bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TMT-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Physiological Regulatory Networks of Embryo Dehydration Protection in Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
Authors: Zhang Di , Liu Tao , Sheng Jiangyuan , Lv Shan , Ren Li
Published: December 2021

Lotus is an aquatic plant that is sensitive to water loss, but its seeds are longevous after seed embryo dehydration and maturation. The great difference between the responses of vegetative organs and seeds to dehydration is related to the special protective mechanism in embryos. In this study, tandem mass tags (TMT)-labeled proteomics and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) technologies were used to obtain novel insights into the physiological regulatory networks during lotus seed dehydration process. Totally, 60,266 secondary spectra and 32,093 unique peptides were detected. A total of 5,477 proteins and 815 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified based on TMT data. Of these, 582 DEPs were continuously downregulated and 228 proteins were significantly up-regulated during the whole dehydration process. Bioinformatics and protein-protein interaction network analyses indicated that carbohydrate metabolism (including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, galactose, starch and sucrose metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and cell wall organization), protein processing in ER, DNA repair, and antioxidative events had positive responses to lotus embryo dehydration. On the contrary, energy metabolism (metabolic pathway, photosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis) and secondary metabolism (terpenoid backbone, steroid, flavonoid biosynthesis) gradually become static status during lotus embryo water loss and maturation. Furthermore, non-enzymatic antioxidants and pentose phosphate pathway play major roles in antioxidant protection during dehydration process in lotus embryo. Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and the accumulation of oligosaccharides, late embryogenesis abundant proteins, and heat shock proteins may be the key factors to ensure the continuous dehydration and storage tolerance of lotus seed embryo. Stress physiology detection showed that H2O2 was the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) component inducing oxidative stress damage, and glutathione and vitamin E acted as the major antioxidant to maintain the REDOX balance of lotus embryo during the dehydration process. These results provide new insights to reveal the physiological regulatory networks of the protective mechanism of embryo dehydration in lotus.
A Guide to Elucidate the Hidden Multicomponent Layered Structure of Plant Cuticles by Raman Imaging
Authors: Bock Peter , Felhofer Martin , Mayer Konrad , Gierlinger Notburga
Published: December 2021

The cuticle covers almost all plant organs as the outermost layer and serves as a transpiration barrier, sunscreen, and first line of defense against pathogens. Waxes, fatty acids, and aromatic components build chemically and structurally diverse layers with different functionality. So far, electron microscopy has elucidated structure, while isolation, extraction, and analysis procedures have revealed chemistry. With this method paper, we close the missing link by demonstrating how Raman microscopy gives detailed information about chemistry and structure of the native cuticle on the microscale. We introduce an optimized experimental workflow, covering the whole process of sample preparation, Raman imaging experiment, data analysis, and interpretation and show the versatility of the approach on cuticles of a spruce needle, a tomato peel, and an Arabidopsis stem. We include laser polarization experiments to deduce the orientation of molecules and multivariate data analysis to separate cuticle layers and verify their molecular composition. Based on the three investigated cuticles, we discuss the chemical and structural diversity and validate our findings by comparing models based on our spectroscopic data with the current view of the cuticle. We amend the model by adding the distribution of cinnamic acids and flavonoids within the cuticle layers and their transition to the epidermal layer. Raman imaging proves as a non-destructive and fast approach to assess the chemical and structural variability in space and time. It might become a valuable tool to tackle knowledge gaps in plant cuticle research.
Is Football or Badminton Associated With More Positive Affect? The Links Between Affects and Sports Club Membership Among French Adolescents
Authors: Barbry Alexis , Carton Annie , Coquart Jérémy , Ovigneur Hervé , Amoura Camille , Nuytens Williams , Orosz Gabor
Published: December 2021

Prior studies extensively examined the way sports club membership can lead to beneficial affective outcomes. Prior experiments also found that team sports, intensive sports, and sports that are frequently pursued can lead to even more affective benefits. However, no prior studies examined the differences between the affective benefits of specific sports. Based on prior results, we supposed that certain sports that meet all the previously set criteria—will provide the greatest affective benefits. The present large-scale investigation examined the data of adolescents (N = 12,849, female = 5,812, aged between 10 and 18, Mage = 12.56 years, and SDage = 2.00) and aimed to fill this gap. Firstly, the results showed that—although differences in affect can be found between the lack of club membership and most of the sports club memberships—the differences between the specific sports are less striking. Secondly, the sports that are associated with the highest level of positive and the lowest level of negative affectivity are not necessarily the ones expected. Finally, adolescents who practice athletics, reported the lowest means of negative, and the highest means of positive affect. However, it did not differ significantly from the results regarding the most practiced sport in France: soccer. Our results suggest that soccer as the most practice sport among French adolescents was associated with more positive affects than the majority of the 10 most licensed members French sports practiced by teens between 2008 and 2019. All in all, being a member of a sports club is associated with affective benefits, and some specific sports clubs can have some extra benefits.
Effect of Trataka (Yogic Visual Concentration) on the Performance in the Corsi-Block Tapping Task: A Repeated Measures Study
Authors: Swathi P. S. , Bhat Raghavendra , Saoji Apar Avinash
Published: December 2021

Background and Objective:Attention and memory are essential aspects of cognitive health. Yogasanas, pranayama, and meditation have shown to improve cognitive functions. There has been no assessment ofTrataka(yogic visual concentration) on working or on spatial memory. The present study was planned to assess the immediate effects ofTratakaand of eye exercise sessions on the Corsi-block tapping task (CBTT).

