bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photosynthesis, yield and fruit quality of tomatoes and soil microorganisms in response to soil temperature in the greenhouse
Authors: Ouyang Zan , Tian Juncang , Yan Xinfang , Shen Hui
Published: February 2022

To study the effects of different soil temperatures (DST) on tomatoes and soil microorganisms (SM) in greenhouses, these effects were evaluated for 2 years by comparing designs. Three geothermal pipes were set to have water temperatures of 25°C (T1), 35°C (T2) and 45°C (T3). There was one control treatment (CK) with no heating. The results of the 2‐year greenhouse test showed that compared with the control treatment (CK): (i) the soil temperature treatment significantly affected the growth, plant height (Ph), leaf area index (LAI), assimilation rate (Ar), leaf temperature (Tleaf), chlorophyll, vitamin C (Vc), soluble sugar (SSU), lycopene, soluble solids (SSO), dry matter accumulation (Da) and soil respiration rate (SRR) (P < 0.01); (ii) in spring/summer (autumn/winter), compared with the control treatment (CK), the Ph, LAI, Ar, chlorophyll and Da in T3 increased by 3.87% (11.2%), 26.3% (26.0%), 14.8% (24.1%), 9.36% (18.7%) and 13.6% (20.2%), respectively; in spring/summer (autumn/winter), the Vc, SSU, lycopene, yield and water productivity (WP) in T3 increased by 37.8% (28.5%), 30.7% (38.1%), 84.1% (53.4%), 18.2% (18.6%) and 33.5% (32.6%), respectively. In spring/summer (autumn/winter), compared with those in the CK, the SRR, MBC and MBN in T3 increased by 14.5% (41.6%), 21.6% (28.5%) and 17.8% (13.3%), respectively; (iii) the effects of temperature on tomato growth, photosynthesis, quality, Da, yield, WP, SM, soil temperature and other main indicators were consistent such that T3 > T2 > T1 > CK, but the differences between the treatments differed for each index; (iv) considering indexes such as tomato yield and quality comprehensively, the soil temperature in spring/summer was 26.1°C and that in autumn/winter was 20.6°C. Thus, due to soil warming measures, tomato yield was significantly increased, and fruit quality and the soil microbial environment were improved.
A new era for golf course maintenance: From conventional to robotic mowers
Authors: Hansen Atle Revheim
Published: February 2022

Bærheim Golfpark in Norway has changed most of its operations from conventional to automated mowing. The golf course has a fleet of 106 robots that mow most of the course and pick up golf balls at the driving range. The project has been innovative and today, we have the world's largest series‐connected robot system. Along the way, we have encountered a number of technical and practical obstacles. Today, however, we can say that we have a facility that works well. The transition from manual to automated mowing has resulted in Bærheim becoming one of the most played golf courses in Norway. Its economy has improved significantly, the feedback from the players is very good, and the employees can use their skills on tasks other than mowing grass. We have significantly reduced the use and emissions of fossil fuels for ordinary mowers. This supports the UN's Sustainability Goal Number 13: “Climate action”.
Case formulation as a bridge between theory, clinical practice, and research: A commentary
Authors: Krause Mariane , Behn Alex
Published: February 2022

This commentary section is based on a comparative analysis of the five articles and case examples presented in this special issue. The place of Case Formulation in the field of psychotherapy is conceptualized as a necessary bridge between diagnostic systems and clinical practice. The common aspects of the five approaches included in the issue, as well as of the cases to which they were applied, are discussed to explore their possible cross‐theoretical nature, especially in psychotherapy with more severe cases. All the clients presented in this section have experienced traumas, which manifest themselves as difficulties in their interpersonal relationships. We discuss the value of Case Formulation in the context of clinical practice and research as well as the challenges of fostering the cross‐theoretical approach of this tool.
Expenditure patterns among low‐income families in China: Contributing factors to child development and risks of suicidal ideation
Authors: Xiao Yunyu , Chow Julian Chun‐Chung , Han Keqing , Wang Shencheng
Published: February 2022

Low‐income families in urbsan China have been benefited from the Minimum Living Standard Guarantee Assistance (dibao) policy since 1999. However, little is known about how child‐specific family expenditure patterns impact child outcomes. Based on 2531 children aged 8–16 years from the National Survey of Social Policy Support System for Low‐Income Families in Urban and Rural China, this is the first study of its kind to (1) identify family expenditure patterns (food, apparel, housing, transportation, pocket money, after‐school education, and other educational resources) among low‐income families and (2) examine their relationship with child suicide risks and developmental outcomes (academic performance, mental health, and physical health) by sex and across the dibao and marginalized families (i.e., without dibao). Latent profile analysis identified two patterns. Profile 1 (97.59%) showed low expenditure on children. Profile 2 (2.41%) prioritized expenditure in after‐school programs. Mixed‐effects logistic regression showed male children from marginalized families in Profile 1 are 11 times (95% confidence interval 1.10–109.52) more likely to think about suicide than female children from dibao families in Profile 2. Social policies and interventions promoting educational expenditure support and addressing the social determinants of health have the potential to reduce child suicide and improve child developmental outcomes among the urban poor.
Rainy season precipitation forecasts in coastal Peru from the North American Multi‐Model Ensemble
Authors: Vavrus Stephen J. , Wang Fuyao , Block Paul
Published: February 2022

