bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second-Order Generalized Plastic Hinge Method for Ultimate Bearing Capacity Estimation of Unbraced Steel Frames
Authors: Yang LuFeng , Wang JiaLiang , Bai DaLian , Ju Jiann-Wen Woody
Published: May 2023

The traditional first-order plastic hinge method (FPHM) utilizes the proportionality property to rapidly estimate the external load increment between any two adjacent plastic hinges, with superior computational efficiency. However, the FPHM cannot consider the influence of second-order effects and residual stresses. Although the refined plastic hinge method (RPHM) overcomes these problems, it must solve the nonlinear structural stiffness equation, resulting in low computational efficiency. In this paper, the second-order generalized plastic hinge method (sGPHM) is proposed to evaluate the ultimate bearing capacity of unbraced steel frames on the basis of using the proportionality property to estimate the external load increment. First, the element bearing ratio (EBR) that considers second-order effects and residual stresses is defined. Since the EBR and the external load are proportional, the plastic yield degree of the cross-section can be easily obtained. Then, the displacement increment and the load increment between any two adjacent plastic hinges can be rapidly estimated through the proportionality property between the EBR and the external load. Accumulating all load increments can determine the ultimate bearing capacity of frames. Finally, several benchmark frameworks in the literature are compared and analyzed with different methods to verify the superior calculation accuracy and efficiency of the proposed sGPHM.
Flat relative Mittag-Leffler modules and approximations
Authors: Ben Yassine Asmae , Trlifaj Jan
Published: May 2023

The classes [Formula: see text] of flat relative Mittag-Leffler modules are sandwiched between the class [Formula: see text] of all flat (absolute) Mittag-Leffler modules, and the class [Formula: see text] of all flat modules. Building on the works of Angeleri Hügel, Herbera, and Šaroch, we give a characterization of flat relative Mittag-Leffler modules in terms of their local structure, and show that Enochs’ Conjecture holds for all the classes [Formula: see text]. In the final section, we apply these results to the particular setting of [Formula: see text]-projective modules.
Existence of nonzero trace-zero idempotents in the group algebras of finite groups
Authors: Zhao Wenhua , Yan Dan
Published: May 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite group and [Formula: see text] a splitting field of [Formula: see text] of characteristic [Formula: see text]. Denote by [Formula: see text] the group algebra of [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the center of [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the [Formula: see text]-subspace of trace-zero elements of [Formula: see text]. We give some numerical sufficient and necessary conditions for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, to be Mathieu subspaces of [Formula: see text] in terms of the degrees of irreducible representations of [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]. The same numerical conditions also characterize the finite groups [Formula: see text] that [Formula: see text] has no nonzero trace-zero idempotents and the finite groups [Formula: see text] that [Formula: see text] has no nonzero central trace-zero idempotents, respectively.
Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Ag-ZnO Nanocomposite and its Anti-Bacterial Activity, Photocatalysis Toward Degradation of (CB) Dye and Removal Wastewater Pollution
Authors: Hazim Salim Karrar , Khudair Haider Falah , Mohammed Kahtan A. , Zabibah Rahman S. , Al-Khafaji Mohammed Ayad , Elayaperumal Manikandan , Saxena Kuldeep K.
Published: May 2023

The zinc oxide, silver particles and the nanocomposite Ag-ZnO were prepared in an easy, fast and environmentally friendly nanoscale method, where these nanomaterials were prepared from nitrates using plant leaf extract Albizia lebbeck, and this environmentally friendly method is safe, nontoxic and nonharmful to the environment, it is a system that is not only cost-effective, but also simple to use and efficient. The reduction reaction can regulate the features and qualities of the resultant chemicals. The researchers used a variety of methods to diagnose and investigate the properties of these nanomaterials, including scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed the formation of zinc oxide and silver in the form of nanoparticles with good properties, as well as the formation of the nanocomposite Ag-ZnO, and element analysis EDX, and infrared FT-IR, and the results showed the formation of zinc oxide and silver in the form of nanoparticles with good properties, and the results also showed the growth of Ag particles on the surface of the reduced zinc oxide and formation of nanocomposite Ag-ZnO. The photocatalytic degradation of Cibacron Brilliant Yellow 3G-P (CB) dye in the presence of visible light was investigated using Ag-ZnO nanostructures as a photocatalyst. About 1[Formula: see text]g/L of Ag-ZnO with 20[Formula: see text]ppm of the dye produces a greater efficiency in the photocatalysis of the dye in its aqueous solution. The influence of the catalyst amount was explored within the quantities (0.2–0.4–0.6–0.8–1.0–1.2–1.4[Formula: see text]g/L) of the components affecting the photo-smashing process to evaluate the best weight which was 1(g). A photosynthesis ratio was calculated using HCL and NaOH to modify the pH of solutions at a concentration of 5[Formula: see text]ppm, [Formula: see text], 4, 6, 8 and 10. It was also discovered that the acidic function 10 was the best function for breaking down the dye with a 99.1% success rate, and that the shattering reaction followed the kinetics of the first order (Pseudo first), with five consecutive reuses of the best catalyst agents in breaking down the dye Ag-ZnO, was also investigated. After 120[Formula: see text]min, Ag doping ZnO with 10% loading showed photocatalytic elimination of about 93%. and the impact of Ag-ZnO nanocomposite on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria was investigated, which were utilized as illustrative examples of the cream-negative bacterium and the positive bacteria, respectively. The findings indicated that the Ag-ZnO nanocomposite had a high rate of success in eradicating and destroying these germs, demonstrating the viability of using a nanoscale solution to sanitize and eradicate microorganisms.
Intelligent Multimedia Network Security and PBL Teaching Mode in the Basic Course Teaching of College Design Major
Authors: Gao Yuan , Wu Yani , Qian Jun
Published: May 2023

