bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Continuous Action Space Tree search for INverse desiGn (CASTING) Framework for Materials Discovery
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Subramanian , Banik Suvo , Loeffler Troy , Manna Sukriti , Sriniva Srilok , Darancet Pierre , Chan Henry , Hexemer Alex
Published: January 2023

Fast and accurate prediction of optimal crystal structure, topology, and microstructures is important for accelerating the design and discovery of new materials for energy applications. As material properties are strongly correlated to the underlying structure and topology, inverse design is emerging as a powerful tool to discover new and increasingly complex materials that meet targeted functionalities. A challenge lies in the exorbitantly large structural and compositional space presented by the various elements and their combinations. Despite the large number of new phases already being populated in the myriads of materials databases, structural prediction is still an active research area given the vast configurational and chemical spaces available for exploration. Speed, accuracy, and scalability are three desirables for any inverse design tool to sample efficiently across such a vast space. Global optimization strategies developed to tackle this challenge include, most notably, evolutionary approaches using genetic algorithms and those based on random sampling. While these approaches have demonstrated the ability to predict new crystal structures that can be used as super-hard materials, semiconductors, and photovoltaic materials to name a few, it is highly desirable to develop approaches that converge faster to the solution, have better solution quality, and are scalable to high dimensionality. Reinforcement learning (RL) approaches are emerging as powerful design tools capable of addressing these issues but primarily operate in discrete action space. As such, their applications to inverse materials design problems are limited owing to the continuous nature of materials search spaces. In this work, we introduce CASTING, which is an RL-based scalable framework for crystal structure, topology, and potentially microstructure prediction. CASTING employs an RL-based continuous search space decision tree (MCTS -Monte Carlo Tree Search) algorithm with three important modifications (i) a modified rewards scheme for improved search space exploration (ii) a “windowing” or “funneling” scheme for improved exploitation and (iii) adaptive sampling during playouts for efficient and scalable search. Using a set of representative examples ranging from metals such as Ag to covalent systems such as C and multicomponent systems (graphane, boron nitride, and complex correlated oxides), we demonstrate the accuracy, the speed of convergence, and the scalability of CASTING to discover new metastable crystal structures and phases that meet the target objective.
Discovering the Ultralow Thermal Conductive High-Entropy Pyrochlore Oxides Through the Hybrid Knowledge-Assisted Data-Driven Machine Learning
Authors: Wang William Yi , Zhang Ying , Ren Ke , Gao Xingyu , Yuan Ruihao , Wang Jun , Wang Yiguang , Song Haifeng , Liang Xiubing , LI Jinshan
Published: January 2023

Lattice engineering and distortion have been considered one kind of effective strategies discovering advanced materials. The instinct chemical flexibility of high-entropy pyrochlore oxides (HEPOs) motivate/accelerate to tailor the target properties through phase transformations and lattice distortion. Here, a hybrid knowledge-assisted data-driven machine learning (ML) strategy is utilized to discover the HEPOs with low thermal conductivity (𝜅) through 17 rare-earth (RE = Sc, Y, La ~ Lu) solutes optimized A-site of A2B2O7. A designing routine integrating the ML and high throughput first-principles has been proposed to predict the key physical parameter (KPPs) correlated to the targeted 𝜅 of advanced HEPOs. Among the smart-designed 6188 (5RE0.2)2Zr2O7 HEPOs, the best candidates are addressed and validated by the principles of severe lattice distortion and local phase transformation, which effectively reduce 𝜅 by the strong multi-phonon scatting and weak interatomic interactions. Particularly, (Sc0.2Y0.2La0.2Ce0.2Pr0.2)2Zr2O7 with predicted κ below 1.59 Wm−1 K− 1 is selected to be verified, which match well with the experimental κ = 1.69 Wm−1 K− 1 at 300K and could be further decreased to 0.14 Wm−1 K− 1 at 1473K. Moreover, the coupling effects of lattice vibrations and charges on heat transfer are revealed by the cross-validations of various models, indicating that the weak bonds with low electronegativity and few bonding charge density and the lattice distortion (r*) identified by cation radius ratio (rA/rB) should be the KPPs to decrease κ efficiently. This work supports an intelligent designing strategy with limited atomic and electronic KPPs to accelerate the development of advanced multi-component HEPOs with properties/performance at multi-scales.
Correlation study between the degree of fatty infiltration and the lesion of the waist
Authors: Liu Sijia , Li Jianjun , Pan Junnan
Published: January 2023