We assessed operational forecasts of rainy season (January–March [JFM]) precipitation over coastal Peru from seven global climate models (GCMs) in the North American Multi‐Model Ensemble (NMME) from 1982 to 2020. Similar to previous representations by GCMs, regional climate models, and atmospheric reanalyses, the NMME models produce excessive precipitation (more than twice the observed values) over all of coastal Peru. Based on a set of commonly used metrics (correlation, mean error, RMSE, and Heidke skill score), there is a wide range in accuracy among the NMME models. As expected, forecast accuracy degrades with increasing lead time from December to July, but the rate of decline varies greatly by region and among models. The cause(s) of differences in model performance remains unclear, but resolution does not appear to be a significant factor. Highest forecast skill is found for southwestern Peru (correlations with observations are significant at all lead times), probably because of its stronger relationship between rainfall and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and lowest skill occurs for west‐central Peru (insignificant correlations at all lead times). The distribution of interannual rainy season precipitation in northwestern Peru is extremely positively skewed (skewness >2), making evaluation of forecasts difficult from only a few years that deviate strongly from the mean. Improved correlations with observations across regions are generally found by subsetting multi‐model mean forecasts using the better‐performing models. Over northwest Peru at short lead times, NMME rainy season precipitation forecasts outperform a simple statistical correlation between JFM rainfall and ENSO, but not at longer leads, while NMME's forecasts for west‐central Peru underperform statistical correlations at all lead times. Over southwest Peru, the NMME models are consistently more skilful than a statistical correlation, and these differences become larger with increasing lead time.
Studies on the effect of long‐chain and head groups of nonionic surfactants synthesized from palm and coconut oil on the formation of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Vázquez‐Vélez Edna , Martinez Horacio , Kumar Kesarla Mohan , Ochoa‐Leyva Adrián
Published: February 2022

Four fatty amides were synthesized using coconut and palm oil sources. The chemical structure of the as‐prepared fatty acids was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) and 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy. The effect of different chain lengths and head groups of these compounds on Ag nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis was investigated. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopic studies showed characteristic absorbance peaks (λmax ≈ 410 nm). FT‐IR results indicated that the surfactant functionalities are responsible for the Ag NPs stability. The effect of fatty amides on the morphology and size distribution of the Ag NPs was investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The TEM micrographs showed the formation of fine spherical morphology due to surfactant‐mediated self‐assembly with an average particle size of 1–3 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed the micellar self‐assembly of Ag NPs‐fatty amides. The effect of surfactant on the solution behavior was analyzed using surface tension measurements. Cocamide and palm DEA showed relatively low free energy (∆Gmic) values, resulting in smaller particles with good distribution. Finally, the Ag NPs showed outstanding antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas putida bacteria.
Optimal trade policy and welfare in a differentiated duopoly
Authors: Chen Junlong , Xie Xinran , Sun Chaoqun , Lin Li , Liu Jiali
Published: February 2022

This study considers a differentiated duopoly, including domestic and foreign enterprises, in trade, analyzes the impacts of product differentiation and productivity variance on equilibrium results, and explores the optimal trade policy in different competition modes. We find that differentiated products can boost the supply of foreign enterprises in a Cournot competition. In a home‐leading Stackelberg duopoly, increasing tariffs decreases consumer surplus but improves the home country's social welfare. The optimum‐welfare tariff of a home‐leading Stackelberg duopoly cannot exceed that of the foreign‐leading Stackelberg duopoly. An easy or tight tariff policy can be optimal, depending on the parameters and duopoly modes.
Multi‐targeted Drug Repurposing Approach for Breast Cancer via Integrated Functional Network Analysis
Authors: Kandasamy Thirukumaran , Sen Plaboni , Ghosh Siddhartha Sankar
Published: February 2022

