bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Performance Analysis of Fire Detection Using a Lightweight Convolutional Neural Network Model
Authors: Kwon Heejun , Choi Sugi , Jung Haiyoung
Published: December 2024

The demand for AI-based fire detection technologies that can swiftly identify various fire and non-fire scenarios is increasing. This study compared the fire detection and classification performances of several CNN-based models across nine fire-related events: clouds, fog, chimney smoke, wildfires, building fires, and indoor fires. Each model was trained using a dataset comprised of 27,000 fire-related images. The experimental results indicated that the MobileNet v1 model, which incorporates a depthwise separable convolution layer structure, was the most lightweight (54.6 MB) while demonstrating moderate classification accuracy (66.0%) in distinguishing between fire and non-fire events. Additionally, a detailed analysis using the confusion matrix revealed a low error rate of 3.78% for misclassifying actual fires as non-fire events, and vice versa. These findings suggest that the proposed MobileNet v1-based fire detection model offers high classification performance for real and non-real fire scenarios, along with the advantages of a lightweight structure, making it well-suited for real-time fire detection in edge computing systems.
A Study on the Settings of the Supply Pressure Range for Fire Department Connections to Apartments
Authors: Seo Joo-Wan , Lee Seung-Chul
Published: December 2024

When selecting the capacity of the pressurized water supply system for fire department connection facilities, such as apartments, many fire design companies set the design flow rate at 1,200 L/min while considering the friction loss in pipes and accessories to the highest apartment block of the actual head and the farthest apartment block in the complex. In this study, 10 field surveys, including those of recently built apartments, and three high-rise water supply experiments were conducted. The study presents a strategy for using fire department connection facilities as follows. First, during the normal operation of the pressurized water supply device, the supply pressure to the fire engine vehicle is gradually increased from 0.3 MPa or higher to transmit water. This protects firefighters from high-pressure increases. Second, when the pressurized water supply device is not operated, it is transmitted at a pressure equivalent to 50 m of head (net positive suction head + fire engine vehicle supply pressure) required for the height of the fire floor. Here, the required head of 50 m can be calculated as the sum of the suction head up to the pressurized water supply device and the supply pressure of the fire engine vehicle.
Numerical Study of the Characteristics of the Ejected Flame Depending on the Opening Shape in Compartment Fires
Authors: Ko Gwon Hyun
Published: December 2024

In this study, numerical analysis using FDS was conducted to analyze the effect of the opening configuration of the compartment on the formation of the ejected flame and thermal radiation characteristics outside the compartment. After validating the analysis by comparisons with previous experimental results for the 2/5 scaled ISO 9705 standard compartment, numerical calculations were performed by altering the aspect ratio of the opening and the position from the bottom surface. At a fire heat release rate of 341 kW, the flame ejected from the standard-sized opening generated a heat flux that exceeded the critical value of general combustibles on a wall 1 m away. When the width of the opening was reduced to 1/4, the flow of the ejected flame bent toward the upper wall, generating a maximum heat flux that was more than three times higher than that of the standard opening.
Full-Scale Fire Suppression Experiment of a Water-Based Extinguishing System for Electric Vehicle Fire Response
Authors: Ko Byung-Yong , Kim Byeong-Cheol , Han Kuk-il , Chung Jae-Woo
Published: December 2024

The distribution of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea continues to expand owing to government policies aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and fostering future industries. As of July 2024, 621,000 EVs were registered, with 1.32 fire incidents reported per 10,000 vehicles in 2023. A two-stage experiment was conducted to verify the fire suppression and control performance of the sprinkler and undercarriage sprinkling systems, which are the basic fire safety facilities for responding to EV fires. The experiment also targeted EVs with different battery types and included a lower two-line sprinkling system, which was not used in previous experiments. In the first stage, a domestic EV equipped with pouch-type batteries was tested using the upper sprinkler and lower two-line sprinkling system. In the second stage, a foreign EV equipped with cylindrical batteries was tested using the upper sprinkler and lower one-line sprinkling system. The results showed that in the first and second stages, the battery loss rates were approximately 30%, and 100%, respectively. Although various experimental conditions affected the thermal runaway duration, loss rate, and fire spread to adjacent vehicles, cooling the battery pack using both the upper and lower water-based extinguishing systems delayed thermal runaway and effectively prevented the spread of fire. Notably, the lower sprinkling system showed differences in thermal runaway duration and fire-suppression performance depending on the battery cell type.
Evaluation of the Uncertainty of Geometry Shape on Fire Modeling Analysis Caused by Ignition Area Change of Combustibles
Authors: Lee Doohee , Kim Yongjae , Han Seokhyeon , Oh Seungjun
Published: December 2024