Objective
Through the analysis of the measurement data of paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area in normal people and patients with lumbar disease, the change of paravertebral muscle area in patients with lumbar disease was analyzed, and the accurate measurement of paravertebral muscle fat percentage provided a new objective evaluation basis for clinical judgment of lumbar disease.
Methods
The 150 patients with non-specific low back pain(LBP), 150 patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH) and 150 healthy people were collected. The lumbar MRI was obtained from L3 to L5, and the upper endplate, intervertebral disc and lower endplate were three planes respectively, a total of 9 planes. Image J software was used to measure the area of erector spinae, psoas major muscles, multifidus muscles and fat infiltration area. The degree of LBP was scored by VAS and ODI.
Result
Compared with the normal male group and the female group, the fatty infiltration rate of the female paraspinal muscle is significantly higher than that of the male group, and there is a statistical difference(P < 0.05). There is a linear positive correlation between the fatty infiltration rate of normal paraspinal muscles and age, and the fatty infiltration rate increases significantly with age(P < 0.05). Compared with normal people,the fatty infiltration rate of paraspinal muscles in patients with LDH is significantly increased, and there is a statistical difference(P < 0.05). Compared with normal people, the fatty infiltration rate of paraspinal muscle in patients with LBP was significantly increased, and there was statistical difference(P < 0.05). There was a correlation between VAS score, ODI score and the fatty infiltration rate in patients with LBP, and the fatty infiltration rate gradually increased with the increase of score(P < 0.05).
Conclusion
In normal subjects, the fatty infiltration rate of paraspinal muscle was higher in female ,and the fatty infiltration rate of paraspinal muscle increased with age. Patients with LDH have a greater rate of fatty infiltration than normal subjects. The rate of fatty infiltration of patients with LBP is also higher than that of normal subjects, and the higher the VAS score and ODI score, the higher the fatty infiltration rate.
Colorectal cancer with low SLC35A3 is associated with immune infiltrates and poor prognosis
Authors: Lu Shuai , Sun Xibo , Tang Huazhen , Yu Jinxuan , Wang Bing , Xiao Ruixue , Qu Jinxiu , Sun Fang , Deng Zhuoya , Li Cong , Yang Penghui , Yang Zhenpeng , Rao Benqiang
Published: January 2023

The expression level of SLC35A3 is related to the prognosis of many cancers, but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unknown. The purpose of our research is to clarify the role of SLC35A3 in the CRC. The expression level of SLC35A3 in CRC was evaluated by Tumor Immune Estimate Resource (TIMER), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and qRT-PCR experiment. TCGA data set was used to analyze the diagnostic and prognostic value of SLC35A3 in CRC. An overall survival model was constructed and validated based on the expression level of SLC35A3 and the results of multivariate analysis. cBioPortal tool is used to analyze SLC35A3 mutation in CRC, and UALCAN tool was used to analyze the promoter methylation level of SLC35A3 in CRC. In addition, the role of SLC35A3 in the CRC was determined by GO analysis, KEGG analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), immune infiltration analysis and correlation analysis of immune checkpoints. Compared with adjacent normal tissues of CRC and colon epithelial cells , the expression of SLC35A3 in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines decreased. The low expression of SLC35A3 is related to N stage, pathological stage and lymph infiltration, and is not conducive to overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS). According to Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, SLC35A3 could be an important diagnostic biomarker for patients with CRC. The nomograph based on SLC35A3 is a model superior to a single prognostic factor. SLC35A3 has multiple types mutations in CRC, and its promoter methylation level is significantly reduced. GO and KEGG analysis display the SLC35A3 may involved in the transmembrane transporter activity, cell communication and the interaction of neural active ligand receptors. GSEA disclosed that SLC35A3 may participate in energy metabolism, DNA repair, cancer pathway. In addition, SLC35A3 is closely related to a variety of immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression. The results of this study indicate that the decreased expression of SLC35A3 is closely related to poor prognosis of CRC and immune cell infiltration. SLC35A3 is a promising independent prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Expression patterns of sex steroid receptors in developing mesonephros of the male mouse: three-dimensional analysis
Authors: Omotehara Takuya , Hess Rex A , Nakata Hiroki , Birch Lynn A , Prins Gail S , Itoh Masahiro
Published: January 2023

The androgen pathway via androgen receptor (AR) has received the most attention for development of male reproductive tracts. The estrogen pathway through estrogen receptor (ESR1) is also a major contributor to rete testis and efferent duct formation, but the role of progesterone via progesterone receptor (PGR) has largely been overlooked. Expression patterns of these receptors in the mesonephric tubules (MTs) and Wolffian duct (WD), which differentiate into the efferent ductules and epididymis, respectively, remain unclear because of the difficulty in distinguishing each region of the tracts. This study investigated AR, ESR1, and PGR expressions in the murine mesonephros using three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction. The receptors were localized in serial paraffin sections of the mouse testis and mesonephros by immunohistochemistry on embryonic days (E) 12.5, 15.5, and 18.5. Specific regions of the developing MTs and WD were determined by 3-D reconstruction using Amira software. AR was found first at the distal end (gonadal side) of MTs at E12.5, and the epithelial expression showed increasing strength from cranial to the caudal side. Epithelial expression of ESR1 was found in the cranial WD and MTs near the WD first at E15.5. PGR was weakly positive only in the MTs and cranial WD starting on E15.5 but negative in the distal end of the MTs. This 3-D analysis suggests that gonadal androgen acts first on the distal end of MTs but that estrogen is the first to influence MTs on the WD side, while potential PGR activity is delayed and limited to the epithelium.
Are Exposure to Health Information and Media Health Literacy Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption?
Authors: Jindarattanaporn Nongnuch , Rittirong Jongjit , Phulkerd Sirinya , Thapsuwan Sasinee , Thongchareonchupong Natjera
Published: January 2023

