bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese University English Teachers’ Professional Learning through Academic Reading on Social Media—A Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Ji Suhe , Qin Xiaoqing , Li Ke
Published: October 2022

Teachers’ professional learning on social media has received growing attention recently, but research into teachers’ academic engagement on social media remains limited. This study aimed to examine what factors motivated university English teachers to engage with academic reading on social media. The determinants of academic reading on social media were identified by semi-structured interviews, which were further validated by quantitative investigation. The results showed that participants’ perception of values of content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and students’ participation in the classroom affected their intentions toward commitment to academic reading on social media. Additionally, the results revealed that perceived value of pedagogical content knowledge mediated the relationship between perceived value of content knowledge and participants’ intentions toward academic reading on social media while also mediating the relationship between perceived value of students’ participation in the classroom and the participants’ intentions toward academic reading on social media. These findings yield implications for the professional development of university teachers and the development of pedagogical content knowledge.
Simplified Models to Capture the Effects of Restraints in Glass Balustrades under Quasi-Static Lateral Load or Soft-Body Impact
Authors: Rizzi Emanuele , Bedon Chiara , Amadio Claudio
Published: October 2022

Structural glass balustrades are usually composed of simple glass panels which are designed under various restraint solutions to minimize large out-of-plane deflections and prematurely high tensile/compressive stress peaks under lateral loads due to crowd. Linear supports, point-fixing systems, and others can be used to create geometrical schemes based on the repetition of simple modular units. Among others, linear restraints that are introduced at the base of glass panels are mechanically described in the form of ideal linear clamps for glass, in which the actual geometrical and mechanical details of real fixing components are reduced to rigid nodal boundaries. This means that, from a modelling point of view, strong simplifications are introduced for design. In real systems, however, these multiple components are used to ensure appropriate local flexibility and adequately minimize the risk of premature stress peaks in glass. The present study draws attention to one of these linear restraint solutions working as a clamp at the base of glass panels in bending. The accuracy and potential of simplified mechanical models in characterizing the effective translational and rotational stiffness contributions of its components are addressed, with the support of efficient and accurate Finite Element (FE) numerical models and experimental data from the literature for balustrades under double twin-tyre impact. Intrinsic limits are also emphasized based on parametric calculations in quasi-static and dynamic regimes.
Strength Performance of Different Mortars Doped Using Olive Stones as Lightweight Aggregate
Authors: Ferreiro-Cabello Javier , Fraile-Garcia Esteban , Pernia-Espinoza Alpha , Martinez-de-Pison Francisco Javier
Published: October 2022

The amount of ground olive stone available in Spain surpasses the needs of the construction industry for lightweight aggregate. The objective herein is to generate a material, lightweight mortar, with different percentages of ground olive stone, and then evaluate the mechanical performance and viability of these materials for the manufacture of lightweight elements used in the construction sector. To this end, an experiment was designed with nine different dosages of ground olive stone and three types of cement. In all, 378 test pieces were produced to assess the material, its handling while fresh, and its performance. Based on an analysis of consistency, density, compressive strength, and flexural strength, we were able to determine how much ground olive stone can be successfully incorporated into the material: 30% ground olive stone achieved a decrease in density of 15% compared to mortar without ground olive stone. The compressive strength of the different dosages studied remained above 70% of that of the mortar without ground olive stone. Bending behavior was more severely compromised, the values being around 50%. Cements with a more robust strength performance proved capable of assimilating a higher percentage of ground olive stone. This study shows the technical viability of the materials produced.
Exploring the Optimal Scale of Coastal Reclamation Activities Based on an Environmental Capacity Assessment System: A Case Study in Haizhou Bay, China
Authors: Feng Lan , Zeng Xianyu , Hu Pan , Xu Xiaoxiao
Published: October 2022

With the acceleration of urbanization, the demand for land due to urban large-scale construction and development is increasing. Coastal reclamation (CR) is a prevailing approach to tackle the contradiction between coastal land shortage and the growing demand for living space for human beings. Enormous social and economic benefits are derived from CR, while at the same time bringing a series of environmental problems. Since the beginning of the 21st century, this oceanic-oriented development has become more frequent. Therefore, the considerable economic and ecological trade-offs of reclamation activities must be analyzed to enable targeted land use decisions. By comprehensively evaluating the natural conditions of the sea area, including geology, topography, hydrology, ecology, and social and economic conditions, this study established an environmental capacity assessment system (ECAS) based on water environmental capacity for assessment of the potential environmental impact resulting from CR. According to the water quality status and positions of CR in Haizhou Bay, the environmental capacities of four major pollutants were calculated to forecast the suitable area of CR. The results indicated that these reclamation projects had notable negative effects on the environmental capacity of the four major pollutants. The order of pollutants according to their harm on seawater quality is: PO4-P > NH4-N > NOX-N > COD. In three reclamation alternative scenarios, scenario 3 led to the minimum negative impacts on the environmental capacity, scenario 2 followed, and scenario 1 had the worst result. Hence, scenario 3 was the optimal reclamation scenario, under which the suitable area of CR in Haizhou Bay was found to be 83 km2. This study provides a scientific reference for the effective management of coastal reclamation and future environmental impact research when new CR is proposed, as well as sustainable urban development.
Research on the Reconstruction Design of the Closed Atrium of the No. 1 Office Building of Wuhan Kaidi
Authors: Li Ziwei , Yu Dandan , Xu Weiguo , Zhang Mansheng , Geng Wenying , Li Ning
Published: October 2022

