bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light and scanning electron microscopic observation of palynological characteristics in spinelessAstragalusL. (Fabaceae) and its taxonomic significance
Authors: Khan Amjad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Sadia , Abbas Qamar , Arfan Muhammad , Zafar Muhammad , Sultana Shazia , Ullah Sher Aman , Khan Siraj , Akhtar Anam , Kilic Omer , Ozdemir Fethi Ahmet
Published: March 2022

Palynological characterization is considered to be one of the significant taxonomic tools for the delimitation and identification of morphologically complicated taxa. Hence, the pollen morphology of 12 species of spinelessAstragalusL. was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Studied pollen were small to medium, monad, prolate to per‐prolate and tricolporate type in all studied taxa. The exine sculpturing varied from reticulate to microreticulate whereas colpus ornamentation ranged from scabrate to granulate. Furthermore, maximum polar and equatorial diameter was recorded inAstragalus leucocephalusBunge. (45.00 μm) andA. pyrrhotrichusBoiss. (22.91 μm) while minimum inA. amherstianusBenth. ex Royle (28.75 μm) andA. amherstianusBenth. ex Royle (15.00 μm), respectively. Similarly, the ratio of polar to equatorial diameter was recorded maximum inA. ophiocarpusBoiss. (2.05). The width of colpi was larger inA. hamosusL. (1.29 μm) and smaller inA. ophiocarpusBoiss. (0.62 μm). We have also found the maximum value of mesocolpium inA. retamocarpusBoiss. (2.08 μm) while minimum inA. oxyglottisSteven ex M.Bieb. (1.87 μm). The quantitative pollen attributes helped in the development of pollen keys for the accurate and quick identification of the studied species. Furthermore, ordination and cluster analysis were performed for the differentiation of the investigated taxa at species level. Based on our results, we conclude that pollen features can be used for the delimitation and identification of the studied taxa.

Research Highlights

Pollen micromorphology is a useful tool for classifying complicated taxa.

The pollen micromorphology of 12 spineless species ofAstragalusL. was studied using LM and SEM.

The observed pollen characteristics aided inAstragalusL. serve for the identification and classification of taxa at specific level.
Long‐term low dose nitisinone therapy in adults with alkaptonuria shows no cognitive decline or increased severity of depression
Authors: Davison Andrew S. , Hughes Gin , Harrold Joanne A. , Clarke Pam , Griffin Rebecca , Ranganath Lakshminarayan R.
Published: March 2022

Little is documented on whether nitisinone‐induced hypertyrosinaemia alters cognitive functioning or leads to worsening depression in alkaptonuria (AKU). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐IV (WAIS‐IV) and Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) assessments were performed before and annually following treatment with nitisinone 2 mg daily to assess the impact on cognitive functioning and severity of depression. Serum tyrosine concentrations were also measured annually. WAIS‐IV: 63 patients (27 females/36 males: mean age[years] [±standard deviation, range] 55.7[13.7, 26–79]; 60.3[9.6, 19–75]) were included at baseline for assessment of: verbal comprehension (VC), perceptual reasoning (PR), working memory (WM), and processing speed (PS) using separate indices. Over the 6‐year period studied 43, 39, 36, 29, 26 and 15 patients had annual assessments. Using a longitudinal model (age and sex adjusted) no significant differences were observed in any of the indices over this period, apart from VC which showed a significant increase after adjustment for sex (p < 0.05). BDI‐II: 74 patients (32 females/42 males: mean age[years] [±standard deviation, range] 56.1[13.2, 26–79]; 42 males, 51.5[16.3, 19–70]) were included at baseline. Over the 7‐year period studied 48, 47, 38, 34, 32, 24 and 12 patients had annual assessments. No significant differences in BDI‐II scores were observed when compared to baseline. Hypertyrosinaemia was observed in all patients following treatment with nitisinone (p < 0.001, at all annual visits). Serum tyrosine was not correlated with WAIS‐IV sub‐test indices or BDI‐II scores pre‐ or post‐nitisinone therapy. These findings suggest that treatment with nitisinone does not affect cognitive functioning and or lead to increased severity of depression.
Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations for Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Trainees: redeveloping a high‐stakes assessment
Authors: Kennedy Mary‐Claire , Dickinson Rebecca , Alldred David , Bradbury Helen , Easthall Claire , Greer Dan , Shaffiq Sumrah , Strickland‐Hodge Barry
Published: March 2022

The Independent and Supplementary Prescribing programme has been offered by the University of Leeds since 2002. Upon completion of the programme pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, and paramedics register as prescribers with their professional regulator. Trainees attend teaching sessions over a 3‐month period followed by a period of supervision in practice. All trainees undertook an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at the end of the 3‐month period. Usually, the OSCE takes place on the university campus over one day. With the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the OSCE had to be restructured so that it could take place virtually, while maintaining the validity and reliability of the assessment. Microsoft Teams® was identified as the most appropriate platform for conducting the Virtual‐OSCE (V‐OSCE). Overall, the V‐OSCEs we ran were a success; trainees, assessors and simulated patients reported that the assessment was seamless. However, further improvements could be made to improve the efficiency of the process if this approach were to become commonplace within the programme.
Hyper‐Raman study of hydrated excess protons in water: Measurement of concentrated HCl solution
Authors: Inoue Kazuki , Okuno Masanari
Published: March 2022

