bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the Residuals Entropy Function of Inverse Weibull Distribution Based on Generalized Type-II Hybrid Censored Samples
Authors: Ahmad Moshera A. M.
Published: May 2021

Shannon’s entropy plays important role in the information theory. However, it can’t be applied to systems which have survived for some time. Therefore, the concept of residual entropy was developed. In this paper, the estimation of the entropy of a two-parameter inverse Weibull distribution based on the generalized type-II hybrid censored sample is considered. The Bayes estimator for the residual entropy of the Inverse Weibull distribution under the generalized type-II hybrid censored sample is given. Simulation experiments are conducted to see the effectiveness of the different estimators.
Bayesian Prediction for Exponentiated Generalized Xgamma Distribution Based on Dual Generalized Order Statistics with Application to Poverty and COVID-19 Mortality Rates
Authors: EL-Kader R. E. Abd , AL-Fattah A. M. Abd , AL-Dayian G. R. , EL-Helbawy A. A.
Published: May 2021

Statistical prediction is one of the most important problems in life testing; it has been applied in medicine, engineering, business and other areas as well. In this paper, the exponentiated generalized xgamma distribution is introduced as an application on the exponentiated generalized general class of distributions. Bayesian point and interval prediction of exponentiated generalized xgamma distribution based on dual generalized order statistics are considered. All results are specialized to lower records. The results are verified using simulation study as well as applications to real data sets to demonstrate the flexibility and potential applications of the distribution.
Growth, Yield and Shattering Dynamics of Seeds of Twelve Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Accessions
Authors: Tandoh P. K. , Banful B. K. , Idun I. A. , Gaveh E. A.
Published: May 2021

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is an important crop grown in tropical and subtropical climates with huge nutritional, economic and industrial benefits. The plant undergoes explosive shattering to disperse seeds after physiological maturity leading to high loss of seeds at the time of harvesting. A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of different harvesting stages on the growth, yield and shattering dynamics of seeds of twelve Roselle accessions in the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi from March to November, 2019. A 3x12 factorial design in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the study, where factor one was harvesting stages at three levels (physiological maturity, one week after physiological maturity and two weeks after physiological maturity) and factor two was accessions at twelve levels. The study revealed that accession HS08 performed best in terms of growth (plant height, the number of leaves, number of branches and stem girth) and reproductive parameters (number of days to flowering) and accessions HS27 and HS08 produced the highest yield (number of pods, number of seeds per pod, and total seed yield). Harvesting of seeds at the physiological maturity stage happened to be the ideal time because seeds were harvested safely without any losses (0%) due to shattering as compared to the other harvesting stages. The study also established a very strong, positive and significant relationship between seed yield and number of leaves (r=0.7093) and the number of branches (r=0.9241). However, there was a strong but negative and significant relationship between seed yield and percentage seed shattering loss (r=-0.9633). There was a very strong, positive and significant relationship between number of leaves and stem girth (r=0.7769). The number of seeds per plant correlated positively with the number of pods (r=0.7358). A regression model which was given by the equation; Y (Seed yield)=670.96-0.3152 (Shattering loss), R2=0.9279, p<0.0000, indicated that shattering loss significantly affected seed yield to an extent that it contributed 93% of the variation in the seed yield.
Comparative Study of Different Oral Iron Preparations in Females of Reproductive Age Group
Authors: Tiwari Megha , Dubey Vishal , Srivastava Nikita
Published: May 2021

Background: Anemia (anemia) is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. The commonness of iron inadequacy is high in all age bunch females. Around 32.4% of ladies have mellow iron deficiency, 14.19% ladies have direct sickliness, 2.2% have serious weakness.

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety profile of oral iron formulations in iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: A cross sectional study in patients with anemia receiving oral ferric ammonium citrate, folic acid, vitamin B12and iron hydroxide respectively was included. The patients were followed up once in 0 day, end of week, 1 month, for 3 months and observed for hematological improvement and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Total 350 anemic patient were included in the study.

Results: The data analyzed in 185 patients received ferric ammonium citrate, folic acid, 165 received, iron hydroxide,folic acid, vitamin B12 have significantly improved mean hemoglobin and anemia indices at the end of study, however, there was no significant differences between the groups when compared. “All four formulations showed similar ADR profile, there was no significant difference in adverse reactions.’’

Conclusion: Ferric ammonium citrate can be considered as best cost-effective choice for treatment of irons deficiency anemia.
Integrating Engineering, Automation, and Intelligence to Catalyze the Biomedical Translation of Organoids
Authors: Ma Shaohua , Zhao Haoran , Galan Edgar A.
Published: May 2021

Organoid technology has developed at an impressive speed during the past decade. Still, organoids are not widely used in practical applications as expected. It is believed that this translation can be greatly accelerated with the integration of engineering and artificial intelligence into current research practices. It is proposed that this approach is the missing link to realize key milestones in organoid technology, namely, high‐throughput, homogeneous, and standardized production, automated manipulation, and intelligent monitoring, evaluation, and control via integrated on‐chip instrumentation and artificial intelligence. It is suggested that organoids‐on‐a‐chip are the ideal platform to achieve these feats. Once these techniques are established and adopted by the scientific community, the rapid translation of organoids may be seen from laboratories to the clinics and pharmaceutical industry.
NIR Laser‐Triggered Microneedle‐Based Liquid Band‐Aid for Wound Care
Authors: Sun Yun , Liu Jingling , Wang Hongyu , Li Shanshan , Pan Xueting , Xu Bolong , Yang Hailong , Wu Qingyuan , Li Wenxuan , Su Xin , Huang Zhijun , Guo Xindong , Liu Huiyu
Published: May 2021