In this study, an impact assessment of the uncertainty caused by the geometric shape of fuel in fire modeling analysis was conducted, considering various factors. To evaluate the impact, the geometric shape of the fuel was divided into the area of the ignition source and the flame propagation area of the secondary combustible material. The impact on the target cable tray was assessed by selecting a virtual nuclear power plant compartment as the cause of the fire in the simulation. The results indicated that the smaller the area of the ignition source, the greater the damage to the target. In addition, the flame propagation method of the secondary soft materials showed different trends, even in the same ignition area. Therefore, this tendency should be considered in fire modeling analysis.
A Study on Proposed Improvement Directions for SCBA Based on Satisfaction Analysis from Surveys
Authors: Lee Min-Joo , Seo Seung-Hyeon , Choi Don-Mook , Kong Min-Suk
Published: December 2024

This study analyzed satisfaction levels with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) based on a survey and examined the influence of firefighters' physical characteristics on SCBA satisfaction, providing directions for SCBA improvements. The results indicated that overall satisfaction with SCBA was below average. For the harness, heaviness was rated the lowest, whereas maintenance received the lowest satisfaction rating for face masks. The highest priorities for improving the SCBA were heaviness, wearability, and functionality. In terms of joint range of motion, firefighters reported low satisfaction with movements in which body interference with the SCBA occurred (such as trunk flexion and cervical extension). Additionally, firefighting activities requiring strength and precise movements (such as passing through stud spaces, obstacle courses, and entry/exit through windows) showed low satisfaction. Satisfaction with firefighting activities was relatively low among firefighters of lower heights and weights. Therefore, lightweight SCBAs are essential for efficient firefighting with improvements in wearability and maintenance, such as ergonomically designed harnesses and flexible easy-to-clean materials. In addition, adjustable features for the backplate height, belt, and strap length/tightness are required to accommodate a range of physical characteristics.
Comparison of Predictive Performance Between Simple Models and Computational Analysis for High-Pressure Hydrogen Tank Explosion Characteristics
Authors: Myilsamy Dinesh , Oh Chang Bo
Published: December 2024

In this study, the overpressure and impulse distribution characteristics of high-pressure hydrogen tank explosions were analyzed using simplified models and computational analysis. Two simplified models, Molkov’s model and the TNT-equivalent method, were employed, and a computational analysis was conducted using the OpenFOAM code with the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes approach. The pressure wave propagated spherically during the explosion of the high-pressure hydrogen tank. However, the interaction with the ground generated a reflected overpressure, which had a significant influence on the radial overpressure distribution. Furthermore, the high-temperature flame region was confined to the vicinity of the explosion source, and the flame was identified as a diffusion flame. The simplified models predicted the maximum overpressures in the radial and axial directions. As the simplified models treat the hydrogen tank as a point source, they predict the same overpressure and impulse values in both the radial and axial directions, which can limit the accuracy of real high-pressure hydrogen tanks with large aspect ratios (length-to-diameter ratios). Computational fluid dynamics analysis showed reasonable agreement for the maximum overpressure of the experimental results in both the radial and axial directions. However, the accurate modeling of the reflected overpressure, particularly at close distances, is critical to improving the prediction accuracy for overpressure and impulse distributions.
¿Para qué olvidar? Análisis comparado de los contornos del derecho al olvido en la jurisprudencia chilena y peruana
Authors: Calderón López Andrés
Published: December 2024

Pese a la ausencia de una norma expresa que reconozca la existencia de un derecho al olvido, Chile y Perú han experimentado, cada uno, un profuso pero sinuoso desarrollo jurisprudencial al respecto. Este artículo presenta un análisis comparado de la jurisprudencia de la Corte Suprema de Chile y de la jurisprudencia administrativa y del Tribunal Constitucional peruanos. A través de este paralelo, se busca hallar los fundamentos y las delimitaciones con los que dichos países han venido construyendo el derecho al olvido a nivel jurisprudencial. Esta comparación permite, además, encontrar algunas falencias, teóricas y prácticas, en la solución de los conflictos que suelen presentarse cuando una persona quiere suprimir o restringir el acceso a información que se encontraba públicamente disponible en Internet.
Impact of the Nail Length (Short PFNA2 and Long PFNA2) in Surgical Treatment of Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures: A Randomised Clinical Study
Authors: Kumar Kuljit , Kaur Harpreet
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Intertrochanteric (IT) femur fractures account for nearly 50% of all proximal femur fractures. Currently, both short and long Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA2) are used for the treatment of IT femur fractures. There is no consensus in the literature on which option is better for treating IT femur fractures.

Aim: To assess the impact of the nail length of short PFNA2 and long PFNA2 in the surgical treatment of IT femur fractures.

Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC), Karnal, Haryana, India, from July 2021 to July 2023. A total of 52 IT femur fractures were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups using simple randomisation: Group A (Short PFNA2) and Group B (Long PFNA2), consisting of 26 patients in each group. Variables such as duration of hospital stay, duration of surgery, blood loss, union time and complications were noted. All patients were followed-up at six weeks, three months and six months and functional outcomes were assessed using the MHHS. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics {version 29.0.1.0 (171)}. The Independent Student’s t-test and Chi-square test were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. A p-value of 0.05 or lower was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean duration of surgery for the short PFNA2 group was 60.23±2.76 minutes, while for the long PFNA2 group, it was 73.23±4.07 minutes, with a significant p-value of 0.001. The mean blood loss in the short PFNA2 group was 94±1.12 mL and in the long PFNA2 group, it was 131±21.29 mL, also with a significant p-value of 0.001. A total of 11 complications were observed in the short PFNA2 group, while only two were noted in the long PFNA2 group, which was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.013. The mean Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) at 6 months was 70.76±7.62 in the short PFNA2 group and 79.98±9.72 in the long PFNA2 group (p-value 0.119).