We report hyper‐Raman (HR) spectra of concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions for the first time. HR signals from the OH stretching region to the low‐frequency region reflect the presence of chloride anions solvated in water. By contrast, it turns out that HR spectroscopy is insensitive to the presence of excess protons in water. HR spectra of HCl solutions do not show any signature of a proton continuum and shoulders on the high/low‐frequency sides of the bending mode of H2O in stark contrast to IR spectroscopy. Moreover, we found that a sharp HR signal around 500 cm−1 appear in 532 nm excited HR spectra. A laser power dependence indicates that this signal comes from a photochemical reaction. The absence of this signal under 1064 nm HR excitation and 532 nm Raman excitation suggests that the resonance (hyper‐)Raman effect enhances the signal from the photoproduct.
What is the role of active packaging in the future of food sustainability? A systematic review
Authors: Alves Joel , Gaspar Pedro D. , Lima Tânia M , Silva Pedro D.
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, the strong increase in products consumption, the purchase of products on online platforms as well as the requirements for greater safety and food protection are a concern for food and packaging industries. Active packaging brings huge advances in the extension of product shelf‐life and food degradation and losses reduction. This systematic work aims to collect and evaluate all existing strategies and technologies of active packaging that can be applied in food products, with a global view of new possibilities for food preservation. Oxygen scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters/absorbers, ethylene scavengers, antimicrobial and antioxidant active packaging, and other active systems and technologies are summarized including the products commercially available and the respective mechanisms of action. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Anderson acceleration of the modulus‐based matrix splitting algorithms for horizontal nonlinear complementarity systems
Authors: Li Zhizhi , Zhang Huai
Published: March 2022

In this paper, enlightened by the effectiveness of Anderson acceleration (AA), a well‐established technique for accelerating fixed‐point solvers, we first present the Anderson accelerating modulus‐based matrix splitting (AAMS) algorithms for a class of horizontal nonlinear complementarity problems. Then, by introducing the strong semi‐smoothness of the absolute value function, we establish the local convergence theory of the AAMS algorithms. More importantly, we provide the optimal parameter for the AAMS algorithms, which is independent of iteration and applicable to other reduced MS algorithms. Finally, the numerical experiments are conducted to clarify the efficiency and practicability of the AAMS algorithms and its optimal parameter, and the effects of two parameters (both derived from AA) of the AAMS algorithms are analyzed.
Influence of contact friction on mechanical properties of pre‐tightened teeth connection
Authors: Zhang Liwei , Gao Jiangang , Xu Longxing , Zhao Qilin , Lin Yuan
Published: March 2022

In composite fibers, the compression stress perpendicular to the fiber has a significant and complex effect on the fatigue behavior of the composite. In this study, pultrusion glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) plates pre‐tightened teeth connection (PTTC) were subjected to fatigue tests (R = 0.2, 0.5) to examine the effect of transverse compression stress on the in‐plane shear fatigue behavior. Fatigue test results showed that the GFRP pultrusion tube PTTC of the GFRP matrix composite pultrusion tube had a low‐fatigue life and appeared to heat up; it also exhibited longitudinal cracking in the tensile fatigue test with a frequency of only 2 Hz. To explore the cause and mechanism of increase in temperature, herein, the change process and the effect of contact friction and slippage in the tensile fatigue process of the of the GFRP pultrusion tube PTTC was examined using simplified tests and numerical analyses. The findings of this study can provide insights for improving the static bearing capacity and fatigue performance of PTTCs.
Quantitative analysis of methoxyflavones discriminates between the two types of Kaempferia parviflora
Authors: Joothamongkhon Jaruwan , Susantikarn Ploypailin , Kongkachana Wasitthee , Ketngamkum Yanisa , Batthong Sornsawan , Jomchai Nukoon , Yingyong Phuset , Asawapirom Udom , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke , Paemanee Atchara , Pongpamorn Pornkanok
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Kaempferia parviflora or black ginger is abundantly cultivated because its rhizomes contain methoxyflavones that have many pharmacological properties. K. parviflora can be divided into two types, based on morphological characteristics, but differences in their chemical compositions have never been explored.

Objectives

This research aims to find chemical markers that can be used to differentiate between the two types of K. parviflora, the red‐leaf and green‐leaf types, by quantifying the amounts of methoxyflavones.

Material and methods

K. parviflora samples were collected from 39 locations in Thailand. Their genetic diversity was assessed by a genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) technique to construct the population structure. Their chemical compositions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection to determine the methoxyflavone contents.

Results

The population structure based on >3,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers showed that the samples can be divided into two groups, which were consistent with the classification by leaf margin color (red‐leaf and green‐leaf types). HPLC analysis revealed 3,5,7,3′,4′‐pentamethoxyflavone (PMF), 5,7‐dimethoxyflavone (DMF), 5,7,4′‐trimethoxyflavone (TMF), 3,5,7‐trimethoxyflavone and 3,5,7,4′‐tetramethoxyflavone as major methoxyflavones that can be used as chemical markers. The red‐leaf type showed higher amounts of PMF, TMF and 3,5,7,4′‐tetramethoxyflavone than the green‐leaf type, while the green‐leaf type showed higher amounts of DMF and 3,5,7‐trimethoxyflavone than the red‐leaf type.