The present study focuses on the interconnected functional network of altered metabolism and EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) signaling in breast cancer. We have interlinked the metabolic and EMT signaling circuits and selected Insulin receptor (IR), Integrin beta 1 (ITGB1), and CD36 as target proteins based on network analysis. Extensive computational approaches discerned the potential drug molecules from the library of 1293 FDA‐approved drugs to block all three target proteins. Using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and MMPBSA binding free energy studies, Capmatinib, Ponatinib, Naldemedine, and Pimozide were identified as potential repurposed drugs to block the function of all three target proteins. Among in silico selected candidate drugs, Pimozide, a known anti‐psychotic drug, was further validated using in‐vitro studies for its anti‐cell proliferative potential on breast cancer cell lines (namely, MCF7, MDAMB231 and MDAMB468). The inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of MCF7, MDAMB231 and MDAMB468 was found to be 16.26 μM, 20.82 μM and 13.10 μM, respectively. The effect of Pimozide on EMT‐induced MDAMB231 and MDAMB468 cells was evident from their IC50 values of 7.85 μM and 6.83 μM, respectively. The potent anti‐cancer property of Pimozide has opened up avenues for drug repurposing towards ‘multi‐targeted therapy’ in EMT dynamics.
A sharp error estimate of Euler‐Maruyama method for stochastic Volterra integral equations
Authors: Wang Can , Chen Minghua , Deng Weihua , Bu Weiping , Dai Xinjie
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the Euler‐Maruyama method is used to solve a class of nonlinear stochastic Volterra integral equations (SVIEs), which can be derived from stochastic fractional substantial integro‐differential equations (SFSIDEs). The existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved for the nonlinear SVIEs under the non‐Lipschitz condition. Moreover, the sharp convergence estimate with if if andO(h) if , respectively, is established for the nonlinear SVIEs, which can be revised as supplemented theory results of our recent work (J Comput Appl Math 356 (2019) 377–390). In particular, it also closes a gap that was left on the convergence analysis in (J Comput Appl Math 317 (2017) 447–457). Finally, numerical experiments are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented method.
Chronic High Phosphate Intake in Mice Affects Macronutrient Utilization and Body Composition
Authors: Ugrica Marko , Gehring Nicole , Giesbertz Pieter , Pastor‐Arroyo Eva‐Maria , Daniel Hannelore , Wagner Carsten A. , Rubio‐Aliaga Isabel
Published: February 2022

Scope

In the last decades, dietary phosphate intake has increased due to a higher consumption of ultraprocessed food. This higher intake has an impact on body composition and health state. Recently, this study finds that a high chronic phosphate diet leads to no major renal alterations, but negatively affects parameters of bone health probably due to the chronic acid load. Here the effect of high phosphate consumption on parameters of energy metabolism is assessed.

Methods and Results

Healthy mature adult mice are fed for 1 year or 4 months with either a standard (0.6 % w/w) or a high phosphate (1.2 % w/w) diet. Males and females of two different genetic backgrounds are investigated. Mice feed the high phosphate diet show an attenuated body‐weight gain, lower respiratory exchange ratio, decreased body fat mass, and increased lean‐to‐fat mass ratio. Moreover, the high phosphate diet leads to fasting hypoglycemia with no differences in the glucose response to an oral glucose tolerance test. Triglycerides and cholesterol in blood are similar independently of dietary phosphate content. However, 1‐methylhistidine is lower in animals feed a chronic high phosphate intake.

Conclusions

High phosphate diet attenuates body weight gain, but induces hypoglycemia and may alter muscle homeostasis.
Effect of perfluorocarbon composition on activation of phase‐changing ultrasound contrast agents
Authors: Mitcham Trevor M. , Nevozhay Dmitry , Chen Yunyun , Nguyen Linh D. , Pinton Gianmarco F. , Lai Stephen Y. , Sokolov Konstantin V. , Bouchard Richard R.
Published: February 2022

Background

While microbubble contrast agents (MCAs) are commonly used in ultrasound (US), they are inherently limited to vascular targets due to their size. Alternatively, phase‐changing nanodroplet contrast agents (PNCAs) can be delivered as nanoscale agents (i.e., small enough to extravasate), but when exposed to a US field of sufficient mechanical index (MI), they convert to MCAs, which can be visualized with high contrast using nonlinear US.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of perfluorocarbon (PFC) core composition and presence of cholesterol in particle coatings on stability and image contrast generated from acoustic activation of PNCAs using high‐frequency US suitable for clinical imaging.

Methods

PNCAs with varied core compositions (i.e., mixtures of perfluoropentane [C5] and/or perfluorohexane [C6]) and two coating formulations (i.e., with and without cholesterol) were characterized and investigated for thermal/temporal stability and postactivation, nonlinear US contrast in phantom and in vivo environments. Through hydrophone measurements and nonlinear numerical modeling, MI was estimated for pulse sequences used for PNCA activation.

Results

All PNCA compositions were characterized to have similar diameters (249–267 nm) and polydispersity (0.151–0.185) following fabrication. While PNCAs with majority C5 core composition showed higher levels of spontaneous signal (i.e., not due to US activation) in phantoms than C6‐majority PNCAs, all compositions were stable during imaging experiments. When activating PNCAs with a 12.3‐MHz US pulse (MI = 1.1), C6‐core particles with cholesterol‐free coatings (i.e., CF‐C6‐100 particles) generated a median contrast of 3.1, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than other formulations. Further, CF‐C6‐100 particles were activated in a murine model, generating US contrast 3.4.

