bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Eosin Solution Exposed to Sunlight against Anopheles Mosquito Larvae
Authors: Ogbu J. C. , Ollor O. A. , Nwokah E. G. , Agi V. N.
Published: September 2022

Mosquitoes are a menace for millions of people around the world, they are vectors for destructive microorganisms which cause diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever and Lymphatic filariasis, affecting people in developing countries and areas with tropical climates. Anopheles, a predominant genus transmits malaria, and the World Health Organization have shown that 350,000 lives especially children and pregnant women are lost annually by it. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of eosin solution exposed to sunlight on larvae of Anopheles mosquito. The use of control method was aid at eliminating the larva stages of the mosquito life cycle. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) Anopheles mosquito larvae were harvested using dipper with handle and net from drainages at Eagle Island and Rivers State University both in Port Harcourt. Five different concentrations of Eosin solutions were prepared in volumes of 1000 microlitre (µl), 800µl, 600µl, 400µl, 200µl after a stock solution of 1gram(g) in 100ml and a control, the physicochemical parameters of the solutions were determined using Extech model DO700 measuring instrument. Twenty (20) mosquito larvae, were carefully introduced into each of the concentrations, exposed to sunlight and observed for 24 hours (hrs) for a period of six (6) days for susceptibility. A hundred percent (100%) mortality was recorded in eosin volume of 1000µl and 800µl. The separate solutions of eosin showed significant effects of their concentrations on the Anopheles mosquito larvae of P-value 0.017 at P<0.05. The result obtained for the physicochemical parameters were; pH 5.24, temperature 30.4oC, conductivity 168µS/cm, salinity 0.08%, total dissolved solids 118 milligram per litre(mg/L) and dissolved oxygen was 6.5mg/L for the control. Changes occurred in the values of the dissolved oxygen before and after exposure to sunlight in all the dilutions. The results obtained showed that after 24 hrs, the mortality rate of the larvae increased, indicating that Anopheles mosquito larvae expose to concentrations of eosin solutions results in their mortality within 48 hrs. It may be concluded that this study has provided some evidence of larvicidal effect of eosin solution exposed to sunlight on larvae of Anopheles mosquito.
Atuação do enfermeiro em oclusão de cateter central de inserção periférica em paciente oncológico
Authors: Correia Flavia , Handem Priscila de Castro , Silva Gabryelly Barros de Carvalho
Published: September 2022

Objetivo: estabelecer um protocolo para prevenção e intervenção em oclusão do PICC em paciente oncológico, com base nas análises da produção científica através de uma revisão da literatura publicada entre 2000 e 2016. Método: revisão integrativa. Este método de pesquisa permite a síntese de múltiplos estudos publicados e possibilita conclusões gerais a respeito de uma área particular de estudo. Resultados: a busca aos bancos de dados retornou 1234 artigos, aplicados os filtros estabelecidos na metodologia, sobraram 58. Desses 58, excluindo as repetições e aqueles que não apresentavam todo o artigo para consulta, foram aproveitadas e utilizadas 31 publicações. Conclusão: a aplicação futura do referido protocolo no cuidado oncológico poderá resultar na assistência de enfermagem de maior qualidade, redução de ocorrência de oclusão ou tratamento eficaz dessa oclusão com consequente redução/eliminação de perdas de PICC.
Finite‐time adaptive consensus of stochastic multi‐agent systems with node‐based and edge‐based adaptive law design methods
Authors: Xiao Guanli , Wang JinRong , Liao Yumei
Published: September 2022

This article investigates the finite‐time consensus control for stochastic multi‐agent systems (SMASs) by using adaptive techniques. First, we propose a finite‐time adaptive consensus protocol for SMASs with node‐based adaptive law design method. Second, a finite‐time adaptive consensus protocol is also proposed for SMASs by adding a dynamical scaling parameter to the weights on the edges of the communication graph. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the two consensus protocols.
A Biomarker‐Responsive Nanosystem with Colon‐Targeted Delivery for Ulcerative Colitis's Detection and Treatment with Optoacoustic/NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Zeng Zhuo , Ouyang Juan , Sun Lihe , Zeng Fang , Wu Shuizhu
Published: September 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent idiopathic inflammatory disease which causes such complications as intestinal perforation, obstruction, and bleeding, and thus deleteriously impacting people's normal work and quality of life. Hence, accurate diagnosis of UC is crucial in terms of planning optimal treatment plan. Herein, a pH/reactive oxygen species (ROS) dual‐responsive nanosystem (BM@EP) is developed for UC's detection and therapy. BM@EP is composed of a chromophore‐drug dyad and the enteric coating. The chromophore‐drug dyad (BOD‐XT‐DHM) is synthesized by linking the chromophore (BOD‐XT‐BOH) and a flavonoid drug (dihydromyricetin DHM) through boronate ester bond. The enteric coating includes Eudragit S100 and poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA), the former is commonly employed as a pH‐dependent polymer coating excipient so as to attain colon‐targeted delivery, and the latter has been widely used as an excipient for the controlled‐extended release. After oral administration, BM@EP delivers the dyad (BOD‐XT‐DHM) into the colon and releases the dyad molecules by being triggered by the alkaline pH in t colon, thereafter upon being stimulated by overexpressed H2O2 in the inflamed colon, the boronate bond in the dyad is broken down and correspondingly the drug DHM is released for UC therapy, simultaneously the chromophore is released for near‐infrared second window (NIR‐II) fluorescence and optoacoustic imaging for UC diagnosis and recovery evaluation.
In Situ Observation of Fracture along Twin Boundaries in Boron Carbide
Authors: Li Penghui , Bu Yeqiang , Wang Linyan , Wang Chong , Huang Junquan , Tong Ke , Chen Yujun , He Julong , Zhao Zhisheng , Xu Bo , Liu Zhongyuan , Gao Guoying , Nie Anmin , Wang Hongtao , Tian Yongjun
Published: September 2022

