bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticonvulsant Activity of Elaesis guineensis (Jacq) Oil in Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizure in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Leritshimwa Amagon , Simeon Omale , Kennedy Iliya Amagon , Joy Abah
Published: October 2021

Elaesis guineensis, a plant whose oil extract (palm kernel oil) is medicinal, is reported to treat a wide range of disorders, including seizures. However, the anticonvulsant activity of this oil extract has not been exhaustively studied. This study aimed at evaluating the anticonvulsant activity of Elaesis guineensis oil in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit-fly). Pentylenetetrazol (50 mg/5 g diet) was used to induce seizure in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were exposed to different concentrations (0.5-5%) of the oil and phenytoin for 28 days in a survival assay to determine the safety in the fruit flies. Five replicate of fifty files each were exposed to diet containing the LC50 of phenytoin and other groups were exposed to different concentrations of the extract for 7 days. Seizure was then induced with Pentylenetetrazol. The Trikinetic system was used to monitor activity and the DAMSystem3 data collection program to collect, process and store data. The results showed that the extract increased the latency of seizures and improved survival in the flies and suggest that the extract possesses anticonvulsant properties.
User Involvement and Performance of Enterprise Resource Planning System Implementation in Multi-national Organizations in Kenya. A Case of Un-Habitat in Kenya
Authors: Ngala Derrick
Published: October 2021

Most multi-national organizations in Kenya are adopting an entire suite of enterprise resource planning Software and customize them to fit the business processes. Despite the continued review of the enterprise resource planning suite, the realization of a successful enterprise resource planning implementation for multi-national organizations is becoming difficult, owing to user involvement issues. This research, therefore, addressed this by assessing the effect of user involvement on enterprise resource planning implementation for multi-national organizations in Kenya. The study used a descriptive research design, where it obtained a sample size of 70 respondents and selected the respondents from 85 subjects using stratified proportionate sampling. The data for the study was gathered from primary sources using a questionnaire. Data was evaluated using quantitative analysis to provide descriptive statistics accompanied by inferential analysis to estimate the model. Guided by the study findings, it was concluded that; there is a positive and significant relationship between users’ functional requirements activities and enterprise resource planning implementation; users’ presentation requirement activities positively significantly influence enterprise resource planning implementation, users’ quality assurance activities has a significant moderate influence on its enterprise resource planning implementation, and users’ project management activities have a significant moderate influence on enterprise resource planning implementation. The study recommends that these organizations should; develop users’ functional requirements activities policy, review policies on business processes to accommodate different system implementation practices; review current quality assurance activities by consumers to satisfy the planned enterprise resource planning system demand of the provider, and acquire as well as retain the appropriate users’ project management.
On the Inability of Wind and Solar Electric Generation to Power Modern Civilization
Authors: Manheimer Wallace
Published: October 2021

There is a societal push to replace fossil and nuclear fuel, which currently generate ~ 85% of the world’s electric power, with wind and solar powered  generation of electricity. However, there are significant physical, economic, reliability, and environmental barriers to this replacement.  This paper discusses them and concludes that for the foreseeable future, we are stuck with the more conventional sources if we want civilization for the masses to survive.
Programmable Tactile Feedback Patterns for Cognitive Assistance by Flexible Electret Actuators
Authors: Jiang Tao , Qiu Wenying , Li Zhaoyang , Ye Xing , Liu Yuhan , Li Yushi , Wang Xiaohao , Zhong Junwen , Qian Xiang , Lin Liwei
Published: October 2021

Advanced tactile feedback systems are important tools in the field of human–machine interfaces. In this work, an airflow‐assisted corona charging process is utilized to charge films made of electret material for the construction of a sandwich‐structured flexible actuator system. With a voltage as low as 20 V, this flexible actuator can stimulate skin sensations for basic tactile feedback functions. Under a driving voltage of 200 V, the system can generate an output force of ≈55 mN, which is larger than that of the output force by cellphones under the vibration mode. Utilizing these prototype flexible electret actuators array, programmable patterns of tactile sensations can be generated on human skin according to both vibrational intensities and spatial positions. Thus, two demonstrations of human–machine interface are illustrated based on the proposed device: 1) A tactile‐assisted navigation prototype with programmable commands; and 2) a tactile‐based braille prototype constructed via a 6‐pixels actuator array to generate designated patterns for assisting human–machine communications. As such, this system prototype has potential for applications in cognitive assistance via tactile feedbacks.
Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Volatile Sulfur Compounds by Ionically Conductive Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Shiqi , Lu Yang , Zhang Junyao , Zhang Xuan , Wang Ruizhi , Huang Jia
Published: October 2021