Conclusion

C6‐core PNCAs can provide high‐contrast US imaging with minimal nonspecific activation in phantom and in vivo environments.
Studying the soil column formation in soft soil improved by vacuum preloading via coupled scale‐up CFD‐DEM simulations
Authors: Xu Shanlin , Zhu Yanzhen , Cao Hongtao , Sun Honglei , Cai Yuanqiang , Wu Jian
Published: February 2022

In many large‐scale land reclamation projects, vacuum preloading combined with a prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) system has been utilized successfully to improve the slurry with extremely high water content. However, in the use of PVD systems for soft soil with high fine contents, a dense “soil column” forms around the drainage board, which dramatically impedes the drainage and compromises the improvement level. To understand the soil column formation mechanism, coupled computational fluid dynamics‐discrete element method (CFD‐DEM) and scale‐up strategy were employed in this work to study microsized soil particle movements. The results showed that the soil particles driven by the fluid gradually clogged the PVD board filter and then piled up. Under vacuum preloading, seepage occurred in the soil column, causing vacuum pressure loss and reducing the drainage velocity. As the permeability of the micron‐sized soil column is exponentially related to the particle size, the drainage velocity through the soil column with high fine content was low. With the development of the soil column, the drainage velocity decreased, slowing the subsequent soil column development, and changing the packing structure of the soil column. In addition, the vacuum pressure, opening size of the drainage board filter, and cohesion among soil particles influenced the soil column formation. The effects of these aspects are discussed in this work to provide ideas for improving the drainage efficiencies of PVD systems.
A shape function based interpolation approach for nodal design variable based structural optimization
Authors: Previati Giorgio , Ballo Federico , Gobbi Massimiliano
Published: February 2022

In this article, a novel density interpolation scheme for topological optimization based on nodal density variables is presented. The method relies on the definition of an independent interpolation mesh for the description of the density field. This mesh is used for the interpolation of the density field at the Gauss points of the design domain mesh. Provided that the interpolation mesh is realized by linear elements, the proposed scheme is range restricted and assures physically meaningful values of the interpolated density. Explicit analytical sensitivity expressions can be derived. The utilization of an independent interpolation mesh allows for the utilization of any element type and geometry on the body for the computation of the displacements. It is also shown that the chosen interpolation scheme has interesting properties of volume and material volume conservation with respect to the mesh utilized on the body and the domain of the interpolation mesh can differ from the domain of the mesh for the displacements computation. This allows for the realization of very regular interpolation meshes even in case of very complex shapes of the domain of the body to be optimized. Examples are provided showing the performance of the proposed interpolation scheme.
Enhanced breakdown strength and restrained dielectric loss of polypropylene/maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/core‐shell ZrO2@SiO2 nanocomposites
Authors: Cheng Lu , Liu Wenfeng , Zhang Ziqi , Zhou Yongcun , Li Shengtao
Published: February 2022

To simoutinusly achieve improved breakdown strength (BDS) and suppressed dielectric loss, a modified ternary nanocomposite composed of polypropylene (PP), maleic anhydride‐grafted PP and core‐shell structure SiO2@ZrO2 nanoparticles is proposed. By tailoring the thickness of SiO2 shell from 3 to 11 nm and the nanofillers content from 0.5 to 5 wt%, the particles disparsion is improved and meanwhile both the deep trap density and the interaction force between molecules are enhanced. In consequence, the restricted transportation of electrons along molecule chains as well as between chains together raise the DC BDS, that the BDS of optimum sample film reaches 430.8 kV/mm, 23% higher than neat PP. Besides, the ternary nanocomposites with SiO2@ZrO2 less than 3 wt% maintain the tanδ below 0.3% at a broad frequency ranging from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz, which is an extremely low level same as neat PP.
A pilot choral intervention in individuals with schizophrenia‐spectrum conditions; Singing away loneliness
Authors: Adery Laura H. , Park Sohee
Published: February 2022

Social disconnection is associated with poor outcome and long‐term disability in individuals with schizophrenia‐spectrum conditions (SCZ) but social isolation is not typically a target for treatment. Singing together has long been shown to promote unique group cohesion and improve sense of well‐being across the lifespan. Accordingly, we devised a novel choral intervention to examine the potential efficacy of this low‐burden social intervention strategy designed to reduce loneliness in SCZ. Seventeen SCZ participated in a weekly, 1‐hr choir group for 8 weeks. At pre‐ and post‐intervention, we examined symptoms, loneliness, stress, and face recognition. Choral intervention led to significant reductions in scores for loneliness, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II). No significant changes were observed in scores for the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), face recognition, or the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Diminished loneliness was inversely correlated with the number of sessions attended. Participants judged the choir intervention to be acceptable and enjoyable. Reduced loneliness and symptom improvement after 8 weeks of intervention in SCZ suggest that choral intervention presents an enjoyable and low‐burden opportunity to collaborate in a group setting for isolated individuals and thus may serve as a beneficial adjunct in a multi‐arm intervention strategy for alleviating symptom distress and loneliness.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterium‐associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a non‐HIV immunosuppressed patient
Authors: Kobayashi Misato , Tsubata Yukari , Shiratsuki Yohei , Hotta Takamasa , Hamaguchi Megumi , Isobe Takeshi
Published: February 2022

