bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Four-directional controlled quantum teleportation by using a nine-qubit entangled state as the quantum channel
Authors: Verma Vikram
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we propose a four-directional controlled quantum teleportation (CQT) by using a nine-qubit entangled state as the quantum channel. In 2020, a scheme for four-directional controlled quantum teleportation by using a 10-qubit state as the quantum resource had been proposed in X. W. Zha and K. Li [Mod. Phys. Lett. B 34, 2050412 (2020)] in which the controller has no control over the two teleportation processes. In this study, it is also shown that two receivers cannot reconstruct the original state sent from the respective senders and hence the teleportation processes cannot be completed in the previous scheme. However, these problems have been resolved in our proposed scheme in which the controller has control over all the teleportation processes and none of the receivers can reconstruct the original state sent from the respective senders without the permission of the controller. Thus, our proposed scheme reduces the consumption of quantum resource and is more secure and successful as compared to the previous scheme.
Tuning structural and electronic properties of β12-Borophene/Graphene heterostructure
Authors: Faramarzi Sorour , Movlarooy Tayebeh
Published: May 2023

Heterostructures, owing to their synergistic effects between the layers, have prompted interest as they supply the essential physical properties for extensive potential applications. In this letter, the electronic and structural properties of the newly synthesized vertical [Formula: see text]12-borophene/graphene ([Formula: see text]12-B/Gr) heterostructure are investigated by the density functional theory. This study reveals proper stability for the [Formula: see text]12-B/Gr heterostructure from the binding energies, which facilitate the instability issue of the borophene monolayer. The binding energy shows this heterostructure is a van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure, and the layers are stacked collectively with the aid of the vdW type bond. Additionally, the electronic properties of this novel heterostructure mostly preserve the electronic properties of monolayers. Furthermore, there is a bit of shift in graphene Dirac to the negative energy references to the Fermi level, due to which the graphene n-doped and the transferred charge along with the charge carrier concentration are calculated. The band structure of the [Formula: see text]12-B/Gr heterostructure is a plain sum total of the band structures of monolayers. Owing to this reality, this heterostructure exhibits great conductivity. This property makes the [Formula: see text]12-B/Gr heterostructure to be a good applicant as an anode for ion batteries, lithium, and hydrogen storage applications.
Activation Function Effects and Simplified Implementation for Hopfield Neural Network
Authors: Xu Quan , Ding Shoukui , Bao Han , Chen Bei , Bao Bocheng
Published: May 2023

The activation function is crucial in the Hopfield neural network (HNN) to restrict the input–output relation of each neuron. The physical realizability and simplicity of the hardware circuit of activation function are beneficial to promote the practical engineering application of the HNN. However, the HNN commonly used hyperbolic tangent activation function involves a complex hardware circuit implementation. This paper discusses a piecewise-linear activation function (PWL-AF) with simplified circuit implementation and a tri-neuron small-world HNN is built as a paradigm. The hardware implementation circuit of the HNN is greatly simplified, benefited from the PWL-AF with a simple analog circuit. Meanwhile, the dynamics related to the PWL-AF and initial conditions are numerically explored. The numerical results demonstrate that the PWL-AF-based HNN can produce dynamical behaviors like the HNN based on the hyperbolic tangent activation function. Nevertheless, the multistability with up to six kinds of coexisting multiple attractors emerged because of the PWL-AF breakpoint. This can give more flexible and potential aspects in multistability-based engineering applications. Especially, the PWL-AF breakpoint value simultaneously acts as the offset booster and amplitude controller in regulating the offset boosting and amplitude rescaling of neuron states. Afterwards, an analog circuit with three straightforward operational amplifiers (op-amp)-based circuit modules is designed for the PWL-AF, and a PCB-based analog circuit is thereby implemented for the tri-neuron small-world HNN. The hardware experiments agree with the numerical simulations, implying the feasibility of the PWL-AF simplification for the HNN.
Centralized versus Decentralized Control of Forest Use in a Federal Structure with Elite Capture
Authors: Chowdhury Indrani Roy
Published: May 2023

The debate around centralized versus decentralized control of forest usually focuses on the incentive and information structures under these two forms of control. This paper however examines on a less analyzed feature, that of elite capture of the revenue generated out of forest use. In particular, I examine a scenario where the bureaucrats controlling forest management are corrupt, and also have significant influence at the central level. I find that state control leads to lower degradation if and only if the extent of elite capture is not too small. Further, if the central government controls the allocation of forest income among states, in addition to controlling the magnitude of forest use, then forest degradation is lower relative to the case when the central government controls forest use alone.
On Some Special Matrix Classes Useful in Optimization and Game Theory
Authors: Neogy Ronit
Published: May 2023