Microneedles (MNs) have attracted widespread scientific and industrial interest in the past decade as an efficient, painless, low‐cost, and relatively safe transdermal drug delivery device. However, their drawbacks such as insufficient dose accuracy and limited penetration depth may limit the clinical applications. Here, a light‐controlled liquid band‐aid based on MNs is developed for antibacterial applications. Metal–organic framework‐derived peroxidase‐like nanozyme loaded in MNs can not only convert light energy into heat to enhance drug permeation but also decompose hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals for antibacteria. The heat generated by the nanozyme can facilitate MNs to melt and form a liquid band‐aid, which is beneficial to insulate the wound from the surrounding bacterial environment. These studies in a Staphylococcus aureus‐infected mice model also prove that this laser‐triggered liquid band‐aid can efficiently reduce skin inflammation and promote wound healing. Together, these results demonstrate that the rational design of MNs can enhance antibacterial and wound healing efficiency.
Interaction Promotes the Formation and Photothermal Conversion of Carbon Dots/Polydopamine Composite for Solar‐Driven Water Evaporation
Authors: Chang Qing , Guo Zeyu , Shen Zhuohao , Li Ning , Xue Chaorui , Zhang Huinian , Hao Caihong , Yang Jinlong , Hu Shengliang
Published: May 2021

Carbon dots modified with polydopamine (CDs/PDA), a low‐cost and environmentally friendly photothermal material, is prepared in this work. The results show that the polymerization of dopamine is significantly accelerated due to the interaction between CDs and dopamine. Importantly, the interaction also greatly promotes nonradiative recombination of photoexcited charge carriers, thereby enhancing the photothermal conversion performance of CDs/PDA. The obtained CDs/PDA composite shows superior photothermal evaporation efficiency in comparison with CDs and PDA owing to the enhanced light absorption, porous structure, and appropriate interaction. In addition, CDs/PDA exhibits excellent stability. These merits enable CDs/PDA show great promise in solar‐energy‐related applications.
Light‐Controlled Room Temperature Ferromagnetism in Vanadium‐Doped Tungsten Disulfide Semiconducting Monolayers
Authors: Ortiz Jimenez Valery , Pham Yen Thi Hai , Liu Mingzu , Zhang Fu , Yu Zhuohang , Kalappattil Vijaysankar , Muchharla Baleeswaraiah , Eggers Tatiana , Duong Dinh Loc , Terrones Mauricio , Phan Manh‐Huong
Published: May 2021

Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors hold enormous potential for modern optoelectronic devices and quantum computing applications. By inducing long‐range ferromagnetism (FM) in these semiconductors through the introduction of small amounts of a magnetic dopant, it is possible to extend their potential in spintronics. Here, light‐mediated, room temperature (RT) FM, in V‐doped WS2 (V‐WS2) monolayers is demonstrated. The authors probe this effect using the principle of magnetic LC resonance, which employs a soft ferromagnetic Co‐based microwire coil driven near its resonance in the radio frequency regime, where it is highly sensitive to changes in magnetic flux. They use this to measure the magnetic permeability of the V‐WS2 monolayer subject to light illumination. Notably, the magnetic permeability of the monolayer is found to depend on the laser intensity, thus confirming light control of RT magnetism in this material. Guided by density functional theory calculations, they attribute this phenomenon to the presence of excess holes in the conduction and valence bands, as well as carriers trapped in the magnetic doping states, which mediates the magnetization of the V‐WS2 monolayer. These findings provide a unique route to exploit light‐controlled ferromagnetism at RT and potentially establish a new subfield named photo‐spintronics.
Coupling of Ru and O‐Vacancy on 2D Mo‐Based Electrocatalyst Via a Solid‐Phase Interface Reaction Strategy for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Cai Jialin , Ding Jie , Wei Donghui , Xie Xin , Li Baojun , Lu Siyu , Zhang Jianmin , Liu Yushan , Cai Qiang , Zang Shuangquan
Published: May 2021

