bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Goods and Services and Equivalent Economic Benefits of Sand Dunes of India
Authors: Ramesh Devaraj Asir , Muthukrishnan L. , Karthi N. , Dhivya S.
Published: October 2022

Sand dunes are simply an extension of the beach which is a reservoir of sand, during storms when the waves erode the dune and carry the sand into the sea. They are providing habitat for shellfish, birds, rodents, and ungulates.  They have been used for coastal defense, water catchment areas, agriculture purposes, mining, and housing.  Many of the goods and services produced by the sand dunes are not easily quantified and accounted for since they are not being traded in the formal market. Hence, many of the environmental benefits have been often neglected or even ignored by the economy, industry, coastal communities, and other stakeholders.  Systematic accounting of the benefits shall enlighten the relationship between environmental function, human dependency, and economics. Though there are many goods and services, economic assessment of sand dune landforms is scarce.
Estimated values of sand dune landforms allow policymakers to assess the benefits that society gains from the environmental feature.  The monetary value of sand dune landforms goods and services shall be a tool to raise awareness and convey the (relative) importance of the environmental feature to the general public and policymakers.  In addition, the monetary value shall support decision-making on the allocation of resources for competing uses.  This policy paper analysis assesses the economic value of sand dune landforms to wise use of the sand dune and sustainable management of the coastal environment.
This policy paper used the Benefit Transfer method to estimate the equivalent economic benefit of the sand dune landforms.  The monetary benefit of sand dunes in a one-hectare area of the sand dune has been estimated at Rs.8220002/ha./yr =US$ 176103.66(average).  Sand dunes have been distributed in 1231 patches with a total area of 32445 ha.  Using the average value of sand dune benefits, the equivalent economic benefit from sand dunes of India cost Rs. 26670 crore/yr.=US$ 5.71 billion.  Among the coastal States and UTs, Andhra Pradesh State has a huge area (11594 ha.) of sand dunes which share Rs. 9530 crore/yr.=US$ 2.04 billion which occupies 36% of the total sand dunes of India.
Link Function for Quantile Estimation in Regression Settings
Authors: Karim Md. Rezaul , Haque Sejuti
Published: October 2022

This paper studies the quantile estimation by using the link function under a broad family of asymmetric densities known as a generalized quantile-based asymmetric family. We proposed a link function and quantile estimation in regression settings. The estimator’s asymptotic properties of the estimators are also discussed here. To demonstrate the proposed methods for estimating the quantile function, an actual data application including the proportion of daily SARS-Cov-2 infected persons tested for COVID-19 infection and meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity is included. We discovered that the amount of daily SARS-Cov-2 infected people tested for COVID-19 infection is significantly influenced by temperature and humidity.
A Comparison of the Pearson, Spearman Rank and Kendall Tau Correlation Coefficients Using Quantitative Variables
Authors: El-Hashash Essam F. , Shiekh Rega Hassan Ali
Published: October 2022

In all fields and branches of sciences especially statistics, the correlation coefficient is one of the most often used statistical measures. This study has been carried out for comparing the performances of the Pearson (), Spearman's Rank (), and Kendall’s Tau () correlation coefficients under three sample sizes based on the data of quantitative variables of cotton. Descriptive statistics showed the presence of genetic variability for the cotton studied traits in this study. The quantity, significance, and direction of the correlation calculated by  differed in some cases from the other methods under the three sample sizes, opposite is true for  and . The highest number of positive correlations among studied traits were by  under N = 30 observations, and by   and  under N = 20 observations. The studied correlation methods performances by Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) revealed that  and  appear to be a good estimator of correlation because they have the lowest values of RMSE. The highest values of RMSE were observed by  and   under N=10 and N=20, and by   under N=30. The results of PCA could be useful and appropriate in this study, in which the PCA1 had highly positively correlated with the three studied methods for N=10 observations, and with  and  for N=20 observations.
Soil Profile Studies under Different Orchard Management System in Chhindwara District of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Singh Nikita , Meena Ramawatar , Meena Kamlesh , Patle Nitu , Meena R. K. , Srivastava Rajneesh , Singh Pavan
Published: October 2022

The investigation conducted at the laboratory of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha; Mirzapur during the year 2021-22. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical properties and macro-nutrient availability of orchard soil depth under (0–15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 cm) of different blocks of Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh. By using GPS camera, 52 soil samples was collected from different orchard of different blocks of district. The physical and chemical properties of soil were critically analyzed. The pH of orchard soil was found slightly acidic to alkaline in nature. Total soluble salts were found less than 1dSm-1 . Organic carbon was observed high in upper surface (0-15 cm) and decreased with the increasing depth of the profile. Bulk density (1.28 – 1.97 Mg m3) and particle densities (2.49 – 2.65 Mg m3) were found in normal ranged for all the layers. The samples were found under low water holding capacity (30.87-65.24%) of all the orchards. Nitrogen was observed in low (110.30 kg ha-1) to medium (468.28 kg ha-1) range in the different layers (0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90cm). Phosphorus and sulphur content were found medium (8.56-11.78 kg ha-1 and 10.6-13.9 kg ha-1) in surface layer and low (7.10 – 10.65 and 8.4-12.7 kg ha-1) for sub-surface layers. Available                                   potassium was determined in high range (224.0-378.8 kg ha-1) for all the layers (0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 cm).
Using Data From a Short Video Social Media Platform to Identify Emergent Monkeypox Conspiracy Theories
Authors: Zenone Marco , Caulfield Timothy
Published: October 2022

