bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyber-attack method and perpetrator prediction using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Bilen Abdulkadir , Özer Ahmet Bedri
Published: April 2021

Cyber-attacks have become one of the biggest problems of the world. They cause serious financial damages to countries and people every day. The increase in cyber-attacks also brings along cyber-crime. The key factors in the fight against crime and criminals are identifying the perpetrators of cyber-crime and understanding the methods of attack. Detecting and avoiding cyber-attacks are difficult tasks. However, researchers have recently been solving these problems by developing security models and making predictions through artificial intelligence methods. A high number of methods of crime prediction are available in the literature. On the other hand, they suffer from a deficiency in predicting cyber-crime and cyber-attack methods. This problem can be tackled by identifying an attack and the perpetrator of such attack, using actual data. The data include the type of crime, gender of perpetrator, damage and methods of attack. The data can be acquired from the applications of the persons who were exposed to cyber-attacks to the forensic units. In this paper, we analyze cyber-crimes in two different models with machine-learning methods and predict the effect of the defined features on the detection of the cyber-attack method and the perpetrator. We used eight machine-learning methods in our approach and concluded that their accuracy ratios were close. The Support Vector Machine Linear was found out to be the most successful in the cyber-attack method, with an accuracy rate of 95.02%. In the first model, we could predict the types of attacks that the victims were likely to be exposed to with a high accuracy. The Logistic Regression was the leading method in detecting attackers with an accuracy rate of 65.42%. In the second model, we predicted whether the perpetrators could be identified by comparing their characteristics. Our results have revealed that the probability of cyber-attack decreases as the education and income level of victim increases. We believe that cyber-crime units will use the proposed model. It will also facilitate the detection of cyber-attacks and make the fight against these attacks easier and more effective.
Using citizen science in the photo-identification of adult individuals of an amphibian based on two facial skin features
Authors: Gould John , Clulow John , Clulow Simon
Published: April 2021

Among amphibians, adults have traditionally been identified in capture-mark-recapture studies using invasive marking techniques with associated ethical, cost and logistical considerations. However, species in this group may be strong candidates for photo-identification based on natural skin features that removes many of these concerns, with this technique opening up opportunities for citizen scientists to be involved in animal monitoring programs. We investigated the feasibility of using citizen science to distinguish between individuals of an Australian anuran (the sandpaper frog, Lechriodus fletcheri) based on a visual analysis of their natural skin features. We collected photographs of marked individuals in the field over three breeding seasons using a smartphone device. This photo-database was used to create an online survey to determine how easily members of the general public could photo-match individuals by a comparison of two facial skin features; black banding that runs horizontally above the tympanum and a background array of tubercles present in this region. Survey participants were provided with 30 closed, multiple choice questions in which they were asked to match separate images of a query frog from small image pools of potential candidate matches. Participants were consistently able to match individuals with a low matching error rate (mean ± SD of 26 ± 5) despite the relatively low quality of photographs taken from a smartphone device in the field, with most query frogs being matched by a majority of participants (mean ± SD of 86.02 ± 9.52%). These features were found to be unique and stable among adult males and females. Thus, photo-identification is likely to be a valid, non-invasive method for capture-mark-recapture for L. fletcheri, and likely many anurans that display similar facial skin features. This may become an important alternative to artificial marking techniques, with the challenges of manual photo-matching reduced by spreading workloads among members of the public that can be recruited online.
Detrimental effects of heat stress on grain weight and quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.) are aggravated by decreased relative humidity
Authors: Yan Haoliang , Wang Chunhu , Liu Ke , Tian Xiaohai
Published: April 2021

There is concern over the impact of global warming on rice production due increased heat stress, coupled with decreased relative humidity (RH). It is unknown how rice yield and quality are affected by heat stress and decreased RH during the grain filling stage. We conducted experiments in controlled growth chambers on six rice cultivars, varying in heat tolerance using 12 combinative treatments of three factors: two RH levels (75% and 85%), three temperature levels (the daily maximum temperature at 33 °C, 35 °C, and 37 °C), and two durations (8 d and 15 d after anthesis). Results showed that RH75% with temperature treatments significantly reduced grain weight, which was higher than RH85%. The same trend was also observed for both head rice rate and chalkiness. R168 was the most heat-tolerant cultivar, but it still had some differences in grain weight, head rice rate, and chalkiness between the two RH regimes. The lower RH was most detrimental at 35 °C, and to a lesser extent at 33 °C, but had a negligible effect at 37 °C. Our results provide a better understanding of temperature and RH’s interaction effects on rice quality during the grain filling stage, suggesting that RH should be considered in heat tolerance screening and identification to facilitate rice breeding and genetic improvement.
Social Environmental Impact on Adolescent Attachment and Peer Relational Competence
Authors: Indala Nancy , Menon Anitha J. , Thankain Kusanthan , Mwaba Sidney O. C.
Published: April 2021