Conclusion

These results provide another approach to discriminate the two types of K. parviflora using chemical profiles alongside genetic and morphological analyses. Therefore, a specific type of K. parviflora can be selected over the other based on preferences for a certain methoxyflavone.
A refined photo‐switchable cyclic peptide scaffold for use in β‐turn activation
Authors: Johnson Corey , Harwood John S. , Lipton Mark , Chmielewski Jean
Published: March 2022

The ability to reversibly modulate peptide secondary structures, such as the β‐turn, allows for precise control of biological function, including protein interactions. Herein, we describe the design of two scaffolds containing an azobenzene moiety with flanking alanine or β‐alanine residues to probe essential features for photo‐control of a β‐turn within a cyclic peptide. To efficiently cyclize the designed linear peptides, prior isomerization of the azobenzene‐containing amino acid from the trans to the cis form was necessary. The two cyclic peptides (TAp and TApβ) were found to undergo rapid photochemical conversion to the cis isomer of the azobenzene, with a more gradual thermal reversion to the trans isomer over the course of a week at 37 °C. Spectroscopic analysis and restrained molecular dynamics simulation of the cis form of TAp and TApβ revealed type II and type II' β‐turns within the cyclic peptides, respectively. The trans isomer of the TAp cyclic peptide was found to have a kink within the peptide structure, whereas the longer trans‐TApβ contained a more extended conformation. TApβ, therefore, demonstrates a clearer difference in the cyclic peptide conformations when in the cis versus trans form, a feature that may prove beneficial for use with biologically active β‐turn sequences.
Time‐series analysis of population dynamics of the common cutworm,Spodoptera litura(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), using anARIMAXmodel
Authors: Kawakita Satoshi , Takahashi Hidehiro
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Developing a model that adequately explains pest population dynamics based on weather‐related parameters is fundamentally important for proper pest management. Autocorrelation with past occurrences should be considered when modeling the relationship between the time series of pest occurrence data and meteorological factors; however, few attempts have been made to model these factors simultaneously. In this study, we constructed an autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (ARIMAX) model to represent the occurrence of the common cutworm,Spodoptera litura(F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a major moth pest species in Asia, using the trap catch data ofS. liturarecorded approximately every 5 days. The multiple meteorological measurements taken over several past periods beforeS. lituraoccurrence were included as explanatory variables to evaluate their lag effects on future occurrences.

RESULTS

It was suggested that temperature had the most important effect onS. lituraoccurrences among other meteorological factors (i.e., humidity, wind speed, and precipitation). Especially, higher temperatures during the larval/egg stage seemed to presage a higher moth abundance. When the model was fitted using independent data that were not used for calibrating the model, the model was able to capture trends in increases in the scale of occurrence, particularly after July, when the occurrence rapidly increased.

CONCLUSION

Past temperature condition, particularly during the larval and egg states, is suggested to be highly important for predicting futureS. lituraoccurrences. The ARIMAX model proposed here will allow preventive measures to be taken, effectively safeguarding food resources against pest outbreaks. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Anti‐hyperglycemic effect of Abelmoschus culentesus (Okra) on patients with diabetes type 2: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Saatchi Ali , Aghamohammadzadeh Nasser , Beheshtirouy Samineh , Javadzadeh Yousef , Afshar Fariba Heshmati , Ghaffary Saba
Published: March 2022

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) has traditionally been used in diabetes treatment. This study investigated the effect of Okra whole fruit on blood glucose level of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 with concomitant use of oral hypoglycemic agents. In this double‐blind randomized clinical trial, 120 diabetic patients were assigned to okra group (n = 60) and control group (n = 60). The okra group received 1,000 mg of A.esculentus whole fruit capsules orally, every 6 hr for 8 weeks. The control group received placebo capsule in the same manner. The levels of FBS (fasting blood sugar), BS (blood sugar), and Hemoglobin A1C (HgA1c) were measured at baseline and after intervention in both groups. The levels of FBS, BS, and HgA1c were significantly decreased in okra group within the intervention compared to control group (p < .05). Moreover, the numbers to treat (NNT) for FBS, BS, and HgA1C were seven, eight, and seven, respectively. Okra whole fruit supplementation has a promising anti‐hyperglycemic effect in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 who received oral agents. Diabetic patients could benefit from adjuvant therapy of okra with other medication.
Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in systemic autoimmune diseases
Authors: Chamani Sajjad , Moossavi Maryam , Naghizadeh Ali , Abbasifard Mitra , Majeed Muhammed , Johnston Thomas P. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: March 2022