This qualitative study investigates emergent conspiracy theories about monkeypox collected from content and metadata posted by users of a social media video app.
Studies of first‐aid medical stations by flow simulation of damaged patients by the earthquake part 2: Investigation based on the area scale of disaster base hospitals by predicting the number of patients affected by a northern Tokyo Bay earthquake
Authors: Egawa Kana , Kojima Tokuhiro , Tsubota Yuu , Chiang Wen‐Jing , Ando Shigeru , Yamashita Tetsuro
Published: October 2022

Based on a simulation of casualties potentially affected by a Northern Tokyo Bay earthquake, we examined the limits and possibilities of medical relief activities and building space at disaster base hospitals. Considering casualty numbers over time, we determined details about the overall space required to deal with affected patients based on degree of urgency and ascertained the needs of each area. We found that the yellow area (for high‐risk patients) was relatively large; however, it was also found that affected patients remained and continued to accumulate in the red (critical) area for some time after the disaster.
Phylogenetic distance controls plant growth during early restoration of a semi‐arid riparian forest
Authors: Teixeira Leonardo H. , Mazzochini Guilherme G. , Kollmann Johannes , Ganade Gislene
Published: October 2022

Little attention has been paid to phylogenetic diversity during restoration initiatives. Because plant phylogenetic distance can be a surrogate for functional diversity, its consideration could foster the restoration of degraded areas.

This study investigates the influence of species richness and phylogenetic relatedness during early restoration of a riparian forest located between the Atlantic Forest and semi‐arid ecosystems in NE Brazil. The restoration experiment was established along a perennial stream in Monte Alegre, RN, investigating the significance of species richness and phylogenetic diversity for sapling survival and growth of the restored communities.

We used phylogenetic information on 47 tree species naturally occurring at the study site. The resulting phylogenetic tree had a basal node with three major clades. To implement the experiment, three species from each clade were randomly selected, resulting in nine species (from five families). We defined five levels of diversity: (i) no planting, (ii) monoculture, (iii) three phylogenetically related species (same clade), (iv) three phylogenetically distant species (different clades) and (v) nine species. The experiment consisted of 96 (12 m × 10 m) plots established along the two margins of the stream. Overall, 1656 saplings (20–50 cm) were planted in September 2015 (184 per species). We tested whether the survival and growth of saplings are influenced by the number of species planted and phylogenetic distance among them.

We assessed plant mortality and growth during two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). Survival was lower but relative growth was higher for plants near the stream. After controlling for differences in initial size, plots with phylogenetically distant species produced significantly taller plants, but only when occurring near the stream. Diversity treatments did not influence plant survival, while initial size determined plant survival and growth.

Our findings show that greater phylogenetic distance led to increased plant growth, probably, because of the presence of functionally divergent species that use resources in a complementary way. Therefore, plant phylogenetic relatedness should be considered during the design of restored communities to improve the outcomes of future restoration initiatives.
Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative C−C Bond Cleavage of β‐Alkyl Nitroolefins to α‐Ketoamides with Air
Authors: Yi Tao , Liu Quan , Zhang Yue , Huang Jinhao , Zeng Zhigang , Chen Yunfeng
Published: October 2022

A copper‐catalyzed cascade reaction for selective aerobic oxidative C−C bond cleavage of β‐alkyl nitroolefins and subsequent oxidative amidation with amines or amides was reported. The reaction all exhibited high selectivities and gave the corresponding α‐ketoamides with 66–88% yields. The mechanistic study revealed that the NO2‐directed aerobic oxidative C−C bond cleavage occurred on more electron‐rich allylic nitro tautomers, which originated from the equilibrium of conjugated nitroalkenes.

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Metal‐ and Oxidant‐Free Electrosynthesis of Heterocycles from 1,2‐Diarylalkene Derivatives
Authors: Yu Eunsoo , Kim Hyungguk , Park Cheol‐Min
Published: October 2022

Synthesis of heterocycles from 1,2‐diarylalkene derivatives through electrosynthesis under metal‐ and oxidant‐free conditions has been discovered. Cathodic reduction of 2‐alkenylbenzoic acid or anodic oxidation of 2‐alkenylbenzamide, 2‐alkenylphenol and 2‐alkenylaniline leads to the formation of reactive radical intermediates which afford corresponding phthalide, isochroman‐1‐one, isoindolin‐1‐one, benzofuran, and indole in satisfying yields with good functional group tolerance. Interestingly, different chemoselectivities were found in different reaction solvents. Several mechanistic investigations including cyclic voltammetry studies and control experiments were carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanisms.

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Electrochemically Enabled Dehydrogenative Phosphorothiolation of 2H‐Indazoles under Electrolyte‐Free Conditions
Authors: Ghosh Payel , Hajra Alakananda
Published: October 2022

We have developed an electrochemical method for phosphorothiolation of 2H‐indazoles using S‐hydrogen phosphorothioates via cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction under metal‐free and electrolyte‐free conditions. This protocol is compatible with electron donating groups like −Me, −OMe, halogen and elctron withdrawing groups such as −COOEt, affording respective indazolyl phosphorothioates in 62%‐91% yields. Comprehensive mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through a radical pathway.