Methods:A total of 41 healthy volunteers of both genders with age 23.21 ± 2.81 years were recruited. All participants underwent baseline assessment, followed by 2 weeks of training in Trataka (including eye exercise). Each training session lasted for 20 min/day for 6 days a week. After completion of the training period, a 1-week washout period was given. Each participant then was assessed in two sessions inTratakaand in eye exercise on two separate days, maintaining the same time of the day. Repeated measure analysis of variance with Holm’s adjustment was performed to check the difference between the sessions.

Results:Significant within-subjects effects were observed for forward Corsi span andforward total score (p< 0.001), and also for backward Corsi span (p< 0.05) and backward total score (p< 0.05).Post hocanalyses revealedTratakasession to be better than eye exercises and baseline. The eye exercise session did not show any significant changes in the CBTT.

Conclusion:The result suggests thatTratakasession improves working memory, spatial memory, and spatial attention.
Social Media Participation, Low-Carbon Agricultural Practices, and Economic Performance of Banana Farmers in Southern China
Authors: Yang Qi , Zhu Yueji , Wang Fang
Published: December 2021

Low-carbon agricultural practices (LAPs) can reduce carbon emissions in agricultural production for farmers in developing countries. However, the role of emerging social media has not received enough attention in the diffusion of LAPs among farmers. This study first attempts to examine the impact of farmers’ social media participation on their adoption intensity of LAPs using the Zero-truncated Poisson model and specify the effect of each participation activity on social media by the endogenous-treatment Poisson regression model, then discuss the economic performance of LAPs using the quantile regression model, based on the primary data collected from banana farmers in Southern China. The results show that social media participation exerts a positive and significant effect on farmers’ adoption intensity of LAPs. Specifically, the adoption intensity of LAPs in the treated group who participated in the short-video social media is about 1.1 times higher than that in the control group. The treatment effects of the five activities (watch, like, forward, comment, and release) on farmers’ adoption intensity of LAPs are positive and significant. We also find that adoption of LAPs can increase household income of farmers, and the effect presents particularly significant for those at the higher income level. Whilst, Social media participation can significantly increase household income of farmers who are at the lower income level. Our findings underscore the important role of social media in the diffusion of LAPs among farmers and income growth of households in developing countries. Thus, supportive strategies can be designed by policymakers for encouraging farmers to participate the emerging social media platforms and adopt more LAPs in agricultural production.
Measuring the Organizational Change Maturity of Chilean Companies
Authors: Mac Carte Pablo , Fariña Paula
Published: December 2021

This research presents the Strategic Change Management index, an indicator measuring the level of maturity of organizations to address processes of organizational change. At present, there is no other available indicator that fulfills this function. The index is built using the information provided from an instrument (questionnaire) specially created for this purpose. The instrument was applied to a sample of 151 companies, mostly Chilean. Studies about reliability (Cronbach’s α, hierarchical ω coefficients, among others), and instrument validity (second-order confirmatory factor analysis and retrospective validity) are presented. These studies show that the instrument has good psychometric properties. The results show that the degree of maturity of the companies comprising the sample to face change processes is low: 87% of the companies have a basic, initial, or amateur level of maturity; 13% have a professional level; and only one company had an expert level. More validity studies are required. However, the absence of a similar available instrument restrains the realization of more in-depth validity studies at this time.
The Mediating Effect of Self-Control on Depression and Tendencies of Eating Disorders in Adolescents
Authors: Li Hong-Juan , Li Jie , Qi Meng , Song Tian-He , Chen Jing-Xu
Published: December 2021

Self-control is very important for the adaptation among adolescents. It is associated with depression and tendencies of eating disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the two and the mediating role of self-control for adolescents. In total, 1,231 adolescents (11–18 years) participated in this study. Self-control, depression, and tendencies of eating disorders were evaluated using the Dual-Mode of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S), 11-item Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS-11), and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). The correlations among these factors were analyzed using mediating effect models. Girls had higher scores on the both subscales (impulse system and control system) of DMSC-S (P < 0.001). Those between 15–18 years had higher scores on impulse system than those between 11–14 years (P < 0.001). A significant mediating effect (12.8%) of the impulse system was observed between depression and tendencies of eating disorders in adolescents.
The Association Between Family Function and Adolescents' Depressive Symptoms in China: A Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Analysis
Authors: Wang Enna , Zhang Junjie , Peng Siya , Zeng Biao
Published: December 2021