Conclusion: Surgery with the short PFNA2 was associated with less blood loss and shorter operative time (resulting in less anaesthesia time), providing an advantage for older patients. Union time and functional outcomes were similar in both groups. A full-length femur X-ray should be taken to assess the anterior bowing of the femur. In such cases, the long PFNA2 should be used to protect the femur from fractures. Overall, the long PFNA2 is beneficial compared to the short PFNA2 in reducing the risks of complications in IT fractures.
Xanthogranulomatous Inflammation of Colon: A Case Report
Authors: Lakshminarayanan Ramya , Nagarajan Priyathersini , Madhala Divya , Nitesh N
Published: December 2024

Xanthogranulomatous Inflammation (XGI) is a rare pathological condition that can affect various organs, such as lungs, endometrium, vagina, fallopian tube, ovary, testis, stomach, colon, appendix and pancreas. However, most common sites being kidney and gallbladder. XGI has been infrequently documented in the colon, particularly with stricture formation. The current case reports presents the case of a 54-year-old female admitted with a 20 day history of abdominal pain, who was clinically diagnosed with an inflammatory lesion causing luminal narrowing. Colonoscopy revealed a sigmoid polyp, which, upon biopsy, showed acute inflammatory granulation tissue with ulceration. A sigmoidectomy was performed due to persistent pain, revealing a sigmoid colon stricture characterised microscopically by foamy histiocytes amidst dense inflammatory infiltrate and multinucleate giant cell. The present case underscores the importance of considering XGI in patients presenting with bowel mass, obstruction, or stricture.
Assessment of Patient Satisfaction in the Out Patient Department of a Healthcare Centre in Rural Area of Bihar, India: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: C Sundhareshwaran , H R Naveen , Jojare Yogesh
Published: December 2024

Background: Patient satisfaction is a crucial indicator of the quality of healthcare services and plays a significant role in patient loyalty, treatment adherence, and overall healthcare outcomes. This study aims to assess patient satisfaction in the outpatient department of a healthcare centre in rural Bihar.
Methodology: The study utilized a cross-sectional design, collecting data from a sample of 200 patients visiting the outpatient department of a healthcare centre in a rural town in Bihar, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed, consisting of validated scales and items to measure various dimensions of patient satisfaction. The survey was administered to patients during their visit, and data were collected through direct interviews.
Results: Overall, the majority of patients expressed satisfaction with the care they received, with a high percentage indicating positive experiences across various dimensions. A significant portion of patients were satisfied (88; 44%) or highly satisfied (56; 28%). Communication with healthcare providers emerged as a significant driver of patient satisfaction, highlighting the importance of clear and empathetic communication in fostering positive patient experiences. Staff behavior and professionalism were identified as areas requiring attention, emphasizing the importance of staff training and the need for a patient-centered approach in healthcare delivery.
Conclusion: Age, gender, and educational level have varying effects on satisfaction levels, suggesting the importance of tailoring services to meet the specific needs of different patient groups. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of patient expectations on satisfaction and found that aligning patient expectations with the services provided is crucial in achieving high levels of patient satisfaction.
Enhancing Hospital Efficiency with Healthyline: A Digital Solution for Registration, Appointment Reminders, and Queue Management
Authors: Kusuma Yusnan Adi , Avianto Donny
Published: December 2024

Registration and queue management are essential for efficient healthcare services. However, the process has some potential drawbacks: long queues, long waiting times, difficulty in getting real-time information on queues, and missed doctor which negatively impact patient experience and hospital operations. So, this research addresses specific challenges in hospital operations, including inefficient queue management, high patient anxiety due to long waiting times, and frequent missed appointments. The study focuses on the development of the Healthyline application, which will provide online registration for patients, real-time queue information, and notification in regard to appointments with the doctor. The development process includes needs analysis, system design, development of web and mobile-based applications, testing, and maintenance. With the Healthyline application, online registration is possible, saving patients' valuable time and reducing anxiety related to waiting times. The application also complements the operational efficiency of hospitals by advancing queue management and minimizing no-shows for appointments among patients, consequently enhancing the productivity of the hospital. Such an innovative solution is hypothetically bound to improve the lots of patients and healthcare providers in creating a more structured, efficient, and user-friendly healthcare environment. In a nutshell, Healthyline has been struggling to revolutionize the patient registration process, make queue management easy, and ensure good health for every stakeholder. This study is significant as it addresses critical issues in healthcare delivery, such as long queues and appointment management. By providing real-time updates and automatic reminders, the application not only enhances patient satisfaction but also improves hospital operational efficiency by reducing the number of no-show patients. While the study demonstrates significant improvements, it also acknowledges limitations such as the need for further evaluation of the application’s performance during peak hours and potential security concerns in handling patient data. It is important to note that the Healthyline application has not yet been implemented or deployed in a hospital setting; thus, the research is limited to the stages of development, testing, and maintenance.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Primary School Pupils in Ndokwa-East LGA of Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: E Mbagwu Nkemjika , C Ajaegbu Obinna , I O Opara Hyginus , I Ibezim Stella , N Okolo Selina
Published: December 2024