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Phase‐Transition‐Cycle‐Induced Recrystallization of FAPbI3 Film in An Open Environment Toward Excellent Photodetectors with High Reproducibility
Authors: Wang Meng , Cao Fengren , Meng Linxing , Wang Min , Li Liang
Published: October 2022

Perovskite is an attractive building block for future optoelectronic applications. However, the strict fabrication conditions of perovskite devices impede the transformation of lab techniques into commercial applications. Here, a facile annealing‐free posttreatment is proposed to reconstruct the perovskite film to obtain high‐performance photodetectors with an optimized production rate. With posttreatment by methylamine thiocyanate, the prefabricated formamidinium‐lead triiodide (FAPbI3) film will undergo a recrystallization process consisting of a repeating phase‐transition‐cycle (PTC) between the black and yellow phases of FAPbI3, which improves the crystal quality and eliminates defects. As a result, some casually prepared or even decomposed perovskite films can be reconstructed, and the dispersion degree of the device performance based on the posttreatment method decreases by ≈21% compared to the traditional antisolvent method. This facile and annealing‐free posttreatment will be an attractive method for the future industrial production of perovskite devices.
Social injustice unveiled by genetic analysis: Argentina as a case study
Authors: Corach Daniel , Caputo Mariela
Published: October 2022

Background

The population of the American countries is genetically heterogeneous, whose genesis result from of recent admixture events. In this process, the transoceanic European component displaced the original inhabitants of the continent.

Aim

To investigate whether socially differentiated cohorts exhibit underlying ancestry components within an urban admixed population, two cohorts of individuals inhabiting Argentina were studied. One cohort included genetically unrelated individuals involved in voluntary paternity testing while the other included sexual or blood‐crime suspects.

Materials & Methods

We analyzed over 2500 unrelated individuals: four Native American maternal lineage mtDNA markers in 1024 samples, five Y chromosome haplogroups in 658 male samples, 24 autosomal ancestry informative markers (AIMs) in 205 samples, and 15 autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) in 1557 samples; countrywide and divided by regions.

Results

While our results confirm a tricontinental ethnic contribution to both cohorts, their proportions showed statistically significant differences, with a higher proportion of Native American ancestry in the cohort linked to violent crimes compared to those in paternity testing. This hallmark was observed with all the marker sets used and at various levels of analysis.

Discussion

Since paternity tests are costly, socio‐economic differences might help to interpret our observations. The effect of discrimination against descendants of Native American minorities, and exposure to violent social environments, might link marginal groups to criminality.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the relevance of proper social management since only by improving living conditions, reducing discrimination, promoting education, and providing job opportunities will it be possible to attain equality in a heterogeneous society. Genetic markers proved to be highly informative in unveiling unexpected social differences.
A Redox‐Controlled Substrate Engineering Strategy for Site‐Specific Enzymatic Fucosylation
Authors: Lu Na , Li Yun , Xia Hui , Zhong Kan , Jia Chenning , Ye Jinfeng , Liu Xianwei , Liu Chang‐Cheng , Cao Hongzhi
Published: October 2022

Fucosylation is one of the most common modifications of oligo‐N‐acetyllactosamine (oligo‐LacNAc) glycans. However, none of known fucosyltransferases (FucTs) could install the α1,3‐linked fucose to the oligo‐LacNAc substrates in a site‐specific manner. Here, we report a facile and general redox‐controlled substrate engineering strategy for the site‐specific α1,3‐fucosylation of complex glycans containing multiple LacNAc units. This strategy takes advantage of an operationally simple oxidation enzyme module by using galactose oxidase (GOase) to convert the LacNAc unit into oxidized C6′‐aldehyde LacNAc sequence, which is not a good substrate for recombinant α1,3‐FucT from Helicobacter pylori strain 26695 (Hpα1,3FucT), enabling the site‐specific α1,3‐fucosylation at intact LacNAc sites. The general applicability and robustness of this strategy were demonstrated by the synthesis of a variety of structurally well‐defined fucosides of linear and branched O‐ and N‐linked glycans.
Actinide Pnictinidene Chemistry: A Terminal Thorium Parent‐Arsinidene Complex Stabilised by a Super‐Bulky Triamidoamine Ligand
Authors: Du Jingzhen , Balázs Gábor , Seed John A. , Cryer Jonathan D. , Wooles Ashley J. , Scheer Manfred , Liddle Stephen T.
Published: October 2022

We report the direct synthesis of the terminal pnictidenes [An(TrenTCHS)(PnH)][M(2,2,2‐cryptand)] (TrenTCHS={N(CH2CH2NSiCy3)3}3−; An/Pn/M=Th/P/Na 5, Th/As/K 6, U/P/Na 7, U/As/K 8) and their conversion to the pnictides [An(TrenTCHS)(PnH2)] (An/Pn=Th/P 9, Th/As 10, U/P 11, U/As 12). Use of the super‐bulky TrenTCHS ligand was essential to accessing complete families, and 6 is an unprecedented example of a terminal thorium‐arsinidene complex and only the second structurally authenticated parent terminal arsinidene complex of any metal. Comparison of the terminal Th=AsH unit of 6 to the bridging ThAs(H)K linkage in structurally analogous [Th(TrenTIPS){μ‐As(H)K(15‐crown‐5)}] (TrenTIPS={N(CH2CH2NSiPri3)3}3−) reveals a stronger Th−As bond in the former compared to the latter, and a large response overall to the nature of the Th=AsH bonding upon removal of the electrostatically‐bound K‐ion; the σ‐bond changes little but the π‐bond is significantly perturbed.
Three‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks: From Synthesis to Applications
Authors: Guan Xinyu , Chen Fengqian , Qiu Shilun , Fang Qianrong
Published: October 2022