The complex interrelationships between family function and adolescents' depressive symptoms are not yet fully clarified, especially in China. Based on the family systems theory, this study explored the relationships between family function and Chinese adolescents' depressive symptoms by a 3-year longitudinal study design. Three waves of data were collected from 1,301 Chinese middle school students in Grade 7 to Grade 9. All participants completed the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument (CFAI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) once a year during the junior middle school period. Our results showed that both family function and adolescent depressive symptoms were stable in Grade 7 and Grade 8, but in Grade 9, family function increased and depressive symptoms declined. Furthermore, we found that the family function in Grade 7 negatively influenced depressive symptoms of adolescents in Grade 8, while adolescent depressive symptoms in Grade 8 negatively impacted subsequent family function in Grade 9, namely there was a circular effect between family function and adolescent depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the associations between family function and adolescents' depressive symptoms are dynamic and time-dependent. Our study contributes to the intervention aimed at the reduction of adolescent depressive symptoms from the family perspective.
Use of YouTube as a Source of Information for Quitting or Cutting Down Alcohol
Authors: Al Mahmud Abdullah , Le Anh , Mubin Omar
Published: December 2021

Background: Although research has been done on considering YouTube for dissuading and encouraging unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, less focus has been placed on its role in quitting or cutting down alcohol. This study aims to analyse the alcohol cessation videos available and accessible on YouTube to gain a more in-depth insight into the ways that YouTube as a platform is being used to persuade with relation to alcohol cessation.

Methods: We systematically searched for content on YouTube related to alcohol cessation and these videos were analysed and evaluated for the format, themes, specific alcohol cessation advice, and uploader.

Results: The results demonstrated that the collected alcohol cessation videos included a fairly even presence of the themes of discussing the negative impacts of alcohol and the benefits of quitting or staying away from it. At the same time, however, we found the videos were not sourced from professional institutions, such as government or anti-alcohol misuse non-government organisations.

Conclusion: More research is needed to investigate utilising YouTube to support those looking to quit or cut down alcohol.
Expression of CRY2 Gene in the Brain Is Related to Human Navigation
Authors: Xu Shan , Kong Xiangzhen , Liu Jia
Published: December 2021

Navigation is a complex cognitive process. CRY2 gene has been proposed to play an important role in navigation behaviors in various non-human animal species. Utilizing a recently developed neuroimaging-transcriptomics approach, the present study reported a tentative link between the CRY2 gene and human navigation. Specifically, we showed a significant pattern similarity between CRY2 gene expression in the human brain and navigation-related neural activation in functional magnetic resonance imaging. To further illuminate the functionality of CRY2 in human navigation, we examined the correlation between CRY2 expression and various cognitive processes underlying navigation, and found high correlation of CRY2 expression with neural activity of multiple cognitive domains, particularly object and shape perception and spatial memory. Further analyses on the relation between the neural activity of human navigation and the expression maps of genes of two CRY2-related pathways, i.e., the magnetoreceptive and circadian-related functions, found a trend of correlation for the CLOCK gene, a core circadian regulator gene, suggesting that CRY2 may modulate human navigation through its role in circadian rhythm. This observation was further confirmed by a behavioral study where individuals with better circadian regularity in daily life showed better sense of direction. Taken together, our study presents the first neural evidence that links CRY2 with human navigation, possibly through the modulation of circadian rhythm.
Finding Goal Focus With People With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in a Person-Centered Multi-Component Community Connection Program (M-ComConnect)
Authors: Leeson Rebecca , Collins Michelle , Douglas Jacinta
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: Loss of social connections in the community is a common consequence of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), resulting in reduced well-being and quality of life. M-ComConnect is an individualized multi-component community connection intervention with the key objectives of increasing social activity, developing social relationships, and supporting community participation following severe TBI. As part of the M-ComConnect approach, semi-structured initial interviews were conducted to develop a holistic understanding of each participant and their goal focus for the project. In this paper we describe how clinicians worked with participants to identify a desired community-based social activity in which to participate.

Method: Transcripts of initial interviews between participant and clinician were analyzed using the phases of reflexive thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke. Participants were ten individuals aged between 24 and 75 with severe TBI. All were living in the community and reported reduced social connections since their TBI. The aim of the analysis was to evaluate the skills and strategies used by clinicians in their interactions with participants to derive goal focus for the program.

Results: Thematic analysis of initial interview data revealed three main categories and fourteen sub-categories of clinical strategies. These were: (1) Humanizing (curiosity; demonstrating respect and empathy; providing compliments and affirmations; simple reflections; revealing aspects of self; and humor and laughter), (2) Empowering (emphasizing choice and control; highlighting strengths; identifying roadblocks and reframing to reveal opportunities; and collaborative problem solving), and (3) Focusing (making suggestions; identifying preferences; working with ideas; and negotiating). These strategies aligned with the program's relational approach and supported the core processes of the goal-focussing framework, namely understanding and connecting with you, building a relationship, and working together with you to find focus.

