bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles from aerial parts of Prunus dulcis and their in vitro investigation of medical properties
Authors: Aarthi Ravi , Anitha Periyasamy
Published: October 2023

The field of functional nanohybrid material is an emerging research area in material science due to its vast range of applications. The use of novel technology and innovative therapeutics has led to potent applications, including controlling the size of nanoparticles (NPs). This has resulted in a novel report on the synthesis of manganese oxide NPs using aerial parts of queen of roses Prunus dulcis (almond) leaves, seed, and seed oil (using Clevenger apparatus), which functions as a reducing agent. Manganese sulfate was used as a precursor in the synthesis process. The synthesized nanohybrid Mn3O4 NPs were studied using different characteristics techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photoluminescence spectra display the blue emission ranging from 483.2 to 486.5 nm. The biosynthesized Mn3O4 NPs were tested for bactericidal activity and showed tremendous inhibition against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. The antioxidant activity of Mn3O4 NPs was enhanced using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, which revealed the higher activity of Mn3O4 NPs from P. dulcis leaf extract. In vitro cytotoxicity of hybrid Mn3O4 NPs was examined using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against cervical cancer (HeLa cell line) with different concentrations. The results showed an IC50 value of 61.97 μg mL−1 for Mn3O4 NPs from P. dulcis leaf extract. In general, the phytosynthetic route with synergistic effect of nanohybrid demonstrated an interaction with cancer cells, highlighting a pioneering optimum approach in synthesis of Mn3O4 NPs from aerial parts of P. dulcis.
Renal Response Outcomes of the EuroLupus and National Institutes of Health Cyclophosphamide Dosing Regimens in Childhood‐Onset Proliferative Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Wang Christine S. , Sadun Rebecca E. , Zhou Wenru , Miller Kristen R. , Pyle Laura , Ardoin Stacey P. , Bacha Christine , Hause Emily , Hui‐Yuen Joyce , Ling Nicole , Pereira Maria , Riebschleger Meredith , Rouster‐Stevens Kelly , Sarkissian Aliese , Shalen Julia , Soulsby William , Twilt Marinka , Wu Eveline Y. , Lewandowski Laura B. , Wenderfer Scott E. , Cooper Jennifer C. ,   the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Lupus Nephritis Working Group
Published: October 2023

Objective

We compared clinical characteristics and renal response in patients with childhood‐onset proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) treated with the EuroLupus versus National Institutes of Health (NIH) cyclophosphamide (CYC) regimen.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at 11 pediatric centers in North America that reported using both CYC regimens. Data were extracted from the electronic medical record at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment initiation with CYC. To evaluate the adjusted association between CYC regimen (EuroLupus vs NIH) and renal response over time, generalized estimating equations with a logit link were used. An interaction between time and CYC regimen was included, and a contrast between CYC regimens at 12 months was used to evaluate the primary outcome.

Results

One hundred forty‐five patients (58 EuroLupus, 87 NIH) were included. EuroLupus patients were on average older at the start of current CYC therapy, had longer disease duration, and more commonly had relapsed or refractory LN compared with the NIH group. After multivariable adjustment, there was no significant association between CYC regimen and achieving complete renal response at 12 months (odds ratio [OR] of response for the EuroLupus regimen, reference NIH regimen: 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29–1.98). There was also no significant association between CYC regimen and achieving at least a partial renal response at 12 months (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.57–3.19).

Conclusion

Our study failed to demonstrate a benefit of the NIH regimen over the EuroLupus CYC regimen in childhood‐onset proliferative LN. However, future prospective outcome studies are needed.

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Variable selection in high‐dimensional regression: a nonparametric procedure for business failure prediction
Authors: Amendola Alessandra , Giordano Francesco , Parrella Maria Lucia , Restaino Marialuisa
Published: October 2023

Business failure prediction models are important in providing warning for preventing financial distress and giving stakeholders time to react in a timely manner to a crisis. The empirical approach to corporate distress analysis and forecasting has recently attracted new attention from financial institutions, academics, and practitioners. In fact, this field is as interesting today as it was in the 1930s, and over the last 80 years, a remarkable body of both theoretical and empirical studies on this topic has been published. Nevertheless, some issues are still under investigation, such as the selection of financial ratios to define business failure and the identification of an optimal subset of predictors. For this purpose, there exist a large number of methods that can be used, although their drawbacks are usually neglected in this context. Moreover, most variable selection procedures are based on some very strict assumptions (linearity and additivity) that make their application difficult in business failure prediction. This paper proposes to overcome these limits by selecting relevant variables using a nonparametric method named Rodeo that is consistent even when the aforementioned assumptions are not satisfied. We also compare Rodeo with two other variable selection methods (Lasso and Adaptive Lasso), and the empirical results demonstrate that our proposed procedure outperforms the others in terms of positive/negative predictive value and is able to capture the nonlinear effects of the selected variables. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expanding the toolbox of probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 for synthetic biology
Authors: Ba Fang , Zhang Yufei , Ji Xiangyang , Liu Wan‐Qiu , Ling Shengjie , Li Jian
Published: October 2023

