bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Two Doses of Intrathecal Clonidine on Analgesia and Haemodynamic Profile in Elderly Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Bladder SurgeriesA Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Adlakha Nandita , Chaudhary Sujata , Jain Megha
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Endoscopic bladder surgeries like Transurethral Resection Of Prostrate (TURP) and Transurethral Resection Of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) are performed preferably under spinal anaesthesia, using local anaesthetic like bupivacaine along with an adjuvant. Of these adjuvants used, clonidine is gaining popularity because of its safety and various advantages associated with its use. However its effect on haemodynamics, effect on block characteristics and analgesia in elderly patients has not been studied extensively. Aim: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of clonidine 30 µg and 50 µg, in elderly patients undergoing endoscopic bladder surgeries. Materials and Methods: It was a double blinded randomized control trial, conducted in Department of Anaesthesia, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India, from September 2008 to October 2011. Sixty American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) grade I and II patients, of age 50-80 years, undergoing endoscopic bladder surgeries, were randomly allocated into three groups of 20 each. Group C received 12.5 mg of 0.5 % heavy bupivacaine (2.5 mL) without clonidine, while group A and group B received 30 µg and 50 µg, respectively of clonidine. Intraoperative non invasive and invasive haemodynamic monitoring was done. The duration of analgesia (the time from the intrathecal injection to Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score greater than 0 and Bromage Scale 3), quality of anaesthesia and haemodynamic were compared between the three groups. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was used for analysing the collected data. Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test was applied as post hoc test whenever applicable. Results: The mean duration of complete analgesia was 3.32±1.80 hours in group A, 6.30±1.45 hours in group B, and 2.22±0.92 hours in group C. The duration of complete analgesia was significantly longer in group A and B, when compared to group C. The mean duration of effective analgesia was 6.05±0.88 hours in group A, 8.65±1.75 hours in group B, and 4.68±1.77 hours in group C. The duration of effective analgesia was significantly longer in group A and B, as compared to group C. Following intrathecal injection, there was no significant difference in heart rate, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance in between groups. There were no significant side effects in any of the groups. Conclusion: Intrathecal clonidine in a dose of 30 µg and 50 µg provides faster onset, better quality and prolonged duration of block with stable haemodynamic and minimal side effects in patients undergoing endoscopic bladder surgeries.
Integrated Pest Management Technology as a Means to Cost Efficiency for Cotton Crop in Rajasthan, India
Authors: Panda Shubhaom , Sharma Amita , Tyagi Seema
Published: May 2022

Aim: This research is an attempt to uncover the production opportunities of cotton grown with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technology in Rajasthan, India.

Study Design: The study is based on both descriptive and exploratory type of research design.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Institute of Agri Business Management, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan. Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan were selected under cotton cultivation for the study. The time duration of the project was for the crop year 2017–18.

Methodology: The respondents for the study were cotton farmers following different pest control measures in the study area. Multistage stratified random sampling method was followed for the research. Two major districts of Irrigated North Western Plain Zone (Zone Ib) were purposely selected. Based on experts’ opinion, villages were selected under three technologies viz. IPM, conventional and mix of both technologies. The list of farmers following IPM and mix of both technologies was collected from Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC), Sri Ganganagar and lists of farmers following conventional technology were collected from respective gram panchayats. The sample size for the study was limited to 90 in numbers. The selection of farmers was based on probability proportional to size (PPS) method on the basis of their land holdings from each village. The analysis was done by calculating returns over variable cost, benefit-cost ratio and resource use efficiency of data collected from the field.

Results: The variable costs for the cultivation of cotton per hectare are ₹ 48001.78, ₹ 49105.66 and ₹ 48441.93 for the farmers following IPM, conventional and the mix of both technologies, respectively. The benefit to cost ratio in IPM was found to be the highest i.e. 2.23, followed by 2.04 for mix of both technology, and 1.85 for conventional technology. The estimation of resource use efficiency in cotton indicated the under-utilization of human labour in case of IPM and mix of both technologies and over-utilization of machine labour in case of conventional and IPM technology.

Conclusion: The IPM technology was found to be economical for the farmers growing cotton in the study area. The resources like human labour, machine labour, fertilizers and manure as well as plant protection measures were suggested to be effectively utilized for better cost effectiveness among the farmers in the study area.
Influence of Trust in the Adoption of Digital Banking Platforms: A Case Study of a Public Ghanaian Bank
Authors: Asante Kwame Gyeabour , Baafi Nana Kojo Ayimadu
Published: May 2022