At this stage, there are problems of disconnection between theoretical knowledge and practice and lack of coherence and progression in the teaching of basic courses for design majors. The teaching of basic courses for design majors is an important part of design disciplines. Improving the teaching effect of basic courses of design majors is conducive to cultivating students' design thinking and improving students' creative ability. Under the traditional teaching mode, the teaching of the basic courses of design majors excessively pursues the cultivation of skills, ignoring the cultivation of students' imagination and creativity. Students are not very motivated to study the basic courses of design majors. Therefore, this article studied the application of intelligent multimedia Project-based Learning (PBL) teaching mode in the teaching of basic courses of design majors and analyzed the intelligent multimedia PBL teaching mode from five aspects: students' interest in learning, teamwork ability, learning efficiency, academic level, and satisfaction. Research showed that under the intelligent multimedia PBL teaching mode, students' interest in learning has increased by 4.37%, teamwork ability has increased by 5.07%, learning efficiency has increased by 4.65%, academic performance has increased by 5.85%, and student satisfaction has also increased.
Tertiarization Like China
Authors: Chen Xilu , Pei Guangyu , Song Zheng , Zilibotti Fabrizio
Published: May 2023

This article documents a rapid shift toward services (tertiarization) of the Chinese economy since 2005, as evidenced by the significant increase in both employment and value-added shares of the service sector. Notably, our analysis reveals that a variety of measures of productivity growth have been greater in the service sector than in the manufacturing sector. Firm-level measures of dynamism corroborate this ongoing tertiarization trend, which is not limited to services used as inputs to industrial production but extends also to consumer services. These findings are robust across different growth accounting methodologies, including a recently proposed method by Fan et al. (2023) that addresses challenges associated with the measurement of quality improvements in service industries.
Centimeter-Scale Violet Light Emitting Diode with Two-Dimensional BA2PbBr4 Perovskite Emitter
Authors: Sun Kien Wen
Published: May 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskite light emitting diodes (LEDs) with violet emission were demonstrated with areal sizes in the centimeter scale. High-quality and uniform 2D BA2PbBr4 thin film was synthesized via combined thermal evaporation, spin-coating, and anti-solvent techniques. The perovskite film was authenticated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy and exhibited high in crystallinity and morphology. The absorption spectrum fitted using Tauc plot revealed a bandgap of ∼3.0 eV, which agrees well with the photoluminescence spectrum. A p-i-n diode structure with a BA2PbBr4 active area of ∼2 cm2 was fabricated using LiF, TmPyPb, and PEDOT:PSS as the electron injection, electron, and hole transport layers, respectively. The device displayed a diode behavior with a turn-on voltage at 1.75 V and a saturation current of 65 mA cm−2. The electroluminescence of LEDs was centered at ∼406 nm with full width at half maximum of 13.6 nm, a color purity of 83.9%, and CIE coordinates of (0.18, 0.07). The optimum external quantum efficiency and luminance of 0.083% and 112 cd m−2 were achieved at current density of 59 mA cm−2. To our best knowledge, this investigation first realized 2D BA2PbBr4 perovskite LEDs with the shortest emission wavelength and high color purity in violet.
High-precision State of Charge Estimation of Lithium-ion Batteries Based on Joint Compression Factor Particle Swarm Optimization-Forgetting Factor Recursive Least Square-Adaptive Extended Kalman Filtering
Authors: Yang Junjie , Wang Shunli , Chen Lei , Qiao Jialu , Fernandez Carlos , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: May 2023