The observation of fracture behaviors in perfect and twinned B4C crystals via in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) mechanical testing is reported. The crystal structure of the synthesized B4C, composed of B11C icosahedra connected by boron‐deficient C–▫–C chains in a chemical formula of B11C3, is determined by state‐of‐the‐art aberration‐corrected scanning TEM. The in situ TEM observations reveal that cracking is preferentially initiated at the twin boundaries (TBs) in B4C under both indentation and tension loading. The cracks then propagate along the TBs, thus resulting in the fracture of B4C. These results are consistent with the theoretical calculations that show that TBs have a softening effect on B4C with amorphous bands preferentially nucleated at the TBs. These findings elucidate the atomic arrangement and the role of planar defects in the failure of B4C. Furthermore, they can guide the design of advanced superhard materials via planar defect control.
Optical Signal Modulation in Photonic Waveguiding Heteroarchitectures with Continuously Variable Visible‐To‐Near‐Infrared Emission Color
Authors: Wan Qingyun , Xiao Ke , Li Zongshang , Yang Jihyuk , Kim Ji Tae , Cui Xiaodong , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: September 2022

Photonic circuit systems based on optical waveguiding heteroarchitectures have attracted considerable interest owing to their potential to overcome the speed limitation in electronic circuits by modulating the optical signal at the micro‐ or nanoscale. However, controlling the parameters, including the wavelength and polarization of the light outcoupling, as well as the sequence among different building blocks, remains a key issue. Herein, supramolecular heteroarchitectures made by phosphorescent organometallic complexes of Pt, Pd, Cu, and Au are applied as photonic logic gates that show continuously variable emission colors from 475 to 810 nm, low waveguide losses down to 0.0077 dB µm−1, and remarkable excitation‐light polarization‐dependent photoluminescence with anisotropy ratios up to 0.68. The sequences among Pt, Pd, Au, and Cu building blocks in the heteroarchitectures are controlled by living supramolecular polymerization or crystallization‐driven self‐assembly synthetic approaches. The results indicate the prospects for using organometallic complexes and supramolecular synthetic approaches to prepare photonic circuit systems with tunable emission color and controllable sequences among different blocks that achieve modulation of the optical signal in the visible‐to‐near‐infrared spectral region.
Ultralow Macroscale Friction and Wear of MoS2 in High‐Vacuum Through DC Pulsing Optimization, Nitridization, and Sublayer Engineering
Authors: Khadem Mahdi , Hwang Youn‐Hoo , Penkov Oleksiy V. , Kim Dae‐Eun
Published: September 2022

The reliability and durability of devices that operate in vacuum and are subjected to wear are critical issues. The concerns rise at the macroscale wherein the contact area is large, yet the contact stress is in the GPa range. This paper reports on the design and fabrication of a coating comprising nitridized molybdenum disulfide (MoSN) supported by a novel nanolayered coating composed of carbon with subnanometer‐thick periodic albeit discrete Cr interlayers. The MoSN coatings are deposited onto mating surfaces using pulsed‐DC magnetron sputtering in an atmosphere with varying N2 to argon (Ar) ratios. Pulsed‐DC parameters, such as pulse duty and frequency, together with nitrogen content, are systematically optimized to achieve superior mechanical and tribological properties. The results reveal the importance of optimizing pulsing parameters during deposition as they significantly alter the properties of MoS2. The outcome is fabrication of a coating that despite having a low thickness, exhibits extremely low friction and record‐breaking macroscale wear rate in high vacuum compared to the values reported in the literature by date. Lastly, the analysis confirms the prediction of theoretical studies regarding the release of entrapped nitrogen in gaseous form during the wear process without disrupting the formation of a stable solid lubricant tribofilm.
Palladium‐catalyzed Atroposelective Interannular C−H Arylation of Biaryl Aldehydes with Aryl Iodides Enabled by a Transient Directing Group Strategy
Authors: Zhang Jitan , Fan Jian , Guo Ziyi , Wu Yehe , Wu Jiaping , Xie Meihua
Published: September 2022

A concise synthesis of axially chiral biaryl aldehydes through Pd/amino acid‐catalyzed atroposelective interannular C−H arylation of biaryl aldehydes with aryl iodides is developed. This reaction proceeds smoothly involving excellent enantiocontrol and accomplishes with good tolerance of functional groups. Moreover, the readily accessible scale‐up synthesis and further transformation of products has highlighted the potential utility of this asymmetric catalytic protocol.

