bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mono(imidazolin-2-iminato) Hafnium Complexes: Synthesis and Application in the Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone and rac-Lactide
Authors: Khononov Maxim , Liu Heng , Fridman Natalia , Tamm Matthias , Eisen Moris S.
Published: October 2022

Mono-substituted imidazolinX-2-iminato hafnium(IV) complexes (X = iPr, tBu, Mesityl, Dipp) were synthesized and fully characterized, including solid-state X-ray diffraction analysis. When the X group is small (iPr), a dimeric structure is obtained. In all the monomeric complexes, the Hf-N bond can be regarded as a double bond with similar electronic properties. The main difference among the monomeric complexes is the cone angle of the ligand, which induces varying steric hindrances around the metal center. When the monomeric complex of mono(bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-iminato) hafnium tribenzyl was reacted with three equivalents (equiv) of iPrOH, the benzyl groups were easily replaced, forming the corresponding tri-isopropoxide complex. However, when BnOH was used, dimeric complexes were obtained. When five equivalents of the corresponding alcohols (BnOH, iPrOH) were reacted with the monomeric complex, different dimeric complexes were obtained. Regardless of the high oxophilicity of the hafnium complexes, all complexes were active catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone. Dimeric complexes 5 and 6 were found to be the most active catalysts, enabling polymerization to occur in a living, immortal fashion, as well as the copolymerization of ε-caprolactone with rac-lactide, producing block copolymer PCL-b-LAC. The introduction of imidazolin-2-iminato ligands enables the tailoring of the oxophilicity of the complexes, allowing them to be active in catalytic processes with oxygen-containing substrates.
Catalytic Hydrotreatment of Humins Waste over Bifunctional Pd-Based Zeolite Catalysts
Authors: El Fergani Magdi , Candu Natalia , Podolean Iunia , Cojocaru Bogdan , Nicolaev Adela , Teodorescu Cristian M. , Tudorache Madalina , Parvulescu Vasile I. , Coman Simona M.
Published: October 2022

The catalytic hydrotreatment of humins, the solid byproduct produced from the conversion of C6 sugars (glucose, fructose) to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), using supported Pd@zeolite (Beta, Y, and USY) catalysts with different amounts of Pd (i.e., 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%) was investigated under molecular hydrogen pressure. The highest conversion of humins (52.0%) was obtained on 1.5Pd@USY catalyst while the highest amount of humins oil (27.3%) was obtained in the presence of the 1Pd@Beta zeolite sample, at PH2 = 30 bars and T = 250 °C. The major compounds in the humins oil evidenced by GC-MS are alcohols, organic acids, ethers, and alkyl-phenolics. However, although all these classes of compounds are obtained regardless of the nature of the catalyst used, the composition of the mixture differs from one catalyst to another. Furanic compounds were not identified in the reaction products. A possible explanation may be related to their high reactivity under the reaction conditions, in the presence of the Pd-based catalysts these compounds lead to alkyl phenolics, important intermediates in the petrochemical industry.
Ammonia Decomposition over Ru/SiO2 Catalysts
Authors: Lee Ho Jin , Park Eun Duck
Published: October 2022

Ammonia decomposition is a key step in hydrogen production and is considered a promising practical intercontinental hydrogen carrier. In this study, 1 wt.% Ru/SiO2 catalysts were prepared via wet impregnation and subjected to calcination in air at different temperatures to control the particle size of Ru. Furthermore, silica supports with different surface areas were prepared after calcination at different temperatures and utilized to support a change in the Ru particle size distribution of Ru/SiO2. N2 physisorption and transmission electron microscopy were used to probe the textural properties and Ru particle size distribution of the catalysts, respectively. These results show that the Ru/SiO2 catalyst with a high-surface area achieved the highest ammonia conversion among catalysts at 400 °C. Notably, this is closely related to the Ru particle sizes ranging between 5 and 6 nm, which supports the notion that ammonia decomposition is a structure-sensitive reaction.
Investigating Two Modes of Cancer-Associated Antigen Heterogeneity in an Agent-Based Model of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy
Authors: Giorgadze Tina , Fischel Henning , Tessier Ansel , Norton Kerri-Ann
Published: October 2022

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been successful in treating liquid tumors but has had limited success in solid tumors. This work examines unanswered questions regarding CAR T-cell therapy using computational modeling, such as, what percentage of the tumor must express cancer-associated antigens for treatment to be successful? The model includes cancer cell and vascular and CAR T-cell modules that interact with each other. We compare two different models of antigen expression on tumor cells, binary (in which cancer cells are either susceptible or are immune to CAR T-cell therapy) and gradated (where each cancer cell has a probability of being killed by a CAR T-cell). We vary the antigen expression levels within the tumor and determine how effective each treatment is for the two models. The simulations show that the gradated antigen model eliminates the tumor under more parameter values than the binary model. Under both models, shielding, in which the low/non-antigen-expressing cells protect high antigen-expressing cells, reduced the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy. One prediction is that a combination of CAR T-cell therapies that targets the general population of cells as well as one that specifically targets cancer stem cells should increase its efficacy.
Preliminary Study on Characteristics of NC/HTPB-Based High-Energy Gun Propellants
Authors: Lin Yi-Hsien , Yang Tsung-Mao , Li Jin-Shuh , Lu Kai-Tai , Yeh Tsao-Fa
Published: October 2022