Accurate state of charge (SOC) estimation is an important basis for battery energy management and the applications of lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, an improved compression factor particle swarm optimization-forgetting factor recursive least square (CFPSO -FFRLS) algorithm is proposed, in which the forgetting factor is optimized to identify more accurate parameters for high-precision SOC estimation of lithium-ion battery. In order to improve the SOC estimation accuracy, a dual noise update link is introduced to the traditional extended Kalman filter (EKF), which enhances the algorithm’s ability to adapt to noise by updating the process and measurement noises in real time. The experimental results of parameter identification and SOC estimation show that the CFPSO-FFRLS algorithm proposed significantly improves the accuracy of parameter identification, and the joint CFPSO-FFRLS-AEKF algorithm can accurately estimate the SOC of lithium-ium battery under different working conditions. Under HPPC, BBDST and DST working conditions, the mean absolute errors of SOC estimation are 1.14%, 0.78% and 1.1%, which are improved by 42.71%, 65.79% and 39.56% compared with FFRLS-EKF algorithm, and the root mean square errors are 1.18%, 0.99% and 1.11%, improved by 44.86%, 65.98% and 51.74%, respectively.
Synergetic Effect of Gr-B4C Reinforcement on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of AA6351 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Ali Shahazad , Murtaza Qasim , Gupta Pallav
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Graphite (Gr)-Boron Carbide (B4C) reinforcement particles on the mechanical characteristics of an aluminium-based hybrid metal matrix composites. Hybrid metal matrix composites (MMCs) were prepared by adding different proportions of Gr and B4C (0.5–0.5, 1.0–1.0, 1.5–1.5, and 2.0–2.0 wt%) through liquid metallurgy (stir casting) route. The phase, microstructure, EDS, density, hardness, tensile strength of fabricated samples were studied. Through X-ray diffraction analysis, it was established that there was a transitional stage of development between the matrix and reinforcement particles due to interfacial bonding. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy results indicate a consistent dispersion of reinforcement particles within the aluminium matrix up to the 1 wt% Graphite and 1 wt% B4C. As the proportion of reinforcement increased, a decrease in density was observed, with the lowest density as 2.62 g cc−1 in the sample containing 2 wt% Graphite and 2 wt% B4C. The best mechanical characteristics of the fabricated hybrid metal matrix were observed with 1 wt% Graphite and 1 wt% B4C, with a hardness of 82 HRC, impact strength of 32 Joules, and an engineering ultimate tensile strength of 134.3 MPa.
Revisiting Y3Al5−xGaxO12 Solid Solutions Doped with Chromium Ions: Effect of Local Symmetry on Thermal Quenching of Cr3+ and Cr4+ Ions
Authors: Piotrowski W. M. , Kinzhybalo V. , Marciniak L.
Published: May 2023

The oxidation of chromium ions to the 4+ state in phosphors doped with Cr3+ ions is often considered negative due to the activation of the parasitic Cr3+→Cr4+ luminescence quenching channel. However, in this paper, a systematic study of the effect of host material stoichiometry on the spectroscopic properties of Cr4+ in Y3Al5−xGaxO12 is investigated to develop ratiometric luminescence thermometers. Correlations between the structural properties of the host and the luminescence thermal quenching process of Cr4+ ions emission associated with the 3B2→3B1 electronic transition enabled the development of a luminescence thermometer exploiting the ratio of Cr3+ to Cr4+ emissions with a relative sensitivity of 2.04%K−1. The studies carried out enabled a better understanding of the formation processes of Cr4+ ions.
One Pot Synthesis of CuO-CuFe2O4@rGO Nanostructure with Synergistic Effect for Efficient Electrochemical Sensing Application of Paracetamol
Authors: Bhangoji Jagdish C. , Kahandal Sandeep S. , Patil Rahul S. , Lambat Trimurti L. , Khan Shirinaz I. , Wadhava Gurumeet , Mahmood Sami H. , Shendage Suresh S.
Published: May 2023

In the present study, the facile and synergistic approach for electrochemical sensing of paracetamol (PA) drug was demonstrated by hydrothermally synthesized copper oxide-copper ferrite nanohybrid composite supported on reduced graphene oxide (CuO-CuFe2O4@rGO) glassy carbon electrode. The surface texture and structural information of the electrode material were examined by FE-SEM, HR-TEM, and X-ray diffraction techniques, whereas the electrochemical sensing application of paracetamol oxidation was investigated by amperometric method. The average crystallite size of CuO-CuFe2O4was calculated from XRD data and found to be 35.45 nm. The fabricated sensor exhibited a higher sensitivity of 970.26μA.mM−1.cm−2along with a lower limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 7.0μM and 25μM, respectively, with a linear dynamic range of 10–1200μM. Furthermore, the CuO-CuFe2O4@rGO modified sensor showed excellent anti-interferents ability, long-term stability and reproducibility towards electro-oxidation of paracetamol drug. Moreover, it can be efficiently applied for the analysis of paracetamol in biological samples. Finally, the synthesized nanocomposite material was validated to be a competent electrocatalyst for electrochemical sensing application of paracetamol.
Microwave-Assisted Digestion Using Dilute Nitric Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide for Multielement Determination in Wheat Flour by ICP-MS
Authors: Alhagri Ibrahim A. , Albeshry Mosa
Published: May 2023

A closed-vessel microwave digestion method was developed for the simultaneous determination of macro, micro, and toxic elements (Mg, K, Ca, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, V, Cd, and As) in wheat by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A two-level factorial design with four variables was employed to determine the optimal conditions for the significant parameters. The optimal conditions for microwave digestion of ground wheat samples were found to be 0.5 g of the sample, 9 mL of 8 mol/L HNO3, and 3 mL of 33% H2O2 at 210°C. The analytical method was validated, and the accuracy of the method was then evaluated through analysis of wheat flour-certified standard reference materials (NIST SRM 1567b). The validated procedure was subsequently applied to the analysis of 12 wheat samples sourced from local farms in the Al-Qassim region and a further six samples purchased from the Al-Qassim markets, covering six imported brands common in Saudi Arabia. The results of the study showed that the level of minerals in wheat grown in desert areas is higher than in other areas. The concentrations of macroelements and microelements in the Al-Qassim samples exceeded those of the imported samples by 12.41% and those of the samples from other countries by 33.90%. The results were also evaluated using multivariate analysis techniques: principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).
Repeat Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction in Azoospermic Men with Nonmosaic Klinefelter Syndrome
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Han , Huang I-Shen , Chen Wei-Jen , Li Li-Hua , Huang Eric Yi-Hsiu , Huang William J.
Published: May 2023