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is a probiotic microbe that has the potential to be developed as a promising chassis for synthetic biology applications. However, the molecular tools and techniques for utilizing EcN remain to be further explored. To address this opportunity, the EcN‐based toolbox was systematically expanded, enabling EcN as a powerful platform for more applications. First, two EcN cryptic plasmids and other compatible plasmids were genetically engineered to enrich the manipulable plasmid toolbox for multiple gene coexpression. Next, two EcN‐based technologies were developed, including the conjugation strategy for DNA transfer, and quantification of protein expression capability. Finally, the EcN‐based applications were further expanded by developing EcN native integrase‐mediated genetic engineering and establishing an in vitro cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) system. Overall, this study expanded the toolbox for manipulating and making full use of EcN as a commonly used probiotic chassis, providing several simplified, dependable, and predictable strategies for researchers working in synthetic biology fields.
Transport Properties of Super‐cooled Water: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study Using SPC/E Model
Authors: Park Dong Kue , Yoon Byung‐Woo , Lee Song Hi
Published: October 2023

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations of a water model, SPC/E (extended simple point charge), are carried out in the canonical ensemble over the temperature range 243–273 K with Ewald summation. Radial distribution functions
g
OO
(r),
g
OH
(r), and
g
HH
(r) at 268 K and the transport properties (self‐diffusion coefficients D, viscosities η, and thermal conductivities λ) at 243–273 K for SPC/E water are evaluated and compared with experimental data. The temperature dependence of the transport properties of SPC/E water is discussed.
Design, Synthesis In Vitro Anticancer Activity and Docking Studies of (−)‐Catechin Derivatives
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Harshavardhan S. J. , Chirumarry Sridhar , Poornachandra Y. , Jang Kiwan , Ganesh Kumar C. , Yoon Yong‐Jin , Zhao Bao‐Xiang , Miao Jun‐Ying , Shin Dong‐Soo
Published: October 2023

Novel series of ()‐catechin derivatives 1a‐l were synthesized, characterized and assayed for their cytotoxicity against four selected human cancer cell lines by standard MTT assay method. Most of the compounds significantly active among which 1d exhibited promising activity with IC50 values of 2.5, 4.8 and 5.4 μM specifically against hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2), lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and prostate (DU‐145) cell lines, while compound 1j showed promising cytotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma MDA‐MB‐231 (IC50 value of 6.6 μM). Compounds 1a, 1d, 1e, 1f and 1j exhibited broad spectrum cytotoxicity against all the cell lines screened. Molecular docking studies of compound 1d established the good binding affinity and are in favor of the observed biological activity. These data collectively suggest that compound 1d could serve as a new template for further optimization as anticancer agent.
Quantum Mechanical Study on Hydrogen Bonds between 3‐Aminophenol and CHxCl4 − x (x = 1, 2, 3): Effect of the Number of Halogen Atoms#
Authors: Lee So Young , Kang Hyuk
Published: October 2023

Hydrogen bonds between 3‐aminophenol and three chlorine‐substituted methanes (CHCl3, CH2Cl2, and CH3Cl) were quantum mechanically studied at MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level. Several low‐energy structures with a hydrogen bond were identified for all chlorinated methanes, and the properties of their CH stretching vibrations were investigated. When it is hydrogen‐bonded to 3‐aminophenol (3AP), the CH stretching frequency of CHCl3 is blue‐shifted by 18–54 cm−1, and its IR absorption intensity is 48–74 times increased, depending on the isomer. The symmetric and antisymmetric CH stretches of CH2Cl2 and CH3Cl are shifted in either direction by a few cm−1 upon hydrogen‐bonding to 3AP, and their IR intensity was increased by a few times. It is concluded that all chlorinated methanes can make a π‐hydrogen bond to 3AP but only CHCl3, the one with the most chlorine atoms, makes a blue‐shifting hydrogen bond, or an “antihydrogen bond”.
Graphene‐incorporated Photoelectrodes for Dye‐sensitized Solar Cells#
Authors: Ge Chuangye , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Nath Narayan Chandra Deb , Ju Myung Jong , Noh Kwang‐Mo , Lee Jae‐Joon
Published: October 2023

Graphene, a single‐atom‐thick planar sheet of hexagonally arrayed sp2carbon atoms has attracted significant interest in the last decade in material science and energy related research. In particular, graphene has attracted considerable attention for the development of photoelectrodes of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The incorporation of graphene intoDSSCsphotoelectrodes induced lower recombination, increased electron transport kinetics, enhanced light scattering effect, and concurrently enhanced the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Graphene has been incorporated into theTiO2either by mixing or as an interfacial layer betweenTCO|TiO2,TiO2|dye, andTiO2|TiO2. Few studies have demonstrated the incorporation of graphene intoZnO‐ andNiO‐basedDSSCs. In all cases, the graphene‐incorporatedDSSCshowed improvedPCE. This article reviews the recent advances in the use of graphene as a photoelectrode building material in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Wet Chemical Etching of Al‐dopedZnOFilm Deposited byRFMagnetron Sputtering Method on Textured Glass Substrate for Energy Application#
Authors: Hwang Ki‐Hwan , Nam Sang‐Hun , Jung Won Suk , Lee Yong Min , Yang Hee‐Su , Boo Jin‐Hyo
Published: October 2023

