bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF PLANT PREPARATIONS OF PURE SAPONINS AND METHOXYFLAVONOIDS ON THE EXPRESSION OF IMMUNE RESPONSE GENES
Authors: Turmagambetova A.S. , Bogoyavlenskyi A.P. , Alexyuk P.G. , Alexyuk M.S. , Omirtaeva E.S. , Sokolova N.S. , Zaitseva I.A. , Berezin V.E.
Published: February 2022

Studies on the immunostimulating properties of saponins and methoxyflavonoids obtained from plants provides a theoretical basis for development of new immunopotentiators, thereby increasing effectiveness of immunotherapy and prophylaxis of viral infections. Expression of major genes of the immune response were significantly up-regulated upon introduction of plant-based immunostimulators into the body. These compounds were a mixture of purified saponin betulin isolated from plants of Betula sp. (Betula pendula)  and purified methoxyflavonoids of plants of Polygonum sp. (Polygonum persicaria) and Cytrus sp. (Cytrus sinensis). The strength and specificity of the body's immune response can be adjusted by changing the structure of the methoxyflavonoid in the complex immunostimulator, which makes it possible to stimulate targeted immunostimulators that act on certain parts of the immune system.
ISOLATION AND STUDY OF A RECOMBINANT CARBOHYDRASE XYLANASE FROM BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS
Authors: Kiribayeva A.K. , Mukanov B.A. , Baduanova S.D. , Silayev D.V. , Ramankulov Ye.M , Khassenov B.B.
Published: February 2022

Xylanases are hydrolytic enzymes involved in the degradation of xylan, the main component of plant biomass. In the present study xylanase, XynA, from Kazakh strain Bacillus licheniformis was obtained in recombinant form in Escherichia coli cells. The xynA gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of the B. licheniformis and cloned in pET-28c (+) vector under the control of the promoter of bacteriophage T7. Recombinant XynA was produced in ArcticExpressRP(DE3) cells by plasmid gene expression, protein purification was carried out by metal affinity chromatography. During the study, the dependence of the enzymatic activity of recombinant xylanase on temperature and pH was observed, it was established that xylanase has the highest activity at +50°C and pH of 6.9. The activity units at these values of temperature and pH were1859 per ml of purified protein. The working temperature and pH ranges in which xylanase conserves more than 70% activity from maximum is 40-60°C and 5-8, respectively.

The data obtained are essential for the use of  carbohydrase xylanase from B.licheniformis in biotechnological processes in the processing of vegetable raw materials.
OPTIMIZATION OF MULTIPLE-LOCUS VARIABLE-NUMBER TANDEM-REPEAT ANALYSIS FOR BACILLUS ANTRACIS GENOTYPING
Authors: Shevtsov A.B. , Lutsay V.B. , Kairzhanova A.D. , Lukhnova L.Yu. , Kulatay T. Zh. , Izbanova U.A. , Karibaev T.B. , Shustov A.V.
Published: February 2022

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a highly dangerous human and veterinary disease. B. anthracis has high pathogenicity, resulting in a high mortality rate, with possible long-term preservation of the live pathogen in environmental conditions. Thus, genotyping of circulating B. anthracis strains is an integral part of epidemiological surveillance worldwide. Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) is a highly discriminatory method for genotyping bacterial species with a conserved genome such as B. anthracis. Although there is already a well-established MLVA typing scheme, protocol optimization and verification of the results are required in certain cases. This paper presents the results of optimization of the MLVA-31 protocol, which was verified in four B. anthracis strains that were isolated in Kazakhstan. The actual VNTR repeat sizes differed from those obtained by capillary electrophoresis at all VNTR loci. Moreover, absence of B. anthracis reference strains made allele identification difficult for 90% of the loci. In six loci, the actual sizes differed by one or more VNTRs from the sizes defined by capillary electrophoresis. These results indicate that availability of B. anthracis reference strains will allow for verification of genotyping results, regardless of the particular reagents and equipment used for capillary electrophoresis, thus enabling more efficient epidemiological monitoring at the local and global levels.
NEW INSIGHT INTO THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ε-ELEMENT ENHANCER IN E. COLI
Authors: Nizkorodova A.S. , Iskakov B.K.
Published: February 2022

Epsilon element (ε-element) is a complex translational enhancer capable of promoting the prokaryotic translation efficiency in combination with the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence. However, the detailed mechanism of action of ε-element is unknown, and there is no single hypothesis to explain the available evidence. We here propose a new hypothesis for the mechanism of action of ε-element from the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of the 10 gene of phage T7 during translation initiation in Escherichia coli. The mechanism of action was considered to be driven by the complementary interaction of ε-element (and its variation εII) with the 3′-end of E. coli 16S rRNA, specifically with the 45th hairpin region. This hypothesis was then applied to currently available data of the influence of ε-element on protein expression in bacterial cells. Several 5′-UTR sequences were constructed containing variations of ε-element, and their properties were predicted according to this new hypothesis and confirmed by measuring the protein expression level. We further applied temperature stresses (cold and heat shock) to these variants to examine their influence on protein expression controlled by various enhancers. Overall, the εII_SD and ε_SD enhancers could significantly increase the protein expression level in E. coli cells under cold shock, representing a 6–9-times increase relative to that obtained with the classical SD sequence.
OPTIMIZATION OF PCR PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY THEILERIA ANNULATA
Authors: Kuibagarov M.A. , Makhamed R. , Lider L.A. , Abdrakhmanov S.K. , Shevtsov A.B.
Published: February 2022

