bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of nutritional and oxidative stress on the metabolome of Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Silva Michel Augusto , Izidoro Mario Augusto , Aricó Mirella , Juliano Luiz , Schenkman Sergio
Published: May 2024

Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan, is the causative agent of Chagas disease. The parasite has developed various mechanisms to get through its intricate life cycle and adapt to different evolutionary phases. T. cruzi proliferates in the insect vector's digestive tract as an epimastigote form, encountering fluctuating nutrient availability and oxidative stress caused by the digestion of red blood cells from the mammalian host blood meal. To unravel how the parasite's metabolism adapts to these changing conditions, we conducted an analysis of the chemical species present in epimastigote forms. This involved comparing cultured parasites with those subjected to nutritional deficiency or oxidative stress using untargeted metabolomics. We looked at 21 samples: seven biological copies of parasites that were actively growing, seven samples that were put in a medium without nutrients for 3 h, and seven samples that were treated with glucose oxidase for 30 min to make H2O2 continuously. Importantly, in all conditions, parasite viability was maintained when the samples were collected. Upon nutrient removal, we observed a substantial decrease in amino acids and carbohydrate metabolites, accompanied by the accumulation of fatty acids and steroids, with the predominance of inositol and sphingolipid metabolism, along with a simultaneous decrease in the levels of H2O2. In the presence of H2O2, a significant rise in components of the pentose pathway and specific amino acids such as methionine and serine occurred, along with pathways related to an increase in antioxidant species metabolism such as ribulose 5‐phosphate and glyceric acid. Conversely, fatty acid and steroid levels decrease. We found no common increase in metabolites or lipids. In contrast, eight species (succinic acid, glutamic acid, valine, 2‐hydroxyisocaproic acid, alanine, indolelactic acid, proline, and lanosterol) were consumed under both stresses. These findings underscore the rapid and distinct enrichment responses in amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates required to cope with each different environmental condition. We concluded that T. cruzi presents a flexible metabolism that rapidly adapts to variable changes in the environment.
No playing around with robots? Ambivalent attitudes toward the use of Paro in elder care
Authors: Wangmo Tenzin , Duong Vanessa , Felber Nadine Andrea , Tian Yi Jiao (Angelina) , Mihailov Emilian
Published: May 2024

This paper explores the ways in which health care professionals, family carers, and older persons expressed attitudes and opinions on using Paro, a social robot designed to stimulate patients with dementia. Thereafter, we critically evaluate existing prejudicial views toward Paro users to provide recommendations for its future use. Using an exploratory qualitative interview method, we recruited a total of 67 participants in Switzerland. They included 23 care professionals, 17 family carers, and 27 older persons. Data obtained were analyzed thematically. Study findings present general agreement that Paro is an appealing and beneficial social robot, but it is not a tool that everyone feels comfortable with. Because it is perceived as “child play,” it would be demeaning for competent adults to play with such things. Consequently, Paro is appropriate only for persons with dementia. These findings brought forth ethical concerns about deception, infantilization, and respecting older persons' dignity. The idea of who is an appropriate Paro user led to our discussions on predicting future Paro users. The meaning of using social robotics in nursing homes can be conditioned by a rigid interpretation of adulthood and playful behavior. To protect future selves when one is living with dementia from prejudices, it may be useful for older persons and their loved ones to plan their future care situations to ensure that they are treated in accordance with their delineated decisions.
Unboxing reskilling narratives: Analysing practice, agency and signifier in social media
Authors: Gobena Elina
Published: May 2024

This paper explores reskilling, appearing both as a practice and a signifier in social media. By investigating reskilling narratives, this paper describes origins, actors and relation to skill. It contributes by first suggesting that reskilling is a process rather than a specific training form or about specific skill content. Second, individuals and organisations are simultaneously and paradoxically sold reskilling, but their interests do not always align. On social media, reskilling stands as a corporate (and societal) signifier of action as well as an opportunity for advertising employer brands. Third, through a technology‐deterministic frame, reskilling can be understood as a signifier of optimism, that is, turning pessimism in the shape of possible displacement into optimism where society, organisations and people may ‘keep up’ with technological change. Thus, reskilling can be understood to materialise optimism, and that optimism is an attempt at the restoration of human agency on an inevitabilist path.
FAM3D regulation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma behaviour through the EMT pathway
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Hu Xiaotian , Zhao Chengpu , Wang Jiafeng , He Hongfeng
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma present challenges in effective treatment, with 50%–60% of cases exhibiting recurrence or metastasis, often resistant to surgery alone. Immunotherapy, a promising approach, does not guarantee benefits for all patients. Thus, the imperative lies in identifying reliable biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy efficacy. FAM3D, a protein‐coding gene known for its potent chemotactic activity in human peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils, plays a crucial role in regulating tumour immune responses and holds promise as an immune biomarker.

Materials and Methods

We employed comprehensive database analysis to scrutinise FAM3D, evaluating its gene expression, mutation profiles and prognostic implications in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, along with its associations with clinical characteristics and immune cell infiltration. Complementary functional experiments were conducted to delve into the potential mechanisms governed by FAM3D.

