bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planetary boundary layer climatological features over North China Plain: Derived from intensive experiment data
Authors: Yan Yan , Cai Xuhui , Jin Xipeng , Kang Ling , Zhang Hongsheng , Song Yu
Published: January 2023

A field campaign was carried out in the North China Plain (NCP) spanning 4 years and formed a dataset of more than 2,700 planetary boundary layer (PBL) sounding samples (872 in summer and 1,841 in winter). Based on these data, fundamental aspects of the PBL climatology over this region were investigated. First, the ensemble mean features of the PBL were revealed. The maximum PBL height in the daytime reaches 1,079 versus 786 m (summer vs. winter, hereafter the same), while about 200 m at nighttime. The bulk mean temperature and specific humidity across the PBL in summer are significantly higher than those in winter (24.0 vs. −0.5°C; 8.9 vs. 1.7 g⋅kg−1, respectively). Mean wind speed within the PBL keeps almost the same in winter and summer (4.5 m⋅s−1) but with a seasonal difference in wind direction (southerly vs. northwesterly). Second, significant diurnal variations within/above the PBL were quantified. Day‐night temperature contrast is largest near the ground (7.9 vs. 5.1°C), and it decreases with height to almost a constant above the PBL. Diurnal variation amplitude of specific humidity is about 1.0 versus 0.3 g⋅kg−1. Diurnal variation of winds also supports the extended influence of the earth surface across the PBL. Third, the local influence on the PBL over the NCP is also presented. PBL height is higher in the plain centre; temperature is lower in coast than inland; winds in the PBL are strongly modulated by local or mesoscale circulations including the plain wind and sea breeze; low‐level jets are common at summer night over the central and eastern parts of the NCP. Analysis reveals possible energy and water vapour exchange across the PBL, and additional heating mechanism above the PBL (e.g., solar radiation absorption).
Carrot and carotene and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of the evidence
Authors: Yi Xianyanling , Li Jin , Liao Dazhou , Peng Ge , Zheng Xiaonan , Xu Hang , Zhang Tianyi , Ai Jianzhong
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the benefits of carrots and carotene in different areas of health have been examined. The purpose of this umbrella review was to identify the associations between carrots and carotene and multiple health outcomes. The review considered evidence from meta‐analyses of interventional and observational studies of carrots and carotene and any health outcome. We comprehensively searched Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase. For each association, we estimated the summary effect size using random and fixed effects models and the 95% confidence interval. A total of 1329 studies were searched, and 30 meta‐analyses with 26 health outcomes were identified that met the eligibility criteria. Carrot intake was associated with a lower risk of multiple cancer outcomes including breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, urothelial cancer, and prostate cancer. Carotene intake was associated with a lower risk of fracture, age‐related cataract, sunburn, Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancer (HNC). Serum carotene was inversely associated with all‐cause mortality, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Our study revealed that carrot or carotene intake could reduce the risk of various negative health outcomes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fermented cereal soup with artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bracts: volatile profile, functional, powder and sensory properties
Authors: Dadalı Ceyda
Published: January 2023

Background

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bracts are agricultural wastes formed during artichoke processing. Artichoke bracts are used in fermented cereal soup tarhana to replace 10%, 20%, and 30% of wheat flour and functional, powder, sensory properties and volatile compounds of tarhana samples were investigated.

Results

The use of artichoke bracts in tarhana increased total (8.37–17.17 g/100 g) and insoluble dietary fiber (5.84–14.09 g/100 g), total phenolic content (2.88–3.62 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (3.07–3.86 μmol TE/g) values. Replacement of wheat flour by artichoke bracts resulted in lower L*, a*, and b* values. While water absorption capacity increased, oil absorption capacity and emulsifying activity were not affected by artichoke bracts replacement. Artichoke bracts replacement in tarhana influenced powder characteristics as, decrease in bulk density, increase in Carr index, wettability, and dispersibility values. Volatiles from terpene are most abundant (64.47–27.17 mg/kg) in tarhana containing artichoke bracts, followed by volatiles from ester (42.91–25.85 mg/kg). Limonene was the main volatile compound of tarhana samples.

Conclusion

Sensory acceptable tarhana was obtained when up to 30% artichoke bracts were used as wheat flour replacer in tarhana. The contribution to sustainability was achieved, and a healthier tarhana rich in dietary fiber was obtained by using artichoke bracts in tarhana. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The influence of model organosulfur extreme pressure additives and analogues on the corrosion of copper as measured by a wire corrosion test method
Authors: Hunt Gregory J. , Gahagan Michael P. , Peplow Mitchell A.
Published: January 2023

A wire corrosion test (WCT) is used to investigate the influence of model organosulfur extreme pressure additives and analogues. The corrosion response from these compounds is discussed with regards to chemical structural type. Corrosion rates were calculated using the guide in ASTM G31 to provide a measurement in mm/year.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Polymers Containing PC Bonds in the Main Chain
Authors: Mathew Siby , Naganawa Yuki , Jiang Fan , Wischert Raphael , Streiff Stephane , Metivier Pascal , Nakajima Yumiko
Published: January 2023