Background: Schistosomiasis is a water-borne tropical parasitic disease that is of a major public health problem. It is a neglected tropical disease that has over two-third of its worldwide infection, occurring in Africa. It is a disease that is associated with many complications.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
Methods: This study was a cross sectional descriptive study of primary school children aged 5-16 years in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area (NELGA) of Delta State. Information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the pupils and their caregivers, and water contact activities of the pupils were obtained using questionnaire administered to the pupils. Urine microscopy (centrifugation method) was done for the pupils and the schistosoma eggs were counted and graded according to WHO standards. Relationship between the risk factors of schistosomiasis and the infection prevalence were tested using chi-square analysis and Fisher’s exact test where indicated.
Results: A total of 374 pupils were studied. Twenty-eight (7.5%) of them had urinary schistosomiasis; location of primary school (FET, p-value = <0.001), Age (χ2 = 9.730, df = 3, p-value =0.023), exposure to water body (χ2 = 7.920, df = 1, p-value = 0.005), frequency of contact with water body (FET, df = 4, p-value = 0.006), time spent inside water bodies (χ2 = 16.377, df = 3, p-value = 0.001), activities that require long stay inside water bodies (FET, df = 6, p = <0.001) and bush dumping as method of sewage disposal (χ2 = 6.718, df = 2, p-value = 0.034) were risk factors for the schistosomiasis infection.
Conclusion: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in NELGA is low. It is highest among the sub-community primary school in an island within the river, and lowest in a primary school in a relatively upland area.
Field Screening for Late Leaf Spot Resistance in the BC\(_1\)F\(_4\) Population in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Nehru G. , Radhika K.
Published: December 2024

Globally, late leaf spot (LLS), a foliar fungal disease is one of the most important biotic constraint in groundnut production. LLS is a major cause of yield loss accounting for over 70% in groundnut production. This study aimed to evaluate 115 BC1F4 groundnut lines for resistance to LLS long with parents was done at ICRISAT in Rainy 2024 (Kharif). The field screening was taken in Single plant progeny rows with 2m x 1 row and disease scoring was done at 75 Days After Planting (DAP), 90 DAP and 105 DAP in that progeny rows under natural disease conditions based on visual observation. Two lines BC1F4-1 and BC1F4-2 with score 4 at 105 Days after planting (DAP) was identified as resistant and four lines BC1F4-3, BC1F4-4, BC1F4-63 and BC1F4-65 with score 5 and 6 at 105 DAP exhibited moderate resistance were identified. In the present study out of 115 BC1F4 lines evaluated two lines showed resistance, and four lines showed moderate resistance. These lines will be advanced to the next generation and tested in multi-location trials to further assess their resistance and potential for use in breeding programs.
Community Perceptions of Traditional and Pharmaceutical Hypertension Treatments in Vryman’s Erven, Berbice, Guyana
Authors: Vanlewin Obena , Hutson Andrew , Jeeboo Karishma , Ally-Charles Bibi , Abrams Charlan , Boston Cecil
Published: December 2024

This study explores the integration of traditional and pharmaceutical remedies in managing hypertension in the rural Berbice community (Vryman’s Erven), New Amsterdam, Guyana. Expanding the use of these remedies means evaluating their effectiveness, relevance to the culture, and barriers to patient adherence. Through qualitative research methods, this paper explores hypertensive patients’ views, attitudes, and self-reported use of herbal medicine in conjunction with conventional pharmaceuticals.
The methodology involved semi-structured interviews with residents of New Amsterdam, Berbice, focusing on their preferences for managing hypertension using either pharmaceutical drugs or traditional remedies. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to gather diverse perspectives, ensuring diverse perspectives from ten hypertensive individuals. Thematic analysis was performed on the insights of ten participants, which were recorded and transcribed and helped reach data saturation.
The findings demonstrated a bifocal reliance on both pharmaceutical medicines and conventional therapies. The former was appreciated for its effectiveness, while the latter was preferred for its naturalness and safety. Many interviewees adopted a blended method of treatment by using both approaches depending on the availability, the assessment of the outcome, and cultural constructs. The findings also highlighted conceptual categories such as health-seeking behaviour, including regular self-monitoring and the role of education in blood pressure control. Concepts included overreliance on medication for quick symptomatic relief, use of herbal medicine as an adjunct for safety and cultural basis, and active case management, including self-monitoring. The availability and affordability of treatments and patient education and awareness greatly influenced treatment options. Adverse effects of conventional medicines, however, were some of the reasons for using herbal medicine.
The implications speak to a disjuncture between traditional knowledge and contemporary medicine in rural hypertension management. They point to the necessity of healthcare systems properly considering perspective in expanding the scope of treatment strategies to ensure compliance. This study aids in addressing the gap in nested strategies of hypertension initiatives in poor resource areas and informs the formulation of culturally appropriate health policies. Including bigger and more diverse samples is essential to incorporate additional investigation for the generalizability concerns.
Organophotoredox Catalyzed Stereoselective Nitration of Olefins with tert‐Butyl Nitrite under Air
Authors: Mandal Tanumoy , Azim Aznur , Das Sanju , De Sarkar Suman
Published: November 2021