Results

Our findings establish a significant correlation between low FAM3D expression and the invasiveness and metastatic potential of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. FAM3D likely exerts its influence through the regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition.

Conclusions

FAM3D emerges as a valuable biomarker for predicting the responsiveness of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to immunotherapy, holding substantial clinical diagnostic and therapeutic relevance.
Classification and prediction of smoker melanosis in gingiva using SqueezeNet algorithms
Authors: Srinivasan Preetha , Sundar Sandhya , Yadalam Pradeep Kumar , Ramadoss Ramya , Mosaddad Seyed Ali , Heboyan Artak
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Gingival darkening, known as smokers' gingival melanosis or smoker's melanosis, is a benign symptom attributed to excessive deposition of melanin pigment. Melanin, responsible for skin, hair, and eye coloration, accumulates excessively, resulting in darkened gums. While not typically a severe health concern, smokers and former smokers may worry about this aesthetic change. This study aims to differentiate and categorize gingival pigmentation in smokers compared to non‐smokers using a deep learning‐based SqueezeNet. This innovative diagnostic tool holds significant promise in the medical and dental fields for assessing the presence and prognosis of such gingival pigmentations.

Methods

The research utilized intraoral images obtained from patients at Saveetha Dental College. Two hundred patients exhibiting oral and gingival pigmentation were enrolled, specifically targeting those with a smoking history and excluding cases of amalgam, metallic, physiological pigmentation, intestinal polyposis, and pigmentation from food allergies. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 102 subjects were selected from the initial pool for further analysis. These subjects were classified into healthy and pigmented gingiva, displaying brownish‐black pigmentation. Intraoral photographs were captured and subjected to segmentation and annotation using a SqueezeNet for subsequent analysis. Machine learning techniques were employed for further evaluation, including random forest, logistic Regression, and naive Bayes.

Results

The accuracy results indicate the performance of three different machine learning algorithms, namely random forest, logistic regression, and Naive Bayes, on predicting the presence of pigmented gingiva in smokers and non‐smokers. Using random forest, logistic regression, and Naive Bayes, respectively, it was discovered that the accuracy of pigmented gingiva in smokers and non‐smokers was 88.8% and 92.6%, 93.3% and 95.2%, 95.1%, and 95.6%. A confusion matrix and a Roc graph were produced.

Conclusions

The results suggest that machine learning algorithms can be effective in predicting the presence of pigmented gingiva in different populations. The confusion matrix and ROC graph can provide further insights into the model's performance and can be used to optimize the classifier's threshold for prediction. Thus, it allows patients to self‐diagnose and doctors to diagnose in their hectic clinical routines.
Low weed and cool‐season grass abundances likely necessary for warm‐season grass, forb, and shrub establishment
Authors: Rinella Matthew J. , Bellows Susan E.
Published: May 2024

Plants seeded in degraded grasslands often fail to establish. In the Northern Great Plains, perennial cool‐season grasses are easiest to establish, and they sometimes competitively suppress warm‐season grasses, shrubs, and forbs. Seeding cool‐season grasses at low rates sometimes benefits other seeded plants but risks greater weed abundances. To identify grass seed rates low enough to allow other plants to establish but high enough to constrain weeds, we varied cool‐season grass seed rates while holding warm‐season grass, shrub, and forb seed rates fixed. The first couple growing seasons after seeding, we hypothesized cover of other seeded plants and weeds would decrease with increasing cool‐season grass seed rate. During later growing seasons, we hypothesized weed cover would become independent of grass seed rates due to seeded plants increasing in plots seeded at low rates. Neither hypothesis was supported. Because weed abundances were high, warm‐season grasses, shrubs, and forbs apparently experienced similarly intense competition regardless of grass rate, so low rates did not increase seeded plant establishment. Regardless of seed rate, cool‐season grass cover did not increase between the second and final (i.e. fourth) growing season, perhaps because of low precipitation. Increasing warm‐season grass, shrub, and forb abundances will require controlling weeds in addition to lowering cool‐season grass seed rates. Even these steps will not always increase establishment because native plants sometimes died before controlling weeds with herbicides became feasible and grass competition became important. Lowering grass rates without implementing weed control risks sites becoming weedy for prolonged periods.
Population‐level gene expression can repeatedly link genes to functions in maize
Authors: Torres‐Rodríguez J. Vladimir , Li Delin , Turkus Jonathan , Newton Linsey , Davis Jensina , Lopez‐Corona Lina , Ali Waqar , Sun Guangchao , Mural Ravi V. , Grzybowski Marcin W. , Zamft Bradley M. , Thompson Addie M. , Schnable James C.
Published: May 2024