Taking the atrium reconstruction project of the Wuhan Kaidi No. 1 office building as an example, this paper expounds on the closed atrium reconstruction project’s unique design methods. This study optimizes the atrium from the aspects of architectural aesthetics, structural stability, energy saving, and lighting performance. An asymmetric umbrella structure is used to support the atrium roof. The advantage of this umbrella structure is that the roof components are more uniform, and the atrium roof can be aesthetically “floating”. In addition, applying aluminum and glass panels at the top of the roof will directly affect the thermal and daylighting environment inside the atrium. Simulation technology realizes the trade-off design of energy consumption and daylighting index in this study. The simulation results show that the optimal comprehensive performance can be achieved when the area ratio of the glass and aluminum panels on the atrium top is 1:2. This study can provide a reference for other similar projects.
Study on Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Concrete with Fly Ash Cenosphere as Fine Aggregate—A Sustainable Approach
Authors: Kowsalya M , Sindhu Nachiar S , Sekar Anandh , Ravichandran P. T.
Published: October 2022

The utilization of waste materials in concrete lowers its cost, and this method of dealing with the problem of trash disposal is viewed as the most environmentally friendly. Fly Ash Cenospheres (FAC) are one of the principal wastes produced by coal power stations. The huge volume of FAC produced worldwide has created a sustainability challenge, owing to the potential implications of inappropriate disposal. Using cenospheres in concrete materials would make effective and efficient use of these waste products while also supplementing what the present raw material, such as river sand, can supply for concrete material production. Though the application of FAC in concrete is currently carried out by the construction industry, there is still a lack of understanding about its performance in concrete with Manufactured Sand (M Sand) as fine aggregate. Therefore, in this paper, a comprehensive study explores the concept of adding FAC to M Sand concrete. The properties of fresh and hardened concrete, such as density, workability, compression, split tensile, flexure, and impact resistance after the addition of FAC in volume replacement (0–100% with a difference of 5% at thirteen different ratios) is represented, followed by microstructural analysis. From the results, it can be concluded that strength reduction takes place as FAC content increases from 0–100%, however, the strength is within the target limit of 31.2 N/mm2 of conventional concrete (CC) of grade M25 when the percentage replacement is below 35% of volume. Therefore, reducing the volume of fine aggregate does not negatively affect the strength properties, but also impacts the environmental concern positively with optimum recommendation of 35% of fine aggregate as FAC.
A Phase I Dose-Escalation and Dose-Expansion Study of FCN-437c, a Novel CDK4/6 Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Patnaik Amita , Hamilton Erika , Xing Yan , Rasco Drew W. , Smith Lon , Lee Ya-Li , Fang Steven , Wei Jiao , Hui Ai-Min
Published: October 2022

A phase I study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and maximum-tolerated dose (MTD)/recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of FCN-437c, a novel, orally available cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDK4/6i), in participants with advanced/metastatic solid tumors (aSTs). FCN-437c was escalated from 50 mg (once daily [QD] on days 1–21 of 28-day cycles) to the MTD/RP2D. In the dose-expansion phase, patients with CDK4/6i-treated breast cancer, or KRAS-mutant (KRASmut) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received the MTD. Twenty-two patients were enrolled. The most common tumors in the dose-escalation phase (n = 15) were breast, colorectal, and lung (each n = 4 [27.3%]). The dose-expansion phase included five (71.4%) patients with breast cancer and two (28.6%) with KRASmut NSCLC. Twenty (90.9%) participants experienced FCN-437c–related adverse events. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in two (33.3%) participants (200-mg dose, dose-escalation phase): grade 3 neutropenia and grade 4 neutrophil count decreased. Due to toxicities reported at 150 mg QD, the MTD was de-escalated to 100 mg QD. One (4.5%) participant (KRASmut NSCLC, 100-mg dose) achieved a partial response lasting 724+ days, and five (22.7%) had stable disease lasting 56+ days. In conclusion, FCN-437c was well tolerated with encouraging signs of antitumor activity and disease control. Further exploration of FCN-437c in aSTs is warranted.
Analysis of the Compositional Features and Codon Usage Pattern of Genes Involved in Human Autophagy
Authors: Jamil Zarnain , Uddin Arif , Alam Syed Sahajada Mahafujul , Samanta Arijit , Altwaijry Nojood , Rauf Mohd Ahmar , Ali Safdar , Khan Mohd Shahnawaz , Asghar Muhammad Nadeem , Hoque Mehboob
Published: October 2022