This study aimed at investigating the differences in attachment levels to the caregiver and the differences in interpersonal relational competence between adolescents raised in the home environment and those raised in orphanages. It was hypothesized that adolescents raised in orphanages would be less attached to their caregivers than adolescents raised in the home environment with regard to trust, communication and alienation.  It was also hypothesized that adolescents raised in orphanages would have a lower interpersonal relational competence in comparison to adolescents raised in the home environment. Both the adolescents raised in the home environment and the orphanage-raised adolescents were from Lusaka, Zambia. Stratified sampling technique was used to obtain the sample of 97 adolescents, 48 raised in orphanages and 49 raised in the home environment, between the ages 11 and 14 (M=12.27, S.D= 0.94). The Inventory of Parent Peer Attachment (IPPA) was administered to all participants. Significant differences were found between adolescents raised in orphanages and adolescents raised in the home environment with regard to their attachment to their respective caregivers. There were significant differences in trust in their caregivers between the two groups t (97) -3.6, p= 0.05. As hypothesized, there were significant differences in interpersonal relational competence between adolescents raised in orphanages and adolescents raised in the home environment. Finally, a strong positive correlation between attachment to the caregiver and peer relational competence was found between alienation from the caregiver and alienation from peers r (72) .606, p< .01.Attachment bonds between adolescents and caregivers take place regardless of the rearing environment and peers can buffer the effects of harsh rearing environments. More research is needed to better understand the attachment in children under institutional care to stave off negative effects of institutional care in Zambia.
Geophysical Investigation Using 3-Dimensional Grid-Formation for Subsurface Lithology Characterization (A Case Study of Ovia North East, Edo State, South South Nigeria)
Authors: Airen O. J. , Iyere P. S.
Published: April 2021

Geophysical investigations using three-dimensional (3D) grid formation was carried out in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria for subsurface lithology characterisation so as to generate a comprehensive basemap of the study area. Twelve (12) traverses in form of a rectangular grid were occupied for the 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) using the Wenner array. The 2D were all collated to form the 3D grid. The 2D Electrical Resistivity data was processed by the inversion of the 2D apparent resistivity data using the DIPRO software to generate the 2D inverted resistivity section while the 3D inverted resistivity model was done by inverting all the twelve traverses using 3DEarthimager software to model the 3D cube. The results of the 2D ERI revealed three (03) to five (05) resistivity structures across the twelve traverses indicating clay/clayey sand, sand and sandstone on a 200 and 300 m lateral distance and corresponding depth of 39.6 and 57.3 m across each traverses. Resistivity values generally varies from 16.8 – 45302 Ωm across Traverse 1 – 12. The layer horizontal depth slices of the 3D inverted resistivity distribution are in six layers, which are; 0 - 5 m, 5 – 10.8 m, 10.8 – 17.4 m, 17.4 – 25 m, 25 – 33.7 m and 33.7 – 43.8 m. The 3D inverted resistivity model within the study area covered lateral plane (the roll axis), 300 m, in the x plane (the pitch axis), 200 m lateral distance was covered and in the depth plane (the yaw axis), a maximum depth of 66 m is imaged. The inverted 3D Resistivity values generally vary from 189 - 6149 Ωm across the study area. The resistivity structures delineated from the 3D model are clayey sand and sand.
Genotypic × Environment Interaction and Stability Analysis for Yield and Yield Attributes in Taramira (Eruca sativa Mill.)
Authors: Ola Mahaveer Prasad , Jakhar Mohan Lal , Gothwal D. K. , Ahmadmad Sarfraz , Ram Manohar
Published: April 2021

Aims: To identify the stable genotypes across the different environments for yield and its           attributing traits.

Study Design: Field experimental design was applied.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Research Farm, SKN College of Agriculture, S.K.N. Agriculture University, Jobner (Rajasthan), India in different environments during rabi 2018-19.

Methodology: An experiment was conducted on thirty genotypes of taramira (Eruca Sativa Mill.) in three environments created by three dates of sowing during rabi 2018-2019 in randomized block design with three replications to estimate genotypic × environment interaction and stability parameters for various yield and yield attributing traits. The stability analysis was carried out according to Eberhart and Russell model.

Results: The highest yielding genotypes were RTM-1351, RTM-1810, RTM-1315 and RTM-314. Genotypes RTM-314, RTM-1800, RTM-1810 and RTM-1815 were found relatively stable for seed yield per plant. Genotypes RTM-1795, RTM-1798 and RTM-1799 had below average stability for seed yield per plant and suitable for better environmental conditions. Genotypes RTM-1791, RTM-1815 and RTM-1351 were showed above average stability for seed yield per plant and suitable for poor environmental condition. Further, these genotypes can be utilized in the development of stable cultivar taramira.