Background: Health information promotes a healthy lifestyle; however, media health literacy (MHL) is essential to personal intake, especially fruit and vegetables (F&V). This study aimed to determine how exposure to health information and MHL affect F&V consumption among Thai youth age 10-14 years. Health behavior at this age can be an important determinant of consumption habits when transitioning into adulthood.
Methods: A stratified two-stage sample survey was conducted to recruit 1,871 youth across regions to be nationally representative. Qualtrics offline survey application was used for data collection through face-to-face, personal interviews. Multiple regression was used to analyze the explanatory variables on F&V intake.
Results: This study found that almost 70% of Thai youth were exposed to health-related content via the Internet, and had low analytical skills to process that information. Grade Point Average (GPA), exposure to health information, various media types, frequency of exposure to health information, and MHL influenced the frequency of F&V intake. Health status related to fruit intake, age, place of residence, amount of pocket money, and body mass index (BMI) were associated with F&V consumption.
Conclusion: Exposure to health information and MHL are associated with F&V intake. Therefore, exposure to health information and MHL should be addressed for policy formulation in Thai schools and the health system.
Deep learning-based automated detection and multiclass classification of focal interictal epileptiform discharges in scalp electroencephalograms
Authors: Chung Yoon Gi , Lee Woo-Jin , Na Sung Min , Kim Hunmin , Hwang Hee , Yun Chang-Ho , Kim Ki Joong
Published: January 2023

Detection and spatial distribution analysis of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) are important for diagnosing, classifying, and treating focal epilepsy. This study proposes deep learning-based models to detect focal IEDs in electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of the frontal, temporal, and occipital scalp regions. This study included 38 patients with frontal (n = 15), temporal (n = 13), or occipital (n = 10) IEDs and 232 controls without IEDs from a single tertiary center. All EEG recordings were segmented into 1.5-s epochs and fed into 1- or 2-dimensional convolutional neural networks to construct binary models to detect IEDs in each focal region and multiclass models to categorize IEDs into frontal, temporal, and occipital regions. The binary models exhibited accuracies of 79.3–86.4%, 93.3–94.2%, and 95.5–97.2% for frontal, temporal, and occipital IEDs, respectively. The three and four multiclass models exhibited an accuracy of 87.0–88.7% and 74.6–74.9%, respectively, with temporal, occipital, and non-IEDs F1-scores of 89.9–92.3%, 84.9–90.6%, and 84.3–86.0% and 86.6–86.7%, 86.8–87.2%, and 67.8–69.2% for the three- and four-class (frontal, 50.3–58.2%) models, respectively. The constructed deep learning-based models could help enhance EEG interpretation. Although they performed well, the resolution of region-specific focal IED misinterpretations and further model improvement are needed.
Diversity and structure of the understory of two forest ecotones in Maranhão and the influence of the urban environment
Authors: Santos Catherine Rios , Oda-Souza Melissa , Almeida Eduardo Bezerra , Zickel Carmen Sílvia
Published: January 2023

Forest ecotones are floristically rich but anthropogenic disturbances can differentiate their vegetation structure. This study evaluated the understory diversity of urban and nonurban forests in Maranhão. It tested the hypotheses that the understory of the nonurban forest has greater diversity and richness and that the spatial distribution of these variables in the understory of the urban forest has weak spatial dependence. The study was conducted in the municipalities of São Luís (urban area) and São José de Ribamar (nonurban area). Thirty plots (25m²) were demarcated and the woody individuals up to 2 m tall were measured. All phytosociological parameters were calculated. The differences in richness, density, and diversity were analyzed between the areas with the Mann-Whitney test, non-metric multidimensional scaling, and Hutcheson t-test. To visualize the variation in richness and diversity of the vegetation, ordinary kriging was used. There was a difference in the floristic composition and density of each species in the two areas; the richness and diversity were significantly greater in the nonurban area. The species with the highest IVs wereFaramea nitida,Myrcia amazonica,andEphedranthus pisocarpusin the nonurban forest andProtium heptaphyllum,Randia armata, andMoquilea tomentosain the urban forest. Both understories had high diversity compared to other Amazonian regions. However, weak spatial dependence was found in the urban area, suggesting high anthropogenic interference in the environment. It is noteworthy that the areas represent a parcel of original ecotone vegetation in Maranhão and effective actions are needed to restore and conserve its diversity.
Tautomeric Mixture Coordination Enables Efficient Lead-Free Perovskite LEDs
Authors: Wang Ning , Han Dongyuan , Wang Jie , Agosta Lorenzo , Zang Ziang , Zhao Bin , Kong Lingmei , Lu Haizhou , Mosquera-Lois Irea , Carnevali Virginia , Dong Jianchao , Zhou Jianheng , Ji Huiyu , Pfeifer Lukas , Zakeeruddin Shaik , Yang Yingguo , Wu Bo , Rothlisberger Ursula , Yang Xuyong , Graetzel Michael
Published: January 2023