Conclusion: The goal-focusing framework and clinical strategies outlined provide guidance for clinicians working with people with TBI in the community and is a promising way to engage clients when focusing on individualized social activity-based goals.
A Sustainable Approach for the Production of Green Energy With the Holistic Treatment of Wastewater Through Microbial Electrochemical Technologies: A Review
Authors: Das Swati , Raj Rishabh , Das Sovik , Ghangrekar Makarand M.
Published: December 2021

With the plausible depletion of fossil fuels in the near future and its associated environmental impacts, researchers have instigated the search for eco-friendly renewable bioenergy. Moreover, the increase in water pollution by industrial and anthropogenic activities is another alarming global concern. In this regard, the production of renewable and sustainable green bioenergy utilizing wastewater through microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) can alleviate these crucial problems by providing a sustainable solution to meet both the demands of energy and fresh water supply. Moreover, different bio-centered techniques such as nitrification and denitrification for nitrogen removal, and elimination of carcinogenic metals, pathogens, and organic components utilizing microbiota followed by toxicity sensing of different pollutants have been efficaciously exhibited through METs. However, inferior bioenergy production and recovery of low biomass yield in METs with high operational cost are noteworthy bottlenecks that hinder the scalability of this technology. Therefore, this review elaborates different physicochemical factors affecting the performance of METs, microbial interaction for the development of stable biofilm and so forth. Moreover, a broad overview on the production of bioenergy, along with the removal of pollutants from wastewater through different types of METs are also highlighted. Furthermore, the production of biofuels like ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, and gaseous fuel like bio-H2 coupled with power generation using photosynthetic microorganisms via CO2 sequestration through METs are also discussed. Additionally, recent developments with future scope for the field-scale implementation of METs along with their bottlenecks have been discussed, which has not been critically reviewed to date.
Extracts From Red Eggplant: Impact of Ohmic Heating and Different Extraction Solvents on the Chemical Profile and Bioactivity
Authors: Ferreira-Santos Pedro , Duca Anna Barbara , Genisheva Zlatina , Silva Beatriz Nunes , De Biasio Filomena , Botelho Cláudia , Rocha Cristina M. R. , Gorgoglione Domenico , Teixeira José A.
Published: December 2021

Eggplants contain a multitude of biocompounds with nutritional and/or biological activities. The objective of this work was to study the nutritional, chemical and bioactive value of red eggplant from Rotonda, Italy. Ohmic heating (OH) was compared to conventional heating, as different solvents were used (water, ethanol 30, 50, and 90% and methanol) for biocompounds extraction. Extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and its toxicity was assessed in cells, L929 and Caco-2. The nutritional characterization of Rotonda's eggplant demonstrated that it is rich in carbohydrates (65%), fiber (12.5%), proteins (13%), lipids (7.6%) and minerals. Potassium is the mineral with the highest concentration in the red eggplant (27.24 mg/g). Phenolic composition of the obtained extracts was dependent on the extraction method, as well as on the solvent. The use of OH method increased the extraction of biocompounds, especially when using 50% of ethanol as solvent. The main phenolic compounds found in the extracts of this eggplant variety were ellagic acid, p-coumaricic acid, epicatechin, narginin, taxifolin and kaempferol. Antioxidant activity was positively correlated with the total amounts of phenolics. Red Eggplant extracts showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and S. enterica), however, they did not demonstrate activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The extracts obtained did not show cytotoxic effects in fibroblast and colorectal studied cells. Ohmic heating is a sustainable technology that increases the extraction yield of biocompounds, with reduced energy consumption and the resulting extracts show low toxicity and high biological activity.
Technical Note: Novel Use of CytoSorb™ Haemadsorption to Provide Wound Healing Support in Case of Severe Burn Trauma via Reduction of Hyperbilirubinaemia
Authors: Rachunek Katarzyna , Krause Maja , Thiel Johannes Tobias , Kolbenschlag Jonas , Daigeler Adrien , Bury Andreas
Published: December 2021

Hyperbilirubinaemia has been shown to compromise wound healing in severely burned patients. The therapy options for patients with impairment of wound healing and subsequent severe liver dysfunction are limited. A novel extracorporeal treatment, CytoSorb® (CytoSorbents Corp, USA), is a whole blood adsorber composed of highly biocompatible and porous polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer beads covered in a polyvinylpyrrolidone coating. It is capable of extracting mainly hydrophobic middle-sized (up to 55 kDa) molecules from blood via size exclusion, including cytokines and bilirubin. We performed therapy with CytoSorb® on a severely burned (48% Total Body Surface Area-TBSA) patient with secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SCC) to promote the wound healing process by reducing bilirubin concentrations and to bridge the time to spontaneous liver regeneration or eventually to liver transplantation after two skin transplantations had failed to provide wound closure. In the first 6 days the cartridge was changed on a daily basis and later after every 2–4 days. The therapy with six adsorbers decreased a total bilirubin concentration from 14.02 to 4.29 mg/dl. By maintaining a stable bilirubin concentration under 5 mg/dl, debridement of abdomen and upper extremities with autologous skin grafting and, 4 weeks later, autologous skin grafting of the back from scrotum and lower extremities were performed successfully. After wound healing had been achieved, the CytoSorb therapy was discontinued after 57 days and 27 adsorber changes. CytoSorb therapy can be a promising support of wound and skin graft healing in patients with severe burns and liver dysfunction due to a significant reduction of total bilirubin concentration.
Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT) Identification with X-Band Dual Polarimetric Radar Based on Bayesian Approach
Authors: Ma Jianli , Luo Li , Chen Mingxuan , Li Siteng
Published: December 2021