This study mainly explored the characteristics of NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants with RDX, CL-20 or TKX-50 by experimental method. Three series of test samples were prepared referring to the formulation of M1 single-base gun propellant (M1 SBP). The thermochemical characteristics, chemical stability, explosion heat, impact and friction sensitivities of prepared samples were determined by simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry–thermogravimetric analysis (STA DSC–TGA), vacuum stability tester (VST), bomb calorimeter (BC), BAM fallhammer and BAM friction tester, respectively, and compared with those of the reference sample M1. The experimental results indicated that the thermochemical characteristics of NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants were similar to those of M1 SBP. The NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants had good chemical stability and were superior to M1 SBP. The explosion heat of NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants was close to and slightly larger than that of M1 SBP. In addition, the NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants had lower impact and friction sensitivities than the M1 SBP. Therefore, the NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants have the potential to replace the M1 SBP. The combustion performances of NC/HTPB-based high-energy gun propellants will be continuously studied and verified in the future.
Photoactivated In2O3-GaN Gas Sensors for Monitoring NO2 with High Sensitivity and Ultralow Operating Power at Room Temperature
Authors: Rambeloson Jafetra , Ioannou Dimitris E. , Raju Parameswari , Wang Xiao , Motayed Abhishek , Yun Hyeong Jin , Li Qiliang
Published: October 2022

Photoactivated gallium nitride (GaN) nanowire-based gas sensors, functionalized with either bare In2O3 or In2O3 coated with a nanolayer of evaporated Au (Au/In2O3), were designed and fabricated for high-sensitivity sensing of NO2 and low-power operation. The sensors were tested at room temperature under 265 nm and 365 nm ultraviolet illumination at several power levels and in relative humidity ranging from over 20% to 80%. Under all conditions, photoconductivity was lower in the Au/In2O3-functionalized sensors compared to that of sensors functionalized with bare In2O3. However, when tested in the presence of NO2, the Au/In2O3 sensors consistently outperformed In2O3 sensors, the measured sensitivity being greater at 265 nm compared to 365 nm. The results show significant power reduction (×12) when photoactivating at (265 nm, 5 mW) compared to (365 nm, 60 mW). Maximum sensitivities of 27% and 42% were demonstrated with the Au/In2O3 sensors under illumination at (265 nm, 5 mW) for 1 ppm and 10 ppm concentration, respectively.
Neurological Short-Term Outcomes of a Cohort of Children Born to Zika Virus-Infected Mothers in Barcelona
Authors: Romaní Natàlia , Pieras Maria , Frick Marie Antoinette , Sulleiro Elena , Rodó Carlota , Silgado Aroa , Suy Anna , Espiau Maria , Thorne Claire , Giaquinto Carlo , Felipe-Rucián Ana , Soler-Palacín Pere , Soriano-Arandes Antoni
Published: October 2022

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a vector-borne flavivirus with a known teratogenic effect, yet the full spectrum has not been delineated. Studies on endemic areas tried to characterize the clinical outcomes of ZIKV intrauterine exposure. We aimed to describe early neurodevelopmental outcomes on prenatally ZIKV-exposed children in a non-endemic ZIKV area. This is a prospective observational cohort study conducted from May 2016 to December 2021 at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. We monitored for up to 24 months 152 children extracted from a pregnant women cohort with suspected ZIKV infection; eleven women (11/150; 7.3%) fulfilled the criteria for a confirmed ZIKV infection. Among the 152 children included, we describe two cases of congenital ZIKV syndrome (CZS) born from women with a confirmed ZIKV infection. Additionally, we describe five cases of other potentially ZIKV-related outcomes (OPZROs), all with normal birth cranial circumference and born to women with probable ZIKV infection. The low exposed prevalence of adverse outcomes in asymptomatic children at birth in a non-endemic area suggests that close follow-up should be addressed by primary care pediatricians instead of pediatric specialists. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of ZIKV intrauterine exposure beyond two years of life.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention in Pediatric Patients: Narrative Review
Authors: Antalová Natália , Klučka Jozef , Říhová Markéta , Poláčková Silvie , Pokorná Andrea , Štourač Petr
Published: October 2022

