bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water from Cooked Beans as Substrate for Some Heterotrophic Organisms: Case Study of Moulds
Authors: Tuebue J. C. Fopoussi , Basga S. D. , Tematio P. , Nguetnkam J. P.
Published: March 2022

The discovery of new ecological fertilizers can sustainably enhance plants nutrition. In that point of view, the present study aimed to demonstrate the high concentration of water from cooked beans in organic compounds, various mineral salts and water. For that purpose, moulds were used because of the above listed elements as their basic feeding needs. Cold water from cooked beans was collected and kept during five days at open-air; the evolution of its aspect was daily followed up. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in 10 replicates; an eleventh bucket filled with the same water was used to perform some of its characterization. The moulds are Aspergillus L. The water from cooked beans is a heterogeneous mixture and particularly a globular proteic suspension. At rest, it organizes itself in a superficial flaky domain and a lower liquid domain. The flaky domain is mainly organic and the liquid domain is mainly both mineral and aqueous. The density of the flaky domain was 0.964 and that of the aqueous domain was1.011. The average speed of the growth of Aspergillus L. at the surface of the water from cooked beans was 3,17 cm2/H; they cover then in five days a surface of 379.74 cm2. The exponential growth of Aspergillus L. at the surface of the water from cooked beans generated a continuous decreasing of the pH; this behavior shows that the water from cooked beans seems to be an adequate substrate; it then implicitly contains all the nutrients required for their optimal development; this include water, organic matters and mineral salts among which nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and calcium can be named; it is then a complete liquid organic fertilizer. That water appears also as a high grade activator for soils micro flora. Peasants could thus save a lot of money by using this liquid single or in combination with other fertilizers to promote the sustainable development of agriculture in their ecosystems.
Ethnicity, Democracy, and Political Instability in Nigeria: An Appraisal
Authors: Promise Ogele, Eziho
Published: March 2022

The article examined how ethnocentrism is used to further the interest of petty bourgeoisie leading to political instability in Nigeria. The establishment of elective principle midwifed liberal democratic party system in 1922. The Nigerian National Democratic Party in Nigeria was the first party to be birthed. The electoral requirements for candidates and electorates provided opportunities for the educated elite to hijack the process. The partitioning of the country into three regions-east, north and west in 1945 led to the formation of ethnic based political parties- National Congress Nigeria and Cameroon (east), Northern People Congress(north), and Action Group (west), which gave rise to fierce ethnic competition among the political elite. The political elites fell back to the region to consolidate their power base. The contention for space-dominance became more pronounced. However, over decades, this politics of ethnic acrimony has continued and increased the degree of political instability to the extent that almost all the general elections conducted in the post-independence era have been bedeviled with electoral violence leading to destruction of lives and properties. The study adopted clientelist theory and culture of violence theory in its theoretical underpinning. The study explored qualitative method of data gathering technique. The study unraveled that the competition for political position predicated on primitive accumulation of natural resources promotes ethnic cleavage. The study recommends amongst others that politicians indicted for electoral violence in past and present should be tried in the content court of jurisdiction to discourage political violence in Nigeria.
Plant Pan-genomes: A New Frontier in Understanding Genomic Diversity in Plants
Authors: Rehman Rao Saad , Zafar Syed Ali , Ali Mujahid , Ahmad Muhammad , Pasha Asad Nadeem , Waseem Muhammad , Hafeez Ameer Hamza , Raza Asad
Published: March 2022

The comparison of several associated species and plant genome sequencing efforts has increased in recent years. The inflated level of the genomic variety leads to the discovery that the single reference genomes may not reflect the variability in a species, resulting in the evolution of a pan-genome idea. Pan-genomes exhibit a species' genetic variability and contain mutant genes lacking in some individuals and essential genes present in all individuals. Mutant gene classifications often reveal cross-species parallels, including genes for abiotic and biotic stresses generally concentrated within mutant gene groupings. Here we discuss the history of pan-genomics in plants, investigate the causes of gene variation, deletion, and existence and demonstrate why pan-genomes might assist crop genetics and breeding research.
Observational study of medical marijuana as a treatment for treatment‐resistant epilepsies
Authors: Devinsky Orrin , Marmanillo Angelica , Hamlin Theresa , Wilken Philip , Ryan Daniel , Anderson Conor , Friedman Daniel , Todd George
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Medical cannabis formulations with cannabidiol (CBD) and delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are widely used to treat epilepsy. We studied the safety and efficacy of two formulations.

Methods

We prospectively observed 29 subjects (12 to 46 years old) with treatment‐resistant epilepsies (11 Lennox–Gastaut syndrome; 15 with focal or multifocal epilepsy; three generalized epilepsy) were treated with medical cannabis (1THC:20CBD and/or 1THC:50CBD; maximum of 6 mg THC/day) for ≥24 weeks. The primary outcome was change in convulsive seizure frequency from the pre‐treatment baseline to the stable optimal dose phase.

Results

There were no significant differences during treatment on stable maximal doses for convulsive seizure frequency, seizure duration, postictal duration, or use of rescue medications compared to baseline. No benefits were seen for behavioral disorders or sleep duration; there was a trend for more frequent bowel movements compared to baseline. Ten adverse events occurred in 6/29 patients, all were transient and most unrelated to study medication. No serious adverse events were related to study medication.