The well-known problem of checking copositivity is equivalent to solving a quadratic optimization problem over the standard simplex. This is an object of research for a long time. This paper presents some results related to the well-known matrix classes like copositive, semimonotone matrices discussed in the literature for many years. We relate some important theorems of alternatives with the class of copositive-plus and copositive-star matrices. Finally, we revisit the classes of almost copositive, semimonotone matrices and obtain some new results which are useful in optimization theory. Finally, we present some game theoretic characterizations of these special class of matrices.
Finite unitary rings all of whose groups of units of all their subrings except of the ring itself are solvable
Authors: Amiri Mohsen , Steinmetz Wilhelm Alexander Cardoso
Published: May 2023

Let R be a finite unitary ring whose group of units is not solvable but all groups of units of all its proper subrings are solvable. In this paper, we classify these rings and show that all finite rings of order [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and some of order [Formula: see text] are in this class of rings.
The mechanism accounting for DNA damage strength modulation of p53 dynamical properties
Authors: Ma Aiqing , Dai Xianhua
Published: May 2023

The P53 protein levels exhibit a series of pulses in response to DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). However, the mechanism regarding how damage strength regulates physical parameters of p53 pulses remains to be elucidated. This paper established two mathematical models translating the mechanism of p53 dynamics in response to DSBs; the two models can reproduce many results observed in the experiments. Based on the models, numerical analysis suggested that the interval between pulses increases as the damage strength decreases, and we proposed that the p53 dynamical system in response to DSBs is modulated by frequency. Next, we found that the ATM positive self-feedback can realize the system characteristic that the pulse amplitude is independent of the damage strength. In addition, the pulse interval is negatively correlated with apoptosis; the greater the damage strength, the smaller the pulse interval, the faster the p53 accumulation rate, and the cells are more susceptible to apoptosis. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanism of p53 dynamical response and give new insights for experiments to probe the dynamics of p53 signaling.
Bimetallic Ni-Co Alloy Derived from Perovskite as Precursor on SiO2 as Catalysts for CO Methanation
Authors: Li Shuangshuang , Xu Jie , Wang Ju , Wu Xianli , Liang Chen , Zhang Xinxin , Du Chunhua
Published: May 2023

The supported bimetallic Ni-Co alloy catalysts modified with La2O3 were prepared by using the perovskite composite oxide of LaNi[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]O3/SiO2 as the precursor, which were obtained by the impregnation method combined with the citrate complex method. The samples were characterized through using XRD, BET, H2-TPR, CO-TPD, TG and XPS, and the catalytic performances for CO methanation was investigated. The component among the bimetallic (Ni-Co) alloy-La2O3/SiO2 catalyst would be mutually diluted, consequently exhibiting pretty good resistance to metal sintering. The carbon deposition on the catalyst surface mainly depends on the adsorption form of CO, the doping of Co changed the adsorption form and adsorption strength of Co, thereby, the bimetallic Ni-Co catalyst showed strong resistance to carbon deposition. Comparing with the mono-metallic nickel catalyst, the supported bimetallic Ni-Co alloy catalysts exhibited good catalytic activity, selectivity and stability for CO methanation, especially excellent resistance to carbon deposition and metal sintering.
The effect of Y, Er co-doped on the sintering and electrical properties of Mo0.05 Bi1.95O3 electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Qian Weixing , Liang Hao , Zhu Xuhang , Cheng Jihai
Published: May 2023

Bismuth oxide-based electrolyte materials co-doped with yttrium and erbium were synthesized by nitrate combustion method. The crystal structure was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The data on electrical conductivity were carried out using AC impedance spectroscopy. The results suggested that all of the co-doped bismuth oxide samples obtained [Formula: see text]-phase with cubic fluorite structure. The conductivity of (YO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text](MoO3)[Formula: see text](ErO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text](BiO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text] ceramic electrolyte sintered at 925[Formula: see text]C for 10 h reached 12.26 × 10[Formula: see text] S cm[Formula: see text] at 700[Formula: see text]C. It has good thermal stability and is a promising electrolyte material for SOFC.
Neighbor sum distinguishing total coloring of planar graphs with restrained cycles
Authors: Du Hongjun , Wang Huijuan , Wu Weili
Published: May 2023

