bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐pressure gas temperature sensing for exit plane of aero‐engine combustor using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Huang An , Xu Zhenyu , Deng Hao , Yang Wenbin , Qi Xinhua , Li Jie , Kan Ruifeng
Published: September 2023

We have developed a sensor for the temperature measurement in the test section after the combustion chamber of an aero engine model by using direct absorption spectroscopy. Five distributed feedback diode lasers at near 1392, 1393, 1339, 1343, and 1469 nm are utilized as the light sources to detect H2O absorptions to improve the precision of temperature measurement combining with the Boltzmann plot method and the polynomial‐based spectral fitting model. The sensor shows a good performance in terms of its temperature measurement accuracy under high temperature of 673–1373 K and high pressure of 100–600 kPa condition in a tube furnace, which was lower than 4%. Moreover, three‐dimensional temperature distributions have been reconstructed via applying algebraic reconstruction technique at the test section after the combustion chamber of an aero engine model. The single‐point position temperature extracted from the algebraic reconstruction technique agrees well with that measured from the coherent anti‐stokes Raman scattering technique, where the relative error is within 5%. All the above results prove the reliability of our developed temperature sensor.
Quantitative NMR using water as internal calibrant
Authors: Xiang Bosong
Published: September 2023

A new quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) method, called qNMRw, using water as the internal calibrant has been developed. Its principles, procedures, calculations, and test results are presented here. It is shown to avoid the difficulties created by moisture present in other reference materials. High precision and accuracy can be achieved with qNMRw. The method can be used for analyzing technical materials, herbicide formulation products, and other types of chemical samples. It can also be used to measure the purity and concentration of materials to be used as quantitation calibrants.
Lie symmetries and conserved quantities of fractional nonconservative singular systems
Authors: Zheng Mingliang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, according to the fractional factor derivative method, we study the Lie symmetry theory of fractional nonconservative singular Lagrange systems in a configuration space. First, fractional calculus is calculated by using the fractional factor, and the fractional equations of motion are derived by using the differential variational principle. Second, the determining equations and the limiting equations of Lie symmetry under an infinitesimal group transformation are obtained. Furthermore, the fractional conserved quantity form of singular Lagrange systems caused by Lie symmetry is obtained by constructing a gauge‐generating function that fulfills the structural equation, which conforms to the Noether criterion equation. Finally, we present an example of a calculation. The results show that the Lie symmetry condition of nonconservative singular Lagrange systems is more strict than conservative singular systems, but because of increased invariance restriction, the nonconservative forces do not change the form of conserved quantity; meanwhile, the fractional factor method has high natural consistency with the integral calculus, so the theory of integer‐order singular systems can be easily extended to fractional singular Lagrange systems.
Fracture evolution characteristics of strainburst under different gradient stress
Authors: Wang Gang , Liu Xiqi , Song Leibo , Bao Chunyan , Wang Zhenhua , Chen Hao
Published: September 2023

Strainburst often occurs in the loading process of tangential stress concentration from surrounding rocks after excavation and unloading of deep rock mass. The concentrated tangential stress is relatively larger on the tunnel walls, which decreases towards the interior of surrounding rocks with a certain gradient. To explore the fracture evolution characteristics of surrounding rocks under different tangential gradient stresses and understand various phenomena in the strainburst process, a large‐scale true‐triaxial gradient and hydraulic‐pneumatic composite loading rockburst test device was adopted to carry out the strainburst tests under four different gradient stresses. Based on the macroscopic failure phenomena, distribution of rockburst debris, macro‐micro morphology of failure cross section, and monitored data of acoustic emission (AE), the fracture evolution of rockburst specimens was analyzed under different stress gradient loadings. The results indicate that the stress gradient has an obvious influence on the fracture characteristics, resulting in different rockburst phenomena. With the increase of stress gradient, the failure stress of rockburst decreases, while the dynamic failure characteristics of rockburst trends to be significant. The increase of stress gradient contributes to higher fragmentation degree of debris, more uniform distribution and better continuity. The total number of cracks in the model decreases with the rise of the stress gradient, and the proportion of shear failure increases, which is the main reason for the enhancement of the rockburst intensity.
Development and validation of a Decision‐Making Ability Scale for postpartum urinary incontinence women engaging in pelvic floor physical therapy
Authors: Li Jie , Li Tiantian , Zhao Xiaoling , Li Juanhua , Yu Lanlan , Tang Wenjun , Liu Yuanwen , Huang Xiaoli , Chen Ling , Cai Wenzhi
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aimed to develop and validate a Decision‐Making Ability Scale (DMA‐S) for postpartum urinary incontinence (PPUI) women engaging in pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT).

Methods

Items were created in line with a review of the literature and exploratory qualitative study with 22 women. The items were submitted for expert opinion and a pilot implementation was made with 58 women with PPUI. Furthermore, the construct validity of the scale was tested with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 220) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 240). Internal consistency for the Chronbach's α and test–retest reliability for the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were also investigated for the DMA‐S in the study.