High selectivity to specific analyte is essential for chemical sensors but difficult to achieve. For most chemical sensors, although the response to the target analyte can be more significant than interference analytes, they still show obvious responses to the interference analytes. Here, highly selective chemical sensors are developed with negligible responses to other interference vapors. Instead of the widely investigated electronically conductive metal–organic frameworks (EC‐MOFs), ionically conductive MOFs (IC‐MOFs) are used as the sensing materials, and the unique interaction between the ion charge carrier and the analyte is utilized to achieve high sensing selectivity. Through the modulation of the metal nodes (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg) and organic ligands (H2TCPP, H2THPP, H4BTEC), sensor arrays based on a set of IC‐MOFs are fabricated and achieve highly selective detection toward volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). H2S and CH3SH can be selectively detected at concentrations down to 1 ppb and 1 ppm, respectively. The facile preparation and low cost endow the device with disposability. These results suggest new approaches for the development of highly selective chemical sensors.
Interface‐Mediated Twinning‐Induced Plasticity in a Fine Hexagonal Microstructure Generated by Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Barriobero‐Vila Pere , Vallejos Juan Manuel , Gussone Joachim , Haubrich Jan , Kelm Klemens , Stark Andreas , Schell Norbert , Requena Guillermo
Published: October 2021

The grain size is a determinant microstructural feature to enable the activation of deformation twinning in hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) metals. Although deformation twinning is one of the most effective mechanisms for improving the strength–ductility trade‐off of structural alloys, its activation is reduced with decreasing grain size. This work reports the discovery of the activation of deformation twinning in a fine‐grained hcp microstructure by introducing ductile body‐centered cubic (bcc) nano‐layer interfaces. The fast solidification and cooling conditions of laser‐based additive manufacturing are exploited to obtain a fine microstructure that, coupled with an intensified intrinsic heat treatment, permits to generate the bcc nano‐layers. In situ high‐energy synchrotron X‐ray diffraction allows tracking the activation and evolution of mechanical twinning in real‐time. The findings obtained show the potential of ductile nano‐layering for the novel design of hcp damage tolerant materials with improved life spans.
A Novel Porous Ti‐Squarate as Efficient Photocatalyst in the Overall Water Splitting Reaction under Simulated Sunlight Irradiation
Authors: Salcedo‐Abraira Pablo , Babaryk Artem A. , Montero‐Lanzuela Eva , Contreras‐Almengor Oscar R. , Cabrero‐Antonino María , Grape Erik Svensson , Willhammar Tom , Navalón Sergio , Elkäim Erik , García Hermenegildo , Horcajada Patricia
Published: October 2021

A new porous titanium(IV) squarate metal–organic framework (MOF), denoted as IEF‐11, having a never reported titanium secondary building unit, is successfully synthesized and fully characterized. IEF‐11 not only exhibits a permanent porosity but also an outstanding chemical stability. Further, as a consequence of combining the photoactive Ti(IV) and the electroactive squarate, IEF‐11 presents relevant optoelectronic properties, applied here to the photocatalytic overall water splitting reaction. Remarkably, IEF‐11 as a photocatalyst is able to produce record H2 amounts for MOF‐based materials under simulated sunlight (up to 672 µmol gcatalyst in 22 h) without any activity loss during at least 10 d.
Highly Sensitive Strain Sensor from Topological‐Structure Modulated Dielectric Elastic Nanocomposites
Authors: Fan Youjun , Shen Zhonghui , Zhou Xinchen , Dan Zhenkang , Zhou Le , Ren Weibin , Tang Tongxiang , Bao Shanyong , Nan Cewen , Shen Yang
Published: October 2021

Flexible strain sensors are critical to several potential intelligent applications, such as human–machine interfaces, soft robotics, human motion detection, and safety monitoring of components. Stretchable functional materials are important components of strain sensors, and they are still a major challenge for high‐performance strain sensors. Herein, a novel strategy of designing and optimizing a flexible strain sensor by developing topological structure modulated high dielectric elastic nanocomposite is demonstrated. The topological structure produces synergistic effects of space charge enhancement and local electric field modulation, and it gives rise to an ultrahigh dielectric permittivity (113.4, at 1 kHz) and excellent comprehensive electromechanical performance for the dielectric elastic nanocomposite. An interdigital capacitive strain sensor is prepared based on the topological structured elastic dielectric nanocomposite, and it possesses positive capacitance response with strain, which breaks through disadvantages of negative sensitivity and narrow linear range for conventional interdigital strain sensors. The strain sensor achieves high signal‐to‐noise ratio, high positive capacitance response sensitivity of 5.7 pF %–1, and wide linear range (strain from 0.1% to 100%). The high permittivity elastic nanocomposite is capable to fabricate integrated microsensor array, making conditions for detecting local strain of convoluted surfaces and motion states of flexible actuators.
Mechanically Interlocked Polymer Electrolyte with Built‐In Fast Molecular Shuttles for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Seo Jiae , Lee Gwang‐Hee , Hur Joon , Sung Myeong‐Chang , Seo Ji‐Hun , Kim Dong‐Wan
Published: October 2021

The mobility of molecular shuttles inside a mechanically interlocked polymer (MIP) can improve the ionic conductivity and electron transport capacity of a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) and maintain a mechanically tough structure. The polyrotaxane‐based MIP electrolyte with a necklace‐like molecular structure exhibits high ionic conductivity (σ = 5.93 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C and 1.44 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 60 °C), a high Li+ ion transference number (t+ = 0.71), and high electrochemical oxidation stability (≈4.7 V vs Li+/Li). When SPEs are used in Li‐based batteries, a high Coulombic efficiency (≥98.5%), an excellent rate capability, and fast charging (≥2C) can be achieved using a “built‐in molecular shuttle” design.
Application effects of three ventilation methods on swine in winter
Authors: Shi Zhifang , Li Xuanyang , Wang Tianwu , Xi Lei , Cheng Pu , Fang Ming , Liu Weidong
Published: October 2021