A 69‐year‐old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, using immunosuppressants, including etanercept—a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α antagonist—was referred to our hospital with fever and fatigue. Chest computed tomography revealed cavities in the left upper lobe. As Mycobacterium intracellulare infection was diagnosed, all immunosuppressants were discontinued, and treatment with anti‐nontuberculous Mycobacterium drugs was initiated. However, her condition worsened paradoxically. We diagnosed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) resulting from the discontinuation of the TNF‐α antagonist. Her condition improved with prednisolone treatment. IRIS is generally observed during HIV treatment, but a good understanding of immunosuppressant‐related non‐HIV IRIS is needed.
Impact assessment of waterway development on the socioeconomic conditions and ecosystem in the upper Yangtze River
Authors: Li Wenjie , Wu Jianping , Du Hongbo , Wan Yu , Yang Shengfa , Xiao Yi , Wang Li
Published: February 2022

The waterway from Chongqing to Yibin in the upper Yangtze River provides strong support for the socioeconomic development in Western China, while it also has a negative influence on the river ecosystem, such as river fragmentation, wetland disconnectivity, fish habitat, and biodiversity. Accurately characterizing the exploitation, economic efficiency, and ecological pressure of the waterway from Chongqing to Yibin is of great significance for the further development of the upper Yangtze River. In this study, based on statistical data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the waterway development, economic benefits, and ecological pressure of the waterway from Chongqing to Yibin were evaluated. The sustainability index (SI) was introduced to comprehensively assess the sustainability of waterways using the hierarchical model, which integrates the exploitation ratio (ER), economic efficiency index (EEI), and ecological pressure index (EPI). A relatively low ER (41.04%), a low consistency index (CI, 0.31), a high EEI (9037.18 USA$/gha), and a low EPI (0.33) yielded an SI of 0.70, indicating that the waterway from Chongqing to Yibin in the upper Yangtze River is in a sustainable development stage. Compared with the typical global Golden Inland Waterways, the waterway from Chongqing to Yibin still has great development potential under the prioritizing ecological protection.
On the modularity of 3‐regular random graphs and random graphs with given degree sequences
Authors: Lichev Lyuben , Mitsche Dieter
Published: February 2022

The modularity of a graph is a parameter that measures its community structure; the higher its value (between 0 and 1), the more clustered the graph is. In this paper we show that the modularity of a random 3‐regular graph is at least 0.667026 asymptotically almost surely (a.a.s.), thereby proving a conjecture of McDiarmid and Skerman. We also improve the a.a.s. upper bound given therein to 0.789998. For a uniformly chosen graph over a given bounded degree sequence with average degree and with many connected components, we distinguish two regimes with respect to the existence of a giant component. In the subcritical regime, we compute the second term of the modularity. In the supercritical regime, we prove that there is , for which the modularity is a.a.s. at least

where is the asymptotically almost sure limit of .
Comparative Study for the Production of Sustainable Electricity from Marine Sediment Using Recyclable Low‐Cost Solid Wastes Aluminum Foil and Graphite Anodes
Authors: Sallam Eman R. , Fetouh Howida A.
Published: February 2022

The influence of low‐cost anode materials, aluminum, and graphite on the sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) performance is investigated. The cathode in both cells is a high‐conductive pencil electrode. The open‐circuit potentials of the graphite sediment microbial fuel cell (CSMFC) and the aluminum sediment microbial fuel cell (ASMFC) are 600 mV and 1103 mV, respectively. The microbial metabolic activity in polluted marine sediment creates a large potential difference at the marine sediment/seawater interface. The sustainable electrical power from CSMFC and ASMFC are 680 mW.m−2 and 930 mW.m−2 respectively. The high cell potentials of both cells are achieved at ambient temperature. The designed SMFCs could power oceanographic instruments and biosensors in the coastal ocean. The total viable bacterial count (TVBC) and biological parameters of pore water are related to the high cell potential. The higher open‐circuit potential of ASMFC than CSMFC is mainly attributed to the lower charge transfer resistance of aluminum than graphite. This high performance is confirmed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The charge transfer resistance (Rct) of aluminum and graphite are 1600 and 2050 Ohm.cm2, respectively. The electrical conductivity of a thin film of aluminum and graphite are 40.1
104 and 9.99
103 Siemens/cm, respectively. The electrical resistivity of the ASMFC and CSMFC are 1.506×10−5 and 2.25661×10−5 Ω.m, respectively. These results strongly suggest that ASMFC has a higher electrical power density than CSMFC due to the lower charge transfer resistance, the good electrical conductivity of aluminum, and the lower electrical resistivity of ASMFC.
Antimicrobial and Toxicity Studies of Dodonaea aungustifolia Extracts‐Mediated Green Synthesized Copper Oxide Particles
Authors: Andra Swetha , Balu Satheesh kumar , Ponnada Srikanth , Mohan Sakar , Hossain Md Shahadat , Sivakumar Bharathkumar , Palanivel Baskaran , Alsalme Ali , Muthalagu Murugesan
Published: February 2022