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Observer‐based path following control for autonomous vehicles with localization errors and tire slip effects
Authors: Wang Heng , Zhang Tengfei , Quan Wei , Li Qing
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the problem of path following control for an autonomous vehicle subject to the localization errors and the tire slip effects. First, by analyzing the effects of localization errors, a loss‐of‐effectiveness actuator model is formulated, and a new chain form model is constructed for path following system of the vehicle. Then, the polytopic model is proposed to characterize the nonlinearity of the system, and an observer‐based path following controller is designed by satisfying both the
criterion and
criterion. Finally, the path following controller design problem is converted into an optimization problem, which can be solved readily through convex optimization techniques. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified by simulation results.
Emerging green routes to nanocellulose
Authors: Ciriminna Rosaria , Ghahremani Mina , Karimi Babak , Pagliaro Mario
Published: September 2022

Nanocellulose is an exceptional biomaterial whose industrial applications in widely different sectors and technologies so far have been limited by the high cost of its multi‐step extraction routes. Extraction methods of cellulose nanocrystals or nanofibers, indeed, generally involve the energy‐intensive mechanical treatment of wood pulp, treatment with concentrated H2SO4 to obtain cellulose nanocrystals or chemical oxidation followed by mechanical fibrillation of the partly oxidized fibers. In the last decade (2011–2021) a number of green routes to cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals have been developed. This study provides a critical outlook of said emerging new green routes to this versatile and safe bionanomaterial that, once sustainably produced, preferably from low cost cellulosic biowaste, will become ubiquitous in a number of different industrial products. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Watchful waiting is an acceptable treatment option for asymptomatic primary ocular adnexal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A retrospective study
Authors: Mizuhara Kentaro , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Nakao Mitsushige , Takahashi Ryoichi , Kaneko Hiroto , Shimura Kazuho , Hirakawa Koichi , Uoshima Nobuhiko , Wada Katsuya , Kawata Eri , Isa Reiko , Fujino Takahiro , Tsukamoto Taku , Mizutani Shinsuke , Shimura Yuji , Yoneda Akiko , Watanabe Akihide , Sotozono Chie , Kuroda Junya
Published: September 2022

Background

Primary ocular adnexal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (POAML) is the most common subtype of indolent ocular adnexal lymphomas. Although radiotherapy (RT) is the standard of care for localized POAML, it can occasionally lead to permanent side effects. Other treatment strategies, such as rituximab (R) monotherapy and immunochemotherapy, have been used for POAML treatment, but their long‐term benefits and relative merits remain unclear. While watchful waiting (WW) is a potential option for some indolent lymphomas, the benefits of WW for POAML patients are also unclear.

Methods

We here retrospectively analyzed 75 patients who were diagnosed with POAML between 2008 and 2019 in the institutions of the Kyoto Clinical Hematology Study Group.

Results

Commonly involved sites were conjunctiva (42.7%), orbit (36.0%), and lacrimal gland (12.0%), and most patients (92.0%) presented with Ann Arbor stage IE disease. The treatment strategy was selected at the physicians' discretion. More patients without subjective symptoms by tumor mass were subjected to WW (29 patients), while more patients with tumor‐derived subjective symptoms were treated by tumor‐directed therapy (24 received focal RT, and 19 received R monotherapy). Complete response rates were 79.2% and 42.1% in the RT and R groups, respectively. At 60 months of follow‐up, the estimated proportions of POAML patients not requiring new treatment were 69.4%, 85.2%, and 53.8% in the WW, RT, and R groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the time to start a new treatment between WW and RT groups (median: both not reached [NR], p = 0.187) and between WW and R groups (median: NR vs. 69.0 months, p = 0.554). No specific predictive factor for the future need of treatment was identified in the WW group.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate WW may be an acceptable treatment option for POAML, especially for asymptomatic patients.
Site‐Specific Multi‐Functionalization of the Carrier Protein CRM197 by Disulfide Rebridging for Conjugate Vaccine Development
Authors: Trattnig Nino , Li Zeshi , Bosman Gerlof P. , Kosma Paul , Boons Geert‐Jan
Published: September 2022

Conjugation of an antigen to a carrier protein is widely used for vaccine development. To develop the next generation of conjugate vaccines, we describe here a method for the controlled multi‐functionalization of the widely employed carrier protein CRM197 with a carbohydrate‐based antigen and an immune potentiator. The approach is based on the selective reduction of one of the disulfides of CRM197 followed by disulfide rebridging employing an appropriately functionalized dibromopyridazinedione. Efficient protein modification required that the reduction and functionalization with a dibromopyridazinedione was performed as a one‐step procedure with control over the reaction temperature. Furthermore, ligations were most successful when dibromopyridazinediones were employed having a functional entity such as a TLR7/8 agonist and a cyclooctyne for further modification. Site‐specific conjugation avoids modification of T‐epitopes of the carrier protein and covalent attachment of an immune potentiator will ensure that cytokines are produced where the vaccine interacts with relevant immune cells resulting in efficient immune potentiation.
CeO2 Nanorod@NiPhy Core‐shell Catalyst for Methane Dry Reforming: Effect of Simultaneous Sintering Prevention of CeO2 Support and Active Ni
Authors: Liao Mingyue , Chen Yingying , Chen Minmin , Lim Kang Hui , Li Ziwei , Wu Hong , He Xiong , Zhou Qiao , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: September 2022