Interpretation

Our prospective observational study of two high‐CBD/low‐THC formulations found no evidence of efficacy in reducing seizures, seizure duration, postictal duration, or rescue medication use. Behavioral disorders or sleep duration was unchanged. Study medication was generally well tolerated. The doses of CBD used were lower than prior studies. Randomized trials with larger cohorts are needed, but we found no evidence of efficacy for two CBD:THC products in treating epilepsy, sleep, or behavior in our population.
Study on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr12mov Alloy Deposited by Laser Melting Deposition
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Chen Xin , Xia Yelin , Yuan Ruwang , Lei Jianbo
Published: March 2022

The deposition samples of Cr12MoV with different scanning speeds are prepared by laser melting deposition technology. Compared with forged Cr12MoV, the mechanism of laser melting deposition technology to improve hardness and wear resistance is studied. The tensile specimens of as‐deposited Cr12MoV are prepared by using the optimal process parameters. The fracture mechanism of as‐deposited Cr12MoV and the effect of deposition direction on its mechanical properties are studied. The phase composition and microstructure of deposited and forged samples are studied by X‐Ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the martensite in the as‐deposited Cr12MoV sample increases and has a finer grain size, which achieves the effect of fine‐grain strengthening. The hardness and wear resistance of the deposited Cr12MoV samples at three laser scanning speeds (4, 8, and 12 mm s−1) are better than those of the forged samples. The tensile fracture mode of the deposited Cr12MoV sample is an intergranular brittle fracture, and the sample perpendicular to the laser scanning speed has higher tensile strength and more excellent elongation.
Issues in Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technique: A Review
Authors: Essien Ubong , Vaudreuil Sébastien
Published: March 2022

The success in metal matrix composites (MMCs) fabrication by laser powder bed fusion (L‐PBF) technique has opened doors to further advanced materials development. But the drive to produce fully dense MMCs from a combination of metal and ceramic materials still faces serious setbacks arising from the associated complex phenomena and defects formation. This article discusses some of the issues that encourage defects generation in particulate‐reinforced MMCs. It further presents an overview of the additive manufacturing (AM) defects influenced by reinforcement addition and mitigation strategies. The review seeks to broaden the scope of L‐PBF fabrication defects concerning MMCs, and give a perspective on tailor designing feedstock materials for AM fabrication of high‐quality MMCs. Powder particles segregation, inappropriate scanning strategy, and combine effect of influencing parameters (processing and material) and defects are issues not often accounted for that encourage processing defects in MMCs. A holistic approach that accounts for all the controllable and materials related parameters, irrespective of their negligible influences on the optimal processing window, is expected to enhance the quality of L‐PBF‐fabricated MMCs. Furthermore, tailor designing of the feedstock materials may offer enhanced reinforcement material dispersion within the matrix and help reduce attendant defects from uneven reinforcement particles dispersion.
Membranotronics: Bioinspired Nonlinear Ion Transport with Negative Differential Resistance Based on Elastomeric Membrane System
Authors: Faghih Maryam , Karnaushenko Daniil , Besford Quinn A. , Becker Christian , Ravishankar Rachappa , Karnaushenko Dmitriy D. , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Fery Andreas , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: March 2022

Biological neural networks enable rapid communication between cells, which has inspired the development of artificial smart neuro‐mimetic systems. In this work, freestanding elastomeric membranes are fabricated with 3D structured holes to induce nonlinear ion‐based transport. These 3D microholes are embedded in a soft polymeric membrane via a grayscale lithographical process and demonstrate ionic rectification, negative differential ionic resistance, ionic conductivity gating, and spiking under an applied electric field bias. The ion transport behavior of these membranes is affected by the shape, size, number, and chemical functionalization of the embedded microholes. The microholes are functionalized with responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) polymer brush layers allowing to alter the electric gating behavior by external stimuli that includes temperature and chemical composition of the surrounding environment. The electrically biased membranes with a linear array of eight equidistantly spaced microholes exhibit synchronous gating of ionic transport through each one. These individual microholes are equipped with circumjacent blocking stretchable electrodes to simultaneously measure the exact onset time delay of the spikes during the synchronous gating. The operation of the freestanding elastomeric membranes with embedded microholes mimics the behavior of neural membranes. Membranotronics will pave the way toward bioinspired soft artificial neuro‐mimetic systems mechanically and electrochemically comparable to their biological counterpart.
Barycenter Self‐Adapting Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Sea Water Wave High‐Entropy Energy Harvesting and Self‐Powered Forecasting in Marine Meteorology
Authors: Yang Yuhan , Wen Jing , Chen Furong , Hao Yutao , Gao Xiaobo , Jiang Tao , Chen Baodong , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: March 2022