Introduction. To investigate the predictive factors for successful repeat microdissection testicular sperm extraction attempts in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. Methods. A total of 28 azoospermic men with nonmosaic Klinefelter syndrome who have received microdissection testicular sperm extraction twice with successful initial microdissection testicular sperm extraction attempts in our institute were studied. Outcome variables (age, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol) of azoospermic men with nonmosaic Klinefelter syndrome and a successful 2nd surgical sperm retrieval attempt (group A) were compared to those with an unsuccessful 2nd sperm retrieval attempt (group B). Results. Twenty-one patients (75%) had successful sperm recovery at the 2nd microdissection testicular sperm extraction attempt. The mean testosterone level at baseline and before the 1st microdissection testicular sperm extraction attempt was higher in group A than in group B (2.7 vs. 0.9 ng/mL,

p
<
0.01

, and 3.9 vs. 1.1 ng/mL,

p
=
0.02

). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified the threshold baseline testosterone concentration (1.5 ng/mL) of patients with Klinefelter syndrome in predicting successful 2nd sperm retrieval attempts and revealed positive and negative predictive values of 94.44% and 60%, respectively. Conclusion. Azoospermic men with Klinefelter syndrome presenting with low testosterone levels and successful sperm recovery during the first microdissection testicular sperm extraction procedure are unlikely to retrieve sperm on the 2nd microdissection testicular sperm extraction attempt. Hence, these patients should be properly counseled before sperm retrieval.
Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity Studies on the Crude Leaf Extract of Solanum sisymbriifolium: Traditional Ethiopian Medicinal Plant
Authors: Gebrewbet Gebrihans Haile , Hndeya Abadi Gebreyesus
Published: May 2023

Ethiopians have used medicinal plants for centuries. In some cases, it is important and the only treatment source. However, these plant species have not been fully studied. In addition, society is inevitably losing knowledge of traditional medicinal plants as society adopts new lifestyles. Consequently, the objective of this research was to determine the phytochemical components and antibacterial activity of Solanum sisymbriifolium, a traditional medicinal plant used in Ethiopia to treat arthritis. Phytochemical analyses were performed on the leaf extracts to identify the bioactive constituents. The results of this study indicated that the plant contains carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, steroids, saponins, and terpenoids. Tannins and anthraquinones were absent. Alkaloids and terpenoids’ presence in the leaves of these plants is a potential bioactive for bacterial inhibitors. At optimal conditions (62°C, 72 hr, and 1 mm particle size), the maximum extraction yield is

38.538.5
±
1.15

%. Crystals obtained from aqueous methanol extracts were subjected to FT-IR, and the compound spectrum showed a characteristic absorption band for the N-H group at 3500 cm-1 and 1700 cm-1 for the C = O group, and the medium intensity at 1236 cm-1 indicates a C-O stretching. Sharp absorption at 707 cm-1 is inductive for = C-H bending. According to agar disc diffusion tests, plant extracts of 50 mg/mL produced 14.04 mm growth inhibition zones of Bacillus subtilis. Phytochemical and antibacterial studies of Solanum sisymbriifolium indicated that the plant is a source of highly valued compounds for the preparation of medications.
Antiangiogenic Potential of Troxerutin and Chitosan Loaded Troxerutin on Chorioallantoic Membrane Model
Authors: Subbaraj Gowtham Kumar , Elangovan Harini , Chandramouli Prema , Yasam Santhosh Kumar , Chandrasekaran Kirubhanand , Kulanthaivel Langeswaran , Pandi Sangavi , Subramanian Senthilkumar
Published: May 2023

Angiogenesis is crucial to the development of cancer because it allows the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors as well as the spread of tumors to distant organs. Inhibitors of angiogenesis prevent the formation of blood vessels that allow tumor cells to shrink, rather than promote tumor growth. Chitosan acts as a carrier for many drugs, since the compound has various properties such as biodegradable, less toxicity, more stable, simple, easy to prepare, and biocompatible. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated with troxerutin (Chi‐Trox NPs) against angiogenesis and cancer in ova chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Chi‐Trox NPs were synthesized using a nanoprecipitation method and were characterized by various analyses. 24 hours’ fertilized eggs (6 eggs/group) were treated with native Trox and Chi‐Trox NPs for 5 days. The antiangiogenic activity was evaluated by morphometric, histopathological, immunohistochemical (CD104 and vimentin), and mRNA expression of MMP and FGF2 using RT‐PCR. The anticancer activity was evaluated by histopathological, immunohistochmical (CD44), and mRNA expression of FGF2 and MMP. The synthesized chitosan NPs were successfully encapsulated with troxerutin, and the loading efficiency of chitosan NPs was found to be 86.4 ± 0.12% and 13.2 ± 0.16% respectively. Morphometric analysis of Chi‐Trox NPs showed a considerable decrease in the number of blood vessels compared with control and native Trox. The histopathological observation of CAM confirmed that Chi‐Trox NPs induce a significant reduction in inflammatory cells and the thickness of blood capillaries compared to control and native Trox. The immunohistochemical evaluation of CAM revealed Chi‐Trox decreased CD104, vimentin and CD44 protein levels were compared with control and native Trox. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of FGF2 and MMP were significantly downregulated compared to their native forms. From the obtained results, Chi‐Trox NPs possess significant inhibition of angiogenesis and can be used as therapeutic agents for cancer in the future.
Engineering Characteristics and Application Analysis of Red Sandstone in the Lanzhou Metro
Authors: Li Yujie , Feng Zhongju , Zhu Yanpeng , Wei Pengyun , Zhao Fudeng
Published: May 2023