Autophagy plays an intricate role in paradigmatic human pathologies such as cancer, and neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and autoimmune disorders. Autophagy regulation is performed by a set of autophagy-related (ATG) genes, first recognized in yeast genome and subsequently identified in other species, including humans. Several other genes have been identified to be involved in the process of autophagy either directly or indirectly. Studying the codon usage bias (CUB) of genes is crucial for understanding their genome biology and molecular evolution. Here, we examined the usage pattern of nucleotide and synonymous codons and the influence of evolutionary forces in genes involved in human autophagy. The coding sequences (CDS) of the protein coding human autophagy genes were retrieved from the NCBI nucleotide database and analyzed using various web tools and software to understand their nucleotide composition and codon usage pattern. The effective number of codons (ENC) in all genes involved in human autophagy ranges between 33.26 and 54.6 with a mean value of 45.05, indicating an overall low CUB. The nucleotide composition analysis of the autophagy genes revealed that the genes were marginally rich in GC content that significantly influenced the codon usage pattern. The relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) revealed 3 over-represented and 10 under-represented codons. Both natural selection and mutational pressure were the key forces influencing the codon usage pattern of the genes involved in human autophagy.
Characterization of a Stemness-Optimized Purification Method for Human Dental-Pulp Stem Cells: An Approach to Standardization
Authors: Dieterle Martin Philipp , Gross Tara , Steinberg Thorsten , Tomakidi Pascal , Becker Kathrin , Vach Kirstin , Kremer Katrin , Proksch Susanne
Published: October 2022

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are promising for oral/craniofacial regeneration, but their purification and characterization is not yet standardized. hDPSCs from three donors were purified by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS)-assisted STRO-1-positive cell enrichment (+), colony derivation (c), or a combination of both (c/+). Immunophenotype, clonogenicity, stemness marker expression, senescence, and proliferation were analyzed. Multilineage differentiation was assessed by qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and extracellular matrix mineralization. To confirm the credibility of the results, repeated measures analysis and post hoc p-value adjustment were applied. All hDPSC fractions expressed STRO-1 and were similar for several surface markers, while their clonogenicity and expression of CD10/44/105/146, and 166 varied with the purification method. (+) cells proliferated significantly faster than (c/+), while (c) showed the highest increase in metabolic activity. Colony formation was most efficient in (+) cells, which also exhibited the lowest cellular senescence. All hDPSCs produced mineralized extracellular matrix. Regarding osteogenic induction, (c/+) revealed a significant increase in mRNA expression of COL5A1 and COL6A1, while osteogenic marker genes were detected at varying levels. (c/+) were the only population missing BDNF gene transcription increase during neurogenic induction. All hDPSCs were able to differentiate into chondrocytes. In summary, the three hDPSCs populations showed differences in phenotype, stemness, proliferation, and differentiation capacity. The data suggest that STRO-1-positive cell enrichment is the optimal choice for hDPSCs purification to maintain hDPSCs stemness. Furthermore, an (immuno) phenotypic characterization is the minimum requirement for quality control in hDPSCs studies.
The Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Transcript Variants as Potential Relapse Markers in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Villegas-Ruíz Vanessa , Romo-Mancillas Antonio , Medina-Vera Isabel , Castro-López Kattia Alejandra , Ramirez-Chiquito Josselene Carina , Fonseca-Montaño Marco Antonio , García-Cruz Mercedes Edna , Rivera-Luna Roberto , Mendoza-Torreblanca Julieta Griselda , Juárez-Méndez Sergio
Published: October 2022

Leukemia is the most common childhood malignancy in Mexico, representing more than 50% of all childhood cancers. Although treatment leads to a survival of up to 90% in developing countries, in our country, it is less than 65%. Additionally, ~30% of patients relapse with poor prognosis. Alternative splicing plays an important role in transcriptome diversity and cellular biology. This mechanism promotes an increase in the assortment of proteins with potentially distinct functions from a single gene. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene encodes two transcripts for the same protein of 261 amino acids, which is associated with several important cellular processes and with several types of cancer. However, the diversity of the transcript variants expressed in this condition is not clear. Then, we used microarray gene expression to identify changes in the exon expression level of PCNA. The data were validated using RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing, and three additional transcripts (PCNA_V3, PCNA_V4, and PCNA_V5) were identified. Computational analyses were used to determine the potential proteins resulting, their structure, and interactions with PCNA native protein and themselves. Additionally, the PCNA transcript variants were inhibited using specific siRNA, determining that their inhibition contributes to the malignant characteristics in vitro. Finally, we quantified the PCNA transcript variants in acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples and identified their expression in this disease. Based on the clinical characteristics, we determined that PCNA_V2 and PCNA_V4 are expressed at significantly low levels in relapsed B-ALL patients. We conclude that the low expression of PCNA_V2 and PCNA_V4 could be a potential molecular marker of relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.
Conjoined Twins Complicating a Dichorionic Triplet Pregnancy after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Eleftheriades Anna , Christopoulos Panagiotis , Tsapakis Elsa , Tsarna Ermioni , Vlahos Nikolaos F. , Kalampokas Emmanouil , Bolla Daniele , Eleftheriades Makarios
Published: October 2022