Placement of phosphorus in the polymer main chain leads to organophosphorus polymers with potentially unique chemical and physical properties. Herein, it is demonstrated that the Abramov phosphonylation reaction can be extended to the synthesis of such polymers, by reacting di‐ or tricarbaldehydes with phosphinic acid (PA) in the presence of N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA). This technique affords polymers with main chain PC bonds, wherein phosphorus (V), aromatic rings, and hydroxymethylene moieties are linked by bis(α‐hydroxymethylene)phosphinic acid (BHMPA) units. The resulting polymers are water soluble, display resilience against acid‐ and base‐catalyzed hydrolysis, and exhibit superior thermal stability with high char yield in air (≈83%) and nitrogen (≈76%) atmosphere.
Innovation and competition with human capital input
Authors: Nie Pu‐yan , Yang Yong‐cong
Published: January 2023

As innovation relies on human capital heavily, it attaches importance to taking human capital into account while investigating the relationship between innovation and competition. This paper establishes a game theory model to capture the effects of competition on innovation with human capital. The major findings indicate that firms with larger scale are more active in innovation investment. Meanwhile, a lessening of competition is beneficial to increase innovation if human capital input is considered. Further, both the Lerner index and social welfare are reduced under less competition. The major findings deny Arrow's conjecture and provide policy implications to improve innovation in practice.
Speed distribution model, expectation speed of the system and aggregation behaviour for traffic congestion
Authors: Wang Chaofa , Li Dongdong , Liu Qing , Wei Xiaorong
Published: January 2023

This research presents a distribution model using queuing theory for traffic congestion that can be used to analyse the concrete dynamics of the expectation speed of a system, which consists of two paths, and finds that the expectation speed is a quadratic function for increment (quantities of optimistic drivers) per unit time without assuming the full rationality of choice behaviour; focusing on the conclusions of certain practical significance, a potential function and a jump Markov chain can be used to describe how the degree of uncertain parameters affects drivers' aggregated behaviour.
Propagation of shock wave of the time‐fractional Gardner Burger equation in a multicomponent plasma using novel analytical method
Authors: Roy Subrata , Saha Sandip , Raut Santanu , Das Apurba Narayan
Published: January 2023

The time‐fractional Gardner Burger (TFGB) equation is an efficient tool for studying nonlinear fluctuations of different types of the wave profiles, such as the gravity solitary waves in the ocean and the dust ion acoustic wave (DIAW) in a plasma environment. Here, to create an example for the existence of the classical Gardner Burger (GB) equation, a multicomponent plasma environment is considered and a classical GB equation has been derived using the basic governing equation by employing reductive perturbation technique (RPT). In addition, employing Agrawal's technique, the classical GB equation is transformed to the TFGB equation by applying the Riesz fractional derivative to the time‐fractional term. To solve TFGB equations, a new approach, utilizing the improved Bernoulli subequation function method (IBSEFM), is adopted. The physical structures of the solution are explored through some two‐ and three‐dimensional figures, and the significant impact of Burgers term and fractional order of the TFGB equation are demonstrated numerically. Finally, the wave dynamics of the DIAW in the parametric space for the present plasma environment are described from the numerical understanding.
Broadband dual‐polarized folded dipole antenna with simple feed structure
Authors: Shi Xinrong , Peng Jian D. , Huang Kun , Ye Liang H.
Published: January 2023

A broadband folded dipole antenna for dual‐polarized radiation is presented. It comprises two couples of folded dipoles and a planar reflector. To enhance the impedance matching over broadband, each couple of folded dipoles is parallelly connected by stepped coplanar striplines and then excited by a simple feed structure consisting of a 50‐Ω coaxial cable and a rectangular strip. To stabilize the radiation and further improve the impedance matching during an extremely broadband, a rectangular director is utilized and loaded upon each folded dipole. This antenna provides an extremely broad bandwidth of 77.6% (1.68–3.81 GHz) with return loss >15 dB, and good isolation of larger than 25 dB. It also obtains a steady half‐power beamwidth of 66° ± 4° and a gain of 8.6 ± 0.8 dBi during the broadband. This makes it attractive for mobile communication.
The “metabolic axis” of ALS: The role of body weight in disease pathogenesis
Authors: Dupuis Luc , Chio Adriano
Published: January 2023

See article on pages 208‐216 in this issue.
Teaching introductory soil science before, during, and “after” the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Rahmani Shams R. , Mashtare Michael L. , Schulze Darrell G. , Camberato James J. , Johnston Cliff T. , Fulk‐Bringman Sherry S.
Published: January 2023