Theileriosis is a blood-parasitic disease of domestic and wild animals caused by Theileria annulata. Although the disease course varies in severity, it is most often fatal. Theileriosis is endemic to the southern regions of Kazakhstan, and the main means of combatting the disease are accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In this regard, the timely detection of infection is a critical step in initiating preventive measures. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows for the detection of latent carriage of the parasite with higher sensitivity than classical microscopic detection. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal parameters of PCR for detecting T. annulata DNA using the enolase (ENO) gene as a diagnostic target. Selected primers at the estimated rates of the PCR revealed the presence of T. annulata in 4 of 18 DNA samples isolated from ticks. Subsequent optimization of the conditions increased the efficiency of PCR. The specificity of the developed protocol was confirmed by direct sequencing of known positive samples. This optimized method is expected to improve diagnosis at an early stage of infection to allow for timely treatment and a better outcome.
Where Are Today’s Engineering Jobs?
Authors: Kosowatz John
Published: February 2022

Demand for engineers across all disciplines, especially mechanical engineering, is very high as U.S. industries look to ramp up what they hope is a post-pandemic economy. They also may enjoy more relaxed working conditions as employers adapt to over a year of remote operations. They might not have to go to the office or the jobsite, at least exclusively, because many employers are continuing remote work.
Multidimensional analyses of the noise impacts of COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Aumond Pierre , Can Arnaud , Lagrange Mathieu , Gontier Felix , Lavandier Catherine
Published: February 2022

As part of the Agence Nationale de Recherche Caractérisation des ENvironnements SonorEs urbains (Characterization of urban sound environments) project, a questionnaire was sent in January 2019 to households in a 1 km2 study area in the city of Lorient, France, to which about 318 responded. The main objective of this questionnaire was to collect information about the inhabitants' perception of the sound environments in their neighborhoods, streets, and dwellings. In the same study area, starting mid-2019, about 70 sensors were continuously positioned, and 15 of them were selected for testing sound source recognition models. The French lockdown due to the COVID-19 crisis occurred during the project, and the opportunity was taken to send a second questionnaire during April 2020. About 31 of the first 318 first survey respondents answered this second questionnaire. This unique longitudinal dataset, both physical and perceptual, allows the undertaking of an analysis from different perspectives of such a period. The analysis reveals the importance of integrating source recognition tools, soundscape observation protocol, in addition to physical level analysis, to accurately describe the changes in the sound environment.
Infrasound signals in simulated nontornadic and pre-tornadic supercells
Authors: Coffer Brice E. , Parker Matthew D.
Published: February 2022

There has been increased interest in improving severe weather detection by supplementing the conventional operational radar network with an infrasound observation network, which may be able to detect distinct sub-audible signatures from tornadic supercells. While there is evidence that tornadic thunderstorms exhibit observable infrasound signals, what is not well-understood is whether these infrasound signals are unique to tornadic supercells (compared to nontornadic supercells) or whether there is useful signal prior to tornadogenesis, which would be most relevant to forecasters. Using simulations of supercells, tailored to represent acoustic waves with frequencies from 0.1 to 2 Hz, spectral analysis reveals that both nontornadic and pre-tornadic supercells produce strikingly similar sound pressure levels at the surface, even in close spatial proximity to the storms (less than 20 km). Sensitivity tests employing varying microphysics schemes also show similar acoustic emissions between supercells. Riming of supercooled water droplets in the upper-troposphere is the sole mechanism generating high-frequency pressure waves in supercells prior to tornadogenesis or during tornadogenesis-failure; however, riming occurs continuously in mature nontornadic and tornadic supercells. Our simulations found no clear evidence that infrasound produced by supercells prior to tornado formation (compared to nontornadic supercells) is sufficiently distinct to improve lead-time of tornado warnings.
Mechanism of spindle pole organization and instability in human oocytes
Authors: So Chun , Menelaou Katerina , Uraji Julia , Harasimov Katarina , Steyer Anna M. , Seres K. Bianka , Bucevičius Jonas , Lukinavičius Gražvydas , Möbius Wiebke , Sibold Claus , Tandler-Schneider Andreas , Eckel Heike , Moltrecht Rüdiger , Blayney Martyn , Elder Kay , Schuh Melina
Published: February 2022