Conjoined twins represent a rare type of monoamniotic twins. Ultrasound assessment during the first trimester can facilitate the diagnosis, however further assessment by colour Doppler studies, 3D imaging, fetal echocardiography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is usually required in order to determine the specific fetal abnormalities and to guide appropriate pregnancy management. This case report presents a rare case of conjoined twins complicating a dichorionic-diamniotic triplet pregnancy, achieved after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and blastocyst transfer. A 44-year-old woman was referred for chorionicity determination to our Fetal Medicine Centre due to suspicion of conjoined twins in a triplet pregnancy. Ultrasound assessment at 11 weeks demonstrated a dichorionic triplet pregnancy which was also complicated by a rare type of conjoined twins (thoracoomphalopagus) and after a successful embryo reduction a neonate of 2200 g was delivered by caesarean section at term. The accurate diagnosis and early detection of conjoined twins by a fetal medicine specialist is crucial, especially as far as multiple pregnancies with three or more fetuses are concerned.
Assessing the Rainfall Water Harvesting Potential Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Authors: Ahmed Afzal , Valyrakis Manousos , Ghumman Abdul Razzaq , Arshad Muhammad , Pasha Ghufran Ahmed , Farooq Rashid , Janjua Shahmir
Published: October 2022

Water scarcity is a major issue for developing countries due to the continuous increase in population every year, the major environmental challenges faced by developing countries such as Pakistan being the scarcity of water. One proposed solution to meet the requirements is to conserve water from rainfall. The process consists of the collection, storage, and use of rainwater. The rooftop rainwater harvesting systems (RWH) and rainfall harvesting system for artificially recharged water by recharge wells have received increased attention in the recent past as an efficient means of water conservation. In this study, both the systems have been analyzed for the University of Engineering and Technology Taxila (UET Taxila), Pakistan. The objective of this study is to propose a system to harvest water from the rooftops of all of the buildings on the campus and also to propose the most optimum locations of recharge wells for the artificial recharge of groundwater development. Numerous field visits were conducted after every rainfall over the past few months to identify lower elevation areas, which were further validated by the results obtained by Arc GIS. The total area of catchments available for rainwater harvesting in UET Taxila and the amount of water that could be harvested or used for replenishing groundwater reserves were also assessed in the current study. The results show that the harvestable rooftop water per month is 59% of the currently available source for watering trees and plants, and the harvestable water by recharge wells is 761,400 ft3 per year.
STOP-Bang Score and Prediction of Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Dosman James A. , Karunanayake Chandima P. , Fenton Mark , Ramsden Vivian R. , Seeseequasis Jeremy , Mike Delano , Seesequasis Warren , Neubuhr Marie , Skomro Robert , Kirychuk Shelley , Rennie Donna C. , McMullin Kathleen , Russell Brooke P. , Koehncke Niels , Abonyi Sylvia , King Malcolm , Pahwa Punam
Published: October 2022

The STOP-Bang questionnaire is an easy-to-administer scoring model to screen and identify patients at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, its diagnostic utility has never been tested with First Nation peoples. The objective was to determine the predictive parameters and the utility of the STOP-Bang questionnaire as an OSA screening tool in a First Nation community in Saskatchewan. The baseline survey of the First Nations Sleep Health Project (FNSHP) was completed between 2018 and 2019. Of the available 233 sleep apnea tests, 215 participants completed the STOP-Bang score questionnaire. A proportional odds ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted using the total score of the STOP-Bang as the independent variable with equal weight given to each response. Predicted probabilities for each score at cut-off points of the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) were calculated and plotted. To assess the performance of the STOP-Bang questionnaire, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs), negative predictive values (NPVs), and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. These data suggest that a STOP-Bang score ≥ 5 will allow healthcare professionals to identify individuals with an increased probability of moderate-to-severe OSA, with high specificity (93.7%) and NPV (91.8%). For the STOP-Bang score cut-off ≥ 3, the sensitivity was 53.1% for all OSA and 72.0% for moderate-to-severe OSA. For the STOP-Bang score cut-off ≥ 3, the specificity was 68.4% for all OSA and 62.6% for moderate-to-severe OSA. The STOP-Bang score was modestly superior to the symptom of loud snoring, or loud snoring plus obesity in this population. Analysis by sex suggested that a STOP-Bang score ≥ 5 was able to identify individuals with increased probability of moderate-to-severe OSA, for males with acceptable diagnostic test accuracy for detecting participants with OSA, but there was no diagnostic test accuracy for females.
Advanced Alloys and Coatings for Bioimplants
Authors: Vishwakarma Vinita , Kaliaraj Gobi , Kirubaharan A.
Published: October 2022

Implant materials have significant requirements in medical industries due to orthopedic ailments of elders, fractures caused by accidents, sports injuries, bone replacements, revision in surgeries, change in lifestyle, etc [...]
Computer Simulation of Phase Transitions in Thin Films with an Antidote Lattice
Authors: Belim Sergey , Belim Sofya , Tikhomirov Ilya , Bychkov Igor
Published: October 2022