Beginning abruptly in the second half of the Spring 2020 semester at Purdue University, we modified our teaching approach in Introductory Soil Science and Forest Soils courses (AGRY 255/270) with a combined annual enrollment of ∼370 students to cope with the COVID‐19 pandemic. In that semester, we went to entirely virtual lecture, lab, and discussion sessions with limited instructor‐to‐student interaction to reduce the spread of COVID‐19. From Fall 2020 to Spring 2022, we re‐instituted many of our pre‐COVID‐19 practices, with some COVID‐19 modifications, as we adjusted to the new normal. These modifications included (1) an introductory video released at the start of the semester to explain the course structure and expectations for students who begin the semester ill or in quarantine and could not attend the first lecture in‐person or live virtual, (2) lectures and exam reviews delivered in multiple formats (i.e., in‐person, live over Zoom, and recorded/pre‐recorded) to increase student access to these materials throughout the semester, (3) allowing early access to weekly online lab materials at the completion of the previous week (instead of after the next week's lecture) to allow students 3 more days to complete the online portion of the lab, and (4) creating digital versions (photographs and videos) of the hands‐on lab materials and virtual field trips for students in quarantine or with excused absences. When activities were primarily virtual, we found email reminders were needed to make sure that students stayed on task and met course deadlines. Adjustments necessary during the early days of the pandemic that were not continued include (1) an assigned and supervised 1‐h lab time (rather than unscheduled and self‐guided student access to the lab) and (2) online live exams.
Advances in the Chemistry of 2,4,6‐Tri(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine
Authors: Rani Kumar Neha , Agrawal Abhijeet R.
Published: January 2023

Heterocyclic systems are now considered to be an integral part of material chemistry. Thiophene, selenophene, furan, pyrrole, carbazole, triazine and others are some such examples worth mentioning. 2,4,6‐Tri(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine is a C3h‐symmetric system with thiophene as the donor unit and s‐triazine as the acceptor unit. This review gives an insight into the advances made in the thienyl‐triazine chemistry over the past two to three decades. The synthetic pathways for arriving at this system and all its important derivatives are provided. The major focus is on the materials synthesized using the thienyl‐triazine system, including star molecules, linear and hyperbranched polymers, porous materials and their diverse applications. This review will play a catalytic role for new dimensions to be explored in thienyl‐triazine chemistry.
Physico‐Chemical Properties of Magnetic Dicationic Ionic Liquids with Tetrahaloferrate Anions
Authors: Zafar Anham , Imtiaz‐ud‐Din  , Palgrave Robert G. , Muhammad Haji , Yousuf Sammer , Evans Tim
Published: January 2023

A series of imidazolium‐based symmetrical and asymmetrical dicationic ionic liquids (DcILs) with alkyl spacers of different length and with [FeCl3Br]− as counter ion have been synthesized. The synthesized DcILs are characterized by using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry, along with single‐crystal XRD analysis. Physicochemical properties such as solubility, thermal stability and magnetic susceptibility are also measured. These compounds show low melting points, good solubility in water and organic solvents, thermal stability, and paramagnetism. The products of molar susceptibility and temperature (χmol⋅T) for the synthesized DcILs have been found between 4.05 to 4.79 emu mol−1 K Oe−1 and effective magnetic moment values have also been determined to be compared to that expected from the spin‐only approximation.
Does war destroy business? A review of empirical publications
Authors: Naseem Imran , Akbar Saeed , Tahir Muhammad , Imran Saima
Published: January 2023

The study investigates the economic dimensions of war. It considers empirical literature through structure review to explore the different effects of war on businesses. The scope of the study covers all geographical areas and studies dealing with any respective event in the 20th and 21st centuries. However, the study caters for quality, relevance, and recentness in publications. Hence, publications in 4*, 4, and 3 stars journals that are placed in Association of Business Schools of UK Guidelines in 2015 are reviewed. The study with its extant literature presents an important realization that against the stereo‐typed opinion about war being devastating to businesses indicates that war affects in various dimensions, that is, positive, negative, or even no effects depending on the nature and place of business. Whereas businesses, in general, may be negatively affected in wartime, businesses critical to war may get an unprecedented boost. The study also indicates a dire need of developing a framework for investigating this important relationship on sound footings.
Thromboembolic toxicity observed with concurrent trametinib and lenalidomide therapy
Authors: Chan Priya P. , Sabus Ashley , Hemenway Molly S. , Chatfield Kathryn C. , White Christina J. , Mirsky David M. , Foreman Nicholas K. , Dahl Nathan A.
Published: January 2023

The event‐free survival of pediatric low‐grade gliomas is poor, and patients often require multiple treatment strategies. While MEK and RAF inhibitors are efficacious in early‐phase trials, not all patients respond, and many experience progression following completion of therapy. Evaluating combination therapies that may enhance efficacy or prolong disease stabilization is warranted. We report our institutional experience using concurrent trametinib and lenalidomide in the treatment of primary pediatric central and peripheral nervous system tumors. Two of four patients using this combination therapy experienced severe thromboembolic events, necessitating discontinuation of therapy. This combination requires further investigation, and we urge caution if used.
Creep properties and damage mechanism of molded glass fiber reinforced plastic
Authors: Li Jikang , Liu Zheng , Li Yajing , Zhao Yongzhong , Wang Min , Wang Hongtao , Chen Xu
Published: January 2023

Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) has become one of the most commonly used materials in the structure of aero engines in the last decades. In this study, GFRP was fabricated by molding with phenolic resin as the matrix. Specimens were prepared along horizontal and vertical directions. Fiber distribution, tensile properties, long‐term creep performance, and damage mechanism were systematically investigated. Experimental results shows that horizontal specimens have better tensile properties, lower viscoelasticity, and excellent creep resistance. The fibers inside the cylindrical material exhibit a 3D core‐shell morphology with transverse isotropy in the core region. Load is carried by the fibers and the damage is in the form of fiber fracture and pull‐out in horizontal specimens. Random distribution and interweaving leads to double fracture sections of fibers. Load is carried by the interface and resin, and the damage is in the form of fiber pull‐out laterally and interfacial debonding in vertical specimens. High viscoelasticity of the resin and the weak interfacial bonding ability lead to large creep deformation of vertical specimens. In addition, the creep strain under different loads can be accurately predicted by Modified Time Hardening model.
Synthesis of hydrazine‐fumaryl chloride‐based polyamide and its electrical conductivity studies
Authors: Yadav Shashikant , Tiwari Rudramani , Verma Dipendra Kumar , Kumar Devendra , Adhikary Pubali , Krishnamoorthi Subramanian
Published: January 2023

Perfect crisscross chain arrangements with high inter‐chain H‐bonding structure of conjugated polyamides are capable of inter‐chain proton transfer and this property of conjugated polyamides makes them semiconducting material. To establish this, we synthesized in situ HCl doped Hydrazine‐Fumaryl Polyamide (HFP) material via the condensation polymerization method. HFP was further modified by doping with Lewis acids BF3 and AlCl3 to increase the amorphous nature and ionic conductivity. Among the synthesized material, HFP–AlCl3 showed the highest amorphous property with the best bulk conductivity in the order of 10−5 S/cm at room temperature. HFP and doped HFP showed correlated hopping type (n < 1) ionic dynamics in the polymer matrix. There was a high amount of charge associated with the polymer matrix (>106 F/m) with negligible electrode‐electrolyte effect contribution. These properties of materials can make them useful in the field of organic voltaic and fuel cell applications.
Study on the evaluation and compensating strategy for the wear damage of non‐return valve during injection molding process
Authors: Ma Yitao , Xu Yuxuan , Dang Kaifang , Fu Nanhong , Jiao Xiaolong , Xie Pengcheng , Yang Weimin
Published: January 2023

Injection molding (IM) is one of the most essential forming methods for plastics. However, some potential risks which influence part quality may occur in the molding process. A non‐return valve (NRV) is a major component on the screw head whose function is to seal during the injection process to prevent the backflow of the melt. The NRV will wear in this process and cause fluctuations in parameters and quality but the wear states of NRVs cannot be monitored without the disassembly of the injection barrel. In this study, we proposed an optimization method to compensate for the wear damage of the NRVs. The V/P switchover point in each molding cycle was recalculated and output to stabilize the part quality. As a result, the wear damage of the NRV on the current machine was able to be predicted and the part quality could be initially optimized in the condition that the NRV had a degree of wear. The experimental results reveal that our proposed compensation algorithm can monitor the type of wear of NRV online, and at the same time, it can compensate the axial wear of NRV and finally improve the consistency of product weight, which established a fundamental for further research in the future.
Registration of ‘CP 14‐1377’ sugarcane for organic soils in Florida
Authors: Sood Sushma , Momotaz Aliya , Baltazar Miguel , Coto Arbelo Orlando , Davidson R. Wayne , Islam Md. S. , Sandhu Hardev S. , Zhao Duli , Gordon Vanessa S.
Published: January 2023

‘CP 14‐1377’ (Reg. no. CV‐211, PI 700115), a new sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) cultivar, was developed through cooperative research conducted by the USDA‐ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugar Cane League, Inc. CP 14‐1377 was selected from the polycross (X12‐1500) between CP 03‐1094 and Poly12‐29 (several males) made at Canal Point, FL on 20 Dec. 2012. It was released for cultivation on organic soils in June 2021 because of its higher stalk population, sugar yield, and economic index (profitability) than the reference check, ‘CP 96‐1252’. The cane fiber content of CP 14‐1377 (137.00 kg Mg−1) was 3% higher than that of CP 96‐1252 and 2% lower than that of ‘CP 00‐1101’ and ‘CPCL 05‐1201’. At the time of its release, CP 14‐1377 was resistant to brown rust [caused by Puccinia melanocephala (H. & P. Sydow)], orange rust [caused by Puccinia kuehnii (E.J. Butler)], smut [caused by Sporisorium scitamineum (Syd., M. Piepenbr., M. Stoll & Oberw)], mosaic (caused by Sugarcane mosaic virus strain E), and ratoon stunt disease [caused by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Evtsuhenko et al.)]. It was also moderately resistant to leaf scald [caused by Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby, Dowson)] and Sugarcane yellow leaf virus. It had an acceptable level of freeze tolerance for Florida. CP 14‐1377 had yield and disease traits superior to the widely grown cultivar CP 96‐1252; therefore, CP 14‐1377 has the potential to positively affect sugarcane production in Florida.
Implementation of a comprehensive pharmacy‐driven immunization care process model in a pediatric cystic fibrosis clinic
Authors: Zobell Jeffery T. , Moss Justin , Creelman Jenna , Christensen Rilee , Jensen Bevan , Stewart Jennifer , Ameel Kristen , Asfour Fadi
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Members of an integrated pharmacy team (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) have roles that have been identified in the literature as part of the multi‐disciplinary cystic fibrosis (CF) care team. One role that has not specifically addressed is the administration of routine and recommended immunizations to people with CF (PwCF). According to care guidelines, PwCF of all ages should be provided all age‐appropriate and recommended immunizations. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can administer immunizations per state laws. The Primary Children's CF Center decided to implement a comprehensive pharmacy‐driven immunization care process model to impact immunization rates.