Conclusion: Pooled analysis of variance indicated significant differences among environments and genotypes. Genotypes RTM-314, RTM-1800, RTM-1805 and RTM-1810 were found most stable for most of the characters, which can be grown in wide range of environments (all three dates of sowing).
Enhancing Quality of Fodder Sorghum through Application of Fe Chelates
Authors: Sangeetha S. S. , Jawahar D. , Chitdeshwari T. , Babu C. , Lakshmanan L.
Published: April 2021

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech) is one of the important fodder crops for ruminants and it is a dual-purpose crop used as a food and fodder but one of the great limiting factors with the forage sorghum is that it is having an anti-nutritional factor cyanogen, which is extremely toxic to the animals feeding on them. The present experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of iron on the quality of fodder crop. The experiment was laid in Factorial CRD with 3 factors namely seven sources of Iron (Fe glycinate citrate, Fe tartrate, Fe glutamate, FeSO4, Fe-EDDHA, Fe malate) four levels (FeSO4 - 0, 25, 37.5 and 50 kg ha -1 and Fe chelates - 0, 1, 2.5 and 5 kg ha -1) and two different soils (non-calcareous and calcareous). The experiment was carried out with 2 replications. It was seen that application of Ferrous citrate at 5 kg ha -1 has shown the maximum reduction in cyanogen content and it has shown an increase in crude protein and decreased crude fibre content, which are desirable qualities in fodder crop. The variation in above parameter may be due to the fact that Fe is a constructive component of different enzymes (hematian, cytochroms, propyrin and ferrichrome) that favourably improves the nutritional environment of crop and final yield. All treatments supplied with micronutrients irrespective of the soil has shown decreased cyanogen levels below the threshold of 200 ppm, which is safe for feeding cattle as green forage under normal cultivation.
Seasonal Assessment of Quality of Groundwater from Private Owned Wells in Unguja Island Zanzibar
Authors: Mwevura Haji , Haji Moh’d R. , Othman Wahira J. , Okafor Chukwuma J.
Published: April 2021

The Assessment of seasonal changes in groundwater quality is an essential aspect for evaluating pollution level which can be a reflection of the source environment and the activities of man, including the use and management measures. This study examined the effect of seasonal variation on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of groundwater in the Bububu constituency which is located in the West district within the Urban –West region of Unguja Island. The study was conducted using cluster sampling.  Four clusters with a large number of wells were selected for further analysis. The number of wells from each cluster was sampled for physicochemical and bacteriological contamination levels. Samples were collected in two different seasons (Wet and Dry) to allow comparison between the two seasons. Analysis of water samples (N= 52) indicated that the sources are very vulnerable to microbial contamination particularly during the wet season at which 78.85% of the analyzed samples were contaminated with fecal coliform and unfit for human consumption. However, all measured physicochemical parameters were within the acceptable range except the levels of nitrate during the wet season in some samples taken at Kibweni and Sharifumsa which exceeded the recommended level by WHO. There is a need for adequate treatment of water particularly during the wet season as well as serious monitoring and proper regulation by the appropriate authorities to curb the menace and safe guard the lives of people to prevent a possible epidemic.
Knowledge, Attitude and Prevention Practice of COVID-19 in South-West Nigeria
Authors: Eniade Olanrewaju D. , Agbana Dolapo E. , Afam Bridget O.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: To assess knowledge, attitude and prevention practice of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Southwest, Nigeria. This was an online cross-sectional study among dwellers of southwest Nigeria.

Methods: Data were collected online with kobo toolbox and analyzed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, 2018) and the descriptive statistics, test of independence and binary logistic regression were presented.

Results: Of the 286 study participants, 96.1% had good knowledge, 99.3% had positive attitude towards control of COVID-19, while 77.3% had good practices for prevention of the virus. Majority of the participants (86.9%) had tertiary education, 11.3% were 40 years or older. Age and education were independently associated with COVID-19 prevention practice. After adjustment for some selected socio-demographic factors, only age of 10 – 19 years (OR: 3.83, CI: 1.05, 14), age 20-29 years (OR: 2.99, CI: 1.18 -7.55), and 30 -39 years (OR: 4.35, CI: 1.49-12.67) were more likely to have good practice of COVID-19 prevention compared to age >=40 years.

Conclusion: The result revealed a high prevalence of good practices, and the majority had good knowledge of COVID-19 and positive attitude towards control of COVID-19. Age and education were identified to be associated with practice of COVID-19 prevention. Further exploration revealed that elders (>=40years) were not likely to have good practice of COVID-19 prevention. We deduced that good practice of COVID-19 prevention was high in southwest Nigeria but notably low among elders and those who attained below tertiary education in southwest Nigeria. However, people of older age and poor education should be given much attention for proper enlightening and prevention strategies in this pandemic.
Evaluation of Antibiotics Activity among Hospitalized Patients in Iraq
Authors: Fadheel Qayssar Joudah , Naser Rana Talib
Published: April 2021

Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate the activity of different antibiotics used for various diseases and compare between their different effects among hospitalized patients.

Study Design: Randomized prospected clinical study.

Place and Duration of Study: It was carried out in Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital and Al-Sader medical city, Iraq/Al-Najaf Town. The present study began at November 2017 and end  at December 2018.                                                       

Methodology:  Sample of 100 patients in Al-Zahraa teaching Hospital and al-Sader Medical City, was randomly collected 90 cases in Al Sader Medical City ( 35 cases of medical ward and 55 cases from Surgical ward). We collected 10 medical condition in Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital from Gynecological and obstetric ward in random manner.

Results: The results of present study reveal a significant difference between ceftriaxone and ceftazidime  and meropenem in treatment intraabdominal operations infection (appendectomy and cholycystectomy) , the results of present study show that 70% of patient used ceftriaxone for treatment of appendectomy and only 30%of patients used ceftazidime for this condition  so there is a significant difference between these two antibiotics (P-value less than 0.05) and only 10% of patients used meropenem (P-value less than 0.02). Other result of present study show significant difference in use meropenem over ceftriaxone in treatment diabetic foot ulcer(60% rate use meropenem over ceftriaxone 40%), in acute kidney injury, there's very high difference in use meropenem 80% versus 10% of vancomycin use (P-value 0.1).