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in intensive care settings, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. VAP is diagnosed in >10% of patients on mechanical ventilation, incidence rising with number of ventilator days. In recent decades, the pathophysiology of VAP, VAP risk factors and treatment have been extensively studied. In critically ill pediatric patients, mechanical issues such as insufficient tightness of the ventilator circuit (mainly due to historically based preference of uncuffed tubes) and excessive humidity in the circuit are both significant risk factors of VAP development. Protocol-based approaches to critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, closed suctioning, upper body position, enteral feeding and selective gastric acid suppression medication have a beneficial effect on VAP incidence. In recent decades, cuffed tubes applied to the whole spectrum of critically ill pediatric patients (except neonates <2700 g of weight), together with cuff-oriented nursing care including proper cuff-pressure (<20 cm H2O) management and the use of specialized tracheal tubes with subglottic suction ports combined with close infraglottic tracheal suctioning, have been implemented. The aim of this review was to summarize the current evidence-based knowledge about the pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of VAP in clinically oriented settings.
Etiology and Epidemiology of Croup before and throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2018–2022, South Korea
Authors: Lee Joon Kee , Song Seung Ha , Ahn Bin , Yun Ki Wook , Choi Eun Hwa
Published: October 2022

Omicron, a recent variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently globally dominating. We reviewed the etiology and epidemiology of croup over an approximately 5-year period, with an emphasis on the recent dominance of the Omicron variant. Children less than 5 years of age seen in the emergency department with diagnosis of croup from two large national tertiary hospitals were collected for the period from January 2018 through March 2022. Viral etiologies of the patients were compared with national surveillance data upon circulating respiratory viruses in the community. A total number of 879 croup cases were recognized during the study period. The most common pathogen was SARS-CoV-2 (26.9%), followed by HRV (23.8%), PIV1 (14.6%), PIV3 (13.1%), and CoV NL63 (13.1%), among seventeen respiratory viral pathogens tested by polymerase chain reaction. The viral identification rate was significantly higher in the Omicron period, with most of the pathogens identified as SARS-CoV-2. In the Omicron period, with the exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community, croup associated with SARS-CoV-2 significantly increased, with a high detection rate of 97.2% (35 of 36) among croup cases with pathogen identified. The etiologic and epidemiologic data before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that the association between croup and infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is highly plausible.
Tissue Levels of CD80, CD163 and CD206 and Their Ratios in Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health and Disease
Authors: Yilmaz Mustafa , Demir Esra , Firatli Yigit , Firatli Erhan , Gürsoy Ulvi Kahraman
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to compare tissue levels of CD80 (pro-inflammatory macrophage-related surface marker), CD163, and CD206 (anti-inflammatory macrophage-related surface markers), and their ratios in periodontal and peri-implant health and disease. Altogether, 36 tissue samples were obtained from 36 participants with clinically healthy gingiva (n = 10), healthy peri-implant mucosa (n = 8), periodontitis lesions (n = 9), and peri-implantitis lesions (n = 9). CD80, CD163, and CD206 levels were assessed with immunoblotting. CD163 levels were found to be decreased (p = 0.004), and the CD80/CD163 ratio was found to be elevated (p = 0.002) in periodontitis lesions compared to healthy gingiva. Peri-implantitis lesions showed a tendency towards a higher CD80/CD163 ratio than in healthy peri-implant mucosa with a borderline difference (p = 0.054). No statistically significant difference was detected in CD80, CD163, and CD206 levels of periodontitis lesions when compared to peri-implantitis, and in healthy gingiva when compared to healthy peri-implant mucosa. A disruption in CD80/CD163 balance seems to be related to the pathogenesis of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, being less prominent in the latter. The reason behind this phenomenon may be either suppressed CD163 expression or reduced CD163+ anti-inflammatory macrophage abundance.
Buoyancy Effect on the Unsteady Diffusive Convective Flow of a Carreau Fluid Passed over a Coated Disk with Energy Loss
Authors: Awan Farah Jabeen , Maqbool Khadija , Sait Sadiq M. , Ellahi Rahmat
Published: October 2022

The unsteady flow of a Carreau fluid over a coated disk under the simultaneous effects of a thermal and concentration field with buoyancy forces is reported. The time-dependent diffusive stream of a Carreau fluid over a conducting coated disk is carried out with energy loss. The time-dependent partial differential equations are first converted into a scheme of ordinary differential equations by the appropriate transformations and are then solved by shooting method. Significant results for speed, hotness and concentration profiles are revealed and deliberated by the graphical outcomes. The numerical values of skin friction suggest that the viscoelastic parameter of the Carreau fluid causes a reduction in the skin friction coefficient due to the coated surface, but the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers increase with the rise of the viscoelastic parameter of the Carreau fluid because of the coated surface. The present model is useful in the field of mechanical engineering to design a tesla turbine for the flow of viscous fluid.
Computation of Gamma Buildup Factors and Heavy Ions Penetrating Depths in Clay Composite Materials Using Phy-X/PSD, EXABCal and SRIM Codes
Authors: Olukotun S. F. , Sayyed M. I. , Oladejo O. F. , Almousa Nouf , Adeojo S. A. , Ajoge E. O. , Gbenu S. T. , Fasasi M. K.
Published: October 2022