The etching of glasses in aqueous hydrofluoric acid (HF) solutions is applied in many technological fields. Particularly, the textured transparent conductive oxide materials on the glass substrate etched byHFwere used to improve the current density of solar cells. In this study, the textured glass substrate has been etched by solution and the Al‐dopedZnO(AZO) thin films have been prepared on this textured glass substrates byRFmagnetron sputtering method. After theAZOfilm deposition, the surface ofAZOhas been etched by hydrochloric acid with different concentration and etching time. EtchedAZOthin films had higher haze ratio and sheet resistance than bareAZOglass. Increases in the root‐mean‐square surface roughness ofAZOfilms enhanced from 53.78 to 84.46 nm the haze ratio in above 700 nm wavelength. Our process could be applicable in texturing glass and etchingAZOsurface to fabricate solar cell in industrial scale. We also carried out fabricating an organic solar‐cell device. Energy conversion efficiency improvement of 123% was obtained with texturedAZO‐based solar‐cell device compared with that of nontextured solar‐cell device.
Raman Spectroscopy of Biphenyl‐4,4'‐dithiol and p‐Terphenyl‐4,4″‐dithiol on Gold Surfaces#
Authors: Ganbold Erdene‐Ochir , Joo Sang‐Woo
Published: October 2023

We compared the adsorption behaviors of 1,4‐benzenedithiol (BDT), biphenyl‐4,4′‐dithiol (BPDT), and p‐terphenyl‐4,4″‐dithiol (TPDT) on gold (Au) surfaces. To check the surface orientations and possibility of multilayer formation, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering was employed for the three aromatic dithiols on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The Raman spectra of BDT and BPDT on AuNPs were examined, whereas those of TPDT could be obtained on an Au‐coated nanostructured silicon plate. Unlike BDT, BPDT and TPDT did not exhibit a ν(S–H) band at 2560 cm−1. Because of the additional benzene rings, multilayer formation is improbable for BPDT and TPDT under colloidal conditions.
Recyclable Hypersensitive Fluorescent Dipeptidyl Chemosensor Based on Silica Nanoparticles Using Signal Amplification for the Detection of Hg(II) and Cu(II) in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Han Songyi , Jung Kwan Ho , Neupane Lok Nath , Thirupathi Ponnaboina , Lee Keun‐Hyeung
Published: October 2023

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were synthesized for the detection of heavy metal ions by conjugating a dipeptidyl fluorescent chemosensor (DPN) into the SiNPs using a click reaction. Among the 14 metal ions tested, SiNPs conjugated with DPN (DPNSi) showed sensitive responses toward Hg(II) and Cu(II) ions in aqueous solutions. The detection limits of DPNSi were determined to be 3.8 and 16.5 nM for Hg(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively, in aqueous solutions. Moreover, the sensitivity of DPNSi to Hg(II) ions was significantly higher than that of DPN. DPNSi was sufficiently sensitive for monitoring the maximum allowable level of Hg(II) and Cu(II) ions in drinking water demanded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DPNSi could be recycled for the detection and removal of toxic mercury ions in aqueous solutions by regeneration with glutathione.
Microchip Electrophoresis with Enhanced Dark‐Field Illumination Detection for Fast Separation of Native Single Super‐Paramagnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Peng , Park Sangyoon , Kang Seong Ho
Published: October 2023

Fast microchip electrophoretic (ME) separation of native super‐paramagnetic nanoparticles (SPMNPs) with different functional groups (i.e., NH2
, OH, and COOH) was investigated at the single‐particle level using enhanced dark‐field illumination detection with high signal‐to‐noise ratio. The dynamics provide evidence of the random motion of individual native nanoparticles and their real‐time velocities within a microchip with or without an electric field. The SPMNPs were introduced into the microchip by magnetic force, and separation was performed at different electric field strengths; neither low (≤30 V/cm) nor high (≥70 V/cm) applied electric field strengths provided separation above baseline (resolution > 1.5) due to the random motion of the nanoparticles. Based on the optimized separation conditions obtained at the single‐particle level, the individual SPMNPs were separated successfully from the model nanoparticle mixture within ~75 s using differences in acid dissociation constants and zeta potentials.
A toolkit for automatically generating and modifying VR hierarchy tile menus
Authors: Bao Xiyu , Bian Yulong , Qi Meng , Liu Ran , Gai Wei , Liu Juan , Luan Hongqiu , Yang Chenglei , Wang Yu
Published: October 2023

Current VR/AR system development studios lack a toolkit that can automatically generate hierarchical tile menu layouts and menu prototypes for VR/AR devices without the need for user programming. This paper proposes a solution in the form of a toolkit that automatically generates a hierarchy tile menu layout using a modified circular treemap algorithm. Users can interactively arrange and resize tiles to create various layouts according to their preferences or needs, utilizing a circle packer method. The toolkit further automatically generates a VR/AR menu prototype based on the resulting layout. Notably, reprogramming is not necessary each time the hierarchy is modified or the menu layout is redesigned. The user test results demonstrate that the proposed toolkit simplifies the creation of hierarchical tile menu layouts, enhances user efficiency in the design process, and enables users to flexibly create hierarchical tile menu prototypes according to their design ideas.
Overexpression of PPM1B inhibited chemoresistance to temozolomide and proliferation in glioma cells
Authors: Yu Yunhu , Liu Qian , Ran Qishan , Cao Fang
Published: October 2023