Lead (Pb) halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have demonstrated extraordinary optoelectronic performance. However, the toxicity of Pb has raised as a serious concern. Removing Pb from the best-performing PeLEDs without compromising their excellent external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) remains a challenge. Here we report a tautomeric mixture coordination-induced electron localization strategy to fundamentally stabilize Pb-free TEA2SnI4 (TEAI, 2-thiophenethylammonium iodide) perovskite by incorporating cyanuric acid (CA). We demonstrate that a crucial function of the coordination is to amplify electronic effects and even extend to Sn atoms without strong bonding with CA, due to the formation of H-bonded tautomeric dimer and trimer superstructures on the perovskite surface. This electron localization weakens adverse effects from Anderson localization and contributes to more ordered and stable crystal structure in the resultant TEA2SnI4, which synergistically improve the perovskite with two orders of magnitude reduction in nonradiative recombination capture coefficient and about 2-fold enhancement in exciton binding energy. Levering by the interactional profit, our target Pb-free PeLED demonstrated an EQE of up to 20.13 per cent, representing a performance comparable to that of state-of-the-art Pb-containing PeLEDs. We anticipate that these findings will provide insights into the stabilization of Sn(II) perovskites and inspire researchers to pioneer Pb-free perovskite applications.
Risk Assessment of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ) During Winter Crop at the Agricultural Site of Delhi, India
Authors: Chaudhary Anita , Prakash Chandra , Sharma Sudhir Kumar , Mor Suman , Khaiwal Ravindra , Krishanan Pramila
Published: January 2023

In Indian cities, airborne particulate matter, PM2.5, is related with regional or across border problem and that of PM 10 with local-land urban problem. The present study was carried out for risk assessment of PM10 and PM2.5 and its associated carbonaceous component and heavy metals of an experimental agriculture farm site of Delhi, India. In our studies, at the agricultural site which is surrounded by heavy traffic and industries related sites, concentrations of both PM10 and PM2.5 varied significantly from 136.34 to 176.66 µg/m3 and 56 to 162 µ/m3 respectively. However, the concentrations of NOx were relatively higher during the months of February and March. The concentrations of O3 in the present study, were observed to be the highest in February. In general, the Hazard index for both adults and children population was reported to be < 1, which indicated the probability of non-carcinogenic risks to both populations as negative.
Wildflower habitats in turfgrass systems have variable effects on arthropod functional group abundance over multiple years
Authors: Hamon Laura , Kilpatrick Lauren , Billeisen Terri
Published: January 2023

Urbanization is rapidly influencing the abundance and diversity of arthropods. Within urban systems, managed turfgrass is a prominent cultivated crop which can support certain arthropod populations, but is inadequate for supporting many others. In an effort to mitigate the negative effects of turfgrass on arthropod biodiversity, increasing numbers of land managers are choosing to partially convert turf habitat to wildflower habitat using commercially-available seed mixes. However, the population dynamics of diverse arthropod groups in these systems is poorly known, with consequentially little information on best long-term practices for managing wildflower habitats in turfgrass systems. To address this gap, we sampled arthropods in turfgrass systems pre- and post-implementation of wildflower habitats and examined the change in abundance of multiple taxa and functional groups. Arthropod groups had diverse responses to wildflower habitat implementation, with bees having no significant changes in abundance, butterflies being most abundant one-year post-implementation, and predatory wasps and flies being relatively more abundant one- and two-year post-implementation. These results point to the need for more research on the long-term effects of wildflower habitats on beneficial insects in turfgrass habitats, and how to optimize management of both wildflower habitats and nearby turfgrass to support arthropod biodiversity.
Daratumumab monotherapy for refractory lupus nephritis
Authors: Roccatello Dario , Fenoglio Roberta , Caniggia Ilaria , Kamgaing Joelle , Naretto Carla , Cecchi Irene , Rubini Elena , Rossi Daniela , De Simone Emanuele , Vecchio Giulio Del , Cozzi Martina , Sciascia Savino
Published: January 2023

Refractory lupus nephritis (RLN) is a clinical condition with high risk of a poor outcome and often life-threatening. Six patients (one male and 5 females), aged 41.3 years (range 20 to 61 years) were treated with Daratumumab monotherapy, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD38 which is highly expressed on the surface of many immune cells, especially plasma cells. The treatment protocol consisted of 16 mg/kg daratumumab administered intravenously weekly for 8 weeks, then every two weeks 8 more times, and lastly monthly (maximum 8 infusions). All patients failed previous treatments with the Standard of Care (SOC) including mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), cyclophosphamide (CYC), azathioprine and rescue therapies including Rituximab (RTX), Ocrelizumab, Belimumab, and iv IgG. One out of six patients did not show clinical response after 6 months of therapy, and Daratumumab was discontinued. Five patients showing a clinical response over the same period continued to be treated and reached a 12-month observation. Renal biopsy performed before daratumumab administration revealed a class IV LN in 1 patient, class V LN in 1 patient, class III + V LN in 1 patient and class IV + V LN in the other 2. Three patients achieved a complete renal response and the other two a partial renal response. A significant decrease in proteinuria from 5.6 gr/24 hours to 0.8 g/24 hours (p = 0.001) was achieved at 12 months. The mean value of serum Creatinine (sCr) decreased from 2.3 to 1.5 mg/dl. Improvement of clinical symptoms was paralleled by seroconversion of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (p = 0.03), significant decrease in interferon-gamma values (p = 0.0006), BMCA-B-cell maturation antigen (p = 0.0005) and soluble CD163 levels (p = 0.045), and increase in C4 (p = 0.018) and IL 10 levels (p = 0.0006). Clinical remission was substantiated by improvement of SLEDAI-2K score (p = 0.03). Daratumumab was generally well tolerated. These data suggest that Daratumumab administered alone (i.e., without any other immunosuppressant or agents targeting B-cell activating factor) is highly effective in RLN.
Equivalence of Sobolev norms with respect to weighted Gaussian measures
Authors: Davide Addona
Published: January 2023