In this study, copper oxide (CuO) particles have been synthesized through a green approach using Dodonaea aungustifolia (DA) extracts as a reducing agent, which is extracted using methanol (CuO‐DA(Mt)) and the mixture of aqueous + methanol solvents (CuO‐DA(Aq+Mt)). These green synthesized CuO particles have been analysed using XRD, FESEM, EDAX, TEM, DLS, and FTIR techniques. Further, these materials have also been investigated for their in‐vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemolytic properties. The obtained results showed that the synthesized CuO‐DA(Aq+Mt) particles show excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Similarly, the in‐vitro hemolytic assessment of CuO‐DA(Aq+Mt) show the improved non‐hemolytic activity at various concentrations as compared to CuO‐DA(Mt). From the results and observations, a plausible mechanism for the observed properties of these CuO particles have also been proposed.
CSF proteomic signature predicts progression to Alzheimer's disease dementia
Authors: Vromen Eleonora M. , del Campo Milán Marta , Scheltens Philip , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Visser Pieter Jelle , Tijms Betty M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Individuals in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum with mild cognitive impairment (prodromal AD) are at increased risk to develop dementia. Still, underlying pathophysiological processes remain unclear. We studied whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome changes are related to time to clinical progression in prodromal AD.

Methods

We measured 671 CSF proteins in 49 prodromal AD individuals (67±7 years old, 22 [45%] female) from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. Associations of protein levels with time to dementia onset were tested with Cox regression models, followed by biological pathway enrichment analysis.

Results

Eighteen (36%) individuals developed dementia during follow‐up. In total, 128 (98%) proteins were associated with a 1.4‐ to 17‐fold increased risk of progression to dementia (all P < .05). These proteins showed enrichment for immune system processes, signal transduction, neuronal death, and neurodevelopmental biology.

Discussion

CSF proteome changes related to rate of progression to dementia can be detected in prodromal AD, providing more insight into processes involved in early AD pathophysiology.
Monitoring the maturation of the sarcomere network: a super-resolution microscopy-based approach
Authors: Skorska Anna , Johann Lisa , Chabanovska Oleksandra , Vasudevan Praveen , Kussauer Sophie , Hillemanns Maximilian , Wolfien Markus , Jonitz-Heincke Anika , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Bader Rainer , Lang Hermann , David Robert , Lemcke Heiko
Published: February 2022

The in vitro generation of human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) is of great importance for cardiac disease modeling, drug-testing applications and for regenerative medicine. Despite the development of various cultivation strategies, a sufficiently high degree of maturation is still a decisive limiting factor for the successful application of these cardiac cells. The maturation process includes, among others, the proper formation of sarcomere structures, mediating the contraction of cardiomyocytes. To precisely monitor the maturation of the contractile machinery, we have established an imaging-based strategy that allows quantitative evaluation of important parameters, defining the quality of the sarcomere network. iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were subjected to different culture conditions to improve sarcomere formation, including prolonged cultivation time and micro patterned surfaces. Fluorescent images of α-actinin were acquired using super-resolution microscopy. Subsequently, we determined cell morphology, sarcomere density, filament alignment, z-Disc thickness and sarcomere length of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Cells from adult and neonatal heart tissue served as control. Our image analysis revealed a profound effect on sarcomere content and filament orientation when iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were cultured on structured, line-shaped surfaces. Similarly, prolonged cultivation time had a beneficial effect on the structural maturation, leading to a more adult-like phenotype. Automatic evaluation of the sarcomere filaments by machine learning validated our data. Moreover, we successfully transferred this approach to skeletal muscle cells, showing an improved sarcomere formation cells over different differentiation periods. Overall, our image-based workflow can be used as a straight-forward tool to quantitatively estimate the structural maturation of contractile cells. As such, it can support the establishment of novel differentiation protocols to enhance sarcomere formation and maturity.
Topological properties of the binary supremum function
Authors: Hertling Peter
Published: February 2022

We consider the binary supremum function $$\sup :Z\times Z\rightarrow Z$$

sup
:
Z
×
Z
→
Z

on a sup semilattice Z and its topological properties with respect to the Scott topology and the product topology. It is well known that this function is continuous with respect to the Scott topology on $$Z\times Z$$

Z
×
Z

. We show that it is open as well. Isbell has constructed several examples of complete lattices Z such that the binary supremum function on Z is discontinuous with respect to the product topology. Of course, in these cases the Scott topology on $$Z\times Z$$

Z
×
Z

is strictly finer than the product topology. This raises the question whether there exists a complete lattice Z such that the Scott topology on $$Z\times Z$$

Z
×
Z

is strictly finer than the product topology and such that the binary supremum function is continuous even with respect to the product topology. We construct such a lattice. Finally, by using any of the examples constructed by Isbell, we show the following result: Bounded completeness of a complete lattice Z is in general not inherited by the dcpo C(X, Z) of continuous functions from X to Z where X is a topological space and where on Z the Scott topology is considered. On the other hand, we show that bounded completeness of Z is inherited by C(X, Z) if the topology on X is the Scott topology of a partial order.
MRI in axial spondyloarthritis: understanding an ‘ASAS-positive MRI’ and the ASAS classification criteria
Authors: Diekhoff Torsten , Lambert Robert , Hermann Kay Geert
Published: February 2022