Preventing the sintering of nano‐catalyst is crucial to maintain their performance especially for high‐temperature reactions such as CO2 reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. In this paper, we design CeO2 nanorod@Ni phyllosilicate (CeO2@NiPhy) catalysts with different NiPhy shell thickness to simultaneously preserve the morphology of CeO2 nanorod and prevent the sintering of Ni. Compared with Ni/CeO2 supported catalyst, CeO2@NiPhy core‐shell catalyst with a shell thickness of 9 nm exhibits much better performance for DRM with stable CH4 and CO2 conversions of 75 % and 80 % respectively and lower carbon deposition due to high Ni sintering resistance and higher thermal stability of CeO2 during calcination and DRM reaction thereby higher oxygen vacancies concentration. In‐situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra result demonstrates that DRM reaction takes place with a bi‐functional mechanism on CeO2@NiPhy. This design strategy can be applied to prepare other nano‐catalysts with high sintering resistance of both active metal and catalyst support for high‐temperature applications.
Iron and Nickel Phthalocyanine‐Modified Nanocarbon Materials as Cathode Catalysts for Anion‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Zinc‐Air Batteries**
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Kibena‐Põldsepp Elo , Mooste Marek , Kozlova Jekaterina , Kikas Arvo , Aruväli Jaan , Käärik Maike , Kisand Vambola , Leis Jaan , Tamm Aile , Holdcroft Steven , Zagal José H. , Tammeveski Kaido
Published: September 2022

Iron and nickel phthalocyanines along with different carbon supports, i. e., multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphene, carbide‐derived carbon, Vulcan carbon, and mesoporous carbon (MC, from Pajarito Powder, LLC), are used to prepare six bimetallic (Fe, Ni) N‐doped carbon‐based catalysts. The aim of this work is to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of bimetal phthalocyanine‐modified nanocarbon catalysts, e. g., the effect of carbon supports on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), including the anion‐exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) and rechargeable zinc‐air battery (RZAB) configuration. The catalysts exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity as exemplified by their half‐wave potential (E1/2) for ORR and the potential at which the OER current density reaches 10 mA cm−2 (Ej=10), but the best performing catalysts are FeNiN−MC (E1/2=0.88 V, Ej=10=1.58 V) and FeNiN−MWCNT (E1/2=0.87 V, Ej=10=1.59 V). In AEMFC analyses, FeNiN−MWCNT cathode provides peak power density (Pmax) of 406 mW cm−2, slightly higher than that of FeNiN−MC (Pmax=386 mW cm−2). Both catalysts exhibit a good RZAB performance (Pmax of 85 mW cm−2 for FeNiN−MWCNT). The assembled RZABs run stably for 48 h without any significant loss of performance.
Low‐gain internal model control PID controller design based on second‐order filter
Authors: Ma Wenrui , Xu Zuhua , Peng Xudong , Zhao Jun , Shao Zhijiang
Published: September 2022

A design method is proposed for low‐gain internal model control (IMC) proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controllers based on the second‐order filter. The PID parameters are obtained by approximating the feedback form of the IMC controller with a Maclaurin series, in which the second‐order filter is applied using the IMC approach to achieve a low‐gain PID controller that is suitable for model mismatch problems. Analytical PID tuning rules based on the second‐order filter are derived for several common‐use process models. The second‐order filter is designed from the desired time domain performances of maximum overshoot and settling time. Furthermore, the robustness of the IMC PID controller based on the second‐order filter is analyzed, and results show that its robustness performance is better than the first‐order filter under certain conditions. Finally, three categories of models divided by the ration of time constant and time delay are presented in the comparative numerical simulations to validate the effectiveness and generality of the proposed PID controller design method.
Multi‐source domains transfer learning strategy based on similarity measurement for batch process quality prediction
Authors: Chu Fei , Wang Jiachen , Peng Chuang , Jia Runda , He Dakuo , Wang Fuli
Published: September 2022

Generally, when multiple source processes are available for transfer modelling, an inappropriate transfer learning strategy may lead to the deterioration of model accuracy and even cause negative transfer. For this issue, a multi‐source domains transfer learning strategy based on similarity measurement is proposed in this work for selecting the optimal transfer modelling strategy according to different scenarios. By counting the data amount and judging the similarity between each source domain and the target domain, the rich information contained in multiple source processes is well utilized to assist the modelling process in the target domain. The proposed strategy provides three alternative specific transfer mechanisms by setting the judgement conditions so that the possibility of negative transfer can get reduced and the accuracy of prediction can be guaranteed. To ensure the reliability of the transfer model and adapt to the change in conditions, the updating scheme based on online data is adopted. Finally, the mixed‐effects Gaussian processes modelling method is taken as an example to verify the effectiveness of the proposed multi‐source transfer learning strategy through the simulation experiment of the cobalt oxalate synthesis process.
The theory of compression–shear coupled composite wave propagation in rock
Authors: Lu Jianhua , Xu Songlin , Miao Chunhe , Xie Yushan , Yuan Liangzhu , Ma Hao , Chen Meiduo , Wang Pengfei
Published: September 2022