Transcriptome‐wide association studies (TWAS) can provide single gene resolution for candidate genes in plants, complementing genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) but efforts in plants have been met with, at best, mixed success. We generated expression data from 693 maize genotypes, measured in a common field experiment, sampled over a 2‐h period to minimize diurnal and environmental effects, using full‐length RNA‐seq to maximize the accurate estimation of transcript abundance. TWAS could identify roughly 10 times as many genes likely to play a role in flowering time regulation as GWAS conducted data from the same experiment. TWAS using mature leaf tissue identified known true‐positive flowering time genes known to act in the shoot apical meristem, and trait data from a new environment enabled the identification of additional flowering time genes without the need for new expression data. eQTL analysis of TWAS‐tagged genes identified at least one additional known maize flowering time gene through trans‐eQTL interactions. Collectively these results suggest the gene expression resource described here can link genes to functions across different plant phenotypes expressed in a range of tissues and scored in different experiments.
The class group of a minimal model of a quotient singularity
Authors: Schmitt Johannes
Published: May 2024

Let be a finite‐dimensional vector space over the complex numbers and let be a finite group. We describe the class group of a minimal model (i.e., ‐factorial terminalization) of the linear quotient . We prove that such a class group is completely controlled by the junior elements contained in .
Germline-mediated immunoediting sculpts breast cancer subtypes and metastatic proclivity
Authors: Houlahan Kathleen E. , Khan Aziz , Greenwald Noah F. , Vivas Cristina Sotomayor , West Robert B. , Angelo Michael , Curtis Christina
Published: May 2024

Tumors with the same diagnosis can have different molecular profiles and response to treatment. It remains unclear when and why these differences arise. Somatic genomic aberrations occur within the context of a highly variable germline genome. Interrogating 5870 breast cancer lesions, we demonstrated that germline-derived epitopes in recurrently amplified genes influence somatic evolution by mediating immunoediting. Individuals with a high germline-epitope burden in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/
ERBB2
) are less likely to develop HER2-positive breast cancer compared with other subtypes. The same holds true for recurrent amplicons defining three aggressive estrogen receptor (ER)–positive subgroups. Tumors that overcome such immune-mediated negative selection are more aggressive and demonstrate an “immune cold” phenotype. These data show that the germline genome plays a role in dictating somatic evolution.
Joining a cancer trial doesn’t improve survival odds
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: May 2024

New study questions often-implied benefit for participants
Fifteen-minute consultation: Management of acute dystonia exacerbation and status dystonicus
Authors: Lumsden Daniel E
Published: May 2024

Dystonia is a common disorder of movement and tone, characterised by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal movements, postures or both. Children and young people with dystonia can experience episodes of acute worsening tone, which require prompt treatment. When most severe, dystonia may become life-threatening—a state called ‘status dystonicus’. This guide aims to provide a framework for how to approach the child with acutely worsening dystonia, following an ‘ABCD’ approach: Addressing the precipitant, Beginning supportive care, Calibrating sedation and Dystonia-specific medications.
Visual loss and encephalopathy in a pregnant patient with hyperemesis gravidarum
Authors: Singh Purushottam , Gupta Aditya , Gupta Anirban , Turlapati Padmavathi Shashikala
Published: May 2024

A pregnant woman in her 20s at 17 weeks of gestation, presented with symptoms of painless diminution of vision preceded by 8 weeks history of hyperemesis gravidarum. On examination, she was confused, disoriented and had gait ataxia with complete loss of vision in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed grade 4 disc oedema with superficial retinal haemorrhages. Possibilities kept were cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE). Thiamine levels were low. MRI brain with MR venography revealed symmetrical areas of hyperintensities in bilateral medial thalami, hypothalamus, mammillary body and area postrema. She was managed as a case of WE with intravenous thiamine with complete clinical and radiological resolution within 2 weeks of treatment. Therefore, we conclude that a high index of suspicion of WE in appropriate clinical settings leading to early treatment can potentially reverse its grave clinical symptoms and complications.
Access to primary care for children and young people (CYP) in the UK: a scoping review of CYP’s, caregivers’ and healthcare professionals’ views and experiences of facilitators and barriers
Authors: Herlitz Lauren , Ashford Emily , Powell Claire , Herbert Kevin , Morris Stephen , Woodman Jenny
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To examine children and young people’s (CYP), caregivers’ and healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) views or experiences of facilitators and barriers to CYP access to UK primary care services to better understand healthcare inequity. To explore differences across CYP subpopulations with greater health needs from deprived areas, identifying as ethnic minorities, with experiences of state care, special educational needs or disabilities, chronic conditions or mental health problems.

Design

Scoping review.

Eligibility criteria

Included studies were in English, published 2012–2022 and reported: the views/experiences of CYP (0–25 years), caregivers or HCPs about accessing UK primary care; using quantitative or qualitative empirical methods.

Data sources

PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus.

Results

We included 47 reports (46 studies). CYP/caregivers’ decision to access care was facilitated by CYP/caregivers’ or their family/friends’ ability to identify a health issue as warranting healthcare attention. Barriers to accessing care included perceived stigma (eg, being seen as a bad parent), embarrassment and discrimination experiences. CYP and caregivers believed longer opening hours could facilitate more timely access to care. Caregivers and HCPs reported that delayed or rejected referrals to secondary or adult care were a barrier to having needs met, especially for CYP with poor mental health. CYP and caregivers in numerous studies emphasised the importance of communication and trust with HCPs, including taking their concerns seriously, being knowledgeable and providing continuity of care for CYP. Common barriers reported across high-need subpopulations were caregivers needing knowledge and confidence to advocate for their child, gaps in HCP’s knowledge and a lack of connectedness between primary and secondary care.

