05) with SAH having the highest value of 3.50cm for plant height and 2.53cm for root length.  A 100% survival rate was observed for the plantlets grown SAH media as compared to the ones acclimatized on Topsoil and Sawdust combinations which showed a 50% survival rate. There was no significant difference in the number of leaves among all the groups of substrates.

Conclusion: In conclusion, SAH media is a very effective media for the hardening and acclimatization of micro-propagated plantlets.
To assess the Effectiveness of Psychoeducation Intervention on Reducing the Burden of Caring of Alcoholic Dependence Syndrome Patients among Family Caregivers
Authors: Uke Trupti , Gawai Jaya , Kasturkar Pooja
Published: December 2021

Background: Alcohol dependence is considered as a “family disease.” In terms of occupational and social instability, physical and emotional distress, and financial burden, alcohol dependency affects the person as well as those around them, which has a major effect on the lives of significant others.

Aim: Study aims to assess the effectiveness of psychoeducation intervention on reducing the burden of caring for alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family caregivers.

Objective: 1.To identify the existing burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family care givers in experimental group and control group.2.To evaluate the effectiveness of psycho education intervention on reducing the burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family care givers in experimental group and control group at post-test. 3. To evaluate the effectiveness of psycho education intervention on reducing the burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family care givers between experimental group and control group. 4. To compare the effectiveness of psycho education intervention on reducing the burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family care givers between experimental and control group.5.To associate post-test score of psycho education intervention on reducing the burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family care givers with their selected demographic variables in experimental and control group.

Methodology: The research design is experimental one group pre-test post with control group, and participants are, the Family caregivers of alcohol dependence syndrome patients. The aging population will be selected according to the criteria of inclusion and exclusion, and the sampling technique will be selected as the technique of purposive sampling technique. Data will be obtained by participants’ demographic variables and the use of a modified standardized scale for burden assessment and all scales distributed for reducing the burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family caregivers. The literature review was identified through Pub MED, Medline, Cochran, computerized, books, library.

Result: There may be effectiveness of psychoeducation intervention on reducing the burden of caring of alcoholic dependence syndrome patients among family caregivers and this effectiveness will be tested with demographic variables by regression analysis.

Conclusion: findings will be drawn from the statistical analysis.
Synthesis of Carbide Lime Waste Derived Base Catalyst (KF/CLW-Fe3O4) for Methyl Ester Production: An Optimization Study
Authors: Lim Hong Hua , Pua Fei Ling , Othman R. , Taufiq-Yap Yun Hin , Krishnan Shamala Gowri
Published: December 2021

In this paper, solid base catalyst KF/CLW-Fe3O4 was prepared from carbide lime waste, primarily calcium hydroxide with tiny amounts of carbonate and; the catalyst was used in the optimization study on the methyl ester production. The new strong base catalyst was synthesized by chemical impregnation. This catalyst was characterized by Hammett indicator analysis, Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of carbon dioxide. The catalyst was further used to catalyzed the transesterification reaction to produce methyl ester. Taguchi method was used to assess the impact of catalyst at different intervals of reaction parameters, including reaction time, methanol to oil ratio, and catalyst loading. A mixed level of orthogonal array design with L9, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal to noise ratio were used to determine parameters that significantly impact the palm oil transesterification reaction. High methyl ester conversion was attained, and the catalyst can be easily separated and reused. KF/CLW-Fe3O4 has great potential to be used to produce methyl ester because of its high catalytic activity and environmental friendliness. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Senate, Byzantium
Authors: Pazdernik Charles F.
Published: December 2021

From the fourth until the seventh centuries
ce
, the Senate was notable more for the accumulated wealth, prestige, and experience of its members than for any specific institutional or administrative role within the Roman state. The period witnessed the establishment in Constantinople of a body equivalent to the Senate of the city of Rome and the vast expansion of the senatorial order, in the course of which it was transformed, especially in the east, into a service elite based upon the holding of military and civilian offices dispensed by the imperial court.
Computational and experimental investigation of flow fields in a Rushton turbine stirred tank with shear‐thinning fluid
Authors: Zhang Yulong , Wang Libo , Huo Hongliang , Li Zhipeng , Gao Zhengming
Published: December 2021