As a high entropy energy (HEE), irregular seawater waves are a promising source of sustainable energy, and the development of matched harvesting technology is imperative to accommodate the new era. Here, a barycenter self‐adapting triboelectric nanogenerator (BSA‐TENG) that addresses these concerns and shows its applications as a distributed power source in isolated waters is reported. Benefitting from the physical gravity‐guided structure design, random vibrational water wave HEE can be effectively converted into rotational mechanical energy and then converted into electric energy. In a nonlinear seawater wave pool, a unit delivers a peak power of 0.1 mW under a load resistance of 500 MΩ when the working frequency is <1 Hz. On this basis, a self‐powered temperature sensor system and wireless signal transmitter have been developed and driven entirely by the BSA‐TENG. This work plays a key role in promoting ocean HEE harvesting and provides a workable way for a self‐powered service system in seawater wave and marine meteorology monitoring and forecasting.
Multi‐Mode Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Gene‐Transfection and Immunomodulatory Nanoparticles in 3D‐Printed Scaffolds for Synergistic Exogenous and Endogenous Treatment of Infections
Authors: Qu Xinhua , Wang Minqi , Wang Miaochen , Tang Haozheng , Zhang Shutao , Yang Hongtao , Yuan Weien , Wang You , Yang Jianping , Yue Bing
Published: March 2022

As research on refractory Staphylococcus aureus‐related implant infection intensifies, certain challenges remain, including low antibiotic concentrations within infected areas, immune escape achieved by intracellular bacteria, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) inducing regional immunosuppression, and recurrence of residual pathogenic bacteria after drug suspension. Herein, a novel antimicrobial system to simultaneously address these issues is proposed. Specifically, an oxygen‐species‐responsive 3D‐printed scaffold with shell–core nanoparticles is designed, which are loaded with an antimicrobial peptide plasmid (LL37 plasmid) and have LL37 grafted on their surface (LL37@ZIF8‐LL37). The surface‐grafted LL37 directly kills S. aureus and, following entry into cells, the nanoparticles kill intracellular bacteria. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo, following translation of the LL37 plasmid, cells function as factories of the antimicrobial peptide, thereby generating a continuous, prolonged antibacterial effect at the site of infection. This system significantly reduces the abnormal increase in MDSCs within the infected microenvironment, thus relieving the immunosuppressive state and restoring a protective antimicrobial immune response. Hence, this proposed antimicrobial system provides an antimicrobial immune response and a novel strategy for S. aureus‐related infections by offering a combined active antimicrobial and immunotherapeutic strategy, thereby significantly reducing the recurrence rate following recovery from implant‐associated infections.
A Biomaterial‐Based Hedging Immune Strategy for Scarless Tendon Healing
Authors: Wang Zhen , Xiang Lei , Lin Feng , Tang Yunkai , Deng Lianfu , Cui Wenguo
Published: March 2022

Scarring rather than regeneration, is an inevitable outcome of unbalanced amplifications of inflammation‐destructive signals and atresia of the regenerative niche. However, identifying and effectively hedging against the risk of scarring and realizing the conversion of regenerative cues remain difficult. In this work, a hedging immune strategy based microfibrous membrane (Him‐MFM), by tethering distearoyl phosphoethanolamine layer‐supported copoly(lactic/glycolic acid) electrospun fibers with identified CD11b+/CD68+scarring subpopulation membranes in the immune landscape after tendon injury to counterweigh tissue damage, is reported. Him‐MFM, carrying relevant risk receptors is shown to shift high type I biased polarization, alleviate apoptosis and metabolic stress, and mitigate inflammatory tenocyte response. Remarkably, the hedging immune strategy reverses the damaged tendon sheath barrier to the innate IL‐33 secretory phenotype by 4.36 times and initiates the mucous‐IL‐33‐Th2 axis, directly supplying a transient but obligate regenerative niche for sheath stem cell proliferation. In murine flexor tendon injury, the wrapping of Him‐MFM alleviates pathological responses, protects tenocytes in situ, and restores hierarchically arranged collagen fibers covered with basement membrane, and is structurally and functionally comparable to mature tendons, demonstrating that the hedging immunity is a promising strategy to yield regenerative responses not scarring.
Polydopamine Decorated Microneedles with Fe‐MSC‐Derived Nanovesicles Encapsulation for Wound Healing
Authors: Ma Wenjuan , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Liu Yuxiao , Fan Lu , Gan Jingjing , Liu Weilin , Zhao Yuanjin , Sun Lingyun
Published: March 2022

Wound dressing with the capacities of antioxidation, antiinflammation, and efficient angiogenesis induction is expected for effectively promoting wound healing. Herein, a novel core‐shell hyaluronic acid (HA) microneedle (MN) patch with ferrum‐mesenchymal stem cell‐derived artificial nanovesicles (Fe‐MSC‐NVs) and polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) encapsulated in the needle tips is presented for wound healing. Fe‐MSC‐NVs containing multifunctional therapeutic cytokines are encapsulated in the inner HA core of the MN tips for accelerating angiogenesis. The PDA NPs are encapsulated in the outer methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) shell of the MN tips to overcome the adverse impacts from reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐derived oxidative stress. With the gradual degradation of HAMA patch tips in the skin, the PDA NPs are sustainably released at the lesion to suppress the ROS‐induced inflammation reaction, while the Fe‐MSC‐NVs significantly increase the migration, proliferation, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). More attractively, the combination of PDA NPs and Fe‐MSC‐NVs further promotes M2 macrophage polarization, thereby suppressing wound inflammation. Through in vivo experiment, the Fe‐MSC‐NVs/PDA MN patch shows an excellent effect for diabetic wound healing. These features of antioxidation, antiinflammation, and pro‐angiogenesis indicate the proposed composite core‐shell MN patch is valuable for clinical wound healing applications.
The stability of youth popular opinion leaders selected over time using social network analysis
Authors: Waterman Emily A. , Edwards Katie M. , Keyes Antoni B. , Zulfiqar Hafsa , Banyard Victoria L. , Valente Thomas W.
Published: March 2022