Human oocytes are prone to assembling meiotic spindles with unstable poles, which can favor aneuploidy in human eggs. The underlying causes of spindle instability are unknown. We found that NUMA (nuclear mitotic apparatus protein)–mediated clustering of microtubule minus ends focused the spindle poles in human, bovine, and porcine oocytes and in mouse oocytes depleted of acentriolar microtubule-organizing centers (aMTOCs). However, unlike human oocytes, bovine, porcine, and aMTOC-free mouse oocytes have stable spindles. We identified the molecular motor KIFC1 (kinesin superfamily protein C1) as a spindle-stabilizing protein that is deficient in human oocytes. Depletion of KIFC1 recapitulated spindle instability in bovine and aMTOC-free mouse oocytes, and the introduction of exogenous KIFC1 rescued spindle instability in human oocytes. Thus, the deficiency of KIFC1 contributes to spindle instability in human oocytes.
A damage-tolerant, dual-scale, single-crystalline microlattice in the knobby starfish,
Protoreaster nodosus
Authors: Yang Ting , Chen Hongshun , Jia Zian , Deng Zhifei , Chen Liuni , Peterman Emily M. , Weaver James C. , Li Ling
Published: February 2022

Cellular solids (e.g., foams and honeycombs) are widely found in natural and engineering systems because of their high mechanical efficiency and tailorable properties. While these materials are often based on polycrystalline or amorphous constituents, here we report an unusual dual-scale, single-crystalline microlattice found in the biomineralized skeleton of the knobby starfish,
Protoreaster nodosus
. This structure has a diamond-triply periodic minimal surface geometry (lattice constant, approximately 30 micrometers), the [111] direction of which is aligned with the
c
-axis of the constituent calcite at the atomic scale. This dual-scale crystallographically coaligned microlattice, which exhibits lattice-level structural gradients and dislocations, combined with the atomic-level conchoidal fracture behavior of biogenic calcite, substantially enhances the damage tolerance of this hierarchical biological microlattice, thus providing important insights for designing synthetic architected cellular solids.
Starfish grow extraordinary crystals
Authors: Hyde Stephen T. , Meldrum Fiona C.
Published: February 2022

Biomineralization in a starfish displays morphologically complex features
From start to finish—a molecular link in wound repair
Authors: Yun Sangwon , Greco Valentina
Published: February 2022

p53 mediates epithelial cell migration and leader cell elimination during wound repair
European fusion reactor sets record for sustained energy
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: February 2022

World’s largest tokamak paves the way for ITER with a capstone run of pulses using power-producing tritium
Complete Genome Sequence of
Curtobacterium
sp. Isolated from Surface-Sterilized Germinating Alfalfa Seeds
Authors: Compton K. Karl , Jensen Roderick V. , Lahmers Kevin , Scharf Birgit E.
Published: February 2022

We reported the complete genome sequence of a member of the pathogenic
Curtobacterium
genus. The sample includes a circular 3,955-kb chromosome, a 164-kb megaplasmid and a 42-kb plasmid. This strain was isolated from surface-sterilized alfalfa seeds.
De Novo
Genome Assembly of Stinkhorn Mushroom
Clathrus columnatus
(Basidiomycota, Fungi) Using Illumina and Nanopore Sequencing Data
Authors: Ogiso-Tanaka Eri , Itagaki Hiyori , Ohmae Muneyuki , Hosoya Tsuyoshi , Hosaka Kentaro
Published: February 2022

We report the reference genome of
Clathrus columnatus
isolate MO-923, which was isolated from Chichijima Island, the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, Japan. Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION and Illumina sequence reads were assembled using NECAT and polished using Pilon to yield a 36.51-Mb genome with 10,625 predicted protein-coding genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. Strain NC3, Isolated from
Trichonephila
Spider Ground Extract
Authors: Ito Masahiro , Hasunuma Satomu
Published: February 2022

Bacillus
sp. strain NC3, an aerobic Gram-positive bacterium, was isolated from a suspension of ground
Trichonephila clavata
specimens in saline in Japan. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium, which has a 3.72-Mbp genome, containing 3,717 protein-coding sequences, 24 rRNA-coding sequences, and 81 tRNA-coding sequences.
Genome Sequence of a Brazilian Bovine Enterovirus
Authors: Mosena Ana C. S. , da Silva Mariana S. , Gularte Juliana S. , Demoliner Meriane , Girardi Viviane , Flores Eduardo F. , Weiblen Rudi , Spilki Fernando R.
Published: February 2022

We report the nearly complete genome sequence of a Brazilian bovine enterovirus (genus
Enterovirus
, family
Picornavirus
). This enterovirus was isolated from an enteric and respiratory disease outbreak in a beef cattle herd in southern Brazil. Phylogeny indicates that this isolate belongs to the species
Enterovirus E
.
Two Metatranscriptomic Profiles through Low-Dissolved-Oxygen Waters (DO, 0 to 33 µM) in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Mattes Timothy E. , Burke Susan , Rocap Gabrielle , Morris Robert M.
Published: February 2022

We present 16 seawater metatranscriptomes collected from a marine oxygen-deficient zone (ODZ) in the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP). This data set will be useful for identifying shifts in microbial community structure and function through oxic/anoxic transition zones, where overlapping aerobic and anaerobic microbial processes impact marine biogeochemical cycling.
Microvirus Genomes Identified in Fecal Samples from Yellow-Bellied Marmots
Authors: Tijerino Cristal L. , Blumstein Daniel T. , Kraberger Simona , Varsani Arvind
Published: February 2022