The flow feature and local shear rate distribution near the impeller blade in a standard Rushton turbine stirred tank with the aqueous solution of sodium polyacrylate were studied by using particle image velocimetry experiments and computational fluid dynamics simulations. Experimental and simulated results, including average velocity and local shear rate distribution at different rotational speeds, were compared, and good agreement was achieved. On this basis, the numerical methods were used to predict the effects of liquid rheology on the velocity and shear rate distribution. The consistency coefficient affects obviously the velocity fluctuation level but has a limited impact on the flow structure. The power‐law index influences significantly the radial jet structure. In addition, the liquid rheology almost has no effect on the average value of the local shear rate near the impeller region, which is proportional to the rotational speed.
Impact of prolonged water‐gas flow on the performance of polyacrylamide
Authors: Al‐Shajalee Faaiz , Seyyedi Mojtaba , Verrall Michael , Arif Muhammad , Al‐Yaseri Ahmed Z. , Tadé Moses O. , Wood Colin , Iglauer Stefan , Saeedi Ali
Published: December 2021

Excessive water production from natural reservoirs is a major challenge in oil and gas industry. Relative permeability modifiers (RPM) are used to selectively reduce water production with minimum effect on the hydrocarbon production. This work examined the performance of polyacrylamide in terms of its water control efficiency at prolonged water‐gas flowing cycles. During each cycle, as the volume of injected water increased, the RPM demonstrated stronger performance in terms of reducing water permeability. This is attributed to the swelling of polymer layer adsorbed to the pore surfaces. Conversely, during each cycle, higher volume of gas injection led to less reduction in the gas effective permeability (PRg) which is due to polymer shrinkage. The reduction in water absolute permeability (PRw) of the treated micromodel in each injection cycle was significantly greater than the reduction in gas permeability. Interestingly, as water‐gas cycles progressed, a significant increase in water permeability reduction was observed. It is also found that polymer expansion and shrinkage are reversible. As such, the RPM performance depends on the injected fluid, injected fluid volumes and water‐gas injecting cycling. We thus conclude that that polymer swelling, and shrinkage and polymer‐gas interaction play a vital role in RPM performance.
Turning waste into wealth: nitrogen‐doped carbon quantum dots derived from fruits wastes for sensing
Authors: Lin Liping , Lai Qingjiao , Chen Qiushuang , Zheng Qiaoling , Fang Meng , He Xinghao , Qin Jinying
Published: December 2021

Hydrothermal treatment of m‐phenylenediamine and grape seed powder has been adopted to synthesize nitrogen‐doped carbon quantum dots (N‐CQDs). The prepared N‐CQDs possessed outstanding optical properties and high quantum yield. Based on the combined effect of static quenching effect and inner filter effect of permanganate (MnO4−) to N‐CQDs and the redox reaction that occurred between MnO4− and l‐ascorbic acid (l‐AA), an ‘off–on’ fluorescence strategy with N‐CQDs has been proposed for the detection of MnO4− and l‐AA. The proposed fluorescent probe was fast, sensitive and selective to MnO4− and l‐AA under mild conditions. In addition, the satisfactory results of the proposed strategy for the detection of MnO4− and l‐AA in real samples indicated its practicability.
Removing a Disabled Person from Her Treasured Independent Living
Authors: Hui Katrina , Law Samuel , Braswell Harold
Published: December 2021

Ms. X is a person with cerebral palsy and schizophrenia. She has intractable bedsores that are a result of her immobility and to poor wound care related to her delusional thinking. Despite intensive community support, the wounds have worsened to the point that she has needed multiple hospitalizations to prevent systemic sepsis, a life‐threatening condition. She is capable of placement decisions and wishes for independence at home but is incapable of making wound care decisions and does not appreciate that immediately returning home from the hospital, instead of going into a special care facility, would likely result in sepsis. The resulting dilemma about discharge planning highlights the complexity involved in weighing concerns around mental illness and capacity for treatment and placement of care. The extent of the care that is required and available in a community or health care system and the slow but relatively certain progression of the symptoms also make the decision challenging. Two commentaries take very different approaches in exploring the question whether Ms. X should be supported to go home or to a special care facility.
John Rawls, Godfather of Bioethics
Authors: Jennings Bruce
Published: December 2021