Community interventions that use social network analysis to identify and involve influential individuals are promising for behavior change. However, youth friendships are often unstable. The current study examined the stability of the youth selected as influential in a friendship social network, that is, the degree to which youth selected at one time point were also selected at subsequent time points. Influential youth, also called popular opinion leaders (POLs), were selected to be part of a community‐wide sexual violence prevention initiative. POLs were selected based on high in‐degree (number of times an individual was nominated as a best friend by another student). We found that POLs were unstable: only 29.81%–41.01% of POLs were stable across time. The percentage of POLs who were stable decreased across time. No factors (social identities, behavioral, attitudinal) consistently predicted POL stability. Although these findings are in need of replications, social network interventions for youth may need to repeatedly select new POLs to account for instability.
Identical EP300 variant leading to Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome with different clinical and immunologic phenotype
Authors: Saettini Francesco , Fazio Grazia , Bonati Maria Teresa , Moratto Daniele , Massa Valentina , Di Fede Elisabetta , Castiglioni Silvia , Marchetti Daniela , Chiarini Marco , Sottini Alessandra , Iascone Maria , Cazzaniga Giovanni , Imberti Luisa , Biondi Andrea , Gervasini Cristina , Badolato Raffaele
Published: March 2022

The Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by craniofacial dysmorphisms, broad thumbs and toes, intellectual disability, growth deficiency, and recurrent infections. Mutations in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element‐binding protein (CREB)‐binding protein (CREBBP) or in the E1A‐associated protein p300 (EP300) genes have been demonstrated in 55% (RSTS1) and up to 8% of the patients (RSTS2), respectively. Dysfunction of immune response has been reported in a subgroup of individuals with RSTS. Here we characterize two patients carrying the same EP300 variant and distinctive RSTS features (including congenital heart abnormalities, short stature, feeding problems, and gastroesophageal reflux). Whole exome sequencing did not support a dual molecular diagnosis hypothesis. Nonetheless, patients showed distinct clinical manifestations and immunological features. The most severe phenotype was associated with reduced T‐cell production and diversity. This latter feature was confirmed in a control group of four RSTS patients.
Circularly Polarized White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Spiro‐Type Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Pin , Mao Meng‐Xi , Song Shi‐Quan , Wang Yi , Zheng You‐Xuan , Zuo Jing‐Lin , Pan Yi
Published: March 2022

In this study, we report the first circularly polarized white organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐WOLEDs) based on all thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials. Two pairs of spiro‐type TADF enantiomers, (R/S)‐SPOCN (5,5′‐((2,2′,3,3′‐tetrahydro‐1,1′‐spirobi[indene]‐7,7′‐diyl)bis(oxy))bis(4‐(10H‐phenoxazin‐10‐yl)phthalonitrile)) and (R/S)‐OSFSO (2′‐(trifluoromethyl)‐spiro[quinolino[3,2,1‐kl]phenoxazine‐9,9′‐thioxanthene]‐10′,10′‐dioxide), serve as emitters with complementary emission. The CP‐OLEDs exhibit warm white emission with a CIE coordinate of (0.35, 0.46). Besides, decent device performances are observed with an external quantum efficiency of up to 21.6 % at maximum and 11.8 % at 1000 cd m−2. Obvious circularly polarized electroluminescence signals are detected with a dissymmetry factor |gEL| of around 3.0×10−3. This is the first report of CP‐WOLEDs that can harvest both singlet and triplet excitons, which provides a feasible strategy for the development of CP‐WOLEDs with remarkable device performances.
Enantiomeric Water‐Soluble Octopus[3]arenes for Highly Enantioselective Recognition of Chiral Ammonium Salts in Water
Authors: Han Xiao‐Ni , Li. Peng‐Fei , Han Ying , Chen Chuan‐Feng
Published: March 2022

Study of enantioselective recognition in water by synthetic chiral macrocyclic receptors is undoubtedly of theoretical and practical significance, but it is a big challenge to achieve the enantioselective recognition with both high enantioselectivity and high affinity in water probably due to the deficiency of such water‐soluble macrocyclic receptors with stable chiral cavities. Herein, we report a new class of chiral macrocyclic arenes named octopus[3]arenes. The enantiomeric macrocycles are composed of three homochiral ethenoanthracene subunits, and they can be synthesized by two pathways and then easily converted into water‐soluble octopus[3]arenes P‐1 and M‐1. Notably, P‐1 and M‐1 with the rigid hexagonal structures and stable chiral hydrophobic cavities exhibit highly enantioselective recognition towards three pairs of chiral ammonium salts in water with the association constant up to 106 M−1 and the S/R selectivity up to 12.89.
Sizing carbon fiber by in situ polymerization of maleic acid and glycerol for reinforcing polyamide 66
Authors: Yao Lili , Lu Yonggen , Zhang Chenyang , Yang Shulei , Yang Changling
Published: March 2022