An efficient method for the E‐selective synthesis of nitroolefins is developed by employing DDQ as the organophotoredox catalyst in combination with tert‐BuONO (TBN) as a nitrating agent under visible‐light irradiation. This green transition metal‐free approach utilizes aerial oxygen as the terminal oxidant and occurs at room temperature. Following the established protocol, 41 different olefines containing broad diversity of substituents were nitrated in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic experiments and photophysical studies revealed the probable mechanism.
Die Magnitude 6,4 – Erdbeben in Albanien und Kroatien – Ingenieuranalyse der Erdbebenschäden und Erfahrungswerte für die Baunormung
Authors: Abrahamczyk Lars , Penava Davorin , Markušić Snjezana , Stanko Davor , Luqman Hasan Peshawa , Haweyou Melad , Schwarz Jochen
Published: November 2021

In 2019 und 2020 wurde die Balkanregion von zwei Erdbeben der Stärke MW = 6,4 heimgesucht. Am 26. November 2019 erschütterte ein Erdbeben den Nordwesten Albaniens. Es war das stärkste Erdbeben seit mehr als 40 Jahren. Städte wie Thumanë, Tirana und Durrës erlitten Schäden, wobei Durrës mit mehreren eingestürzten Gebäuden am stärksten betroffen war. Die Region Sisak‐Moslavina in Kroatien, etwa 50 km südlich von Zagreb, wurde am 29. Dezember 2020 erschüttert. Auch hier war es das stärkste Erdbeben seit dem Pokupsko‐Erdbeben vom 8. Oktober 1909 und das größte Erdbeben in der Region seit 140 Jahren. Es verursachte umfangreiche Schäden in den Städten Petrinja, Glina und Sisak sowie in zahlreichen benachbarten Kleinstädten und kleinen Siedlungen der Region. Die Schüttereffekte und Gebäudeschäden beider Erdbeben konnten im Rahmen von Feldeinsätzen untersucht und dokumentiert werden. In Durrës (Albanien) verursachte das Erdbeben erhebliche Schäden an Stahlbetonskelettbauten mit Ausfachungswänden. Schäden infolge des Erdbebens in Kroatien konzentrieren sich hingegen auf ältere und moderne Gebäude aus unbewehrtem Mauerwerk. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die erdbebeninduzierten Schäden in verschiedenen Gebäudetypen und deren Variationen. Die Ursachen der Schäden sowie die Konsequenzen für die schnelle Reaktion auf ein Erdbeben werden in engem Zusammenhang mit der Normung in moderat erdbebengefährdeten Gebieten in Europa diskutiert.
Hollow Ti3C2 MXene/Carbon Nanofibers as an Advanced Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Seo Darae , Kim Mee‐Ree , Kyu Song Jin , Kim Eunji , Koo Jaseung , Kim Ki‐Chul , Han Hee , Lee Yonghee , Won Ahn Chi
Published: November 2021

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are rechargeable batteries that have attracted great interest as next‐generation energy storage devices that will lead future energy technologies because of their various excellent advantages. Two‐dimensional (2D) MXene‐based LIBs have been actively investigated because of their high energy/power density and good performance at high charge/discharge rates. However, three major limitations of 2D MXene electrodes – self‐stacking, low specific surface area, and disturbance of Li+ diffusion by surface terminations – have hindered the commercialization of MXene‐based LIBs. Herein, we fabricate 1D hollow Ti3C2Tx MXene/carbon (MX/C) nanofibers via an electrospinning process and use them as anode materials in LIBs. Compared with the pristine 2D MXene (MX) paste electrode and MXene/carbon (MX/C) paste electrode, the hollow MX/C nanofibers electrode exhibits a greater specific surface area, less self‐stacking of flakes, and surface functional groups tailored for LIBs. The LIBs based on the hollow electrode exhibit a higher energy density (306.5 mA h g−1 at 40 mA g−1) than those with the MX paste electrode (81.08 mA h g−1 at 40 mA g−1) and MX/C paste electrode (196.9 mA h g−1 at 40 mA g−1). In addition, the hollow MX/C nanofiber electrode shows a high reversible capacity, proving that it is a promising anode material for LIBs.
Regulation of Electrocatalytic Activity by Local Microstructure: Focusing on the Catalytic Active Zone
Authors: Bian Juanjuan , Wei Chenyang , Wen Yunzhou , Zhang Bo
Published: November 2021