Systemic autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus represent various autoimmune conditions identified by immune system dysregulation. The activation of immune cells, auto‐antigen outbreak, inflammation, and multi‐organ impairment is observed in these disorders. The immune system is an essential complex network of cells and chemical mediators which defends the organism's integrity against foreign microorganisms, and its precise operation and stability are compulsory to avoid a wide range of medical complications. Curcumin is a phenolic ingredient extracted from turmeric and belongs to the Zingiberaceae, or ginger family. Curcumin has multiple functions, such as inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, tumor cell proliferation, cell death, and infection. Nevertheless, the immunomodulatory influence of curcumin on immunological reactions/processes remains mostly unknown. In the present narrative review, we sought to provide current information concerning the preclinical and clinical uses of curcumin in systemic autoimmune diseases.
Adversarially robust subspace learning in the spiked covariance model
Authors: Sha Fei , Zhang Ruizhi
Published: March 2022

We study the problem of robust subspace learning when there is an adversary who can attack the data to increase the projection error. By deriving the adversarial projection risk when data follows the multivariate Gaussian distribution with the spiked covariance, or so‐called the Spiked Covariance model, we propose to use the empirical risk minimization method to obtain the optimal robust subspace. We then find a non‐asymptotic upper bound of the adversarial excess risk, which implies the empirical risk minimization estimator is close to the optimal robust adversarial subspace. The optimization problem can be solved easily by the projected gradient descent algorithm for the rank‐one spiked covariance model. However, in general, it is computationally intractable to solve the empirical risk minimization problem. Thus, we propose to minimize an upper bound of the empirical risk to find the robust subspace for the general spiked covariance model. Finally, we conduct numerical experiments to show the robustness of our proposed algorithms.
On the sustainable trade development: Do Financial inclusion and eco‐innovation matter? Evidence from method of moments quantile regression
Authors: Ma Qiang , Han Xue , Badeeb Ramez Abubakr , Khan Zeeshan
Published: March 2022

The role of financial inclusion along with environment related technological innovation has been ignored by previous studies, especially, in terms of trade‐adjusted carbon emissions. Unlike previous studies, this study aims to test the role of financial inclusion and eco‐innovation on trade‐adjusted carbon emissions or consumption‐based carbon emissions for a group of seven economies over the period 2004–2019. Further, this study also tests the role of exports, imports and gross domestic product. We develop an index using principal component analysis to measure financial inclusion. The study utilizes the novel method of moment quantile regression to obtain the results. The results indicate that eco‐innovation reduces consumption‐based carbon emissions at 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th quantiles, respectively. Moreover, financial inclusion and exports also reduce emissions at 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th quantiles. In contrast, gross domestic product and imports cause trade‐adjusted emissions to increase. Moreover, a bidirectional link is established between all variables except for financial inclusion. Finally, this study provides relevant policy implications for trade, eco‐innovation, and financial inclusion in the group of seven economies for sustainable trade development. This paper further provide relevant environmental policy implications.
An ecosystem view of social entrepreneurship through the perspective of systems thinking
Authors: Bhardwaj Rohit , Srivastava Saurabh , Bindra Sunali , Sangwan Sumit
Published: March 2022

The surge in the growth of social entrepreneurship (SE) scholarship and its evolution concerning different fields and research areas (e.g., strategy, sociology and economics) have resulted in somewhat diverged literature lacking comprehensive representations and frameworks. As a result, the extant SE literature demands a comprehensive study of SE research from a holistic viewpoint. To address this gap, the current study provides a consensus on the SE research. The authors put forward a system theoretic analysis of SE research and afterward present a SE ecosystem model, by employing systems thinking approach and using the principle of ‘wholeness’. From a theoretical viewpoint, the study offers implications for academicians to consider systems thinking in order to understand the growth strategies and continuous social transformation in SEs from a systemic level as well as understanding the importance of collective interactions of different components of the SE phenomenon. To the practitioners or social entrepreneurs, the study provides the perspective of improving social ventures' (1) input synergies of resources, capabilities, processes and dynamism to improve and augment the continuous social transformation and (2) acquisition of knowledge from feedbacks and external changes to enhance the SE system. The study as a whole contributes to the advancement of SE research by outlining a new direction of ecosystem‐based research for future scholarship.
Analysis of the impact of badger culling on bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the high‐risk area of England, 2009–2020
Authors: Langton Thomas E. S. , Jones Mark W. , McGill Iain
Published: March 2022

Background

Since 2013, badger culling has been part of the UK Government's strategy for controlling bovine tuberculosis (bTB) within a high‐risk area (HRA) in England. Government surveillance data now enables an examination of bTB herd incidence and prevalence, its headline indicators, within and outside cull areas over the period 2009–2020.

Methods

Analysis compared herd incidence and prevalence data from within and outside badger culling areas. A range of models (GLMs, GLMMs, GAMs and GAMMs) were used to analyse incidence and prevalence in culled and unculled areas using frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Change in incidence across ten county areas within the HRA for the period 2010–2020 was also compared.

Results

Analyses based on Defra published data using a variety of statistical methodologies did not suggest that badger culling affected herd bTB incidence or prevalence over the study period. In 9 of 10 counties, bTB incidence peaked and began to fall before badger culling commenced.

Limitations

There are limitations around the data available on culling location, temporal information and other confounding factors. As such, further analysis of any future datasets that may be released on bTB levels in areas where badger culling has been implemented is warranted.