The interfacial adhesion character highly depends on interactions of the interfacial molecules. Carbon fiber (CF) is sized by in situ polymerization of maleic acid and glycerol to form a hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) layer on the surface in an environmental and efficient technique. Vast hydroxyl groups are introduced to the CF surface with the presence of HBPE. Moreover, the HBPE sizing structure on 6 A/m2 moderately oxidized CF surface presents higher branch extent and more terminal hydroxyl groups than that on unoxidized or over‐oxidized CF surface. The interlaminar shear strength of polyamide 66 composite reinforced with HBPE sized oxidized‐CF under 6 A/m2 current density is optimal and remarkably enhanced to 77.9 MPa by 46% compared to that with the unsized one. The significant interfacial property improvement is attributed to the abundant terminal hydroxyl groups on HBPE sizing structure, which enhances the interaction at the interface of CF/sizing and sizing/matrix by constructing many covalent and hydrogen bonds.
Unusual SMG suspects recruit degradation enzymes in nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Gilbert Agathe , Saveanu Cosmin
Published: March 2022

Degradation of eukaryotic RNAs that contain premature termination codons (PTC) during nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is initiated by RNA decapping or endonucleolytic cleavage driven by conserved factors. Models for NMD mechanisms, including recognition of PTCs or the timing and role of protein phosphorylation for RNA degradation are challenged by new results. For example, the depletion of the SMG5/7 heterodimer, thought to activate RNA degradation by decapping, leads to a phenotype showing a defect of endonucleolytic activity of NMD complexes. This phenotype is not correlated to a decreased binding of the endonuclease SMG6 with the core NMD factor UPF1, suggesting that it is the result of an imbalance between active (e.g., in polysomes) and inactive (e.g., in RNA‐protein condensates) states of NMD complexes. Such imbalance between multiple complexes is not restricted to NMD and should be taken into account when establishing causal links between gene function perturbation and observed phenotypes.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) as a potential trigger for benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis
Authors: Çalhan Turan , Yivli Elif
Published: March 2022

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is a rare disease characterized by recurrent severe itching and jaundice. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a multisystemic acute viral disease and the liver is frequently affected. Here, we wanted to present a BRIC case triggered by COVID‐19 infection, discussing it together with current information.
Acid Phosphatase Immobilization and Production Study by Trichoderma spp. in Soybean Molasses
Authors: Alves Lima Frederico , Rola Juliana Cristina , Gomes de Freitas Matheus Marçal , de Almeida Afonso Jussara Maria Martins , de Resende Miriam Maria
Published: March 2022

Acid phosphatase production was carried out by Trichoderma spp. using treated soybean molasses at different concentrations. Results showed higher acid phosphatase activity when the soybean molasses concentration increased for the microorganisms Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma reesei. The acid phosphatase activity performance of Trichoderma asperellum was also evaluated. In general, the polyethyleneimine glyoxyl agarose support showed much better performance and final recovery of activity than DEAE Toyopearl 650s.
Threaded rods grouted in beech laminated veneer lumber
Authors: Wirries Jonas , Tsopjio Franck Y. T. , Vallée Till , Myslicki Sebastian
Published: March 2022

Glued‐in rods are a class of adhesively bonded joints for timber engineering applications resulting in high‐strength and stiffness connections. However, the use of polymeric adhesives may lead to issues related if the temperatures exceed their glass transition temperature, restricting their performance under quasi‐static, or more critically, sustained loads. To overcome these, the substitution of polymeric adhesives by mineral high‐performance grout was investigated. It was found that primers have neither a significant effect on strength nor on the failure mode; threated wood surfaces, however, resulted in a significant improvement of the latter. Based thereupon, grouted‐in rods were manufactured. The best performance was achieved with a threaded wood surface, which achieved roughly 50% of the strength comparable adhesively bonded glued‐in rod's strength. While the obtained strength may seem quite low, it is important to remind that the latter will largely remain unaffected by temperature; accordingly, made at room temperature, the comparison between grouted and glued rods is in favor of adhesive bonding, it may well be different at elevated ones.
Formation Mechanism of a Nano‐Ring of Bismuth Cations and Mono‐Lacunary Keggin‐Type Phosphomolybdate
Authors: Martins Inês C. B. , Al‐Sabbagh Dominik , Bentrup Ursula , Marquardt Julien , Schmid Thomas , Scoppola Ernesto , Kraus Werner , Stawski Tomasz M. , Guilherme Buzanich Ana , Yusenko Kirill V. , Weidner Steffen , Emmerling Franziska
Published: March 2022

A new hetero‐bimetallic polyoxometalate (POM) nano‐ring was synthesized in a one‐pot procedure. The structure consists of tetrameric units containing four bismuth‐substituted monolacunary Keggin anions including distorted [BiO8] cubes. The nano‐ring is formed via self‐assembly from metal precursors in aqueous acidic medium. The compound (NH4)16[(BiPMo11O39)4] ⋅ 22 H2O; (P4Bi4Mo44) was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), Raman spectroscopy, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF), and thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry mass spectrometry (TG‐DSC‐MS). The formation of the nano‐ring in solution was studied by time‐resolved in situ small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and in situ EXAFS measurements at the Mo−K and the Bi−L3 edge indicating a two‐step process consisting of condensation of Mo‐anions and formation of Bi−Mo‐units followed by a rapid self‐assembly to yield the final tetrameric ring structure.
Vaccine‐preventable disease hospitalized patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Del Cid Fratti Juan , Salazar Miguel , Argueta‐Sosa Erwin E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Over five million Americans suffer from heart failure (HF), and this is associated with multiple chronic comorbidities and recurrent decompensation. Currently, there is an increased incidence in vaccine‐preventable diseases (VPDs). We aim to investigate the impact of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in patients hospitalized with VPDs.