Conclusions

Connecting general practices and community health workers/services, improving CYP/caregivers’ understanding of common childhood conditions, addressing HCP’s knowledge gaps in paediatric care and integrated approaches between primary and secondary care may reduce inequity in access.
Protocol for the Development and Analysis of the Oxford and Reading Cognitive Comorbidity, Frailty and Ageing Research Database-Electronic Patient Records (ORCHARD-EPR)
Authors: Boucher Emily , Jell Aimee , Singh Sudhir , Davies Jim , Smith Tanya , Pill Adam , Varnai Kinga , Woods Kerrie , Walliker David , McColl Aubretia , Shepperd Sasha , Pendlebury Sarah
Published: May 2024

Background

Hospital electronic patient records (EPRs) offer the opportunity to exploit large-scale routinely acquired data at relatively low cost and without selection. EPRs provide considerably richer data, and in real-time, than retrospective administrative data sets in which clinical complexity is often poorly captured. With population ageing, a wide range of hospital specialties now manage older people with multimorbidity, frailty and associated poor outcomes. We, therefore, set-up the Oxford and Reading Cognitive Comorbidity, Frailty and Ageing Research Database-Electronic Patient Records (ORCHARD-EPR) to facilitate clinically meaningful research in older hospital patients, including algorithm development, and to aid medical decision-making, implementation of guidelines, and inform policy.

Methods and analysis

ORCHARD-EPR uses routinely acquired individual patient data on all patients aged ≥65 years with unplanned admission or Same Day Emergency Care unit attendance at four acute general hospitals serving a population of >800 000 (Oxfordshire, UK) with planned extension to the neighbouring Berkshire regional hospitals (>1 000 000). Data fields include diagnosis, comorbidities, nursing risk assessments, frailty, observations, illness acuity, laboratory tests and brain scan images. Importantly, ORCHARD-EPR contains the results from mandatory hospital-wide cognitive screening (≥70 years) comprising the 10-point Abbreviated-Mental-Test and dementia and delirium diagnosis (Confusion Assessment Method—CAM). Outcomes include length of stay, delayed transfers of care, discharge destination, readmissions and death. The rich multimodal data are further enhanced by linkage to secondary care electronic mental health records. Selection of appropriate subgroups or linkage to existing cohorts allows disease-specific studies. Over 200 000 patient episodes are included to date with data collection ongoing of which 129 248 are admissions with a length of stay ≥1 day in 64 641 unique patients.

Ethics and dissemination

ORCHARD-EPR is approved by the South Central Oxford C Research Ethics Committee (ref: 23/SC/0258). Results will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences, and regional meetings to improve hospital data quality and clinical services.
Diagnostic reasoning in challenging cases
Authors: Berkowitz Aaron L
Published: May 2024

Diagnostic reasoning relies on cognitive heuristics to recognise patterns of symptoms and signs in order to arrive at a diagnosis. These rules of thumb allow us to rapidly diagnose common conditions that present in typical ways. However, they may lead us astray when common conditions present atypically or when a patient has a rare condition or multiple conditions causing their constellation of symptoms, signs, and test results, rather than having a single diagnosis to explain them all. This article describes strategies to help counteract diagnostic pitfalls, to expand diagnostic possibilities and to make diagnostic progress with complex, multielement cases.
AAC Lariat barley
Authors: Badea A. , Legge W.G. , Tucker J. R. , Fetch T.G. , Menzies J.G. , Wang X. , Turkington T.K. , Khanal R. , Blackwell B.A.
Published: May 2024

AAC Lariat is a hulled, two-row, spring, general purpose barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar widely adapted to western Canada. It was developed from the cross AAC Synergy/TR09398 made in 2010 and it was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test (2019–2020) before being registered in 2022. With its high yield, good standability, and disease resistance, AAC Lariat will offer a good production choice for feed growers across the Prairies.
Predicting impacts of agricultural land use on stream and river biota: method review, evaluation, and guidance
Authors: Elliott Alexander H. , Graham S. Elizabeth , Franklin Paul A. , Larned Scott T.
Published: May 2024