Results

The results of the EFA indicated a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value of 0.85 and Bartlett's test of sphericity showed a χ2 value of 8352.101, p < 0.001. After removing one item with factor loading values below 0.50, the resulting factor structure accounted for 83.38% of the total variance. The fit indices of the scale model tested in the CFA were determined as χ2/df = 1.08 < 3, root mean square error of approximation = 0.018 < 0.08, comparative fit index = 0.996 > 0.90, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.995 > 0.90, goodness‐of‐fit index (GFI) = 0.933 > 0.90, adjusted GFI = 0.916 > 0.90, and incremental fit index = 0.996 > 0.90. The Cronbach's α values were 0.95–0.97 for the subdimensions of the scale and 0.93 for the total scale. Data also showed a good test–retest stability (ICC = 0.984).

Conclusion

The DMA‐S is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the decision‐making ability for PPUI women engaging in PFPT.
Decision support for the technician routing and scheduling problem
Authors: Gamst Mette , Pisinger David
Published: September 2023

The technician routing and scheduling problem (TRSP) optimizes routes for technicians serving tasks subject to qualifications, time constraints, and routing costs. In the literature, the TRSP is solved either to provide actual technician work schedules or to perform what‐if analyses on different TRSP scenarios. A TRSP scenario consists of a given number of tasks, technicians, skills, working hours and so forth. We present a method which builds optimal TRSP scenarios with respect to technician fleet, their skills, their working hours and digitization of task equipment. The scenarios are built such that the combined TRSP costs (OPEX) and investment costs (CAPEX) are minimized. By using a holistic approach we can generate scenarios that would not have been found by studying the investments individually. The proposed method consists of a matheuristic based on column generation. To reduce computational time, the routing costs of a technician are estimated instead of solved to optimality. The proposed method is evaluated on data from the literature and on real‐life data from a telecommunication company. The evaluation shows that the proposed method successfully suggests attractive scenarios. The method especially excels in ensuring that more tasks are serviced, but also in reducing travel time with around 16% in the real‐life instance. We believe that the proposed method could constitute an important strategic tool for routing companies. In the conclusion, we propose future research directions to extend the applicability.
Health, stress, and urbanism in the Hellenistic–Roman metropolis of Nea Paphos, Cyprus: A comparative analysis
Authors: Ioannou Grigoria , Lorentz Kirsi O.
Published: September 2023

We explore health and stress in the urban metropolis Nea Paphos (Cyprus) and its surrounding territory during the Hellenistic (312–58 BC) and Roman (58 BC to 395 AD) periods, through a bioarchaeological study. Data were acquired from macroscopic analyses of human remains from two necropoleis in Paphos district: the Eastern Necropolis of Nea Paphos (minimum number of individuals = 165) and the necropolis of Ktima‐Upper City (minimum number of individuals = 207). Data have been acquired from adult/nonadult and male/female individuals through analysis of specific health indicators. These are porotic hyperostosis (PH), cribra orbitalia (CO), and linear enamel hypoplasia. Overall, health indicators were recorded in low to moderate frequencies in both sites. Ktima‐Upper City showed higher frequency of linear enamel hypoplasia (31.8%) compared with Nea Paphos (9.4%), while PH and CO were more prevalent within Eastern Necropolis (CO: 31.3% vs 8% and PH: 29.2% vs 13.9%) suggesting that people living in the capital were more exposed to factors causing CO and PH, during childhood. Intrasite analysis showed differences between the two sexes and the occurrence of health stressors. These factors are likely linked with social, cultural, and dietary differences, subsequently reflecting a larger and more heterogeneous population within and between the two sites. The findings suggest that there are differences between urban Nea Paphos and Ktima‐Upper City. These differences are not major yet indicating some division between the two groups. This study is one of the first to investigate urbanism and health in ancient Cyprus, with focus on the Hellenistic–Roman periods. The comparison of the two sites provides new insights into the health of Hellenistic–Roman Cypriot populations, enabling future investigation and comparison between urban–rural regional and neighboring sites.
The rarest among the rare? Acrometastases and disability in the past and beyond
Authors: Antunes‐Ferreira Nathalie , Curate Francisco , Prates Carlos , Bertrand Benoit , Marques Carina
Published: September 2023

Metastatic bone disease significantly impacts cancer‐related morbidity and mortality nowadays. Herein, we present an adult individual, probably a female, with multiple osteolytic lesions, of variable sizes, distributed predominantly in the axial skeleton but also affecting elements of the appendicular region. This individual also exhibits atypical manifestations of metastatic bone disease, in the form of acrometastases—metastases in the extremities, which are uncommon events in current clinical settings. The individual's skeletonized remains were exhumed from a crypt in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (Espírito Santo), Loures, Portugal, and have been dated from the 16th to 19th centuries. The multiple osteolytic lesions, noted both by direct and radiological observations, are discussed to expand the knowledge regarding disease manifestations in the past but also to reflect on disability and suffering in past individuals affected by oncologic ailments.
Association of shift work with oxidative stress and alteration of fasting plasma glucose level in Chinese adults
Authors: Li Wenzhen , Feng Xiaobing , Zhang Haozhe , Wang Yi‐Xin , Zeng Qiang , Liu Chong , Zhong Victor W. , Wang Dongming
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the association of shift work with blood glucose and the mediating role of oxidative stress.