Hypothesis

Patient with HFrEF are at higher risk for VPDs and they carry a higher risk for in‐hospital complications.

Methods

Retrospective analysis from all hospital admissions from the 2016‐2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) using the ICD‐10CM codes for patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of VPDs with HFrEF and those without reduced ejection fraction. Outcomes evaluated were in‐hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), healthcare utilization, frequency of admissions, and in‐hospital complications. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to adjust for confounders.

Results

Out of 317 670 VPDs discharges, we identified 12 130 (3.8%) patients with HFrEF as a comorbidity. The most common admission diagnosis for VPDs was influenza virus (IV) infection (75.0% vs. 64.1%; p < .01), followed by pneumococcal pneumonia (PNA) (13% vs. 9.4%; p < .01). After adjusting for confounders, patients with HFrEF had higher odds of having diagnosis of IV (adjusted [aOR], 1.42; p < .01) and PNA (aOR, 1.27; p < .01). Patients with VPDs and HFrEF had significantly higher odds of mortality (aOR, 1.76; p < .01), LOS, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and mechanical ventilation for less than 96 h.

Conclusion

Influenza and PNA were the most common VPDs admitted to the hospital in patients with a concomitant diagnosis of HFrEF. They were associated with increased mortality and in‐hospital complications.
A Series of Thiadiazolyl‐Benzenesulfonamides Incorporating an Aromatic Tail as Isoform‐Selective, Potent Carbonic Anhydrase II/XII Inhibitors
Authors: Banoglu Erden , Ercanlı Taner , Gür Maz Tuğçe , Vullo Daniela , Bonardi Alessandro , Gratteri Paola , Supuran Claudiu T.
Published: March 2022

We describe the synthesis of a series of thiadiazolyl‐benzenesulfonamide derivatives carrying an aromatic tail linked by an amide linker (12–34), as human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors. These thiadiazol derivatives were evaluated against four physiologically relevant CA isoforms (hCA I, II, IX, and XII), and demonstrated intriguing inhibitory activity against CA II with Ki values in the range of 2.4–31.6 nM. Besides hCA II, also hCA XII activity was potently inhibited by some of the derivatives (Ki=1.5–88.5 nM), producing dual inhibitors of both isoforms. Notably, compound 17 was the most potent dual CA II (Ki=3.1 nM) and XII (Ki=1.5 nM) inhibitor with a significant selectivity ratio over CA I and IX isoforms. In conclusion, although all compounds exhibited preferential activity towards hCA II, the nature of the substituents at the tail part of the main scaffold influenced the activity and selectivity toward other isoforms.
A novel 3D convolutional neural network model with supervised spectral regression for recognition of hyperspectral images of colored wool fiber
Authors: Qiu Kebin , Chen Weiguo , Shen Jiajia , Zhou Hua
Published: March 2022

Prior knowledge of textile fiber colors in blends is useful for color recipe assessment. There have been various methods to improve the accuracy of color recognition from the dataset of colored textile fibers in recent years. However, numerical assessments based on spectral feature and color difference is insufficient, in which the accuracy of color recognition can be affected by morphology and the uneven coloration on a single fiber. This paper proposes a novel 3D convolutional neural network model (3D‐CNN) with supervised spectral regression for the color recognition of hyperspectral images (HSI) of colored textile fiber. The proposed method obtained spatial‐spectral features based on 3D‐CNN, and the true spectrum of each class was used for supervised spectral regression to improve the accuracy. The loss function used was the sum of the supervised classification loss function and the spectral regression loss function model are optimized by mini‐batch‐based backpropagation. The proposed method was trained and tested on the HSI dataset composed of 100 colors of wool fibers acquired through a microscopic hyperspectral imaging system at a ×3.375 optical magnification. The experimental results showed that the proposed method exhibited better performance compared to numerical assessments and other deep learning models, except for efficiency. Specifically, it achieved better recognition performance on sub‐datasets of similar colored and light‐colored wool fiber where subtle inter‐class and large intra‐class variance existed.
Rbbp4 loss disrupts neural progenitor cell cycle regulation independent of Rb and leads to Tp53 acetylation and apoptosis
Authors: Schultz‐Rogers Laura E. , Thayer Michelle L. , Kambakam Sekhar , Wierson Wesley A. , Helmer Jordan A. , Wishman Mark D. , Wall Kristen A. , Greig Jessica L. , Forsman Jaimie L. , Puchhalapalli Kavya , Nair Siddharth , Weiss Trevor J. , Luiken Jon M. , Blackburn Patrick R. , Ekker Stephen C. , Kool Marcel , McGrail Maura
Published: March 2022

Background

Retinoblastoma binding protein 4 (Rbbp4) is a component of transcription regulatory complexes that control cell cycle gene expression. Previous work indicated that Rbbp4 cooperates with the Rb tumor suppressor to block cell cycle entry. Here, we use genetic analysis to examine the interactions of Rbbp4, Rb, and Tp53 in zebrafish neural progenitor cell cycle regulation and survival.