The echo of weather radar is seriously disturbed by clear-air turbulence echo (CAT) which needs identifying and eliminating to improve the data quality of weather radar. Using the data observed with the five X-band dual polarimetric radars in Changping, Fangshan, Miyun, Shunyi, and Tongzhou, Beijing in 2018, the probability density distribution (PDD) of the horizontal texture of four radar moments reflectively factor (ZH), differential reflectivity (ZDR), correlation coefficient (ρHV), differential propagation phase shift (ΦDP), and then the CAT is identified and removed using Bayesian method. The results show that the radar data can be effectively improved after the CAT has been eliminated, which include: (1) the removal rate of CAT is more than 98.2% in the analyzed cases. (2) In the area with high-frequency distribution of CAT, the CAT can be effectively suppressed; in the area with low-frequency distribution, some weather echo in the edge with SNR < 15 dB may be mistakenly identified as CAT, but the proportion of meteorological echoes to the total echoes is more than 85%, which indicate that the error rate is very low and does not affect the radar operation.
Avian Use of Dairy Farm Ponds and Landowners’ Perceptions of Their Management for Wildlife Conservation
Authors: Bélanger Luc , Maisonneuve Charles , Rodrigue Jean
Published: December 2021

Farm ponds are among the last remaining lentic wetland habitats in human-dominated agricultural and suburban landscapes. However, their wildlife value and farmers’ willingness to maintain them for the conservation of regionally declining biodiversity are often both poorly documented. The objectives of this study of 61 dairy farm ponds located in Southern Quebec (Canada) were to (1) describe their biophysical features and birds’ use, (2) determine habitat and landscape characteristics that influence the bird community, and (3) assess the willingness of farmers to support wildlife use. The studied ponds were small (0.17 ha) and had rectangular shape with rocky/muddy steeply slopes (21°), surrounded by 3 m wide riparian strips and pastures, hayfields, and fallows. They were located about 300 m from farmhouses, buildings, streams, and adjacent ponds. A total of 1963 individuals belonging to 46 bird species were observed. The abundance of all bird species, of species with declining populations, and of crop damaging species were positively related to the area of fallow land and to the width of riparian strips; the areas of cereals and of mixed-wood forest had a negative influence. Only two habitat variables had influence on species richness: the width of riparian strips (+) and the distance to the closest farm buildings (–). Most pond landowners (>80%) were in favour of increasing wildlife use if they were given access to associated financial support and logistical assistance. Wider riparian strips and adjacent uncultivated field margins are recommended.
Predicted Mutual Solubilities in Water + C5-C12 Hydrocarbon Systems. Results at 298 K
Authors: Góral Marian , Oracz Paweł
Published: December 2021

Mutual solubilities of water with n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, iso-alkanes (branched alkanes), alkenes, alkynes, alkadienes, and alkylbenzenes were calculated at 298 K for 153 systems not yet measured. Recommended data for 64 systems reported in the literature were compared with the predicted values. The solubility of the hydrocarbons in water was calculated with a thermodynamically based equation, which depends on specific properties of the hydrocarbon. The concentration in the second coexisting liquid phase (water in hydrocarbon) was calculated using liquid-liquid equilibrium with an equation of state, which takes into account the self-association of water and co-association of water with π-bonds of the hydrocarbons.
Joining 3YSZ Electrolyte to AISI 441 Interconnect Using the Ag Particle Interlayer: Enhanced Mechanical and Aging Properties
Authors: Si Xiaoqing , Wang Xiaoyang , Li Chun , Lin Tong , Qi Junlei , Cao Jian
Published: December 2021