An appropriate housing ventilation system is needed to ensure livestock and poultry health. In this study, 315 90‐d‐old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) crossbred swine were distributed to three experimental swine houses. Each house had 105 swine, with 15 swine in each pen (including seven males and eight females). The ventilation systems for three houses were naturally ventilated, intermittent negative pressure longitudinal mechanical ventilation, and tunnel ventilation. The experiment was monitored for 28 consecutive days. The average temperature and relative humidity of the tunnel‐ventilated swine house were 19.22 °C and 60.79%, respectively, which were higher than other two swine houses (P < .05). The NH3 and CO2 concentrations in the tunnel‐ventilated swine house were lower than the other systems (P < .05). The average daily growth of swine in the tunnel ventilated was 14.9% higher (P < .05) than that in the natural ventilation. The feed/gain (F/G) ratio was 11.44% higher (P < .05) and abnormal behavior was lower in the tunnel ventilated swine house than those in the naturally ventilated swine house. Our results indicate that the tunnel ventilation is the best ventilation system for swine houses during the winter in northern China.
Sites of active gene regulation in the prenatal frontal cortex and their role in neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Kouakou Manuela R. , Cameron Darren , Hannon Eilis , Dempster Emma L. , Mill Jonathan , Hill Matthew J. , Bray Nicholas J.
Published: October 2021

Common genetic variation appears to largely influence risk for neuropsychiatric disorders through effects on gene regulation. It is therefore possible to shed light on the biology of these conditions by testing for enrichment of associated genetic variation within regulatory genomic regions operating in specific tissues or cell types. Here, we have used the assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin with high‐throughput sequencing (ATAC‐Seq) to map open chromatin (an index of active regulatory genomic regions) in bulk tissue, NeuN+ and NeuN− nuclei from the prenatal human frontal cortex, and tested enrichment of single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) heritability for five neuropsychiatric disorders (autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia) within these regions. We observed significant enrichment of SNP heritability for ADHD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia within open chromatin regions (OCRs) mapped in bulk fetal frontal cortex, and for all five tested neuropsychiatric conditions when we restricted these sites to those overlapping histone modifications indicative of enhancers (H3K4me1) or promoters (H3K4me3) in fetal brain. SNP heritability for neuropsychiatric disorders was significantly enriched in OCRs identified in fetal frontal cortex NeuN− as well as NeuN+ nuclei overlapping fetal brain H3K4me1 or H3K4me3 sites. We additionally demonstrate the utility of our mapped OCRs for prioritizing potentially functional SNPs at genome‐wide significant risk loci for neuropsychiatric disorders. Our data provide evidence for an early neurodevelopmental component to a range of neuropsychiatric conditions and highlight an important role for regulatory genomic regions active within both NeuN+ and NeuN− cells of the prenatal brain.
Monitoring the covariance matrix of bivariate processes with the DVMAX control charts
Authors: Machado Marcela A. G. , Lee Ho Linda , Quinino Roberto C. , Celano Giovanni
Published: October 2021

Two versions of Phase II attribute+variable (DVMAX) control charts are investigated for monitoring the covariance matrix of bivariate processes. Monitoring always starts with an attribute chart employing the Max D control chart and, depending on the outcome, a variable control chart named VMAX chart is run at a second stage to check for process stability. In the first version, denoted as the chart, two independent samples are used at the two stages of the same inspection; with the second version, denoted as the chart, the same sample is used at both the first and second stage of the same inspection. This approach, based on the implementation of two types of charts, can be designed to be more advantageous than a single variable control chart in terms of detection speed of a shift in the covariance matrix. In general, we conclude that the control charts not only shows the best statistical performance but also presents a lower average sampling cost. A numerical example illustrates the implementation of the proposed control charts.
Discovery of Quinoline‐Derived Trifluoromethyl Alcohols as Antiepileptic and Analgesic Agents That Block Sodium Channels
Authors: Williams Ashley , Villamor Laurie , Fussell Jake , Loveless Reid , Smeyne Dylan , Philp Jack , Shaikh Abid , Sittaramane Vinoth
Published: October 2021

The discovery of novel analgesic agents with high potency, low toxicity and low addictive properties remain a priority. This study aims to identify the analgesic potential of quinoline derived α‐trifluoromethylated alcohols (QTA) and their mechanism of action. We synthesized and characterized several compounds of QTAs and screened them for antiepileptic and analgesic activity using zebrafish larvae in high thorough‐put behavior analyses system. Toxicity and behavioral screening of 9 compounds (C1–C9) identified four candidates (C2, C3, C7 and C9) with antiepileptic properties that induces specific and reversible reduction in photomotor activity. Importantly, compounds C2 and C3 relieved the thermal pain response in zebrafish larvae indicating analgesic property. Further, using novel in vivo CoroNa green assay, we show that compounds C2 and C3 block sodium channels and reduce inflammatory sodium signals released by peripheral nerve and tissue damage. Thus, we have identified novel QTA compounds with antiepileptic and analgesic properties which could alleviate neuropathic pain.
An energy‐efficient routing based on a hybrid improved whale artificial ecosystem optimization algorithm in WSN
Authors: Devi R. Renuga , Sethukarasi T.
Published: October 2021