Conclusion

This examination of government data obtained over a wide area and a long time period failed to identify a meaningful effect of badger culling on bTB in English cattle herds. These findings may have implications for the use of badger culling in current and future bTB control policy.
Chronic vertebralEscherichia coliosteomyelitis in a 4‐year‐old dog
Authors: Hertog Veerle , Mortier Femke , Stee Kimberley , Stock Emmelie
Published: March 2022

A 4‐year‐old, female Malinois shepherd dog was presented for chronic repetitive episodes of severe pain for over a year. Medical imaging findings and a positive blood culture were suggestive of a L2 vertebral bacterial osteomyelitis, most likely of haematogenous origin. The dog responded well to treatment with antibiotics and analgesia. A repeated computed tomography scan 6 months after presentation (and 3 months after antibiotic discontinuation) showed a clear improvement of the vertebral lesions. The dog is still clinically normal and pain‐free at the time of writing (3 years after diagnosis).
The regulatory role of N6‐methyladenosine modification in the interaction between host and microbes
Authors: Zhuo Ruhao , Xu Menghui , Wang Xiaoyun , Zhou Bin , Wu Xin , Leone Vanessa , Chang Eugene B. , Zhong Xiang
Published: March 2022

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent posttranscriptional modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. Dynamic and reversible m6A modification regulates gene expression to control cellular processes and diverse biological functions. Growing evidence indicated that m6A modification is involved in the homeostasis of host and microbes (mostly viruses and bacteria). Disturbance of m6A modification affects the life cycles of viruses and bacteria, however, these microbes could in turn change host m6A modification leading to human disease including autoimmune diseases and cancer. Thus, we raise the concept that m6A could be a “messenger” molecule to participate in the interactions between host and microbes. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of m6A modification on viruses and commensal microbiota, highlight the roles of m6A methylation in the interaction of host and microbes, and finally discuss drugs development targeting m6A modification.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Correction to: International Organizations and Global Labor Standards
Authors: Römer Friederike , Henninger Jakob , Le Thuy Dung
Published: March 2022

The book was inadvertently published without the acknowledgement texts of the funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 for this book in the opening page of the chapter 3. This has been updated in the book.
Study muon g − 2 at two-loop level in the U(1)XSSM
Authors: Zhao Shu-Min , Su Lu-Hao , Dong Xing-Xing , Wang Tong-Tong , Feng Tai-Fu
Published: March 2022

Abstract

The new experiment data of muon g − 2 is reported by the workers at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL). Combined with the previous Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) E821 result, the departure from the standard model prediction is about 4.2σ. It strengthens our faith in the new physics. U(1)XSSM is the U(1) extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, where we study the electroweak corrections to the anomalous magnetic dipole moment of muon from the one-loop diagrams and some two-loop diagrams possessing important contributions. These two-loop diagrams include Barr-Zee type, rainbow type and diamond type. The virtual supersymmetric particles in these two-loop diagrams are chargino, scalar neutrino, neutralino, scalar lepton, which are supposed not very heavy to make relatively large corrections. We obtain the Wilson coefficients of the dimension 6 operators inducing the anomalous magnetic dipole moment of muon. The numerical results can reach 25 × 10−10 and even larger.
Two-body lepton-flavour-violating decays in a 2HDM with soft family-lepton-number breaking
Authors: Jurčiukonis Darius , Lavoura Luís
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We evaluate the decays $$ {\ell}_1^{\pm } $$

ℓ
1
±

→ $$ {\ell}_2^{\pm}\gamma $$

ℓ
2
±

γ
, Z → $$ {\ell}_1^{+}{\ell}_2^{-} $$

ℓ
1
+

ℓ
2
−

, and h → $$ {\ell}_1^{+}{\ell}_2^{-} $$

ℓ
1
+

ℓ
2
−

, where ℓ1 and ℓ2 are charged leptons with different flavours and h is the scalar particle with mass 125.25 GeV, in a two-Higgs-doublet model where all the Yukawa-coupling matrices conserve the lepton flavours but the Majorana mass terms of the right-handed neutrinos break the flavour lepton numbers. We find that (1) the decays $$ {\ell}_1^{\pm } $$

ℓ
1
±

→ $$ {\ell}_2^{\pm}\gamma $$

ℓ
2
±

γ
require large Yukawa couplings and very light right-handed neutrinos in order to be visible, (2) the decays Z → $$ {\ell}_1^{+}{\ell}_2^{-} $$

ℓ
1
+

ℓ
2
−

will be invisible in all the planned experiments, except in a very restricted range of circumstances, but (3) the decays h → $$ {\ell}_1^{+}{\ell}_2^{-} $$