In 2009, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) published a definition of ‘active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for classification of axial spondyloarthritis’. This new definition of an ‘ASAS-positive MRI’ was integral to new classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis that were published in the same year. The ASAS MRI definition had the considerable advantage of simplicity and the definition gained popularity as guidance for interpreting MRI of the sacroiliac joints in clinical practice. However, classification criteria are not designed for use in clinical practice with the consequence that overreliance on the presence of bone marrow edema, which is the principal determinant of an ‘ASAS-positive MRI’, may result in a tendency to overcall inflammatory sacroiliitis in the clinical setting. This article aims to inform the reader about the rationale behind the ASAS definition of a positive MRI and ASAS classification criteria, their proper use in research and why they should not be used in clinical practice. The article also contains guidance for an updated imaging protocol and interpretation of images including typical imaging findings, differential diagnosis, and common pitfalls.
Esophageal Achalasia: Diagnostic Evaluation
Authors: Riccio Federica , Costantini Mario , Salvador Renato
Published: February 2022

A precise diagnosis is key to the successful treatment of achalasia. Barium swallow, upper endoscopy and high‐resolution manometry provide the necessary information about a patient's anatomy, absence of other diseases, and type of achalasia (I, II, III). High‐resolution manometry also has prognostic value, the best results of treatment being obtained in type II achalasia according to the Chicago classification. Abdominal CT scanning and endoscopic ultrasound might be warranted if an underlying malignancy is suspected.
Comparing multi-index stochastic collocation and multi-fidelity stochastic radial basis functions for forward uncertainty quantification of ship resistance
Authors: Piazzola Chiara , Tamellini Lorenzo , Pellegrini Riccardo , Broglia Riccardo , Serani Andrea , Diez Matteo
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a comparison of two multi-fidelity methods for the forward uncertainty quantification of a naval engineering problem. Specifically, we consider the problem of quantifying the uncertainty of the hydrodynamic resistance of a roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry advancing in calm water and subject to two operational uncertainties (ship speed and payload). The first four statistical moments (mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis), and the probability density function for such quantity of interest (QoI) are computed with two multi-fidelity methods, i.e., the Multi-Index Stochastic Collocation (MISC) and an adaptive multi-fidelity Stochastic Radial Basis Functions (SRBF). The QoI is evaluated via computational fluid dynamics simulations, which are performed with the in-house unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) multi-grid solver $$\chi$$
χ
navis. The different fidelities employed by both methods are obtained by stopping the RANS solver at different grid levels of the multi-grid cycle. The performance of both methods are presented and discussed: in a nutshell, the findings suggest that, at least for the current implementation of both methods, MISC could be preferred whenever a limited computational budget is available, whereas for a larger computational budget SRBF seems to be preferable, thanks to its robustness to the numerical noise in the evaluations of the QoI.
Measured and self-reported olfactory function in voluntary Norwegian adults
Authors: Heian Ingrid Torvik , Helvik Anne-Sofie , Hummel Thomas , Øie Marte Rystad , Nordgård Ståle , Bratt Mette , Thorstensen Wenche Moe
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The lack of epidemiological data on the proportion of olfactory dysfunction (OD) using comprehensive olfactory assessment in healthy adults in Scandinavia motivated to the present study which aimed to explore the proportion of OD in voluntary healthy Norwegian adults, assessed by Sniffin’ Sticks, and its correlation to self-reported olfactory function. Furthermore, sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with olfactory function were analysed.

Methods

The sample included 405 Norwegian participants, aged 18–78 years, 273 women and 132 men, who underwent olfactory testing with extensive Sniffin’ Sticks test, allergy testing, clinical examination with nasal endoscopy and completed a self-administered questionnaire, including self-evaluation of olfactory function on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale.

Results

We found that 37% had OD, of which 1.2% had anosmia assessed with extensive Sniffin’ Sticks test. The proportion of hyposmia and anosmia increased with age. Men and participants with low education had poorer olfactory function scores. Allergy, smoking status, general health and endoscopic findings were not associated with measured olfactory function. We found no correlation between self-reported and measured olfactory function.