The complete genomes of 63 unique microviruses were determined from fecal samples collected from three yellow-bellied marmots living in Colorado, USA. These microviruses are diverse, with genome sizes ranging from 4,265 to 7,225 nucleotides, and have varied presence across the three samples.
Diagnostic accuracy of teleretinal screening for detection of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mehraban Far Parsa , Tai Felicia , Ogunbameru Adeteju , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Sander Beate , Wong David T , Brent Michael H , Felfeli Tina
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of teleretinal screening compared with face-to-face examination for detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods and analysis

This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA-DTA). A comprehensive search of OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL was performed from January 2010 to July 2021. QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess methodological quality and applicability of the studies. A bivariate random effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Referrable DR was defined as any disease severity equal to or worse than moderate non-proliferative DR or diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Results

28 articles were included. Teleretinal screening achieved a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.96) and specificity of 0.88 (0.74 to 0.95) for any DR (13 studies, n=7207, Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) low). Accuracy for referrable DR (10 studies, n=6373, GRADE moderate) was lower with a sensitivity of 0.88 (0.81 to 0.93) and specificity of 0.86 (0.79 to 0.90). After exclusion of ungradable images, the specificity for referrable DR increased to 0.95 (0.90 to 0.98), while the sensitivity remained nearly unchanged at 0.85 (0.76 to 0.91). Teleretinal screening achieved a sensitivity of 0.71 (0.49 to 0.86) and specificity of 0.88 (0.85 to 0.90) for detection of AMD (three studies, n=697, GRADE low).

Conclusion

Teleretinal screening is highly accurate for detecting any DR and DR warranting referral. Data for AMD screening is promising but warrants further investigation.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020191994.
Clinical challenges to the concept of ectogestation
Authors: Wozniak Phillip S
Published: February 2022

Since the publication of the successful animal trials of the Biobag, a prototypical extrauterine support for extremely premature neonates, numerous ethicists have debated the potential implications of such a device. Some have argued that the Biobag represents a natural evolution of traditional newborn intensive care, while others believe that the Biobag would create a new class of being for the patients housed within. Kingma and Finn argued inBioethicsfor making a categorical distinction between fetuses, newborns and ‘gestatelings’ in a Biobag on the basis of a conceptual distinction between ectogenesis versus ectogestation. Applying their arguments to the clinical realities of newborn intensive care, however, demonstrates the inapplicability of their ideas to the practice of medicine. Here, I present three clinical examples of the difficulty and confusion their argument would create for clinicians and offer a possible remedy: namely, discarding the term ‘artificial womb’ in favour of ‘Biobag’.
Assessing a proponent-driven process for endangered species threat mitigation: Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, American Eel, and hydropower
Authors: Algera Dirk A. , Neigel Kate L. , Kosziwka Kerri , Abrams Alice E.I. , Glassman Daniel M. , Bennett Joseph R. , Cooke Steven J. , Lapointe Nicolas W.R.
Published: February 2022

American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) were used as a case study to assess whether Ontario’s Endangered Species Act proponent-driven regulatory approach resulted in successful imperilled species management outcomes. American Eel observation databases and proponent-prepared mitigation plans and monitoring data were used to assess whether: ( i) facilities within the distribution range were registered, ( ii) effects monitoring protocols were adequate to evaluate adverse effects of facilities, ( iii) proponents implemented mitigation actions that followed best management practices (BMPs), and ( iv) effectiveness monitoring designs were adequate to evaluate effectiveness of mitigation actions. Less than half of the facilities (8 of 17) within the extant species range were registered. Few eels were observed at each facility, precluding proponents from effectively evaluating the facilities’ effects. Mitigation actions following BMPs were only implemented for eel out-migration at three facilities. Half of the registered facilities implemented effectiveness monitoring, but experimental designs did not follow best practices and standards. To improve this proponent-driven approach, regulators could reduce ambiguity in regulation language and provide clearer, quantitative requirements for facility registration, effects monitoring, mitigation actions, and effectiveness monitoring. Proponents could improve monitoring efforts to establish species occurrence and generate baseline data to measure facility effects and mitigation action effectiveness.
Frequency Comb Free Vibration Behavior of a Single-Span Plate Pumped by Low-Speed Moving Inertial Loads
Authors: Sun Zhi
Published: February 2022

Structures carrying moving loads present rich vibration phenomena and colorful spectrum characteristics. This study analytically investigates the moving-inertial-load-pumped frequency comb free vibration behavior of a single-span rectangular linear elastic Kirchhoff thin plate in the low-speed region. Multiple-time-scales expansion is made and the asymptotic solution describing the non-resonance modal oscillation is derived. Case studies on a single-span rectangular isotropic plate with the clamped opposite boundaries dominated by the first two transverse flexural modes are presented. Numerical computation based on finite element method structure modeling and response numerical integration verifies the modal frequency comb characteristics as predicted by the proposed theoretical model. The results also present the weak modal interaction for the studied single-span structure in the observed light-mass low moving speed region. The outcomes of this study will benefit the related structural dynamic system design and intervention.
Discontinuous viscosity solutions of first-order Hamilton–Jacobi equations
Authors: Bertsch Michiel , Smarrazzo Flavia , Terracina Andrea , Tesei Alberto
Published: February 2022