Given a graph [Formula: see text] and a proper total [Formula: see text]-coloring [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text], we call [Formula: see text] neighbor sum distinguishing total coloring provided [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text]. Neighbor sum distinguishing total coloring was first defined by Pilśniak and Woźniak. They conjectured [Formula: see text] colors enable any graph [Formula: see text] to admit such a coloring. The neighbor sum distinguishing total chromatic number [Formula: see text] is the minimum integer where a graph is needed for this coloring. In this paper, we present two conclusions that [Formula: see text] provided there are no 3-cycles adjacent to 4-cycles in a planar graph [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] without cut edges, and [Formula: see text] provided there are no 4-cycles intersecting with 6-cycles in a planar graph [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text].
On Active Disturbance Rejection Control for Unmanned Tracked Ground Vehicles with Nonsmooth Disturbances
Authors: Liu Mingliang , Xu Yangmengfei , Lin Xuteng , Tan Ying , Pu Ye , Li Wen , Oetomo Denny
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes robust controllers for a class of unmanned tracked ground vehicles (UTGVs), which are built to autonomously clean carryback or spillage from the conveyor belts used in the mining industry. The UTGV, a nonholonomic system in its nature, needs to follow a given path in a harsh environment with large uncertainties due to the time-varying mass and inertia when the UTGV loads and unloads as well as unknown frictions and flatness of the ground. Moreover, the input constraints coming from motors do exist. It is usually hard to design robust controllers for such complex systems. By utilizing the available autonomous driving system, which is designed to be compatible with the existing remote motion controller in unmanned systems to generate autonomous ability, this paper uses the off-the-shelf motion planner to calculate desired linear and angular velocities based on the given path and sensor perceptions. Consequently, the control design can be simplified as two decoupled linear time-invariant scalar dynamic systems with uncertainties, making the active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) applicable. By carefully designing the parameters of ADRC with the help of an extended state observer (ESO), it is shown that the proposed ADRC and ESO can achieve good tracking performance in the presence of input saturation and can handle nonsmooth disturbances. The proposed simulation results and experimental results support the theoretical findings.
Environmental Leader Competencies for Successful Project Management: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review
Authors: Albarracín-Rodríguez Angie V. , Amorocho Aleidy J. , Rincón-Guio Cristian
Published: May 2023

This paper examines the competencies that an environmental activist should develop to promote successful project management in the community. A systematic bibliometric review of the literature was carried out, recognizing the scientific production in relation to the competencies of the environmental activist for the management of successful projects in the community. A conceptual synthesis is presented in relation to the competencies of the environmental activist for the management of successful projects in the community; and approaches in the development of competencies of the environmental leader are identified. Twenty one research papers on environmental leadership and environmental project management were analyzed. The results show that this type of leader must have common characteristics in the development of any type of leadership, such as the ability to organize people, to influence changes in people’s behavior, and to generate action guidelines that can be replicated by followers. The environmental leader must have the ability to promote awareness of environmental problems in the communities, establishing himself as an example to follow, and strengthening the development of continuous spaces for participation in which the experiences, knowledge and expertise of all the people who are part of the community are considered.
AdaTaskRec: An Adaptive Task Recommendation Framework in Spatial Crowdsourcing
Authors: Zhao Yan , Deng Liwei , Zheng Kai
Published: May 2023

Spatial crowdsourcing is one of the prime movers for the orchestration of location-based tasks, and task recommendation is a crucial means to help workers discover attractive tasks. While a number of existing studies have focused on modeling workers’ geographical preferences in task recommendation, they ignore the phenomenon of workers’ travel intention drifts across geographical areas, i.e., workers tend to have different intentions when they travel in different areas, which discounts the task recommendation quality of existing methods especially for workers that travel in unfamiliar out-of-town areas. To address this problem, we propose an Adaptive Task Recommendation (
AdaTaskRec
) framework. Specifically, we first give a novel two-module worker preference learning architecture that can calculate workers’ preferences for POIs (that tasks are associated with) in different areas adaptively based on workers’ current locations. If we detect that a worker is in the hometown area, then we apply the hometown preference learning module, which hybrids different strategies to aggregate workers’ travel intentions into their preferences while considering the transition and the sequence patterns among locations. Otherwise, we invoke the out-of-town preference learning module, which is to capture workers’ preferences by learning their travel intentions and transferring their hometown preferences into their out-of-town ones. Additionally, to improve task recommendation effectiveness, we propose a dynamic top-
k
recommendation method that sets different
k
values dynamically according to the numbers of neighboring workers and tasks. We also give an extra-reward-based and a fair top-
k
recommendation method, which introduce the extra rewards for tasks based on their recommendation rounds and consider exposure-based fairness of tasks, respectively. Extensive experiments offer insight into the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Quotation Recommendation for Multi-party Online Conversations Based on Semantic and Topic Fusion
Authors: Wang Lingzhi , Zeng Xingshan , Wong Kam-Fai
Published: May 2023

Quotations are crucial for successful explanations and persuasions in interpersonal communications. However, finding what to quote in a conversation is challenging for humans. This work studies automatic quotation recommendation for online conversations. Unlike the previous works that only consider semantic-level modeling, we adopt topic-level representation to facilitate the recommendation. A hierarchical architecture that is based on a pretrained language model is adopted to model the semantic-level conversation representation, and a neural topic model is employed to learn the topic-level representation. Moreover, the semantic-level conversation modeling is enhanced by a topic-aware attention mechanism, which is adopted to capture the interactive conversation structure from the perspective of word co-occurrence. The joint training of semantic- and topic-based recommendation leads to significantly better performance than the state-of-the-art models on two large-scale datasets. Apart from the novel and advanced recommendation framework, we conduct extensive quantitative experiments to investigate the difficulty of the quotation recommendation task, validate the topic-based recommendation assumption, and explore the stability of the recommendation. Some qualitative experiments and analyses are also included to interpret the quotation and topic distribution for some instances. All the extensive experiments and analyses provide persuasive explanations and interpretations of the module design and the recommendation results.
Trading Off Privacy, Utility, and Efficiency in Federated Learning
Authors: Zhang Xiaojin , Kang Yan , Chen Kai , Fan Lixin , Yang Qiang
Published: May 2023

