bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineral composition, the profile of phenolic compounds, organic acids, sugar and in vitro antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of organic extracts of Juniperus drupacea fruits
Authors: Akbulut Hatice Feyza , Akbulut Mehmet
Published: July 2023

Juniperus drupacea fruit is widely used in traditional and complementary medicine in Turkey for the treatment of different diseases in various forms such as molasses and tar. This study was carried out to evaluate the phenolic compounds, organic acid, sugar, and macro‐ and micromineral distributions of methanol and water extracts of J. drupace fruit, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. For this purpose, total phenolic content by spectrophotometer, phenolics, organic acids, and sugars distributions by HPLC in extracts of J. drupacea fruits, and macro‐ and micromineral element content by ICP‐AES in fruit were determined. 2,2‐diphenyl‐l‐picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH assay) was used to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activity in extracts. The antimicrobial potential of J. drupacea fruit methanol extract against some gram‐positive and gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria was evaluated using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The potassium macroelement and the iron microelement were found at high content in J. drupacea fruit. The total phenolic content in the methanol extracts was higher than the water extracts. Among the individual phenolic compounds, catechin, a flavonoid that was the highest in both extractions, was determined as 300.49 μg/g in methanol extract and 314.88 μg/g in water extract. DPPH scavenging activity was higher in methanol extracts. While the methanol extract of J. drupacea had no‐inhibitory effect on the gram‐negative bacteria tested, it exhibited a strong inhibition on the gram‐positive bacteria Listeria innocua, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus carnosus, and Enterococcus faecalis.
A new joint reconstruction technique in the treatment of giant cell tumors around the knee: Structural allograft and unicompartmental arthroplasty
Authors: Liu Sikai , Zhang Bingshi , Zhang Binquan , Liu Yawei , Chen Xiao , Li Mengnan , Liu Bo , Huo Jia , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Han Yongtai
Published: July 2023

Objective

The long‐term prognosis of patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with a structural allograft or hemiarticular allograft transplantation to treat giant cell tumors (GCTs) around the knee and the prosthesis survival rate were analyzed.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 73 patients who were diagnosed with GCTs around the knee and underwent surgery to restore joint function from 2000 to 2015. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure used for functional knee reconstruction: hemiarticular allograft transplantation or structural allograft and UKA. The Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to analyze postoperative knee function between the two groups. The Kellgren‐Lawrence (K–L) classification system was used to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis. The incidence of complications and the prosthesis survival rate were also investigated.

Results

Patients who underwent UKA to treat GCT demonstrated significantly improved knee function. The rate of an excellent or good KSS was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.041 at the 1‐year follow‐up, p = 0.033 at the last follow‐up). The proportion of severe cases according to WOMAC in the two groups was also different (p = 0.030 at the 1‐year follow‐up, p = 0.021 at the last follow‐up). According to the K–L grade of unaffected compartments, UKA better prevented the progression of osteoarthritis (p = 0.034).

Conclusions

Patients with GCTs around the knee could benefit from UKA. In addition to providing better knee function and range of motion, UKA could also slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee joint. This new surgical method could meet the needs of patients wishing to preserve joint integrity and favorable joint function.
Quantitative analysis of small coronary artery calcium detectability with an accurate simulation and validation on a clinical CT scanner
Authors: Severance Lauren M. , Pack Jed D. , Contijoch Francisco J. , McVeigh Elliot R.
Published: July 2023

Background

The absence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) measured via CT is associated with very favorable prognosis, and current guidelines recommend low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c) lowering therapy for individuals with any CAC. This motivates early detection of small granules of CAC; however, calcium scan sensitivity for detecting very low levels of calcium has not been quantified.

Purpose

In this work, the size limit of detectability of small calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) granules with clinical CAC scanning was assessed using validated simulations.

Methods

CT projections of digital 3D mathematical phantoms containing small CaHA granules were simulated analytically; images were reconstructed using a filter designed to reproduce the point spread function of a specific commercial scanner, and a relationship of HU number versus diameter was derived. These simulation results were validated with experimental measurements of HU versus diameter from phantoms containing small granules of CaHA on a GE Revolution CT scanner in the clinic; ground truth measurements of the CaHA granule diameters were obtained using a Zeiss Xradia 510 Versa high‐resolution 3D micro‐CT imaging system. Using experimental measurements on the clinical CT scanner, detectability was quantified with a detectability index (d’) using a non‐prewhitened matched filter. The effect of changes to reconstruction slice thickness and reconstruction kernel on granule detectability was evaluated.

Results

Under typical clinical calcium scanning and reconstruction conditions, the minimum detectable diameter of a simulated spherical calcium granule with a clinically relevant CaHA density was 0.76 mm. The minimum detectable volume was 2.4 times smaller on images reconstructed at a slice thickness of 0.625 mm compared to 2.5 mm. The detectability index d’ increased by a factor of 1.7 when images were reconstructed with 0.625 mm slices compared to 2.5 mm slices. d’ did not change when images were reconstructed with the high‐resolution BONE filter compared to the less sharp STANDARD resolution filter on the GE Revolution CT.