Methods

A 24‐month retrospective analysis was conducted with pediatric (≤18 years) PwCF at the Primary Children's CF Center. The primary outcome measures were the percentage (%) of PwCF who received PPSV23, and/or HPV, and/or meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) immunizations 1‐year post‐care process model implementation (October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022) as compared to baseline values. The secondary outcome measures are the total number of immunizations, the number of each immunization provided, and the financial impact of pharmacy‐driven immunization care process model 1‐year post‐implementation.

Results

During the 1‐year post‐care process model implementation (October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022), a total of 523 immunizations were provided to 243 pediatric PwCF. The most frequent immunizations provided were PPSV23 (160/523, 31%) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) (154/523, 29%). The baseline percentages of eligible PwCF of PPSV23, HPV, and MCV were 27% (58/217), 43% (32/74), and 24% (8/34), respectively. The 1‐year post‐implementation percentages of PPSV23, HPV, and MCV were 99% (217/218, p < 0.00001), 91% (67/74, p < 0.00001), and 97% (33/34, p < 0.00001), respectively. For COVID‐19 immunizations, 56% of eligible PwCF (181/321) have received their first dose. Of these 181 PwCF, 70% (126/181) have received at least one dose of their primary series or booster during the 1‐year post‐implementation period. The rate of those PwCF who have received at least one dose of a COVID‐19 immunization from the age of 6 months to 4 years, 5–11 years, and 12–18 years, was 37% (30/82), 60% (78/129), and 66% (73/110), respectively. For the financial impact generated during the 1‐year immunization care process model post‐implementation period, 404 non‐VFC immunizations were given for an estimated profit of $11,930.

Conclusions

The implementation of a pharmacy‐driven immunization care process model is a way for integrated pharmacy teams to evolve with the CF center care model and have a role expansion in the care provided to PwCF.
Computational design of prospective molecular targets for Burkholderia cepacia complex by molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies
Authors: Skariyachan Sinosh , Praveen Prinith Kaveramma Uluvangada , Uttarkar Akshay , Niranjan Vidya
Published: January 2023

The study aimed to screen prospective molecular targets of BCC and potential natural lead candidates as effective binders by computational modeling, molecular docking, and dynamic (MD) simulation studies. Based on the virulent functions, tRNA 5‐methylaminomethyl‐2‐thiouridine biosynthesis bifunctional protein (mnmC) and pyrimidine/purine nucleoside phosphorylase (ppnP) were selected as the prospective molecular targets. In the absence of experimental data, the three‐dimensional (3D) structures of these targets were computationally predicted. After a thorough literature survey and database search, the drug‐likeness, and pharmacokinetic properties of 70 natural molecules were computationally predicted and the effectual binding of the best lead molecules against both the targets was predicted by molecular docking. The stabilities of the best‐docked complexes were validated by MD simulation and the binding energy calculations were carried out by MM‐GBSA approaches. The present study revealed that the hypothetical models of mnmC and ppnP showed stereochemical accuracy. The study also showed that among 70 natural compounds subjected to computational screening, Honokiol (3′,5‐Di(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl) [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐2,4′‐diol) present in Magnolia showed ideal drug‐likeness, pharmacokinetic features and showed effectual binding with mnmC and ppnP (binding energies −7.3 kcal/mol and −6.6 kcal/mol, respectively). The MD simulation and GBSA calculation studies showed that the ligand‐protein complexes stabilized throughout tMD simulation. The present study suggests that Honokiol can be used as a potential lead molecule against mnmC and ppnP targets of BCC and this study provides insight into further experimental validation for alternative lead development against drug resistant BCC.
A fiducial approach for testing the non‐inferiority of proportion difference in matched‐pairs design
Authors: Chen Chao , Ye Siyang , Xu Jiahao , Wan Kai , Chen Yanting
Published: January 2023

The non‐inferiority of one treatment/drug to another is a common and important issue in medical and pharmaceutical fields. This study explored a fiducial approach for testing the non‐inferiority of proportion difference in matched‐pairs design. Approximate tests constructed using fiducial quantities with a combination of different parameters were proposed. Four simulation studies were employed to compare the performance of fiducial tests by comparing their type I errors and powers. The results showed that fiducial quantities with parameter performed satisfactorily from small to large samples. Therefore, the fiducial tests could be recommended for practical applications. The recommended fiducial tests might be a competitive alternative to other available tests. Three real data sets were analyzed to illustrate the proposed methods were competitive or even better than other tests.
Transpulmonary generation of cell‐free hemoglobin contributes to vascular dysfunction in pulmonary arterial hypertension via dysregulated clearance mechanisms
Authors: Meegan Jamie E. , Kerchberger Vern Eric , Fortune Niki L. , McNeil Joel Brennan , Bastarache Julie A. , Austin Eric D. , Ware Lorraine B. , Hemnes Anna R. , Brittain Evan L.
Published: January 2023