Three‐dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D COFs) with spatially periodic networks demonstrate significant advantages over their 2D counterparts, including enhanced specific surface areas, interconnected channels, and more sufficiently exposed active sites. Nevertheless, research on these materials has met an impasse due to serious problems in crystallization and stability, which must be solved for practical applications. In this Minireview, we first summarize some strategies for preparing functional 3D COFs, including crystallization techniques and functionalization methods. Hereafter, applications of these functional materials are presented, covering adsorption, separation, catalysis, fluorescence, sensing, and batteries. Finally, the future challenges and perspectives for the development of 3D COFs are discussed.
Accelerated and Concerted Aza‐Michael Addition and SuFEx Reaction in Microdroplets in Unitary and High‐Throughput Formats
Authors: Ghosh Jyotirmoy , Mendoza Joshua , Cooks R. Graham
Published: October 2022

The sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reaction is significant in drug discovery, materials science, and chemical biology. Conventionally, it involves installation of SO2F followed by fluoride exchange by a catalyst. We report catalyst‐free Aza‐Michael addition to install SO2F and then SuFEx reaction with amines, both occurring in concert, in microdroplets under ambient conditions. The microdroplet reaction is accelerated by a factor of ∼104 relative to the corresponding bulk reaction. We suggest that the superacidic microdroplet surface assists SuFEx reaction by protonating fluorine to create a good leaving group. The reaction scope was established by performing individual reactions in microdroplets of 18 amines in four solvents and confirmed using high‐throughput desorption electrospray ionization experiments. The study demonstrates the value of microdroplet‐assisted accelerated reactions in combination with high‐throughput experimentation for characterization of reaction scope.
Time‐resolved multiparameter analytics on a cell‐free production platform for acyl‐CoA precursors
Authors: Maehler Dominic , Hoefgen Sandra , Münchberg Ute , Schmitz Oliver J. , Rautschek Julia , Huang Ying , Freier Erik , Valiante Vito
Published: October 2022

Cell‐free biosynthesis is emerging as a very attractive alternative for the production of market‐relevant molecules. The free combination of enzymes, regardless of where they are isolated from, raises the possibility to build more efficient synthetic routes but at the same time leads to higher complexity regarding the analysis of the different enzymatic steps. Here we present an analytical method for the real‐time analysis of acyl‐CoA blocks forming and consuming during multi‐step catalyses. We focused on malonyl‐Coenzyme A and acetyl‐CoA, which are the most used acyl‐CoA units for carbon chain elongations. By employing capillary electrophoresis, we could detect the decrease of educts and the formation of products in a time‐resolved fashion.
Understanding the role of ZnO as activator in SBR vulcanizates: Performance evaluation with active, nano, and functionalized ZnO
Authors: Sreethu Thiyyanthiruthy Kumbalaparambil , Das Mithun , Parathodika Arshad Rahman , Bhattacharya Asit Baran , Naskar Kinsuk
Published: October 2022

This study investigates (ZnO)s with different surface features as vulcanization activators in unfilled SBR vulcanizates. ZnO is termed the best activator due to its fast reaction kinetics. A high release of ZnO into the environment harms marine ecosystems, and most ZnO production goes to the rubber sector; therefore, reducing ZnO amount is essential. Active, nano and functionalized ZnO compared to conventional ZnO in SBR matrix; concentration optimized based on curing, mechanical, physical, and dispersion analyses. The Arrhenius equation approximated the cure curve's kinetic constant and activation energy. Crosslink density measured by swelling experiment and solvent freezing point depression. Nano ZnO was used from 0.5 to 2phr, active ZnO from 1 to 4phr, and functionalized ZnO from 1 to 3phr compared to 5phr of conventional ZnO. The tensile strength of N1.5, F1.5, and A2 SBR increased by 5%, 26%, and 18% compared to C5SBR, whose elongation at break improved by 30%, 7%, and 23%. The data were analyzed using tukey HSD post hoc test. Regarding mechanical properties and curing characteristics, 2phr active, functionalized, and 1.5phr nano ZnO is analogous to 5phr conventional ZnO in an unfilled SBR matrix. The quantity of ZnO in rubber vulcanizates decreased successively by 60%, 60%, and 70%.
Das Hochwasser 2021: Ingenieuranalyse der Bauwerksschäden
Authors: Maiwald Holger , Schwarz Jochen , Abrahamczyk Lars , Kaufmann Christian
Published: October 2022