We investigate the magnetic phase transition in a thin film with an antidote lattice by computer simulation. A lattice of non-magnetic antidotes is present in a thin film of several atomic layers. The antidotes form a rectangular lattice. We are looking at two forms of antidotes. The Ising model and Wolf’ cluster algorithm simulate the system’s magnetic behavior. Antidotes act on additional surfaces of the system. This results in a change in the Curie temperature of the system. Dependence of phase transition temperature on holes size and shape is obtained. The phase transition temperature depends on the size of the hole by logarithmic law. The Curie temperature for triangular holes is lower than for square holes. We investigated the magnetization of a thin film with an antidote lattice and constructed a hysteresis loop. The hysteresis loop expands as the hole size decreases. Coercive force depends on the size and shape of the holes. Coercive force varies by nonlinear law.
Hydrothermal Deposition of ZnO Layer on Fe-Based Amorphous Fibres Used for the Preparation of Cold Sintered Fibre-Based Soft Magnetic Composites
Authors: Neamţu Bogdan , Popa Florin , Ware Ecaterina , Marinca Traian , Gabor Mihai , Piglesan Florin , Nasui Mircea
Published: October 2022

This paper presents findings on the influence of hydrothermal deposition processing parameters (precursor concentration and deposition duration) on the characteristics of ZnO layers deposited on the surface of amorphous Fe-based fibres. The characteristics of the coated fibres, especially the deposited layer, were investigated from structural, morphological, chemical, thermal and magnetic points of view. It was found that the use of a zinc acetate-based solution of 0.05 M concentration and a deposition duration of 24 h leads to a continuous, thin and adherent layer of ZnO on the surface of the fibres. The thickness of the ZnO layer is 450–500 nm, as shown by TEM-EDX investigations. The ZnO coated fibres were used to prepare fibre-based soft magnetic composites via a cold sintering process. The composites obtained are the first reported soft magnetic composites based on amorphous fibres. The coercive field of the cold sintered composites is 3.5 to 8.6 times lower, and the maximum relative permeability is 2.4 times larger, than the best coercive field and the maximum relative permeability reported until now for a crystalline fibre-based soft magnetic composite. The initial relative permeability of cold sintered composites is constant up to the frequency of 1000 Hz.
Study of Anodic Film’s Surface and Hardness on A356 Aluminum Alloys, Using Scanning Electron Microscope and In-Situ Nanoindentation
Authors: Musza Alexandra , Ugi Dávid , Vida Ádám , Chinh Nguyen Quang
Published: October 2022

The A356 aluminum alloy is a very commonly used alloy in the automotive industry, for parts such as pistons, cylinder heads, and connecting rods, for which the mechanical properties can be effectively increased by anodizing. In this work, oxide layers were formed in oxalic acid solution with defined parameters on A356 aluminum alloy and then studied by using a novel combination of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and in-situ nanoindentation. The purpose of this research is to understand the relationship between the substrate and the oxide layer by examining its microstructure and nanohardness. Based on the experimental results showing special composite microstructure and corresponding high hardness, this alloy seems to be a good alternative for replacing steel brake disks in an environmentally conscious manner.
An Alternative Methodology for the Evaluation of Photocatalytic Activity of Polymeric Coatings by Monitoring Dye Degradation
Authors: Sandua Xabier , Rivero Pedro J. , Palacio José F. , Esparza Joseba , Rodríguez Rafael
Published: October 2022

This work provides an alternative method for evaluating the photodegradation behaviour of different types of dyes such as Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B, Congo Red, Metanil Yellow, and Malachite Green. In this methodology, the coating is dyed with the chosen colorant and two beams of light are combined and channelled to a spot on the dyed coating through an optical fibre, the first one from an ultraviolet (UV) source (which is the responsible of activating photocatalysis) and the second one from a Visible light source, which is employed to monitor changes in colour along the time. The photocatalytic coating selected for testing this methodology consists of a mat of electrospun poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) fibres that acts as base film, furtherly coated by using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique for the immobilization of two different photocatalytic metal oxide precursors (TiO2 and Fe2O3) nanoparticles. The morphological characterization of the samples has been implemented by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, and water contact angle measurements in order to analyse the resultant thickness, roughness, electrospun fibre diameter, and wettability. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the validity of the methodology to measure the photocatalytic activity in all dyed coatings, although significant differences have been observed depending on the selected dye.
Scale-Free Distribution of Oxygen Interstitial Wires in Optimum-Doped HgBa2CuO4+y
Authors: Campi Gaetano , Mazziotti Maria Vittoria , Jarlborg Thomas , Bianconi Antonio
Published: October 2022