Federated learning (FL)
enables participating parties to collaboratively build a global model with boosted utility without disclosing private data information. Appropriate protection mechanisms have to be adopted to fulfill the opposing requirements in preserving
privacy
and maintaining high model
utility
. In addition, it is a mandate for a federated learning system to achieve high
efficiency
in order to enable large-scale model training and deployment. We propose a unified federated learning framework that reconciles horizontal and vertical federated learning. Based on this framework, we formulate and quantify the trade-offs between privacy leakage, utility loss, and efficiency reduction, which leads us to the
No-Free-Lunch (NFL)
theorem for the federated learning system. NFL indicates that it is unrealistic to expect an FL algorithm to simultaneously provide excellent privacy, utility, and efficiency in certain scenarios. We then analyze the lower bounds for the privacy leakage, utility loss, and efficiency reduction for several widely-adopted protection mechanisms, including
Randomization
,
Homomorphic Encryption
,
Secret Sharing,
and
Compression
. Our analysis could serve as a guide for selecting protection parameters to meet particular requirements.
Interaction of Two Rigid Spheres Oscillating in an Infinite Liquid under the Control of a Magnetic Field
Authors: El-Sapa Shreen , Albalawi Wedad
Published: May 2023

The transient creeping motion of two rigid spheres oscillating in a boundless viscous fluid beneath the impact of the magnetic field is investigated. There is no slippage associated with a Stokes flow on the two rigid spherical surfaces with different sizes and radii. The solutions can be obtained using the boundary collocation scheme at low Reynolds numbers. The unsteady real and imaginary drag coefficients are estimated on the hard spherical particles. These coefficients are computed in tables for various parameters and illustrated graphically. The frequency parameter and Hartmann number also play a significant role in this study where the drag coefficients decrease or increase by 100 percent after the value of

κ
=
5.0

. Using available literature data, we tested the accuracy and reliability of our results.
Numerical Investigation of Aerodynamic and Electromagnetic Performances for S-Duct Caret Intake with Boundary-Layer Bleed System
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wang Bin
Published: May 2023

This study presents the numerical results for the aerodynamic and electromagnetic performances of an S-duct caret intake. Using the multilevel fast multipole method (MLFMM) to solve Maxwell equations, the current on the intake surface is calculated, and the radar cross-section (RCS) is analyzed. Moreover, the intake flow field is numerically investigated using the SST k–ω turbulence model to solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. Compared to a straight intake, for an S-duct caret intake, the average RCS is lower by 7.65 dB, and the maximum RCS difference value caused by the blade rotation is lower by 6.75 dB. However, the flow capacity deteriorates when the total pressure recovery coefficient decreases by 0.004. Based on the analysis of the aerodynamic and electromagnetic characteristics of different intakes, a double S-duct intake is designed. Compared to a traditional S-duct intake, for the novel intake after model parameter modification, the average RCS is lower by 0.05 dB, and the total pressure distortion (TPD) is lower by 0.18. The analysis of the effects of different boundary-layer bleed systems shows that the symmetrical layout adversely affects the aerodynamic and electromagnetic performances of the S-duct intake, but the unilateral partial layout is beneficial, whose TPD is lower by 0.04 and average RCS is higher by −2.17 dB compared to a straight intake.
Identification of Genes and SNPs Related to Body Colors by Transcriptome Profiling in Leopard Coral Grouper (Plectropomus leopardus Lacépède)
Authors: Hong Yucong , Sun Kaihui , Zhu Xiaowen , Zhu Xufeng , Deng Qiuxia , Huang Yang , Hao Ruijuan , Zhu Chunhua
Published: May 2023

Body colors are an important trait for the survival and reproduction of animals. In this study, transcriptomes and related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of black- and red-colored Plectropomus leopardus (Lacépède) were identified to investigate important molecules and SNP markers associated with body color formation. In the comparison of red- and black-colored groups, 489 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and among them, 236 up- and 253 down-regulated genes were found in the red-colored group. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of DEGs showed that pigmentation associated terms including pigment granule, pigmentation, melanin metabolic process, tyrosine metabolic process, pigment metabolic process, and pigmentation cell differentiation were enriched. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis of DEGs presented that melanin related pathways (tyrosine metabolism and melanogenesis) were enriched. Furthermore, lipid metabolism and immune-related metabolism were also enriched. A total of 1,048,575 SNPs were detected from the transcriptome, and among them, 627,172 SNPs were located in the gene region. A total of 1323 SNPs were identified as differential SNPs in the comparison of black- and red-colored groups and were located in 1127 genes. Among the 1127 genes, 20 genes were identified as DEGs and were comprised of 9 SNPs with a potential role in body color selective breeding in fish farming.
Economic Decision-Making Using Rough Topological Structures
Authors: El-Gayar M. A. , Abu-Gdairi R. , El-Bably M. K. , Taher D. I.
Published: May 2023