ℓ
1
+

ℓ
2
−

may be detected in future experiments for rather relaxed sets of input parameters.
Evidence for violations of Weak Cosmic Censorship in black hole collisions in higher dimensions
Authors: Andrade Tomas , Figueras Pau , Sperhake Ulrich
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We study collisions of boosted rotating black holes in D = 6 and 7 spacetime dimensions with a non-zero impact parameter. We find that there exists an open set of initial conditions such that the intermediate state of the collision is a black hole with a dumbbell-like horizon which is unstable to a local Gregory-Laflamme-type instability. We are able to provide convincing numerical evidence that the evolution of such an instability leads to a pinch off of the horizon in finite asymptotic time thus forming a naked singularity, as in similar unstable black holes. Since the black holes in the initial state are stable, this is the first genuinely generic evidence for the violation of the Weak Cosmic Censorship Conjecture in higher dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (1, 1) supersymmetric AdS3 in 10 dimensions
Authors: Macpherson Niall T. , Tomasiello Alessandro
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Warped AdS3 solutions in 10 dimensional supergravity that preserve $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 1) supersymmetry are considered. Sufficient geometric conditions for their existence, and to stop the AdS3 factor experiencing an enhancement to AdS4, are presented. The internal space of such solutions decomposes as a foliation of M6 over an interval where M6 supports either an SU(3)- or SU(2)-structure. The former case is classified in terms of torsion classes and new solutions are found.
On Weak$$^*$$-Extensible Subspaces of Banach Spaces
Authors: Martínez-Cervantes G. , Rodríguez J.
Published: March 2022

Let X be a Banach space and $$Y \subseteq X$$

Y
⊆
X

be a closed subspace. We prove that if the quotient X/Y is weakly Lindelöf determined or weak Asplund, then for every $$w^*$$

w
∗

-convergent sequence $$(y_n^*)_{n\in \mathbb N}$$

(

y
n
∗

)

n
∈
N

in $$Y^*$$

Y
∗

there exist a subsequence $$(y_{n_k}^*)_{k\in \mathbb N}$$

(

y

n
k

∗

)

k
∈
N

and a $$w^*$$

w
∗

-convergent sequence $$(x_k^*)_{k\in \mathbb N}$$

(

x
k
∗

)

k
∈
N

in $$X^*$$

X
∗

such that $$x_k^*|_Y=y_{n_k}^*$$

x
k
∗

|

Y

=

y

n
k

∗

for all $$k\in \mathbb N$$

k
∈
N

. As an application, we obtain that Y is Grothendieck whenever X is Grothendieck and X/Y is reflexive, which answers a question raised by González and Kania.
Impact of phospholipase C β1 in glioblastoma: a study on the main mechanisms of tumor aggressiveness
Authors: Ratti Stefano , Marvi Maria Vittoria , Mongiorgi Sara , Obeng Eric Owusu , Rusciano Isabella , Ramazzotti Giulia , Morandi Luca , Asioli Sofia , Zoli Matteo , Mazzatenta Diego , Suh Pann-Ghill , Manzoli Lucia , Cocco Lucio
Published: March 2022

Glioblastoma represents the most lethal brain tumor in adults. Several studies have shown the key role of phospholipase C β1 (PLCβ1) in the regulation of many mechanisms within the central nervous system suggesting PLCβ1 as a novel signature gene in the molecular classification of high-grade gliomas. This study aims to determine the pathological impact of PLCβ1 in glioblastoma, confirming that PLCβ1 gene expression correlates with glioma’s grade, and it is lower in 50 glioblastoma samples compared to 20 healthy individuals. PLCβ1 silencing in cell lines and primary astrocytes, leads to increased cell migration and invasion, with the increment of mesenchymal transcription factors and markers, as Slug and N-Cadherin and metalloproteinases. Cell proliferation, through increased Ki-67 expression, and the main survival pathways, as β-catenin, ERK1/2 and Stat3 pathways, are also affected by PLCβ1 silencing. These data suggest a potential role of PLCβ1 in maintaining a normal or less aggressive glioma phenotype.
A democratic way of controlling artificial general intelligence
Authors: Salmi Jussi
Published: March 2022

The problem of controlling an artificial general intelligence (AGI) has fascinated both scientists and science-fiction writers for centuries. Today that problem is becoming more important because the time when we may have a superhuman intelligence among us is within the foreseeable future. Current average estimates place that moment to before 2060. Some estimates place it as early as 2040, which is quite soon. The arrival of the first AGI might lead to a series of events that we have not seen before: rapid development of an even more powerful AGI developed by the AGIs themselves. This has wide-ranging implications to the society and therefore it is something that must be studied well before it happens. In this paper we will discuss the problem of limiting the risks posed by the advent of AGIs. In a thought experiment, we propose an AGI which has enough human-like properties to act in a democratic society, while still retaining its essential artificial general intelligence properties. We discuss ways of arranging the co-existence of humans and such AGIs using a democratic system of coordination and coexistence. If considered a success, such a system could be used to manage a society consisting of both AGIs and humans. The democratic system where each member of the society is represented in the highest level of decision-making guarantees that even minorities would be able to have their voices heard. The unpredictability of the AGI era makes it necessary to consider the possibility that a population of autonomous AGIs could make us humans into a minority.
Effect of process parameters on pulsed laser welding of AA5083 alloy using response surface methodology and pulse shape variation
Authors: Chludzinski Mariane , dos Santos Rafael Eugenio , Churiaque Cristina , Ortega-Iguña Marta , Sánchez-Amaya Jose Maria
Published: March 2022