Circulating cell‐free hemoglobin (CFH) is elevated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and associated with poor outcomes but the mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesized that CFH is generated from the pulmonary circulation and inadequately cleared in PAH. Transpulmonary CFH (difference between wedge and pulmonary artery positions) and lung hemoglobin α were analyzed in patients with PAH and healthy controls. Haptoglobin genotype and plasma hemoglobin processing proteins were analyzed in patients with PAH, unaffected bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II mutation carriers (UMCs), and control subjects. Transpulmonary CFH was increased in patients with PAH (p = 0.04) and correlated with pulmonary vascular resistanc (PVR) (rs = 0.75, p = 0.02) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) (rs = 0.78, p = 0.02). Pulmonary vascular hemoglobin α protein was increased in patients with PAH (p = 0.006), especially in occluded vessels (p = 0.04). Haptoglobin genotype did not differ between groups. Plasma haptoglobin was higher in UMCs compared with both control subjects (p = 0.03) and patients with HPAH (p < 0.0001); patients with IPAH had higher circulating haptoglobin levels than patients with HPAH (p = 0.006). Notably, circulating CFH to haptoglobin ratio was elevated in patients with HPAH compared to control subjects (p = 0.02) and UMCs (p = 0.006). Moreover, in patients with PAH, CFH: haptoglobin correlated with PVR (rs = 0.37, p = 0.0004) and mPAP (rs = 0.25, p = 0.02). Broad alterations in other plasma hemoglobin processing proteins (hemopexin, heme oxygenase‐1, and sCD163) were observed. In conclusion, pulmonary vascular CFH is associated with increased PVR and mPAP in PAH and dysregulated CFH clearance may contribute to PAH pathology. Further study is needed to determine whether targeting CFH is a viable therapeutic for pulmonary vascular dysfunction in PAH.
Implementation of a double moment cloud microphysics scheme in the UK met office regional numerical weather prediction model
Authors: Field Paul R. , Hill Adrian , Shipway Ben , Furtado Kalli , Wilkinson Jonathan , Miltenberger Annette , Gordon Hamish , Grosvenor Daniel P. , Stevens Robin , Van Weverberg Kwinten
Published: January 2023

Cloud microphysics parametrizations control the transfer of water between phases and hydrometeor species in numerical weather prediction and climate models. As a fundamental component of weather modelling systems cloud microphysics can determine the intensity and timing of precipitation, the extent and longevity of cloud cover and its impact on radiative balance, and directly influence near surface weather metrics such as temperature and wind. In this paper we introduce and demonstrate the performance of a double moment cloud microphysical scheme (CASIM: Cloud AeroSol Interacting Microphysics) in both midlatitude and tropical settings using the same model configuration. Comparisons are made against a control configuration using the current operational single moment cloud microphysics, and CASIM configurations that use fixed in‐cloud droplet number or compute cloud droplet number concentration from the aerosol environment. We demonstrate that configuring CASIM as a single moment scheme results in precipitation rate histograms that match the operational single moment microphysics. In the midlatitude setting, results indicate that CASIM performs as well as the single moment microphysics configuration, but improves certain aspects of the surface precipitation field such as greater extent of light (1 mm hr) rain around frontal precipitation features. In the tropical setting, CASIM outperforms the single moment cloud microphysics as evident from improved comparison with radar derived precipitation rates.
An unusual case of interstitial lung disease: Revisiting peribronchiolar metaplasia interstitial lung disease (PBM‐ILD)
Authors: Jung Flora , Shapera Shane , Cabanero Michael , McInnis Micheal , Fisher Jolene
Published: January 2023

Peribronchiolar metaplasia (PBM) is a histological finding of uncertain significance commonly seen in interstitial lung disease (ILD). PBM is thought to be secondary to small airway injury from insults such as tobacco smoke and other environmental exposures. The term PBM‐ILD has been proposed for patients with ILD where PBM is the major histologic finding, however a lack of radiographic changes supportive of ILD in previously reported cases has limited recognition of the diagnosis. We present a rare case of welding‐associated ILD with clinical, radiographic, and histologic evidence consistent with the proposed definition of PBM‐ILD. We outline an approach to its consideration as a diagnosis based on our experience through multidisciplinary discussion.
Robust approximate optimal control for air‐breathing hypersonic vehicle
Authors: Han Xiao , Liu Lei , Fan Huijin , Cheng Zhongtao
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates the robust approximate optimal control problem for air‐breathing hypersonic vehicle (AHV). By input‐output linearzation and introducing auxiliary variables, the high‐order nonlinear AHV dynamics are transformed to a second‐order feedback decoupling model. Then a virtual command is designed by back‐stepping strategy to guarantee the practical finite‐time convergence of tracking error. In order to drive the AHV with uncertainties to follow the virtual command, a robust approximate optimal controller based on adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is proposed. Different from the conventional robust method, both the robustness and the input cost are taken into consideration in the proposed controller, which can optimize the control actions and hence avoid the chattering. Besides, the proposed controller adopts a single critic network design instead of actor‐critic structure, which ensures the stability of the system autonomously and simplifies the implementation procedure. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Hydraulic classification of hydropeaking stages in a river reach
Authors: Burman Anton J. , Andersson Anders G. , Hellström J. Gunnar I.
Published: January 2023