This paper suggests new approximations that are inspired by topological structures. The primary goal of this work is to define four neighborhoods resulting from a binary relation. Thus, we have four distinct techniques for approximating rough sets. The suggested approaches represent topological generalizations of the previous works. The characteristics and connections of these approaches are investigated. For the sake of the application, we provide some useful examples to compare our techniques to those in the published literature. The merit of the current technique is to obtain a more accurate decision for the problems in which these cases are the appropriate frame to describe them; for instance, machine learning (ML, for short) applications of finance, etc. To demonstrate this fact, an economic application is proposed. We employ the proposed technique in defining accurate decisions to identify the growth of countries. An algorithm for decision-making problems is proposed and tested on fictitious data to compare our methods with the previous approaches.
Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Mucilage from Ocimum basilicum var. album (L.) Seed
Authors: Shiehnezhad Mahdiye , Zarringhalami Soheila , Malekjani Narjes
Published: May 2023

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an effective green extraction method of value-added and bioactive compounds. The impact of different extraction times (2-7 min), microwave power (360-760 W), and solvent-to-sample ratio (20 : 1-40 : 1 ml/g) on the extraction yield of Ocimum basilicum var. album L. using MAE was investigated. Maximum extraction yield (

17.00
±
0.14

%) was obtained at optimal conditions for extraction using response surface methodology, including extraction time of 4.33 min, power of 570.32 W, and the solvent-to-sample ratio of 40 : 1 ml/g, which was very close to the model prediction (17.01%). The yield of the conventional extraction (CE) method (50°C, 100 rpm, 1 h extraction time, and solvent-to-sample ratio of 40 : 1 ml/g) was

14.53
±
0.25

%. Comparisons were made between the functional and structural characteristics of the mucilage extracted under optimal conditions and the CE method. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was utilized to study the changes in functional groups, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the morphological characteristics. Emulsion stability against heat, water absorption capacity, foaming capacity, and foaming stability of the extracted mucilage under optimal conditions were

80.73
±
0.08

%,

48.71
±
0.32

 g/g,

24.55
±
0.42

%, and

91.6
±
0.49

%, respectively, which were higher than the CE method. SEM results showed a more porous structure in mucilage obtained by the MAE method, while no changes were observed by FTIR analysis between the functional groups of extracted mucilage obtained from the utilized extraction methods. Therefore, the application of the MAE method was superior to CE in terms of yield, structural and functional characteristics, and significantly shorter extraction time. The findings show the great potential of microwave processing in commercial and laboratory extraction of mucilage without deteriorative effects on the structural and functional properties of the extracted material.
Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antigout Potential of Stem Extracts of Four Sweet Cherry Cultivars
Authors: Aqil Younes , Hajjaji Souad El , Belmaghraoui Walid , Mourabit Yassine , Taha Douae , Alshahrani Mohammed Merae , Al Awadh Ahmed Abdullah , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Gaamoussi Issam , Bourais Ilhame
Published: May 2023

In order to highlight the activities of bioactive compounds present in the stem of sweet cherries, four different cultivars (Van, Burlat, Napoleon, and Cœur pigeon) were collected in Sefrou city in Morocco and were studied. Several assays were performed for this purpose, such as the quantification of phenolic compounds (TPC, TFC, and CTC) and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The phenolic profile of each extract was characterized by UHPLC‐DAD/MS analysis. The antidiabetic (α‐amylase inhibition) and antigout (xanthine oxidase inhibition) activities were also investigated. The results showed high levels of phenolic compounds, with the values of 340 ± 12.06, 244 ± 10.20, 232 ± 5.07, and 19 ± 3.10 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract for the cultivars Napoleon, Coeur de pigeon, Van, and Burlat, respectively. According to the same order, the flavonoids showed amounts of 34.31 ± 2.08, 23.75 ± 1.02, 24.37 ± 1.20, and 23.31 ± 0.90 mg (rutin equivalent) RE/g extract. These values were correlated with the results of the antioxidant assays, where the Napoleon cultivar proved to be the most potent using the DPPH (IC50 = 2.51 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 55.38 µg/mL) assays. The phenolic profile of each extract resulted in the identification of twenty‐two compounds belonging to five distinct groups. The major phenolic compounds identified were sakuranetin and dihydrowgonin with their glucosides. Antidiabetic activity assays showed that only stem extracts from Burlat and Napoleon cultivars were able to inhibit the α‐amylase enzyme with values of 85.57 ± 1.09% and 68.01 ± 3.52%, respectively. All stem extracts proved their ability to inhibit the xanthine oxidase enzyme which is directly linked to the gout disease, with a high value for Van cultivar (40.63 ± 2.37%). These new findings could provide new opportunities for the valorization of cherry stems for the pharmaceutical application of their active phytochemicals.
Application of Pomegranate Peel Extract, a Waste Agricultural Product, as a Natural Preservative in Tahini
Authors: Ghasemi Rayeheh , Akrami Mohajeri Fateme , heydari Ali , Yasini Seyed Ali , Dehghani Tafti Arefeh , Khalili Sadrabad Elham
Published: May 2023