At a time when ethical and political philosophy were thought passé, John Rawls gave serious attention to ethical questions, providing them with a renewed academic legitimacy. This helped fields of practical ethics such as bioethics become established in higher education and in public affairs. This essay addresses the influence Rawls has had on bioethics through both the style and the substance of his ethical argumentation. The essay argues that his distinctive rhetorical strategy and tone attempted to rein in the scope of normative commitments in order to make an equilibrium between refined understandings of freedom and equality possible and sustainable. Bioethics has been strongly influenced by this approach to maintaining social stability in a liberal society that has become highly stratified and culturally diverse. Bioethics continues to echo the Rawlsian call for a calmly reasoned political life but finds that call increasingly difficult to answer.
Public Deliberation about Gene Editing in the Wild
Authors: Gusmano Michael K. , Kaebnick Gregory E. , Maschke Karen J. , Neuhaus Carolyn P. , Wills Ben Curran
Published: December 2021

Genetic editing technologies have long been used to modify domesticated nonhuman animals and plants. Recently, attention and funding have also been directed toward projects for modifying nonhuman organisms in the shared environment—that is, in the “wild.” Interest in gene editing nonhuman organisms for wild release is motivated by a variety of goals, and such releases hold the possibility of significant, potentially transformative benefit. The technologies also pose risks and are often surrounded by a high uncertainty. Given the stakes, scientists and advisory bodies have called for public engagement in the science, ethics, and governance of gene editing research in nonhuman organisms. Most calls for public engagement lack details about how to design a broad public deliberation, including questions about participation, how to structure the conversations, how to report on the content, and how to link the deliberations to policy. We summarize the key design elements that can improve broad public deliberations about gene editing in the wild.
MutT Homolog 1 Inhibitor Karonudib Attenuates Autoimmune Hepatitis by Inhibiting DNA Repair in Activated T Cells
Authors: Chen Yong , Hua Xiangwei , Huang Bingyuan , Karsten Stella , You Zhengrui , Li Bo , Li You , Li Yikang , Liang Jubo , Zhang Jun , Wei Yiran , Chen Ruiling , Lyu Zhuwan , Xiao Xiao , Lian Min , Wei Jue , Fang Jingyuan , Miao Qi , Wang Qixia , Berglung Ulrika Warpman , Tang Ruqi , Helleday Thomas , Ma Xiong
Published: December 2021

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory liver disease driven by the hyperactivation of various intrahepatic antigen‐specific T cells due to a breach of immune tolerance. Studies in immunometabolism demonstrate that activated T cells harbor increased levels of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative DNA damage. In this study, we assessed the potential of DNA damage repair enzyme MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) as a therapeutic target in AIH and karonudib as a novel drug for patients with AIH. We report herein that MTH1 expression was significantly increased in liver samples from patients with AIH compared to patients with chronic hepatitis B and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and from healthy controls. In addition, the expression of MTH1 was positively correlated with AIH disease severity. We further found abundant T cells that expressed MTH1 in AIH. Next, we found that karonudib significantly altered T‐cell receptor signaling in human T cells and robustly inhibited proliferation of human T cells in vitro. Interestingly, our data reflected a preferential inhibition of DNA damage repair in activated T cells by karonudib. Moreover, MTH1 was required to develop liver inflammation and damage because specific deletion of MTH1 in T cells ameliorated liver injury in the concanavalin A (Con A)‐induced hepatitis model by inhibiting T‐cell activation and proliferation. Lastly, we validated the protective effect of karonudib on the Con A‐induced hepatitis model. Conclusion: MTH1 functions as a critical regulator in the development of AIH, and its inhibition in activated T cells reduces liver inflammation and damage.
Irreversibility analysis of micropolar nanofluid flow in a vertical channel with the impact of inclined magnetic field and heat source or sink
Authors: Shobha K. C. , Patil Mallikarjun B.
Published: December 2021