Methods

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and urinary concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers (8‐hydroxy‐2'‐deoxyguanosine [8‐OHdG], 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal‐mercapturic acid, and 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α [8‐isoPGF2α]) were measured among 831 participants.

Results

Positive dose‐response relationships among shift work duration,  FPG (ptrend < 0.001), and abnormal glucose regulation (AGR; ptrend = 0.035) were found. Compared with participants without shift work, three‐shift work was associated with a higher level of FPG (percentage change: 6.49%, 95% CI: 4.21%–8.83%) and a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (odds ratio: 1.886, 95% CI: 1.114–3.192) and AGR (odds ratio: 1.929, 95% CI: 1.197–3.111). A dose‐response relationship was found between shift work duration and 8‐OHdG (ptrend = 0.002) and 8‐isoPGF2α (ptrend = 0.019). Urinary 8‐OHdG and 8‐isoPGF2α partially mediated the association between shift work duration and FPG levels and the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and AGR, with mediating proportions ranging from 4.77% to 20.76%.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that shift work is positively associated with blood glucose, and the association is partially mediated by oxidative stress.
Associations and predictive performance of 11 anthropometric measures with incident type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank
Authors: Boonpor Jirapitcha , Parra‐Soto Solange , Talebi Atefeh , Zhou Ziyi , Carrasco‐Marin Fernanda , Petermann‐Rocha Fanny , Welsh Paul , Pell Jill P. , Sattar Naveed , Gill Jason M. R. , Gray Stuart R. , Celis‐Morales Carlos , Ho Frederick K.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The study aim was to investigate associations of 11 anthropometric measures with incident type 2 diabetes and compare their predictive performance.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 161,127 White European UK Biobank participants who were free of diabetes at baseline. Anthropometric measures included height, weight, BMI, A Body Shape Index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio (WHtR), hip circumference, visceral adiposity index, hip index, and anthropometric risk index. The associations were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. The differences in C‐index were used to compare predictive performance between BMI and other anthropometric measures.

Results

The median follow‐up was 10.0 (interquartile range: 9.3–10.8) years, during which 6315 participants developed type 2 diabetes. All markers except height and hip index were positively associated with incident type 2 diabetes. The strongest associations were found for WHtR (hazard ratio per 1‐SD increment: 2.27 [95% CI 2.19–2.35] in women; 1.96 [95% CI 1.90–2.01] in men). Compared with BMI, WHtR and anthropometric risk index had significantly better type 2 diabetes risk discrimination.

Conclusions

Although most adiposity markers were associated with type 2 diabetes, the magnitude of the associations differed. WHtR had the strongest associations and predictive ability for type 2 diabetes and thus could be a more suitable marker for clinical use.
Osteopontin‐driven T‐cell accumulation and function in adipose tissue and liver promoted insulin resistance and MAFLD
Authors: Soysouvanh Frédéric , Rousseau Déborah , Bonnafous Stéphanie , Bourinet Manon , Strazzulla Axelle , Patouraux Stéphanie , Machowiak Jean , Farrugia Marwin A. , Iannelli Antonio , Tran Albert , Anty Rodolphe , Luci Carmelo , Gual Philippe
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study investigated the contribution of osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) to T‐cell regulation in initiation of obesity‐driven adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and macrophage infiltration and the subsequent impact on insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) development.

Methods

SPP1 and T‐cell marker expression was evaluated in AT and liver according to type 2 diabetes and MAFLD in human individuals with obesity. The role of SPP1 on T cells was evaluated in Spp1‐knockout mice challenged with a high‐fat diet.

Results

In humans with obesity, elevated SPP1 expression in AT was parallel to T‐cell marker expression (CD4, CD8A) and IR. Weight loss reversed AT inflammation with decreased SPP1 and CD8A expression. In liver, elevated SPP1 expression correlated with MAFLD severity and hepatic T‐cell markers. In mice, although Spp1 deficiency did not impact obesity, it did improve AT IR associated with prevention of proinflammatory T‐cell accumulation at the expense of regulatory T cells. Spp1 deficiency also decreased ex vivo helper T cell, subtype 1 (Th1) polarization of AT CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In addition, Spp1 deficiency significantly reduced obesity‐associated liver steatosis and inflammation.

Conclusions

Current findings highlight a critical role of SPP1 in the initiation of obesity‐driven chronic inflammation by regulating accumulation and/or polarization of T cells. Early targeting of SPP1 could be beneficial for IR and MAFLD treatment.

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Metabolic syndrome‐related cognitive impairment with white matter hyperintensities and functional network analysis
Authors: Zheng Wenhui , Zhou Xia , Yin Jiabin , Liu Han , Yin Wenwen , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiaoqun , Sun Zhongwu
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and cognitive impairment related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the underlying neural network mechanisms.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 50 participants with MetS and WMHs (MetS‐WMHs), 45 with MetS without WMHs, and 50 control participants. All participants underwent resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging and a detailed cognitive evaluation. A graph theory analysis based on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted to calculate functional network properties. A mediation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between WMHs and MetS‐related cognitive impairment.