For most Mo‐based electrocatalysts, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity depends on their own active structural defects or extrinsic transition metal centers. In this work, in order to combine the advantages of these two different active centers, a solid‐phase interface reaction (SPIR) strategy is proposed, which simultaneously introduces oxygen vacancies (VO) and metal centers (Ru) into the 2D Mo‐based catalyst. Briefly, this SPIR occurs at the interface between MoS2 and RuO2 nanoparticles of the RuO2/MoS2 precursor when overcoming the kinetic barriers at a suitable temperature under an Ar atmosphere. Since the adjacent parts of RuO2 and MoS2 are converted to Ru and MoO2 in situ, a composite system MiSC‐1 containing a large amount of active Ru and VO on MoO2 plane is obtained. Furthermore, theoretical calculations confirm the proposed mechanism of SPIR. MiSC‐1 shows excellent stability and catalytic performance in the HER, with an overpotential value of 12 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH. Additionally, MiSC‐1 exhibits excellent performance in the hydrolysis of ammonia borane. This report will provide a versatile platform for the preparation of a multi‐component catalyst with high total activity as well as the identification of the structural details of the catalysts.
Natural gene therapy by reverse mosaicism leads to improved hematology in Fanconi anemia patients
Authors: Ramírez María José , Pujol Roser , Trujillo‐Quintero Juan Pablo , Minguillón Jordi , Bogliolo Massimo , Río Paula , Navarro Susana , Casado José A. , Badell Isabel , Carrasco Estela , Balmaña Judith , Català Albert , Sevilla Julián , Beléndez Cristina , Argilés Bienvenida , López Mónica , Díaz de Heredia Cristina , Rao Gayatri , Nicoletti Eileen , Schwartz Jonathan D. , Bueren Juan A. , Surrallés Jordi
Published: May 2021

Fanconi anemia (FA) is characterized by chromosome fragility, bone marrow failure (BMF) and predisposition to cancer. As reverse genetic mosaicism has been described as “natural gene therapy” in patients with FA, we sought to evaluate the clinical course of a cohort of FA mosaic patients followed at referral centers in Spain over a 30‐year period. This cohort includes patients with a majority of T cells without chromosomal aberrations in the DEB‐chromosomal breakage test. Relative to non‐mosaic FA patients, we observed a higher proportion of adult patients in the cohort of mosaics, with a later age of hematologic onset and a milder evolution of (BMF). Consequently, the requirement for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) was also lower. Additional studies allowed us to identify a sub‐cohort of mosaic FA patients in whom the reversion was present in bone marrow (BM) progenitor cells leading to multilineage mosaicism. These multilineage mosaic patients are older, have a lower percentage of aberrant cells, have more stable hematology and none of them developed leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome when compared to non‐mosaics. In conclusion, our data indicate that reverse mosaicism is a good prognostic factor in FA and is associated with more favorable long‐term clinical outcomes.
In search of the earliest images of symmelia in works of art
Authors: Schwartz Charles E. , Stevenson Roger E.
Published: May 2021

Symmelia (alias sirenomelia, mermaid malformation) is one of the most distinctive malformations which, not surprisingly, has attracted the attention of many artists, writers and other observers of the human condition. Works of art depicting symmelia date back at least two millennia. Some are anatomically based while others are more fanciful creations intended to stir the imagination. The figure of Atargatis as a mermaid on a first century BC coin is one of the earliest known images of symmelia. A nearly 2000‐year‐old Native American pottery figure representing an infant with symmelia is another.
Genetic and congenital disorders in pre‐Hispanic Moche pottery
Authors: Pachajoa Harry , Heyne Thomas , Candelo Estephania , Purizaca‐Rosillo Nelson , Correa‐Trigoso Denis E. , Gayoso Guillermo , Rodriguez Carlos Armando
Published: May 2021

The Moche were a pre‐Hispanic, pre‐Incan people who inhabited northwestern Peru from 50 to 850 AD and left behind a large body of ceramic artwork. We present 26 pieces from 5 museums, which seem to show individuals with malformations, minor anomalies, and possible genetic syndromes. Possible diagnoses include cleft lip and palate, ocular anomalies such as hypertelorism and orbital dystopia, oligo‐ and polydactyly, conjoined twinning, clubfoot, Down syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and Seckel syndrome. These ceramic portraits suggest that these people with received a certain respect or even elevated status within their society.
Overgrowth in myth and art
Authors: Boccuto Luigi , Neri Giovanni
Published: May 2021

Individuals with overgrowth have been the subjects of numerous myths and art pieces in various cultures, often depicted as deities or creatures of divine origin, such as giants or titans. In more recent times, however, subjects with signs of generalized or segmental overgrowth have been considered as “freaks of nature,” in the disparaging language of the time, and represented in artworks as elements of entertainment or amusement. The different meanings assigned to overgrowth in myth and art through time provide an interesting perspective of the sociocultural approach to dysmorphic traits and genetic disorders.
Knowledge gaps in Alzheimer's disease immune biomarker research
Authors: Morgan David G. , Mielke Michelle M.
Published: May 2021

Considerable evidence has accumulated implicating a role for immune mechanisms in moderating the pathology in Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, the appropriate therapeutic target, the appropriate direction of manipulation, and the stage of disease at which to begin treatment remain unanswered questions. Part of the challenge derives from the absence of any selective pressure to develop a coordinated beneficial immune response to severe neural injury in adults. Thus, immune responses to the prevailing stimuli are likely to contain both beneficial and detrimental components. Knowledge gaps include: (1) how a biomarker change relates to the underlying biology, (2) the degree to which pathological stage group differences reflect a response to pathology versus trait differences among individuals regulating risk of developing pathology, (3) the degree to which biomarker levels are predictive of subsequent changes in pathology and/or cognition, and (4) experimental manipulations in model systems to determine whether differences in immune biomarkers are causally related to pathology.
Optical Signals to Monitor the Dynamics of Phonon‐Modified Rabi Oscillations in a Quantum Dot
Authors: Klaßen Marius R. , Reiter Doris E.
Published: May 2021