The pomegranate peel, an agricultural by-product or waste, is a rich source of bioactive compounds. In the current study, the addition of different concentrations of pomegranate peel hydromethanolic extract (PPE) into tahini was investigated. The hydromethanolic extract of pomegranate peel in the ratio of 1 : 1 was prepared, and the PPE yield was evaluated. The HPLC and Folin-Ciocalteu methods were used to determine phenolic compounds and total phenolic content of PPE, respectively. The antioxidant activity of PPE was investigated by DPPH and FRAPS assays. Then, the different concentration of PPE (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2%) was added to tahini. Thereafter, peroxide value, TBARS, and sensory analyses were determined during 6 months of storage. The PPE yield was reported at 18.90%. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, and punicalagin were identified as the most abundant phenolic compounds in PPE. The total phenolic content, DPPH, and FRAP antioxidant assay of PPE were evaluated as 1577.65 mg/g GAE, 54 μg/ml, and 483.24 mM, respectively. It was shown that by the addition of PPE in tahini, the increase in peroxide value and TBARS was controlled. The concentrations 1 and 2% act better to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Overall, the general acceptance of samples containing 1 and 2% PPE was recorded better than other samples. The PPE showed a good function as a natural antioxidant in tahini to retard oxidation.
Linking Body Composition and Nutritional Status with CAR T-cell Efficacy
Authors: Nawas Mariam T. , Scordo Michael
Published: May 2023

Obesity and its attendant pathophysiological alterations have long been implicated in promoting cancer development and in the modulation of antitumor immunologic responses, but little is known about their impact on outcomes after cellular immunotherapy. In this issue, Rejeski and colleagues report that intrinsic host factors including body composition and nutritional status may predict response after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed lymphomas. These data highlight the clinical relevance of these factors on treatment outcomes and will hopefully motivate interventional studies of prehabilitation and nutritional optimization in these patients.

See related article by Rejeski et al., p. 707 (1).
Characterisation of an endospore population of Pasteuria that adheres to the plant-parasitic nematode Heterodera schachtii
Authors: Hirschfield Ramona , Mohan Sharad , Davies Keith G.
Published: May 2023

Selected strains of Pasteuria species from the endospore-forming Gram-positive bacteria group have the potential to be developed into control agents for plant-parasitic nematodes. If Pasteuria is to be deployed successfully as a control agent, endospores of the bacterium initially have to adhere to the cuticle of the infective juvenile. Studies of the bacteria isolated from root-knot nematodes have suggested that collagen-like fibres on the endospore surface interact with a cuticle receptor on the second-stage juvenile through a host specific ‘Velcro-like’ mechanism. However, very little is known regarding the biochemical nature of the mechanism in Pasteuria strains isolated from cyst nematodes. Here, using several polyclonal antibodies raised to whole endospores and to synthetic collagen-like peptides, we compare two Pasteuria populations, one a strain from a root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, and another from cowpea cyst nematode, Heterodera cajani. We demonstrate that there is differential adhesion of endospores to the beet cyst nematode H. schachtii and that the sugar moieties on the endospore surface may protect the collagen-like fibres on the endospore from proteolytic digestion and be involved in the endospore’s specificity.
Is There a Duty to Mitigate Damages in Civil Law? Should We Introduce Such a Duty? The Case of Qatar
Authors: Al-Kaabi Mohammed Hassan
Published: May 2023

In common law, the non-breaching party of a contract should mitigate damages or risk a reduction in recovery for the breach. The party must take measures to reduce the loss arising from the breach by making a cover purchase, reselling the goods, or taking other actions. The breaching party may claim a reduction in the damages that would be awarded to the injured party up to the amount in which reasonable mitigation measures would have reduced the loss or injury to the injured party. Unlike in common law countries, some civil law countries do not contain a general duty to mitigate damages upon the non-breaching party. However, the concept of damage mitigation has gradually expanded beyond its original sphere of influence. The questions to be answered in this article are as follows: Why is there no duty to mitigate damages in civil law? Should we introduce such a duty?
The damselfly genus Furagrion Petrulevičius et al. (Odonata, Zygoptera) from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark and the dysagrionoid grade
Authors: ARCHIBALD S. BRUCE , WARE JESSICA L. , RASMUSSEN JAN A. , SYLVESTERSEN RENÉ L. , OLSEN KENT , SIMONSEN THOMAS J.
Published: May 2023