Novel nanoscale probes are opening new venues for understanding unconventional electronic and magnetic functionalities driven by multiscale lattice complexity in doped high-temperature superconducting perovskites. In this work, we focus on the multiscale texture at supramolecular level of oxygen interstitial (O-i) atomic stripes in HgBa2CuO4+y at optimal doping for the highest superconducting critical temperature (TC) of 94 K. We report compelling evidence for the nematic phase of oxygen interstitial O-i atomic wires with fractal-like spatial distribution over multiple scales using scanning micro- and nano-X-ray diffraction. The scale-free distribution of O-i atomic wires at optimum doping extending from the micron down to the nanoscale has been associated with the intricate filamentary network of hole-rich metallic wires in the CuO2 plane. The observed critical opalescence provides evidence for the proximity to a critical point that controls the emergence of high-temperature superconductivity at optimum doping.
Dicarboxylic Acid-Based Co-Crystals of Pyridine Derivatives Involving Structure Guiding Unconventional Synthons: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Authors: Sharma Pranay , Gomila Rosa M. , Frontera Antonio , Barcelo-Oliver Miquel , Bhattacharyya Manjit K.
Published: October 2022

Four co-crystals involving dicarboxylic acids and pyridine derivatives, viz. (ox)0.5(2-CNpy) (1), (adp)(4-CNpy)2 (2), (tp)(4-CNpy)2 (3) and (adp)(3-CNpy)2 (4) (ox = oxalic acid, tp = terephthalic acid, adp = adipic acid, CNpy = cyanopyridine), have been synthesized at room temperature in water medium. Crystal-structure analysis of co-crystal 1 reveals the presence of unconventional O···π(oxalic acid)-hole interaction with the C-C bond of ox moiety, along with parallel nitrile–nitrile interactions. The structural topologies of co-crystals 2–4 unfold the presence of antiparallel nitrile–nitrile interactions involving the CNpy moieties. The molecular associations involving the H-bonds and other unconventional contacts among the co-formers of the multicomponent co-crystals are analyzed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface, quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) and noncovalent interaction (NCI) plot computational tools. The computational studies revealed the presence of unconventional O···π-hole interaction in 1 and the H-bonded synthons with π-stacked nitrile contacts involving CNpy moieties in co-crystals 2–4. The energetic features of the noncovalent contacts reveal the crucial roles of the H-bonding synthons and π-stacking interactions in the multicomponent compounds.
Understanding Treatment Patterns and Outcomes among Patients with De Novo Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: A Population-Level Retrospective Analysis from Alberta, Canada
Authors: Alimohamed Nimira , Grewal Simrun , Wirtz Heidi S. , Hepp Zsolt , Sauvageau Stephanie , Boyne Devon J. , Brenner Darren R. , Cheung Winson Y. , Jarada Tamer N.
Published: October 2022

Despite a high disease burden, real-world data on treatment patterns in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) in Canada are limited. This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study describes treatment patterns and survival in a population of patients with de novo unresectable la/mUC from Alberta, Canada, diagnosed between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019, followed until mid-2020. The outcomes of interest were systemic therapy treatment patterns and overall survival (OS). Of 206 patients, most (65.0%, n = 134) did not receive any systemic therapies. Of 72 patients (35.0%) who received first-line systemic therapy, the median duration of treatment was 2.8 months (IQR 3.3). Thirty-five patients (48.6% of those who received first-line therapy) received subsequent second-line therapy, for a median of 3.0 months (IQR 3.3). In all patients (n = 206), the median OS from diagnosis was 5.3 months (95% CI, 4.5–7.0). In patients who received treatment, the median OS from the initiation of first-line and second-line systemic therapy was 9.1 (6.4–11.6) and 4.6 months (3.9–19.2), respectively. The majority of patients did not receive first-line systemic therapy, and, in those who did, survival outcomes were poor. This study highlights the significant unmet need for safe and efficacious therapies for patients with la/mUC in Canada.
Associations between Bone Mineral Density and Longitudinal Changes of Vertebral Bone Marrow and Paraspinal Muscle Composition Assessed Using MR-Based Proton Density Fat Fraction and T2* Maps in Patients with and without Osteoporosis
Authors: Gassert Florian Tilman , Glanz Leander , Boehm Christof , Stelter Jonathan , Gassert Felix Gerhard , Leonhardt Yannik , Feuerriegel Georg C. , Graf Markus , Wurm Markus , Baum Thomas , Braren Rickmer F. , Schwaiger Benedikt J. , Makowski Marcus R. , Karampinos Dimitrios , Gersing Alexandra S.
Published: October 2022