Predicting land-use and land-management effects on stream and river biota is an important aspect of land-water management, yet there are no collations of what methods are available to carry out those assessments nor guidance on which methods to use. This paper summarises a range of methods with examples of their applications, comments on their strengths and weaknesses, evaluates them against a set of criteria, and provides guidance on method selection. Assessment methods include empirical statistical and mechanistic models, Bayesian networks, likelihood–consequence risk assessments, scoring methods, and hybrid methods, some of which can be informed by expert elicitation. An evaluation matrix for methods indicated that no single method is ideal, and selection of methods needs to carefully consider factors such as the physico-chemical stressor or biotic impact of interest, the intended stakeholders, and the scales of assessment. One emergent principle is the separation of relationships between land use and stressors from assessments of stressors and biota, for which alternative methods could be used. A tiered approach is recommended, whereby simple methods with low resource and time requirements are applied first, followed by more sophisticated methods for selected aspects if needed. There is a need for more ready-made methods at the screening level, as well as development of new methods to address remaining gaps such as multiple stressors.
Stability, bifurcation and spikes of stationary solutions in a chemotaxis system with singular sensitivity and logistic source
Authors: Kurt Halil Ibrahim , Shen Wenxian , Xue Shuwen
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study stability, bifurcation and spikes of positive stationary solutions of the following parabolic–elliptic chemotaxis system with singular sensitivity and logistic source: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] are positive constants. Among others, we prove there are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) such that the constant solution [Formula: see text] of system is locally stable when [Formula: see text] and is unstable when [Formula: see text], and under some generic condition, for each [Formula: see text], a (local) branch of nonconstant stationary solutions of system bifurcates from [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] passes through [Formula: see text], and global extension of the local bifurcation branch is obtained. We also prove that any sequence of nonconstant positive stationary solutions [Formula: see text] of system with [Formula: see text] develops spikes at any [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text]. Some numerical analysis is carried out. It is observed numerically that the local bifurcation branch bifurcating from [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] passes through [Formula: see text] can be extended to [Formula: see text] and the stationary solutions on this global bifurcation extension are locally stable when [Formula: see text] and develop spikes as [Formula: see text].
Local existence and global boundedness for a chemotaxis system with gradient dependent flux limitation
Authors: Li Yuxiang , Yan Jianlu
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we investigate the following Keller–Segel system with flux limitation [Formula: see text] under no-flux boundary conditions in a ball [Formula: see text]), where [Formula: see text] is positive and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. It is proved that the problem (⋆) possesses a unique classical solution that can be extended in time up to a maximal [Formula: see text]. Moreover, it is shown that the above solution is global and bounded when either [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], or [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We point out that when [Formula: see text], our result is consistent with that of [N. Bellomo and M. Winkler, Comm. Partial Differential Equations 42 (2017) 436–473].
EXISTENCE AND STABILITY RESULTS OF FRACTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS MITTAG-LEFFLER KERNEL
Authors: ABBAS AHSAN , MEHMOOD NAYYAR , AKGÜL ALI , AMACHA INAS , ABDELJAWAD THABET
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the following AB-Caputo fractional boundary value problem [Formula: see text] with integral-type boundary conditions [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text]. Schauder and Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorems are used to find existence results. Uniqueness is obtained via the Banach contraction principle. To investigate the stability of a given problem, Hyers–Ulam stability is discussed. An example is provided to validate our results.
DRY AND HOT CORROSION BEHAVIOUR OF Al-Ni-Co-x MWCNT COMPOSITES PROCESSED THROUGH POWDER METALLURGY
Authors: PADMANABAN M. , THIRUMURUGAN RAMA , RAMKUMAR T.
Published: May 2024

The outcome of this research paper is to investigate the room and hot corrosion behavior of Al-10Ni-4Co-x multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites processed through Powder Metallurgy (P/M). The secondary particle MWCNT content was varied as 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5[Formula: see text]wt.%, respectively. The fabricated composites were characterized using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The corrosion behavior of the composites was analyzed using Tafel polarization. After polarization, the corroded surfaces were analyzed using SEM. The high temperature corrosion behavior was also investigated and found that the corrosion rate of 3.9025 mpy for 90Al-10Ni-4Co composite and 4.9025 mpy for 85Al-10Ni-4Co-1.0MWCNT composite. The results indicated that 84.5Al-10Ni-4Co-1.5MWCNT composite possessed better corrosion resistance than other composites. Various elements including Na, Cl, Al, Ni, Co, Mg, Si and O were observed. It reveals that Na[Formula: see text] and Cl− ions react well with Ti. Hot corrosion studies clearly demonstrated that after the 50 h test, the samples with MWCNT inclusion exhibited improved corrosion resistance. The 85Al-10Ni-4Co-1.0MWCNT composite showed a mass change of 0.01870[Formula: see text]mg which was 5% lower than 90Al-10Ni-4Co composite.
THE INVESTIGATION OF ALTERNATIVE METALS OF Au, Ag, Al AND Cu FOR BACK CONTACT USED IN FABRICATED ZnS/SnS HETEROJUNCTION FOR SOLAR CELL APPLICATION
Authors: MESSAOUDI MERIEM , BELGHERBI OUAFIA , BOUDOUR SAMAH , LAMIRI LEILA , BEDDEK LYNDA , ZABAR KHAOULA , KHEMLICHE HAMZA , SAEED MOHAMMAD ALAM , AIDA MOHAMMED SALAH
Published: May 2024