Reactive air brazing has been widely used in fabricating solid oxide fuel/electrolysis cell (SOFC/SOEC) stacks. However, the conventional Ag–CuO braze can lead to (I) over oxidation at the steel interconnect interface caused by its adverse reactions with the CuO and (II) many voids caused by the hydrogen-induced decomposition of CuO. The present work demonstrates that the Ag particle interlayer can be used to join yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes to AISI 441 interconnect in air instead of Ag–CuO braze. Reliable joining between YSZ and AISI 441 can be realized at 920 °C. A dense and thin oxide layer (~2 μm) is formed at the AISI 441 interface. Additionally, an interatomic joining at the YSZ/Ag interface was observed by TEM. Obtained joints displayed a shear strength of ~86.1 MPa, 161% higher than that of the joints brazed by Ag–CuO braze (~33 MPa). After aging in reducing and oxidizing atmospheres (800 °C/300 h), joints remained tight and dense, indicating a better aging performance. This technique eliminates the CuO-induced issues, which may extend lifetimes for SOFC/SOEC stacks and other ceramic/metal joining applications.
Transmission Dynamics and Short-Term Forecasts of COVID-19: Nepal 2020/2021
Authors: Dahal Sushma , Luo Ruiyan , Subedi Raj Kumar , Dhimal Meghnath , Chowell Gerardo
Published: December 2021

Nepal was hard hit by a second wave of COVID-19 from April–May 2021. We investigated the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 at the national and provincial levels by using data on laboratory-confirmed RT-PCR positive cases from the official national situation reports. We performed 8 week-to-week sequential forecasts of 10-days and 20-days at national level using three dynamic phenomenological growth models from 5 March 2021–22 May 2021. We also estimated effective and instantaneous reproduction numbers at national and provincial levels using established methods and evaluated the mobility trends using Google’s mobility data. Our forecast estimates indicated a declining trend of COVID-19 cases in Nepal as of June 2021. Sub-epidemic and Richards models provided reasonable short-term projections of COVID-19 cases based on standard performance metrics. There was a linear pattern in the trajectory of COVID-19 incidence during the first wave (deceleration of growth parameter (p) = 0.41–0.43, reproduction number (Rt) at 1.1 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.2)), and a sub-exponential growth pattern in the second wave (p = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.64)) and Rt at 1.3 (95% CI: 1.3, 1.3)). Across provinces, Rt ranged from 1.2 to 1.5 during the early growth phase of the second wave. The instantaneous Rt fluctuated around 1.0 since January 2021 indicating well sustained transmission. The peak in mobility across different areas coincided with an increasing incidence trend of COVID-19. In conclusion, we found that the sub-epidemic and Richards models yielded reasonable short-terms projections of the COVID-19 trajectory in Nepal, which are useful for healthcare utilization planning.
“Us versus Them;” Local Social Fragmentation and Its Potential Effects on Building Pathways to Adapting to Wildfire
Authors: Billings Mark , Carroll Matthew , Paveglio Travis , Whitman Kara
Published: December 2021

As the need for wildfire adaptation for human populations in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) intensifies in the face of changes that have increased the number of wildfires that exceed 100 thousand acres, it is becoming more important to come to a better understanding of social complexity on the WUI landscape. It is just as important to further our understanding of the social characteristics of the individual human settlements that inhabit that landscape and attempt to craft strategies to improve wildfire adaptation that are commensurate with local values, management preferences, and local capabilities. The case study research presented in this article evaluates social characteristics present in a WUI community that faces extreme wildfire risk to both people and property. It explores social processes that impede the ability of community members to work together collectively to solve problems (e.g., wildfire risk) and offers an alternative perspective about the nature of residency status (i.e., full-time and non-full-time) and its role in influencing wildfire mitigation efforts. This article closes with recommendations intended to facilitate collective action and foster community development.
Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): Can They Be Used as Ingredients in Making Sports Energy Gel?
Authors: Lestari Yanesti Nuravianda , Farida Eko , Amin Nur , Afridah Wiwik , Fitriyah Fifi Khoirul , Sunanto Sunanto
Published: December 2021

Dehydration during exercise has been shown to limit performance. This study aimed to determine the best hydrocolloid for producing sports energy gel from chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.). This study was a completed random-design study using one factor: the addition of 0.1% w/w hydrocolloids (SEG1: xanthan gum; SEG2: pectin; and SEG3: carboxymethyl cellulose). A sports energy gel was then analyzed for pH, viscosity, total soluble solids, potassium content, and gross energy. The sensory characteristics that were analyzed include color, texture, aroma, and flavor, using hedonic tests on 25 panelists. The addition of different hydrocolloids resulted in significant differences in pH, viscosity, total soluble solids, potassium, and energy contents (p = 0.026; 0.0001; 0.0001; and 0.0001). Differences in hydrocolloid types also led to differences in the panelists’ perceptions of the sports energy gels’ colors and textures (p = 0.008 and 0.0001). The best formulation was the sports energy gel with added xanthan gum, which showed the highest average energy, total soluble solids, potassium, and viscosity values, and the lowest average of pH values (60.24 ± 0.340, 10.6 ± 0.08, 19.6 ± 0.23, 367.4 ± 9.81, and 5.2 ± 0.38, respectively). The conclusion is that chia seeds can be used as the main ingredient for producing a high-energy sports gel. Energy has a huge impact on a person’s physical and mental health.
Microbial-Facilitated Calcium Carbonate Precipitation as a Shallow Stabilization Alternative for Expansive Soil Treatment
Authors: Chittoori Bhaskar C. S. , Rahman Tasria , Burbank Malcolm
Published: December 2021