Most investigations of the gamma-shielding abilities of materials are often based on the Beer-Lambert law including recent studies on clay-polyethylene composites. The findings are usually silent on the secondary radiation effects that commonly occur due to photon buildup, known as Energy Absorption Buildup Factor (EABF) and Exposure Buildup Factor (EBF). In this work, the computation of EABF and EBF in the region of energy 0.015–15 MeV at different penetration depths or mean free paths up to 40 mfp—and simulation of 100 keV of Cs and Sr ion-penetration profiles of clay–polyethylene composites (A–G) containing 0–30 wt% low density polyethylene (LPDE)—was carried out. The buildup factors computation was performed using Phy-X/PSD and EXABCal codes, and the ion-penetrating profile was studied using a Monte Carlo simulation code called Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM). The EABF and EBF values are functions of the photon energy and the penetration depth. In the region of intermediate energy, the EABF and EBF values are higher for each of the samples. For a given mfp, the peak value of either EBF or EABF of each sample increases with LDPE wt% in the clay matrix. The projected range of both Cs and Sr ions in the samples decreased with increasing sample bulk densities, with Cs having a higher projected range than Sr in all the samples. The Cs and Sr ions have the lowest respective projected ranges in sample A (of bulk density 2.03 g·cm−3; 0 wt% of LDPE), while the highest projected ranges were recorded in sample G (of bulk density 1.34 g·cm−3; with 30 wt% of LDPE), respectively. This study reaffirmed the suitability of clay composite for gamma-ray shielding applications; however, it may not yet be ready to be used as a backfill material to mitigate the migration of fission products present in radioactive nuclear wastes.
Comparative Study on Pavement Performance of Asphalt Mixtures Modified by Calcium Sulfate Whisker and Calcium Carbonate Whisker
Authors: Xu Yi , Xu Yongli
Published: October 2022

In order to study the effect of calcium sulfate whiskers and calcium carbonate whiskers on the road performance of asphalt mixtures, the high temperature stability, low temperature performance, and the change of water stability, the effect of two whiskers with different dosage levels on the road performance of asphalt mixture was obtained. The test results show that the calcium carbonate whiskers can improve the high temperature stability and water stability of the asphalt mixture within a certain dosage level range, but the low temperature performance has no obvious improvement effect, and adding excessive calcium carbonate whiskers will reduce the low temperature performance. The addition of calcium sulfate whiskers can significantly improve the road performance of the asphalt mixture. Under the same dosage level, the effect of calcium sulfate whiskers in improving road performance is better than that of calcium carbonate whiskers. When the content of calcium sulfate whisker is 0.4%, the road performance improvement effect of asphalt mixture is the best.
Attitudes, Involvement and Public Support for Pest Control Methods
Authors: Kaine Geoff , Wright Vic
Published: October 2022

Public support is crucial to the widespread application of pest control methods both in the form of political support and, where people have direct agency in control methods, compliance with the demands of the methods. It is commonplace for personal behaviours reflecting political support for public policies to be presumed to depend on relevant attitudes, beliefs and values of the person. The finite amount of attention and cognitive effort each person possesses implies that attention and effort are rationed, indicating that changing behaviour requires that the targeted individual is attentive and willing to invest the required cognitive effort; that is, they are motivated to consider new information and, subsequently, to reviewing their attitudes and behaviour. We examine whether attitudes and involvement (a measure of motivation) together provide better predictions of public support for pest control methods than attitudes alone, using the distribution of baits containing sodium fluoroacetate (1080) in New Zealand to control invasive, non-native rats and possums as a case study. We found the novel combination of involvement and attitudes did provide significantly better predictions of an individual’s support for using 1080 for the purpose of environmental conservation, and their pest control behaviour, than did attitudes alone.
Phytoplankton Community in Relation to Environmental Variables in the Tidal Mangrove Creeks of the Pasur River Estuary, Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Jahid , Shaha Dinesh Chandra , Kundu Sampa Rani , Yusoff Fatimah Md , Cho Yang-Ki , Haque Farhana , Salam Mohammad Abdus , Ahmed Salman , Wahab Md. Abdul , Ahmed Minhaz , Hossain Md. Iqbal , Afrad Md. Safiul Islam
Published: October 2022

The Pasur River estuary (PRE) provides vital fishery resources and supports millions of livelihoods in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Our research focused on phytoplankton community assemblages, alpha diversity indices, and the seasonal succession of major phytoplankton species in relation to physicochemical parameters in the tidal mangrove creeks of the Pasur River estuary. Spatial and temporal variations were assessed by water sampling at 17 stations in the study area from January to December 2019. The mean salinity level in the tidal mangrove creeks of the PRE was significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the dry season than during the wet season. Spatially, no significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved inorganic phosphorus between PRE and mangrove creeks, but temporally, the variables varied significantly (p < 0.05). Spatially, no significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in the alpha diversity of the phytoplankton community but significantly (p < 0.05) varied temporally. Blue-green algae became dominant in the oligohaline conditions during the wet season, while diatoms were dominant during the dry season which severely depleted dissolved silica. In terms of phytoplankton species diversity, our study classifies the study areas as highly diversified zones. Phytoplankton succession from diatoms (dry season) to blue-green algae (wet season) is attributed to the changes in the physicochemical and nutrient parameters depending on seasonal environmental parameter fluctuations. This study illustrated that phytoplankton diversity and density varied with the degrees of habitat and seasonal changes, implying the potential impacts of anthropogenic activities and natural causes on their community structure in tropical estuaries and mangrove creeks.
An Investigation into the Production of rGO/CuO Composites Using Plant Wastes
Authors: Abo-Dief Hala M. , Alanazi Abdullah K. , Alothman Zeid A. , Pramanik Tanay , Mohamed Ashraf T. , Fallata Ahmed M. , Althakafy Jalal T.
Published: October 2022