Conclusions

We have quantified detectability versus size of small calcium granules at the resolution limit of a widely available clinical CT scanner. Detectability increased significantly with reduced slice thickness and did not change with a sharper reconstruction kernel. The simulation can be used to calculate the trade‐off between dose and CAC detectability. Keywords: computed tomography, coronary artery calcium, CAC, cardiac imaging
Deletion of the Npr3 gene increases severity of acute lung injury in obese mice
Authors: Guarino Brianna D. , Dado Christopher D. , Kumar Ashok , Braza Julie , Harrington Elizabeth O. , Klinger James R.
Published: July 2023

Previous studies have shown that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) attenuates agonist‐induced pulmonary edema and that this effect may be mediated in part by the ANP clearance receptor, natriuretic peptide receptor‐C (NPR‐C). Obesity has been associated with lower plasma ANP levels due to increased expression of NPR‐C, and with decreased severity of acute lung injury (ALI). Therefore, we hypothesized that increased expression of NPR‐C may attenuate ALI severity in obese populations. To test this, we examined ALI in Npr3 wild‐type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice fed normal chow (NC) or high‐fat diets (HFD). After 12 weeks, ALI was induced with intra‐tracheal administration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 103 (PA103) or saline. ALI severity was determined by lung wet‐to‐dry ratio (W/D) along with measurement of cell count, protein levels from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on whole lung to measure cytokine/chemokine and Npr3 mRNA expression. ANP levels were measured from plasma. PA103 caused ALI as determined by significant increases in W/D, BALF protein concentration, and whole lung cytokine/chemokine expression. PA103 increased Npr3 expression in the lungs of wild‐type (WT) mice regardless of diet. There was a nonsignificant trend toward increased Npr3 expression in the lungs of WT mice fed HFD versus NC. No differences in ALI were seen between Npr3 knockout (KO) mice and WT‐fed NC, but Npr3 KO mice fed HFD had a significantly greater W/D and BALF protein concentration than WT mice fed HFD. These findings support the hypothesis that Npr3 may help protect against ALI in obesity.
Robot‐assisted minimally invasive liver surgery in elderly patients: A single‐centre, propensity score‐ matched study
Authors: Fukumori Daisuke , Tschuor Christoph , Penninga Luit , Hillingsø Jens , Svendsen Lars Bo , Larsen Peter Nørgaard
Published: July 2023

Background

The aim was to evaluate the short‐term results of robot‐assisted minimally invasive liver surgery(Robot‐assisted liver surgery (RLS)) in elderly patients.

Methods

Between November 2019 and July 2022, RLS was performed on 100 consecutive patients. Patients were divided into a middle‐aged group (Group1:＜75years) and an elderly group(Group2:≧75years). A propensity score matching(PSM) analysis with a ratio of 1:1 was performed.

Results

After PSM, there were 28 patients in each group. There were no significant differences in clinicopathologic characteristics, type of resection and intraoperative variables. Postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were comparable in Groups 1 and 2. In a comparison between minor and major hepatectomy in Group 2, there were no significant differences in any of the factors.

Conclusions

The study showed that RLS for patients over 75years had similar short‐term outcomes as for younger patients down to middle‐aged, especially the risk of perioperative complications was comparable.
Surface analysis insight note. Principal component analysis (PCA) of an X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy image. The importance of preprocessing
Authors: Moeini Behnam , Avval Tahereh G. , Gallagher Neal , Linford Matthew R.
Published: July 2023

This Insight Note follows two previous Insight Notes on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) image analysis that dealt with the importance of analyzing the raw data and the use of summary statistics. As a next step in the exploratory data analysis (EDA) of XPS images, we now show principal component analysis (PCA) of an XPS image. PCA is appropriate when the spectra in a data set are correlated to some degree and the noise in the spectra is unimportant. In these cases, PCA can significantly reduce the dimensionality and complexity of data sets. Preprocessing is an important part of many PCAs. Its usefulness is illustrated with a small, mock data set, where the potential pitfalls of not preprocessing are shown. PCAs of XPS image data that were not preprocessed and preprocessed by mean centering are illustrated. Scree plots, which are used to determine the number of abstract factors (principal components, PCs) that describe a data set, are shown. The spectra in our XPS image are quite noisy, which is consistent with the moderate, but still significant, amount of variance that is captured by the first two PCs in our PCA. With both preprocessing methods, the loadings on PC1 and PC2 are remarkably smooth. The loadings on the next six PCs also appear to contain some chemical information. Scores images generated using both no preprocessing and preprocessing by mean centering reveal many of the same general features in the data set that were found in our two previous Insight Notes.
Effect of the type of posttensioning anchorage on the behavior of anchorage zones
Authors: Marchão Carla , Marreiros Rui , Ribeiro Filipe
Published: July 2023