Results

Compared with the control group, the participants in the MetS‐WMHs group displayed lower global efficiency, local efficiency, and nodal efficiency, mainly located in the regions of the salience network. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between functional network efficiency and cognitive performance. Mediation analysis indicated that WMHs served as a mediating variable between MetS and cognitive decline, affecting attention/executive function, language, and global cognitive function.

Conclusions

WMHs mediated the association between MetS and cognitive function, with a decline in the efficiency of functional brain networks being a probable neural mechanism.
Odontogenic keratocyst in the mandible of a 7‐year‐old child: A case report and literature review
Authors: Chida Tadashi , Morita Yoshihiro , Kishimoto Satoko , Wakabayashi Ken , Uzawa Narikazu , Kanesaki Tomohiko
Published: September 2023

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) are one of the most frequently encountered cystic diseases of the jaw in clinical practice. Although OKC has been reported as a manifestation of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) in many pediatric patients, there have been few reports of OKC occurring in isolation. Herein, we report the case of a relatively large OKC in the mandibular body of a 7‐year‐old girl who was treated conservatively using cystectomy and open wound surgery, and the permanent teeth were unaffected. Regular check‐ups, including radiographic examinations, starting in childhood may contribute to the early detection of lesions in the maxillofacial region.
Effect of overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome on frailty in middle‐aged and older Japanese adults
Authors: Nishida Yuki , Yamada Yosuke , Sasaki Satoshi , Kanda Eiichiro , Kanno Yoshihiko , Anzai Tatsuhiko , Takahashi Kunihiko , Yamauchi Keita , Katsukawa Fuminori
Published: September 2023

Background

The potential for developing frailty exists in middle‐aged and older adults. While obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) increase the risk of frailty in older adults, this relationship remains unclear in middle‐aged adults, who are prone to developing lifestyle‐related diseases.

Objective

To examine the effect of overweight/obesity and MetS on frailty development in middle‐aged and older Japanese adults using real‐world data.

Methods

This nationwide cohort study used exhaustive health insurance claims data of 3,958,708 Japanese people from 2015 to 2019 provided by the Japan Health Insurance Association. Participants aged ≥35 and < 70 years who received health checkups in 2015 were included. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) and MetS or MetS components (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) in 2015 on frailty risk assessed using the hospital frailty risk score in 2019. Additionally, a subgroup analysis was performed to examine the interaction effects of MetS components and 4‐year weight change (%) on frailty risk among participants who were overweight and obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2).

Results

In 2019, 7204 (0.2%) and 253,671 (6.4%) participants were at high and intermediate frailty risks, respectively. Obesity and MetS were independently associated with intermediate/high frailty risk (odds ratio (OR) 1.36, p < 0.05; OR 1.23, p < 0.05, respectively) and high frailty risk (OR 1.80, p < 0.05; OR 1.37, p < 0.05, respectively) in all participants. Although all MetS components were frailty risk factors, these effects diminished with age in both sexes. Subgroup analysis of patients with diabetes revealed that 5%–10% weight loss was associated with reduced frailty risk in both sexes.

Conclusions

Obesity, MetS, and MetS components were independent frailty risk factors in middle‐aged and older Japanese adults. Weight loss of up to 10% over 4 years prevented frailty in patients with diabetes who were overweight and obese.
A practical strategy to identify appropriate application patterns for adhesively bonded joints
Authors: Flaig Florian , Fräger Timo , Kaufmann Marvin , Vallée Till , Fricke Holger , Müller Michael
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a simple experimental validation of a method for finding optimal application patterns in adhesive bonding, as previously introduced by Flaig et al. (2023). The study uses two examples to demonstrate that the patterns found in theory effectively fill the target gaps after pressing in practice. The results confirm that the identified application patterns fill the target gaps almost perfectly, ensuring excellent joint integrity after the pressing process. In particular, the applicability of the star pattern to fill square gaps is experimentally validated. In addition, the method of creating a rectangle by pressing a cut star connected by a straight beam is also effective. While the theoretical results in Flaig et al. (2023) were already promising, this research now provides experimental evidence of their practical applicability.
Numerical modeling of multipoint blanking process of electrical steel
Authors: Bohdal Ł. , Kukiełka L. , Patyk R. , Kośka K. , Miksza M.
Published: September 2023