Protein phosphatase magnesium‐dependent 1B (PPM1B) functions as IKKβ phosphatases to terminate nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling. NF‐κB signaling was constitutively activated in glioma cells. At present, little is known about the role of PPM1B in glioma. In the current study, we found that the expression of PPM1B was reduced in glioma tissues and cells, and decreased expression of PPM1B was related to poor overall survival of patients. Overexpression of PPM1B inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of glioma cells. Moreover, PPM1B overexpression reduced the phosphorylation of IKKβ and inhibited the nuclear localization of NF‐κBp65. PDTC, an inhibitor of NF‐κB signaling, reversed PPM1B‐knockdown‐induced cell proliferation. Furthermore, overexpression of PPM1B enhanced the sensitivity of glioma cells to temozolomide. In vivo experiments showed that overexpression of PPM1B could inhibit tumor growth, improve the survival rate of nude mice, and enhance the sensitivity to temozolomide. In conclusion, PPM1B suppressed glioma cell proliferation and the IKKβ‐NF‐κB signaling pathway, and enhanced temozolomide sensitivity of glioma cells.
New perspectives on carbon reinforced concrete structures—Why new composites need new design strategies
Authors: Curbach Manfred , Hegger Josef , Bielak Jan , Schmidt Christopher , Bosbach Sven , Scheerer Silke , Claßen Martin , Simon Jaan‐Willem , Maas Hans‐Gerd , Vollpracht Anya , Koch Andreas , Hahn Lars , Butler Marko , Beckmann Birgit , Adam Viviane , Cherif Chokri , Chudoba Rostislav , Gries Thomas , Günther Edeltraud , Kaliske Michael , Klinkel Sven , Löhnert Stefan , Lautenschläger Thea , Matschei Thomas , Mechtcherine Viktor , Nagel Wolfgang E. , Neinhuis Christoph , Niemeyer Alice , Noennig Jörg Rainer , Raupach Michael , Reese Stefanie , Scheffler Christina , Schladitz Frank , Traverso Marzia , Marx Steffen
Published: October 2023

In civil engineering, carbon is typically regarded as a modern material to serve as reinforcement in concrete structures. Compared to steel reinforcement, it features two substantial benefits: It is not sensitive to corrosion, and has an enormously increased tensile strength. In contrast, carbon reinforcement is sensitive to lateral pressure and lacks the property of strain hardening. As a first step of establishing carbon reinforced concrete as a new building composite material, carbon reinforcement has basically served to replace the state‐of‐the‐art steel reinforcement. This target led to pioneering findings with respect to determining the material properties of the composite and developing advanced individual components. However, barely substituting steel by carbon does not allow to fully utilize the carbon's benefits while its disadvantageous properties reveal the limits of this approach. Instead, novel design principles are required to meet the material's nature aiming at appropriately using its beneficial properties. Currently, new construction principles are being researched for high‐performance building material combinations such as textile and carbon reinforced concrete. This paper provides an overview of baselines in the preliminary stages of this research. The overview includes history, inspiration, concrete matrices, non‐metallic reinforcement, structural elements, modeling, production, tomography, and sustainability. The objective of the study is to provide a baseline for the envisaged development of principles for future construction: radically new concepts for the design, modeling, construction, manufacturing, and use of sustainable, resource‐efficient building elements made of mineral building materials with the aim of entirely benefiting from the materials' potential.
A Unique Two‐Dimensional Silver(II) Antiferromagnet Cu[Ag(SO4)2] and Perspectives for Its Further Modifications
Authors: Domański Mateusz , Mazej Zoran , Grochala Wojciech
Published: October 2023

Copper(II) silver(II) sulfate crystallizes in a monoclinic CuSO4‐related structure with P21/n symmetry. This quasi‐ternary compound features Ag(SO4)22− layers, while the remaining cationic sites may be occupied either completely or partially by Cu2+ cations, corresponding to the formula of (CuxAg1−x)[Ag(SO4)2], x=0.6−1.0. CuAg(SO4)2 is antiferromagnetic with large negative Curie‐Weiss temperature of −140 K and shows characteristic ordering phenomenon at 40.4 K. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the strongest superexchange interaction is a two‐dimensional antiferromagnetic coupling within Ag(SO4)22− layers, with the superexchange constant J2D of −11.1 meV. This renders CuAg(SO4)2 the rare representative of layered Ag2+‐based antiferromagnets. Magnetic coupling is facilitated by the strong mixing of Ag d(x2−y2) and O 2p states. Calculations show that M2+ sites in MAg(SO4)2 can be occupied with other similar cations such as Zn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mg2+.
Damage by typhoon Hato compared among three different plant communities in Macau, China
Authors: Yi Qifei , Ye Wen , Wang Faguo , Xing Fuwu , Harris AJ , Duan Lei , Chen Hongfeng
Published: October 2023