Semiconductor quantum dots are solid state few‐level systems which can interact strongly with light. As such, they can be used as a single photon source or to perform solid‐state quantum‐optics experiments. A major difference to atoms is the interaction with the lattice vibrations, that is, the phonons, which strongly affect the optical signals from a quantum dot. In this paper, we calculate the time‐resolved pump‐probe signals from a continuously driven quantum dot accounting for detuned excitation and electron–phonon interaction. We provide analytical equations giving insight into the different phenomena observed in the spectra like an oscillation between absorptive and dispersive line shapes. For detuned excitation, the electron–phonon interaction can lead to phonon‐assisted occupation of the exciton, giving rise to a strong asymmetry in the dynamical behavior depending on the sign of the detuning. The time‐resolved spectra monitor this relaxation path, which helps understanding the effect of electron–phonon interaction in quantum dots.
Photocatalytic one‐pot multidirectional N‐alkylation over Pt/D‐TiO2/Ti3C2: Ti3C2‐based short‐range directional charge transmission
Authors: Jiang Heyan , Sheng Meilin , Li Yue , Kong Shuzhen , Bian Fengxia
Published: May 2021

Visible‐light‐induced one‐pot, multistep, and chemoselectivity adjustable reactions highlight the economical, sustainable, and green process. Herein, we report Pt nanoparticles dispersed on S and N co‐doped titanium dioxide/titanium carbide (MXene) (3%Pt/D‐TiO2/Ti3C2) heterojunctions as photocatalysts for the tandem reactions between aromatic nitro compounds and alcohols to produce N‐alkylated products. 3%Pt/D‐TiO2/Ti3C2 heterojunction was prepared by in situ grew TiO2 on Ti3C2 nanosheets, S and N co‐doped TiO2 with thiourea, and then Pt nanoparticles with 2.9 nm average diameter well dispersed on D‐TiO2/Ti3C2. 3%Pt/D‐TiO2/Ti3C2 showed excellent activity and chemoselectivity to N‐alkyl amines in the presence of base additive K3PO4 under visible‐light irradiation; interestingly the chemoselectivity almost completely switched to N‐benzylideneanilines in the presence of base additive KOH. In comparison, Pt nanoparticles on S and N co‐doped TiO2 prepared from titanium carbide (3%Pt/D‐TiO2@C) showed sharply decreased activity and chemoselectivity to N‐alkyl amines or N‐benzylideneanilines. The enhanced performance of 3%Pt/D‐TiO2/Ti3C2 should be attributed to the improvement in photogenerated electron and hole separation efficiency by means of charge short‐range directional transmission caused by the intimate contact between the TiO2 and the conductive Ti3C2. In situ DRIFTS spectra further verified that the substrates activation with visible‐light irradiation at 25°C was much faster than heating.
Assessing the Causal Relationships Between Insulin Resistance and Hyperuricemia and Gout Using Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization
Authors: McCormick Natalie , O’Connor Mark J. , Yokose Chio , Merriman Tony R. , Mount David B. , Leong Aaron , Choi Hyon K.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Hyperuricemia is closely associated with insulin resistance syndrome (and its many cardiometabolic sequelae); however, whether they are causally related has long been debated. We undertook this study to investigate the potential causal nature and direction between insulin resistance and hyperuricemia, along with gout, by using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.

Methods

We used genome‐wide association data (n = 288,649 for serum urate [SU] concentration; n = 763,813 for gout risk; n = 153,525 for fasting insulin) to select genetic instruments for 2‐sample MR analyses, using multiple MR methods to address potential pleiotropic associations. We then used individual‐level, electronic medical record–linked data from the UK Biobank (n = 360,453 persons of European ancestry) to replicate our analyses via single‐sample MR analysis.

Results

Genetically determined SU levels, whether inferred from a polygenic score or strong individual loci, were not associated with fasting insulin concentrations. In contrast, genetically determined fasting insulin concentrations were positively associated with SU levels (0.37 mg/dl per log‐unit increase in fasting insulin [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.15, 0.58]; P = 0.001). This persisted in outlier‐corrected (β = 0.56 mg/dl [95% CI 0.45, 0.67]) and multivariable MR analyses adjusted for BMI (β = 0.69 mg/dl [95% CI 0.53, 0.85]) (P < 0.001 for both). Polygenic scores for fasting insulin were also positively associated with SU level among individuals in the UK Biobank (P < 0.001). Findings for gout risk were bidirectionally consistent with those for SU level.