The water-rich red sandstone strata at the Lanzhou Metro site area have special engineering properties and vary greatly in their speed of disintegration when exposed to water. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive and systematic study of the engineering properties of red sandstone and their classification. From the disintegration speed of red sandstone encountered during the excavation of Lanzhou metro lines 1 and 2, the relationship between physical parameters such as particle size, composition, dry density, and permeability coefficient as well as mechanical parameters such as shear wave speed, dynamic penetration test (DPT), natural uniaxial compressive strength, and disintegration speed of red sandstone was analyzed through indoor and outdoor tests and geological exploration data statistics, and classification guidelines for red sandstone are given. The results show a significant correlation between dry density, permeability coefficient, natural uniaxial compressive strength, and disintegration speed. The red sandstone can be classified as I, II, and III according to the disintegration speed, dry density, permeability coefficient, and natural uniaxial compressive strength. The design of the foundations is differentiated according to the classification, and different support systems are used for the deep foundation pits of the metro stations. The category I red sandstone pit is supported by diaphragm walls with internal bracing, the category II pit by bite piles with internal bracing, and the category III pit by row piles with internal bracing. The study results can provide technical support and experience reference for the investigation, design, and construction of metro projects in similar red sandstone distribution areas.
Open-Source Ethernet MAC IP Cores for FPGAs: Overview and Evaluation
Authors: Fibich Christian , Schmitt Patrick , Höller Roland , Rössler Peter
Published: May 2023

Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) can be found in an increasing number of application domains, such as the telecom industry, the automotive electronics sector, or automation technology as well as in the area of reconfigurable computing. In recent years, it can be observed that the open-source idea which is known from the software domain for a long time also became popular in the world of hardware and FPGA design. In the era of the Internet of Things, many of today’s electronic devices implement some kind of network interface with Ethernet being known as one of the most widely used network standards. Thus, there is consequently a high demand on available Ethernet implementations for FPGA platforms. The goal of this work is to survey available open-source Ethernet MAC IP cores, evaluate existing designs in terms of performance, resource utilization, code quality, or maturity, and to present and summarize the evaluation results herein. Furthermore, advantages of commercial solutions and related publication work are discussed. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first publication that evaluates and compares existing open-source Ethernet MAC IP cores on a large scale. This work should help designers to select an appropriate open-source Ethernet MAC for an FPGA design and shows possible pitfalls and things to pay attention when using an open-source IP core in general. Finally, the authors would like to show that the open-source community can be also very helpful in the world of hardware in terms of design reuse or time to market.
Computation of Zagreb Polynomial and Indices for Silicate Network and Silicate Chain Network
Authors: Ghani Muhammad Usman , Inc Mustafa , Sultan Faisal , Cancan Murat , Houwe Alphonse
Published: May 2023

The connection of Zagreb polynomials and Zagreb indices to chemical graph theory is a bifurcation of mathematical chemistry, which has had a crucial influence on the development of chemical sciences. Nowadays, the study of topological indices has become a vast effective research area in chemical graph theory. In this article, we add up eight different Zagreb polynomials for the Silicate Network and Silicate Chain Network. From these Zagreb polynomials, we catch up on degree-based Zagreb indices. We also provide a graphical representation of the outcome that describes the dependence of topological indices on the given parameters of polynomial structure.
Safety and Clinical Response to Combined Immunotherapy with Autologous iNKT Cells and PD-1+CD8+ T Cells in Patients Failing First-line Chemotherapy in Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Wang Jing , Cheng Xiaobo , Jin Yanling , Xia Bili , Qin Ran , Zhang Wei , Hu Huiliang , Mao Xiaoting , Zhou Liting , Yan Jia , Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Jianqing
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

A phase I clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety and feasibility of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells combined with PD-1+CD8+ T cells in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and failing the first-line chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods:

Fifteen eligible patients were enrolled, of whom 9 received at least three cycles of treatment each. In total, 59 courses were administered.

Results:

Fever was the most common adverse event, peaking at about 2–4 hours after cell infusion and reverting within 24 hours without treatment in all patients. Influenza-like reactions such as headache, myalgia, and arthralgia were also observed in 4, 4, and 3 of the patients, respectively. In addition, vomiting and dizziness were prevalent, while abdominal pain, chest pain, rash, and stuffy nose were rare adverse events, each reported in 1 patient. Side effects above grade 2 were not observed. Two patients achieved partial regression, while 1 patient experienced disease progression assessed 4 weeks after the third course. Three patients are still alive at the time of writing and have progression-free survival longer than 12 months. The overall survival time has been extended to over 12 months in 6 of the 9 patients. No constant changes of CD4+ T, B, and NK cells were recorded except for elevated CD8+ T cells after the first course.