Results

Rbbp4 is upregulated across the spectrum of human embryonal and glial brain cancers. Transgenic rescue of rbbp4 mutant embryos shows Rbbp4 is essential for zebrafish neurogenesis. Rbbp4 loss leads to apoptosis and γ‐H2AX in the developing brain that is suppressed by tp53 knockdown or maternal zygotic deletion. Mutant retinal neural precursors accumulate in M phase and fail to initiate G0 gene expression. rbbp4; rb1 mutants show an additive effect on the number of M phase cells. In rbbp4 mutants, Tp53 acetylation is detected; however, Rbbp4 overexpression did not rescue DNA damage‐induced apoptosis.

Conclusion

Rbbp4 is necessary for neural progenitor cell cycle progression and initiation of G0 independent of Rb. Tp53‐dependent apoptosis in the absence of Rbpb4 correlates with Tp53 acetylation. Together these results suggest that Rbbp4 is required for cell cycle exit and contributes to neural progenitor survival through the regulation of Tp53 acetylation.
Asset management optimization in smart grids
Authors: Dashti Reza , Hosseini Amirpouya
Published: March 2022

Electricity distribution companies manage financial resources to maximize profits. While the stability of the electricity distribution system depends on the efficiency of the resources used by this system. The regulator is responsible for balancing and aligning the stability of the electricity industry with the profits of electricity distribution companies, which does so by adjusting penalty indices and service rates. This article investigates the management indicators of the electricity distribution industry and how to spend each of them is studied by electricity distribution companies and provides a model that can guide the optimization of the division of financial resources and investment between the indicators. Adjust indicators for regulators to align the benefits and profits of electricity distribution companies with the stability of the electricity distribution system. The implementation of this model was observed in Bushehr Electricity Distribution Company and increased the efficiency percentage.
Effects of antioxidant additive and injector hole number on combustion phenomenon of DI diesel engine operating with kapok methyl ester blends
Authors: Subramanian Narayanan , Kasimani Ramesh
Published: March 2022

Alternate fuel research is aimed at improving the eminence of combustion behavior. This result focusses on the effects of injector hole number and antioxidant additives on combustion properties of diesel engine fueled with kapok methyl ester blends. Forty percent blend of kapok methyl ester was examined with a single cylinder diesel engine. The parameters of combustion such as peak pressure, net heat release, mean gas temperature were recorded and the influence of nozzle hole number and additives on the above said properties were thoroughly analyzed. From the experimental results it is evident that 6 hole nozzle along with B40 blended with 1000 ppm of tertiary butyl hydro quinone produced highest heat release rate of 102 J/°CA. Propyl gallate exhibited its lowest BSFC of 0.269 kg/kW h with B40 blend at minimum load.
Risk of variceal hemorrhage and pretransplant mortality in children with biliary atresia
Authors: Bass Lee M. , Ye Wen , Hawthorne Kieran , Leung Daniel H. , Murray Karen F. , Molleston Jean P. , Romero Rene , Karpen Saul , Rosenthal Philip , Loomes Kathleen M. , Wang Kasper S. , Squires Robert H. , Miethke Alexander , Ng Vicky L. , Horslen Simon , Kyle Jensen M. , Sokol Ronald J. , Magee John C. , Shneider Benjamin L. ,   ChiLDReN
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

The natural history of gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage (VH) in biliary atresia (BA) is not well characterized. We analyzed risk factors, incidence, and outcomes of VH in a longitudinal multicenter study.

Approach and Results

Participants enrolled in either an incident (Prospective Database of Infants with Cholestasis [PROBE]) or prevalent (Biliary Atresia Study of Infants and Children [BASIC]) cohort of BA were included. Variceal hemorrhage (VH) was defined based on gastrointestinal bleeding in the presence of varices accompanied by endoscopic or nontransplant surgical intervention. Cumulative incidence of VH and transplant‐free survival was compared based on features of portal hypertension (e.g., splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia) and clinical parameters at baseline in each cohort (PROBE: 1.5 to 4.5 months after hepatoportoenterostomy [HPE]; BASIC: at enrollment > 3 years of age). Analyses were conducted on 869 children with BA enrolled between June 2004 and December 2020 (521 in PROBE [262 (51%) with a functioning HPE] and 348 in BASIC). The overall incidence of first observed VH at 5 years was 9.4% (95% CI: 7.0–12.4) in PROBE and 8.0% (5.2–11.5) in BASIC. Features of portal hypertension, platelet count, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, and AST‐to‐platelet ratio index at baseline were associated with an increased risk of subsequent VH in both cohorts. Transplant‐free survival at 5 years was 45.1% (40.5–49.6) in PROBE and 79.2% (74.1–83.4) in BASIC. Two (2.5%) of 80 participants who had VH died, whereas 10 (12.5%) underwent transplant within 6 weeks of VH.