Aluminium alloys exhibit eco-friendly aspects related to global environmental issues, such as almost unlimited recyclability. Nevertheless, some intrinsic characteristics are challenges to explore all their benefits. In the welding process, the high thermal conductivity and low melt point require high control of heat input. Alternatively, the pulsed laser mode provides a sharp beam focus with precise control enabling regulating the energy delivered. In this sense, this present work analysed the effect of pulsed laser welding parameters on 3-mm-thick AA5083 aluminium alloy sheets. Trials targeted to develop sound welds with minimum defect and high penetration depth adopting statistical methods. The optimum parameter arrangement was achieved by varying peak power, spot diameter, and pulse duration. Finally, the best parameter combination was applied using different pulse shapes to mitigate crack formation and pores. As a result, the pulse shape with step-down at the end of each pulse generated crack-free spot welds.
Post-COVID syndrome screening through breath analysis using electronic nose technology
Authors: V. R. Nidheesh , Mohapatra Aswini Kumar , V. K. Unnikrishnan , Lukose Jijo , Kartha Vasudevan Baskaran , Chidangil Santhosh
Published: March 2022

There is an urgent need to have reliable technologies to diagnose post-coronavirus disease syndrome (PCS), as the number of people affected by COVID-19 and related complications is increasing worldwide. Considering the amount of risks associated with the two chronic lung diseases, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is an immediate requirement for a screening method for PCS, which also produce symptoms similar to these conditions, especially since very often, many COVID-19 cases remain undetected because a good share of such patients is asymptomatic. Breath analysis techniques are getting attention since they are highly non-invasive methods for disease diagnosis, can be implemented easily for point-of-care applications even in primary health care centres. Electronic (E-) nose technology is coming up with better reliability, ease of operation, and affordability to all, and it can generate signatures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath as markers of diseases. The present report is an outcome of a pilot study using an E-nose device on breath samples of cohorts of PCS, asthma, and normal (control) subjects. Match/no-match and k-NN analysis tests have been carried out to confirm the diagnosis of PCS. The prediction model has given 100% sensitivity and specificity. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) has been plotted for the prediction model, and the area under the curve (AUC) is obtained as 1. The E-nose technique is found to be working well for PCS diagnosis. Our study suggests that the breath analysis using E-nose can be used as a point-of-care diagnosis of PCS.

Trial registration

Breath samples were collected from the Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (IEC 60/2021, 13/01/2021) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (CTRI/2021/02/031357, 06/02/2021) Government of India; trials were prospectively registered.

Graphical abstract
Organ doses in preterm and full-term neonates and infants — a retrospective study on 1,064 chest radiographs
Authors: Kammer Birgit , Schneider Karl O. , Dell’Agnolo Evi , Seidenbusch Michael C.
Published: March 2022

Background

Chest radiography is the most frequent X-ray examination performed in the neonatal period. However, commonly used dosimetric entities do not describe the radiation risk sufficiently.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate selected organ doses and total body dose of chest radiographs in preterm and full-term neonates and infants.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, we evaluated 1,064 chest radiographs of 136 preterm and 305 full-term babies with respect to field size and centering. We calculated the entrance dose from the dose–area product. Upper and lower field borders referred to the corresponding vertebrae. We calculated individual organ doses of the thyroid, the breast, the liver and active bone marrow for each chest radiograph using the neonatal PCXMC program, a Monte Carlo program for calculating patient doses in medical X-ray examinations.

Results

The median field size of chest radiographs ranged from 90 cm2 in preterm neonates at birth to 290 cm2 in full-term infants at the age of 6 months. Median values of entrance dose varied, depending on age, from 15 μGy to 25 μGy. The median organ doses ranged 1–20 μSv for the thyroid, 3–30 μSv for the breast, 2–20 μSv for the liver and 0.5–3.5 μSv for the bone marrow in preterm and full-term neonates and infants, respectively.

Conclusion

The analysis of chest radiographs in preterm and full-term neonates and infants revealed high variability in field size. By contrast, the entrance dose varied to a minor extent. Organ dose calculations using the PCXMC program might be a valuable tool to calculate the individual radiation risk in neonates and infants.
Disparities in Advanced Peripheral Arterial Disease Presentation by Socioeconomic Status
Authors: de Jager Elzerie , Gunnarsson Ronny , Ho Yik‐Hong
Published: March 2022

Background

Diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) often synergistically lead to foot ulceration, infection, and gangrene, which may require lower limb amputation. Worldwide there are disparities in the rates of advanced presentation of PAD for vulnerable populations. This study examined rates of advanced presentations of PAD for unemployed patients, those residing in low Index of Economic Resources (IER) areas, and those in rural areas of Australia.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at a regional tertiary care centre (2008–2018). To capture advanced presentations of PAD, the proportion of operative patients presenting with complications (gangrene/ulcers), the proportion of surgeries that are amputations, and the rate of emergency to elective surgeries were examined. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for year, age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and sociodemographic variables was performed.