Traditional regulation methods of active sites have successfully optimized the performance of electrocatalysts, but seem unable to achieve further breakthrough in the catalytic activity. Unlike the conventional viewpoint of focusing on single active site, the concept of local microstructure active zone is more comprehensive and new methods to regulate the reaction zone for electrocatalytic reactions are developed accordingly. The local microstructure active zone refers to the zone with high catalytic activity formed by the interaction between active atoms and neighboring coordination atoms as well as the surrounding environment. Instead of the traditional single active atom site, the active zone is more suitable for the actual electrochemical reaction process. According to this concept, the activity of electrocatalysts can be coordinated by multiple active atoms. This strategy is beneficial for understanding the relationship between material, structure, and catalysis, which realizes the design and synthesis of high‐performance electrocatalysts. This review provides the research progress of this strategy for electrocatalytic reactions, with emphasis on their applications in oxygen evolution reaction, urea oxidation reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction.
Rational Design and Facile Synthesis of Dual‐State Emission Fluorophores: Expanding Functionality for the Sensitive Detection of Nitroaromatic Compounds
Authors: Chen Si‐Hong , Luo Shi‐He , Xing Long‐Jiang , Jiang Kai , Huo Yan‐Ping , Chen Qi , Wang Zhao‐Yang
Published: November 2021

Six novel benzimidazole‐based D‐π‐A compounds4 a–4 fwere concisely synthesized by attaching different donor/acceptor units to the skeleton of 1,3‐bis(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)benzene on its 5‐position through an ethynyl link. Due to the twisted conformation and effective conjugation structure, these dual‐state emission (DSE) molecules show intense and multifarious photoluminescence, and their fluorescence quantum yields in solution and solid state can be up to 96.16 and 69.82 %, respectively. Especially, for excellent photostability, obvious solvatofluorochromic and extraordinary wide range of solvent compatibility, DSE molecule4 ais a multifunctional fluorescent probe for the visual detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) with the limit of detection as low as 10−7M. The quenching mechanism has been proved as the results of photoinduced electron transfer and fluorescence resonance energy transfer processes. Importantly, probe4 acan sensitively detect NACs not only in real water samples, but also on4 a‐coated strips and4 a@PBAT thin films.
Association between bicuspid aortic valve phenotype and patterns of valvular dysfunction: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Mai Zhenzhen , Guan Lina , Mu Yuming
Published: November 2021

Background

Valvular dysfunction is a common complication in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between BAV morphology patterns and valve dysfunction.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI until May 31, 2020, to identify all studies investigating the morphology of BAV and valvular dysfunction, and data were extracted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA). Data were analyzed using Stata 15.1 software. The additional characteristics (gender, mean age) were collected to perform a meta‐regression analysis.

Results

Thirteen studies on BAV‐RL (n = 2002) versus BAV‐RN (n = 1254) and raphe (n = 4001) versus without raphe (n = 673) were included. The BAV‐RL patients showed a higher incidence of aortic regurgitation than BAV‐RN patients (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.90, p = .005), while the BAV‐RL patients showed a lower incidence of aortic stenosis than BAV‐RN patients (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.76, p = .000); BAV patients with raphe presents a higher incidence of aortic regurgitation than those without raphe (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12–3.39, p = .017). No differences were found between raphe and without raphe group in the incidence of aortic stenosis (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.53 to 1.76, p = .907). Mean age and gender had no influence on observed differences.

Conclusions

Our results confirmed a relationship between different BAV phenotypes and aortic valve dysfunction. BAV‐RL and BAV with raphe are more likely to develop aortic regurgitation, while patients with BAV‐RN present a higher possibility to develop aortic stenosis.
Single‐Cell Sorting of Non‐human Primate Adipocytes with Large‐particle Flow Cytometry
Authors: Robino Jacob J. , Kim Yongwoon , Varlamov Oleg
Published: November 2021

Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting enables separation and analysis of heterogeneous cell populations based on size, granularity, and fluorescence intensity. Cell sorting has been widely used for isolation of cells that are ∼10 to 25 μm in diameter. By contrast, cell sorting of unilocular adipocytes isolated from white adipose tissue imposes a significant technological challenge. The combination of their large size (up to 200 μm) and the fragile nature of lipid‐laden adipocytes requires the use of specialized flow cytometers equipped with a large nozzle and capable of using low pressure to reduce shear forces during the cell sorting process. Furthermore, isolation of single adipocytes is rarely performed due to the lack of specialized cell sorters that can dispense single adipocytes into individual wells. Conducting cell sorting on single adipocytes would enable analyses of the cell‐autonomous heterogeneity in nutrient uptake and metabolism observed in white adipose tissue. In this protocol, we describe single‐cell sorting of rhesus macaque adipocytes labeled with fluorescent fatty acid and live‐cell indicators using large‐particle flow cytometry. This methodology represents a valuable resource for basic and translational studies aimed at understanding the development and function of adipocytes. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Single‐cell flow sorting of adipocytes
Circuit theory approach to stability and passivity analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems
Authors: Ates Muzaffer
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we address the problem of global asymptotic stability and strong passivity analysis of nonlinear time‐varying systems controlled by a second‐order vector differential equation. First, we obtain this equation from a nonlinear time varying network of the circuit theory. Then, we construct the Lyapunov candidate function directly from the physical meaning of the given system. By the way, we review a number of previous results from the point view of Lyapunov's direct method. Our system with its real energy function generalize and improve upon some well‐known studies. The new concept facilitates the formulation of the energy (Lyapunov) function from the power‐energy relationship of the given system. Then, we also realized that the time derivative of the Lyapunov function for a given dynamical systems is the negative value of the power dissipated in the system. Therefore, with the proposed approach, one can inspect the result of the time derivative of the energy function for a given physical system. Finally, two examples (one with simulations) are used to illustrate the superiority and validity of the obtained results.
Estrogen receptor variant ERα46 and insulin receptor drive in primary breast cancer cells growth effects and interleukin 11 induction prompting the motility of cancer‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Cirillo Francesca , Pellegrino Michele , Talia Marianna , Perrotta Ida Daniela , Rigiracciolo Damiano Cosimo , Spinelli Asia , Scordamaglia Domenica , Muglia Lucia , Guzzi Rita , Miglietta Anna Maria , De Francesco Ernestina Marianna , Belfiore Antonino , Maggiolini Marcello , Lappano Rosamaria
Published: November 2021

Among the prognostic and predictive biomarkers of breast cancer (BC), the role of estrogen receptor (ER)α wild‐type has been acknowledged, although the action of certain ERα splice variants has not been elucidated. Insulin/insulin receptor (IR) axis has also been involved in the progression and metastasis of BC. For instance, hyperinsulinemia, which is often associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, may be a risk factor for BC. Similarly, an aberrant expression of IR or its hyperactivation may correlate with aggressive BC phenotypes. In the present study, we have shown that a novel naturally immortalized BC cell line (named BCAHC‐1) is characterized by a unique expression of 46 kDa ERα splice variant (ERα46) along with IR. Moreover, we have shown that a multifaceted crosstalk between ERα46 and IR occurs in BCAHC‐1 cells upon estrogen and insulin exposure for growth and pulmonary metastasis. Through high‐throughput RNA sequencing analysis, we have also found that the cytokine interleukin‐11 (IL11) is the main factor linking BCAHC‐1 cells to breast cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In particular, we have found that IL11 induced by estrogens and insulin in BCAHC‐1 cells regulates pro‐tumorigenic genes of the “extracellular matrix organization” signaling pathway, such as ICAM‐1 and ITGA5, and promotes both migratory and invasive features in breast CAFs. Overall, our results may open a new scientific avenue to identify additional prognostic and therapeutic targets in BC.
Hsa_circ_0001666 suppresses the progression of colorectal cancer through the miR‐576‐5p/PCDH10 axis
Authors: Zhou Jiahui , Wang Lu , Sun Qingyang , Chen Ranran , Zhang Chuan , Yang Peng , Tan Yuqian , Peng Chaofan , Wang Tuo , Jin Chi , Ji Jiangzhou , Jin Kangpeng , Sun Yueming
Published: November 2021

Background

Though circular RNAs, new non‐coding RNA classes have demonstrated that they have an essential role in the initiation as well as development of CRC (colorectal cancer), whereas in CRC the function and mechanism of hsa_circ_0001666 are less known.

Methods

Hsa_circ_0001666 was identified by bioinformatics analysis of a circRNA microarray from the GEO database, and its expression in both CRC cell lines and tissues was analysed. A series of in vitro along with in vivo experiments were carried out for exploring the hsa_circ_0001666 functions, including transwell, wound healing, flow cytometry, colony formation, Edu, CCK‐8, soft agar colony formation, tumor xenografts and lung/liver metastasis in mice. RNA pull‐down, RIP (RNA immunoprecipitation), luciferase reporter assay, FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and rescue experiments were used for determining the correlation among hsa_circ_0001666, miR‐576‐5p and PCDH10.

Results

Hsa_circ_0001666 was downregulated in both CRC cell lines along with tumour tissues. A higher expression level of hsa_circ_0001666 indicated a better clinical prognosis in patients with CRC. Hsa_circ_0001666 knockdown significantly supported CRC cell proliferation along with invasion and inhibited cell apoptosis in vitro. Hsa_circ_0001666 knockdown accelerated the CRC growth and metastasis in vivo. Moreover, the mechanistic study showed that hsa_circ_0001666, acting as ‘ceRNA’ of miR‐576‐5p, prevented PCDH10 downregulation, as well as suppressed EMT and stemness of CRC cells, and the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway. Inhibiting miR‐576‐5p or overexpressing PCDH10 could reverse phenotypic changes caused by knocking down of hsa_circ_0001666.