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence to clarify core questions about the close association between hyperuricemia and insulin resistance syndrome: hyperinsulinemia leads to hyperuricemia but not the other way around. Reducing insulin resistance could lower the SU level and gout risk, whereas lowering the SU level (e.g., allopurinol treatment) is unlikely to mitigate insulin resistance and its cardiometabolic sequelae.
Evaluation of analytical solution of advection diffusion equation in three dimensions
Authors: Essa Khaled S. M. , Mosallem Ahmed M. , Shalaby Ahmed S.
Published: May 2021

Three‐dimensional advection–diffusion equation with steady state was evaluated from continuous point source taking the vertical and crosswind eddy diffusivities as power law of vertical height and downwind distance with constant wind speed to get the concentration in three dimensions. Separation of variables technique and Hankel transform were used to calculate this equation. The proposed analytical solution was compared with diffusion experiment of radioactive Iodine‐135 (I135) in unstable condition at Inshas, Cairo, Egypt. A good agreement achieved between calculated and observed concentration support our proposed model.
Visible Light‐Promoted Aryl Azoline Formation over Mesoporous Organosilica as Heterogeneous Photocatalyst
Authors: Wei Wenxin , Li Run , Huber Niklas , Kizilsavas Gönül , Ferguson Calum T. J. , Landfester Katharina , Zhang Kai A. I.
Published: May 2021

N‐heterocyclic compounds demonstrate wide applications ranging from natural compound production to coordination chemistry. Usually, the synthesis of N‐heterocyclic compounds is conducted under thermal conditions, mostly by Lewis acids or metal‐containing compounds as molecular catalysts. Here, we report a photocatalytic route for aryl azoline formation by mesoporous organosilica as visible light‐active and heterogeneous photocatalyst. Via formation of aromatic aldehydes with various amines, 2‐phenyl‐2‐imidazoline, 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline, 2‐phenyl‐2‐thiazoline and their derivatives could be formed with high conversion and selectivity. Additionally, the organosilica photocatalyst showed high stability and reusability.
Green Chemistry Meets Asymmetric Organocatalysis: A Critical Overview on Catalysts Synthesis
Authors: Antenucci Achille , Dughera Stefano , Renzi Polyssena
Published: May 2021

Can green chemistry be the right reading key to let organocatalyst design take a step forward towards sustainable catalysis? What if the intriguing chemistry promoted by more engineered organocatalysts was carried on by using renewable and naturally occurring molecular scaffolds, or at least synthetic catalysts more respectful towards the principles of green chemistry? Within the frame of these questions, this Review will tackle the most commonly occurring organic chiral catalysts from the perspective of their synthesis rather than their employment in chemical methodologies or processes. A classification of the catalyst scaffolds based on their E factor will be provided, and the global E factor (EG factor) will be proposed as a new green chemistry metric to consider, also, the synthetic route to the catalyst within a given organocatalytic process.
Standalone electric vehicle charging station using an isolated bidirectional converter with snubber
Authors: Krishnan Nair Divya , Prasad Krishnamachar , Lie Tek T.
Published: May 2021

The rise of green technologies in transportation requires electric vehicles (EV) as a prominent solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An off‐grid EV charging station plays a significant role in remote regions leading to increased use of EVs. Solar energy promises to be the best solution due to its abundance and simple installation. As solar energy is not constant over a 24‐hour period, there is a need for an energy storage unit (ESU) along with a photovoltaic array. In this paper, we present an efficient design approach that uses a fast‐charging station with a maximum power point tracking boost converter, a bidirectional DC‐DC converter with a snubber circuit, and ESU. The power electronic converters with an active snubber and two capacitive‐diode snubbers act as the energy sources that interface with the ESU. The snubber circuits achieve near zero voltage switching and zero current switching for the converter, thus improving overall efficiency. ESU meets the energy demand for EVs when there is insufficient generated solar energy. On the other hand, during the excess generation of solar energy, ESU utilizes this energy to develop an optimal power management system. This results in a green, reliable, and efficient off‐grid EV charging station. The proposed method is validated using the MATLAB/Simulink environment to verify system performance.
Ultrasound‐assisted extraction of boulardii yeast cell wall polysaccharides: Characterization and its biological functions on early‐weaned lambs
Authors: Liu Mengjian , Liu WuJun , Zhang WenJu , Yao Jun , Mo Xucheng
Published: May 2021

Firstly, this study was designed to determine the optimal ultrasound‐assisted extraction parameters of Saccharomyces boulardii yeast wall polysaccharides (BYWP). Besides, the molecular weight and the ratio of mannose to glucose in compositions of BYWP were determined. Also, the effects of BYWP on the gain feed ratio, diarrhea frequency, intestinal morphology, intestinal immunity, and intestinal microbial flora of early‐weaned lambs were investigated. Single‐factor tests and Response surface optimization analysis (RSA) were used to obtain the optimal ultrasound‐assisted extraction conditions. Sephadex G‐100 column chromatography and liquid chromatography were used to analyze the molecular weight and ratio of mannose to glucose. The feeding trial was used to observe the biological functions of BYWP on early‐weaned lambs. A total of 72 36‐day‐old crossbred early‐weaned lambs were randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates per group and 6 lambs per replicate. Lambs in the four treatments were fed basal milk replacer without supplement (Group I), basal milk replacer+0.1% BYWP (Group II), basal milk replacer+0.3% BYWP (Group III), and basal milk replacer+0.5% BYWP (Group IV), respectively. The optimal ultrasound‐assisted extraction parameters were as follows: NaOH addition: 52.63%, ultrasonic power: 143.15 W, ultrasonic time: 86.20 min, and the optimized extraction yield reached 37.54%. The molecular weights of main components BLC‐1 and BLC‐2 were 164.68 KDa and 13.21 KDa, and their proportions in BYWP were 24.57% and 66.08%, respectively. The proportions of glucose, mannose in BLC‐1 and BLC‐2 were 47.68%, 39.18%, and 76.59%, 6.86%, respectively. The addition of 0.3% and 0.5% BYWP in basal milk replacer significantly increased the average daily gain and feed conversion rate, and decreased the average fecal index and diarrhea rate of early‐weaned lambs. The addition of 0.3% and 0.5% BYWP significantly enhanced the intestinal morphology (villus height, crypt depth, and V/C value) of jejunum, ileum (p < .05). The addition of 0.3% and 0.5% BYWP significantly improved the levels of SIgA and IL‐10, but significantly decreased the level of IL‐1 in the ileum (p < .05). The addition of 0.3% and 0.5% BYWP significantly increased the number of Lactobacillus, but significantly suppressed the growth of Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens (p < .05). The results of the present study suggest that the supplementation of BYWP in the diet of early‐weaned lambs could increase feed utilization rate, and enhance intestinal morphology, immunological competence, microbial flora balance, and decrease the rate of diarrhea occurrence.
Usefulness of the Stroop Test in Diagnosing Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy and Predicting Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Hanai Tatsunori , Shiraki Makoto , Nishimura Kayoko , Miwa Takao , Maeda Toshihide , Ogiso Yui , Imai Kenji , Suetsugu Atsushi , Takai Koji , Shimizu Masahito
Published: May 2021