This article examines the inclined magnetic field effect on the flow of micropolar nanofluids in a vertical channel with convective boundary conditions and heat source or sink. Thermodynamics second law is employed to analyze the aspects of entropy generation. The governing differential equations are modified into dimensionless form by using suitable nondimensional variables. These transformed equations are solved by implementing the differential transform technique. The results are analyzed graphically. Skin friction and Nusselt number values are evaluated at the boundary walls of the channel. The major findings of the study are material parameter enhances the microrotation but suppresses both velocity and temperature. Magnetic parameter and angle of the implication of magnetic field decrease the velocity and microrotation. Material parameter and angle of imposed magnetic field minimize the entropy generation.
miR‐455‐5p regulates circadian rhythms by accelerating the degradation of Clock mRNA
Authors: Cheng Qianyun , Fan Xinyi , Liu Yutong , Xu Lirong , Dong Pengjuan , Song Liwen , Qian Ruizhe
Published: December 2021

Circadian rhythms are approximately 24‐hr cycles generated by organisms to adapt to daily rhythms. Core circadian proteins such as CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1/2, and CRY1/2/3 form a transcription‐translation feedback loop (TTFL) to maintain circadian rhythms. MicroRNAs are involved in regulating circadian rhythms; however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, using miRNA‐seq screening, we discovered that the expression level of miR‐455 was controlled by CLOCK. Furthermore, miR‐455‐5p also binds to the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of Clock mRNA and regulates its stability. To further study whether such mutual regulation forms a feedback loop to regulate circadian rhythms, we recorded bioluminescence traces of Per2::Luc U2OS cells in real time and confirmed that overexpression of miR‐455‐5p lengthens the period and attenuates the amplitude of circadian rhythms in synchronized cells (and vice versa). We also discovered that miR‐455‐5p can function as a Clock modulator to induce a fine‐orchestral circadian rhythm in vitro, as well as other known factors such as dexamethasone, horse serum, or temperature. In conclusion, miR‐455‐5p is essential for maintaining a normal circadian rhythm via regulating Clock mRNA stability. Our study reveals a new mutual regulatory mechanism between CLOCK protein, Clock mRNA, and miR‐455‐5p, which regulates circadian rhythms in cells.
Drain current model for a hetero‐dielectric single gate tunnel field effect transistor (HDSG TFET)
Authors: Singh Ajay Kumar , Fui Tan Chun , Soong Lim Way
Published: December 2021

Tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) is a potential candidate to replace CMOS in deep‐submicron region due to its lower SS (subthreshold swing, <60 mV/decade) at room temperature. However, the conventional TFET suffers from low tunneling current and high ambipolar current. To overcome these two shortcomings, a new structure, known as Hetero‐dielectric gate TFET (HDG TFET), has been proposed in the literature. To analyze the electrical characteristics of this structure, a closed form of analytical expression of current is required. This paper presents the analytical current model for Hetero‐dielectric single gate (HDSG) TFET structure without using any iterative method. The developed analytical models show a good agreement with 2‐D TCAD simulator results. The model is used to study the electrical behavior of the proposed device under various physical and bias variations.
Destruction of polyunsaturated alkyl/acyl and alkenyl/acyl glycerophosphocholine of plasma lipoproteins during incubation with group V and X secretory phospholipase A2s
Authors: Kuksis Arnis , Pruzanski Waldemar
Published: December 2021

Plasma lipoproteins are carriers of various glycerophospholipids including diacyl, alkenyl/acyl, and alkyl/acyl glycerophosphocholines (GPCs), which become distributed among cells and tissues during metabolism. For metabolic function, these phospholipids require hydrolysis by phospholipases, but the responsible enzymes have not been identified. We had previously shown that after complete digestion of lipoprotein diacyl‐ and oxo‐diacyl‐GPCs, degradation of residual alkyl/acyl and alkenyl/acyl GPCs continues, despite the fact that ether lipids are resistant to hydrolysis by Ca2+‐activated secretory PLA2s and require the presence of the Ca2+‐independent PLA2. In the course of further investigation, we came across a report by Khaselev and Murphy in which the autoxidative degradation of plasmalogens in the presence of 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) proceeded beyond the formation of dihydroperoxides, hydroxides and epoxides, and led to an attack on the enyl bond of the plasmalogen, resulting in formation of 1‐OH/2‐20:4‐GPC and 1‐formyl/2‐20:4‐GPC. Our preliminary investigation indicated that lipoprotein 16:0p/20:4ω6‐GPC yielded the same autoxidation products as those reported for synthetic 16:0p/20:4ω6‐GPC in the presence of AAPH. Such autoxidative degradation of lipoprotein plasmalogens had not been previously reported with or without AAPH. Subsequent study led to the conclusion that this reaction was not limited to arachidonates, but extended to other polyunsaturated eicosanoids, docosanoids, and tetracosanoids, as well as oligounsaturated octadecanoids. These observations led to a hypothesis that the autoxidative cleavage of the lipoprotein plasmalogens proceeded under the influence of apo‐protein‐derived free radicals as intermediates of oxidative processes.
Modified rectangular resonators based multi‐frequency narrow‐band RFID reader antenna
Authors: Mishra Durga Prasad , Behera Santanu Kumar
Published: December 2021