Conclusions:

The combination of autologous iNKT cells and PD-1+CD8+ T cells was a safe therapeutic strategy against advanced pancreatic cancer. The patients exhibited a potentially promising prolonged survival time. Further study appears warranted to evaluate the efficacy of these combined cell infusions in pancreatic cancer.

Trial registration:

This trial was included in the clinical trial which was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ID:NCT03093688) on March 15, 2017.

Significance:

There is an unmet need for novel, more effective, and tolerable therapies for pancreatic cancer. Here we present a phase I clinical trial employing iNKT cells combined with PD-1+CD8+ T cells in 9 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and failing the first-line chemotherapy. The combined immunotherapy was shown to be feasible in the enrolled patients with limited side effects and optimistic clinical responses, which could bring opportunity of therapeutic advancement.
Decreased Muscle Strength in Children With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Relation With Exercise Capacity
Authors: Eshuis Graziëlla , van Duinen Hiske , Lelieveld Otto T. H. M. , Hegeman Anneke K. , Nijenhuis Hessel , Willems Tineke P. , Hepping Ann M. , Maurits Natasha , du Marchie Sarvaas Gideon J. , Berger Rolf M. F.
Published: May 2023

Background

The aim of this study is to describe muscle strength in pediatric patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot compared with healthy peers and to analyze the correlation between muscle strength and peak oxygen uptake, exercise capacity (mL/min).

Methods and Results

A prospective, cross‐sectional study was carried out in the University Medical Center Groningen between March 2016 and December 2019, which included 8 ‐to‐19‐year‐old patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Exclusion criteria comprised the following: Down syndrome, unstable pulmonary disease and severe scoliosis affecting pulmonary function, neuromuscular disease, and mental or physical limitations that prohibit the execution of the functional tests. Muscle strength was compared with 2 healthy pediatric cohorts from the Northern Netherlands. Handgrip strength, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, and dynamic muscle strength in correlation with peak oxygen uptake, exercise capacity (mL/min) were the main outcomes of the study. The 67 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (42% female; aged 12.9 [interquartile range, 10.0–16.3] years old) were compared with healthy children. The patients showed reduced grip strength (
z
‐score [mean±SD] −1.5±1.2,
P
<0.001), and total muscle strength (
z
‐score −0.9±1.3,
P
<0.001). Dynamic strength (Bruininks‐Oseretsky test) was significantly reduced (
z
‐score −0.3±0.8,
P
=0.001), but running, speed, and agility were normal (
z
‐score 0.1±0.7,
P
=0.4). Univariate correlation analyses showed strong correlations between absolute peak oxygen uptake, exercise capacity (mL/min), and muscle strength (grip strength
r
=0.83, total muscle strength
r
=0.88;
P
<0.001). In multivariate analyses, including correction for age and sex, total muscle strength (B 0.3;
P
=0.009), and forced vital capacity (B 0.5;
P
=0.02) correlated with peak oxygen uptake, exercise capacity (mL/min), independent of conventional cardiovascular parameters.

Conclusions

Children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot show reduced muscle strength, which strongly correlated with their exercise performance.
Metabolism and Art
Authors: Rogers Hannah Star , Bencard Adam
Published: May 2023

Metabolism holds potential as both a crucial topic and an analytical tool for our current biopolitical moment, for understanding the agency and significance of material forces as they move into and through bodies. From this vantage point, this article suggests practicing a metabolic gaze by reading together metabolism and contemporary art. It discusses ways of defining metabolism that might be productive in helping to produce tools and touchstones for metabolic readings, before presenting examples of artworks that might be interestingly illuminated by light of this sign.
Collaborations in Art and Medicine: Institutional Critique, Patient Participation, and Emerging Entanglements
Authors: Johnstone Fiona
Published: May 2023

In recent decades, collaborations between artists and clinicians or biomedical researchers have become increasingly common and now constitute a distinctive category of art-science collaboration. This article reflects on the intellectual and material conditions of such collaborations, exploring two genealogies for these practices—”sciart” and arts and health—with a focus on two key areas: (1) the need for stakeholders to recognize fine art practice as research and knowledge-production (rather than merely as illustrative, educational, or therapeutic); (2) the challenges and opportunities presented by patient-participant involvement. Finally, it explores critical medical humanities as an emergent framework currently shaping these kinds of collaborations.
Explaining Loss of Standing to Blame
Authors: Snedegar Justin
Published: May 2023

Both in everyday life and in moral philosophy, many think that our own past wrongdoing can undermine our standing to indignantly blame others for similar wrongdoing. In recent literature on the ethics of blame, we find two different kinds of explanation for this. Relative moral status accounts hold that to have standing to blame, you must be better than the person you are blaming, in terms of compliance with the norm. Fault-based accounts hold that those who blame others for things of which they are also guilty exhibit familiar moral faults, such as making an exception of oneself, and that these faults explain why they lack standing. I argue in support of relative moral status accounts, showing that they both better trace our practice of dismissing blame on the basis of lack of standing, and that they have more explanatory resources than have been appreciated.
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Hypoxylon zhaotongensis sp. nov. (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales), a bambusicolous fungus from Yunnan, China
Authors: ZHANG GUI-QING , DAI DONG-QIN , WIJAYAWARDENE NALIN N. , PROMPUTTHA ITTHAYAKORN , BHAT D. JAYARAMA , DAWOUD TURKI M. , TIBPROMMA SAOWALUCK , WEI XIAO-MEI
Published: May 2023