Hydropower is an important tool in the struggle for low‐emission power production. In the Nordic countries, hydropower operating conditions are expected to change and work more in conjunction with intermittent power production. This in turn might increase the amount of hydropeaking events in the reaches downstream of hydropower plants. The current work investigates the influence of highly flexible, high‐frequency hydropeaking on the hydrodynamics in the downstream reach. By quantifying four different dynamic stages in the study reach, the influence of the hydropeaking frequencies was investigated in the bypass reach of the Stornorrfors hydropower plant in the river Umeälven in northern Sweden. The hydrodynamics in the study reach were numerically modelled using the open source solver Delft3D. Eight different highly flexible future hydropeaking scenarios, varying from 12 to 60 flow changes per day, were considered. A method for identifying four hydropeaking stages—dewatering, dynamic, alternating and uniform —was introduced. The hydropeaking frequency directly decided the stage in most of the study reach. Furthermore, a Fourier analysis showed a significant difference between the stages and their corresponding power spectra. The classification of stages put forward in this work provides a novel, simple method to investigate the hydrodynamics due to hydropeaking in a river reach.
Comparison of 3D structural metrics on oyster reefs using unoccupied aircraft photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR across a tidal elevation gradient
Authors: Ridge Justin T. , DiGiacomo Alexandra E. , Rodriguez Antonio B. , Himmelstein Joshua D. , Johnston David W.
Published: January 2023

Physical structures generated from ecosystem engineers can have a cascade of impacts on the ecological community and the surrounding landscape. The Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica can form extensive intertidal reefs, whose three‐dimensional structures provide ecosystem services like nursery and foraging habitat for fishes and invertebrates and shoreline stabilization. Measurements of the structural properties of these reefs provide opportunities to quantitatively assess associated services. There is a growing variety of tools available for measuring three‐dimensional (3D) properties of intertidal habitats, including two remote sensing methods that capture 3D structural metrics in a number of environments. We surveyed reefs using a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS, LiDAR) and imagery from unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS, or drones) processed through Structure from Motion photogrammetry. Comparisons of digital elevation models from repetitive flights over an oyster reef to checkpoints yielded mean horizontal and vertical root mean square errors (RMSE) of −0.54 ± 0.47 cm and 0.97 ± 1.0 cm (Mean ± SD), respectively, indicating high accuracy among UAS surveys. Compared to TLS products, point cloud densities from UAS‐derived products were more consistent across the reef elevation gradient and much denser overall except in the low reef zone, which was proximal to most of the TLS scan locations. Comparisons of structural metrics between UAS and TLS showed similarities in metrics like profile and planform curvatures, yet indicated UAS surveys produced higher values of surface complexity and slope. Results indicate that UAS photogrammetry can produce robust oyster reef structural metrics that can be highly useful in oyster conservation and restoration.
Specifying composites in structural equation modeling: A refinement of the Henseler–Ogasawara specification
Authors: Yu Xi , Schuberth Florian , Henseler Jörg
Published: January 2023

Structural equation modeling (SEM) plays an important role in business and social science and so do composites, that is, linear combinations of variables. However, existing approaches to integrate composites into structural equation models still have limitations. A major leap forward has been the Henseler–Ogasawara (H–O) specification, which for the first time allows for seamlessly integrating composites into structural equation models. In doing so, it relies on emergent variables, that is, the composite of interest, and one or more orthogonal excrescent variables, that is, composites that have no surplus meaning but just span the remaining space of the emergent variable's components. Although the H–O specification enables researchers to flexibly model composites in SEM, it comes along with several practical problems: (i) The H–O specification is difficult to visualize graphically; (ii) its complexity could create difficulties for analysts, and (iii) at times SEM software packages seem to encounter convergence issues with it. In this paper, we present a refinement of the original H–O specification that addresses these three problems. In this new specification, only two components load on each excrescent variable, whereas the excrescent variables are allowed to covary among themselves. This results in a simpler graphical visualization. Additionally, researchers facing convergence issues of the original H–O specification are provided with an alternative specification. Finally, we illustrate the new specification's application by means of an empirical example and provide guidance on how (standardized) weights including their standard errors can be calculated in the R package lavaan. The corresponding Mplus model syntax is provided in the Supplementary Material.
Hierarchy‐assisted gene expression regulatory network analysis
Authors: Yan Han , Zhang Sanguo , Ma Shuangge
Published: January 2023

Gene expressions have been extensively studied in biomedical research. With gene expression, network analysis, which takes a system perspective and examines the interconnections among genes, has been established as highly important and meaningful. In the construction of gene expression networks, a commonly adopted technique is high‐dimensional regularized regression. Network construction can be unadjusted (which focuses on gene expressions only) and adjusted (which also incorporates regulators of gene expressions), and the two types of construction have different implications and can be equally important. In this article, we propose a variable selection hierarchy to connect the unadjusted regression‐based network construction with the adjusted construction that incorporates two or more types of regulators. This hierarchy is sensible and amounts to additional information for both constructions, thus having the potential of improving variable selection and estimation. An effective computational algorithm is developed, and extensive simulation demonstrates the superiority of the proposed construction over multiple closely relevant alternatives. The analysis of TCGA data further demonstrates the practical utility of the proposed approach.
Can the innovation in sustainability disclosures reflect organisational sustainable development? An integrated reporting perspective from China
Authors: Sun Yanqi
Published: January 2023