We study the Cauchy problem for the simplest first-order Hamilton–Jacobi equation in one space dimension, with a bounded and Lipschitz continuous Hamiltonian which only depends on the spatial derivative. Uniqueness of discontinuous viscosity solutions is proven, if the initial data function has a finite number of jump discontinuities. Main ingredients of the proof are the barrier effect of spatial discontinuities of a solution (which is linked to the boundedness of the Hamiltonian), and a comparison theorem for semicontinuous viscosity subsolution and supersolution. These are defined in the spirit of the paper [H. Ishii, Perron’s method for Hamilton–Jacobi equations, Duke Math. J. 55 (1987) 368–384], yet using essential limits to introduce semicontinuous envelopes. The definition is shown to be compatible with Perron’s method for existence and is crucial in the uniqueness proof. We also describe some properties of the time evolution of spatial jump discontinuities of the solution, and obtain several results about singular Neumann problems which arise in connection with the above referred barrier effect.
β-Adrenergic Receptors and Adipose Tissue Metabolism: Evolution of an Old Story
Authors: Collins Sheila
Published: February 2022

The role of β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) in adipose tissue to promote lipolysis and the release of fatty acids and nonshivering thermogenesis in brown fat has been studied for so many decades that one would think there is nothing left to discover. With the rediscovery of brown fat in humans and renewed interest in UCP1 and uncoupled mitochondrial respiration, it seems that a review of adipose tissue as an organ, pivotal observations, and the investigators who made them would be instructive to understanding where the field stands now. The discovery of the β3-adrenergic receptor was important for accurately defining the pharmacology of the adipocyte, while the clinical targeting of this receptor for obesity and metabolic disease has had its highs and lows. Many questions still remain about how βARs regulate adipocyte metabolism and the signaling molecules through which they do it.
Alcohol-Associated Tissue Injury: Current Views on Pathophysiological Mechanisms
Authors: Simon Liz , Souza-Smith Flavia M. , Molina Patricia E.
Published: February 2022

At-risk alcohol use is a major contributor to the global health care burden and leads to preventable deaths and diseases including alcohol addiction, alcoholic liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, traumatic injuries, gastrointestinal diseases, cancers, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Excessive and frequent alcohol consumption has increasingly been linked to alcohol-associated tissue injury and pathophysiology, which have significant adverse effects on multiple organ systems. Extensive research in animal and in vitro models has elucidated the salient mechanisms involved in alcohol-induced tissue and organ injury. In some cases, these pathophysiological mechanisms are shared across organ systems. The major alcohol- and alcohol metabolite–mediated mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation and immunometabolic dysregulation, gut leak and dysbiosis, cell death, extracellular matrix remodeling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenomic modifications. These mechanisms are complex and interrelated, and determining the interplay among them will make it possible to identify how they synergistically or additively interact to cause alcohol-mediated multiorgan injury. In this article, we review the current understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms involved in alcohol-induced tissue injury.
Electrochemiluminescence Sensor Based on N-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Determination of Ceftazidime in Real Samples
Authors: Afshary Hosein , Amiri Mandana , Bezaatpour Abolfazl , Wark Michael
Published: February 2022

In this work, we report an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs), which has been synthesized by a solvothermal method. The N-CQDs were characterized using various techniques such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The potential sweep range (−0.5 to −2.2 V) shows a stable and strong ECL signal. Interestingly, the ECL intensity only decreased by less than 20% after storing at 4 °C for 10 months. The applicability of the N-CQD sensor in electroanalytical chemistry was identified by the linear ECL on–off response for ceftazidime in a concentration range from 1 × 10−7 to 5 × 10−4 mol l–1 and a detection limit of 2.3 × 10−8 mol l–1. The results suggest that the proposed ECL sensor is robustly applicable for analysis of ceftazidime in real samples such as human serum, bovine milk and commercial milk powder.
Probing Mechanical Properties of Solid-Electrolyte Interphases on Li Nuclei by In Situ AFM
Authors: Wang Wei-Wei , Gu Yu , Wang Jun-Hao , Chen Zhao-Bin , Yin Xiao-Ting , Wu Qi-Hui , Yan Jia-Wei , Mao Bing-Wei
Published: February 2022