Tropical cyclones are among the major climatic disasters threatening human survival and development. They are also responsible in part for forest taxonomic composition and dynamics and may lead to catastrophic succession between ecosystems. In this study, we aimed to investigate the extensiveness and severity of the effect caused by Typhoon Hato among the three primary plant communities in Macau, China, including Guia Hill, Taipa Grande, and Ka Ho. The plants' damage was classified into seven categories, ranging from Degree 6, which represents the most severe damage, to Degree 0, which represents almost no damage. The impact of Typhoon Hato was evaluated at different levels, including sample plots, species, DBH, and community structure. Our results show that the sub‐climax community of Guia Hill was most disturbed, with the highest damage index (DI) of 55.28%. Similarly, the Ka Ho shoreline shrub community was also considerably influenced, with a DI of 48.14%. By contrast, the managed secondary forest around Taipa Grande was the least affected, with a DI of 32.66%. Additionally, from the tree layer perspective, the tall trees at Guia Hill canopy layer were directly affected by wind, while the dense understory layer suffered from severe secondary damage due to the fallen trees and branches. For Taipa Grande, the dominant species in the canopy layer were shorter and had less direct damage; the secondary damage was also small as a consequence. Ka Ho had more dwarfed and multibranched species surviving from the sea breeze since Ka Ho was close to the sea. The dense plant structure in Ka Ho protected plants from being easily broken by typhoons, but some twigs and leaves were lost. Some less damaged local species and easily recovered species found in this study could inform the selection of wind‐resistant species for the typhoon‐affected communities.
Fabrication of Pierce‐Type Nanocrystalline Si Electron‐Emitter Array for Massively Parallel Electron Beam Lithography
Authors: NISHINO HITOSHI , YOSHIDA SHINYA , KOJIMA AKIRA , IKEGAMI NOKATSU , TANAKA SHUJI , KOSHIDA NOBUYOSHI , ESASHI MASAYOSHI
Published: October 2023

This paper reports on the development of a fundamental process for a Pierce‐type nanocrystalline Si (nc‐Si) electron emitter array for massively parallel electron beam (EB) lithography based on active‐matrix operation using a large‐scale integrated circuit (LSI). The emitter array consists of 100 × 100 hemispherical emitters formed by isotropic wet etching of Si. EB resist patterning was demonstrated by 1:1 projection exposure using a discrete emitter array at CMOS‐compatible operating voltages. Isolation trenches filled with benzocyclobutene (BCB) were fabricated in the Si substrate for independent control of each emitter using the LSI. The integration process of the emitter array with LSI and an extraction electrode plate was also developed based on Au‐In and polymer bonding technologies.
Haptic Rendering for a Virtual Palpation System
Authors: SUZUKI SATOSHI , HAMAMOTO KAZUHIKO
Published: October 2023

In this research, a combination of haptic display technology and ultrasonic elasticity imaging technology is attempted. The system can provide living body elasticity information in a three‐dimensional (3D) space as visual information and sense‐of‐force information. To realize the system, a haptic rendering method is proposed, which can take into account the effect of a 3D elasticity distribution to reproduce a reaction force. The reaction force can be applied from an arbitrary direction. The visual information is displayed on a quasi‐biological body by using OpenGL and an NURBS surface. Distortion such as that in a human body is expressed by NURBS. The system allows diagnosis from an arbitrary direction by improving the displacement filter. The accuracy of the displacement filter was verified by experiments. It was shown to be possible to perform identification from any direction.
Measurement of Refractive Index of Thermal Barrier Coating Using Reflection of Terahertz Waves and Variable Aperture
Authors: FUKUCHI TETSUO , FUSE NORIKAZU , MIZUNO MAYA , FUKUNAGA KAORI
Published: October 2023

A method to measure the refractive index of the ceramic layer of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) using the intensity ratio between the reflection of terahertz waves from the ceramic surface and a reference metal plate is proposed. This method uses a variable aperture to change the relative proportions of specular refraction and scattering from the ceramic surface. The refractive index is calculated based on the specular reflectivity, which is obtained from the intensity ratio when the field of view is extrapolated to zero. Measurement of a TBC specimen resulted in a refractive index of 4.7, which was in good agreement with the refractive index of the ceramic material obtained by terahertz time‐domain reflectometry. In addition, the surface roughness of the ceramic surface was obtained based on the frequency characteristics of the reflections from the ceramic surface and a reference metal plate. A surface roughness of 14 μm was obtained, which matched the results of microscopic observation of a TBC specimen whose coating was applied using the same lot as the specimen used in the measurement.
Activation of AHR by ITE improves cardiac remodelling and function in rats after myocardial infarction
Authors: Lin Xiaoyan , Liu Weiqiang , Chu Yong , Zhang Hailin , Zeng Lishan , Lin Yifei , Kang Kai , Peng Feng , Lin Jinxiu , Huang Chunkai , Chai Dajun
Published: October 2023

Aims

Left ventricular remodelling subsequent to myocardial infarction (MI) constitutes a pivotal underlying cause of heart failure. Intervention with the nontoxic endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist 2‐(1′H‐indole‐3′‐carbonyl)‐thiazole‐4‐carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE) in the acute phase of MI has been shown to ameliorate cardiac function, but its role in the chronic phase remains obscured. This study explores the beneficial role of ITE in delaying the progression of heart failure in the chronic phase of MI.