In order to study the cracking behavior and the bearing strength of anchorage zones of posttensioning tendons using different types of anchorages, an experimental research has been performed using concrete prismatic specimens. The studied variables included the type of anchorage and the cross‐section dimensions, so the experimental program included eight prismatic specimens, four with 265 mm × 265 mm × 580 mm and four with 300 mm × 300 mm × 600 mm, reinforced with spirals and stirrups, and with two different types of anchorages. The concrete strains were measured to monitor cracking and to assess the relation between all the different variables involved on cracking and on the ultimate loads. The experimental cracking and ultimate loads were compared with models found in the literature. From the presented work, it can be concluded that the use of simple anchorage bearing plates leads to higher cracking and failure loads. This difference is more significant for cases with smaller cross‐sections.
Does fetal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging have additional value in cytomegalovirus fetopathy with normal neurosonography?
Authors: Guibaud L. , Massoud M.
Published: July 2023

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Di Mascio et al. Click here to view the article.
Depth and hierarchies in the predictive brain: From reaction to action
Authors: Muzik Otto , Diwadkar Vaibhav A.
Published: July 2023

The human brain is a prediction device, a view widely accepted in neuroscience. Prediction is a rational and efficient response that relies on the brain's ability to create and employ generative models to optimize actions over unpredictable time horizons. We argue that extant predictive frameworks while compelling, have not explicitly accounted for the following: (a) The brain's generative models must incorporate predictive depth (i.e., rely on degrees of abstraction to enable predictions over different time horizons); (b) The brain's implementation scheme to account for varying predictive depth relies on dynamic predictive hierarchies formed using the brain's functional networks. We show that these hierarchies incorporate the ascending processes (driven by reaction), and the descending processes (related to prediction), eventually driving action. Because they are dynamically formed, predictive hierarchies allow the brain to address predictive challenges in virtually any domain. By way of application, we explain how this framework can be applied to heretofore poorly understood processes of human behavioral thermoregulation. Although mammalian thermoregulation has been closely tied to deep brain structures engaged in autonomic control such as the hypothalamus, this narrow conception does not translate well to humans. In addition to profound differences in evolutionary history, the human brain is bestowed with substantially increased functional complexity (that itself emerged from evolutionary differences). We argue that behavioral thermoregulation in humans is possible because, (a) ascending signals shaped by homeostatic sub‐networks, interject with (b) descending signals related to prediction (implemented in interoceptive and executive sub‐networks) and action (implemented in executive sub‐networks). These sub‐networks cumulatively form a predictive hierarchy for human thermoregulation, potentiating a range of viable responses to known and unknown thermoregulatory challenges. We suggest that our proposed extensions to the predictive framework provide a set of generalizable principles that can further illuminate the many facets of the predictive brain.

This article is categorized under:

Neuroscience > Behavior

Philosophy > Action

Psychology > Prediction
Operations
Authors: Slama Dirk
Published: July 2023

Providing efficient and effective service operations will be a key success factor for any AIoT-enabled product or solution. Depending on the specific nature of the system, service operations setup can potentially take very different shapes. For complex, industrial assets, service operations will most likely include direct customer interactions via a call center, as well as on-site maintenance or repair services. For mass-market consumer products, service operations will most likely be highly automated and provide only limited field services, if any. Most Field Service Management (FSM) organizations will be able to greatly benefit from AIoT-enabled features, which provide real-time access and advanced analytics of asset-related field data, or even support for predictive or preventive maintenance services.
Hardware 101
Authors: Slama Dirk
Published: July 2023

AIoT hardware includes all the physical components required to build an AIoT product or retrofit solution. For the retrofit solution, this will usually include sensors, as well as edge and cloud (or on-premises) compute resources. Most retrofit solutions will not include actuators. Products, on the other hand, must not only provide IT-related hardware plus sensors, actuators and AI compute resources but also all the mechanical components for the product, as well as the product chassis, body and housing. Finally, both AIoT products and solutions will usually require specialized IT hardware for AI inferencing and AI training. The concepts developed for Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) will also be of relevance here. The following will look at both the AIoT product and retrofit solution perspective before discussing details of the hardware requirements and options for edge/cloud/AI (Fig. 6.1).
Australia
Authors: Stewart Miranda
Published: July 2023

This chapter discusses Australia’s unique brand of fiscal federalism, which has evolved under a Constitution that is more than 120 years old. While Australia’s fiscal federation is stable, Australia has high vertical fiscal imbalance with strong centralisation of taxing power and revenues at the national level, while many expenditure and governance responsibilities remain with subnational States and Territories. Vertical equalisation is delivered through unconditional and conditional grants from the federal government to subnational governments, and horizontal equalisation by a formula based on taxing capacity and spending needs, combined with conditional grants, politicised in various ways. The Chapter recommends reform to establish a new fiscal bargain supporting sharing of income tax and GST by both levels of government and to update fiscal arrangements to recognise and support Indigenous sovereignty self-government in the federation.
Spain
Authors: López-Laborda Julio , Martínez-Vázquez Jorge , Monasterio-Escudero Carlos
Published: July 2023