Background: Proton-density fat fraction (PDFF) and T2* of the vertebrae, as well as the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal musculature (PSM), have been suggested as biomarkers for bone fragility. The aim of this study was to longitudinally assess changes in PDFF, T2* and CSA of the PSM over 6 months in patients with and without osteoporosis. Methods: Opportunistic bone mineral density (BMD) measurements (BMD < 120 mg/cm3) were obtained from a CT acquired during the clinical routine work up in osteoporotic/osteopenic patients (n = 29, mean age 72.37 ± 10.12 years, 16 women). These patients were frequency-matched for age and sex to subjects with normal BMD values (n = 29). All study patients underwent 3T MR imaging at baseline and 6-month follow up, including spoiled gradient echo sequences for chemical shift encoding-based water-fat separation, from which T2* and PDFF values of the lumbar spine and the PSM were obtained. Moreover, the CSA of the PSM was assessed longitudinally. Changes in T2*, PDFF and CSA over 6 months were calculated for the vertebrae and PSM and associations with baseline BMD values were assessed. Results: The change in CSA of the PSM over 6 months was significantly lower in the osteoporotic/osteopenic group (−91.5 ± 311.7 mm2), compared to the non-osteoporotic group, in which the CSA increased (29.9 ± 164.0 mm2, p = 0.03). In a further analysis, patients with higher vertebral PDFF at baseline showed a significantly stronger increase in vertebral T2*, compared to those patients with lower vertebral PDFF at baseline (0.9 ± 1.6 ms vs. 0.0 ± 1.8 ms, p = 0.04). Moreover, patients with higher PSM PDFF at baseline showed a significantly stronger increase in vertebral T2*, compared to those patients with lower PSM PDFF at baseline (0.9 ± 2.0 ms vs. 0.0 ± 1.3 ms, p = 0.03). Conclusion: The PSM CSA decreased significantly longitudinally in patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia, compared to those without. Additionally, higher vertebral and PSM PDFF at baseline were associated with stronger changes in vertebral bone marrow T2*. Therefore, longitudinal PDFF and T2* mapping may be useful quantitative radiation-free tools for the assessment and prediction of muscle and bone health in patients with suspected osteoporosis/osteopenia.
The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Role of Circular RNA HIPK3 in Human Diseases
Authors: Feng Yanfei , Yang Zitong , Lv Bodong , Xu Xin
Published: October 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs with closed-loop of single-stranded RNA structure. Although most of the circRNAs do not directly encode proteins, emerging evidence suggests that circRNAs play a pivotal and complex role in multiple biological processes by regulating gene expression. As one of the most popular circRNAs, circular homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 3 (circHIPK3) has frequently gained the interest of researchers in recent years. Accumulating studies have demonstrated the significant impacts on the occurrence and development of multiple human diseases including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory diseases, and others. The present review aims to provide a detailed description of the functions of circHIPK3 and comprehensively overview the diagnostic and therapeutic value of circHIPK3 in these certain diseases.
“Yet Once More”: The Double-Slit Experiment and Quantum Discontinuity
Authors: Plotnitsky Arkady
Published: October 2022

This article reconsiders the double-slit experiment from the nonrealist or, in terms of this article, “reality-without-realism” (RWR) perspective, grounded in the combination of three forms of quantum discontinuity: (1) “Heisenberg discontinuity”, defined by the impossibility of a representation or even conception of how quantum phenomena come about, even though quantum theory (such as quantum mechanics or quantum field theory) predicts the data in question strictly in accord with what is observed in quantum experiments); (2) “Bohr discontinuity”, defined, under the assumption of Heisenberg discontinuity, by the view that quantum phenomena and the data observed therein are described by classical and not quantum theory, even though classical physics cannot predict them; and (3) “Dirac discontinuity” (not considered by Dirac himself, but suggested by his equation), according to which the concept of a quantum object, such as a photon or electron, is an idealization only applicable at the time of observation and not to something that exists independently in nature. Dirac discontinuity is of particular importance for the article’s foundational argument and its analysis of the double-slit experiment.
Slope Entropy Characterisation: The Role of the δ Parameter
Authors: Kouka Mahdy , Cuesta-Frau David
Published: October 2022

Many time series entropy calculation methods have been proposed in the last few years. They are mainly used as numerical features for signal classification in any scientific field where data series are involved. We recently proposed a new method, Slope Entropy (SlpEn), based on the relative frequency of differences between consecutive samples of a time series, thresholded using two input parameters, γ and δ. In principle, δ was proposed to account for differences in the vicinity of the 0 region (namely, ties) and, therefore, was usually set at small values such as 0.001. However, there is no study that really quantifies the role of this parameter using this default or other configurations, despite the good SlpEn results so far. The present paper addresses this issue, removing δ from the SlpEn calculation to assess its real influence on classification performance, or optimising its value by means of a grid search in order to find out if other values beyond the 0.001 value provide significant time series classification accuracy gains. Although the inclusion of this parameter does improve classification accuracy according to experimental results, gains of 5% at most probably do not support the additional effort required. Therefore, SlpEn simplification could be seen as a real alternative.
Wideband Singly Fed Compact Circularly Polarized Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna for X-Band Wireless Applications
Authors: Khan Shahid , Khan Muhammad Amir , Anab Muhammad , Marwat Safdar Nawaz Khan , Jan Naveed , Ghoniem Rania M.
Published: October 2022