Methods and results

MI rats established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery were treated with the indicated concentration of the AHR agonist ITE or vehicle alone. Echocardiography was performed to determine cardiac structure and function; myocardial morphology and fibrosis were observed by haematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining; serum biochemical indices, BNP, and inflammatory cytokine levels were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; F4/80+iNOS+M1 macrophages and F4/80+CD206+M2 macrophages were detected by immunofluorescence; the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay was used to detect the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes; ultrastructural changes in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy; and Cyp1a1, Akt, P‐Akt, p70S6K, P‐p70S6K, Bcl‐2, Bax, caspase‐3, and cleaved caspase‐3 protein levels were determined via Western blotting. We found that therapy with the AHR agonist ITE rescued cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in rats with MI and attenuated myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, and mitochondrial damage. Further studies confirmed that ITE dose‐dependently improved myocardial cell apoptosis after MI, as demonstrated by reduced levels of the apoptosis‐related proteins cleaved caspase‐3 and Bax but increased expression levels of Bcl‐2. These effects were attributed to ITE‐induced activation of AHR receptors, leading to the down‐regulation of Akt and p70S6K phosphorylation.

Conclusions

The AHR agonist ITE alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the Akt/p70S6K signalling pathway, thereby rescuing left ventricular adverse remodelling and cardiac dysfunction after MI.
Massive capacity of novel three‐dimensional OCDMA‐FSO system for next generation of high‐data wireless networks
Authors: Rahmani Mohamed , Sabri Ghoutia Naima , Cherifi Abdelhamid , Karar Abdullah S. , Mrabet Hichem
Published: October 2023

The present study examines an interesting wireless system known as spectral/temporal/spatial‐optical code division multiple access‐free space optics (OCDMA‐FSO) by integrating the new three‐dimensional successive weight (3D‐SW) code for the incoherent system. The system is proposed to be adopted in future generations of wireless networks in view of its attractive features such as simple architecture, high data rate, strong immunity against electromagnetic interference, and optimal power consumption. Furthermore, the recommended code has a zero cross‐correlation (ZCC) feature that removes multiple access interference (MAI) and lowers the effect of phase‐induced intensity (PIIN) noise, which primarily affects OCDMA performance. Meanwhile, an original bit error rate (BER) formulation based on the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) calculation has been developed. The computational results clarified that a recommended approach improves optical system efficacy by boosting numerous analytical criteria. Firstly, the numerical outcomes exhibit that the proposed system improves cardinality by 3.67, 3.08, 2.19, and 5 times than the systems using three‐dimensional perfect difference (3D‐PD), both three‐dimensional perfect difference/multi diagonal (3D‐PD/MD) and three‐dimensional‐dynamic cyclic shift/multi diagonal (3D‐DCS/MD), two‐dimensional‐SW, and one‐dimensional‐SW codes, respectively. Further, It saves roughly −7.3 dBm and − 4.2 dBm when moving from (1D) and (2D) to (3D). Second, the implementation of the proposed model under Optisystem software reveals that the system is compatible with optical communication norms and can be used in upcoming generations of wireless networks, where it achieves BER of with better transmission quality reaching 12.09 at a high bit rate until 30 Gbps across a wireless distance up to 6 km.
“Mera Jamia, Mera Ghar”: The corporeal collective willfulness of young Muslim women at Jamia Milia Islamia University
Authors: Desai Karishma
Published: October 2023

Passed in December 2019, the Citizenship Amendment Act intensified Hindu majoritarian rule, emerging as another legal measure to systematically deny citizenship to Muslims and other minoritized populations. These legislations were met by protests which were responded to by police violence. Young Muslim women at Jamia Milia Islamia University followed the lead of elders in Shaheen Bagh, crafting an intergenerational feminist‐led protest which emerged at the forefront of resistance efforts. This article attends to young women's spatiotemporal claims of recognition and belonging. Dwelling on the collective and corporeal nature of their engagement, I highlight the theoretical significance of this unwavering collective still presence that characterizes their participation. In an India that increasingly questions their belonging, these student protesters craft home as an expanded political site. They make embodied claims to the university, public space, and by extension, the nation, as home.
Enhancing canola oil's shelf life with nano‐encapsulated Mentha aquatica extract for optimal antioxidant performance
Authors: Tavakoli Javad , Abbasi Habib , Gashtasebi Sara , Salmanpour Mohsen , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin
Published: October 2023

Incorporation of antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds into edible oils has limitations such as rapid release of phenolic compounds, low solubility, low penetration, low accessibility, and rapid degradation by environmental compounds. To solve this problem, the nano‐encapsulation process is offering promising opportunities. In this research, for the first time, the phenolic extract of Mentha aquatica was nano‐encapsulated in nano‐emulsions coated with chitosan, Lepidium perfoliatum gum (LPG), and complex of chitosan and LPG (CCL) (1:1 ratio). Based on various tests (particle size measurement, ζ‐potential, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency index, and intensity curve), the LPG coating was the most optimum option for nano‐encapsulation compared to the other coatings. Thus, the LPG‐assisted nano‐encapsulated phenolic extract of M. aquatica was used to improve the oxidative stability of canola oil at three concentrations (100, 200, and 300 ppm). The results of peroxide value and anisidine index tests (as initial and secondary oxidation indicators, respectively) showed that the nano‐encapsulation improved the antioxidant effect of M. aquatica when compared with free extract in canola oil. In a comparative approach, the best sample was obtained from the LPG‐assisted nano‐encapsulated extract (200 ppm) due to the release of more phenolic compounds. The findings from this study showcase how nano‐encapsulation enhances the efficacy of antioxidants in edible oils.
Food‐grade phytosome vesicles for nanoencapsulation of labile C‐glucosylated xanthones and dihydrochalcones present in a plant extract matrix—Effect of process conditions and stability assessment
Authors: Human Chantelle , Aucamp Marique , de Beer Dalene , van der Rijst Marieta , Joubert Elizabeth
Published: October 2023