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is an auto‐configured and baseless wireless network system to detect the physical scenarios or atmospheric situations like temperature, sound, pressure, pollutants, and so on. These investigations can be aided for the smooth transmission of data along with the networks. The current smart world exploits WSN in most applications, such as technical applications, industrial applications, low‐power embedded systems, and other smart communications. Even though it has so many applications, the available limited supply resource causes ill effects while transmitting large amounts of data. Hence, we can deem energy efficiency as a crucial factor that affects the performances of WSN. Processes such as routing, and for long‐lasting life span WSN requires more energy. Hence, to have an effective routine and enhanced life span of WSN, we propose a novel energy‐efficient routing protocol based on a hybrid improved whale artificial ecosystem optimization algorithm. To attain an energy‐efficient network it is ineluctable to choose an optimized cluster head and other nodes. These can be performed by evaluating various fitness functions of WSN. Henceforth, the nodes are organized and better routing can be obtained based on the fitness function values. This also improves the energy efficiency of the WSN and has been utilized to select the other forwarding nodes. Experimental analyses are conducted based on the deemed three scenarios which are based on the positioning of the base station (BS) and compared with other prior works. In all aspects, our proposed work has better performances than the other state‐of‐art works.
A High‐performance Lithium Metal Battery with a Multilayer Hybrid Electrolyte
Authors: Yi Qiang , Zhang Wenqiang , Wang Tianyuan , Han Junxing , Sun Chunwen
Published: October 2021

Solid‐state batteries have been considered as a good choice for substituting traditional batteries with liquid electrolytes because of their high energy density and safe property. However, a little amount of flammable non‐aqueous liquid electrolyte or polymer electrolyte is usually required to improve the interfacial contact, which is adverse to safety. Here, a nonflammable gel is prepared by hydrogen‐bond interaction and applied as an interfacial layer to improve the performance of solid‐state batteries. The prepared multilayer hybrid electrolyte (MHE) composed of gel and CPE shows a wide electrochemical window (5.3 V vs Li/Li+), high ionic transference number (0.57), and ionic conductivity (7.18 × 10−4 S cm−1) at room temperature. Thus, the assembled Li symmetric cell with MHE can cycle over 650 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 with a lower overpotential of ~61 mV. The LiFePO4|MHE|Li cell exhibits a higher discharge capacity of 107.8 mAh g−1 even cycled at 5 C. It also shows superior capacity retention of 96.4% after 1000 cycles at 0.5 C. This work provides a promising strategy for designing high‐performance solid‐state batteries.
Recent developments in capillary and microchip electroseparations of peptides (2019–mid 2021)
Authors: Kašička Václav
Published: October 2021

The review provides a comprehensive overview of developments and applications of high performance capillary and microchip electroseparation methods (zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, affinity electrophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) for analysis, microscale isolation, and physicochemical characterization of peptides from 2019 up to approximately the middle of 2021. Advances in the investigation of electromigration properties of peptides and in the methodology of their analysis, such as sample preparation, sorption suppression, EOF control, and detection, are presented. New developments in the individual CE and CEC methods are demonstrated and several types of their applications are shown. They include qualitative and quantitative analysis, determination in complex biomatrices, monitoring of chemical and enzymatic reactions and physicochemical changes, amino acid, sequence, and chiral analyses, and peptide mapping of proteins. In addition, micropreparative separations and determination of significant physicochemical parameters of peptides by CE and CEC methods are described.
Analysis of borehole stability in gas drilling using a thermal elastoplastic coupling model
Authors: Zhu Zhongxi , Wang Chaofei , Ye Yuchen , Lei Wanneng
Published: October 2021

Gas drilling causes lower pressure in the borehole and the Joule‐Thomson effect to occur at the bit nozzle, resulting in a temperature distribution in the borehole different from that in the original formation. The borehole temperature is far lower than the original formation temperature near the bottom of the borehole. This temperature difference leads to thermal stress on the borehole. The borehole temperature is higher than the formation temperature in the upper part of the borehole, causing the surrounding rock to expand because of the resulting thermal stress, which enhances the expansion of the surrounding rock into the borehole. The force supporting the borehole wall is thus weaker, and the borehole inevitably deforms under the original in situ stress. Meanwhile, the complete stress‐strain process of rock can be simplified into three linear stages: elasticity, plasticity, and residual. According to the combination of the Tresca yield criterion and the thermal stress, a thermal elastoplastic coupling model was developed to calculate the radii of the plastic softening and broken zones. An example calculation showed that the shrunken thermal stress at the bottom of the borehole could enhance the stability of the borehole wall, while the expansive thermal stress at the top could increase the instability of the borehole. When thermal stress was considered, the thermal elastoplastic model of rock was more consistent with the field measurements than when it was neglected.
Chronic disease and elder mistreatment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wong Ryan T. , Cafferky Bryan M. , Alejandro Jedd P.
Published: October 2021

Objective

This meta‐analysis investigated the relationships between chronic diseases and different forms of elder mistreatment (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect, or overall abuse).