Das Hochwasserereignis vom Juli 2021 hat besonders in den betroffenen Gebieten von Rheinland‐Pfalz und Nordrhein‐Westfalen außerordentlich schwere strukturelle Schäden an der allgemeinen Bebauung und der Infrastruktur hinterlassen. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die Ergebnisse einer Schadensdokumentation, die unmittelbar nach dem Hochwasser im Ahrtal und Bad Münstereifel durchgeführt wurde. Diese setzt eine Linie von Hochwasserschadensanalysen fort, die in den letzten 20 Jahren vom Erdbebenzentrum der Bauhaus‐Universität Weimar durchgeführt wurden und in der Entwicklung eines Hochwasserschadensmodells resultierten, mit welchem derartig schwere strukturelle Schäden prognostiziert werden können. Mit der Schadensdokumentation ließen sich die vom EDAC gewonnenen Erkenntnisse über das Verhalten der verschiedenen Bauweisen unter dem Einfluss einer extremen Hochwassereinwirkung vertiefen und plausibilisieren. Die vorgefundenen Schadensbilder des Hochwassers bestätigen die Ansätze des EDAC‐Hochwasserschadensmodells und zeigen die Notwendigkeit für eine Erweiterung auf, um die Besonderheiten der Überflutungsbedingungen und des Bauwerksbestands zu berücksichtigen. Es wird die Verbindung zu weiteren Auswertungen hergestellt, indem drohnenbasierte Techniken zur schnellen Zustandserfassung der von einer Naturkatastrophe betroffenen Gebiete und des Bauwerksbestands mit dem Ziel der Generierung von realitätsgetreuen und leicht interpretierbaren Lagebildern vorgestellt werden.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of ceria‐doped zinc oxide under UV illumination prepared via chemical precipitation
Authors: Kumari Neha , Harsh Tripurari Kumar , Bhattacharya Arnab S. , Gaurav Kumar , Verma Ranjana , Samdarshi Sanjoy K.
Published: October 2022

Transition metal oxide has emerged as one of the most potential candidates for environment remediation by utilizing solar energy through photocatalysis. This study compares the optical characteristics of zinc oxide (ZnO) and ceria‐doped zinc oxide (CeZnO) nanoparticles synthesized through a facile chemical precipitation method without using any assistant catalyst. The present work investigates the consequences of ceria (cerium dioxide, CeO2) intrusion on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles using methylene blue (MB) as a probe pollutant. The CeZnO showed an increase in photoactivity when compared to ZnO nanoparticles for degradation of MB in an aqueous solution under ultraviolet (UV) irradiance. The resulting heterojunction between ZnO and that of ceria enhances the charge separation efficiency showing a strong correlation between ZnO and CeO2 heterojunction on the charge transfer mechanism across the interface.
Corporate green bonds and carbon performance: An economic input–output life cycle assessment model‐based analysis
Authors: Wei Ping , Li Yiying , Zhang Yongsheng
Published: October 2022

Using a proprietary database of corporate green bonds issued in China, we investigate the effect of green bond issuance on firm‐level carbon performance and its impact mechanism. We utilize the Economic Input–Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO‐LCA) to evaluate corporate carbon performance and use all the 1074 firms that issued corporate bonds in 2009–2018 as the sample group. The empirical results reveal that the companies did not effectively achieve the expected carbon performance improvement post‐issuance. The mechanism analysis suggests that this might have been because the primary motivation for the companies to issue green bonds is to ease their financial constraints. Environmental regulations (at the national and industrial level) play a positive role in the relations between corporate green bond issuance and carbon performance. Overall, the findings raise an alert on the value of Chinese corporate green bonds in climate change mitigation and indicate the need for information disclosure and carbon performance‐linked supervision on green bond issuers.
Image‐based real‐timefeedback control of magnetic digital microfluidics by artificialintelligence‐empoweredrapid object detector for automated in vitro diagnostics
Authors: Tang Yuxuan , Duan Fei , Zhou Aiwu , Kanitthamniyom Pojchanun , Luo Shaobo , Hu Xuyang , Jiang Xudong , Vasoo Shawn , Zhang Xiaosheng , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2022

In vitro diagnostics (IVD) plays a critical role in healthcare and public health management. Magnetic digital microfluidics (MDM) perform IVD assays by manipulating droplets on an open substrate with magnetic particles. Automated IVD based on MDM could reduce the risk of accidental exposure to contagious pathogens among healthcare workers. However, it remains challenging to create a fully automated IVD platform based on the MDM technology because of a lack of effective feedback control system to ensure the successful execution of various droplet operations required for IVD. In this work, an artificial intelligence (AI)‐empowered MDM platform with image‐based real‐time feedback control is presented. The AI is trained to recognize droplets and magnetic particles, measure their size, and determine their location and relationship in real time; it shows the ability to rectify failed droplet operations based on the feedback information, a function that is unattainable by conventional MDM platforms, thereby ensuring that the entire IVD process is not interrupted due to the failure of liquid handling. We demonstrate fundamental droplet operations, which include droplet transport, particle extraction, droplet merging and droplet mixing, on the MDM platform and show how the AI rectify failed droplet operations by acting upon the feedback information. Protein quantification and antibiotic resistance detection are performed on this AI‐empowered MDM platform, and the results obtained agree well with the benchmarks. We envision that this AI‐based feedback approach will be widely adopted not only by MDM but also by other types of digital microfluidic platforms to offer precise and error‐free droplet operations for a wide range of automated IVD applications.
Prostate cancer‐related anxiety among long‐term survivors after radical prostatectomy: A longitudinal study
Authors: Meissner Valentin H. , Peter Cornelia , Ankerst Donna P. , Schiele Stefan , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Herkommer Kathleen , Dinkel Andreas
Published: October 2022