Conclusions: From current study we concluded that the antibiotics used greatly in surgical ward of Hospital followed  by medical ward , in addition to that antibiotics used in postoperation are  more effective than those used in medical ward , so there are a significant differences obtained among antibiotics used in surgical ward.
Hospital Characteristics and the Patient Satisfaction in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Sherwani Rehan Ahmad Khan , Gill Sajjad Ali , Abbas Shumaila , Saeed Sana , Shahid Hira
Published: April 2021

Objective: Organizational set up of a hospital is broadly responsible to the transfer of services, their usefulness, and structural performance in patient outcomes. In current research, we study the relationship between hospital characteristics and several dimensions of patient satisfaction.

Methods: Cross sectional data of 1680 patients admitted in 14 public and private hospitals located in Lahore, Pakistan was collected through a self-administered questionnaire during March, 2015 to August, 2015. Pearson and Spearman correlation techniques were used in SPSS 21 to find the desired relationships.

Results: Patients were significantly (p<0.05) less satisfied in old aged hospitals as compared to the hospitals recently start operating. High income patients were less satisfied with the hospital than the low income patients. In addition, patients with long duration of stay at hospital were more satisfied than the short stay.

Conclusion: Patient satisfaction is a key component in choosing a hospital for receiving services and also for recommending it to others. It indicates the service quality as well as its delivery. A common tool to improve the quality of care in hospital is to conduct a patients’ satisfaction survey to explore the factors and areas affecting the satisfaction level and also to find out the reasons for dissatisfaction.
PV-Statcom based Smart Inverter in Distribution System
Authors: Dinesh S. , Sentamilselvan Dr.S.
Published: April 2021

Shrewd PV Inverter can be used to give voltage control during basic framework needs on an every minute of every day premise. In the evening, the whole inverter limit is used for Smart PV Inverter activity. During a basic framework unsettling influence in the daytime, the shrewd inverter suspends its genuine force age work incidentally, and discharges its whole inverter limit with regards to Smart PV Inverter activity. When the aggravation is cleared and the requirement for network voltage control is satisfied, the sun oriented homestead gets back to its pre-unsettling influence genuine force creation. The Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) execution of the Smart PV Inverter is shown through both MATLAB reenactments and research center execution utilizing d-SPACE control. This proposed Smart PV Inverter with a reaction season of 1-2 cycles, can offer a comparable support as a genuine Smart PV Inverter in a given application and conceivably look for incomes for offering this assistance.
Using the cognitive interview to recall real‐world emotionally stressful experiences: Road accidents
Authors: Dodier Olivier , Ginet Magali , Teissedre Frédérique , Verkampt Fanny , Fisher Ronald P.
Published: April 2021

This study examined the relevance of the cognitive interview (CI) for the recall of a road accident by actual victims, depending on the level of stress experienced at the time of the event. Fifty‐six victims (or witnesses) were interviewed, either with a CI or control interview, after completing a series of questionnaires including measures of their stress level during the accident. Participants who reported a high level of stress recalled more central details than those with a low level. In addition, participants interviewed with the CI recalled more details than those interviewed with a control interview, regardless of the level of stress experienced during the accident. This experiment confirms the CI's relevance in a stressful context, and after an extended period of time. Practical implications for interviewing victims are discussed.
Mindfulness in face recognition: Embedding mindfulness instructions in the face‐composite construction process
Authors: Giannou Kyriaki , Frowd Charlie D. , Taylor Jason R. , Lander Karen
Published: April 2021

Meditative mindfulness practices, promoting sustained attention and reducing mind‐wandering, have been associated with improvements in cognitive abilities and memory. The present study explored whether a non‐meditative practice could be successfully applied in a forensic application; specifically, whether mindfulness instructions can be embedded in the face‐composite construction process to facilitate identification. Twenty participants, who were not football fans, were asked to memorise an unfamiliar footballer's face and return 24 hr later to construct a face using the self‐administered EvoFIT facial composite system. In the experimental condition, mindfulness instructions were embedded in the EvoFIT system, encouraging witnesses to focus on the target face and the process; in the control condition, participants constructed the face using the standard EvoFIT system. Naming of the composites was attempted by 24 football fans, who each viewed 10 composites, five from each condition, and then the target footballer images to ensure they were familiar with the identities. Results showed significantly higher levels of correct naming for composites constructed using EvoFIT with mindfulness instructions compared to using the standard EvoFIT. These findings indicate the potential for non‐meditative mindfulness instructions to assist face‐composite construction, improving correct naming of ensuing composites.
IR780‐Loaded Hyaluronic Acid@Gossypol–Fe(III)–EGCG Infinite Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Tumor Photothermal/Coordinated Dual Drugs Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Luo Siyuan , Wang Ya , Shen Shihong , Tang Peng , Liu Zeying , Zhang Shuai , Wu Daocheng
Published: April 2021