Method

Twelve different chronic disease risk markers linked to elder mistreatment were gathered from 48 studies (yielding 178 effect sizes (ESs) and a combined sample size of n = 390,785), then organized in to four broad chronic disease categories: endocrine disease, heart disease, neurological disease, and other chronic diseases. Data were analyzed with Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis Software using a random effects approach.

Results

Neurological disease (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51), endocrine disease (OR = 1.38), heart disease (OR = 1.17), and other chronic diseases (OR = 1.26) were all significantly associated with elder mistreatments. Neurological disease (OR = 1.51) was found to have a significantly stronger association with elder mistreatment when compared to the heart disease category (OR = 1.17) and the other chronic disease category (OR = 1.26). When specifically investigating emotional abuse, there was a significantly stronger link with neurological disease (OR = 1.48) compared to other chronic diseases (OR = 1.21).

Conclusions

This study provides the first meta‐analytic benchmarks for understanding the links between chronic disease risk markers and different forms of elder mistreatment.
Dudrick Research Symposium: Expanding the boundaries of cancer care through nutrition support
Authors: Pimiento Jose M. , Kraemer William J.
Published: October 2021

The 2020 Dudrick Research Symposium, entitled “Expanding the Boundaries of Cancer Care Through Nutritional Support,” was held on March 30, at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), Nutrition Science & Practice Conference. It was scheduled to take place in Tampa, Florida, but had to be held virtually. The Dudrick Symposium honors the many pivotal and innovative contributions made by the late Dr Stanley J. Dudrick, physician scientist, academic leader, and a founding member of ASPEN. This year, in addition to honoring his legacy, we honored his life. As the 2019 recipient of the Dudrick Research Scholar Award, Dr Pimiento chaired the symposium. The presentations focused on discussing the history, the present and future frontiers in the overlapping fields of nutrition support and cancer care. The late Dr John Daly opened the presentation with a moving tribute to Dr Dudrick's life and then spoke about the impact of nutrition support on surgical care and outcomes for cancer patients. Dr Pimiento discussed the role of nutraceuticals for cancer chemoprevention, and the level 1 clinical evidence surrounding this topic. Dr Kraemer explored the role of exercise physiology for optimal nutrient utilization and the overlap between targeted physical activity and nutrition support to obtain better outcomes on the cancer population. The symposium was closed by Dr Stephen Hursting, who discussed the impact of obesity in the soaring cancer rates and its relationship with clinical outcomes. In this article, we cover the presentations by Drs Pimiento and Kraemer.
The breath print represents a novel biomarker of malnutrition in pulmonary arterial hypertension: A proof of concept study
Authors: Mey Jacob T. , Rath Mary C. , McLaughlin Kathleen , Galang Marianne , Lynch Kathryn , DiMattio Jaime , Nason Hillary , Yang Shengping , Melillo Celia A. , Grove David E. , Tonelli Adriano R. , Heresi Gustavo A. , Kirwan John P. , Dweik Raed A.
Published: October 2021

Background

The breath print is a quantitative measurement of molecules in exhaled breath and represents a new frontier for biomarker identification. It is unknown whether this state‐of‐the‐art, noninvasive method can detect malnutrition. We hypothesize that individuals with malnutrition will present with a distinguishable breath print.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review on patients with previously analyzed breath samples to identify malnutrition. Breath was analyzed by selected‐ion flow‐tube mass spectrometry. Registered dietitians conducted a retrospective chart review to collect malnutrition diagnoses and nutrition status indicators. Patients were categorized into one of four groups: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), PAH with malnutrition (PAH‐Mal), control, and control with malnutrition (Control‐Mal), based on the malnutrition diagnosis present in the patient's chart. Principle component analysis was conducted to characterize the breath print. A logistic regression model with forward selection was used to detect the best breath predictor combination of malnutrition.

Results

A total of 74 patients met inclusion criteria (PAH: 52; PAH‐Mal: 10; control: 10; Control‐Mal: 2). Levels of 1‐octene (PAH‐Mal, 5.1 ± 1.2; PAH, 12.5 ± 11.2; P = 0.005) and ammonia (PAH‐Mal, 14.6 ± 15.8; PAH, 56.2 ± 64.2; P = 0.013) were reduced in PAH‐Mal compared with PAH. The combination of 1‐octene (P = 0.010) and 3‐methylhexane (P = 0.045) distinguished malnutrition in PAH (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve: 0.8549).