Phytosomes consist of a phytochemical bound to the hydrophilic choline head of a phospholipid. Their use in food products is gaining interest. However, literature on the use of food‐grade solvents, crude plant extracts as opposed to pure compounds, and unrefined phospholipids to prepare phytosomes is limited. Furthermore, studies on compound stability are lacking. This study aimed to develop nano‐phytosome vesicles prepared from inexpensive food‐grade ingredients to improve the stability of polyphenolic compounds. Cyclopia subternata extract (CSE) was selected as a source of phenolic compounds. It contains substantial quantities of C‐glucosyl xanthones, benzophenones, and dihydrochalcones, compounds largely neglected to date. The effect of process conditions on the complexation of CSE polyphenols with minimally refined food‐grade fat‐free soybean lecithin (PC) was studied. The PC:CSE ratio, sonication time, and reaction temperature were varied. This resulted in phytosomes ranging in vesicle size (113.7–312.7 nm), polydispersity index (0.31–0.48), and zeta potential (−55.0 to −38.9 mV). Variation was also observed in the yield (93.5%–96.0%), encapsulation efficiency (3.7%–79.0%), and loading capacity (LC, 1.3%–14.7%). Vesicle size and LC could be tailored by adjusting the sonication time and PC:CSE ratio, respectively. Chemical interaction between the lipid and the phenolic compounds was confirmed with nuclear magnetic resonance. Phytosomal formulation protected the compounds against degradation when freeze‐dried samples were stored at 25 and 40°C for 6 months at low relative humidity. The study provided valuable information on the importance of specific process parameters in producing food‐grade phytosomes with improved phenolic stability.
Digitization of weather records ofSeungjeongwon Ilgi: A historical weather dynamics dataset of the Korean Peninsula in 1623–1910
Authors: Lyu Zeyu , Ichikawa Kohei , Cheng Yongchao , Hayakawa Hisashi , Kawamoto Yukiko
Published: October 2023

Historical weather records from Europe indicate that the Earth experienced substantial climate variability, which caused, for instance, the Little Ice Age and the global crisis in the period between the 14th and 19th centuries. However, it is still unclear how global this climate variability was because of the scarce meteorological data availability in other regions including East Asia, especially around the 17th century. In this context,Seungjeongwon Ilgi, a daily record of the Royal Secretariat of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, is a precious source of historical meteorological records for the Korean Peninsula, as it covers 288 years of weather observations made during 1623–1910. We used the digital database ofSeungjeongwon Ilgito construct a machine‐readable weather condition dataset. To this end, we extracted valid weather information from the original weather description text and compiled them into pre‐defined weather categories. Additionally, we attempted to improve the usability of dataset by converting the reported dates in the traditional calendar system to those in the Gregorian calendar. Finally, we outlined promising implications of this dataset for meteorological and climatological studies, while describing the limitations of the dataset. Overall, future studies focusing on the climate and weather of the past could use this meteorological database for investigating long‐term climate variability. Our datasets are publicly available at10.5281/zenodo.8382243.
Tracing source and palaeo‐weathering conditions of quartzose sandstone in the Cretaceous Cambay Basin: A combined petrographical, geochemical and geochronological approach
Authors: Rajak Pawan Kumar , Prabhakar Naraga , Banerjee Santanu
Published: October 2023

Based on detrital monazite dating, mineral chemistry of tourmaline and rutile, bulk rock geochemistry, modal analysis of petrographic and palaeocurrent data, this study tracks the source of quartzose sandstone within the Cretaceous succession of the Cambay Basin primarily to rocks within the Aravalli‐Delhi Fold Belt. Monazite geochronology shows predominant peaks around 506 ± 11 Ma, 905 ± 12 Ma and a minor peak at 750 ± 20 Ma, 1485 ± 30 Ma relating sediment sources to the Aravalli‐Delhi orogeny and Pan‐African orogeny. The petrographic modal analysis of the moderate‐to‐well‐sorted Himmatnagar Sandstone indicates at least 91% quartz, with minor feldspar and rock fragments. The mineral chemistry of tourmalines in Himmatnagar Sandstone matches with Li‐ and Ca‐poor granitoid, pegmatites, metapelites and quartz tourmaline rocks. The trace element content of rutiles in sandstones corresponds to metapelitic sources. Detrital monazite dates and mineral chemistry of tourmalines and rutiles pinpoint the sediment source to the South Delhi Supergroup of rocks. The dominance of rounded zircons and tourmalines and abraded quartz overgrowth in the Himmatnagar Sandstone indicate the recycling of sediments, possibly from the Marwar Supergroup. Palaeoclimatic proxies based on mineralogy and geochemistry, particularly, the high value (93–97) of mineralogical index alteration, indicate intense chemical weathering of the source rocks under humid climatic conditions. Therefore, the combination of factors, including the quartzo‐feldspathic source rocks, intense chemical weathering under humid climatic conditions and the recycling of sediments facilitated the formation of quartzose sandstone within the Himmatngar Sandstone in the Cambay Basin.
Deep‐learning segmentation method for optical coherence tomography angiography in ophthalmology
Authors: Ma Fei , Li Sien , Wang Shengbo , Guo Yanfei , Wu Fei , Meng Jing , Dai Cuixia
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The optic disc and the macular are two major anatomical structures in the human eye. Optic discs are associated with the optic nerve. Macular mainly involves degeneration and impaired function of the macular region. Reliable optic disc and macular segmentation are necessary for the automated screening of retinal diseases.