The earliest Eocene odonate genus Furagrion Petrulevičius et al. from the Danish Fur Formation is revised based on eighteen specimens, two of which apparently have been lost since their publication. The holotype of Phenacolestes jutlandicus Henriksen, type species of Furagrion, is incomplete and lacks the characters currently used to differentiate species, genera and higher taxa in Odonata. We, therefore, propose that the holotype is set aside and a recently discovered nearly complete Fur Formation fossil is designated as neotype. Furagrion possesses all of the nine wing character states currently used along with head shape for diagnosing the Dysagrionidae; however, Furagrion has a characteristically zygopteran head, not the distinctive head shape of the suborder Cephalozygoptera. We, therefore, treat it as a zygopteran unassigned to family. These nine wing character states appear in different combinations not only in various Zygoptera and Cephalozygoptera, but also in the Frenguelliidae, an Eocene family of Argentina that may represent an unnamed suborder. We recognise these taxa as constituting a dysagrionoid grade, in which these character states appear either convergently or as symplesiomorphies. Furagrion morsi Zessin is synonymized with Phenacolestes jutlandicus Henriksen, syn. nov. and Morsagrion Zessin with Furagrion Petrulevičius, Wappler, Wedmann, Rust, and Nel, syn. nov.
Review of the genus Eurhaphidophora Gorochov, 1999 (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Thailand, with description of a new species
Authors: DAWWRUENG PATTARAWICH , GOROCHOV ANDREI V. , PINKAEW NANTASAK , VITHEEPRADIT AKEKAWAT
Published: May 2023

Thai rhaphidophorid species of the genus Eurhaphidophora Gorochov 1999 are reviewed. Previously, two species and one subspecies (E. bispina Gorochov 2010; E. pawangkhananti Dawwrueng, Gorochov & Suwannapoom 2020; E. tarasovi doitungensis Dawwrueng, Gorochov & Suwannapoom 2020) were reported from Thailand. In this study, a new additional species (E. apicoexcisa sp. nov.) from Ratchaburi Province is described. Males of this new large-sized species are easily recognized from other males of Eurhaphidophora by an almost straight and lamellar posteromedian process of the ninth abdominal tergite, the presence of a small but rather deep and rounded apical excision on this process, and a long apical part of the epiproct. Females of the new species also can be distinguished from other Thailand congeners by the presence of a small rounded posteromedian projection on the both eighth and ninth abdominal tergites, and a shortly triangular subgenital plate. An updated species catalogue of all known species and taxonomic keys to Thailand Eurhaphidophora species for males and females are provided.
Effect of Wave Directions on Orientation and Magnitude of Surface Wind Stress under Typhoon Megi (2010)
Authors: Hsu Je-Yuan
Published: May 2023

The relationship between the wind-wave spectrum and surface wind stress τ in tropical cyclones, especially for the misalignment |ϕ| between the wind and τ, was investigated using data from three Electromagnetic Autonomous Profiling Explorer (EM-APEX) floats deployed in Super Typhoon Megi (2010). The floats measured τ by integrating downward momentum flux in the ocean and, in a recent development, directional spectra of surface waves. The wind was captured by aircraft surveys. At wind speeds from 25 to 40 m s−1, the |ϕ| increased with the increasing angle between the wind and dominant waves. The |ϕ| was small near the eyewall, where wave energy concentrated in a narrow frequency band. At the location far away from the eyewall, where most spectra were bimodal in directions with similar frequencies, the stress direction might be similar to the high-frequency waves. The misalignment between the wind and propagating swell might affect the growth and directional spreading of wind waves under tropical cyclones. The resulting wave breaking might then release wave momentum into the ocean as most stress clockwise from the wind direction. C‖, the downwind drag coefficient, increased with increasing inverse wave age of dominant waves. |C⊥|, the magnitude of the crosswind drag coefficient, was significant when low-frequency waves deviated from the wind by more than 90°. The wave directions are used in the inverse wave age for scaling drag coefficients. The new parameterization based on wave dynamics can be useful for improving the prediction of wind stress curl under storms.

Significance Statement

Tropical cyclones can impact the maximum sea surface temperature cooling through the curl of surface wind stress τ, which causes divergence under the storm eye. To investigate the effect of surface waves on τ, measurements of downward momentum flux and surface waves from three EM-APEX floats deployed under Typhoon Megi in 2010 are used. The inverse wave age involving wind forcing on the wave directions of dominant waves and swells can significantly influence the momentum transfer efficiency in the downwind and crosswind directions, respectively. That is, the propagating swell under storms should play a crucial role in the downward momentum flux during its interaction with high-frequency waves and wind. Incorporating wave directions to parameterize the magnitude and orientation of τ will improve future models’ ability to predict wind stress curl and thereby the heat fluxes to storm intensification.
Fabrication of antibacterial polydopamine-carboxymethyl cellulose-Ag nanoparticle hydrogel coating for urinary catheters
Authors: Cai Yongwei , Gu Ronghua , Dong Yuhang , Zhao Qi , Zhang Ke , Cheng Changyuan , Yang Hong , Li Jianxiang , Yuan Xinggen
Published: May 2023