In this research, we examined metallic back contacts effects on the electrical characteristics of heterojunctions in the context of solar cells. Gold, silver, aluminum and copper were selected as substitutes for the conventional molybdenum. Heterojunctions with SnS and ZnS as an absorber and buffer layers, respectively, were fabricated using spray pyrolysis. The characterization revealed the formation of SnS in an orthorhombic structure and ZnS in a cubic structure, displaying preferential orientations along (120) and (222) planes, respectively. These structures exhibited excellent crystallinity, evidenced by large crystallite sizes and phase purity, as confirmed by morphological study. Optical measurements indicated the band gap for SnS and ZnS as 1.5 and 3.1[Formula: see text]eV, respectively. Additionally, through Hall Effect and Mott–Schottky analysis, it was observed that the SnS and ZnS films displayed p-type and n-type conductivity, with corresponding carrier concentrations of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], respectively. The electrical characteristics of the n-ZnS/p-SnS heterojunction were explored through forward I–V analysis. Photocurrent measurements revealed that the constructed structures demonstrated rectifying behavior. The resistance series and ideality factor values obtained were observed to be relatively high. The unusual ideality factor can be attributed to the formation of Schottky contact between contacts (Ag, Al, Cu) and SnS film, possibly due to defects at the interface state of ZnS/SnS. This study’s findings indicate that, among the tested FTO/ZnS/SnS heterojunction structures, with Au metal contact exhibited superior performance. It suggests that Au could serve as a viable alternative to Mo as the back metal contact for SnS-based solar cells.
INVESTIGATION ON ABRASIVE WATER JET DRILLING HOLE FEATURES OF UHMWPE
Authors: SUBRAMANI K. , RATHINASURIYAN C.
Published: May 2024

Ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the most extensively utilized supporting materials inside total knee replacement (TKR) because of its combination of outstanding mechanical qualities and wear resistance. The integrity of the hole is an essential component for fastening the femur and tibia elements in knee replacements. Due to its viscoelasticity behavior, it often causes difficulties such as rapid tool wear, burr formation, and poor finish in conventional machining operations, which causes poor hole features. Since unconventional methods are currently being investigated for drilling UHMWPE. Abrasive water jet drilling (AWJD) is particularly promising for handling hard-to-machine materials, and AWJ drilling of UHMWPE materials demands focus on it. The focus of this research is to determine the importance of AWJD variables for UHMWPE. In this experiment, 64 holes, each with a diameter of 10[Formula: see text]mm, were drilled into the sample material using a complete factorial approach to evaluation. Abrasive water jet pressure (AWJP) (210, 260, 310, and 360[Formula: see text]MPa), abrasive mass flow rate (AMFR) (250, 300, 350, and 400[Formula: see text]g/min.), and traverse rate (TR) (150, 300, 450, and 600[Formula: see text]mm/min.) were all taken into account. Furthermore, the geometrical properties of the hole, such as hole diameter (entry and exit), circularity, perpendicularity, and cylindricity, were investigated. The outcomes identified that both AWJP and TR played significant roles in determining the geometric features of the hole. During the drilling operation, the material removal mechanism and the hole defects were observed and identified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
INFLUENCE OF COMPACTING PRESSURE AND SINTERING TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON MICROSTRUCTURE CHARACTERISTICS AND TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF NI–CR–MOS2-BASED COMPOSITE
Authors: MATSAGAR VILAS K. , KUSHARE PRASHANT B.
Published: May 2024

Ni–Cr–MoS2-based composite’s microstructure and wear behavior were examined in relation to compacting pressure and sintering temperature. The tribological performance of Ni-Cr–MoS2 composite against En32 martial is examined in this research in relation to the nodule count, particle count, and average area depending on the compacting pressure and sintering temperature. The green pallets were cylindrical in shape and had a diameter of 12.5[Formula: see text]mm × 30[Formula: see text]mm. They were pressed at room temperature (28∘C) with axial pressures of 220[Formula: see text]MPa, 275[Formula: see text]MPa, and 330[Formula: see text]MPa, then sintered in two batches at different sintering temperatures of 900∘C and 1000∘C. By using Image analysis, the amount of nodules, their size, particle counts, particle sizes, and lubricant flakes of developed composite are investigated. The typical nodule size ranges from 46 [Formula: see text]m to 60 [Formula: see text]m, and the average nodule percentage is between 67 and 79 present in Ni–Cr–MoS2-based composite. Particle counts ranged at present from 29 to 516 depending on the sintering temperature and compacting pressure. Up to 1.1472 [Formula: see text]m, lubricant flake lengths were nearly the same for composite for the different compacting pressure and sintering. With varying compacting pressures and sintering temperatures, the coefficient of friction and wear rate varied for the developed Ni–Cr–MoS2 composite. The impact of the nodule, nodule counts, particle and particle size is also present on the developed composites for friction and wear. Minimum wear rate observed for composite sintered was under 1000∘C temperature, and maximum wear rate was 7.55E[Formula: see text] mm3/Nm for low compacting pressure and 900∘C sintering temperature.
DRY SLIDING WEAR AND CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF AA7075–SiC COMPOSITES
Authors: SURENDARNATH S. , RAMESH G. , RAMACHANDRAN T.
Published: May 2024