Expansive soils generally recognized as swell-shrink soils have been a problem for civil infrastructure for a long time. Engineers are in search of sustainable stabilization alternatives to counter these problematic soils. Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising biocementation process that can improve the properties of expansive soil through calcium carbonate precipitation. Past research has shown promise for the use of MICP in mitigating swelling distress from expansive soils. In this research, MICP via biostimulation was attempted by mixing enrichment and cementation solutions with soils in an effort to develop a new alternative to shallow chemical stabilization. Three soils with varying clay contents (30%, 40%, and 70%) and plasticity characteristics were selected, and soils were treated by mixing with enrichment solutions followed by cementation solutions. Five different mellowing periods, three different curing periods, and two types of cementation solutions were studied to optimize the method. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using unconfined compression tests, calcium carbonate tests, and free swell index tests. Results showed that an increase in the mellowing period beyond two days was not beneficial for any of the three soils tested in this research. It was determined that the best improvement was observed at two days of mellowing and seven days of curing.
Flood Early Warning Systems Using Machine Learning Techniques: The Case of the Tomebamba Catchment at the Southern Andes of Ecuador
Authors: Muñoz Paul , Orellana-Alvear Johanna , Bendix Jörg , Feyen Jan , Célleri Rolando
Published: December 2021

Worldwide, machine learning (ML) is increasingly being used for developing flood early warning systems (FEWSs). However, previous studies have not focused on establishing a methodology for determining the most efficient ML technique. We assessed FEWSs with three river states, No-alert, Pre-alert and Alert for flooding, for lead times between 1 to 12 h using the most common ML techniques, such as multi-layer perceptron (MLP), logistic regression (LR), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), naive Bayes (NB), and random forest (RF). The Tomebamba catchment in the tropical Andes of Ecuador was selected as a case study. For all lead times, MLP models achieve the highest performance followed by LR, with f1-macro (log-loss) scores of 0.82 (0.09) and 0.46 (0.20) for the 1 h and 12 h cases, respectively. The ranking was highly variable for the remaining ML techniques. According to the g-mean, LR models correctly forecast and show more stability at all states, while the MLP models perform better in the Pre-alert and Alert states. The proposed methodology for selecting the optimal ML technique for a FEWS can be extrapolated to other case studies. Future efforts are recommended to enhance the input data representation and develop communication applications to boost the awareness of society of floods.
Injury Metrics for Assessing the Risk of Acute Subdural Hematoma in Traumatic Events
Authors: García-Vilana Silvia , Sánchez-Molina David , Velázquez-Ameijide Juan , Llumà Jordi
Published: December 2021

Worldwide, the ocurrence of acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) in road traffic crashes is a major public health problem. ASDHs are usually produced by loss of structural integrity of one of the cerebral bridging veins (CBVs) linking the parasagittal sinus to the brain. Therefore, to assess the risk of ASDH it is important to know the mechanical conditions to which the CBVs are subjected during a potentially traumatic event (such as a traffic accident or a fall from height). Recently, new studies on CBVs have been published allowing much more accurate prediction of the likelihood of mechanical failure of CBVs. These new data can be used to propose new damage metrics, which make more accurate predictions about the probability of occurrence of ASDH in road crashes. This would allow a better assessement of the effects of passive safety countermeasures and, consequently, to improve vehicle restraint systems. Currently, some widely used damage metrics are based on partially obsolete data and measurements of the mechanical behavior of CBVs that have not been confirmed by subsequent studies. This paper proposes a revision of some existing metrics and constructs a new metric based on more accurate recent data on the mechanical failure of human CBVs.
The Action of Recombinant Human Lysosomal α-Glucosidase (rhGAA) on Human Liver Glycogen: Pathway to Complete Degradation
Authors: Murray Allen K.
Published: December 2021

Glycogen is present in all tissues, but it is primarily stored in the liver and in muscle. As a branched chain carbohydrate, it is broken down by phosphorylase and debrancher enzymes, which are cytoplasmic. It is also degraded by a lysosomal α-glucosidase (GAA) also known as acid α-glucosidase and lysosomal acid α-glucosidase. The deficiency of GAA in patients is known as Pompe disease, and the phenotypes as infantile, juvenile and later onset forms. Pompe disease is treated by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with a recombinant form of rhGAA. Following ERT in Pompe mice and human patients there is residual carbohydrate material present in the cytoplasm of cells. The goal of this work is to improve ERT and attempt to identify and treat the residual cytoplasmic carbohydrate. Initial experiments were to determine if rhGAA can completely degrade glycogen. The enzyme cannot completely degrade glycogen. There is a residual glycosylated protein as well as a soluble glycosylated protein, which is a terminal degradation product of glycogen and as such serves as a biomarker for lysosomal glycogen degradation. The glycosylated protein has a very unusual carbohydrate composition for a glycosylated protein: m-inositol, s-inositol and sorbitol as the major carbohydrates, as well as mannitol, mannose, glucose and galactose. This work describes the residual material which likely contains the same protein as the soluble glycosylated protein. The biomarker is present in serum of control and Pompe patients on ERT, but it is not present in the serum of Pompe mice not on ERT. Pompe mice not on ERT have another glycosylated protein in their serum which may be a biomarker for Pompe disease. This protein has multiple glycosylation sites, each with different carbohydrate components. These glycosylated proteins as well as the complexity of glycogen structure are discussed, as well as future directions to try to improve the outcome of ERT for Pompe patients by being able to monitor the efficacy of ERT in the short term and possibly to adjust the timing and dose of enzyme infusions.
A Study of the Convective Cooling of Large Industrial Billets
Authors: Turner Richard
Published: December 2021