A novel strategy called “two‐stage dual‐synergistic tumor therapy (TDTT),” which combines photothermal therapy with infinite coordination polymers (ICPs) chemotherapy at the first stage in the short term and two drugs of ICPs synergistic chemotherapy (coordinated dual drugs chemotherapy) at the second stage in the long term, is proposed. This strategy is achieved by preparing IR780‐loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) encapsulated gossypol–Fe(III)–epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) ICP nanoparticles (HA@IRGFE ICP NPs), which have IR780 inclusions, a natural gossypol, and EGCG coordinated with Fe3+ framework, and a HA shell. It is found that the HA@IRGFE ICP NPs’ diameter is 120.0 ± 39.5 nm and has tumor‐targeting ability and can be rapidly released in tumor environment. Their photothermal conversion efficiency is greatly improved to 47.8%, and the total combination index of TDTT is 0.38, which indicates an excellent synergistic therapy result. These HA@IRGFE ICP NPs show low toxicity with a high tolerated dose (30.0 mg kg−1), a high tumor inhibition rate of 98.7%, and a very low tumor recurrence rate over 60 days (12.5%) with TDTT strategy, indicating their great potential applications in the field of tumor therapy.
Emerging Homochiral Porous Materials for Enantiomer Separation
Authors: Lu Yizhihao , Zhang Huacheng , Zhu Yinlong , Marriott Philip J. , Wang Huanting
Published: April 2021

Efficient resolution of racemates of chiral molecules is of great significance in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, fragrances, and food additives industries. Emerging homochiral porous materials such as metal–organic frameworks, covalent‐organic frameworks, porous‐organic cages, and metal‐organic cages with ultrahigh surface area, controllable pore chemistry and ample chiral recognition sites are promising for efficient chiral resolution, which display excellent properties for chiral separation applications. This review summarizes the design and synthesis strategies for the construction of homochiral porous materials, including direct synthesis, post‐synthesis, and chiral induction synthesis. Following this, applications of emerging homochiral porous materials, including enantioselective adsorption, chiral chromatography, and membrane‐based chiral separation are highlighted. Finally, the challenges in this area are discussed, with future perspectives provided.
Thin Functional Zeolite Layer Supported on Infrared Resonant Nano‐Antennas for the Detection of Benzene Traces
Authors: Nuñez Javier , Boersma Arjen , Grand Julien , Mintova Svetlana , Sciacca Beniamino
Published: April 2021

Infrared absorption spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool that enables the identification of molecular species. The sensitivity of this technique, that is strongly limited by the small absorption cross‐section of molecular vibration, can be greatly improved by resonant interaction with nano‐antennas via the surface‐enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) mechanism. However, most of the examples of SEIRA concern solid‐state molecular layers adsorbed on the nano‐antennas, while the detection of gas traces still remains elusive due to the spatial extent of the near‐field that is used to amplify the molecular vibrations resonantly. Here, a hybrid system composed of a plasmonic nano‐antenna array coupled with nanosized zeolite coating for detection of volatile organic compounds in the near field of the resonators is demonstrated. The concerted action of the coating and the nano‐antennas enabled the authors to detect record traces of benzene (25 ppb) within 10 min. This approach may ultimately allow the fabrication of a compact system for rapid detection of pharmaceutical and biocompounds with high sensitivity and high selectivity.
Conversion of Waste Plastics into Value‐Added Carbonaceous Fuels under Mild Conditions
Authors: Jiao Xingchen , Zheng Kai , Hu Zexun , Zhu Shan , Sun Yongfu , Xie Yi
Published: April 2021

Owing to the extremely difficult breakage of the adamant cross‐linked structures, converting non‐recyclable plastic wastes into valuable fuels usually demands rigorous conditions, wherein the required high temperature and pressure is inevitably energy‐wasting and environment‐polluting. Given this aspect, herein, the recent achievements in the conversion of plastics into value‐added carbonaceous fuels under mild conditions are summarized. In detail, solar‐driven conversion of commercial plastics into liquid fuels in alkaline solutions or pure water at ambient temperature and pressure are surveyed; also, enzyme‐driven conversion of polyethylene terephthalate into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol at a mild temperature are emphasized; and low‐temperature‐driven catalytic conversion of polyethylene into oils and waxes with the help of a light alkane are reviewed. Finally, other potentially used strategies and in situ characterization technologies in plastics degradation under moderate conditions are presented.
Emerging Materials and Methods toward Ammonia‐Based Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Chang Fei , Gao Wenbo , Guo Jianping , Chen Ping
Published: April 2021

Efficient storage and conversion of renewable energies is of critical importance to the sustainable growth of human society. With its distinguishing features of high hydrogen content, high energy density, facile storage/transportation, and zero‐carbon emission, ammonia has been recently considered as a promising energy carrier for long‐term and large‐scale energy storage. Under this scenario, the synthesis, storage, and utilization of ammonia are key components for the implementation of ammonia‐mediated energy system. Being different from fossil fuels, renewable energies normally have intermittent and variable nature, and thus pose demands on the improvement of existing technologies and simultaneously the development of alternative methods and materials for ammonia synthesis and storage. The energy release from ammonia in an efficient manner, on the other hand, is vital to achieve a sustainable energy supply and complete the nitrogen circle. Herein, recent advances in the thermal‐, electro‐, plasma‐, and photocatalytic ammonia synthesis, ammonia storage or separation, ammonia thermal/electrochemical decomposition and conversion are summarized with the emphasis on the latest developments of new methods and materials (catalysts, electrodes, and sorbents) for these processes. The challenges and potential solutions are discussed.
Boosting the Recycling Efficiency of Spent Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathodes Using a Green Reductant
Authors: Rose Satchit , Xu Panpan , Gao Hongpeng , Li Mingqian , Yu Xiaolu , Chen Zheng
Published: April 2021