A new method of forming using multipoint blanking, which can reduce cutting forces was discussed. In the processes of punching and blanking magnetic materials, an important problem is excessive and irregular wear of the cutting edges of the punches. The contribution proposes multipoint initiated punching using specially designed punches, which aims to significantly reduce the punching forces needed to separate the material. The FEM method was used to analyze the physical phenomena occurring during the process. The updated Lagrange description was used to describe the phenomena at a typical incremental step. The states of strain and strain rate are described by nonlinear relationships without linearization. The description of the nonlinearity of the material was made with an incremental model taking into account the influence of the history of strain and the strain rate. The condition of the material after the previous treatments was also taken into account by introducing the initial states: displacements, stresses, strains, and their velocities. Analyses of the impact of the geometry of blanking tools on the values of stresses, deformations, and blanking forces were carried out. Fatigue analyses were carried out for the proposed tools. The research results may be useful for the design of modern blanking tools used in the processing of electrical materials.
Self‐excitability of roller coaster trains along spatial trajectories
Authors: Agustí Marc Guillem Zamora , Kecskeméthy Andrés
Published: September 2023

It is well known that vibrations usually appear during a roller coaster ride, which in some cases leads to passenger discomfort and poses additional material and structural strain. However, the causes of such vibrations are still not fully understood or have not been rigorously tackled in the literature, mainly due to the lack of experiments and real data. While there have been technological advances that help to mitigate them to some degree, for instance by placing shock absorbers between the wheels and the bogie frame, an analysis of this phenomenon is required to make better decisions at the design stage. Here, two possible self‐excitation scenarios are analysed: a bogie instability in curved track sections and a train–track interaction from the point of view of a set of moving oscillators on a flexible spatial trajectory. In the first model, Hopf bifurcations are observed for a combination of reasonable parameters. In the second model, the numerical results also show increased vibrations for some train configurations, which potentially indicates that the track flexibility may not be overlooked. While this research proposes new causes of vibrations in roller coasters, experiments need to be carried out in order to corroborate the results.
Sintering behavior of ceramic ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber/pyrophyllite/zinc borate composites
Authors: He Chunjiang , Ji Yuan , Chen Chuanzhi , Pei Dingfeng , Gao Ming , Zhao Jingcun , Wang Wei
Published: September 2023

Ceramic polymer materials have great future applications in the field of fireproof materials. However, ceramic polyolefins have shortcomings such as few available inorganic fillers, high sintering temperature, and low flexural strength. Therefore, achieving rapid sintering of ceramic ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM) is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Herein, we prepared ceramic EPDM materials using pyrophyllite as aggregate and zinc borate as flux. The materials were prepared using a mixer and sintered in a muffle furnace at 850 and 1000°C. The flexural strength of the sinter residue was tested by a material testing machine. The microstructure changes during the ceramification process were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that the EPDM filled with pyrophyllite and zinc borate had a flexural strength of 2.6 MPa after sintering at 850°C. After sintering at 1000°C, its flexural strength further increased up to 12.3 MPa. The SEM results indicated that as the temperature increased, the zinc borate melted and filled in the space among pyrophyllite particles, and the zinc borate and the pyrophyllite were sintered into a dense whole. The TG, DTG and DTA testing results indicated that the melting and decomposition behaviors of the pyrophyllite‐zinc borate mixture changed compared with pure pyrophyllite and zinc borate. The XRD results indicated that during the sintering process, the crystalline structure of the zinc borate and the pyrophyllite gradually transformed into a quartz‐based crystalline structure. It is promising that the ceramic polyolefin materials are prepared by the pyrophyllite/zinc borate combination.
NAC domain transcription factors VNI2 and ATAF2 form protein complexes and regulate leaf senescence
Authors: Nagahage Isura Sumeda Priyadarshana , Matsuda Kohei , Miyashita Kyoko , Fujiwara Sumire , Mannapperuma Chanaka , Yamada Takuya , Sakamoto Shingo , Ishikawa Toshiki , Nagano Minoru , Ohtani Misato , Kato Ko , Uchimiya Hirofumi , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Kawai‐Yamada Maki , Demura Taku , Yamaguchi Masatoshi
Published: September 2023

The NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2 (NAC) domain transcription factor VND‐INTERACTING2 (VNI2) negatively regulates xylem vessel formation by interacting with another NAC domain transcription factor, VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN7 (VND7), a master regulator of xylem vessel formation. Here, we screened interacting proteins with VNI2 using yeast two‐hybrid assay and isolated two NAC domain transcription factors, Arabidopsis thaliana ACTIVATION FACTOR 2 (ATAF2) and NAC DOMAIN CONTAINING PROTEIN 102 (ANAC102). A transient gene expression assay showed that ATAF2 upregulates the expression of genes involved in leaf senescence, and VNI2 effectively inhibits the transcriptional activation activity of ATAF2. vni2 mutants accelerate leaf senescence, whereas ataf2 mutants delay leaf senescence. In addition, the accelerated leaf senescence phenotype of the vni2 mutant is recovered by simultaneous mutation of ATAF2. Our findings strongly suggest that VNI2 interacts with and inhibits ATAF2, resulting in negatively regulating leaf senescence.
Effects of L‐ and D‐ form oligo(lactic acid)s grafted cellulose reinforcement on the thermal properties of poly(L‐lactic acid) composites
Authors: Rana Md. Masud , Rahaman Md. Hafezur , Khan G. M. Arifuzzaman , Hossain Md. Saddam , Parvez Md. Masud
Published: September 2023