We consider the spaces Lp(X, ν; V), where X is a separable Banach space, μ is a centred non-degenerate Gaussian measure, ν := Ke−U μ with normalizing factor K and V is a separable Hilbert space. In this paper we prove a vector-valued Poincaré inequality for functions F ∈ W 1,p(X, ν; V), which allows us to show that for every p ∈ (1,+∞) and every k ∈ N the norm in W k,p(X, ν) is equivalent to the graph norm of DkH (the k-th Malliavin derivative) in Lp(X, ν). To conclude, we show exponential decay estimates for (TV (t))t≥0 as t → +∞. Useful tools are the study of the asymptotic behaviour of the scalar perturbed Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (T(t))t≥0, and pointwise estimates for |DHT(t)f |pH by means both of T(t)|DHf |pH and of T(t)|f |p.
SubjClass[2010]: 28C20; 46E35; 47D06
Impact of climate change on the distribution and habitat suitability of the world’s main commercial squids
Authors: Guerreiro Miguel , Borges Francisco , Santos Catarina , Xavier José Carlos , Hoving Henk-Jan , Rosa Rui
Published: January 2023

Climate change is expected to produce major effects across marine life, and cephalopods seem to benefit from these effects. Of these animals, squids exhibit the greatest levels of biomass and of a substantial importance for human consumption. To test the hypothesis that effects of climate change are beneficial for commercial squid, we used species distribution models on climate scenarios for the period between 2000 and 2014, as well as the years 2050 and 2100 (RCP [representative concentration pathway] 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5; CMIP5). Our results suggest that consequences of climate change scenarios are species specific. In the North Pacific and Northwest Atlantic, habitat suitability may increase (from + 0.83% [Doryteuthis pealeii] to + 8.77% increase [Illex illecebrosus]), while the habitat of other species is predicted to decrease (from − 1.03% [Doryteuthis opalescens] to -15.04% decrease [Loligo reynaudii]). Increases in habitat suitability occurred mostly at higher latitudes, while suitable habitat decrease was predicted for the tropical regions. Stronger changes were attained with the harsher emission scenarios. In the future, as a result of warming of the Arctic, squid habitat may increase along both coasts of North America. In the Southern Hemisphere, squids may lose habitat with no poleward habitat alternatives to move into. Contrary to our hypothesis, commercial squid do not stand to benefit from climate change. Since these squid are an important food source for marine megafauna and humans, it is imperative that climate change biogeographic impacts are considered for a sustainable management of this important group of molluscs.
Copper Removal from Aqueous Solution by Polymer-Enhanced Ultrafiltration Method Using Polyacrylic Acid (PAA) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Polymers
Authors: Mamaghani Ashkan Gorgani , Bidhendi Gholam Reza Nabi , Mehrdadi Naser
Published: January 2023

The presence of heavy metals with low concentrations in water sources can cause problems for human beings, the environment, and animals; so heavy metals should be eliminated from different wastewaters before discharging into water sources. Copper is one of the heavy metals which can cause several problems in low concentrations for animals and especially problems for plants. There are different methods for copper removal from aqueous solutions such as adsorption, chemical precipitation, photocatalysis, ion exchange, membrane filtration, etc. Ultrafiltration (UF) is a kind of membrane filtration. Polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) is able to overcome the limitation of removing heavy metals in UFs and achieve a high removal of heavy metals. In this research, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers, were used separately with UF to remove copper (Cu) from aqueous solutions. Effects of parameters such as pH, copper concentration, the weight ratio of polymer to copper (P/Cu), ionic strength of the influent solution, and filtration pressure on PEUF performance were examined. Also, response surface analyses were applied to see the simultaneous effect of two parameters. Copper removal of more than 67% was obtained by the use of a 5 kiloDalton (kDa) UF membrane without using a polymer which is a relatively high amount. In some conditions, the study has achieved more than 90% copper removal.
Corporate board attributes, institutional strength and energy disclosure practices for controlling greenhouse gas emission in Nigeria
Authors: Jibril Rabiu Saminu , Isa Muhammad Aminu , Hamid Kabir Tahir , Maigoshi Zaharaddeen Salisu
Published: January 2023