This chapter reviews the main features of the Spanish model of fiscal federalism and its evolution over the last four decades. It begins by describing the allocation of expenditure responsibilities among the three levels of government in the country: central, regional and local. The allocation of taxes between levels of government is then presented, followed by a discussion of the role of intergovernmental transfers, with particular reference to equalization transfers. Next, we address the macroeconomic coordination and control of the subcentral deficit and indebtedness. The chapter concludes by setting out the challenges for fiscal federalism in Spain in the coming years.
Circular Business Models for SMEs in the Fishing Gear Industry
Authors: Al Ahmed Sardar Wasi Uddin , Glavee-Geo Richard , Grimstad Siv Marina Flø , Engeseth Markus Andre Hånes
Published: July 2023

Recycling plastic materials including fishing nets, ropes, and components (FNRCs) through the business models of SMEs and microenterprises can ensure both economic and environmental benefits. The aim of this chapter is to explore how a circular business model for SMEs in the fishing gear industry can be realised and to provide increased understanding of the circular business model processes. The study examined the development of circular business models and practices of circularity by companies in the fishing gear industry. We applied a qualitative research design and developed frameworks to evaluate the practice of circularity. The qualitative analysis and findings of the cases provided unique insights on the level of circularity of SMEs within the marine plastic recycling value chain in the north-western part of Norway. The main outcome of this research was the proposed framework for a circular business model for the fishing gear industry.
Opportunities for Circular Business Models and Circular Design Related to Fishing Gear
Authors: Charter Martin
Published: July 2023

There is growing interest in circularity and fishing gear-driven emerging legislative, standards, NGO interest and other stakeholder pressures. At present, there has been little focus on new circular business models (CBM) or circular design of fishing gear. The chapter will overview fishing gear, highlight key legislation and introduce CBMs and circular design in this context providing: (i) description of fishing gear used for fishing, (ii) European Commission (EC) Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive and the related Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation as it relates to waste fishing gear, (iii) opportunities for more circular business models (CBMs) from fishing gear and (iv) design strategies to the improve the product circularity of fishing gear (circular design).
Homomorphic Encryption
Authors: Hubaux Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2023

Homomorphic encryption is a technique in cryptography that allows for performing operations on encrypted data. The encrypted result can then be decrypted to obtain the operation result, making it possible to perform computations on sensitive data without revealing it. homomorphic encryption was first proved possible in 2009, and since then, many improvements have been made to increase performance, though it still has limitations. With recent advancements and the increasing demand for data protection, homomorphic encryption is expected to become more relevant and be used in multiple industries. In Switzerland, IBM, Inpher, and Tune Insight are among the companies that have developed homomorphic libraries and offer solutions for secure computation. These solutions can provide better protection and reduce the data vulnerability entrusted to companies and governments.
Epilogue: Asylum Law and Linguistic Fragility
Authors: Gill Nick
Published: July 2023

This paper provides an overview of the contributions of the special issue, using these to arrive at an inventory of five ways in which we can critically approach the role of legal language in the systems of asylum determination in rich countries. It also draws out a series of broader lessons from the special issue and concludes by reflecting on the influence of scholarly work amongst the judges, lawyers, interpreters, and others involved in administering asylum processes.
Adapted forest management to improve the potential for reindeer husbandry in Northern Sweden
Authors: Eggers Jeannette , Roos Ulrika , Lind Torgny , Sandström Per
Published: July 2023

In northern Sweden, improvements of grazing conditions are necessary for the continuation of traditional, natural pasture-based reindeer husbandry. Ground and tree lichen constitute the main fodder resource for reindeer during winter but have reached critically low levels. Using a forest decision support system, we prescribe adapted forest management to improve the preconditions for reindeer husbandry and compare outcomes with the continuation of current forest management. We found that adapted management increases the forest area with ground lichen habitat by 22% already within 15 years, while a continuation of current management would result in a further decrease in ground lichen. Tree lichen habitat can be retained and increased in all scenarios, which is important in a changing climate. Compared to a continuation of current practices, adapted management with significantly improved conditions for lichen resulted in a decrease in net revenues from wood production by 11–22%.
The Scope of City Autonomy in the Constitutions of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom: Informality, Subsidiarity, Identity
Authors: Geertjes Gert Jan A.
Published: July 2023

One of the main issues in the debate on urban constitutionalism is how constitutions can recognize the increasingly important role of cities in relation to the nation-state. This paper examines what we talk about when we talk about city autonomy. This is a pressing question, particularly in the context of European unitary states. This paper pays special attention to the context of two of such states, namely the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (especially England). First, it explores the notion of subsidiarity, which implies that consideration should be given to the distinctiveness of the city as regards the allocation of power to the central and regional levels respectively. However, this idea in itself cannot justify the case for city autonomy, as the claim that the attribution of autonomous powers to cities may improve the quality of decision-making in the state as a whole needs additional empirical evidence. Second, it investigates the concept of city autonomy by exploring the fuzziness of the notion of the city. In addition, it introduces the concept of ‘spatial identities’ in order to explain the interdependence of (large) cities and their surrounding (rural) areas. Lastly, it concludes that if the importance of cities as constitutional actors is to be increased, it should be done so in an informal way rather than by the introduction of formal constitutional arrangements both from a pragmatic and a normative perspective.
Synthetic Generation of Trip Data: The Case of Smart Card
Authors: Kieu Minh , Meredith Iris Brighid , Raith Andrea
Published: July 2023