Conclusions

This study has identified that a large proportion of our sample of voluntary healthy Norwegian adults have OD, considerably more common in older adults and somewhat more common in men and individuals with low education. The lack of correlation between self-reported and measured olfactory function highlights the importance of using validated tests for a reliable olfactory evaluation.
Moderately large deflection of slightly curved layered beams with interlayer slip
Authors: Adam Christoph , Ladurner Dominik , Furtmüller Thomas
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a beam theory for analyzing the static response of slightly curved three-layer beams with interlayer slip. Since the beams are supposed to be immovably supported, membrane stresses develop even at moderately large deflections and the response becomes geometrically nonlinear. The theory is based on a layerwise application of the Euler–Bernoulli theory and a linear elastic constitutive law for the interlaminar displacements. In three application examples, the accuracy of this theory is shown by comparing the results of this theory with the outcomes of a more complex finite element analysis assuming a plane stress state. These application examples demonstrate the effect of a small initial deflection on the nonlinear response of the considered layered structural members.
Microfluidic flow-injection aptamer-based chemiluminescence platform for sulfadimethoxine detection
Authors: Wang Yanwei , Rink Simone , Baeumner Antje J. , Seidel Michael
Published: February 2022

Gold nanoparticle–catalyzed chemiluminescence (CL) of luminol is an attractive alternative to strategies relying on enzymes, as their aggregation leads to significantly enhanced CL signals. Consequently, analytes disturbing such aggregation will lead to an easy-to-quantify weakening of the signal. Based on this concept, a homogeneous aptamer-based assay for the detection of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) has been developed as a microfluidic CL flow-injection platform. Here, the efficient mixing of gold nanoparticles, aptamers, and analyte in short channel distances is of utmost importance, and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) mixer designs made via Xurography were investigated. In the end, since 2D designs could not provide sufficient mixing, a laminated 3D 5-layer microfluidic mixer was developed and optimized with respect to mixing capability and observation by the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Furthermore, the performance of standard luminol and its more hydrophilic derivative m-carboxy luminol was studied identifying the hydrophilic derivative to provide tenfold more signal enhancement and reliable results. Finally, the novel detection platform was used for the specific detection of SDM via its aptamer and yielded a stunning dynamic range over 5 orders of magnitude (0.01–1000 ng/ml) and a limit of detection of 4 pg/ml. This new detection concept not only outperforms other methods for SDM detection, but can be suggested as a new flow-injection strategy for aptamer-based rapid and cost-efficient analysis in environmental monitoring and food safety.

Graphical abstract
Interannual variability of air temperature inversions in ice-free area of northern James Ross Island, Antarctica
Authors: Ambrožová Klára , Láska Kamil , Matějka Michael , Reuder Joachim
Published: February 2022

Air temperature inversions are common features in Antarctica, especially in the interior where they are observed nearly year-round. Large temporal variability of air temperature inversion incidence is typical for the coastal areas and little is known about its occurrence in the Antarctic deglaciated areas. Here we present a 12-year-long time series of near-surface air temperature inversion derived from two automatic weather stations situated at different altitudes (10 and 375 m a.s.l.) in ice-free part of northern James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula). The highest monthly relative frequency of temperature inversions during 2006–2017 was observed in July (38%) when the range between minimum and maximum monthly frequencies reached 34%. Both the lowest monthly relative frequency of temperature inversions and the range were found in December with values of 7% and 15%, respectively. The correlation between mean lapse rate and selected mesoscale flow characteristics were tested. The highest correlations were found between lapse rate and specific humidity for the yearly means (0.69 in the 925 hPa pressure level). Negative correlation coefficients were established between lapse rate and air temperature in summer (− 0.65 in the 500 hPa pressure level). Finally, we also used the Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) model to ascertain its ability to simulate situations as complicated as near-surface air temperature inversion formation in complex terrain. For a strong winter air temperature inversion, simulated air temperature was compared with in situ observations to assess the model performance.
Validation of a new diagnostic method for quantification of sleep bruxism activity
Authors: Ommerborn Michelle Alicia , Walentek Nicole , Bergmann Nora , Franken Michael , Gotter Andreas , Schäfer Ralf
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To validate a new diagnostic method (DIABRUX) for quantifying sleep bruxism (SB) activity using the current gold standard, polysomnography (PSG), as a criterion in an adequate sample size investigation.

Materials and methods

For SB diagnosis, each participant received a two-night ambulatory PSG including audio–video recordings. The 0.5-mm-thick sheet is produced in a thermoforming process. After diagnosis via PSG, each subject wore the diagnostic sheet for five consecutive nights. The resulting total abrasion on the surface was automatically quantified in pixels by a software specially designed for this purpose.

Results

Forty-five participants (10 SB and 35 non-SB subjects) were included. The difference of the mean pixel score between the SB (M = 1,306, SD = 913) and the non-SB group (M = 381, SD = 483; 3.4 times higher for SB) was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed a value of 507 pixels as the most appropriate cut-off criterion with a sensitivity of 1.0, a specificity to 0.8, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88. The positive and negative predictive value accounted for 0.59 and 1.0.

Conclusions

The present data confirm that the new diagnostic method is valid and user-friendly that may be used for therapeutic evaluation, and for the acquisition of larger sample sizes within sophisticated study designs.

Clinical relevance

The verified properties of the new diagnostic method allow estimating SB activity before damages occur due to long-standing bruxism activity. Therefore, it might be utilized for preventive dentistry.

Trial registration number

NC T03325920 (September 22, 2017).