The use of non-renewable energy by firms in Nigeria seriously affects biodiversity and the general well-being of the populace. The consequences led the country to be among the top pollution producers globally. However, Nigeria was among the parties that unanimously agreed on the Glasgow Climate Change Conference 2021, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate, to tackle greenhouse gas emissions resulting from non-renewable energy sources. The study is a pioneer in examining how board attributes influence quality and quantity disclosure of energy consumed by the listed non-financial firms for the period of 5 years (2016 – 2020). The study aims at providing empirical evidence on how institutional strength influences the relationship between board attributes and firms' energy in reducing emission discharges and achieving sustainable development goals on world climate policy. The study obtained data from a sample of 78 listed non-financial firms, content analysis technique was employed to compute energy disclosure indexes using Global Reporting Initiatives standards. The study runs a generalized method of movement (GMM) to regulate the impending endogeneity of the selected listed companies in Nigeria. The study also conducted several to robust the findings. The overall results found that board independence, meeting, gender and ownership were significantly related to energy disclosure. The study found an insignificant association between ownership and energy disclosure. Institutional strength has not influenced the relationship between independence, meetings, size and gender on energy disclosure. Institutional strength has positively influenced the relationship between ownership and energy disclosure. Thus, the United Nation should set up a strong committee to evaluate the effectiveness and weaknesses of Global Reporting Initiatives standards as the most widely used Environmental, Social and Governance globally. This will expose the peculiarities of most developing nations like Nigeria in adopting the standards and way forwards to attain Sustainable Development Goals 13.
Applied Research of comprehensive advance geological prediction in Daluoshan diversion tunnel
Authors: Liu Mingqing , Gan Qinyu
Published: January 2023

In order to study the accuracy of the comprehensive advance geological prediction method in the prediction of geological conditions in the tunnel construction project, based on the Daluoshan Diversion Tunnel Project in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, this paper selects typical sections of the diversion tunnel, uses the tunnel seismic scattering imaging technology TST and geological radar to transmit seismic and electromagnetic signals to the face detection section, and processes and interprets the collected signal information. The verification is carried out by using advanced blasthole and advanced drilling. The results show that the geological prediction results are relatively consistent with the actual exposure, and the advance geological prediction can give play to the advantages of various technologies and verify each other, which can greatly improve the accuracy of the advance geological prediction in the application of the headrace tunnel, and provide reference and basis for the later construction, and provide safety assurance.
Work Stressors and Intention to Leave Among Jordanian Nurses During COVID-19: A Cross-sectional study
Authors: Omoush Ola A. , Abushosha Ghada M. , Oweidat Islam A. , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: January 2023

Background: Nurses come across several stressors in the workplace, especially during COVID-19 outbreaks. Work stressors are associated with physical and psychological health problems among workers and thus increase their intentions to leave work. Aim: This study aimed to identify Jordanian nurses’ perceptions regarding work stressors and intention to leave levels, examine if nurses' perceptions regarding work stressors and intention to leave scores differ across nurses' demographic data, and investigate the relationship between work stressors and intention to leave.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A convenient sample of 154 nurses who worked with COVID-19 patients participated in this study. Self-reported questionnaires were sent online via social media applications to participants.
Results: Most of the participants (85.7%) had a positive level of work stressors regarding their perceptions. Concerning the intention to leave, 57.8% of participants had a slightly positive level, and 21.4% had a moderately positive level. There were significant differences in work stressors and the intention to leave scores according to nurses' age, marital status, educational level, and experience duration (p< 0.015). Also, work stressors significantly correlated with intention to leave (r = 0.52, p< 0.001).
Conclusions: Health organizations must adopt strategies, programs, and policies to reduce work stressors and the intention to leave among nurses during these stressful events.
Caterpillar-shaped hierarchical ZSM-5 resulted from the self-assembly of regularly nano-sized primary ZSM-5 zeolite crystals
Authors: Yang Xiaona , Ma Xiaosen , Wang Xuchang , Qin Bo , Zhang Licheng , Du Yanze , Liu Yanchao , Wang Quanhua , Wang Yan , Zheng Jiajun
Published: January 2023

Hierarchical ZSM-5 with a caterpillar-shaped morphology is hydrothermally synthesized, and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption, and NH3-TPD. The synthetic parameters influence on the formation of the caterpillar-shaped hierarchical ZSM-5 are investigated and discussed in details. The results suggest that nano-sized ZSM-5 zeolite crystals is yielded from an appropriate precursor and then forms the caterpillar-shaped hierarchical ZSM-5 by in-situ self-assembly of the primary nanocrystals. SEM and TEM images display that the primary crystals in the caterpillar-shaped zeolite samples formed by self-assembly along b-axis of MFI zeolite have a size of about 100 nm. Catalytic cracking of triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) is selected as a probe reaction so as to investigate the catalytic performances of the as-synthesized caterpillar-shaped hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite. The results show that the as-synthesized hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite with the increased external surfaces exhibits an elevated catalytic activity during the catalytic cracking of TIPB, and the corresponding traditional ZSM-5 zeolite displays very little activity because of the small external surfaces. The results also shows that for the hierarchical ZSM-5-40-5.32-2.1, due to the high external surfaces and the interpenetrated hierarchical pore system, a multi-stage cracking process for the reaction TIPB molecule is detected. That may offer a potential highly effective catalyst for the catalytic cracking of bulky reactant molecule.
An adaptive hybrid blanking algorithm to mitigate the DME pulse interference on BDS B2a receivers
Authors: Zhu Yanbo , Huang Siqi , Guo Kai , Dan Zhiqiang , Fang Kun , Wang Zhipeng , Wang Yiming
Published: January 2023