While individual data are key for epidemiology, social simulation, economics, and various other fields, data owners are increasingly required to protect the personally identifiable information from data. Simple data de-identification or ‘data masking’ measures are limited, because they both reduce the utility of the dataset and are not sufficient to protect individual confidentiality. This paper provides detail on the creation of a synthetic trip data in transportation, with the Smart Card data as the case study. It discusses and compares two machine learning methods, a Generative Adversarial Network and a Bayesian Network for modelling and generating this dataset. The synthetic data retain important utility of the real dataset, e.g., the origin, destination, and time of travel, while each data point does not represent a real trip in the original dataset. The synthetic dataset can be used in various applications, including microsimulation of public transport systems, analysing travel behaviours, model predictive control of transit flows, or evaluation of transport policies.
From the “Green Turn” to the Recognition of an Autonomous Right to a Healthy Environment: Achievements and Challenges in the Practice of UN Treaty Bodies
Authors: Tigroudja Hélène
Published: July 2023

Since the end of the 2010s, some of the UN human rights treaty bodies have affirmed and enhanced states’ obligations in relation to the environment. This “green turn,” deeply influenced by the jurisprudence of the regional human rights tribunals and the work of UN Special Procedures, raises the question of the potential recognition of an autonomous right to a healthy environment—that is, a free-standing right that is not primarily derived from existing human rights. The claim of this essay is that in the absence of a clear mandate from states to the treaty bodies to monitor the implementation of the right, its symbolic affirmation will have only limited impact. Inspired by the discussions at the Council of Europe on the adoption of a new Protocol to the European Convention of Human Rights, states at the UN level should go further and work toward a binding protocol. However, this raises the difficult issue of connecting the right to civil and political rights, to economic, social, and cultural rights, or to a specific instrument such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Ultimately, this essay reflects the shortcomings of the binary approach separating human rights into hermetic categories.
Detection and substrate portrayal on the serum phenoloxidase activity from the grub of rhinoceros beetle,Oryctes rhinoceros
Authors: Marieshwari Balashanmuga Nehru , Prithi Chandran , Nivetha Ramanathan , Bhuvaragavan Sreeramulu , Sundaram Janarthanan
Published: July 2023

Phenoloxidase (PO) is a significant biomolecule involved in humoral defence mechanism of invertebrates. Spontaneous melanization of insect haemolymph is the major hinderance for studying PO activity, as haemolymph was collected devoid of phenylthiourea. In the study, no visible melanization was observed in crude serum from the grub ofOryctes rhinocerosup to 30 min of incubation amongst crude haemolymph, diluted haemolymph, crude serum and diluted serum that were subjected to visual observation for spontaneous melanization reaction. Accordingly, crude serum was taken for evaluating PO activity. At the same time, as PO substrates tend to auto-oxidize and provide false optical density value, tris-buffered saline devoid of any substrates were used as blank for PO assays. The ideal wavelength at which maximum PO activity occurred for each substrate, namely, tyrosine, tyramine, dopamine, L-dopa, DL-dopa, catechol, protocatechuic acid and pyrogallol was determined as 407, 410, 429, 465, 403, 466, 428 and 400 nm, respectively. Additionally, time course of oxidation for each phenolic substrate by the serum PO were examined and DL-dopa was identified as the specific substrate for serum PO in the grub ofO. rhinoceros. Furthermore, maximum PO activity was observed at 5 min of incubation for 10 mM of DL-dopa that was considered as optimum concentration. The ideal pH and temperature for serum PO activity was observed as 7.5 and 20°C, respectively. These results suggested that standardizing a suitable substrate is an essential prerequisite to evaluate the real PO activity of serum which might significantly fluctuate in each insect model.
THE INTERACTION OF TREATY AND CUSTOM IN THE CONCEPT OF OFFSHORE ARCHIPELAGOS
Authors: Redgwell Catherine , Tzanakopoulos Antonios
Published: July 2023