Background

Prostate cancer (PC)‐related anxiety is associated with clinically significant declines in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological well‐being. This longitudinal study investigates course and predictors of PC‐related anxiety in long‐term PC survivors treated by radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods

Two thousand nine hundred and three survivors from the multicenter German Familial PC Database completed the Memorial Anxiety Scale for PC on average 11 years after RP at the initial assessment in 2015 and then 5 years later. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to assess predictors of PC‐related anxiety at follow‐up.

Results

PC‐related anxiety remained stable over the 5 years. In hierarchical multiple linear regression, longitudinal predictors of PC‐related anxiety 5 years later included a lower level of education (beta: −0.035, p = 0.019), biochemical recurrence (BCR; beta: 0.054, p = 0.002), late BCR (beta: 0.054, p < 0.001), PC anxiety at initial assessment (beta: 0.556, p < 0.001), HRQoL (beta: −0.076, p < 0.001), depression and anxiety symptoms (beta: 0.072, p = 0.001; beta: 0.165, p < 0.001). Predictors of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) anxiety 5 years later included late BCR (beta: 0.044, p = 0.019), PSA anxiety at initial assessment (beta: 0.339, p < 0.001), depression and anxiety symptoms (beta: 0.074, p = 0.008; beta: 0.191, p < 0.001), and treatment decision regret (beta: 0.052, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

PC‐related anxiety remains a burden to survivors many years after diagnosis and treatment. The respective disease‐specific anxiety was the strongest predictor of this anxiety 5 years later, which emphasizes the need of screening and monitoring in a timely manner for PC‐related anxiety. Treating urologists should screen, identify, and monitor patients at risk for targeted referrals to psychosocial services.
Efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with lenvatinib and sequential ablation in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yulong , Qiao Yansong , Zhou Miaoli , Guo Jiandong , Lin Yinsheng , Li Wanghai , An Chao , Li Chengzhi
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple therapeutic method (Hepatic Aarterial Infusion Chemotherapy—HAIC, lenvatinib and sequential ablation) in the treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma (Ad‐HCC).

Materials and Methods

From November 2018 to June 2021, data from 150 consecutive Ad‐HCC patients were collected. All patients received HAIC combined with lenvatinib (H‐L group, n = 97) or HAIC combined with lenvatinib and sequential ablation (H‐L‐A group, n = 53). Complications, overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS) and intrahepatic progression‐free survival (IPFS) were compared between both groups.

Results

No significant differences of baseline characteristics were found between groups. The time of median follow‐up was 17.8 months (range, 6.8, 37.6 months). In comparison to the H‐L group, the H‐L‐A group patients showed significantly longer median OS (>30 months vs 13.6 months, respectively; p = 0.010), PFS (12.8 vs. 5.6 months, respectively; p < 0.001), and IPFS (14.6 vs. 6.8 months, respectively; p = 0.002). According to the results from uni‐ and multivariable analyses, we considered α‐fetoprotein and treatment modality as two survival independent prognostic factors. No significant change of the complication incidences was observed between H‐L group and H‐L‐A group (12.4% vs. 11.3%, p = 0.890).

Conclusion

Compared to HAIC combined with lenvatinib only, HAIC combined with lenvatinib and sequential ablation was safer and more effective, improving survival outcomes of Ad‐HCC patients. A prospective study will be designed validate the retrospective results.
The importance of bone marrow infiltration patterns in multiple myeloma seen on magnetic resonance imaging—Case report and imaging perspective
Authors: Costachescu Dan , Ionita Hortensia
Published: October 2022

Non‐secretory multiple myeloma (NSMM) is an extremely rare variant of multiple myeloma (MM) and accounts for a maximum of 5% of all myeloma cases. This variant of MM usually represents a diagnostic challenge to the clinician because of the absence of detectable monoclonal immunoglobulin on serum or urine electrophoresis. We present the case of a 34‐year‐old Caucasian male who presented to the emergency department with pain in the lumbar area secondary to a fall and who was eventually diagnosed with non‐secretory multiple myeloma after the radiologist initially pointed out a discrete “salt and pepper” infiltration of the spine seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) although the spine computed tomography (CT) performed initially showed no suspicious lesions for malignancy. The final diagnosis was obtained after a positive bone marrow biopsy together with the presence of malignant lesions seen on the spine MRI. This case points out the importance of different bone marrow involvement patterns seen on MRI and other useful sequences the radiologist could use to better discriminate between normal marrow reconversion and malignant infiltration.
Bifocal contact dermatitis following a temporary tattoo
Authors: Tounouga Dahlia Noëlle , Nansseu Jobert Richie , Kouotou Emmanuel Armand
Published: October 2022