Automobile structural components are subject to high stress, friction and corrosive environmental conditions. Though aluminum alloys exhibit lightweight and high corrosion resistance, there is a need to improve the high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to friction. This paper presents microstructural analysis, hardness, dry sliding wear behavior, and corrosion behavior of AA7075 reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) particles. The composite specimens were prepared at the concentration of 2.5 and 5[Formula: see text]wt.% SiC. The microstructure of AA7075 showed dendritic morphology while composite specimens showed nondendritic morphology grains. Reinforcement of SiC resulted in increased nucleation site and refinement of grain during solidification. XRD analysis of base alloy showed [Formula: see text] matrix with [Formula: see text] (MgZn2), T(Al–Zn–Mg–Cu) and Al7Cu2Fe phases, while the composite sample showed the presence of additional S(Al2CuMg) and [Formula: see text] (Al2Cu) phases. Composite samples showed higher hardness values than base alloy due to grain boundary strengthening and Orowan strengthening. The enhancement of hardness of AA7075 by 20% and 37.5% were obtained with the addition of 2.5 and 5[Formula: see text]wt.% SiC particles respectively and also predicted with less coefficient of friction and less wear rate at all the tested load conditions. At the same time, the respective reduction in wear rates of AA7075 was found to be 50 and 65%. The worn-out surface of the base alloy was found to have undergone extensive plastic deformation and resulted in delamination with extensive patches and no clear groove marks. The composite sample of 2.5[Formula: see text]wt.% SiC showed mild patches with clear groove marks, while the Composite of 5[Formula: see text]wt.% SiC showed groove marks with fine width parallel to sliding directions. The wear mechanism was found to be transferred from adhesive mode to abrasive mode through a mixed mechanical layer with an added concentration of SiC particles from 0[Formula: see text]wt.% to 5[Formula: see text]wt.%. Weight loss during immersion corrosion increases with an increase in the amount of SiC due to an increased amount of metallic phase which increases microgalvanic corrosion and pitting. Hence, composite samples showed decreased corrosion resistance than base alloy.
Vibration Analysis of Perovskite Solar Cells Resting on Porous Nanocomposite Substrate in Thermal Environment
Authors: Jafari Pooya , Kiani Yaser
Published: May 2024

The free vibration analysis of a perovskite solar cell (PSC) within thermal environments is studied through a quasi-3D plate model. This model is designed to account for the stretching effects and non-uniform shear strains throughout the thickness. The PSC film is represented in the model as a thin laminated plate, comprising five distinct plies: ITO, PEDOT:PSS, perovskite, PCBM, and Au. A graphene platelets reinforced composite (GPLRC) substrate, made of Poly (methyl methacrylate), is assumed to be located under the noted five layers. The GPLRC substrate is conceptualized in the model as a porous foundation with finite depth. The foundation stiffnesses are determined using a modified Vlasov model, and the equivalent Young modulus of the foundation is evaluated using a modified Halpin–Tsai model, introducing the porosity coefficient. It is also considered that the material properties of GPLRC substrates exhibit temperature dependency. For the PSC with all edges simply supported, Navier solution method is applied to obtain the frequencies and associated mode numbers. Based on the results presented in this study, an increase in the porosity and thickness of the substrate can negatively impact the frequencies of the structure. However, natural frequencies experience almost no change if the temperature rises.
Enhancing misinformation detection using long short-term memory (LSTM) and bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) with word embedding techniques
Authors: Ennejjai Imane , Ariss Anass , Mabrouki Jamal , Ziti Soumia
Published: May 2024

Misinformation is a pervasive issue in today’s society, with the spread of false or misleading information having potentially far-reaching consequences. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning, to detect and combat the spread of misinformation. In this study, we compare the performance of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) in misinformation detection. We conducted experiments on two public datasets: “ISOT misinformation Dataset”. We trained LSTM and Bi-LSTM models on the preprocessed datasets and evaluated their performance using various evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score.
Construction of lattices over the real sub-field of ℚ(ς8) for block fading (wiretap) coding
Authors: Singh Ankur , Kumar Pratyush , Shukla Ankur
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we consider the challenge of ensuring secure communication in block-fading wiretap channels using encoding techniques. We investigate the coding for block-fading wiretap channels using stacked lattice codes constructed over completely real number fields, which is a well-established technique. In this paper, we consider degree-four complex multiplication field [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]. We employ binary codes to generate a lattice over [Formula: see text], which is subsequently used to form an integral lattice. The resulting integral lattice can be effectively applied to enhance the security of communication within block-fading wiretap channels.
Improving the Magnetic Properties of Electrodeposited Fe-55wt%Ni Alloy via Abnormal Grain Growth Induced by Second-Phase Particles
Authors: Ren Wei , Lan Xi , Guo Zhancheng
Published: May 2024