This work focuses on a compact circularly polarized wideband rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (RDRA) for X-band wireless applications. The wideband response of the RDRA is initially generated by a coaxial probe, a compact RDR, an air gap in the DR and a slot of rectangular shape in the ground. The circular polarization is achieved via incorporation of a unique feeding mechanism. The edge feeding of the RDRA with a coaxial probe generates the orthogonal modes in RDRA that make the design polarized circularly. The axial ratio performance is improved by adding a copper strip on the top of the DR. To validate the simulated results, the prototype design is fabricated and measured results are noted. For −10 dB reference value, the prototype has 59.74% impedance bandwidth (8.45–14.09 GHz). For 3 dB reference value of the axial ratio, the prototype has 9.24% Circular Polarization (CP) performance (10.084–11.084 GHz). The design has 6.5 dBic peak gain and 95.5% peak efficiency. Results show that simulated results are in close agreement with the measured results.
Multi-BSM: An Anomaly Detection and Position Falsification Attack Mitigation Approach in Connected Vehicles
Authors: Trabelsi Zouheir , Shah Syed Sarmad , Hayawi Kadhim
Published: October 2022

With the dawn of the emerging technologies in the field of vehicular environment, connected vehicles are advancing at a rapid speed. The advancement of such technologies helps people daily, whether it is to reach from one place to another, avoid traffic, or prevent any hazardous incident from occurring. Safety is one of the main concerns regarding the vehicular environment when it comes to developing applications for connected vehicles. Connected vehicles depend on messages known as basic safety messages (BSMs) that are repeatedly broadcast in their communication range in order to obtain information regarding their surroundings. Different kinds of attacks can be initiated by a vehicle in the network with malicious intent by inserting false information in these messages, e.g., speed, direction, and position. This paper focuses on the position falsification attacks that can be carried out in the vehicular environment and be avoided using the multi-BSM approach. Multi-BSM uses consecutive multiple BSMs with different parameters to detect and warn other vehicles about position falsification attacks. Multi-BSM is compared to other anomaly detection algorithms and evaluated with rigorous simulations. Multi-BSM shows a high level of anomaly detection, even in high vehicle density, with up to 97% accuracy rate compared to the respective algorithms.
Application of Nondestructive Techniques to Investigate Dissolvable Amorphous Metal Tungsten Nitride for Transient Electronics and Devices
Authors: Mayet Abdulilah Mohammad , Muqeet Mohammed Abdul , Alqahtani Ali Awadh , Khan Muhammad Abbas , Dawbi Abdulrahim Othman , Alhashim Hala H. , Qaisi Ramy Mohammed Aiesh , Ghamry Nivin A. , Tag-Eldin Elsayed M.
Published: October 2022

Transient electronics can be gradually dissolved in a variety of liquids over time. The short-lived nature of such electronics has promoted their implementation in prospective applications, such as implantable electronics, dissolvable devices for secure systems, and environmentally biodegradable electronics. The amorphous metal tungsten nitride (WNx) has the remarkable ability to scale down to the nano-scale, allowing the fabrication of sub-1 volt nano-electromechanical (NEM) switches. When compared to silicon, amorphous WNx has a greater density and electrical conductivity, making it an even more appealing material for the design of accelerometers and resistive temperature detectors. Kinetic hydrolysis is observed by the dissolution of amorphous WNx in ground water. To better understand the kinetics of hydrolysis, in this paper, samples are dissolved in different solutions under different conditions over time. NEM switches immersed in ground water, de-ionized (DI) water, and salty water are subjected to temperatures of 0 °C (degrees Celsius), 25 °C (room temperature, RT), and 60 °C. Sonicated samples are tested at both room temperature (RT) and at 60 °C. During the course of dissolving, the resistivity of amorphous WNx is measured, and an increase in resistance is noted when the thickness of the amorphous WNx is reduced. The wettability of a solid can be easily determined by measuring its contact angle, which indicates either the hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the surface. The contact angle of the amorphous WNx is measured to be about 30.8°, indicating hydrophilicity. For the temperature sensor characterization, a probe station with a thermal chuck is used to apply heat from the bottom of the sensor. The actual real-time temperature of the amorphous WNx sensor is measured using a thermocouple tip on the surface of the sensor.
Stability Analysis and Robust Control Method for LCL-Type Three-Phase Four-Wire Split Capacitor Inverter Considering Zero-Sequence Loop
Authors: Yang Longyue , Cao Tian , Cai Zhipeng , Xia Xuejing , Jia Chenxi , Dong Xinwei , Zhang Shuyuan
Published: October 2022

In distributed generation systems, the inverter is the main power interface and its stability directly determines the reliable operation of the grid-connected system. As a typical topology for a three-phase four-wire inverter, the LCL-type three-phase four-wire split capacitor inverter (LCL-TFSCI) is taken as the research subject of this paper. Compared with the three-phase three-wire inverter, there is an additional zero-sequence path in the LCL-TFSCI. Therefore, it is not only necessary to consider the stability of the positive and negative sequence system, but there is also the need to consider the stability of the zero-sequence system when performing stability analysis for the LCL-TFSCI. In this paper, a small-signal impedance model considering the zero-sequence loop of LCL-TFSCI is firstly established. Subsequently, the instability risk is revealed when LCL-TFSCI is connected to the grid with parallel compensation capacitors. Through instability analysis, an impedance-reshaping method based on the complex filter and combined differential elements is proposed, which can reshape the impedance characteristic of LCL-TFSCI within the wide frequency range and expand the stability domain of the grid-connected system. Finally, the proposed method is verified by simulation and experiment.