Allergic contact dermatitis from henna tattoos is often caused by PPD. This was a 35‐year‐old female patient with eczema lesions of the left forearm that occurred after henna's tattoo. The inner side of the left thigh, although not tattooed, was the site of eczema lesions, reproducing the design of the tattoo.
Garcin syndrome in a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Darazam Ilad Alavi , Rabiei Mohammad Mahdi , Bahrami‐Motlagh Hooman , Moradi Omid , Gharehbagh Farid Javandoust , Zerehpoosh Farahnaz Bidari , Hatami Firouze , Dilmaghani Nader Akbari , Shojaei Maziar , Lotfollahi Legha
Published: October 2022

In this study, we report a parapharyngeal diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patient which had caused the patient to suffer from Garcin syndrome.
Choice of diagnostic method for liver‐type glycogen storage disease
Authors: Kakiuchi Toshihiko , Zhang Yumeng
Published: October 2022

Liver biopsy is a highly invasive in nature, and measurement of enzyme activity in blood cells and the Fernandez test are less certain for the diagnosis of glycogen storage disease (GSD). Therefore, genetic testing, which can also identify typing, should be prioritized for the diagnosis of GSD.
Forced Periodic Operation of Methanol Synthesis in an Isothermal Gradientless Reactor
Authors: Seidel Carsten , Nikolić Daliborka , Felischak Matthias , Petkovska Menka , Seidel-Morgenstern Andreas , Kienle Achim
Published: October 2022

Methanol synthesis from synthesis gas with heterogeneous Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts in an isothermal gradientless reactor is described. In a theoretical study, the potential of forced periodic operation (FPO) for improving reactor performance in terms of methanol production rate and methanol yield is explored. The approach is based on a detailed kinetic model and combines nonlinear frequency response (NFR) analysis with rigorous numerical multi‐objective optimization. Optimal steady‐state operation is compared with optimal forced periodic operation for a given benchmark problem with and without inert nitrogen in the feed. Further, the significant influence of the saturation capacity of the solid phase on the dynamic behavior in response to step changes and periodic input modulations is studied.
Energy Savings through Adaptive Upstream Throttling and Supply Shut‐Off on Downstream Throttled Drives
Authors: Jimenez Christian Reese , Reinertz Olivier , Schmitz Katharina
Published: October 2022

In pneumatic automation, downstream throttled pneumatic drives are widely used to perform motion tasks because of their low cost, robustness, and high power density. However, this drive technology is generally regarded as having a large energy saving potential. Hence, multiple researchers have proposed control strategies aiming to improve the efficiency of systems using pneumatic drives. However, most of those developments increase the system complexity and commissioning efforts, which hinders a broad application. This paper presents alternatively a simple to implement energy‐saving measure, which relies on a novel energy‐saving speed controller. Furthermore, a design method for the controller is proposed and subsequently analyzed using a lumped parameter model.
Porous Sodium Alginate/Boehmite Coating Layer Constructed on PP Nonwoven Substrate as a Battery Separator through Polydopamine‐Induced Water‐Based Coating Method
Authors: Wang Cheng , Zhu Guobin , Hu Yuqin , Xu Jing , Wang Luoxin , Wang Hua , Cheng Chunzu
Published: October 2022

Ceramic‐coating separator produced by aqueous slurry has drawn considerable attention because of its environmental friendliness in the development of high‐power lithium ion battery (LIB). However, there are some drawbacks existed including the formation of compact coating layer and uneven distribution of slurry. In this study, porous sodium alginate/boehmite coating layer was designed to cover on low‐cost PP nonwoven to give a battery separator (abbreviated as PCS) through polydopamine‐ induced water‐based coating method, in which nonsolvent N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was added to render porous structures through its final evaporation and the pretreatment of polydopamine on substrate could help slurry dispersed uniformly. Thoroughly investigations demonstrate this designed separator can not only endow battery with superior cell performance but also display good thermal dimensional stability and self‐extinguishing behavior. Therefore, PCS composite separator is low‐cost, environmentally friendly and feasible to meet performance requirements of high‐power LIB.
New Eurocode 4 design rules for shallow floor construction
Authors: Hicks Stephen J. , Braun Matthias , Markovic Zlatko , Way James
Published: October 2022

As members of Project Team SC4.T5, the authors of this paper present the main outcomes from the work that are intended for implementation within EN 1994‐1‐1 (Eurocode 4). General design and application rules for shallow floor beams will be presented, with a particular focus on: the classification of the composite cross‐section; non‐linear bending resistance; and the introduction of transverse bars as shear connectors.
Intelligent Steel Structures ‐ Model Updating Concepts for Innovative Design Strategies
Authors: Kraus Matthias , Chowdhury Sharmistha , Wudtke Idna
Published: October 2022

Structural systems are in general quite sophisticated in terms of interactions between individual members with respect to their stressing and resistance. In addition, the stochastic nature of different loads and resistances, respectively, is quite different. A consistent statistical representation of the random variables for a structural component/member is therefore quite complex. In this context, the implementation of intelligent structures and the incorporation of the measuring data can help to improve the prediction of random variables for a certain member and therefore to update models in the design process. Depending on the obtained measurement data, the updating can either refer to the statistical representation quality of different values, but also to the quantity of random variables or even to the update of the mechanical model and its boundary conditions. For that reason, a classification of updating possibilities in the context of the design process described by different hierarchical levels is useful. The aim of this article is to give an overview and insight on corresponding concepts of sensor‐based design strategies for steel structures. In addition, first research results regarding the effect of measurement‐based updating on the quality improvement of the design process are presented.
Dynamic FERNet: Deep learning with optimal feature selection for face expression recognition in video
Authors: Jagadeesh M. , Baranidharan B.
Published: October 2022