One major bottleneck of today's industrial hydrometallurgical lithium‐ion battery recycling processes is the limited operation efficiency, particularly for leaching Co, Li, and Ni elements. Boosting the leaching rate and solid to liquid (S/L) ratio can increase the productivity and yield of recycled materials, which can save chemicals and energy cost. Herein, the use of ethylene glycol (EG), a green and sustainable reducing agent, for the separation of spent cathode materials resulting in high leaching efficiencies for very high loadings is demonstrated. The dramatically improved leaching efficiency is attributed to the EG reducing moieties that enable better cathode reduction and dissolution. The separation process avoids the use of toxic organic solvents, making the overall leaching process greener. The leaching efficiency is shown to remain high despite the use of high loadings as compared to the state‐of‐the‐art works. The cathode separation process is then modified to allow for a facile separation of a cathode and anode mixture. This mixture is demonstrated to attain high leaching efficiencies at comparable loadings for cathode‐only process. This redox leaching‐based recovery process holds a potential for industry adoption due to the elimination of energy‐intensive pretreatment step and the high efficiencies obtained.
An analysis about analytical calculation of volume roots from cubic equations of state
Authors: Steffen Vilmar , da Silva Edson Antonio
Published: April 2021

The calculation of volume roots from cubic equation of state, for given temperature and pressure, is still an important operation both in industry and academic field. It is proposed the use of Ferrari's formula to calculate the pressure range containing three real positive roots (for pressure and temperature below the critical). In addition, a modification in the Cardano‐Tartáglia's formula is proposed to provide the roots in the ascending order. For low values of reduced temperatures, it is proposed a simple and efficient approximation method to avoid the round‐off errors presented by Cardano‐Tartáglia's formula. It is also proposed a method for calculating the saturation pressure from cubic equations of state. Examples of the methods proposed are presented for the Van der Waals, Soave‐Redlich‐Kwong e Peng‐Robinson equations of state in order to show the quality and reliability of the methods proposed.
Venetoclax combinations induce high response rates in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy in routine practice
Authors: Apel Arie , Moshe Yakir , Ofran Yishai , Gural Alexander , Wolach Ofir , Ganzel Chezi , Canaani Jonathan , Zektser Miri , Duek Adrian , Stemer Galia , Hellman Ilana , Basood May , Frisch Avraham , Leibovitch Chiya , Koren‐Michowitz Maya
Published: April 2021

Combinations of the BCL‐2 inhibitor, venetoclax, with either hypomethylating agents (HMA) or low dose cytarabine (LDAC), have shown promising results in clinical trials of AML patients unfit for intensive therapy. We report on the efficacy and safety of venetoclax combinations in AML patients treated outside of clinical trials. Complete remission (CR) + CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) were achieved in 61% of patients, with similar CR+CRi rates in with secondary AML, and in patients who were previously treated with HMA (61% and 43%, respectively). Relapse occurred in 25% of patients, with a median event‐free survival (EFS) of 11.7 months (95% CI, 10.09–13.35) in responding patients. At a median follow up of 8.7 months, the median overall survival (OS) was 9.8 months (95% CI 6.42–13.3) in the entire cohort. In multivariate analysis adverse karyotype was the only negative predictor of CR/CRi (p = .03), while both ECOG performance status (PS) and adverse karyotype were significantly associated with shorter OS (p = .023 and .038, respectively). Median OS was higher in patients achieving CR/CRi and in patients proceeding to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT). Treatment was well tolerated, with side effects similar to those described in the randomized clinical trials. Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurred in 12% of patients. Our data support the efficacy and safety of venetoclax combinations in newly diagnosed AML patients not eligible for intensive therapy. According to our data, secondary AML patients could benefit from venetoclax combinations similarly to de‐novo AML patients, and allo‐SCT could be offered to selected patients achieving CR/CRi.
Synthesis of Spiro[benzo[b]thiophene‐2(3H),1′‐cyclopropan]‐3‐ones via Domino Reaction Between Thioaurones and Sulfur Ylides
Authors: Dai Yayue , Di Jianhao , Hao Zeyang , Meng Xiangtai , Zhang Lei
Published: April 2021

A Cs2CO3‐promoted domino reaction between thioaurones and sulfur ylides was developed. A series of spiro[benzo[b]thiophene‐2(3H),1′‐cyclopropan]‐3‐ones were obtained in good‐to‐high yields. The present domino strategy tolerated both electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating groups on both thioaurones and sulfur ylides. The reaction mechanism and the origin of the observed diastereoselectivity were investigated.
Oxidative [3+2] Annulation of Pyridinium Salts with gem‐Difluoroalkenes: Synthesis of 2‐Fluoroindolizines
Authors: Yang Li–Miao , Zhang You‐Ya , Deng Jing‐Tong , Ma Ai‐Jun , Zhang Xiang‐Zhi , Zhang Shu‐Yu , Peng Jin‐Bao
Published: April 2021