The law of the sea has long been a rich source of examples of the interplay, and occasional entanglement, of treaty and custom. This article discusses whether claims to close off the waters of ‘offshore archipelagos' by non-archipelagic States are consistent with international law against the background of this perennial issue. Analysis of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) demonstrates quite clearly that there is no basis for such claims. ‘Going beyond the LOSC’ the article examines whether the matter remains subject to customary international law; whether subsequent practice may have established the agreement of the parties that the relevant provisions of the LOSC are to be interpreted as allowing their invocation by non-archipelagic States with offshore archipelagos; and whether there is ‘supervening custom’ that may have emerged since the adoption of the LOSC and that permits such claims by non-archipelagic States. Identifying and critically assessing the current state of international law on these fundamental questions of the relationship between treaty and custom, it is concluded that there is no basis for arguing that non-archipelagic States are able to claim any sort of special status for ‘offshore archipelagos’.
INCLUSIVE SPACE LAW: THE CONCEPT OF BENEFIT SHARING IN THE OUTER SPACE TREATY
Authors: Deplano Rossana
Published: July 2023

This article examines the legal principles governing the sharing of benefits deriving from the exploration and use of outer space. It shows that, over time, three strands of State practice have developed different understandings of the content of the obligation contained in Article I, paragraph 1 of the Outer Space Treaty. While drawing parallels with other areas of international law, the article examines the role of equity in the structure of the obligation and evaluates the possibility of replacing considerations of equivalence with a proportionality test to facilitate the fulfilment of the benefit sharing obligation under the Outer Space Treaty.
scRNA-seq revealed the special TCR β & α V(D)J allelic inclusion rearrangement and the high proportion dual (or more) TCR-expressing cells
Authors: Zhu Lanwei , Peng Qi , Li Jun , Wu Yingjie , Wang Jiayi , Zhou Dewei , Ma Long , Yao Xinsheng
Published: July 2023

Allelic exclusion, one lymphocyte expresses one antigen receptor, is a fundamental mechanism of immunological self-tolerance and highly specific immune responses to pathogens. However, the phenomenon of V(D)J allelic inclusion (incomplete allelic exclusion or allelic escape) rearrangement and dual TCR T cells have been discovered by multiple laboratories. Despite continuous new discoveries, the proportion and underlying mechanism of dual TCR has been puzzling immunologists. In this study, we observed the presence of single T cells expressing multiple TCR chains in all samples, with the proportion of 15%, 10%, and 20% in the human thymus, human peripheral blood, and mouse lymphoid organs, respectively. The proportion of T cells possessing multiple T-cell receptors (TCR) varied significantly in different physiological states and developmental stages. By analyzing RSS category, RSS direction, and V(D)J gene position at TR locus of T cells which contain multiple TCR chains, we creatively found that one of TCR β (or TCR α) should originate from the transcription of V(D)J combination in T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) formed after the twice successful rearrangement in the same chromosome. Moreover, human V30 (or mouse V31) gene may participate in reverse recombination and transcription to prevent allelic exclusion. In general, high proportion of T cells with multiple TCR at the transcriptome level was first made public, and we proposed a novel mechanism of secondary (or more) TCR rearrangement on a single chromosome. Our findings also indicated that the single-cell sequencing data should be classified according to the single, multiple, and abnormal TCR when analyzing the T-cell repertoire.
circRNA-SFMBT2 orchestrates ERα activation to drive tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Yaming , Han Dianwen , Wang Xiaolong , Li Chen , Chen Tong , Li Wenhao , Liang Yiran , Luo Dan , Chen Bing , Wang Lijuan , Zhao Wenjing , Yang Qifeng
Published: July 2023

Dysregulated ERα signaling is responsible for endocrine resistance and eventual relapse in patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Thus, identifying novel ERα regulators is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of endocrine resistance. Here, we identified circRNA-SFMBT2 to be highly expressed in ER+ breast cancer cells in comparison to ER− cells and found that high circRNA-SFMBT2 levels were related to larger tumor size and poor prognosis in patients with ER+ breast cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that the circRNA-SFMBT2 level was positively correlated with the ERα protein level, implying a regulatory role for circRNA-SFMBT2 in ERα signaling. Moreover, we found that circRNA-SFMBT2 biogenesis could be facilitated via RNA-binding protein quaking (QKI), and biologically elevated circRNA-SFMBT2 expression promoted cell growth and tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer. Mechanistically, circRNA-SFMBT2 exhibits a specific tertiary structure that endows it with a high binding affinity for ERα and allows it to interact with the AF2 and DBD domains of ERα, enforcing recruitment of RNF181 to the AF1 domain of ERα. Furthermore, the circRNA-SFMBT2/RNF181 axis differentially regulated K48-linked and K63-linked ubiquitination of ERα to enhance ERα stability, resulting in increased expression of ERα target genes and tumor progression. In summary, circRNA-SFMBT2 is an important regulator of ERα signaling, and antagonizing circRNA-SFMBT2 expression may constitute a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Sidewall patterning of organic–inorganic multilayer thin film encapsulation by adhesion lithography
Authors: Lee Seung Woo , Cho Heyjin , Jang Choel-Min , Huh Myung-Soo , Cho Sung Min
Published: July 2023