The wave velocity analysis of rock medium is the main method used to explore the internal compositions in the crust and research seismic. In this paper, a compression–shear coupled nonlinear elastic constitutive relation is established, which is consistent with the mechanical properties of rock and mineral medium under high pressure. On this basis, numerical solutions of the wave equation and plane wave analytical solutions for the primary and secondary wave velocities are obtained. As is indicated by the comparison with the linear elastic constitutive theory, the results reflect the compression–shear coupling characteristics of the rock, including the stress path effect and the compression–shear coupling wave effect. With different parameter values, the velocity of the secondary wave changes from lower than that of the elastic shear wave, to higher than that of the elastic shear wave. The research results are expected to provide meaningful explanations for the physical mechanisms of the supershear wave and sub‐Rayleigh wave, and guidance for the detection of rock and soil composition and the observation of seismic waves.
Bacterial supergroup‐specific “cost” of Wolbachia infections in Nasonia vitripennis
Authors: Tiwary Alok , Babu Rahul , Sen Ruchira , Raychoudhury Rhitoban
Published: September 2022

The maternally inherited endosymbiont, Wolbachia, is known to alter the reproductive biology of its arthropod hosts for its own benefit and can induce both positive and negative fitness effects in many hosts. Here, we describe the effects of the maintenance of two distinct Wolbachia infections, one each from supergroups A and B, on the parasitoid host Nasonia vitripennis. We compare the effect of Wolbachia infections on various traits between the uninfected, single A‐infected, single B‐infected, and double‐infected lines with their cured versions. Contrary to some previous reports, our results suggest that there is a significant cost associated with the maintenance of Wolbachia infections where traits such as family size, fecundity, longevity, and rates of male copulation are compromised in Wolbachia‐infected lines. The double Wolbachia infection has the most detrimental impact on the host as compared to single infections. Moreover, there is a supergroup‐specific negative impact on these wasps as the supergroup B infection elicits the most pronounced negative effects. These negative effects can be attributed to a higher Wolbachia titer seen in the double and the single supergroup B infection lines when compared to supergroup A. Our findings raise important questions on the mechanism of survival and maintenance of these reproductive parasites in arthropod hosts.
Influence of riparian thinning on trophic pathways supporting stream food webs in forested watersheds
Authors: Roon David A. , Dunham Jason B. , Bellmore J. Ryan , Olson Deanna H. , Harvey Bret C.
Published: September 2022

Resource managers seek to thin second‐growth riparian forests to address multiple stream and riparian management objectives, including enhancing aquatic productivity via light‐mediated trophic pathways in watersheds of the Pacific Northwest (USA). However, such increases in aquatic productivity depend on complex food web dynamics that link riparian forests and streams. To evaluate how riparian forest thinning influences stream food webs, we conducted a replicated, manipulative field experiment in three northern California watersheds composed of second‐growth redwood forests and tracked responses across multiple trophic levels (periphyton, macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and fish) 1 year pre‐ and post‐treatment. Riparian thinning treatments increased light to the stream channel, yet we observed mixed responses by stream food webs. Thinning did not change stream periphyton biomass on natural substrates but increased periphyton accrual on ceramic tiles. Periphyton accrual appeared to be partially muted by top‐down effects from invertebrate scrapers, which were more abundant in thinned reaches. Prey in the diets of top predators—coastal giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) and coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii)—did not change in biomass, composition, or structure in response to thinning and instead varied more seasonally and between predators. Stable isotope analysis indicated that shifts in carbon (δ13C) signatures of stream periphyton associated with thinning were reflected to varying extents by primary consumers but did not propagate up to top predators. Top predator biomass responses varied between species, where salamander biomass remained unchanged, but cutthroat trout biomass increased slightly in thinned reaches. However, trout biomass responses were not supported by diets or isotopes and correlated weakly with changes in light associated with thinning, suggesting little evidence that responses could be attributed directly to changes in autotrophic pathways. Furthermore, we found no evidence that local trophic responses to thinning propagated into downstream reaches. Taken together, we observed that trophic pathways supporting stream food webs remained largely intact immediately after riparian thinning treatments. Collectively, these results suggest that riparian thinning does not necessarily enhance aquatic productivity in forested streams, indicating that contextual factors driving realized ecological responses should be accounted for when considering thinning as a restoration strategy for stream–riparian ecosystems.
K+ channel Kv4.1 is expressed in the nociceptors/secondary nociceptive neurons and participates in pain regulation
Authors: Chiu Chi‐Yuan , Tsaur Meei‐Ling
Published: September 2022

Background

Kv4 channels are key components controlling neuronal excitability at membrane potentials below action potential thresholds. It remains elusive whether Kv4.1 participates in pain regulation.

Methods

We raised a Kv4.1 antibody to map Kv4.1+ neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats. Behavioural, biochemical and immunohistochemical methods were used to examine whether the activity of Kv4.1+ neurons or Kv4.1 expression level is altered after peripheral nerve injury.