Digital banking has existed within the Ghanaian banking sector over the years and has evolved to incorporate more technological developments and are playing a more significant role in the development of the Ghanaian economy. The banking sector has been pursuing various policies to ensure that more customers adopt digital banking for their transactions. Despite the rapid rollout of numerous banking services in the country, adoption of digital banking has been generally slow. This present study seeks to examine the influence of trust on the adoption of digital banking services. The aim of the study was specifically to examine the influence of knowledge based trust on digital banking service adoption, to examine the influence of institution based trust on digital banking service adoption and to examine the influence of propensity to trust on digital banking service adoption. The positivism paradigm was the philosophical framework that guided the study and a quantitative approach. Data was obtained through the use of a survey and was analysed using simple linear regression. The population of the study consisted of customers of various banks   within the Accra sub-metro. Using convenient sampling technique, 150 participant took part in the study. From the analysis of the data, the results showed propensity to trust had a positive relationship with adoption of digital banking platforms. Institution based trust had no significant relationship to adoption of digital banking platforms. Knowledge based trust had a positive relationship with adoption of digital banking platforms. The findings of the study can be applied to improve upon the adoption and use of digital banking platforms by banks. Particularly, banks   can focus on providing quality banking experiences across its digital channels and physical   banking channels. In addition, digital banking service providers need to highlight improving on their level of integrity, competence and benevolence in order to facilitate users’ adoption and usage of mobile banking.
The Impact, Comparison and Usefulness of Digital Marketing Communications Tools on Organizational Profit Maximization Using Facebook
Authors: Ovuakporaye Kenneth,
Published: May 2022

The importance of Chatbots in marketing, particularly in employment or training progressions and maintenance for definite promotional goals, tools as well as approaches was examined in this study. The study seeks to ascertain the opportunities associated with the usage of chatbots in marketing, with specific emphasis on its influence in the process of Human-to-Machine communications, and find out the extent to which Chatbots could be effectively use to examine competitive companies or brands. The researcher explores how chatbot can interact with users using Facebook messenger and investigate the impact and usefulness of digital marketing communications tools on organizational profit maximization, using a real estate business. The study focuses on three sub-processes in the chatbot design, which includes writing handling, language acceptance, as well as reaction generation. Additionally, the survey was piloted with arrangement of chatbot assessment methods and their examination in relation to chatbot categories as well as three central appraisal schemes, which include content estimation, user gratification, and chat function. Findings of the study established that Chatbots could be effectively used to enable companies or brands intensify organizational profit maximization and proved that the limitations of the human agents have been taken over by this automatic Bot, which have been trained to act like human, give responses to customers’ requests and even suggest responses to users. It recommends that every organization marketing teams should acquire innovative communication approaches about how to preserve and advance enduring relations with standing consumers as well as how to get the attention of potential consumers.
Containing SARS COV 2 (COVID 19) through Social Distancing
Authors: Achola Daniel
Published: May 2022

2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV2 is a highly pathogenic human corona virus transmitted by respiratory droplets with an incubation period of 2-14 days. It is both a public health and economic threat worldwide. In this study, a deterministic mathematical model based on systems of ordinary differential equations for the dynamics of 2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV2 transmission incorporating social distancing as a control measure has been derived. The steady states have also been analysed for stability using the basic reproduction number. Numerical simulations carried out using MATLAB R2021b shows that social distancing intervention is key to reduction in the infection rate of 2019-nCoV/SARS-nCoV2. This study recommends implementation of public policies on public gatherings such as political rallies, worship centers,market places, football matches to curb the potential chain transmission in a pandemic contagion.
Screening for the Optimum Concentration of Chitosan through Seed Priming in Mungbean Genotypes
Authors: Hidangmayum Akash , Dwivedi Padmanabh , Sahni Sangita , Prasad Bishun Deo
Published: May 2022