An oxidative [3+2] annulation of pyridinium salts with gem‐difluoroalkenes for the synthesis of highly substituted 2‐fluoroindolizines has been developed. Using DBU as base, a broad range of multisubstituted 2‐fluoroindolizines were prepared in good to excellent yields under mild conditions, and many useful functional groups can be tolerated.
Detection of Brain Somatic Mutations in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Refractory Epilepsy Patients
Authors: Kim Seyeon , Baldassari Sara , Sim Nam Suk , Chipaux Mathilde , Dorfmüller Georg , Kim Dong Seok , Chang Won Seok , Taly Valérie , Lee Jeong Ho , Baulac Stéphanie
Published: April 2021

Brain mosaic mutations are a major cause of refractory focal epilepsies with cortical malformations such as focal cortical dysplasia, hemimegalencephaly, malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia in epilepsy, and ganglioglioma. Here, we collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during epilepsy surgery to search for somatic variants in cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) using targeted droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. In 3 of 12 epileptic patients with known somatic mutations previously identified in brain tissue, we here provide evidence that brain mosaicism can be detected in the CSF‐derived cfDNA. These findings suggest future opportunities for detecting the mutant allele driving epilepsy in CSF. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:1248–1252
Biosensing human blood clotting factor by dual probes: Evaluation by deep long short‐term memory networks in time series forecasting
Authors: Gopinath Subash C.B. , Ismail Zool Hilmi , Shapiai Mohd Ibrahim , Sobran Nur Maisarah Mohd
Published: April 2021

Artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) has become a potential tool for use in a wide range of fields, and its use is expanding in interdisciplinary sciences. On the other hand, in a clinical scenario, human blood‐clotting disease (Royal disease) detection has been considered an urgent issue that has to be solved. This study uses AIoT with deep long short‐term memory networks for biosensing application and analyzes the potent clinical target, human blood clotting factor IX, by its aptamer/antibody as the probe on the microscaled fingers and gaps of the interdigitated electrode. The earlier results by the current–volt measurements have shown the changes in the surface modification. The limit of detection (LOD) was noticed as 1 pM with the antibody as the probe, whereas the aptamer behaved better with the LOD at 100 fM. The time‐series predictions from the AIoT application supported the obtained results with the laboratory analyses using both probes. This application clearly supports the results obtained from the interdigitated electrode sensor as aptamer to be the better option for analyzing the blood clotting defects. The current study supports a great implementation of AIoT in sensing application and can be followed for other clinical biomarkers.
Durchstanztragverhalten stahlfaserverstärkter Flachdecken mit Durchstanzbewehrung
Authors: Landler Josef , Fischer Oliver
Published: April 2021

Die DAfStb‐Richtlinie „Stahlfaserbeton“ bildet in Deutschland die normative Grundlage zur Durchstanzbemessung stahlfaserverstärkter Flachdecken. Mangels ausreichender Erkenntnisse wurde hierbei eine Kombination von Stahldrahtfasern und zusätzlicher Durchstanzbewehrung explizit ausgeschlossen. Während umfassende Untersuchungen an stahlfaserverstärkten Flachdecken ohne Durchstanzbewehrung vorliegen, sind den Autoren lediglich acht Versuche mit Durchstanzbewehrung bekannt. Diese wenigen Versuche verwendeten für Deutschland untypische Bewehrungsformen oder zeigten ein Biegeversagen, weshalb diese nur bedingt zutreffende Aussagen über das Tragverhalten erlauben. Aufgrund dieser Tatsache sowie der zu erwartenden günstigen Tragwirkung wurden zur Untersuchung des Tragverhaltens stahlfaserverstärkter Flachdecken mit Bügeln und Doppelkopfbolzen als Durchstanzbewehrung sieben Versuche durchgeführt. Das Versuchsprogramm umfasst neben einem faserverstärkten Versuch ohne Durchstanzbewehrung zwei faserfreie und vier faserverstärkte Versuche mit Durchstanzbewehrung. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt die durchgeführten experimentellen Untersuchungen und diskutiert die gewonnenen Ergebnisse.
Response of TLD‐600/TLD‐700 and CR‐39 to neutrons for medical dosimetry
Authors: El‐Faramawy Nabil , Chopra Vibha , Rawash Shrouk , El‐Hafez Arafa Abd , Dhoble Sanjay J.
Published: April 2021