Mechanical properties of solid-electrolyte interphases (SEIs) play pivotal roles in maintaining reversible cycling of Li metal anode. However less attentions have been paid to the integration of kinds of SEIs on Li nuclei, and precise characterization of mechanical properties of SEIs also appear challenging. Herein, we employ combined in-situ atomic force microscope (AFM) based nanoindentation and peak force quantitative nanomechanics (QNM) methods to explore structures, thickness and Young’s moduli of three kinds of SEIs which may appear in “anode-free” Li metal batteries, and correlate mechanical properties with chemical and/or electrochemical origins. Results show that SEIs formed by electrochemical reduction bear conventional double layer structures and are much thicker with smaller Young’s moduli, compared with the inorganic-organic hybrid SEIs formed with involvement of chemical reactions. In-situ AFM monitoring of morphology evolution shows that coexistence of different kinds of SEIs on individual Li nuclei, even with apparently minor differences in thickness and Young’s moduli, could result in breakages of SEI shells upon dissolution of Li nuclei. Our work reveals the importance of integration of kinds of SEIs on Li nuclei and demonstrates the advantage of combined use of nanoindentation and QNM methods in understanding the cause mechanical point of view.
Chain-Length Dependence of Crystallinity of Alkylamine Monolayers on YBa2Cu3O7
Authors: Ritchie Jason
Published: February 2022

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for a 1998 Department of Energy Summer Research Fellowship.
A Novel Strategy for Waste Prediction Using Machine Learning Algorithm with IoT Based Intelligent Waste Management System
Authors: Uganya G. , Rajalakshmi D. , Teekaraman Yuvaraja , Kuppusamy Ramya , Radhakrishnan Arun
Published: February 2022

Internet of Things (IoT) has now become an embryonic technology to elevate the whole sphere into canny cities. Hasty enlargement of smart cities and industries leads to the proliferation of waste generation. Waste can be pigeon-holed as materials-based waste, hazard potential based waste, and origin-based waste. These waste categories must be coped thoroughly to make certain of the ecological finest run-throughs irrespective of the origin or hazard potential or content. Waste management should be incorporated into ecological preparation since it is a grave piece of natural cleanliness. The most important goalmouth of waste management is to maintain the pecuniary growth and snootier excellence of life by plummeting and exterminating adversative repercussions of waste materials on environment and human health. Disposing of unused things is a significant issue, and this ought to be done in the best manner by deflecting waste development and keeping hold of cost, and it involves countless human resources to deal with the waste. These current techniques predominantly focus on cost-effective monitoring of waste management, and results are not imprecise, so that it could not be developed in real time or practically applications such as in educational organizations, hospitals, and smart cities. Internet of things-based waste management system provides a real-time monitoring system for collecting the garbage waste, and it does not control the dispersion of overspill and blowout gases with poor odor. Consequently, it leads to the emission of radiation and toxic gases and affects the environment and social well-being and induces global warming. Motivated by these points, in this research work, we proposed an automatic method to achieve an effective and intelligent waste management system using Internet of things by predicting the possibility of waste things. The wastage capacity, gas level, and metal level can be monitored continuously using IoT based dustbins, which can be placed everywhere in city. Then, our proposed method can be tested by machine learning classification techniques such as linear regression, logistic regression, support vector machine, decision tree, and random forest algorithm. The proposed method is investigated with machine learning classification techniques in terms of accuracy and time analysis. Random forest algorithm gives the accuracy of 92.15% and time consumption of 0.2 milli seconds. From this analysis, our proposed method with random forest algorithm is significantly better compared to other classification techniques.
Building Campus Sports Information Learning Platform Based on Intelligent Sensor Network
Authors: Chen Chao , Wu Zhiming , Chen Qing , Li Xinwen
Published: February 2022

In the present era of rapid network growth and in the face of growing national power rivalry, education, as the cornerstone of a nation and a national prosperity symbol, has been considered by countries around the world as an important indicator of comprehensive national power. From this perspective, education should keep pace with the times and integrate into the Internet era of “Internet+” and big data. Education computerization is a great product of education’s absorption into the Internet era and is an important content and an important symbol of education modernization. It can realize the modernization of education, and its construction can better reduce the teaching differences between regions, improve teaching quality, and balance resources in education. Moreover, it is conducive to the implementation of quality education and the cultivation of innovative talents, and it is an effective way to realize a learning society and build a lifelong education system. The experiment draws the results of the experiment by comparing the results of students receiving two different education methods. From the specific performance point of view, the average long jump score of boys in the experimental group was 4.40 m, while the average score of boys in the control group was 4.28 m, and the score of the experimental group was 0.12 m higher than that of the control group. The average long jump performance of the girls in the experimental group was 3.52 m, and the average performance of the girls in the control group was 3.30 m. In the long jump scores assessed in the second grade, the full score of boys is 4.35 m, and the score of girls is 3.49 m; the average scores of the experimental group students reached full marks. Compared with traditional teaching methods, information-based teaching facilitates the analysis of key and difficult points for teachers, greatly improves the quality and efficiency of teaching, and improves the teaching level of the classroom.
Investigation of Three-Dimensional Condensation Film Problem over an Inclined Rotating Disk Using a Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous Model
Authors: Khan Naveed Ahmad , Sulaiman Muhammad , Bonyah Ebenezer , Seidu Jamel , Alshammari Fahad Sameer
Published: February 2022