L‐ and D‐ form oligo(lactic acid)s (OLLA and ODLA) grafted α‐cellulose (OLLA‐g‐cellulose and ODLA‐g‐cellulose) were prepared by the graft polycondensation reaction in C6H5CH3 medium at 130°C and 380 mm of mercury pressure. Para‐toluene sulphonic acid (5 wt% of oligo(lactic acid)) was used as a catalyst whereas potassium persulfate (0.01 wt% of oligo(lactic acid)) was used as a co‐catalyst in the graft polycondensation reaction. OLLA and ODLA with a degree of polymerization (DP) 6–7 used in polycondensation reaction were also prepared by ring‐opening polymerization of L‐ and D‐lactides at 140°C for 10 h with stannous octoate (C16H30O4Sn) as a motivator, L, and D monomer of lactic acids as co‐motivators. FTIR analysis proved the bonding of OLLA and ODLA onto the α‐cellulose surface. The thermal properties of poly(L‐lactic) acid (PLLA) composites were explored by thermal analysis (TG, DTA, and DTG). Degradation, melting, and maximum weight loss temperature of the composites were increased with the increase of grafted cellulose up to 10% and then decreased. TG and DTA results showed that the incorporation of grafted α‐cellulose (grafted cellulose) can improve the thermal properties of PLLA composites.

Highlights

Synthesis of oligo(lactic acid)s from L‐ and D‐lactides by ring‐opening polymerization reactions.

α‐cellulose extraction and graft modification with oligo(lactic acid)s.

Preparation of grafted α‐cellulose composite with PLLA matrix.

Evaluation of thermal properties of the grafted α‐cellulose‐reinforced composites.
On basic life testing issues in medical research using non‐parametric hypothesis testing
Authors: Bakr Mahmoud Ebrahim
Published: September 2023

The probability life distributions usually describe the time to event or survival time. Therefore, these life distributions play a crucial role in the analysis and projection of the maximum life expectancy using the Laplace transform technique for nonparametric hypothesis testing. A flexible framework for monitoring randomized clinical trials utilizing prior knowledge of certain phenomena under uncertainty is provided by the Laplace transform. By considering the previous data, medical professionals can also utilize these estimators to calculate the chance of tumor recurrence, cardiovascular death, and AIDS for HIV patients. However, censoring occurs in clinical trials and medical studies when the precise event's time of occurrence is unknown. The present study aims to propose a new test for exponential better than used (EBU). The suggested statistical test's efficiency and critical values are computed and compared with those of previous classes. Furthermore, the suggested test statistic is provided in bivariate form as well. Finally, the methodology is then tested using medical data in order to provide evidence that it is applied efficiently.
CO2 scrubbing, zero gases, Keeling plots, and a mathematical approach to ameliorate the deleterious effects of ambient CO2 during 13C breath testing in humans and animals
Authors: McCue Marshall D.
Published: September 2023

13C breath testing is increasingly used in physiology and ecology research because of what it reveals about the different fuels that animals oxidize to meet their energetic demands. Here I review the practice of 13C breath testing in humans and other animals and describe the impact that contamination by ambient/background CO2 in the air can have on the accuracy of 13C breath measurements. I briefly discuss physical methods to avoid sample contamination as well as the Keeling plot approach that researchers have been using for the past two decades to estimate δ13C from breath samples mixed with ambient CO2. Unfortunately, Keeling plots are not suited for 13C breath testing in common situations where (1) a subject's VCO2 is dynamic, (2) ambient [CO2] may change, (3) a subject is sensitive to hypercapnia, or (4) in any flow‐through indirect calorimetry system. As such, I present a mathematical solution that addresses these issues by using information about the instantaneous [CO2] and the δ13CO2 of ambient air as well as the diluted breath sample to back‐calculate the δ13CO2 in the CO2 exhaled by the animal. I validate this approach by titrating a sample of 13C‐enriched gas into an air stream and demonstrate its ability to provide accurate values across a wide range of breath and air mixtures. This approach allows researchers to instantaneously calculate the δ13C of exhaled gas of humans or other animals in real time without having to scrub ambient CO2 or rely on estimated values.
MVS‐SLAM: Enhanced multiview geometry for improved semantic RGBD SLAM in dynamic environment
Authors: Islam Qamar Ul , Ibrahim Haidi , Chin Pan Kok , Lim Kevin , Abdullah Mohd Zaid
Published: September 2023

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) is a crucial technology for intelligent mobile robots to operate successfully in unknown environments. While many excellent SLAM systems have been developed in recent years, most assume that the environment is static, resulting in poor performance in dynamic environments. To address this limitation, we propose multiview stereo (MVS)‐SLAM (MVS‐SLAM), a real‐time semantic RGBD SLAM system with improved‐multiview geometry, built on the RGBD mode of ORB‐SLAM3. MVS‐SLAM tightly integrates semantic and geometric information to tackle the challenges posed by dynamic scenes. To meet the real‐time requirements, the semantic module leverages the latest and fastest object detection network, YOLOv7, to provide semantic prior knowledge for the geometric module. We introduce a novel geometric constraint method that capitalizes on depth images and semantic information to recover three‐dimensional (3D) feature points and initial camera pose. We use a 3D coordinate error threshold to identify dynamic points and remove them using the K‐means clustering algorithm. This approach effectively reduces the impact of dynamic points. We validate MVS‐SLAM using challenging dynamic sequences from the TUM data set, demonstrating that it significantly improves localization accuracy and system robustness in all types of dynamic environments.
Grammar‐based fuzzing of data integration parsers in computational materials science
Authors: Müller Sebastian , Sparka Jan Arne , Kuban Martin , Draxl Claudia , Grunske Lars
Published: September 2023