Conclusions

The low risk of VH and associated mortality in children with BA needs to be considered in decisions related to screening for varices and primary prophylaxis of VH.
Investigating thermal environment inside the kitchen of air‐conditioned pantry car on Indian Railway using CFD
Authors: Alam Md Sarfaraz , Sharma Milap , Salve Urmi R.
Published: March 2022

In an indoor kitchen environment, proper installation of supplying air system is essential for maintaining optimal human thermal comfort level. Current thermal comfort investigation has been accomplished during “various cooking periods (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner)” inside the air‐conditioned kitchen environment of railway pantry car in India. The study goals to improve thermal comfort inside the pantry kitchen by implementing proper installation of the supply air system. A field experiment and computational fluid dynamics approach has been carried out during the summer season. Also, standard effective temperature (SET) index was utilized to determine the thermal comfort status. Three proposed design modified cases of pantry cars (based on supplying air system concepts) have been executed followed by validation and comparison with the existing case model. Results revealed modified Case III as a better design concept (indicating better air supply circulation and temperature decrease at the desired location) compared to the existing and other two proposed cases. Simultaneously, the SET index range was 26.5–28.6°C; indicating “comfortable thermal sensation throughout the cooking period.” This study's outcomes suggest improvements in thermal comfort and energy savings of “air‐conditioned” pantry car kitchens in “Indian Railways” that could be referred directly.
The peak–end rule in evaluating product user experience: The chronological evaluation of past impressive episodes on overall satisfaction
Authors: Doi Toshihisa , Doi Sayoko , Yamaoka Toshiki
Published: March 2022

This study investigates the peak–end rule's applicability in evaluating the product user experience in the context of overall satisfaction with smartphone applications, a chronological evaluation of past impressive episodes with the use of applications, and the satisfaction level of each episode. The effects of the positive and negative peaks (maximum and minimum satisfaction score) and the end (satisfaction score at the most recent episode) were analyzed against the overall satisfaction in a series of episodes. Two representative groups (satisfied and dissatisfied) were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with a selected application. A correlation analysis between the variables revealed that the peaks and the end correlated with overall satisfaction. Further analysis with hierarchical multiple regression models revealed that the positive and negative peaks do not necessarily explain overall satisfaction dominantly in the regression model of this study. However, the possibility that they are related to the overall satisfaction was confirmed. In contrast, this study demonstrated the significant influence of the most recent event on the overall satisfaction level.
Association of maternal hemoglobin levels during pregnancy with sleep and developmental problems in 1‐year‐old infants: A cohort study
Authors: Nakahara Kazushige , Michikawa Takehiro , Morokuma Seiichi , Hamada Norio , Ogawa Masanobu , Kato Kiyoko , Sanefuji Masafumi , Shibata Eiji , Tsuji Mayumi , Shimono Masayuki , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Ohga Shouichi , Kusuhara Koichi ,   The Japan Environment and Children's Study Group
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Maternal hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy is reported to be associated with various perinatal outcomes and may also be associated with infant development. This study aims to investigate the association between maternal hemoglobin levels during early or mid‐pregnancy and sleep and developmental problems in 1‐year‐old infants.

Methods

We used the data of 66,935 pregnant women who were participants of the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a nationwide cohort study in Japan, between 2011 and 2014. Maternal hemoglobin level was examined at recruitment (mean gestational age, 15.3 weeks; SD, 2.85 weeks; range, 6–22 weeks). Information on infant sleep and development at the age of 1 year was acquired using a questionnaire. Infant development was evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).

Results

The mean (SD) maternal hemoglobin level was 12.0 (1.0) g/dl. Maternal hemoglobin levels were not associated with the majority of infant sleep and developmental outcomes. In the group with maternal hemoglobin <10.0 g/dl, the risk ratio (RR) for sleep at 22:00 or later was higher than that in the reference group with 11.0 g/dl ≤ hemoglobin < 14.0 g/dl (RR 1.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.00–1.25). In the analysis with maternal hemoglobin level as a continuous variable, both high and low hemoglobin levels were associated with a higher RR of a late bedtime. In addition, a low maternal hemoglobin level was associated with a higher RR for abnormal fine motor skills in the ASQ.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that a low level of maternal hemoglobin during pregnancy is associated with late bedtime and abnormal fine motor skills in 1‐year‐old infants. Conversely, a high level of maternal hemoglobin may also be associated with the infant's late bedtime.
Thermophoretic movement, heat source, and sink influence on the Williamson fluid past a Riga surface with positive and negative Soret‐Dufour mechanism
Authors: Akolade Mojeed T. , Oyekunle Timothy L. , Momoh Hafizat O. , Awad Mohamed M.
Published: March 2022

This study investigates the boundary layer motion of Williamson fluid over an electromagnetic with thermophoretic movement, variable thermal conductivity and viscosity, nonlinear radiation, and Soret‐Dufour influences. The real prediction of regional movement and temperature‐dependent properties of the non‐Newtonian fluids in real space (three‐dimensional [3D]) becomes imperative due to their numerous industrial, engineering, and biomedical use. This flow motion is induced as a result of the introduced mechanism (Riga plate) capable of controlling a weakly hydromagnetic flow. To actualize the aim of this study, the formulated governing partial differential equations conveying the flow model of Williamson fluid in a 3D sense are transformed to systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) via applicable similarity variables. The reduced systems of ODEs are solved numerically by the collocation approach. Therein, the Riga surface is seen preventing the heat source/sink impact on the flow fields, the thermophoretic impact indicates a more accumulation of Williamson fluid particles in the cold region thus resulting in higher fluid concentration. Thermal variability energizes the energy field positively, momentum boundary layer reduction prevails for higher Williamson number while heat source dominates the temperature field and heat sink showcases its ability to enhance the fluid concentration in contrast to the heat source.