A simple sidewall patterning process for organic–inorganic multilayer thin-film encapsulation (TFE) has been proposed and demonstrated. An Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was patterned by adhesion lithography using the difference in interfacial adhesion strength. The difference in interfacial adhesion strength was provided by the vapor-deposited fluoro-octyl-trichloro-silane self-assembled monolayer (SAM) patterns formed by a shadow mask. The sidewall patterning of multilayer TFE was shown possible by repeating the adhesion lithography and the vapor deposition of organic polymer and SAM patterns using shadow masks. The proposed process has the advantage of being able to pattern the blanket ALD-grown Al2O3 thin films by adhesion lithography using a SAM pattern that can be more accurately predefined with a shadow mask.
A repeated cross-sectional analysis on the economic impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the hospital level in Italy
Authors: Trentini Filippo , Ciani Oriana , Vanni Elena , Ghislandi Simone , Torbica Aleksandra , Azzolini Elena , Melegaro Alessia
Published: July 2023

Italy was the first country in Europe to be hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Little research has been conducted to understand the economic impact of providing care for SARS-CoV-2 patients during the pandemic. Our study aims to quantify the incremental healthcare costs for hospitalizations associated to being discharged before or after the first SARS-CoV-2 case was notified in Italy, and to a positive or negative SARS-CoV-2 notified infection. We used data on hospitalizations for 9 different diagnosis related groups at a large Italian Research Hospital with discharge date between 1st January, 2018 and 31st December 2021. The median overall costs for a hospitalization increased from 2410EUR (IQR: 1588–3828) before the start of the pandemic, to 2645EUR (IQR: 1885–4028) and 3834EUR (IQR: 2463–6413) during the pandemic, respectively for patients SARS-CoV-2 negative and positive patients. Interestingly, according to results of a generalized linear model, the highest increases in the average costs sustained for SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with respect to patients discharged before the pandemic was found among those with diagnoses unrelated to COVID-19, i.e. kidney and urinary tract infections with CC (59.71%), intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction (53.33), and pulmonary edema and respiratory failure (47.47%). Our study highlights the economic burden during the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospital system in Italy based on individual patient data. These results contribute to the to the debate around the efficiency of the healthcare services provision during a pandemic.
Sensitive and selective determination of paracetamol in antipyretic children's syrup with a polyglycine modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: İslamoğlu Nesim , Mülazımoğlu İbrahim Ender , Demir Mülazımoğlu Ayşen
Published: July 2023

A sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for the determination of paracetamol (acetaminophen) is proposed based on a polyglycine-coated glassy carbon electrode.
Synthesis, characterization and properties of sulfate-modified silver carbonate with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Ghazi Sara , Rhouta Benaissa , Tendero Claire , Maury Francis
Published: July 2023

Sulfate-modified Ag2CO3 was successfully synthesized via a simple precipitation method. Its visible light photocatalytic performance against the removal of Orange G was found to be significantly enhanced in comparison with the one of pure Ag2CO3.
Research progress of vanadium pentoxide photocatalytic materials
Authors: Li Yanlin , Chen Shenghua , Duan Wenyuan , Nan Yanli , Ding Donghai , Xiao Guoqing
Published: July 2023

Photocatalytic reactions convert solar energy into chemical energy through a clean and green reaction process.
New insights into the process of intrinsic point defects in PuO2
Authors: Yu Huilong , Wang Shuaipeng , Qiu Ruizhi , Li Gan , Li Haibo , Xiang Xin , Luo Wenhua
Published: July 2023

Intrinsic point defects are known to play a crucial role in determining the physical properties of solid-state materials. We find that the antisite atoms OPu and PuO are more likely to appear in O-rich and O-deficient environments, respectively.
Selective synthesis of germasila-adamantanes through germanium–silicon shift processes
Authors: Kühn Steffen , Köstler Benedikt , True Celine , Albers Lena , Wagner Matthias , Müller Thomas , Marschner Christoph
Published: July 2023

Substoichiometric amounts of Ph3C[B(C6F5)4] transform selectively oligocyclic germasilanes via sila-Wagner–Meerwein rearrangements into the thermodynamically most stable germasila-adamantanes with the germanium atoms in the bridgehead positions.
Accumulation of Pd-doped Polystyrene Nanoplastics in the Digestive Tract of Sebastes Schlegelii
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Wang Hao , Liu Xia
Published: July 2023

Nanoplastics (NPs) are widely concerned because of their potential adverse effects on marine organisms. However, the detection and quantification of NPs are challenging due to their small size and weak signals. In this study, the ac-cumulation of Pd-doped polystyrene (PS) NPs in the digestive tract of Sebastes schlegelii was investigated by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Results showed that NPs could be accumulated in the digestive tract and faeces after 3-day exposure with concentrations of 0.5, 5, and 10 mg/L. The highest accumulation of NPs was in the digestive tract, up to 0.23 ± 0.02 mg/g wet wt after 2 days. However, the highest accumulation of NPs was found in faeces (29.59 ± 0.54 mg/g wet wt) after 3-day exposure. Moreover, the digestive tract and faeces showed a concentration-dependent of NPs, which may lead to the transfer of NPs to higher trophic levels. The present study provides evidence for the bioaccumulation of NPs in organisms and the potential impact of NPs on ecological risk.
Bioaccumulation Behaviors of Copper Phthalocyanine Nano-pigments in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Li Guoxin , Liu Xia , Duan Ziyi
Published: July 2023

Copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) has the largest application market of blue nano-pigments (NPs), which can release from relative products to aquatic environment during daily use. However, bioaccumulation of CuPc NPs in high trophic-level aquatic organisms is unclear. Therefore, bioaccumulation behaviors of CuPc in zebrafish as model aquatic organism were investigated. In this work, CuPc NPs were irregular in shape with an average size of 76.8 nm, whose crystal phase was a common beta phase according to the XRD spectrum. After 10 d of exposure to CuPc NPs, the weight of zebrafish at both low and high concentrations showed no obvious difference with con-trol, indicating little influence of CuPc on the survival of zebrafish. It was noted that amounts of Cu accumulated in the liver (982.84 ng/g) and skin (609.08 ng/g), and a small accumulation of Cu was observed in the gut, heart, and gill. CuPc NPs could not lead to Cu accumulation in the brain and muscle. This work helps to better understand the bioaccumulation behaviors and potential risks of CuPc NPs.
Dynamic Borehole Pressure of Geological Material Finite in Radial Extent
Authors: Lu Yunke , Tao Xigui , Chen Yicun , Xu Xiangyu
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the construction of tunnels and subways has increased significantly. Current researches related to the underground engineering always focus on quasi-static force analysis of semi-infinite media, thus it is of great significance to analysis the borehole pressure during tunnel construction. In this paper, a finite cavity expansion model in finite diameter geological media is proposed considering the influence of finite radial extent of geological media and drilling velocity, and theoretical and computational analysis is carried out.
Research Progress of the Improved Saline-Alkaline Soil by Biochar
Authors: Yang Wenzhu , Nan Hong , Yan Weihong , Jiao Yan
Published: July 2023

Biochar is a product for the recycling and utilization of solid waste from agriculture and forestry, and has more voids and larger specific surface area, and is widely used for improving saline-alkaline soil. Saline-alkaline soil is a key factor limiting crop growth. The research of changes in the environment of saline-alkaline soil caused by biochar application are of great significance for the sustainable utilization of saline-alkaline soil. This article summarizes the research progress on the improvement of saline-alkaline soil by biochar, and proposes future research priorities for the improvement of saline-alkaline soil by biochar. The research results provide data support and scientific basis for future research on the impact of biochar improvement on saline-alkaline soil on CH4 uptake, and emissions of CO2 and N2O.
Study on Long-term Effect of Oxytetracycline on ANAMMOX Nitrogen Removal Performance in the Treatment of Salt-containing Wastewater
Authors: Qiu Ye , Ji Junyuan
Published: July 2023

The effects of oxytetracycline on anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) were analyzed in this study. Meanwhile, the change of specific ANAMMOX activity (SAA) and the content of heme c were also revealed. The performance of ANAMMOX reactor decreased gradually when the increase of OTC concentration from 2mg/L to 10mg/L under 10‰ salinity. The nitrogen removal performance almost collapsed until the elevation to 10 mg/L OTC, observed with a huge decrease of SAA of 77.71% and heme c content of 88.04%. After no addition of OTC into the ANAMMOX reactor, the system performance recovered within 20 days. At the end of this phase, NH4+-N was completely removed, NO2--N was removed above 99%, and total nitrogen removal efficiency recovered to 85.33%.
Stress Calculation Method Designed of Pipeline in Landslide Section Based on SBAS-Insar and Finite Element Method
Authors: Shi Ning , Zhang Hong , Hu Huilin , Sun Penglei , Yu Jiaying
Published: July 2023

The permanent ground displacement of geological disasters is the main reason inducing large additional axial stress of pipelines. This paper presents a surface displacement measurement method above the pipeline based on SBAS-InSAR remote sensing technology, which realizes millimeter-level high-precision monitoring of surface displacement of pipeline in kilometer range. Based on the spatial coordinate data of the pipeline center line and the geometric feature data of the pipeline, combined with the cubic spline interpolation algorithm, a reconstruction method of the pipeline three-dimensional space routing is proposed. Considering the real routing of the pipeline and the process load conditions such as temperature and pressure, the finite element model of pipeline stress analysis is established by using the space pipe element and the nonlinear pipe soil element. Taking the remote sensing landslide displacement as the accurate boundary condition, the calculation method of pipeline stress in landslide section is proposed. The practice of a high-risk landslide section in Liangxiang-Xishatun of Shaanxi-Beijing Pipeline from 2021 to 2022 shows that the maximum relative error between the pipeline stress results obtained by this method and the distributed strain gauge monitoring results does not exceed 16%, which can effectively realize the spatial reconstruction and safety evaluation of the pipeline stress state in the landslide section, and provide a technical basis for the establishment of digital twins of pipeline safety state in future geological disaster sections.