The electrochemical energy storage that based on earth-abundant materials is essential because of the future demands. Because of carbon-based architecture supercapacitors, rapid charging/discharging, and long life cycle, they considered attractive compared to chemical to batteries. Therefore, copper oxide (CuO) as positive electrode and reduced grapheme oxide (rGO) as negative electrode materials were used for a high-performance supercapacitor in a low cost, simple, and ecofriendly method. During the present work, synthesized reduced graphene oxide/copper oxide (rGO/CuO) nanocomposite using a simple chemical method is carried and investigated. The crystallinity index (Ic) of CuO, 1.0 M rGO/CuO and rGO was 90.61%, 88.42%, and 86.25%, respectively, at 500 °C and one h, while it was 76.30%, 73.51%, and 67.77respectively, at 500 °C and 30 h. As the test temperature increases, Ic% of both rGO and 1.0 M rGO/CuO increases, and that of CuO decreases. As the test period increases, Ic% for rGO, CuO, and 1.0 M rGO/CuO decreases. As the molarity concentration increased, the crystallinity index of rGO/CuO composites increased. The specimens characteristics are carried and investigated using; EDX, SEM, GC/MS, and XRD analysis. The appearance of the peaks at 2θ = 22.20° and 43.58° were related to GO, and peaks at 22°, 20°, 43.58°, 50.70°, and 74.37° indicated the synthesis of the nanocomposite.
Repurposed Effect of 177Lu-DOTATATE in the Treatment of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Elajami Mohamad K. , Burton Lorena P. , Bahmad Hisham F. , Chaaya Gerard , Schwartz Michael
Published: October 2022

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an uncommon subcategory of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Pathogenesis primarily includes overexpression of CCND1 and SOX11 along with other molecular aberrations. Lutetium 177Lu-DOTATATE is a radiolabeled somatostatin analogue used for the treatment of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. There are no clinical data supporting the use of Lutetium 177Lu-DOTATATE in the treatment of lymphoma. We describe the case of an 84-year-old man with a history of MCL and carcinoid tumor of the lung. Following progression of the carcinoid malignancy, the patient was treated with Lutetium 177Lu-DOTATATE. After treatment, there was an overall improvement of the patient’s MCL that was demonstrated by stable lymphadenopathy on serial CT scans and down-trend of the absolute lymphocyte count. Therefore, we hypothesize that 177Lu-DOTATATE might have a role and can be repurposed for treating MCL.
Diversity, Seasonal and Diel Distribution Patterns of Anchovies (Osteichthyes) in a Protected Tropical Lagoon in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Morgado-Dueñas Guadalupe , Castillo-Rivera Manuel
Published: October 2022

Anchovies are species of ecological and economic importance that inhabit coastal waters, where they are very abundant. The objective of the study was, through high-frequency temporal sampling, to analyze the diversity, seasonal and diel distribution patterns of anchovies and their relationships with environmental variables. For 19 months, 24-h monthly cycles were carried out, taking samples every two hours. Permutational analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used for data analysis. Seven species were captured, of which, Anchoa mitchilli, Anchoa hepsetus, Anchoa lyolepis, Anchoa lamprotaenia and Cetengraulis edentulus are common in brackish waters; however, Anchoviella perfasciata and Engraulis eurystole rarely occur in these systems. For these species, no major threats are known; therefore, they are listed as ‘Least Concern’. A seasonal succession shows pulses during the closed-mouth phase and during the late warm-rainy season. At diel level, A. mitchilli, C. edentulus and A. lamprotaenia showed a markedly nocturnal pattern. RDA correlations showed that salinity, day/night effect, inlet state and rainfall were the most important factors related to anchovy distribution. Segregation along a salinity gradient was observed, in which A. mitchilli was captured mainly at low salinities, while other species occurred mainly at intermediate to high salinities. High-frequency sampling allowed a better understanding of the species richness and abundance patterns of anchovies in the system.
Genome-Wide Cell-Free DNA Test for Fetal Chromosomal Abnormalities and Variants: Unrestricted Versus Restricted Reporting
Authors: Kwan Angel , Zhu Xiaofan , Mar Gil Maria , Kwok Yvonne , Wah Isabella , Hui Annie , Ting Yuen-Ha , Law Kwok-Ming , Lau Doris , Xue Shuwen , Choy Kwong-Wai , Sahota Daljit , Leung Tak-Yeung , Poon Liona
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to compare the screening performance of genome-wide cfDNA testing for chromosomal abnormalities between two periods where additional findings were reported and not reported. Data were obtained from consecutive pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy at ≥10 weeks who requested cfDNA testing during 2015–2019. The performance of screening of the cfDNA test was determined by calculating the concordance rate, detection rate, and false-positive rate. Data from 3981 women were included. The no-result rates were similar between the two reporting periods (2.04% vs. 2.08%). Concordance rates for trisomy 21 and 18 were 100% and 100%, respectively. There were two cases tested high risk for trisomy 13, with a concordance rate of 0%. In total, 12 cases were high risk for any sex chromosome aneuploidy with an overall concordance of 75%, and 15 cases tested high risk for any rare autosomal trisomy, with a 13.3% concordance rate. The detection rates for trisomy 21 and 18 were 100% and 100%, respectively. For any SCA, the detection rate was 90%. For the two reporting periods, the combined false-positive rates were 0.93% and 0.17%, which were significantly different (p = 0.002). Restricting the reporting of additional findings from genome-wide cfDNA analysis has reduced the false-positive rate but without a reduction in the no-result rate.
Asthma Hospital Admission and Readmission Spikes, Advancing Accurate Classification to Advance Understanding of Causes
Authors: Batra Mehak , Erbas Bircan , Vicendese Don
Published: October 2022