Results

In lamina I of the spinal cord, Kv4.1 immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in neurokinin‐1 receptor positive (NK1R)+ projection neurons (the secondary nociceptive neurons) and NK1R+ excitatory interneurons. Kv4.1, KChIP2 and DPP10 were co‐expressed in these neurons. Peripheral nerve injury evoked by lumbar spinal nerve ligation (SNL) immediately induced phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase (pERK, an indicator of enhanced neuronal activity) in lamina I Kv4.1+ neurons and lamina II Kv4.2/Kv4.3+ neurons of the spinal cord. Furthermore, Kv4.1 appeared in 59.9% of DRG neurons with variable sizes. Kv4.1 mRNA and protein levels in DRG neurons were gradually decreased after SNL. Following intrathecal injection of Kv4.1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASO) into naive rats, Kv4.1 protein level was reduced in the DRG, and mechanical but not thermal hypersensitivity was induced.

Conclusions

Kv4.1 appears in the secondary nociceptive neurons, and peripheral nerve injury increases the activity of these neurons. Kv4.1 expression in DRG neurons (including half of the nociceptors) is gradually reduced after peripheral nerve injury, and knockdown of Kv4.1 in DRG neurons induces pain. Thus, Kv4.1 participates in pain regulation.

Significance

Based on the expression of Kv4.1 and Kv4.3 in the nociceptors, Kv4.1 in the secondary nociceptive neurons, Kv4.1 in spinal lamina I excitatory interneurons that regulate the activity of the secondary nociceptive neurons, as well as Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 in spinal lamina II excitatory interneurons that also regulate the activity of the secondary nociceptive neurons, developing Kv4 activators or genetic manipulation to increase Kv4 channel activity in these pain‐related Kv4+ neurons will be useful in future pain therapeutics.
Population‐based meta‐analysis and gene‐set enrichment identifies FXR/RXR pathway as common to fatty liver disease and serum lipids
Authors: Handelman Samuel K. , Puentes Yindra M. , Kuppa Annapurna , Chen Yanhua , Du Xiaomeng , Feitosa Mary F. , Palmer Nicholette D. , Speliotes Elizabeth K.
Published: September 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent worldwide. NAFLD is associated with elevated serum triglycerides (TG), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and reduced high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Both NAFLD and blood lipid levels are genetically influenced and may share a common genetic etiology. We used genome‐wide association studies (GWAS)–ranked genes and gene‐set enrichment analysis to identify pathways that affect serum lipids and NAFLD. We identified credible genes in these pathways and characterized missense variants in these for effects on serum traits. We used MAGENTA to identify 58 enriched pathways from publicly available TG, LDL, and HDL GWAS (n = 99,000). Three of these pathways were also enriched for associations with European‐ancestry NAFLD GWAS (n = 7176). One pathway, farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) activation, was replicated for association in an African‐ancestry NAFLD GWAS (n = 3214) and plays a role in serum lipids and NAFLD. Credible genes (proteins) in FXR/RXR activation include those associated with cholesterol/bile/bilirubin transport/absorption (ABCC2 (MRP2) [ATP binding cassette subfamily C member (multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2)], ABCG5, ABCG8 [ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters G5 and G8], APOB (APOB) [apolipoprotein B], FABP6 (ILBP) [fatty acid binding protein 6 (ileal lipid‐binding protein)], MTTP (MTP) [microsomal triglyceride transfer protein], SLC4A2 (AE2) [solute carrier family 4 member 2 (anion exchange protein 2)]), nuclear hormone–mediated control of metabolism (NR0B2 (SHP) [nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 2 (small heterodimer partner)], NR1H4 (FXR) [nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 4 (FXR)], PPARA (PPAR) [peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha], FOXO1 (FOXO1A) [forkhead box O1]), or other pathways (FETUB (FETUB) [fetuin B]). Missense variants in ABCC2 (MRP2), ABCG5 (ABCG5), ABCG8 (ABCG8), APOB (APOB), MTTP (MTP), NR0B2 (SHP), NR1H4 (FXR), and PPARA (PPAR) that associate with serum LDL levels also associate with serum liver function tests in UK Biobank. Conclusion: Genetic variants in NR1H4 (FXR) that protect against liver steatosis increase serum LDL cholesterol while variants in other members of the family have congruent effects on these traits. Human genetic pathway enrichment analysis can help guide therapeutic development by identifying effective targets for NAFLD/serum lipid manipulation while minimizing side effects. In addition, missense variants could be used in companion diagnostics to determine their influence on drug effectiveness.
Standard Verification using Model Based Systems Engineering
Authors: Caines Charles , Jaques David , Geiger Jeremy
Published: September 2022

Systems engineering has embraced MBSE and other digital engineering techniques that have been in use in software engineering for decades. One area that MBSE lacks is automation of verification and validation of requirements for standards. System models require rework to model standards and in the case of reuse, extensive verification to ensure they have been implemented properly. SysML can utilize architectural constraints for system models in a similar way to how software engineers use architectural constraints in software architectures. Architectural constraints can be used to verify conformance with architectural decisions and standard implementation. This tool can be applied to automated standard compliance verification using query functions for analysis or validation suites for fast verification of architectural constraints. This technique has been applied to larger Reference architectures with success in finding errors architecture design as well.
A System‐of‐Systems Meta‐Architecture Optimization to Recommend a Solution for Personalized Home Fitness
Authors: Coolen Demi , Dagli Cihan
Published: September 2022