The performance of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) B2a signal acquisition and tracking is affected when co-existing with the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) pulse signals in the same frequency band. To mitigate the detrimental impacts of DME interference on the B2a receiver, an adaptive hybrid blanking algorithm is proposed which contains time-domain interference detection and frequency-domain interference suppression modules. With flexible configurations, the proposed algorithm is capable of optimizing the interference mitigation according to the strength of the detected DME signals indicated by Jammer-to-noise ratio (J/N). A laboratory testbed is first built to collect simulated B2a data contaminated by DME interference. An empirical model is established to relate J/N with 𝑘𝛼, which is the key parameter of the notch filter that affects the performance of the proposed algorithm. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, outdoor experiments are conducted near 2 DME stations close to the Beijing Capital International Airport. The carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N0) and code tracking errors are analyzed with different mitigation methods applied, including pulse blanking, notch filter and hybrid blanking. Results show that the proposed adaptive hybrid blanking algorithm can achieve the maximum C/N0 and minimum code tracking error. In particular, when applying the proposed algorithm, the mean C/N0 is improved by up to 3.32 dB compared with that when no mitigation method is applied. This study contributes to the development of novel DME interference mitigation approaches to improve the robustness of airborne GNSS receivers.
Primary thyroid rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult: a challenging case with histomolecular diagnosis and literature review
Authors: Alsugair Ziyad , Calcagno Fabien , Lifante Jean-Christophe , Descotes Francoise , Lopez Jonathan , Zirganos Nikolaos , Charon-Barra Céline , Meurgey Alexandra , Decaussin-Petrucci Myriam
Published: January 2023

We report a case of primary thyroid rhabdomyosarcoma in a 61-year-old woman. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of sheets of pleomorphic or spindle-shaped cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and few large and very pleomorphic cells admixed with the spindle cell proliferation, without any thyroid epithelial component. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for muscular markers and negative for epithelial and thyroid differentiation markers (AE1-AE3, EMA, CK5/6, TTF1, PAX8, thyroglobulin). Molecular tests revealed the presence of NF1, PTEN and TERT pathogenic mutations. Major morphological differential diagnoses include anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with rhabdoid phenotype, leiomyosarcoma, as well as other rare sarcomas. In this study, we describe the fifth case in the literature of primary thyroid rhabdomyosarcoma and the third in adults with, for the first time, an extensive molecular analysis.
A Theoretical Approach to Zero-reflection Toroidal Curved Metasurfaces
Authors: Allahverdizade Hosein , Aghdasinia Sina , Younesiraad Hemn , Bemani Mohammad
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we investigate the electromagnetic response of metasurfaces due to excitation of the toroidal moment. An all-dielectric curved metasurface analyzad using a novel theoretical solution based on the Fourier analysis to evaluate the localized fields. Analyzing localized near-field interactions are crucial in investigating the excited trapped modes and enables us to optimize the reflection properties of the proposed metasurface. Optimization is accomplished using graphene layer and resulted a hybrid dielectric-graphene structure with near-zero reflection properties.
Which is the Preferred Endometrium Preparation in the Thin Endometrium Patients for Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer: Moderate Ovarian Stimulation or Hormone Replacement Therapy Protocol? A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hou Zhenhui , Chen Bing , Liu Rang , Xu Chang , Geng Lan , Zhang Qiuju , Xia Xi
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To compare the pregnancy outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with different endometrium preparation protocols among patients with thin endometrium, including moderate ovarian stimulation (MOS) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with endometrium ≦ 7mm. A total of 104 FET cycles were included and analyzed in two groups according to the endometrial preparation protocols, including 52 cycles in the MOS group and 52 cycles in the HRT group, respectively. The primary outcomes consisted of the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate.
Results:After adjusting for confounders with multivariable logistic regression, clinical pregnancy rate in the MOS group appeared to be significantly higher than that in the HRT group (40.38% vs. 19.23%; aOR 3.02, 95% CI 1.11-8.17, P=0.030). The significant improvement of live birth rate in the MOS group was shown only before adjustment (30.76% vs. 13.46%; OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.01-7.37, P=0.047; aOR 2.51, 95% CI 0.84-7.51, P=0.100). In addition, biochemical pregnancy rate (48.08% vs. 28.85%, P=0.044) and ongoing pregnancy rate (30.76% vs. 13.46%, P=0.033) of the MOS group were higher than those in the HRT group, while no significant difference was found in ectopic pregnancy rate (P=1.000), miscarriage rate (P=1.000), gestational age at delivery (P=0.626), birth weight (P=0.278) and birth length (P=0.662).
Conclusion:Compared with HRT, MOS protocol could be an alternative strategy to improve the clinical pregnancy rate of patients with thin endometrium for the FET cycle.
In silico analysis of transcription binding site motifs in endogenous and exogenous retroviruses emphasizes their conservation
Authors: Gomez-Lucia Esperanza , Ocaña Julia , Benitez Laura , Domenech Ana
Published: January 2023