Background: An important component of asthma care is understanding potential causes of high asthma admissions (HAADs) or readmissions (HARDs) with potential of risk mitigation. Crucial to this research is accurately distinguishing these events from background seasonal changes and time trends. To date, classification methods have been based on ad hoc and untested definitions which may hamper understanding causes of HAADs and HARDs due to misclassification. The aim of this article is to introduce an easily applied robust statistical approach, with high classification accuracy in other settings—the Seasonal Hybrid Extreme Studentized Deviate (S-H-ESD) method. Methods: We demonstrate S-H-ESD on a time series between 1996 and 2009 of all daily paediatric asthma hospital admissions in Victoria, Australia. Results: S-H-ESD clearly identified HAADs and HARDs without applying ad hoc classification definitions, while appropriately accounting for seasonality and time trend. Importantly, it was done with statistical testing, providing evidence in support of their identification. Conclusion: S-H-ESD is useful and statistically appropriate for accurate classification of HAADs and HARDS. It obviates ad hoc approaches and presents as a means of systemizing their accurate classification and detection. This will strengthen synthesis and efficacy of research toward understanding causes of HAADs and HARDs for their risk mitigation.
Luspatercept: A New Tool for the Treatment of Anemia Related to β-Thalassemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Primary Myelofibrosis
Authors: Hatzimichael Eleftheria , Timotheatou Despoina , Koumpis Epameinondas , Benetatos Leonidas , Makis Alexandros
Published: October 2022

Anemia is a common feature of both benign and malignant hematologic diseases. Beta-thalassemia (β-thalassemia) syndromes are a group of hereditary disorders characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, due to a genetic deficiency in the synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin, often accompanied by severe anemia and the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by cytopenia(s) and ineffective hematopoiesis, despite a hypercellular bone marrow. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by reactive fibrosis of the bone marrow, accompanied by extramedullary hematopoiesis. Luspatercept, previously known as ACE-536, is a fusion protein that combines a modified activin receptor IIB (ActRIIB), a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, with the Fc domain of human immunoglobulin G (IgG1). It has shown efficacy in the treatment of anemia due to beta β-thalassemia, MDS and PMF and recently gained approval by the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for transfusion-dependent (TD) patients with β-thalassemia and very low to intermediate-risk patients with MDS with ringed sideroblasts who have failed to respond to, or are ineligible for, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. In this review, we describe the key pathways involved in normal hematopoiesis and the possible mechanism of action of luspatercept, present its development and data from the most recent clinical trials in β-thalassemia, MDS and PMF, and discuss its potential use in the treatment of these hematological disorders.
Co-Production of Dimethyl Carbonate, Dimethoxymethane and Dimethyl Ether from Methanol: Process Design and Exergy Analysis
Authors: Zhang Shuxing , Ding Xiaoshu , Shang Helen , Song Yucong , Wang Yanji
Published: October 2022

Dimethyl carbonate is an important green chemical that has been widely used in the chemical industry. In the production of dimethyl carbonate, methanol oxidative carbonylation has been studied, but the conversion ratio of dimethyl carbonate using this method is too low, and the subsequent separation requires a large amount of energy due to methanol and dimethyl carbonate being azeotrope. In this paper, the strategy of “reaction instead of separation” is proposed. Based on this strategy, a novel process is developed to combine the production of DMC with that of dimethoxymethane (DMM) and dimethyl ether (DME). The co-production process was simulated using Aspen Plus software, and the product purity was up to 99.9%. The exergy analysis of the co-production process and the existing process was carried out. The exergy destruction and exergy efficiency were compared with those of the existing production processes. The results show that the exergy destruction of the co-production process is about 276% less than that of the single-production processes, and the exergy efficiencies in the developed co-production process are significantly improved. The utility loads of the co-production process are significantly lower than that of the single-production process. The developed co-production process increases the methanol conversion ratio to 95%, with a reduced energy requirement. It is proved that the developed co-production process can provide an advantageous option over the existing processes with improved energy efficiency and material savings. The strategy of “reaction instead of separation” is feasible. A new strategy is proposed for azeotrope separation.
Electron Spin Correlations: Probabilistic Description and Geometric Representation
Authors: Cetto Ana María
Published: October 2022