In this article, a chipless RFID reader antenna based on a modified rectangular‐resonator is presented. The reader antenna is fabricated and measured to validate multiple narrowband resonance behavior. The measurement results show that the reader antenna can detect 11‐bit multi‐frequency coded chipless tag and depict gains of 4.7 and 5.2 dBi at 0.58 and 2.4 GHz, respectively. The cubic interpolation approach as a signal processing technique is applied at the reader end to eliminate the unnecessary drops at the measurement. Further study of Chu and Mclean's fundamental limit demonstrates that the physical dimensions of the proposed antenna and the radiation characteristics fulfilling the limitations. The multiple narrow‐band responses of the reader antenna can be suitable to detect multi‐bit tags which are of high demand because a multibit tag can be used for multiple frequency applications for hassle‐free wireless environment, viz. tracking, retailing, identification, and healthcare utilities.
A framework for constructing elasto‐plastic constitutive models for frozen and unfrozen soils
Authors: Yu Fan , Guo Peijun , Na SeonHong
Published: December 2021

The need for unified constitutive models for frozen and unfrozen soils in simulating frost heave and thaw consolidation has been recognized. However, a reliable and easy‐to‐implement model is not yet available. This paper extends the one‐dimensional elasto‐plastic model proposed by Yu et al. to solve multi‐dimensional problems. In the extended model, total and effective stresses are taken as the stress variables for frozen and unfrozen soils, respectively. A critical‐state‐based mode, Clay And Sand Model (CASM), is employed for soil at unfrozen states. The emphasis is placed on how a basic constitutive model for unfrozen soils is extended to describe the elasto‐plastic behavior for both unfrozen and frozen soils in two steps: (1) extension of the constitutive model from unfrozen to frozen soils by considering ice‐bonding effect, and (2) integration of descriptions for soils at unfrozen and frozen states using the concept of residual stress (by Nixon and Morgenstern). The freeze‐thaw cycling effect is naturally incorporated by the introduction of residual stress line that is used to determine the initial stress state and preconsolidation pressure of thawed soil. After being implemented into FORTRAN subroutines for ABAQUS, the performance of the proposed model is demonstrated by simulating triaxial compression tests on frozen sand at different temperatures under confining pressures, and freeze‐thaw cycling processes of silty clay under loading.
Toxicological issues of conventional gas hydrate inhibitors
Authors: Tabaaza Grace Amabel , Haq Ihtisham Ul , Zain Dzulkarnain B. , Lal Bhajan
Published: December 2021

Gas hydrates formation is a major challenge to effective hydrocarbons flow in pipelines; thus, flow assurance is a remedy. The use of gas hydrate inhibitors is commonly used as an effective method to inhibit gas hydrate formation. This study focuses on the toxicological issues of conventional gas hydrate inhibitors. The study evidence reveals that conventional chemical additives that ensure effective flow assurance are said to contribute significantly to environmental change and damage. This is attributed to their toxicity nature that poses a great environmental risk by such chemical inhibitors; more so thermodynamic inhibitors due to their dissociation ability that affects seafloor stability. This leads to the release of methane (and associated gases) and other toxic components into the column water. However, little is known about the actual toxicity of frequently used gas hydrate inhibitors. This calls for an in‐depth study into such and also the development of greener inhibitors to replace the existing ones.