During a survey of bambusicolous fungi in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, several saprobic fungi associated with dead bamboo culms were collected and cursorily identified as species belonging to Xylariales (Sordariomycetes), based on a morphological approach. In this study, a new species, Hypoxylon zhaotongensis, from bamboo was established. In addition, molecular analyses based on multiple gene sequences (ITS, LSU, RPB2, β-tubulin) were carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of the new isolates. The morphological characteristics show that our new taxon differs from the known Hypoxylon species in having broader asci and ascospores with conspicuously straight germ-slit, which is less than the spore length. Detailed description, photo-plate and a phylogenetic tree showing the taxonomic placement of the new species are provided in this paper.
Taxonomic update of Magnolia subsect. Talauma (Magnoliaceae) from Cuba
Authors: TESTÉ ERNESTO , GARCÍA-BELTRÁN JOSÉ ANGEL , PALMAROLA ALEJANDRO , ROBERT THIERRY , BÉCQUER ELDIS R.
Published: May 2023

The taxonomy of Magnolia subsect. Talauma in Cuba has long been debated with many changes in the last few years. New evidence based on ecological, morphological and genetic data has indicated the occurrence of three taxa, with changes in the limits from the latest taxonomic treatment. In this sense, the taxonomy and nomenclature of Magnolia subsect. Talauma in Cuba is reviewed. Diagnoses of all taxa are presented with an identification key, nomenclatural information and distribution. Magnolia subsect. Talauma in Cuba comprises three endemic species: Magnolia orbiculata, M. minor and M. oblongifolia. Magnolia orbiculata is the only species that keeps the same limits as in the previous taxonomic treatments of the group, whereas it is not the same for the northeastern Cuban species.
Globba praetermissa (Zingiberaceae), a new species of G. sect. Globba from Yunnan, China
Authors: JIN JIA YI , WANG YI HUI , XIA NIAN HE , BAI LIN
Published: May 2023

China represents the northern distribution margin of the genus Globba, with only eight species recorded previously. However, the identity of some of the species remains problematic. Globba barthei was recorded as occurring in Guangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces by some authors, although the name had been regarded as a synonym of G. marantina by others. Based on specimen examination and field study, we confirm that some of the specimens that were previously identified as G. barthei indeed belong to G. marantina, while others represent a new species, which is described here as G. praetermissa. We have confirmed that G. barthei is conspecific with G. marantina and the latter name should be adopted. Furthermore, this species is newly reported in Hainan province. Globba praetermissa, which is known from southern Yunnan Province, is most similar to G. purpurascens, a species distributed in northern Thailand and northern Laos, in having lax, pendent inflorescence, densely ciliate bracts and lateral staminodes being nearly equal in length to the lateral corolla lobes. However G. praetermissa differs by having green upper leaf sheaths, ovate or elliptic and larger laminae, ovate, pale green and larger bracts, pedicels fully enclosed by bracteoles, longer calyx, and six appendages including a smaller pair between the two larger pairs. Furthermore, no fruits of G. praetermissa were seen in herbarium specimens or in the field and according to previous studies, the species is probably triploid with 2n=48, while G. purpurascens is a diploid with 2n=36, which produce fruits. A tabulated comparison of G. praetermissa, G. marantina and G. purpurascens as well as color plates of the first two species are provided.
Combining morphological and mitochondrial DNA data to describe a new species of Austroniscus Vanhöffen, 1914 (Isopoda, Janiroidea, Nannoniscidae) linking abyssal and hadal depths of the Puerto Rico Trench
Authors: KAISER STEFANIE , STRANSKY BENTE , JENNINGS ROBERT M. , KIHARA TERUE CRISTINA , BRIX SASKIA
Published: May 2023

Hadal trenches are perceived as a unique deep-sea ecosystem with fundamentally different communities compared to the nearby abyss. So far, however, scarce information exists about how populations are genetically linked within a trench and about mechanisms for species divergence. The present study presents the morphological and molecular-genetic characterization and description of a new nannoniscid species within the genus Austroniscus Vanhöffen, 1914 obtained from abyssal and hadal depths of the Puerto Rico Trench, NW Atlantic. Samples were collected as part of the Vema-TRANSIT expedition onboard RV Sonne in January 2015. Because of the large depth differences between sampling locations (4,552–8,338 m), we expected to find different species within the genus inhabiting abyssal and hadal sites. Initial morphological examination using traditional light microscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy was paired with subsequent molecular analysis based on mtDNA (COI and 16S). Contrary to our assumptions, combined morphological and molecular species delimitation analyses (sGMYC, mPTP, ABGD) revealed the presence of only one species spanning the abyssal and hadal seafloor of the Puerto Rico Trench. In addition, comparison with type material could show that this species belongs to a new species, Austroniscus brandtae n. sp., which is described herein. Incongruence between some species delimitation methods suggesting the presence of multiple species is interpreted as strong genetic population structuring within the trench, which is also supported by the analysis of the haplotype networks. The geographic and bathymetric distribution of Austroniscus species is discussed. The species described herein represents the first in the genus Austroniscus from the Atlantic Ocean and the deepest record of the genus to date, and hence significantly expanding previously known limits of its geographic and bathymetric range.
Description of the larva of Macrostemum floridum (Navás 1929) (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) and its feeding habits in Kaengkrung National Park, southern Thailand.
Authors: VALDON SOLOMON BOGA , PONGTIPPATEE PATTIRA , LAUDEE PONGSAK
Published: May 2023