The electron spin correlation is shown to be expressible in terms of a bona fide probability distribution function with an associated geometric representation. With this aim, an analysis is presented of the probabilistic features of the spin correlation within the quantum formalism, which helps clarify the concepts of contextuality and measurement dependence. The dependence of the spin correlation on conditional probabilities allows for a clear separation between system state and measurement context; the latter determines how the probability space should be partitioned in calculating the correlation. A probability distribution function ρ(ϕ) is then proposed, which reproduces the quantum correlation for a pair of single-particle spin projections and is amenable to a simple geometric representation that gives meaning to the variable ϕ. The same procedure is shown to be applicable to the bipartite system in the singlet spin state. This endows the spin correlation with a clear probabilistic meaning and leaves the door open for a possible physical picture of the electron spin, as discussed at the end of the paper.
Stablecoin-Based Digital Trading and Investment Platforms and Their Potential in Overcoming Sanctions Restrictions
Authors: Travkina Elena Vladimirovna , Fiapshev Alim Borisovich , Belova Marianna Tolevna
Published: October 2022

The current article summarizes the main properties of stablecoins and explores their potential use in digital platforms to solve problems of supporting foreign trade and investment processes in countries subjected to restrictions on a wide range of its interactions with foreign countries, companies and international markets. Empirical results show that gold-backed stablecoins, being effective at hedging assets in certain situations, provide countries with the opportunity to distance themselves from traditional financial institutions and reserve currencies in the context of external operations. Digital trading and investment platforms created on its basis do not exclude the risks inherent to the instrument. Moreover, they are exacerbated by continuing and increasing sanctions pressure on the economy integrated with such platforms. However, at the same time, these assets remain one of the most effective ways to support foreign trade and investment processes in these countries. The thesis is proven using an informalized method based on expert evaluations regarding the possibility of digital platforms overcoming trade and investment sanctions, the effects of which on the Russian economy cannot yet be accurately predicted. The study proposes two scenarios for the development of these platforms, potentially expanding the boundaries of foreign trade and investment interaction of the country subjected to sanctions with international markets.
Revisiting a Macroeconomic Controversy: The Case of the Multiplier–Accelerator Effect
Authors: Mourao Paulo Reis , Popescu Irina Alina
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the bibliometrics of a Keynesian and neoclassical discussion about the multiplier–accelerator effect. Having its oldest roots in the 1930s, there was a special emphasis in the 1960s and 1970s on discussions regarding the dependence of current investment on economic growth (the accelerator effect). Through a bibliometric analysis, we also consider the Hicks–Samuelson contribution, also known as the multiplier–accelerator model. We identified, among other things, the most relevant authors on the topics, the economic areas that have been contributed to the most through keyword analysis, and the most notable contributions through citation analysis. We concluded that several areas in economics have taken advantage of the discussion around the multiplier–accelerator effect, especially the discussion on the business cycle, structural dynamics, and public finance.
Single-Case Writing Interventions for Students with Disorders of Intellectual Development: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bakken Randi Karine , Næss Kari-Anne Bottegaard , Garrels Veerle , Hagen Åste Mjelve
Published: October 2022

Students with disorders of intellectual development (ID) often experience writing difficulties, and effective interventions are highly needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis of single-case experimental design (SCED) studies summarize the effects of writing interventions for students with disorders of ID aged 4–19 years. We conducted a systematic search of seven databases, ancestral and forward searches of relevant sources, and contacted well-known authors in the field. Fifteen and 10 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analyses, respectively. The overall results indicate that the participants improved their writing skills, with a large between-case standardized mean difference (BC-SMD) effect on the number of words and sentences written (BC-SMD = 1.22) and on the quality of paragraph and story writing (BC-SMD = 1.39). Students with disorders of ID can benefit from writing interventions, and the study results may provide practitioners with important insight into promising writing instructions and materials. There is a need for high-quality research targeting encoding (i.e., transforming sound into letters) skills for early school-age students with disorders of ID.
Electrochemical Digitization of Biological Fluids Samples
Authors: Sokolkov Sergey V.
Published: October 2022