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) adversely affects the clinical outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the utility of the Stroop test in the diagnosis of MHE and prediction of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) in Japanese patients with cirrhosis. We enrolled 152 patients who underwent the Stroop test between November 2018 and February 2020. MHE was diagnosed using a combination of neuropsychological tests as the gold standard. The enrolled patients were followed up prospectively until the occurrence of OHE or August 2020. The optimal cutoff value of the Stroop test measurements was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and its predictive ability was assessed using the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Among the 139 eligible patients, 50 (36%) were diagnosed with MHE. The OffTime+OnTime cutoff value of 218.3 seconds had the best discriminative ability for MHE diagnosis, with an AUC of 0.77, a sensitivity of 74%, and a specificity of 75%. During a median follow‐up of 10.8 months, 6 (4%) patients developed OHE. The OffTime+OnTime cutoff value of 305.6 seconds had the highest predictive ability for OHE, with an AUC of 0.79, a sensitivity of 67%, and a specificity of 92%. This value predicted OHE occurrence independent of liver functional reserve and prior OHE (hazard ratio, 19.8; P = 0.003). These two cutoff values remained statistically significant even when patients with prior OHE were excluded from the analysis. Conclusion: The Stroop test was useful for diagnosing patients with MHE and predicting OHE in Japanese patients with cirrhosis.
Lanthanum carbonate to control plasma and urinary oxalate level in type 1 primary hyperoxaluria?
Authors: Pozdzik Agnieszka , David Cristina , Vekeman Jelle , Tielens Frederik , Daudon Michel
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The therapy to reduce urinary oxalate excretion in primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is still required.

Case presentation

A 37‐year‐old hemodialyzed man suffered from systemic oxalosis secondary to primary hyperoxaluria type 1 exhibited a drastic plasma oxalate decrease from 110 to 22 µmol/L two months after adjunction of lanthanum carbonate to classical treatment (intensive hemodialysis with pyridoxine). A 34‐year‐old woman with normal kidney function presented 10 years of bilateral kidney stones due to primary hyperoxaluria type 1 [hyperoxaluria (109.2 mg/24 h), plasma oxalate (56.0 µmol/L)]. The oxalate level remained uncontrolled despite of low oxalate‐normal calcium diet, pyridoxine and increased water intake though the lanthanum carbonate adjunction resulted in significant decrease in plasma oxalate and oxaluria.

Conclusion

We report the lanthanum efficacy in reducing circulating and urinary oxalate levels in type 1 primary hyperoxaluria. Possible mechanism of observed falls in oxalate concentration would be a decrease in the intestinal absorption of oxalate.
Enhanced small neutral but not branched chain amino acid transport after epigenetic sodium coupled neutral amino acid transporter‐2 (SNAT2) cDNA expression in myoblasts
Authors: Pearson Timothy , Wendowski Oskar , Powell Penny P.
Published: May 2021

Background

Skeletal muscle mass and function are partly maintained by the supply of amino acids, altered amino acid transport is an important cause of frailty that can lead to decreased independence with increasing age and slow trauma recovery. The system‐A sodium coupled neutral amino acid transporter (SNAT)‐2 coded by gene family SLC38A2 generates a 506 amino acid 56 kDa protein that is an important transporter of amino acids in skeletal muscle. Ageing is associated with a decrease in expression of SNAT2 transporters.

Methods

In this study, we used the C2C12 cell line, using myoblast cells and cells differentiated into myotubes. We investigated if the expression of SNAT2 DNA would enhance intracellular amino acid levels and increase their availability for protein synthesis.