LTRs flanking the proviral genome in retroviruses are functionally divided into three regions: U3, R and U5. Transcription starts in the first nucleotide of the 5’ R and the region just upstream (5’ U3) contains sites which bind cellular factors and trigger transcription, known as TBS. Retroviruses may become endogenous when they infect germ cells, being transmitted throughout generations. In this review we have used the algorithm ALGGEN to analyze the presence of TBS in the U3 region of both endogenous and exogenous retroviruses. Exogenous retroviruses have included different gammaretroviruses (gibbon ape leukemia virus, GALV; murine leukemia virus, MuLV; koala retrovirus, KoRV and feline leukemia virus, FeLV). Endogenous retroviruses studied were related to FeLV (enFeLV). The most abundant TBS found were related to the immune response (adaptive and innate). Many TBS were arranged in clusters combining six or more overlapping sites, and polymorphisms mostly occurred outside the TBS. The number of TBS was similar in most LTRs analyzed. The analysis of TBS may explain the pathogenesis of each viral type. The high degree of conservation of TBS in endogenous sequences supports their importance.
Stocking density and its effects on the sanity and zootechnical development of young Colossoma macropomum in an aquaponics system using constructed semi-dry wetland
Authors: Lima Jô Farias , Bastos Argemiro Midonês , Duarte Sting Silva , Tavares-Dias Marcos
Published: January 2023

This study investigated the growth performance parameters and parasites of Colossoma macropomum farmed in an aquaponic system constructed semi-dry wetland. Fingerling of C. macropomum (8.3 ± 0.9 g) were stocked in three experimental densities: 334, 668 and 1,002 g m− 3 g using four replicates by each treatment. The initial weight of C. macropomum was similar between fish densities tested. Electrical conductivity, nitrite, nitrate, potassium, and magnesium, turbidity, phosphate, total ammonia, and alkalinity increased with fish density. Dissolved oxygen concentrations showed a reduction, reflecting on fish growth. The final weight was different and that it was negatively impacted with increased density. The specific growth rate was similar between treatments with 334 and 668 g m− 3, but it differed significantly from treatment with and 1,002 g m− 3 of fish. The mean weight gain decreased with increased of fish density, while feed conversion ratio increased. Relative condition factor and survival of fish were not affected by the densities of fish. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Anacanthorus spathulatus, Notozothecium janauachensis and Mymarothecium boegeri were parasites found on C. macropomum gills in low abundance, which was not influenced by different densities of fish. Our results showed that fish yield was negatively impacted with increased density and differed between the by different density of fish, while the sanity was not affected.
Dynamic Interlining in Bus Operations
Authors: Zahedi Seyedmostafa , Koutsopoulos Haris N. , Ma Zhenliang
Published: January 2023

The paper introduces and evaluates the concept of the dynamic interlining of buses. Dynamic interlining is an operational strategy for routes with a terminal station at a common hub, allowing a portion of (or all) the fleet to be shared among the routes belonging to the hub (shared fleet) as needed. The shared fleet is dispatched on an on-demand basis to serve scheduled trips on any route to avoid delays and regulate services. The paper examines systematically the impacts of dynamic interlining on service reliability. It formulates the dispatching problem as an optimization problem and uses simulation to evaluate the dynamic interlining strategy under a variety of operating conditions. Using bus routes in Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as a case study, the strategy’s feasibility and factors that affect its performance are investigated. Results show that dynamic interlining can improve service reliability (increases on-time departures and decreases departure headways variability at the hub). The fraction of the fleet that is shared has the most dominant impact on performance. In the case where all buses are dynamically interlined, the performance improves as route frequency increases and more routes participate in the strategy.
Laser Directed Energy Deposition of CoCrFeNiTi High Entropy Alloy Coatings: Effects of Powder Geometry and Laser Power
Authors: Li Yunze , Zhang Dongzhe , Hu Yingbin , Cong Weilong
Published: January 2023

CoCrFeNiTi high entropy alloy (HEA) has been extensively studied to serve as coating materials on complexly shaped parts of equipment used in industries such as oil, gas, and mining due to its high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good high-temperature stability. Laser directed energy deposition has potential to fabricated HEA caotings due to its advantages of excellent metallurgical bonding, high coating density, suppressed element segregation, and the capability of thick coating deposition. However, limited investigations have been conducted on the effects of input parameters (such as powder geometry and laser power) on the mechanical properties of laser DED fabricated CoCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy coatings. In this study, CoCrFeNiTi HEA coatings have been fabricated on Ti substrates from spherical-shaped and irregular-shaped powders under different levels of laser power. The effects of powder geometry and laser power on molten pool thermal characteristics (including temperature, cooling rate, and solidification time), phase constitution, microstructure, and mechanical properties of hardness and wear resistance have been investigated. Under the same laser power, the utilization of irregular-shaped powders resulted in uniform microstructures and higher hardness. For the coatings fabricated from spherical-shaped powders, the increase of laser power could improve the microhardness and wear resistance. For the coatings fabricated from spherical-shaped powders, the increase of laser power could increase the microhardness. However, the wear resistance is increased and then decreased due to the increase in friction of coefficient.