Context

Computational materials science (CMS) focuses on in silico experiments to compute the properties of known and novel materials, where many software packages are used in the community. The NOMAD Laboratory (Draxl C, Scheffler) offers to store the input and output files in its FAIR data repository. Since the file formats of these software packages are non‐standardized, parsers are used to provide the results in a normalized format.

Objective

The main goal of this article is to report experience and findings of using grammar‐based fuzzing on these parsers.

Method

We have constructed an input grammar for four common software packages in the CMS domain and performed an experimental evaluation on the capabilities of grammar‐based fuzzing to detect failures in the Novel Materials Discovery (NOMAD) parsers.

Results

With our approach, we were able to identify three unique critical bugs concerning service availability, as well as several additional syntactic, semantic, logical, and downstream bugs in the investigated NOMAD parsers. We reported all issues to the developer team prior to publication.

Conclusion

Based on the experience gained, we can recommend grammar‐based fuzzing also for other research software packages to improve the trust level in the correctness of the produced results.
Semi‐parametric generalized linear model for binomial data with varying cluster sizes
Authors: Qi Xinran , Szabo Aniko
Published: September 2023

The semi‐parametric generalized linear model (SPGLM) proposed by Rathouz and Gao assumes that the response is from a general exponential family with unspecified reference distribution and can be applied to model the distribution of binomial event‐count data with a constant cluster size. We extend SPGLM to model response distributions of binomial data with varying cluster sizes by assuming marginal compatibility. The proposed model combines a non‐parametric reference describing the within‐cluster dependence structure with a parametric density ratio characterizing the between‐group effect. It avoids making parametric assumptions about higher order dependence and is more parsimonious than non‐parametric models. We fit the SPGLM with an expectation–maximization Newton–Raphson algorithm to the boron acid mouse data set and compare estimates with existing methods.
Research progress into the application of Mycobacterium phlei in veterinary medicine
Authors: Li Fan , Li Xiang , Jiang Meng‐Lin , Wang Chun‐Hua , Liu Gao‐Feng , Yang Zi , Wu Yong
Published: September 2023

Mycobacterium phlei is a gram‐positive acid‐fast mycobacterium from the family Mycobacteriaceae. It is a valuable resource for both natural drugs and microecological preparations. It has been widely used in the field of human medicine; however, in the field of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, the research and application of M. phlei is still in the preliminary exploration stage. This study aims to summarize the research progress of M. phlei in the field of veterinary medicine and provide a valuable reference for future research. Key words, such as ‘M. phlei’, ‘veterinary field’, ‘immune balancer’, ‘genome’ and other relevant words to this study, were used to search through PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases. The results showed that the culture conditions of M. phlei were relatively simple, but its bacterial composition and genome sequence were relatively complex, and various components in the cell wall may have immunoregulatory effects. Therefore, the inactivated preparation made from M. phlei can have various applications in the veterinary field, such as growth regulation, immune regulation, antitumour, anti‐parasite and asthma treatment. The literature review indicates that M. phlei preparation is an efficient and convenient immune system balance agent. Despite the challenges associated with the use of M. phlei preparations, it has a strong potential for application in veterinary medicine.
A case of forensic genomics in Uganda reveals animal ownership and low exotic genetic introgression in indigenous cattle
Authors: Masembe Charles , Benda Kirungi Katali , Opoola Oluyinka , Francis Mayega Johnson , Ndinawe Ruth Pamela , Beine Peter , Mukiibi Robert
Published: September 2023

Background

The cattle industry contributes to Uganda's agricultural output. It faces challenges that include theft and parentage ascertainment. These challenges can benefit from recent molecular genomics and bioinformatics technologies.

Objectives

We employed genomic analyses to establish potential ownership of a group of nine cattle that were being claimed by two farmers in Uganda. We investigated the genetic relationship of Ugandan cattle with regional indigenous breeds as well as exotic breeds that are currently present in Uganda. In addition, we investigated regions that are likely to be under selection in the Ugandan cattle.

Methods

Hair samples were collected from seven and two animals from farmers A and B, respectively. They were genotyped for 53,218 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers. To establish genetic relationships between the sampled animals, we performed genomic analyses including, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis and identity by state/descent. We also performed admixture and runs of homozygosity analyses to assess the ancestry composition and identify regions potentially under selection in Ugandan cattle, respectively.