Conclusions

This proof of concept study provides the first evidence that the breath print is altered in malnutrition. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these results and establish whether breath analysis may be a useful tool to screen for malnutrition in the clinical setting.
Flexible Low‐Melting Point Radiation Shielding Materials: Soft Elastomers with GaInSnPbBi High‐Entropy Alloy Inclusions
Authors: Wang Kaizhao , Hu Jin , Chen Tianyou , Zhang Weijun , Fan Hongtao , Feng Yongjin , Zhao Ziqiang , Wang Kaijun
Published: October 2021

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix soft elastic composite material with low‐melting‐point GaInSnPbBi high‐entropy alloy (LHEA) inclusions is prepared to evaluate its radiation shielding performance. The LHEA is composed of two different three‐component eutectic microstructures, which are grown in a mixed manner to form a complex eutectic structure. The inclusions have excellent mechanical properties that matched the deformation of the PDMS matrix. To evaluate the interaction of the shielding material with photons, the Monte Carlo N‐Particle Extended and XCOM codes are used to determine the shielding parameters of the LHEA/PDMS composites, such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, half‐value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path, and effective atomic number. The composite with 50‐vol% LHEA has the best radiation shielding properties, validated by medical X‐ray imaging experiments. The excellent shielding properties of the flexible lightweight composites are attributed to the higher mass attenuation coefficient of the LHEA inclusions than that of lead.
Role of Gut Microbiota in the Anti‐Colitic Effects of Anthocyanin‐Containing Potatoes
Authors: Li Shiyu , Wang Tianmin , Fu Wenyi , Kennett Mary , Cox Abigail D. , Lee Dale , Vanamala Jairam K. P. , Reddivari Lavanya
Published: October 2021

Scope

Anthocyanin‐containing potatoes exert anti‐inflammatory activity in colitic mice. Gut bacterial dysbiosis plays a critical role in ulcerative colitis. This study examined the extent to which the anti‐colitic activity of anthocyanin‐containing red/purple‐fleshed potatoes depends on the gut bacteria using a chemically‐induced rodent model of colitis with the intact and antibiotic‐ablated microbiome.

Methods and Results

Four‐week‐old male mice (C57BL6) are randomly assigned to the control diet or 20% purple‐/red‐fleshed potatoes supplemented diet group. The microbiota‐ablated group received an antibiotic cocktail in drinking water. At week nine, colitis is induced by 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for five days. Administration of antibiotics resulted in a 95% reduction in gut bacterial load and fecal SCFAs. DSS‐induced elevated gut permeability and body weight loss are more pronounced in antibiotic mice compared to non‐antibiotic mice. Purple‐ or red‐fleshed potato supplementation (20% w/w) ameliorated DSS‐induced reduction in colon length and mucin 2 expression levels, and increase in permeability, spleen weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL1‐β) expression levels in non‐antibiotic mice, but not in gut microbiota ablated mice.

Conclusions

Anthocyanin‐containing potatoes are potent in alleviating colitis, and the gut microbiome is critical for the anti‐colitic activity of anthocyanin‐containing potatoes.
Extended overstress model and its implicit stress integration algorithm: Formulations, experiments, and simulations
Authors: Anjiki Takuya , Hashiguchi Koichi
Published: October 2021

The extended overstress model is formulated based on the subloading surface model with the smooth elastic‐inelastic transition, which is called the subloading‐overstress model. Therein, the rigorous translation rules of the elastic‐core and the similarity‐center, the limitation in the expansion of the subloading surface, and so forth are incorporated. The model possesses the basic structure capable of describing the monotonic/cyclic loading behaviors at the general rate of deformations from the quasi‐static to the impact loading. The experiments were conducted using the spheroidal graphite cast iron under the various loading conditions. It was verified that the experimental results can be simulated accurately by the subloading‐overstress model. Further, the complete implicit stress integration algorithm based on the return‐mapping projection is formulated for the present subloading‐overstress model and implemented into Abaqus through UMAT. Then, the deformation analyses of the R‐notched cylinder were performed by the present algorithm. Consequently, the performability of the present algorithm is verified by the analyses of the boundary‐value problem under the cyclic loadings.
A time‐based arc‐length like method to remove step size effects during fracture propagation
Authors: Hageman Tim , de Borst René
Published: October 2021

An arc‐length like method is presented which alters the size of the time increment when simulating crack propagation problems. By allowing the time increment to change during the time step a constraint can be imposed, which is used to enforce the fracture to propagate a single element length per time step. This removes the effect of the (interface) element size on propagating fractures, and therefore allows smooth fracture propagation during the simulation. The benefits of the scheme are demonstrated for three cases: mode‐I crack propagation in a double cantilever beam, a shear fracture including inertial and viscoplastic effects in the surrounding material, and a pressurized fracture inside a poroelastic material. These cases highlight the ability of this scheme to obtain more accurate and nonoscillatory results for the force–displacement relation, to remove numerically induced stepwise fracture propagation, and to allow for arbitrary propagation velocities. An added benefit is that plastic strains surrounding a fracture are no longer affected by the (interface) element size.
Sparse optimal control problems with intermediate constraints: Necessary conditions
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Srikant Sukumar , Chatterjee Debasish , Nagaraha Masaaki
Published: October 2021

This article treats optimal sparse control problems with multiple constraints defined at intermediate points of the time domain. For such problems with intermediate constraints, we first establish a new Pontryagin maximum principle that provides first order necessary conditions for optimality in such problems. Then we announce and employ a new numerical algorithm to arrive at, in a computationally tractable fashion, optimal state‐action trajectories from the necessary conditions given by our maximum principle. Several detailed illustrative examples are included.
Development and validation of a two‐segment continuum robot for maxillary sinus surgery
Authors: Hong Wuzhou , Zhou Yuan , Cao Yongfeng , Feng Fan , Liu Zefeng , Li Keyong , Xie Le
Published: October 2021

Background

Existing rigid instruments have difficulties in backward inspection and operation. Moreover, the pathway to the maxillary sinus is curved and narrow, resulting in complex and repetitive manual operations. There is a necessity to develop a retro‐flexing robot and achieve path‐following motion.