In this study, pulse reverse current electrodeposition was employed to fabricate Fe-55 wt%Ni alloy. Abnormal grain growth induced by the precipitation of second-phase particles during annealing resulted in a coarse-grained electrodeposited Fe-55 wt%Ni alloy. The grain evolution process during annealing was investigated, and the temperature for abnormal grain growth was determined through the high-temperature confocal microscopy technique. Subsequently, the mechanism of abnormal grain growth was investigated. The results suggest that abnormal grain growth occurs at approximately 1003 K, attributed to the preferential growth of (110) oriented grains due to local strain energy changes caused by the precipitation and coarsening of the second-phase particles (MnS). The preferred orientation of the grains transitioned from (111) to (110). Annealing at 1073 K for 2 h resulted in an average grain size increase to approximately 200 μm. Under these conditions, the magnetic properties of the alloy reached optimal levels, with a magnetization saturation strength of 186.7 emu g−1 and a coercivity of less than 1 Oe. This research presents a novel approach to preparing coarse-grained electrodeposited Fe-Ni alloys, significantly enhancing their magnetic properties.
Localized Stress Effects on the Single Event Effects Sensitivity of Microelectronics
Authors: Stepanoff Sergei P. , Khachatrian Ani , Haque Aman , Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen , Wolfe Douglas E.
Published: May 2024

Understanding the single event effects (SEE) sensitivity of microelectronic devices and circuits is essential for long-term mission success in ionizing radiation environments. SEEs occur when a single ionizing particle strikes a device with enough energy to cause anomalous malfunction or even a catastrophic failure event. It is conventionally viewed as an electrical phenomenon, whereas this study investigates the possible role of multi-physics. Specifically, we show that localized mechanical stress in electronic devices significantly impacts the degree of SEE sensitivity. We present a technique that indirectly maps both electrical and mechanical field localization to spatially map SEE sensitivity without any need for radiation test sources. It is demonstrated on the operational amplifier LM124 under both pristine and stressed conditions. To validate our hypothesis, our experimental results are compared with those obtained from the well-established pulsed laser SEE technique. Excellent agreement between these results supports our hypothesis that SEE susceptibility may have fundamental roots in both electrical and mechanical fields. Therefore, the ability to map the localizations in these fields may indirectly map the SEE sensitivity of large area electronics, which is very expensive in time and resources.
Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Enhancing the Properties Activity of Organic Polymeric Materials for Industrial Applications
Authors: Alotaibi B. M. , Alyousef Haifa A. , Atta A. , Rizk S. A. , Elgendy Abdelfattah T.
Published: May 2024

Novel composite (MC/TiO2) films consisting of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and organic polymer methylcellulose (MC), were synthesized for applied in photocatalysis and industrial sectors. The preparation of the nanocomposites MC/TiO2 films were verified successfully by EDX technique, which demonstrated the uniform distribution of TiO2 in the MC. Moreover, in frequency of 20 Hz to 5.5 MHz, the dielectric properties of MC as a function of TiO2 concentration were determined. The conductivity improved from 5.8 × 10−8 S.cm−1 for MC to 3.8 × 10−6 S.cm−1 for the composite MC/TiO2, and the dielectric constant

ε

′

has risen from 87 for MC to 179 for the composite MC/TiO2. In addition, the energy density increases from 3.86 × 10−4 J m−3 for MC to 7.94 × 10−4 J m−3 for MC/TiO2, and the relaxation time

τ

r

dropped from 11.5 × 10−5 sec to 2.58 × 10−5. In summary, the data investigated that the dielectric characteristics of MC/TiO2 were modified for usage in different applications as wastewater treatment and energy storage devices.
Assigned group work is associated with increased student motivation and perceptions of belonging in an asynchronous online physiology laboratory course
Authors: Carr Shea E. , Wilson Thad E. , Slone Stacey A. , Karanja Leila W. , Osterhage Jennifer L.
Published: May 2024

This study explores the effect of assigned group work in an asynchronous online physiology laboratory course on student motivation and belonging. Students’ perceptions of belonging and competence-related beliefs were higher, and effort and psychological costs were lower, when assigned to groups compared to students not assigned to groups. Students assigned to groups noted peer interactions as the most inclusive aspect of the course, whereas instructor interactions were noted as inclusive by those not assigned group work.
Sex differences in dietary sodium evoked NCC regulation and blood pressure in male and female Sprague-Dawley, Dahl salt-resistant, and Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Authors: Kim Kiyoung , Nist Kayla M. , Puleo Franco , McKenna James , Wainford Richard D.
Published: May 2024

NCC regulation is sex dependent. In normotensive male and female Sprague-Dawley and Dahl salt-resistant rats, which exhibit dietary Na+-evoked NCC suppression, male rats exhibit decreased WNK4 expression and decreased SPAK and OxSR1 levels, whereas female rats only suppress SPAK and OxSR1. In hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats, the ability of females to suppress NCC (in opposition to males) via a SPAK/OxSR1 mechanism likely contributes to their lower magnitude of salt-sensitive hypertension.
Ventilatory response of peripheral chemoreceptors to hypercapnia during exercise above the respiratory compensation point
Authors: Thompson Aaron J. , Wright Madeline D. , Mann Leah M. , Pulford-Thorpe Alexis E. , Dominelli Paolo B.
Published: May 2024

Exercise at intensities above the respiratory compensation point did not further augment peripheral hypercapnic chemosensitivity (PHC). Moreover, the PHC was not different during a preexercise resting state compared with rest immediately after intense exercise. The lack of differences across both comparisons suggests that exercise itself appears to sensitize the PHC.