Integrated reporting (IR) represents the newest development of organisational reporting approach. Although IR approach is gaining momentum globally, its relevance in decision‐making for stakeholders is experiencing ongoing debate. Studies on the relationship between IR practices and organisations' sustainable development are scarce. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms between 2006 and 2019, this article examines the association between IR practices (the integration level of sustainability disclosures) and firms' sustainability performance excellence. We provide strong empirical evidence showing that higher IR practices can offer a positive signal about firms' excellent sustainability performance. Firms tend to signal their excellent sustainability performance in the aspects of social service, environment protection and product quality by increasing their IR practices, which is consistent with the argumentation of signalling theory. Our findings are robust to a number of sensitivity analyses. The empirical evidence of this study enhances stakeholders' confidence in IR as an approach to disclosing a company's sustainability information.
UV‐blocking performance and antibacterial activity of Cd, Ba co‐doped ZnO nanomaterials prepared by a facile wet chemical method
Authors: Samuel John , Eugin shaji Joseph , Sahaya Jude Dhas Sathiya Dhas , Suresh Savarimuthu , Sherlin vinita Varghese , Biju Chellaswamy Saraswathy
Published: January 2023

The utilization of highly efficient ultraviolet (UV)‐attenuating materials has inevitably signaled an ever‐increasing demand to mitigate the impending pessimistic impact of UV rays that consistently depletes the ozone atmosphere. In this context, a highly efficient Cd, Ba co‐doped ZnO nanomaterial has been prepared using a facile wet chemical approach. X‐ray diffractometer analysis indicates the evolution of wurtzite structure of ZnO with a slight peak shift towards the higher angle upon co‐doping which ascertains the impacted lattice contraction. N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms of the material supplement magnificently a typical type‐IV behavior displaying an H1 type hysteresis loop at high pressures whereby authorizing the open meso‐porous characteristics. The resulting Cd, Ba co‐doped ZnO nanorods disclose integrated performances of widespread polychromatic UV–visible luminescent emission, wide band gap, and enhanced UV absorbance. In particular, Cd, Ba co‐doped ZnO nanorods impart a positive UV‐blocking execution of 97% for UVA at 360 nm and 88% for UVB at 320 nm, which is found to be higher than most of the reported ZnO‐related materials. Besides these intriguing aforementioned properties, co‐doping is also appropriate for imparting better bacterial inhibition against the two tested strains (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Altogether, these results indicate that the co‐doped ZnO nanorods developed in the current investigation could potentially serve as a propitious alternative UV‐blocking material, especially for biomedical applications.
A Green Biocomposite Produced by Passive Cell Immobilization onto Waste Biomass Support for Biodecolorization of Reactive Dye Contamination
Authors: Celik Sema
Published: January 2023

The waste biomass of grape pomace was utilized for the immobilization of model fungal cells (Thamnidium elegans) providing a green, innovative, and practical biocomposite for efficient biodecolorization of a model reactive dye (Reactive Yellow 2). Appreciable decolorization capacity at optimized conditions was observed as qmax=151.0 mg g‐1 with the suggested biocomposite (TECWGP). During the batch process, the biocomposite exhibited the highest dye removal of 98.57 % in the RY2‐contaminated solutions. The biosorptive decolorization process was the best predicted by the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic models. The possible interactions between RY2 and TECWGP were also examined. Synthetic wastewater treatment experiments indicated that TECWGP has a good decolorization potential. Overall, the findings indicated that TECWGP could be a good alternative to synthetic materials for the treatment of reactive dye‐contaminated aqueous phase. Furthermore, the utilization of agro‐industrial waste to support fungal cells contributes to the growth of a solid circular bio‐based economy.
Electrochemical Investigation of Viral Respiratory Infection Inflammatory Biomarker Serum Amyloid A Protein by Using PtNP Modified Electrode
Authors: Kalpana  , Ghrera Aditya Sharma
Published: January 2023

The present study reports the optimisation of electrochemical deposition parameters for platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on (Indium‐tin‐oxide) surface. PtNPs were electrochemically deposited on APTES (3‐Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane) modified ITO surface to prepare working electrode (PtNP/APTES/ITO). This electrode is further used to fabricate immunoelectrode for detection of SAA biomarker (APO‐SAA) by SAA specific antibodies (SAAAb) which are immobilised by SAM on the surface of PtNP/APTES/ITO to fabricate SAA‐Ab/PtNP/APTES/ITO immunoelectrode. Characterization of prepared immunoelectrode is done by electrochemical characterization techniques like Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Characterization by electrochemical techniques reveal that SAA‐Ab/PtNP/APTES/ITO immunoelectrode can detect Serum Amyloid A protein (SAA) when 10 μl of it (from initial concentration of 10 fg/ml to 106 fg/ml) is poured on immunoelectrode and kept for 10 minutes. Linearity equation is obtained and the LOD is found to be 8.22 fg/ml by applying equation 3σ/sensitivity.