Due to the novel coronavirus COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 and the stay‐at‐home orders that accompanied mandates for businesses to cancel in‐person activities, an increasing number of people turned to fitness alternatives that allowed them to exercise without leaving their homes. With this came a demand for at‐home workout solutions and a surge in sales for companies like Peloton and NordicTrack. To help determine the best solution for a potential customer, this paper analyzes a System‐of‐Systems to optimize a meta‐architecture for an at‐home spin class capability by maximizing five key performance attributes: affordability, efficiency, flexibility, enjoyment, and efficacy. The overall System‐of‐Systems was analyzed using a Fuzzy Inference System that interfaces with SoS Explorer, a System‐of‐Systems architecting tool developed by Missouri University of Science and Technology. A genetic algorithm guided the optimization process to generate a single meta‐architecture that provides the best possible value for the overall objective of the System‐of‐Systems. A summary of the simple Self‐Organizing Genetic Algorithm is included along with a definition of the constraints and equations used to define the score of the meta‐architecture given the combination of systems selected and their associated capabilities, characteristics, and feasible interfaces. Future work includes the expansion of the approach to other potential equipment and workout types, such as running, yoga, and lifting, as part of the analysis and optimization using SoS Explorer.
The sanctity of life: The role of purity in attitudes towards abortion and euthanasia
Authors: Lockhart Christopher , Lee Carol H. J. , Sibley Chris G. , Osborne Danny
Published: September 2022

Although abortion and euthanasia are highly contested issues at the heart of the culture war, the moral foundations underlying ideological differences on these issues are mostly unknown. Given that much of the extant debate is framed around the sanctity of life, we argued that the moral foundation of purity/sanctity—a core moral belief that emphasises adherence to the “natural order”—would mediate the negative relationship between conservatism and support for abortion and euthanasia. As hypothesised, results from a nation‐wide random sample of adults in New Zealand (N = 3360) revealed that purity/sanctity mediated the relationship between conservatism and opposition to both policies. These results demonstrate that, rather than being motivated by a desire to reduce harm, conservative opposition to pro‐choice and end‐of‐life decisions is (partly) based on the view that ending a life, even if it is one's own, violates God's natural design and, thus, stains one's spiritual purity.
Energy compensated synthetic aperture focusing technique for photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Thomas Anjali , Paul Souradip , Singh Mayanglambam Suheshkumar
Published: September 2022

We report an adaptive energy‐compensated synthetic aperture focusing technique (eC‐SAFT) for improving the imaging performance of photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) in terms of depth of field (DOF), spatial resolution (both axial and lateral), and SNR. In addition to coherency and time‐delay (in conventional SAFT), our beamforming‐based reconstruction algorithm takes into account acoustic energy loss—a primary physical parameter in acoustic wave propagation—following Beer‐Lambert's law. Experimental validation studies were performed in tissue‐mimicking (Agar) phantoms, complex leaf veins, and chicken breast tissues. Results demonstrate that our proposed eC‐SAFT+CF outperforms conventional SAFT+CF to improve axial resolution (up to ), lateral resolution (up to ), SNR (up to ) and CR (up to ).
The influence of prostate volume on clinical parameters in prostate cancer screening
Authors: Shan Jiahao , Geng Xinyu , Lu Youlu , Liu Ziyang , Zhu Hengyu , Zhou Raorao , Zhang Zhengyuan , Gang Xianghui , Zhang Duobing , Shi Hongbin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic significance of two new and a few clinical markers for prostate cancer (PCa) at various prostate volumes (PV).

Methods

The study subjects were divided into two groups. Among them, there were 70 cases in the PV ≤30 ml group (benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]: 32 cases, PCa: 38 cases) and 372 cases in the PV > 30 ml group (BPH: 277 cases, PCa: 95 cases). SPSS 26.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 were used to construct their receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for diagnosing PCa and calculating their area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Results

In the PV ≤30 ml group, the diagnostic parameters based on prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) had a decreased diagnostic significance for PCa. In the PV > 30 ml group, PSAD (AUC = 0.709), AVR (AVR = Age/PV, AUC = 0.742), and A‐PSAD (A‐PSAD = Age×PSA/PV, AUC = 0.736) exhibited moderate diagnostic significance for PCa, which was better than PSA‐AV (AUC = 0.672), free PSA (FPSA, AUC = 0.509), total PSA (TPSA, AUC = 0.563), (F/T) PSA (AUC = 0.540), and (F/T)/PSAD (AUC = 0.663). Compared with AVR, A‐PSAD exhibited similar diagnostic significance for PCa, but higher than PSA density (PSAD).