This work concentrates on the recognition of facial emotion from video sequences with deep learning. Once the input video is converted into frames, the face detection is performed on each frame using the viola–jones face detection algorithm. Then, the feature extraction is performed by three well‐performing feature extraction techniques like modified local directional pattern, spatio‐temporal features, and scale‐invariant feature transforms. The extracted features from all the frames of the video are concatenated. To reduce the feature‐length for decreasing the training complexity, and enhance the recognition performance, the optimal feature selection is accomplished with the distance‐based tunicate swarm algorithm. These selected features are processed to an innovative deep learning model termed a heuristically modified recurrent neural network. The same D‐TSA improves the performance of RNN by optimally tuning its hidden neurons. Experimental results on a widely used benchmark dataset and manually collected dataset show that the classification performance is improved using spatio‐temporal features, SIFT, M‐LDP, and optimal feature selection, and thus, the proposed model with HM‐RNN outperforms the other existing models.
A new family of high gain boost DC‐DC converters with reduced switch voltage stress for renewable energy sources
Authors: Shaw Priyabrata , Siddique Marif Daula , Mekhilef Saad , Iqbal Atif
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a new family of non‐isolated boost dc‐dc converters with high voltage gains is proposed. The proposed boost topologies exhibit very high voltage gains at moderate duty cycles and lower switch voltage/current stresses with reduced component counts. Here, a total of four new non‐isolated boost topologies are proposed using four‐terminal PWM high‐gain switch cells with an inductor‐switch network. Among these four topologies, two converters have identical voltage gain with opposite load voltage polarities and likewise other two exhibit similar nature (i.e., equal but opposite load voltage) but have higher gain than the former topologies. The detailed operating principle, steady‐state analysis, and design methodology are presented for the proposed positive output very high‐gain converter, which can be easily extended to the rest of the topologies. An exhaustive comparison study has been presented for the proposed topologies with the existing step‐up converters to highlight their advantages. Finally, the mathematical analysis, analytical studies, and high boosting feature of the proposed positive output high‐gain boost converter are verified using a 250 W, 50 kHz prototype. The experimental results are presented for different duty cycles with fixed input voltage to verify the efficacy of the proposed structures in terms of higher boosting capability.
MPC‐based DC microgrid integrated series active power filter for voltage quality improvement in distribution system
Authors: Majji Ravi Kumar , Mishra Jyoti Prakash , Dongre Ashish A.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a DC microgrid integrated series active power filter (Se‐APF) to improve the voltage profile of the utility distribution system under sag, swell, and harmonics scenario. The DC microgrid encompasses a solar photovoltaic generation unit and a composite energy storage unit (CESU). A lithium‐ion battery and supercapacitor as a CESU are envisioned in this work. Compared to conventional Se‐APF supported by the capacitor/battery storage, the integrated DC microgrid prolonged the operational features of the Se‐APF for voltage quality improvement and feeding the localized dc loads or charging the CESU occasionally from the PV generation system. Further, a power management algorithm is implemented to coordinate the operations of the sources in the DC microgrid to accomplish the above‐mentioned features. The Se‐APF and associated power converters in the DC microgrid are regulated by a nonlinear controller based on optimal switching vector‐model predictive control algorithm. The proposed control method can be used to help distribution networks with voltage fluctuations by offering much faster and more precise voltage regulation. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy are verified in MATLAB/Simulink platform and then validated in a real‐time simulation platform using Opal‐RT Lab real‐time simulator OP4510.
Experimental study of the discharge characteristics of a 3D vortex gliding arc plasmatron
Authors: You Tiancheng , Wang Cheng , Yang Chengpeng , Wang Fangquan , Xia Weidong
Published: October 2022

The three‐dimensional (3D) vortex gliding arc plasmatron (GAP) is a promising gliding arc source due to its high reactant conversion rate and high energy efficiency, but there are few studies of its discharge characteristics. In this work, a 3D GAP device with a quartz window on the inner electrode is designed and studied. By means of high‐speed photography, high‐resolution current/voltage signal acquisition, and emission spectra, the effects of arc current, gas flow rate, electrode diameter, and electrode polarity on the discharge characteristics of this GAP are investigated. Results show that the volt‐ampere characteristic of GAP can be accurately predicted by similarity theory, and that the voltage for reverse‐polarity is significantly greater than that for normal‐polarity. Arc dynamics show that the arc at the inner electrode has the feature of high‐speed rotation, while the arc at the outer electrode has an extended current channel along with a large‐scale re‐strike process. The rotation speed and current channel length are closely related to electrode polarity, which can be ascribed to the movability of the cathode arc root. Emission spectra confirm that the plasma produced by GAP has typical non‐equilibrium properties, in which the rotational temperature ranges from 2,400 to 3,000 K and the vibrational temperature from 4,700 to 6,000 K. Moreover, abundant active free radicals, including NO, , O, and N, are detected in the plasma region. This investigation provides a better understanding of the discharge characteristics of 3D GAP, and will help to guide its further design and application.