In this study, thermoluminescence detectors (TLD)‐600 and TLD‐700 were used under different conditions to study neutron dosimetry for its application in medical dosimetry as albedo dosimeters. 6LiF has a high cross‐section for neutrons and is more sensitive to neutrons than to gamma radiation. Conversely, TLD‐700 showed a better response to gamma radiation. Therefore, to obtain the response for neutrons, the responses for TLD‐600 and TLD‐700 were subtracted. A cadmium sheet was used to absorb incident thermal neutrons so that detector measured only backscattered neutrons from the albedo dosimeter. A Perspex sheet was used as a moderator to thermalize the fast neutron source Am‐Be used in the experiment. CR‐39 was used to detect fast neutrons and act as an albedo dosimeter when covered with a 10B disc. Both TLD and CR‐39 dosimeters were successful in detecting scattered neutrons in radiotherapy rooms.
Pt‐based Intermetallic Nanocatalysts for Promoting the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Kim Ho Young , Kim Jin Young , Joo Sang Hoon
Published: April 2021

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a performance‐dictating cathodic reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and Pt‐based alloy catalysts are the mainstay for the ORR. Owing to their excellent activity and stability, Pt‐based intermetallic nanostructures have recently emerged as promising ORR catalysts. Their ordered atomic arrangement of constituent elements with a constant stoichiometry endows higher stability, and more intensified strain and ligand effects than the random alloy phase. In this account, recent advances in Pt‐based intermetallic nanocatalysts are reviewed. We illustrate recent advances in synthetic strategies for these catalysts, and discuss the underlying principles for the activity enhancement. We also introduce notable examples that have demonstrated high performances in practical PEMFCs. Finally, current issues and future directions are suggested. We envisage that the rapid progress in the intermetallic nanocatalysts would lead to their widespread usage in PEMFCs in the future.
An account of strategies and innovations for teaching chemistry during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Pilkington Lisa I. , Hanif Muhammad
Published: April 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic led to an abrupt suspension of face‐to‐face teaching activities in higher education institutions across the globe. The instructors and faculty at most institutions have had to adapt, invent, and implement adjustments quickly to adopt an online learning environment. This has been an extraordinarily challenging time for both students and instructors, particularly as many were not aware of the affordances and weaknesses of the online learning environment before it was uptaken. Particularly for chemistry and related disciplines, this change in delivery mode is even more disruptive in courses that have laboratory components due to loss of access to laboratories. As a teaching community, it was our responsibility to respond quickly and effectively to students' learning needs during this unprecedented global crisis. In our course, we provided succinct pre‐recorded lecture‐videos by topic rather than live‐streaming of lectures. The recordings were made available to students a minimum of 24 h before the scheduled lecture time. Students were then provided opportunities to attend live tutorial sessions (held on Zoom and live Q&A feature on Piazza) if they had any questions that they wanted to ask the lecturer directly. We believe that the asynchronous sessions were more equitable than synchronous ones. This meant that students with difficult and challenging home/learning environments (i.e., disruptions at home, work/family schedules, poor internet, limited access to devices, etc.) were minimally disadvantaged. The approach worked well in general for teaching chemistry to pharmacy students and we believe that it can be adopted for other subjects.
Splenic vein enlargement, a rare cause of nutcracker syndrome
Authors: Karami Mehdi , Kouhi Hossein , Sadatmadani Seyedeh Fatemeh , Sadeghi Bahar , Rostamiyan Narges , Hashemzadeh Mozhdeh
Published: April 2021

Abnormal enlargement of the splenic vein is one of the etiologies of nutcracker syndrome that should be considered when examining the causes of this syndrome. Because knowing rare etiologies can help correct diagnose and reduce mortality.
Anticancer Potential of Small‐Molecule Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Monoacylglycerol Lipase
Authors: Jaiswal Shivani , Ayyannan Senthil Raja
Published: April 2021

Recently fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors have been in the limelight due to their anticancer potential. Both FAAH and MAGL are the endocannabinoid degrading enzymes that hydrolyze several endogenous ligands, mainly anandamide (AEA) and 2‐arachidonic glycerol (2‐AG), which regulate various pathophysiological conditions in the body such as emotion, cognition, energy balance, pain sensation, neuroinflammation, and cancer cell proliferation. FAAH and MAGL inhibitors block the metabolism of AEA and 2‐AG, increase endogenous levels of fatty acid amides, and exert various therapeutic effects including chronic pain, metabolic disorders, psychoses, nausea and vomiting, depression, and anxiety disorders. FAAH and MAGL are primarily neurotherapeutic targets, but their contribution to various types of carcinomas are significant. Inhibitors of these enzymes either alone or as multitarget agents, or with supra‐additive effects show the potential effect in ovarian, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Besides highlighting the role of FAAH and MAGL in cancer progression, this review provides an update on the anticancer capabilities of known and newly discovered FAAH and MAGL inhibitors and also provides further directions to develop FAAH and MAGL inhibitors as new candidates for cancer therapy.
Trophic effects of multiple administration of mesenchymal stem cells in children with osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Ramesh Sowmya , Daniel Dolly , Götherström Cecilia , Madhuri Vrisha
Published: April 2021

The safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for osteogenesis imperfecta has been demonstrated previously. However, it is unknown how the trophic effects are mediated by stem cells. In the present commentary, we bring to the attention of readers the recent report by Infante et al in the journal of clinical and translational medicine. The TERCELOI clinical trial presented the possible paracrine effect of transplanted MSCs in vitro and in vivo using proteomics and transcriptomic analysis. This novel finding adds new knowledge in the field of regenerative medicine. However, the scarcity of solid evidence in growth warrants a more thorough discussion.