Conclusions

Choosing appropriate indicators for different PVs could contribute to the early screening and diagnosis of PCa. The difference in the diagnostic value of two new indicators (A‐PSAD and AVR), and PSAD for PCa may require further validation by increasing the sample size.
Evaluation of production of lipopeptide biosurfactants and surfactin micelles by native Bacillus of Iran, for a broader application range
Authors: Modabber Glayol , Akhavan Sepahi Abbas , Yazdian Fatemeh , Rashedi Hamid
Published: September 2022

Surfactin is one of the most important lipopeptide biosurfactants obtained by biocatalysts of Bacillus subtilis. The aim of this study was to isolate surfactin‐producing bacilli from native soils of the country (Iran), investigate their properties, convert surfactin to surfactin micelles, determine the properties of surfactin micelles and investigate the effect of starch‐coated Fe0 and Fe3+ nanoparticles on the production of surfactin from B. subtilis. To do so, 20 bacilli were isolated from the native soil sample by heat shock method and genome sequenced by SrRNA16 method. The samples with strong β‐hemolysis activity were screened as surfactant‐producing strains. Two species of 61 and 63 (B. subtilis subspecies. Inaquosorum) were selected and examined by quantitative and qualitative screening tests such as hemolysis activity, surfactin production, droplet aggregation, emulsifying activity, and surface tension reduction in MSM medium containing Fe0 and Fe3+ nanoparticles. Surfactin was converted to surfactin micelles by sonication and confirmed by SEM. The antimicrobial and emulsifying activity and surface tension reduction of surfactin micelles were investigated. According to the results, the surface tension reduction of surfactin micelles was greater than that of surfactin. The strain 61 (99.7%) culture in 5 L bioreactors containing Fe3+ nanoparticles produced more surfactin than culture of the same strain without nanoparticles. This study presents an efficient method to increase the biosynthesis of microbial metabolites.
Optimal local truncation error method for 2‐D elastodynamics problems on irregular domains and unfitted Cartesian meshes
Authors: Idesman Alexander , Dey Bikash
Published: September 2022

The optimal local truncation error method (OLTEM) has been developed for 2‐D time‐dependent elasticity problems on irregular domains and trivial unfitted Cartesian meshes. Compact nine‐point uniform and nonuniform stencils (similar to those for linear finite elements on uniform meshes) are used with OLTEM. The stencil coefficients are assumed to be unknown and are calculated by the minimization of the local truncation error. It is shown that the second order of accuracy is the maximum possible accuracy for nine‐point stencils independent of the numerical technique used for their derivations. The special treatment of the Neumann boundary conditions has been developed that does not increase the size of the stencils. The cases of the nondiagonal and diagonal mass matrices are considered for OLTEM. The results of numerical examples are in agreement with the theoretical findings. They also show that due to the minimization of the local truncation error, OLTEM with the nondiagonal mass matrix is much more accurate than linear finite elements and than quadratic and cubic finite elements (up to the engineering accuracy of 0.1%–1%) at the same numbers of degrees of freedom. The proposed numerical technique can be efficiently used for many engineering applications including geomechanics.
Benchmarking the performance of a low‐cost magnetic resonance control system at multiple sites in the open MaRCoS community
Authors: Guallart‐Naval Teresa , O'Reilly Thomas , Algarín José M. , Pellicer‐Guridi Ruben , Vives‐Gilabert Yolanda , Craven‐Brightman Lincoln , Negnevitsky Vlad , Menküc Benjamin , Galve Fernando , Stockmann Jason P. , Webb Andrew , Alonso Joseba
Published: September 2022

Purpose:To describe the current properties and capabilities of an open‐source hardware and software package that is being developed by many sites internationally with the aim of providing an inexpensive yet flexible platform for low‐cost MRI.

Methods:This article describes three different setups from 50 to 360 mT in different settings, all of which used the MaRCoS console for acquiring data, and different types of software interface (custom‐built GUI or Pulseq overlay) to acquire it.

Results:Images are presented both from phantoms and in vivo from healthy volunteers to demonstrate the image quality that can be obtained from the MaRCoS hardware/software interfaced to different low‐field magnets.

Conclusions:The results presented here show that a number of different sequences commonly used in the clinic can be programmed into an open‐source system relatively quickly and easily, and can produce good quality images even at this early stage of development. Both the hardware and software will continue to develop, and it is an aim of this article to encourage other groups to join this international consortium.
Experimentation, optimization, and predictive analysis of compressive behavior of montmorillonite nano‐clay/unsaturated polyester composites
Authors: Abdul Hanan Umar , Abu Hassan Shukur , Uzir Wahit Mat , Binoj Joseph Selvi , Mansingh Bright Brailson , Goh Kheng Lim
Published: September 2022

The effect of montmorillonite (MMT) nano‐clay as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester resin (UP) matrix composite was investigated under compression loading to explore the impact of MMT nano‐clay wt% in the compressive behavior of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite. UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples were prepared with a varied filler content of 0.5 to 3 wt% using dual‐mixing methods, which are mechanical stirring and ultrasonic agitation. Static uniaxial compression tests were conducted using cylindrical‐shaped samples to obtain the compressive behavior of the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites. The results of experimentation record a considerable improvement in compressive characteristics of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites compared to pure UP matrix. The UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples were viewed under transmission electron microscope (TEM) to know the dispersion of MMT nano‐clay in the composites. The nano‐platelets were well dispersed and intercalated in the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples below 1 wt% MMT nano‐clay loading. The optimum wt% of MMT nano‐clay in the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite for improved compressive stress at yield and modulus were noted as 0.60 and 0.61 wt% respectively. Moreover, a mathematical model using Halpin–Tsai‐Jumahat equations was utilized to predict the compressive properties of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites, which are in closer agreement with the experimental results.