Results

In the period examined, 1115 patients underwent a surgical procedure for PAD. Forty‐nine per cent of patients had diabetes. Following multivariable testing, the rates of those requiring amputations were higher for unemployed (OR 1.99(1.05–3.79), p = 0.036) and rural patients (OR 1.83(1.21–2.76), p = 0.004). The rate of presentation with complications was higher for unemployed (OR 7.2(2.13–24.3), p = 0.001), disadvantaged IER (OR 1.91(1.2–3.04), p = 0.007), and rural patients (OR 1.73(1.13–2.65), p = 0.012). The rate of emergency to elective surgery was higher for unemployed (OR 2.32(1.18–4.54), p = 0.015) and rural patients (OR 1.92(1.29–2.86), p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study found disparities in metrics capturing delayed presentations of PAD: higher rates of presentations with complications, higher amputation rates, and increased rates of emergency to elective surgery, for patients of low socioeconomic status and those residing in rural areas. This suggests barriers to appropriate, effective, and timely care exists for these patients.
Irrigation efficiency optimization at multiple stakeholders’ levels based on remote sensing data and energy water balance modelling
Authors: Corbari Chiara , Mancini Marco
Published: March 2022

The agricultural sector, the largest and least efficient water user, is facing important challenges in sustaining food production and careful water use. The objective of this study is to improve farm and irrigation district water use efficiency by developing an operational procedure for smart irrigation and optimizing the exact water use and relative water productivity. The SIM (smart irrigation monitoring and forecasting) optimization irrigation strategy, based on soil moisture (SM) and crop stress thresholds, was implemented in the Chiese (North Italy) and Capitanata (South Italy) Irrigation Consortia. The system is based on the energy–water balance model FEST-EWB (Flashflood Event-based Spatially distributed rainfall runoff Transformation Energy–Water Balance model), which was pixelwise calibrated with remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST), with mean areal absolute errors of approximately 3 °C, and then validated against local measured SM and latent heat flux (LE) with RMSE values of approximately 0.07 and 40 Wm−2, respectively. The effect of the optimization strategy was evaluated on the reductions in irrigation volume and on the different timing, from approximately 500 mm over the crop season in the Capitanata area to approximately 1000 mm in the Chiese district, as well as on cumulated drainage and ET fluxes. The irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) indicator appears to be higher when applying the SIM strategy than when applying the traditional irrigation strategy: greater than 35% for the tomato fields in southern Italy and 80% for maize fields in northern Italy.
Three-dimensional analysis of mandible ramus morphology and transverse stability after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy
Authors: Huang Luo , Tang Shan , Yan Jing , Liu Yaoran , Piao Zhengguo
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate short- and long-term postoperative changes of both morphology and transverse stability in mandibular ramus after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) in patients with jaw deformity using three-dimensional (3D) orthognathic surgery planning treatment software for measurement of distances and angles.

Study design

This retrospective study included consecutive patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who had undergone intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy and computed tomography images before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 1 year after (T2) surgery. Reference points, reference lines and evaluation items were designated on the reconstructed 3D surface models to measure distances, angles and volume. The average values at T0, T1, T2 and time-dependent changes in variables were obtained.

Results

After surgery, the condylar length, ramal height, mandibular body length and mandibular ramus volume were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), while clinically insignificant change was observed from T1 to T2. The angular length was increased immediately after surgery (P < 0.05), but it was decreased 1 year after surgery (P < 0.05). Lateral ramal inclination showed significant increase after surgery (P < 0.05) and maintained at T2.

Conclusion

Changes in the morphology of the mandibular ramus caused by IVRO do not obviously bring negative effect on facial appearance. Furthermore, despite position and angle of mandibular ramus changed after IVRO, good transverse stability was observed postoperatively. Therefore, IVRO technique can be safely used without compromising esthetic results.
Biochemical and cytological interactions between callose synthase and microtubules in the tobacco pollen tube
Authors: Parrotta Luigi , Faleri Claudia , Del Casino Cecilia , Mareri Lavinia , Aloisi Iris , Guerriero Gea , Hausman Jean-Francois , Del Duca Stefano , Cai Giampiero
Published: March 2022

Key message

The article concerns the association between callose synthase and cytoskeleton by biochemical and ultrastructural analyses in the pollen tube. Results confirmed this association and immunogold labeling showed a colocalization.

Callose is a cell wall polysaccharide involved in fundamental biological processes, from plant development to the response to abiotic and biotic stress. To gain insight into the deposition pattern of callose, it is important to know how the enzyme callose synthase is regulated through the interaction with the vesicle-cytoskeletal system. Actin filaments likely determine the long-range distribution of callose synthase through transport vesicles but the spatial/biochemical relationships between callose synthase and microtubules are poorly understood, although experimental evidence supports the association between callose synthase and tubulin. In this manuscript, we further investigated the association between callose synthase and microtubules through biochemical and ultrastructural analyses in the pollen tube model system, where callose is an essential component of the cell wall. Results by native 2-D electrophoresis, isolation of callose synthase complex and far-western blot confirmed that callose synthase is associated with tubulin and can therefore interface with cortical microtubules. In contrast, actin and sucrose synthase were not permanently associated with callose synthase. Immunogold labeling showed colocalization between the enzyme and microtubules, occasionally mediated by vesicles. Overall, the data indicate that pollen tube callose synthase exerts its activity in cooperation with the microtubular cytoskeleton.