Results

The seven animals from Farmer A were genetically close to each other but showed minimal relationship with the disputed animals. The two animals from Farmer B were genetically distant from each other but showed greater similarity to four of the disputed animals. Four of the disputed animals showed great dissimilarity from the animals of both farmers. Comparison of these with the reference breeds revealed minimal European exotic genetic introgression into these animals, but rather high similarity to the Sheko. Results also revealed high homozygosity in the major histocompatibility complex regions.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the use of currently available genomic tools to empirically establish the ownership of cattle; these could be scaled up as a resourceful and viable tool that could be employed to support conflict resolution where reliable livestock identification is unavailable.
4G mobile phone radiation alters some immunogenic and vascular gene expressions, and gross and microscopic and biochemical parameters in the chick embryo model
Authors: Islam Md. Sadequl , Islam Md. Mominul , Rahman Md. Moshiur , Islam Khaleda
Published: September 2023

Background

The risks to human health have grown over the past 10 years due to the excessive use of mobile phones.

Objectives

The study was designed to determine the harmful effects of 4G mobile phone radiation on the expression of immunogenic and vascular genes and gross, microscopic and biochemical alterations in the development of chicken embryos.

Methods

Sixty individuals in the exposure group were subjected to mobile phones with a specific absorption rate of 1.4 W/kg and a frequency of 2100 MHz positioned at a distance of 12 cm in the incubator for 60 min/night for 14 days. The histopathological examination involved hematoxylin and eosin staining, whereas cresyl violet staining was used to evaluate the condition and number of neurons in the brain. The biochemical parameters of amniotic fluid were analysed using the photometry method, and the expression of VEGF‐A and immunity genes (AvBD9, IL6) was measured using the real‐time PCR (qPCR) technique.

Results

Compared to the control, the exposure group's body weight and length significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Subcutaneous bleeding was seen in the exposure group. Urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were all significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). The exposed group showed pathological lesions in the liver and degenerated neurons with lightly stained nuclei in the cerebral cortex. Hyperchromatic neurons were significantly higher in the exposure group (58.8 ± 2.28) compared to the control (6.6 ± 0.44) (p < 0.05). 4G exposure reduced lymphocyte count in the caecal tonsil (86.8 ± 5.38) compared to the control (147.2 ± 9.06) (p < 0.05). Vascular gene mRNA expression was higher, but immune gene expression was lower in the exposed group.

Conclusion

Exposure to mobile phone radiation may result in gross, microscopic and biochemical changes, as well as alterations in gene expression that could hinder embryonic development.
Infestation and distribution of chiggers on the Anderson's white‐bellied rats in southwest China
Authors: Guo Yu , Guo Xian‐Guo , Peng Pei‐Ying , Lv Yan , Xiang Rong , Song Wen‐Yu , Huang Xiao‐Bin
Published: September 2023

As a group of ectoparasites, chiggers (larvae of chigger mites) are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease). Rodents are the most important hosts of chiggers. The Anderson's niviventer rat, Niviventer andersoni, is an endemic species of rodent in China. However, few studies have involved this endemic rodent species and its ectoparasites including chiggers. According to the field investigation in five provincial regions of southwest China between 2001 and 2019, this paper retrospectively analysed the infestation and distribution of chiggers on the body surface of N. andersoni in southwest China for the first time. From 77 Anderson's niviventer rats captured, a total of 527 chiggers were collected and they were identified as 39 species and nine genera in two subfamilies of family Trombiculidae. Of 39 chigger species identified, Leptotrombidium deliense and L. scutellare are the most important vectors of scrub typhus in China. The overall infestation indexes were PM = 29.87%, MA = 6.84 and MI = 22.91, and the indexes of chigger mite community were Mf = 39, H' = 2.60, E = 0.71 and D = 0.12. The dominant chigger species are L. wenense, L. xiaguanense and L. fujianense with a total Cr = 51.04%, among which L. wenense is one of the six main vectors of scrub typhus in China. The dominant chigger species are of aggregated distribution among different individuals of the rats.
The synergistic degradation of pollutants in water by photocatalysis and PMS activation
Authors: Yueyu Song
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the synergistic degradation of water pollutants through advanced oxidation technology has emerged as a prominent research area due to its integration of various advanced oxidation technologies. The combined utilization of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation technology and photocatalysis demonstrates mild and nontoxic characteristics, enabling the degradation of water pollutants across a wide pH range. Moreover, this approach reduces the efficiency of electron hole recombination, broadens the catalyst's light response range, facilitates electron transfer of PMS, and ultimately improves its photocatalytic performance. The paper reviews the current research status of photocatalytic technology and PMS activation technology, respectively, while highlighting the advancements achieved through the integration of photocatalytic synergetic PMS activation technology for water pollutant degradation. Furthermore, this review delves into the mechanisms involving both free radicals and nonradicals in the reaction process and presents a promising prospect for future development in water treatment technology.

Practitioner Points

Degradation of water pollutants by photocatalysis and PMS synergistic action has emerged.

Synergism can enhance the generation of free radicals.

This technology can provide theoretical support for actual wastewater treatment.