This paper analyzed the three-dimensional (3D) condensation film problem over an inclined rotating disk. The mathematical model of the problem is governed by nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDE’s), which are reduced to the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (NODE’s) using a similarity transformation. Furthermore, the system of NODEs is solved by the supervised machine learning strategy of the nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) neural network model with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The dimensionless profiles of velocity, acceleration, and temperature are investigated under the effect of variations in the Prandtl number and normalized thickness of the film. The results demonstrate that increasing the Prandtl number causes an increase in the fluid’s temperature profile. The solutions obtained by the proposed algorithm are compared with the state-of-the-art techniques that show the accuracy of the approximate solutions by NARX-BLM. The mean percentage errors in the results by the proposed algorithm for

Θ

η

,

Ψ

η

,

k

η

,

−
s

η

, and

θ

η

are

0.0000180
%

,

0.000084
%

,

0.0000135
%

,

0.000075
%

, and

0.00026
%

, respectively. The values of performance indicators, such as mean square error and absolute errors, are approaching zero. Thus, it validates the worth and efficiency of the design scheme.
Improving the Prehospital Identification and Acute Care of Acute Stroke Patients: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Bao Huan , Zhang Sumian , Hao Junjie , Zuo Lian , Xu Xiahong , Yang Yumei , Jiang Hua , Li Gang
Published: February 2022

Background. There are a large number of stroke patients in China, and there is currently a lack of prehospital acute stroke care training programs. Aim. To develop a prehospital emergency medical service (PEMS) training program to improve the prehospital identification and acute care of acute stroke. Methods. Forty prehospital emergency doctors whose service stations are located within a 10 km radius from Shanghai Pudong New Area Medical Emergency Service Center took this course on November 13, 2014. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate the PEMS personnel’s knowledge in stroke and acute stroke care and was conducted before and after training as an assessment of the effectiveness of training. The patient population in this study included a baseline cohort before training and a prospective cohort after training, each composed of patients who were sent to Shanghai East Hospital South Stoke Center within one year. The transit time, final diagnosis, administration of thrombolysis, and door-to-needle time (DNT) were collected and analyzed. Results. After the training, 100% of the PEMS personnel were competent to identify stroke cases using the Cincinnati prehospital stroke scale (CPSS). All participants realized that intravenous thrombolysis therapy in a time-sensitive manner is the most effective way to treat acute ischemic stroke. Although there was no difference in first-aid transit time before and after training, the stroke diagnosis rate improved by 6.5% after training

P
=
0.03

. The thrombolysis rate increased to 29.6% from 24.3% but did not reach statistical significance. Compared to 84.0 minutes (standard deviation: 23.1 minutes) before the training, the average DNT after training was 53 minutes (standard deviation: 15.0 minutes), demonstrating a remarkable reduction

P
<
0.01

. Conclusion. The training program effectively improved the PEMS personnel’s knowledge in stroke and stroke acute care.
Levels of Alpha-Fetoprotein and Association with Mortality in Hepatocellular Carcinoma of HIV-1-Infected Patients
Authors: Morsica Giulia , Galli Laura , Messina Emanuela , Cibarelli Alessandro , Bagaglio Sabrina , Poli Andrea , Ranzenigo Martina , Castagna Antonella , Hasson Hamid , Uberti-Foppa Caterina
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim. The clinical course of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is determined by cancer-related and nonrelated factors. We evaluated the effect of a cancer-related factor, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, on mortality in HIV-1-infected patients with HCC. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study on patients living with HIV-1 infection (PLWH) followed at the Division of Infectious Diseases of the San Raffaele Hospital, with cirrhosis and HCC diagnosed between 1999 and 2018 and with an available AFP value at HCC diagnosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to estimate the accuracy of baseline AFP in predicting death. Factors associated with the risk of death were identified using multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models. Results. Overall, 53 PLWH were evaluated: 18 patients received a curative treatment (9 liver transplantation, 5 liver resections and 4 radiofrequency ablation) and 35 a noncurative treatment (17 chemo or radio embolization, 10 sorafenib and 8 best supportive care). Baseline AFP was predictive of death [AUC 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–0.83], and the optimal cut-off was 28.8 ng/mL. At multivariable analysis, BL AFP ≥28.8 ng/mL was associated with death [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 7.05, 95% CI 1.94–25.71

P

 = 0.003]. Other factors were HBV infection (aHR 8.57, 95% CI 1.47–50.08,

P

 = 0.017) and treatment allocation (curative vs. noncurative, aHR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.40,

P

 = 0.0004). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that in PLWH AFP serum levels ≥28.8 ng/mL, HBV coinfection and treatment allocation represent predictive markers for death at the time of HCC diagnosis.
Research on High-Quality Development of Auto Parts Manufacturing Industry Based on Machine Learning Model
Authors: Yang Xuchang , Zheng Qian , Hu Yueying , Chen Ronghui , Wang Xuepeng , Liu Yanan
Published: February 2022