Digital medicine based on the integration of all medical data from a particular patient has become a reality today, thanks to information technology. Traditional medical examinations can be supplemented by assessment results of the oxidative-anti-oxidative (OAO) status of the body. Electrochemical sensors are able to not only determine the integral indicators of the OAO system of the body but also to depict details of the processes occurring in the system. The main obstacle to the widespread use of electrochemical sensors in medical diagnostics is the extremely small amount of received information in comparison to the tens of thousands of known human diseases. The problem can be eliminated only by rethinking the purpose of electrochemical measurement within the framework of thermodynamics of information processes and information theory. In the information paradigm of electrochemical analysis of biological fluids, a sample is considered an electrochemical message created by a sensor. The purpose of electrochemical measurement is to obtain information in a volume sufficient to identify the sample composition within the range of possible concentrations of its components. The fundamentals of the thermodynamics of information processes are considered and conclusions that are of practical importance for the development of electrochemical sensors and analyzers are derived. It is shown that the potentiostatic control of the sensor is physically impacted by the electromechanical instability of the electrical double layer, which is the main source of sensor signal noise. Estimates of a minimum amount of analytical signal information required for the identification of a sample of known composition, such as a biological fluid, are provided. Examples of highly informative analytical signals for flowing and stationary samples are presented. Problems related to the visualization of such signals are noted.
AIBot: A Novel Botnet Capable of Performing Distributed Artificial Intelligence Computing
Authors: Zhao Hao , Shu Hui , Huang Yuyao , Yang Ju
Published: October 2022

As an infrastructure platform for launching large-scale cyber attacks, botnets are one of the biggest threats to cyberspace security today. With the development of network technology and changes in the network environment, network attack intelligence has become a trend, and botnet designers are also committed to developing more destructive intelligent botnets. The feasibility of implementing distributed intelligent computing based on botnet node resources is analyzed with regard to the aspects of program size, communication traffic and resource occupancy. AIBot, a botnet model that can perform intelligent computation in a distributed manner, is proposed from the attacker’s perspective, which hierarchically deploys distributed neural network models in the botnet, thereby organizing nodes to collaboratively perform intelligent computation tasks. AIBot enables the distributed execution of intelligent computing tasks on a cluster of bot nodes by decomposing the computational load of a deep neural network model. A general algorithm for the distributed deployment of neural networks in AIBot is proposed, and the overall operational framework for AIBot is given. Two classical neural network models, CNN and RNN, are used as examples to illustrate specific schemes for deploying and running distributed intelligent computing in AIBot. Experimental scenarios were constructed to experimentally validate and briefly evaluate the performance of the two AIBot attack modes, and the overall efficiency of AIBot was evaluated in terms of execution time. This paper studies new forms of botnet attack techniques from a predictive perspective, aiming to increase defenders’ understanding of potential botnet threats, in order to propose effective defense strategies and improve the botnet defense system.
A Cuckoo Filter-Based Name Resolution and Routing Method in Information-Centric Networking
Authors: Lian Wenhan , Li Yang , Wang Jinlin , You Jiali
Published: October 2022

Information-centric networking (ICN) is a new network architecture that routes content based on names to improve transmission performance. Therefore, the efficiency of name resolution and routing becomes a critical issue in ICN. The bloom filter-based routing scheme has gained significant attention for its ability to improve the memory efficiency of routing nodes in the network, but it cannot handle the movement or deletion of content and has a high false positive rate, which increases bandwidth consumption. In this paper, we propose a cuckoo filter-based name resolution and routing method where resolution requests are forwarded through a hierarchical network structure to the node closest to the content copy as much as possible to minimize latency. This method achieves reliable content removal and allows summaries of content to be exchanged between nodes for resolution error correction and information synchronization based on a modified cuckoo filter. The simulation results show that our method can effectively reduce the number of false positives, and it can reduce the additional overhead caused by processing false positives for a large-scale network by 50% compared with the bloom filter-based scheme.
Solar Hydrogen Fuel Generation from Wastewater—Beyond Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: A Perspective
Authors: Pitchaimuthu Sudhagar , Sridharan Kishore , Nagarajan Sanjay , Ananthraj Sengeni , Robertson Peter , Kuehnel Moritz F. , Irabien Ángel , Maroto-Valer Mercedes
Published: October 2022

Green hydrogen—a carbon-free renewable fuel—has the capability to decarbonise a variety of sectors. The generation of green hydrogen is currently restricted to water electrolysers. The use of freshwater resources and critical raw materials, however, limits their use. Alternative water splitting methods for green hydrogen generation via photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) have been explored in the past few decades; however, their commercial potential still remains unexploited due to the high hydrogen generation costs. Novel PEC-based simultaneous generation of green hydrogen and wastewater treatment/high-value product production is therefore seen as an alternative to conventional water splitting. Interestingly, the organic/inorganic pollutants in wastewater and biomass favourably act as electron donors and facilitate the dual-functional process of recovering green hydrogen while oxidising the organic matter. The generation of green hydrogen through the dual-functional PEC process opens up opportunities for a “circular economy”. It further enables the end-of-life commodities to be reused, recycled and resourced for a better life-cycle design while being economically viable for commercialisation. This review brings together and critically analyses the recent trends towards simultaneous wastewater treatment/biomass reforming while generating hydrogen gas by employing the PEC technology. We have briefly discussed the technical challenges associated with the tandem PEC process, new avenues, techno-economic feasibility and future directions towards achieving net neutrality.