Methods

A continuum robotic system is developed for maxillary sinus surgery (MSS). And the system adopts an anatomical constraint‐based optimization of the follow‐the‐leader strategy to generate a safe control scheme along a given path.

Results

The accuracy of the system is evaluated, and the task of reaching deep‐seated targets is performed in a constrained anatomical space. The simulations and experiments of the path‐following motion have validated the feasibility of the proposed method. Furthermore, a preliminary porcine study is performed to assess the capability of instruments.

Conclusions

The developed continuum robotic system can meet the requirements of MSS.
Time‐varying formation control with attitude synchronization of multiple rigid body systems
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Huang Jie
Published: October 2021

In this article, we study the leader‐following formation control problem for a group of rigid body systems whose followers' motions are described by dual quaternion equations. A few features are as follows. First, we introduce an exosystem to generate the leader's trajectory as well as the formation configuration, which can produce a large class of time‐varying signals so that we can achieve a variety of time‐varying formations. Second, to overcome the communication constraint described by a digraph, we extend the distributed observer to estimate not only the desired attitude and angular velocity but also the leader's position and linear velocity. Third, a novel distributed control law is synthesized to furnish a rigorous performance analysis of the closed‐loop system. The effectiveness of our design is illustrated by a numerical example.
CRISPR/Cas12a Powered DNA Framework‐Supported Electrochemical Biosensing Platform for Ultrasensitive Nucleic Acid Analysis
Authors: Su Jing , Ke Yuqing , Maboyi Nokuzola , Zhi Xiao , Yan Sijia , Li Fuwu , Zhao Bo , Jia Xiaolong , Song Shiping , Ding Xianting
Published: October 2021

Nucleic acid analysis using ultrasensitive and simple methods is critically important for the early‐stage diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The CRISPR/Cas proteins, guided by a single‐stranded RNA have shown incredible capability for sequence‐specific targeting and detection. Herein, in order to improve and expand the application of CRISPR/Cas technology to the electrochemical interface‐based nucleic acids analysis, the authors develop a CRISPR/Cas12a powered DNA framework‐supported electrochemical biosensing platform via the cis and trans cleavage of Cas12a on the heterogeneous carbon interface (the existing publications which commonly adopted trans‐cleavage). Their solid‐liquid interface is first immobilized by 3D tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (FNAs) with specific DNA recognition probe. Based on the recognition of the complementary target through protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) confirmation and CRISPR‐derived RNA (crRNA) matching, the easily formed Cas12a/crRNA duplex can get access to the interface, and the cis and trans cleavage of Cas12a can be easily activated. In combination with the enzyme catalyzed reaction, they achieved an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 100 fm in HPV‐16 detection without pre‐amplification. Furthermore, the platform is compatible with a spike‐in human serum sample and has superior stability. Thus, their reported platform offers a practical, versatile, and amplification‐free toolbox for ultrasensitive nucleic acid analysis.
Kafka als Lektor eines Röntgenstrahlen-Romans. Die Beziehung zu Ernst Weiss
Authors: Neumann Bernd
Published: October 2021

Der Prager Franz Kafka mithin als so etwas wie ein Pendant zum Wiener Robert Musil samt dessen Begeisterung für die neuen Naturwissenschaften: In diesem Zeichen stand jedenfalls die Beziehung zwischen den beiden Pragern Franz Kafka und Ernst Weiss, von der im Folgenden zu berichten sein wird. Im Sommer des Kriegsausbruchs, einem sehr heissen Sommer übrigens, im Juni/Juli 1914 redigierte Kafka zusammen mit Ernst Weiss dessen (da bereits im Druck erschienenen) Roman Die Galeere.
Konsequenzen, die der Autor Kafka zog, oder: Das physikalische, elektromagnetische Experiment als Inspirationsquelle – eine Beweisführung aus dem Geiste der „Dritten Kultur“
Authors: Neumann Bernd
Published: October 2021

Man lebte, wie ausgeführt, damals bereits in einer Gesellschaft, in der der soziale Bahnwechsel (vornehmlich in Form der Judenassimilation) gang und gäbe geworden war. Eine solche Gesellschaft ist nicht mehr mechanisch zu nennen.
Variationen des Lichts. Auf dem Weg zu einem „electrischen Prometheus“: Das göttliche Licht der Gerechtigkeit
Authors: Neumann Bernd
Published: October 2021

Zuerst aber einen Besuch beim weimarischen Olympier Goethe als dem Gegenspieler Newtons: Es ging zwischen den beiden, wie immer sie keine Zeitgenossen waren, stets um das Licht als ein – auf jeden Fall in Goethes Denken – zentrales, göttliches Element.
Kafkas Lichtroman „Der Verschollene“, oder: Eine amerikanische Richterwahl im falschen Licht, Amazonenkampf versus Jiu-Jitsu
Authors: Neumann Bernd
Published: October 2021