At present, in China’s automobile manufacturing industry, the main problem is the manufacturing of parts and on-board equipment. Most domestic industries still adopt the step-by-step production of parts, and each manufacturer customizes the required parts according to the scale and production needs of its own enterprise. This situation is easy to cause unstable quality of parts and serious unqualified quality inspection problems. Based on the above situation, we study the high-quality development, parts quality optimization, and remanufacturing of auto parts manufacturing industry with the support of machine learning model. Firstly, based on the analysis of auto parts procurement and production mode, this paper briefly describes the basic problems in the manufacturing process of auto parts in China. Machine learning technology is used to count the changes of quality data in manufacturing, and the quality standard is reflected in the learning model. The machine learning algorithm is used to diagnose and analyze the faults of auto parts and equipment, so as to turn high-quality production to high-quality production. The projection feature extraction algorithm is used to quantitatively analyze the low quality state of automobile parts. Finally, 3D printing technology is used to solve the quality manufacturing problem of parts with high-precision requirements, and the later materials are processed again to achieve the purpose of remanufacturing planning. The results show that the transformation of auto parts manufacturing to high quality can improve the economic development of the auto industry and meet the needs of modern society. The data analysis of parts controlled by machine learning model can help the precision manufacturing of automobile parts.
Diagnosis of Bronchial and Pulmonary Fungal Infection Using Gradient Weighted Denoising Algorithm-Based CT Images
Authors: Hu Hao , Zhou Lihua , Zhang Peng
Published: February 2022

Based on computed tomography (CT) with a gradient weighted denoising algorithm, the image denoising technique was applied to diagnose bronchial and pulmonary fungal infection to discuss the features of CT images and the efficiency of the denoising algorithm. Therefore, it could assist clinicians in disease treatment. The clinical data and imaging data of 100 patients with invasive pulmonary fungal infection were collected in the hospital. All of them were rolled into a natural denoising CT group (routine group) and gradient weighted denoising algorithm-based image denoising group (algorithm group). The images from the routine group were processed by the routine natural denoising method, and the images from the algorithm group were denoised with the gradient weighted denoising algorithm. The results showed that the algorithm group had greater denoising efficiency and less denoising time compared with the routine group (

P
<
0.05

). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the denoised images from the algorithm group were higher markedly than the above three indicators of the routine group (

P
<
0.05

). For bronchopulmonary infections, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the PDE model for CT denoised images were 99.00%, 96.87%, and 98.33%, the positive rate of chest CT examination was 86.2%, which was higher markedly than the rate of ordinary CT examination (70.5%), and the difference was statistically substantial (

P
<
0.05

). Besides, the mean absolute error (MAE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), and mean structural similarity index measure (MSSIM) of the algorithm group were better than those of the unprocessed images and the routine group (

P
<
0.05

). Moreover, the algorithm group had a good visual effect. In conclusion, the gradient weighted denoising algorithm could effectively remove the noise and bar artifacts in CT images and well retain the edge details of CT images, thereby improving the quality of CT images. Therefore, it was suitable for clinical diagnosis and had practical application value.
Value of Postoperative Serum Albumin to Predict Postoperative Complication Severity in Spinal Tuberculosis
Authors: Jiang Guanyin , Du Xing , Zhu Yong , Zhang Muzi , Qin Wanyuan , Xiong Tuotuo , Ou Yunsheng
Published: February 2022

Background. Many complications occur after surgery in patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB); however, the severity varies in different patients. The complications’ severity is evaluated from grades I to V by the Clavien–Dindo classification (CDC), and grade V is the most severe. Most complications are mild, and only severe complications are life threatening, and thus, it is important to identify severe complications in patients with STB. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of postoperative complication severity in patients with STB. Methods. Between January 2012 and May 2021, a retrospective study included 188 patients that underwent STB debridement surgery. The patients were divided into three groups based on postoperative complication severity. Clinical characteristics measured included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities of diabetes mellitus and pulmonary tuberculosis, alcohol use and smoking history, course of disease, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative serum albumin, preoperative lymphocytes, preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), preoperative C‐reactive protein (CRP), surgical approach, operating time, blood loss during surgery, postoperative hemoglobin, and postoperative serum albumin. The clinical characteristics of patients with STB who developed postoperative complications were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results. 188 patients suffered at least one postoperative complication; 77, 91, and 20 patients experienced grade I, II, and III‐IV complications, respectively. In the univariate analysis, sex, diabetes mellitus, postoperative hemoglobin, and postoperative albumin are statistically significant. In the multivariable analysis, postoperative albumin (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.861, P < 0.001) was an independent risk factor of the postoperative complication severity in patients with STB. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the optimal cutoff values for postoperative albumin were 32 g/L (sensitivity: 0.571, specificity: 0.714, area under the ROC curve: 0.680) and 30 g/L (sensitivity: 0.649, specificity: 0.800, area under the ROC curve: 0.697) for grade II and grade III‐IV complications, respectively. Conclusions. Postoperative albumin is an independent risk factor for postoperative complication severity in patients with STB. The improvement of postoperative albumin levels may reduce the risk of severe complications in patients with STB.