Results

In control myoblasts and myotubes, we found significantly decreased expression of SNAT2 (6.5× decrease, n = 4 per group, P < 0.05) in myotubes than found in myoblasts. After transfection with a SNAT2‐eGFP cDNA plasmid, C2C12 myoblasts significantly increased perinuclear punctate SNAT2‐eGFP expression that persisted and was more cytoplasmic after differentiation into myotubes. Interestingly, transfected cells were significantly more responsive to the hormone 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 4.5 nM, by 1.6×, n = 3 per group, P < 0.04). Starvation significantly enhanced the amino acid C14‐MeAIB transport (1.7×, n = 3 per group, P < 0.05) indicating increased function of SNAT2. Inhibiting SNAT2 with high concentrations of MeAIB (3.3 or 5 mM) significantly reduced C14‐Isoleucine transport by L‐type amino acid transporter (LAT2, 52.8% and 77%, respectively, n = 3 per group, P < 0.05). However, there was no increase in the LAT2 transport of C14‐isoleucine detectable in SNAT2‐eGFP transfected cells after DHT (4.5 nM) exposure. This indicated that small amino acid availability was not rate limiting to LAT2 function in myoblasts.

Conclusions

Overall, these data show that transfection of SNAT2‐eGFP expression enhanced its function following starvation and treatment with physiological levels of DHT. Enhanced SNAT2 expression in muscle cells offers a viable epigenetic target in pathological conditions associated with altered amino acid transport.
Effect of borates on the synthesis of nanoscale hexagonal boron nitride by a solid‐state method
Authors: Öz Muhammed , Bozkurt Çetin , Kanbur Yılmaz Binnur , Yıldırım Gürcan
Published: May 2021

This study delves deeply into the effect of different borates (lithium tetraborate, sodium tetraborate, calcium metaborate, ammonium pentaborate) on the production and fundamental characteristic features of nanoscale hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) structure with the assistant of standard characteristic measurement methods, namely, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The hBN samples are synthesized by reaction of powder urea, boron oxide, and different kinds of borates via the modified O'Connor method (performed at a relatively lower main heat treatment temperature of 1,100°C). All the results obtained show that the usage of borates affects positively the formation of nanoscale hBN structure. In more detail, the FTIR experiment results reveal that the presence of two strong c peaks appeared at ~1,380 and ~780 cm−1 in the spectra points out the conventional BN in‐plane and out‐of‐plane vibrations, respectively. The XRD patterns also confirm the production of high‐ordered hBN as the existence of the main peaks of the corresponding hexagonal system. As for the SEM examination, it is found that all the hBN materials exhibit totally different crystallinity quality and microstructural characteristics. The hBN compound prepared by the sodium tetraborate content shows the most uniform surface appearance with the smoothest/densest crystal structure, best grain orientations, and finest grain interactions. Hence, the material with strong stretching of interatomic bonds shows the highest material (fracture) strength. Moreover, the TEM images illustrate that all the products are composed of uniform multi‐walled nanotubes and nanorods with an average length of ~250 nm.
Assessment of antibacterial and antifungal potential of Curcuma longa and synthesized nanoparticles: A comparative study
Authors: Khan Mansoor Ahmed , Moghul Nurain Baig , Butt Maisra Azhar , Kiyani Mubin Mustafa , Zafar Ibraheem , Bukhari Ali Imran
Published: May 2021

Curcumin nanoparticles were most recently considered in medical research because of their antibacterial properties. The main objective of the study was to develop the green synthesis and antibacterial activity of curcumin nanoparticles using Curcuma longa. The processing of curcumin nanoparticles was carried out after the collection, identification, and extraction of curcumin. The effect of a sample on the synthesis of nanoparticles, such as curcumin aqueous concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg/ml) and curcumin nanoparticles (5, 10, and 20 mg/ml), and the antibacterial effect of these nanoparticles on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the fungal strain Aspergillus niger. For examining antibacterial and anti‐fungal activity disc diffusion method was performed, followed by the zone of inhibition. According to X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analysis, nanoparticles have spherical shapes and size of 42.64 nm. Results showed that a high dose of 20 mg/ml curcumin nanoparticles have more antibacterial activity than curcumin extracts in E. coli as it showed the largest diameter of zone of inhibition as compared to other doses. Other bacterial and fungal strains also showed significant results but E. coli was most prominent. The biosynthesis of curcumin nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of C. longa is a clean, inexpensive, and safe method that has not been used any toxic substance and consequently does not have side effects. Since several pathogenic species have acquired antibiotic resistance, the combination of curcumin with various nanoparticles would be beneficial in the cure of pathogenic diseases.
The impact of coupled air–sea interaction on extreme East Asian summer monsoon simulation in CMIP5 models
Authors: Kim Taehyung , Lee Soheon , Park Hye‐Jin , Cha Dong‐Hyun , Seo Kyong‐Hwan
Published: May 2021

In this study, the relationship between the ability to simulate air–sea interactions over the western North Pacific (WNP), and to reproduce the extreme East Asian summer monsoon (EASM), were investigated by comparing the performances of several global climate models (GCMs). High ranked in air–sea interaction simulation (HRA) and low ranked in air–sea interaction simulation (LRA) models were selected, according to their performance in simulating relations between sea surface temperature (SST) and precipitation over the WNP, from the ensemble of models that participated in the third and fifth phases of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3, CMIP5). Compared with CMIP3 models, CMIP5 models exhibited improved simulations of the distinctive air–sea interaction over the WNP, namely, the strong atmospheric forcing on the ocean. Among CMIP5 models, HRA models, which reproduced intrinsic negative correlations between precipitation and SST over the WNP, could simulate the extreme EASM better than LRA models. In particular, HRA models generated a more realistic spatial distribution of the extreme EASM compared with LRA models. The defects of the LRA models resulted from distorted synoptic fields, including underestimated geopotential height and overestimated low‐level wind over the WNP, inducing unrealistic moisture supply and convection due to the exaggerated SST forcing. In contrast, reasonable air–sea interactions represented in HRA models lead to realistic synoptic fields over the WNP, and proper simulation of the extreme EASM.
Reexamining the connection of El Niño and North American winter climate
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wu Zhiwei
Published: May 2021