Methods

A swept‐source OCTA system was designed to capture OCTA images of human eyes. To address these segmentation tasks, first, we constructed a new Optic Disc and Macula in fundus Image with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) dataset (ODMI). Second, we proposed a Coarse and Fine Attention‐Based Network (CFANet).

Results

The five metrics of our methods on ODMI are 98.91, 98.47, 89.77, 98.49, and 89.77, respectively.

Conclusions

Experimental results show that our CFANet has achieved good performance on segmentation for the optic disc and macula in OCTA.
Infant case of severe immune thrombocytopenia caused by COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Anzai Tatsuya , Nakashima Naomi , Betsui Hiroyuki , Kawahara Yuta , Hayashi Yuriko , Kimura Hirokazu , Shimada Akira
Published: October 2023

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common childhood acute autoimmune bleeding disorder caused by numerous viruses and characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia. Although cases of ITP caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection have been reported in adults, pediatric reports are limited. We present the case of a 1‐year‐old girl who developed COVID‐19‐infection‐related ITP with a very low platelet count (0.0 × 104/μL). We searched for COVID‐19‐related pediatric ITP cases and found 10 other cases, with the majority having platelet counts of <1.0 × 104/μL. Although pediatric ITP cases caused by COVID‐19 infection may be severe, further studies are needed.
Predictive impacts of peritoneal washing cytology for surgical resection‐intended pancreatic cancer cases: Establishment of planned staging laparoscopy criteria
Authors: Tanaka Nobutake , Takami Hideki , Hayashi Masamichi , Inokawa Yoshikuni , Kurimoto Keisuke , Hattori Norifumi , Kanda Mitsuro , Tanaka Chie , Nakayama Goro , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: October 2023

Background

Staging laparoscopy (SL) has been advocated for pancreatic cancer, mainly to evaluate the peritoneal washing cytology (CY) status, which seems to impact the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. To establish an optimal treatment strategy for CY positive (CY+) pancreatic cancer cases, real‐world clinical data about CY status‐depending surgical outcomes should be accumulated.

Methods

Peritoneal washing samples were collected from 183 consecutive patients who could be classified as either resectable or borderline resectable (BR) pancreatic cancer between January 2012 and December 2020. Correlations between the CY status and other clinicopathological parameters with the recurrence patterns and survival outcomes were examined. In addition, we analyzed several risk factors for the CY+ status and attempted to identify the patient population that may benefit most from SL.

Results

A total of 24 of the 183 patients were CY+. Peritoneal recurrence occurred more frequently in CY+ cases than in CY− cases (29% vs. 6%, p < .001) and median survival time after surgery was significantly shorter in CY+ cases than in CY− cases (28.5 months vs. 67.5 months; p < .001). In detail, almost all CY+ patients among curative resection‐intended cases had either elevated preoperative serum CA19‐9 levels (≥250 U/mL) or DUPAN‐2 levels (≥150 U/mL). Significant predictive factors of CY positivity were BR status (p = .028) and serum CA19‐9 level exceeding 250 U/mL (p = .008).

Conclusion

CY status was identified as an independent prognostic factor, and SL examination should be recommended, especially for patients with risk factors for CY positivity, such as BR cancer and elevated serum CA19‐9 levels.
The use of weakly supervised machine learning for necrosis assessment in patients with osteosarcoma: A pilot study
Authors: LiBrizzi Christa L. , Wang Zhenzhen , Sulam Jeremias , James Aaron W. , Levin Adam S. , Morris Carol D.
Published: October 2023

Percent necrosis (PN) following chemotherapy is a prognostic factor for survival in osteosarcoma. Pathologists estimate PN by calculating tumor viability over an average of whole‐slide images (WSIs). This non‐standardized, labor‐intensive process requires specialized training and has high interobserver variability. Therefore, we aimed to develop a machine‐learning model capable of calculating PN in osteosarcoma with similar accuracy to that of a musculoskeletal pathologist. In this proof‐of‐concept study, we retrospectively obtained six WSIs from two patients with conventional osteosarcomas. A weakly supervised learning model was trained by using coarse and incomplete annotations of viable tumor, necrotic tumor, and nontumor tissue in WSIs. Weakly supervised learning refers to processes capable of creating predictive models on the basis of partially and imprecisely annotated data. Once “trained,” the model segmented areas of tissue and determined PN of the same six WSIs. To assess model fidelity, the pathologist also estimated PN of each WSI, and we compared the estimates using Pearson's correlation and mean absolute error (MAE). MAE was 15% over the six samples, and 6.4% when an outlier was removed, for which the model inaccurately labeled cartilaginous tissue. The model and pathologist estimates were strongly, positively correlated (r = 0.85). Thus, we created and trained a weakly supervised machine learning model to segment viable tumor, necrotic tumor, and nontumor and to calculate PN with accuracy similar to that of a musculoskeletal pathologist. We expect improvement can be achieved by annotating cartilaginous and other mesenchymal tissue for better representation of the histological heterogeneity in osteosarcoma.