Urinary tract infections caused by catheter insertion are prevalent in hospital clinics, which can induce serious complications such as bacteriuria and sepsis, and even lead to patient death. The disposable catheters currently used in clinical practice suffer from poor biocompatibility and high infection rate. In this paper, we developed a polydopamine (PDA)-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) coating with both good antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties to bacteria on the surfaces of a disposable medical latex catheter by a simple dipping method. The antibacterial efficiency of the coated catheters against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria was evaluated with both inhibition zone tests and fluorescence microscopy. Compared with the untreated catheter, the PDA-CMC-AgNPs coated catheters showed both good antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties to bacteria, which inhibited the adhesion of live bacteria and dead bacteria by 99.0% and 86.6%, respectively. This novel PDA-CMC-AgNPs composite hydrogel coating has great potential in applications in catheters and other biomedical devices to reduce infections.
A Survey and Evaluation of Service Recovery Strategies on Complainant-Client Satisfaction, Word-of-Mouth Communication (WOM) and Client Loyalty in 5 Star Hotels in Moshhad
Authors: Doaei Habibollah , Rajaee Zahra , . Niaz , Doaei Meysam
Published: May 2023

Service recovery (SR) is a process which is used to recover from a service failure. In this paper, service recovery consists of four dimensions, i.e., apology, redress, explanation and promptness. This study aims to measure the effects of SR on complainant satisfaction, customer loyalty and word of mouth communication (WOM). The study samples consisted of guests staying at 5-star hotels in Mashhad. The research was carried out over six mounts from November 2009 to April 2010, on complainant clients residing in each of the 5- star hotels in Mashhad city, such as, Homa, Pars and Pardisan. Data collection was done using a standard questionnaire, the content validity and reliability of which had been confirmed in many researches. The instrument utilised was a questionnaire having four sections which had been reviewed by Ekiz and Arasli based upon previous research evidence. The data was analysed using structural equation modelling that combines the measurement model and the structural equation model (Regression or path analysis) using one simultaneous statistical test. Results of the main assumption and its related suppositions show mere is a significant correlation between SR and complainant satisfaction, customer loyalty and WOM communication. Moreover, a significant relationship was also found to exist between the dimensions constituting SR.
The remoulding of dietary effects on the fecundity / longevity trade-off in a social insect
Authors: Rau Veronika , Flatt Thomas , Korb Judith
Published: May 2023

Background

In many organisms increased reproductive effort is associated with a shortened life span. This trade-off is reflected in conserved molecular pathways that link nutrient-sensing with fecundity and longevity. Social insect queens apparently defy the fecundity / longevity trade-off as they are both, extremely long-lived and highly fecund. Here, we have examined the effects of a protein-enriched diet on these life-history traits and on tissue-specific gene expression in a termite species of low social complexity.

Results

On a colony level, we did not observe reduced lifespan and increased fecundity, effects typically seen in solitary model organisms, after protein enrichment. Instead, on the individual level mortality was reduced in queens that consumed more of the protein-enriched diet – and partially also in workers – while fecundity seemed unaffected. Our transcriptome analyses supported our life-history results. Consistent with life span extension, the expression of IIS (insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signalling) components was reduced in fat bodies after protein enrichment. Interestingly, however, genes involved in reproductive physiology (e.g., vitellogenin) were largely unaffected in fat body and head transcriptomes.

Conclusion

These results suggest that IIS is decoupled from downstream fecundity-associated pathways, which can contribute to the remoulding of the fecundity/longevity trade-off in termites as compared to solitary insects.
A systematic review and meta-analysis: the therapeutic and preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17,938 addition in children with diarrhea
Authors: Sun Xiaoqi , Kong Juan , Zhu Shuotong , Liu Chengjiang
Published: May 2023

Objective

To summarize the effect of adding Lactobacillus reuteri in the treatment plan for diarrheal disease in children, and analyze the potential of probiotics in preventing the occurrence of diarrheal disease.

Methods

Search for randomized controlled trials of Lactobacillus reuteri for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea in the Pubmed, Web of science, Medline, and Cochrane databases. Data such as the number of diarrhea patients, time, length of stay, clinical symptoms and effect of diarrhea prevention were extracted for meta-analysis. Relative risk and confidence interval (RR and 95% CI) were used as outcome indicators.

Results

963 participants in the 9 RCTs came from multiple countries/regions. Compared with placebo/no intervention, the number of diarrhea patients in the Lactobacillus reuteri group was significantly reduced on the day 1 (RR = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.78–0.97) and day 2 (RR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.44–0.83). Cumulative statistics analysis showed that the effect was stable and significant starting on the 4th day after treatment. A few studies have shown that Lactobacillus reuteri can reduce the time of diarrhea, the number of days with watery stools, and days of hospital stay. However, it has no effect on the occurrence of nosocomial diarrhea (RR = 1.11, 95%CI: 0.68–1.83), rotavirus diarrhea (RR = 1.46, 95%CI: 0.78–2.72), antibiotic-related diarrhea (RR = 1.76, 95%CI: 0.77–4.05), and diarrhea (RR = 1.35, 95%CI: 0.95–1.92).

Conclusion

Addition of Lactobacillus reuteri in the treatment plan has a significant effect on reducing the number of diarrhea and reducing the symptoms of diarrhea, but has no obvious effect on the prevention of diarrhea. Combining probiotics and improving the ability of probiotics to respond is the focus of attention.