According to the ENSO amplitude and the zonal gradient in sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) between eastern and western Pacific, three types of El Niño are classified. The greater than average amplitude events are considered to be the strong El Niño (SEN), which commonly exhibits a salient zonal gradient over the Pacific and the surface warming in the Indian Ocean. The large‐scale atmospheric anomalies of SEN correspond to a typical Pacific‐North America teleconnection propagating along the great circle route over North Pacific‐North America (NP‐NA), resulting in a warm winter in northern NA but an opposite condition over southern NA. The less than average amplitude events are weak El Niños, which can be subdivided according to the zonal gradient of Pacific. The strong gradient weak El Niño shows an SEN‐like SSTA distribution within the Pacific, which induces an intensified Aleutian low and a negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) anomaly. As a result, a cold (warm) T2m pattern is observed over southeastern NA (eastern Canada). The weak gradient weak El Niño, featuring a warmer than normal SST anomalies pattern along the equatorial Indian Ocean and central to eastern Pacific, generates an eastward propagating wave train from North Pacific to the eastern North American continent that results in a meridional seesaw T2m anomalies pattern over the NA continent. Interestingly, the T2m anomalies over NA for three types of El Niño correspond to the three leading modes of NA winter T2m variability. In addition, the above ENSO teleconnections can be reproduced through a series of numerical experiments.
Shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy as enabling technique for the analysis of animal feedstuff
Authors: Sowoidnich Kay , Oster Michael , Wimmers Klaus , Maiwald Martin , Sumpf Bernd
Published: May 2021

To achieve the best performance and health in farm animals, high‐quality pellets should be applied for feeding. Raw materials used for pellet production can have a significant influence on the nutritive and physical characteristics of the final product. A comprehensive quality control of raw materials and pellets is therefore essential. Optical inspection techniques show great promise as they enable fast, simple, and non‐destructive analysis. This study demonstrates the potential of shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) for inspection of intact feed pellets and their constituents. SERDS combines the ability of conventional Raman spectroscopy to obtain chemically specific information from the sample with efficient fluorescence background rejection capabilities. The latter is an essential prerequisite for the application to highly fluorescent natural samples, for example, feedstuffs. A custom dual‐wavelength diode laser with two slightly shifted emission wavelengths (785.2 and 784.6 nm) as required for SERDS is used as excitation light source. Results demonstrate that Raman signals can efficiently be separated from unwanted background contributions allowing for qualitative spatially resolved analysis of chicken feed pellets. Individual constituents present at levels down to 10 g/kg were successfully detected by means of their characteristic spectral signature. This highlights the large potential of SERDS and could pave the way for future inspection of raw materials and pellets at selected points along the process chain.
New Modified Equations to Estimate the Percentage of Over Three Emulsifiers in Emulsifier Mixture to Form a Stable Emulsion
Authors: Noor El‐Din Mahmoud R. , Hmeidan Sabti M.M.
Published: May 2021

This research aims to deduce new simple empirical equations for applying Griffin's method for the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance (HLB) to calculate the percentages of three to five emulsifiers used as an emulsifier mixture to form a stable emulsion. To achieve this aim, various types of oils, emulsifiers, and other additives (i.e. corrosion inhibitor and biocide) were used in emulsions formation for use in various purposes such as cosmetic chemistry, metalworking fluid (MWF), and emulsion polymerization fields. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to measure the change of droplet size with time to assess the stability of emulsions. The emulsifiers were chosen based on their physical properties, chemical structure, and HLB value. The use of the deduced equations was restricted to the chemical structure and the HLB values of the emulsifiers used, the required HLB (RHLB) values of the oil and oil mixtures used, and the synergy in chemical structure between the hydrocarbon chain of oil(s) and the lipophilic moiety of the emulsifiers used. The results demonstrated that increasing the number of emulsifiers for a mixture of more than two emulsifiers increased the stability of the emulsion formed.
A multiunit compensation for organic light‐emitting diode burn‐in in mobile displays
Authors: Ok Jiheon , Yu Yonghoon , An Joo‐young , Na Sewhan , Jang Woohyuk , Lim Hyun‐Wook , Lee Jae‐Youl
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a cost‐effective organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) display burn‐in compensation method on a mobile system is proposed. The subpixel wise compensation map is estimated using the data‐counting approach and is reallocated to multiunit regional map according to amount of burn‐in details. The degraded luminance compensation is applied for the display driver integrated circuit (IC) without the additional external storage. With the optimized multiunit map, perceptual quality can be enhanced after compensation with limited internal memory. Experiment shows that the luminance uniformity of the degraded panel has been improved by 20% after proposed compensation with 1/16 memory space usage.