A morphological description of the last (fifth) instar larva of Macrostemum floridum (Navás 1929), its life cycle, and feeding habits are provided. The study was conducted along the Khlong Yan Stream in Kaengkrung National Park, southern Thailand. Larval identification was achieved by the metamorphotype method of associating immature stages with the adult. A graph of head capsule widths for all instars is provided. Gut content analysis showed that the main food items were diatoms, green algae, and blue-green algae. The larvae construct fixed retreats and feed as collecting filterers.
The Lower Pliocene marine gastropods of Santa Maria Island, Azores: Taxonomy and palaeobiogeographic implications
Authors: SACCHETTI CLAUDIA , LANDAU BERNARD , ÁVILA SÉRGIO P.
Published: May 2023

In this work, all the Lower Pliocene gastropod assemblages of Santa Maria Island are revised. These all form part of the Touril Complex. Seventy-seven species are identified representing 61 genera. Two species are described as new: Bittium miradouroense nov. sp. and Erato mayeri nov. sp. The name Tritonium secans Bronn in Reiss 1862 is considered a junior subjective synonym of Monoplex comptus (A. Adams, 1855). Pleurotoma perturrita Bronn in Reiss 1862 is considered a junior subjective synonym of Crassopleura maravignae (Bivona, 1838). However, due to the difficulties in collecting from these deposits, this is likely to be a considerable underestimate of the original diversity of local Early Pliocene gastropod faunas. The assemblage reflects a fully tropical with mean annual sea surface temperatures (SSTs) estimated about 3.7°C to 6.3°C higher than the present-day 20.6°C, and with mean monthly SSTs ranging from 20°C to 28°C, with six months with mean SSTs over 24°C. The assemblages all represent relatively shallow water, fully saline marine environments. At genus level the assemblage is typical of that seen in the tropical Mediterranean-West African Palaeobiogeographical Province during the early Pliocene (MPPMU1; roughly equivalent to the Zanclean and earliest Piacenzian). At species level, 35% of the species taxa found in Santa Maria are also found in the Mediterranean during MPPMU1. There is a much weaker association with the northern warm temperate Pliocene Boreal-Celtic Province, with only 17% of species occurring in both. Moreover, most of those are ubiquitous European species with both wide geographic and stratigraphic distributions. The assemblage is relatively endemic (29%) suggesting that the Azorean subprovince/ecoregion, which is recognised today, was already in place in the Lower Pliocene. A small number of tonnoidean species found in Santa Maria are species known to have had an amphiatlantic distribution during the Pliocene, and for Distorsio mcgintyi Emerson & Puffer, 1953, a well-known and widely distributed tropical American Atlantic species from the Early Miocene to present-day, its presence in Santa Maria marks the most easterly range expansion for the species, as today is not found in the Azores.
Photovoltaic Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells and Their Continuous Charge Path Control in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Xue Yuanfei , Li Xin , Diao Xudong , Mao Chenyuan
Published: May 2023

Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) are new thin-film photovoltaic devices that have developed rapidly in recent years. It is considered a promising third-generation solar cell due to its high Monochromatic Incident Photon-to-electron Conversion Efficiency (IPCE), simple preparation process, and low cost. Firstly, the photoelectric characteristics of PSCs with four different structures and light-absorbing materials are analyzed. The results show that when CH3NH3PbI3is used as the absorbing layer, the perovskite film with a porous structure has good crystallinity, and the photogenerated electron injection of TiO2is more effective. The photoelectric Conversion Rate (CVR) of Pb-based organic cells with porous structure reaches 14.67%, and the photoelectric CVR of Pb-based organic cells with flat plate structure is only 6.35%. Then, a simple superimposed electrode type PSC is designed. Experiments have shown that the structure can greatly improve IPCE. The Spiro-MeOTAD layer should be retained. When the Layer one spraying amount is 250μL, and the Layer two spraying amount is 500μL, the IPCE obtained by the battery is the highest. The IPCE of the battery prepared by the ball milling method is higher than that of the battery prepared by the ultrasonic crushing method. Different substrate materials are compared. Using aluminum foil as the substrate can achieve the best photoelectric performance, and the corresponding photoelectric CVR reaches 11.62%. Based on the above test results, superimposed electrode-type PSCs are prepared and used in electric vehicle power generation devices. Super-Capacitor (SC) connection enables continuous charging in low-light conditions. The results show that the SC charges the designed superimposed electrode-type PSCs when the brightness decreases. The timing of charging and discharging is adjusted under the upper and lower limits of the threshold to ensure that the design PSCs remain charged.