Conclusions

Hsa_circ_0001666 suppresses CRC progression through the miR‐576‐5p/PCDH10 axis and may provide a new insight for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.
The role of low‐power wide‐area network technologies in Internet of Things: A systematic and comprehensive review
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Mehdi , Khademzadeh Ahmad , Rahmani Amir Masoud
Published: November 2021

With the quick progress of wireless technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been recognized as the main part of daily people's lives that makes their life more convenient by utilizing a diverse range of smart devices. Over the last decade, various useful and forthcoming application fields have been developed by taking advantage of the IoT concept. In this regard, LPWAN technologies such as LoRa, Sigfox, and NB‐IoT play an important role in advancing. These technologies are suitable wireless communication protocols for battery‐powered IoT objects that enable long‐distance communication in low‐power devices at a low operation cost. Some review papers have investigated the LPWAN technology in the IoT from different perspectives. However, the lack of detailed and systematic study outlining the role of these technologies in different IoT applications is very clear. Consequently, this gap inspired us to write the current study. The current works are classified into three main classes, including smart city, home automation, and smart healthcare. Besides, the involved models in the smart city group are categorized into five subgroups, including smart monitoring, smart metering, air pollution, smart agriculture, and smart parking. The selected works are reviewed, and their main features, including main idea, coverage range, sensor types, processing board, frequency band, communication protocols, power consumption analysis, and achievement, are specified. Generally, our main aim is to describe the challenging problems of applying LPWAN to various IoT applications, specify the efficient models, and recommend some hints for upcoming studies.
Functional diversity buffers the effects of a pulse perturbation on the dynamics of tritrophic food webs
Authors: Wojcik Laurie Anne , Ceulemans Ruben , Gaedke Ursula
Published: November 2021

Biodiversity decline causes a loss of functional diversity, which threatens ecosystems through a dangerous feedback loop: This loss may hamper ecosystems’ ability to buffer environmental changes, leading to further biodiversity losses. In this context, the increasing frequency of human‐induced excessive loading of nutrients causes major problems in aquatic systems. Previous studies investigating how functional diversity influences the response of food webs to disturbances have mainly considered systems with at most two functionally diverse trophic levels. We investigated the effects of functional diversity on the robustness, that is, resistance, resilience, and elasticity, using a tritrophic—and thus more realistic—plankton food web model. We compared a non‐adaptive food chain with no diversity within the individual trophic levels to a more diverse food web with three adaptive trophic levels. The species fitness differences were balanced through trade‐offs between defense/growth rate for prey and selectivity/half‐saturation constant for predators. We showed that the resistance, resilience, and elasticity of tritrophic food webs decreased with larger perturbation sizes and depended on the state of the system when the perturbation occurred. Importantly, we found that a more diverse food web was generally more resistant and resilient but its elasticity was context‐dependent. Particularly, functional diversity reduced the probability of a regime shift toward a non‐desirable alternative state. The basal‐intermediate interaction consistently determined the robustness against a nutrient pulse despite the complex influence of the shape and type of the dynamical attractors. This relationship was strongly influenced by the diversity present and the third trophic level. Overall, using a food web model of realistic complexity, this study confirms the destructive potential of the positive feedback loop between biodiversity loss and robustness, by uncovering mechanisms leading to a decrease in resistance, resilience, and potentially elasticity as functional diversity declines.
Nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) activity patterns are influenced by human activity
Authors: DeGregorio Brett A. , Gale Connor , V. Lassiter Ellery , Massey Andrhea , Roberts Caleb P. , T. Veon John
Published: November 2021

As the human footprint upon the landscape expands, wildlife seeking to avoid human contact are losing the option of altering their spatial distribution and instead are shifting their daily activity patterns to be active at different times than humans. In this study, we used game cameras to evaluate how human development and activity were related to the daily activity patterns of the nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) along an urban to rural gradient in Arkansas, USA during the winter of 2020–2021. We found that armadillos had substantial behavioral plasticity in regard to the timing of their activity patterns; >95% of armadillo activity was nocturnal at six of the study sites, whereas between 30% and 60% of activity occurred during the day at three other sites. The likelihood of diurnal armadillo activity was best explained by the distance to downtown Fayetteville (the nearest population center) and estimated ambient sound level (both indices of human activity) with armadillos being most active during the day at quiet sites far from Fayetteville. Furthermore, armadillo activity occurred later during the night period (minutes after sunset) at sites near downtown and with higher anthropogenic sound. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the observed activity shift may be in response to not only human activity but also the presence of domestic dogs. Our results provide further evidence that human activity has subtle nonlethal impacts on even common, widespread wildlife species. Because armadillos have low body temperatures and basal metabolism, being active during cold winter nights likely has measurable fitness costs. Nature reserves near human population centers may not serve as safe harbors for wildlife as we intend, and managers could benefit from considering these nonlethal responses in how they manage recreation and visitation in these natural areas.