Nun zu den Widersprüchen in der Schluss-Utopie des Kafka’schen Verschollenen, die abschliessend und zusammenfassend noch einmal ins Zentrum der Betrachtung rücken sollen.
Zur Position des „elektrischen“ Erzählers
Authors: Neumann Bernd
Published: October 2021

Nicht die Differenz. Sondern das Übereinstimmende ist festzuhalten: Dass die Funktion des Erzählers eine andere sein muss, als noch im Bildungsroman mit seinem Ideal der stabilen, ein für alle Mal traditionell festgelegten Bahnen, wenn von der modernen Welt (und im Bezugsrahmen einer „Dritten Kultur“) überhaupt noch „erzählt“ werden können soll. Denn in dieser unserer modernsten Welt scheint ja der Bahnwechsel keine Ausnahme, sondern die Regel darzustellen.
Water Erosion and Sediment Transport in an Ungauged Semiarid Area: The Case of Hodna Basin in Algeria
Authors: Djoukbala Omar , Hasbaia Mahmoud , Benselama Oussama , Hamouda Boutaghane , Djerbouai Salim , Ferhati Ahmed
Published: October 2021

This study aims to estimate the eroded and transported sediment yields from the The Hodna basin (26,000 km2) situated in central Algeria by two approaches. In the first model, the data of the gauged subbasins are extrapolated to the ungauged areas based on the homogeneity of factors that influence the water erosion-sediment transport process. In this approach, the specific eroded and transported sediment yield in the Hodna basin is estimated to be 425 t/km2/yr. In an alternative approach, the eroded yield is estimated by mapping erosion using the (RUSLE) in a GIS environment. The obtained results show a high eroded sediment yield of approximately 610 t/km2/yr.

The observed difference between the results of the two approaches can be explained by the amount of sediment that is eroded but is not transported by runoff.

These two methods show high eroded and transported sediment yield values in the Hodna basin region; these high yields may seriously threaten the central flat zone with progressive deposition.
Reservoir Sediment Management Practices in Sudan: A Case Study of Khashm El-Girba Dam
Authors: Adam Elhadi , Suleiman Mohammed
Published: October 2021

The sedimentation problem is a hot issue currently affecting the operations of reservoirs and irrigation networks in Sudan. Most of the rivers that cross Sudanese borders come from the Eastern African Plateau, which acts as a sediment source for the Nile River and its tributaries. Khashm el-Girba Dam (KEGD), which crosses the Atbara River in Eastern Sudan, is a multipurpose dam that was constructed in 1964. The Atbara River is a branch of the Nile River system, and the river carries a large amount of sediment during the flood period. Seven years after construction, in 1970, the dam faced a critical problem that could have led to a disaster; it was discovered that, due to sediment deposition, the water storage was not enough to satisfy the downstream requirements. This study discusses the sediment management practices used in KEGD and their impacts on maintaining the reservoir capacity. Practices including operation policy (OP), trap efficiency (TE), sluicing, sediment sluicing, and flushing operation (FO) were discussed. The adopted management practices succeeded in removing a considerable amount of silt and maintaining the lifetime of the reservoir.
Land Administration, Chiefs, and Governance in Ghana
Authors: Amanor Kojo S.
Published: October 2021

This chapter examines the role of chiefs in the administration of land in Ghana within a historical framework dating back to the pre-colonial period. It examines the relationship between the dynamic of internal political factors and of international pressures for governance reforms. It argues that while present land governance reforms fit into the framework of market liberal governance reforms advocated by international financial institutions and the USA, the origins of the present role of chiefs in land administration date back to the political coalitions that came to dominance following the overthrow of Nkrumah in 1966. Although these appeal to notions of community, they are also based on a coalition of national elites with traditional authorities, which enables rural resources to be appropriated for capital accumulation with the connivance of chiefs who give legal authority to these transactions, through the customary notion that they are the owners of the land. The chiefs are closely connected with national elites, and many prominent politicians originate from chiefly families. It is argued that current reforms strengthen the process of private acquisition of land rather than the user rights of smallholders and their ability to resist expropriation.
Politics of Land Resource Management in Mozambique
Authors: Aminaka Akiyo
Published: October 2021

Mozambique’s 1997 Land Law was praised by international donors and the country’s own civil society for its democratic and open drafting process. The process included public hearings throughout the country and the recognition of customary law. However, once it became operational, there were many instances of so-called land grabbing. This chapter argues that the reason for this lies in the political operation of the law rather than in the technicalities of its application. This chapter aims to explore the political dynamics in Mozambique that distort the implementation of the Land Law of 1997. The land law in Mozambique was developed with the technical support of international donors, and the government of Mozambique followed these external trends in the expectation of receiving financial support and private investment while it also reflected the axis of conflictin Mozambique’s domestic politics. The case studies show that the operation of land law has resulted in the emergence of party-political oppositional axes in rural areas. These facts suggest that the specific political environment strongly influences the process of law-making and implementation. Mozambique’s political environment is an obstacle to achieving the law’s original objectives of establishing rights to land resources and social stability.