The thermodynamic heat-transfer mechanisms, which occur as a heated billet cools in an air environment, are of clear importance in determining the rate at which a heated billet cools. However, in finite element modelling simulations, the convective heat transfer term of the heat transfer mechanisms is often reduced to simplified or guessed constants, whereas thermal conductivity and radiative emissivity are entered as detailed temperature dependent functions. As such, in both natural and forced convection environments, the fundamental physical relationships for the Nusselt number, Reynolds number, Raleigh parameter, and Grashof parameter were consulted and combined to form a fundamental relationship for the natural convective heat transfer as a temperature-dependent function. This function was calculated using values for air as found in the literature. These functions were then applied within an FE framework for a simple billet cooling model, compared against FE predictions with constant convective coefficient, and further compared with experimental data for a real steel billet cooling. The modified, temperature-dependent convective transfer coefficient displayed an improved prediction of the cooling curves in the majority of experiments, although on occasion a constant value model also produced very similar predicted cooling curves. Finally, a grain growth kinetics numerical model was implemented in order to predict how different convective models influence grain size and, as such, mechanical properties. The resulting findings could offer improved cooling rate predictions for all types of FE models for metal forming and heat treatment operations.
Measuring Proviral HIV-1 DNA: Hurdles and Improvements to an Assay Monitoring Integration Events Utilising Human Alu Repeat Sequences
Authors: Malatinkova Eva , Thomas Jordan , De Spiegelaere Ward , Rutsaert Sofie , Geretti Anna Maria , Pollakis Georgios , Paxton William A. , Vandekerckhove Linos , Ruggiero Alessandra
Published: December 2021

Integrated HIV-1 DNA persists despite antiretroviral therapy and can fuel viral rebound following treatment interruption. Hence, methods to specifically measure the integrated HIV-1 DNA portion only are important to monitor the reservoir in eradication trials. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of the literature on the different approaches used to measure integrated HIV-1 DNA. Further, we propose an implemented standard-curve free assay to quantify integrated HIV-1 DNA, so-called Alu-5LTR PCR, which utilises novel primer combinations. We tested the Alu-5LTR PCR in 20 individuals on suppressive ART for a median of nine years; the results were compared to those produced with the standard-free Alu-gag assay. The numbers of median integrated HIV-1 DNA copies were 5 (range: 1–12) and 14 (5–26) with the Alu-gag and Alu-5LTR, respectively. The ratios between Alu-gag vs Alu-5LTR results were distributed within the cohort as follows: most patients (12/20, 60%) provided ratios between 2–5, with 3/20 (15%) and 5/20 (25%) being below or above this range, respectively. Alu-5LTR assay sensitivity was also determined using an “integrated standard”; the data confirmed the increased sensitivity of the assay, i.e., equal to 0.25 proviruses in 10,000 genomes. This work represents an improvement in the field of measuring proviral HIV-1 DNA that could be employed in future HIV-1 persistence and eradication studies.
Nanoparticle Generation in Glowing Wire Generator: Insight into Nucleation Peculiarities
Authors: Fomenko Elena , Altman Igor , Boskovic Lucija , Agranovski Igor E.
Published: December 2021

The paper studies nanoparticle formation in a glowing wire generator (GWG), in which the gas carrier flows around heated metal wire, producing aerosols from a vapor released from the surface. The device has been customized, enabling the use of a double-wire in different orientations in regard to the gas flow. Such alterations provided different effective distances between wires enabling investigation of their mutual influence. Concentration of particles produced in the GWG at different parameters (applied voltage and a gas flow) was carefully measured and analysed. Different regimes of a nanoparticle nucleation were identified that resulted from the applied voltage variation and the gas flow direction. In particular, independent nucleation of nanoparticles on both parts of the wire occurred in the wire plane’s configuration perpendicular to the gas flow, whilst dependent nucleation of nanoparticles was observed at a certain specific set of parameters in the configuration, in which the wire plane was parallel to the gas flow. Two corresponding functions were introduced in order to quantify those nucleation regimes and they tend to zero when either independent or dependent nucleation occur. The peculiarities found ought to be considered when designing the multi-wire GWGs in order to further extend the device’s range for industrial applications.