Four different concentrations of chitosan and four mungbean genotypes were studied to determine the optimum concentration of chitosan seed priming. The experiment results revealed that germination percentage, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, and seedling vigor index differed significantly among the treatments and genotypes. The greatest impact was observed at lower concentrations of 0.15% in all four genotypes showing consistent improvements in all the studied parameters. The highest concentration of 0.35% appears to be at par with the control and shows no statistical significance. However, root length was affected in IPM 2-14 and IPM 2-3 at high concentrations. In terms of seedling vigor index, IPM 2-3 showed significant reductions at 0.35%, while other genotypes recorded improvement. Based on our results, we conclude that chitosan seed priming has genotype-specific responses, and lower chitosan concentrations have significant positive effects on all parameters and provide important results for deployment in sustainable agricultural practices.
Anticancer function of microRNA‐30e is mediated by negative regulation of HELLPAR, a noncoding macroRNA, and genes involved in ubiquitination and cell cycle progression in prostate cancer
Authors: Ganapathy Kavya , Ngo Christopher , Andl Thomas , Coppola Domenico , Park Jong , Chakrabarti Ratna
Published: May 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) progression relies on androgen receptor (AR) function, making AR a top candidate for PCa therapy. However, development of drug resistance is common, which eventually leads to development of castration‐resistant PCa. This warrants a better understanding of the pathophysiology of PCa that facilitates the aberrant activation of key signaling pathways including AR. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as regulators of cancer progression as they modulate various cellular processes. Here, we demonstrate a multidimensional function of miR‐30e through the regulation of genes involved in various signaling pathways. We noted loss of miR‐30e expression in prostate tumors, which, when restored, led to cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, improved drug sensitivity of PCa cells and reduced tumor progression in xenograft models. We show that experimental upregulation of miR‐30e reduces expression of mRNAs including AR, FBXO45, SRSF7 and MYBL2 and a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HELLPAR, which are involved in cell cycle, apoptosis and ubiquitination, and the effects could be rescued by inhibition of miR‐30e expression. RNA immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed direct interactions between miR‐30e and its RNA targets. We noted a newly identified reciprocal relationship between miR‐30e and HELLPAR, as inhibition of HELLPAR improved stabilization of miR‐30e. Transcriptome profiling and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) validation of miR‐30e‐expressing PCa cells showed differential expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis and ubiquitination, which supports our in vitro study. This study demonstrates an integrated function of miR‐30e on dysregulation of miRNA/lncRNA/mRNA axes that may have diagnostic and therapeutic significance in aggressive PCa.
Controlling and Monitoring Crack Propagation in Monolayer Graphene Single Crystals
Authors: Zhao Xin , Mao Boyang , Liu Mufeng , Cao Jianyun , Haigh Sarah J. , Papageorgiou Dimitrios G. , Li Zheling , Young Robert J.
Published: May 2022

The evolution and propagation of cracks in exfoliated monolayer graphene single crystals and their associated stress fields are studied using Raman spectroscopy as a strain sensor. Such stress fields are found to extend over several microns, and their analysis leads to the fracture behavior of graphene being interpreted using linear elastic fracture mechanics. It is shown that propagation of a sharp crack occurs at a critical stress intensity factor Kc ≈ 4.0 MPa m1/2, similar to the earlier findings of theoretical simulations. In contrast, a blunt crack lying along an irrational direction of the crystal is found to have a less localized stress field at the crack tip and propagate at a value of Kc > 9 MPa m1/2. It is also shown that once crack propagation takes place, the cracks rotate to become aligned approximately perpendicular to the tensile axis, regardless of the crystallographic orientation of the graphene. Based upon this, a simple strain engineering method is proposed to control the propagation of cracks. This has important implications for the use of graphene in practical applications and suggests a simple method to control the formation of cracks in graphene through the application of strain.
Synthetic and Biodegradable Molybdenum(IV) Diselenide Triggers the Cascade Photo‐ and Immunotherapy of Tumor
Authors: Zhao Jiulong , Zhang Yao , Zhang Jing , Wu Hang , Li Jinfeng , Zhao Yizhou , Zhang Liying , Zou Duowu , Li Zhaoshen , Wang Shige
Published: May 2022

In this study, a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐decorated MoSe2 (MoSe2‐PVP) nanoparticle with excellent photothermal transforming ability and chlorin E6 (Ce6) loading capacity is designed for combined tumor photothermal therapy (PTT), tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT), and immunotherapy. The light‐to‐heat conversion efficiency under irradiation with an 808 nm near‐infrared laser is as high as 59.28%. The MoSe2‐PVP NPs could function as an artificial catalase and catalyze the decomposition of H2O2. Their catalytic activity and thermal durability are higher than the native catalase, which relieve the tumor hypoxia status and sensitize the tumor PDT. The data show that the synthetic MoSe2‐PVP is biodegradable, owing to the oxidation of the Mo4+ to Mo6+. Moreover, its degradation products could increase the proportion of mature dendritic cells and CD8+ thymus (T) cells and promote the infiltration of active CD8+ T cells in tumors. The immune checkpoint inhibitor, programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody is combined with MoSe2‐PVP and it is found that its degradation product could efficiently change the immune microenvironment of the tumor.
Phonon Symphony of Stacked Multilayers and Weak Bonds Lowers Lattice Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Ma Ni , Zhang Zhou , Nan Pengfei , Bai Wei , Li Kai , Zhao Jiyin , Zhou Shiming , Ge Binghui , Yang Jiong , Xiao Chong , Xie Yi
Published: May 2022

Controlling lattice vibrations to obtain intrinsic low thermal conductivity play a critical role in thermal management of electronic and photonic devices, energy converters, and thermal insulation, which necessitates exploring new compounds and a thorough understanding of their chemical structure, bonding, and lattice dynamics. Herein, a new chalcogenide, Ga6Cr5Se16, shows intrinsic low lattice thermal conductivity κlat, which crystallizes in the monoclinic phase (C2/m) with the stacked inverse GaSe4 layers (g'), close‐packed Cr3+Se6 layers (c), GaSe4 layers (g) and loosely‐stacked Cr2+Se6 layers (c') along the c‐axis. In this structure, a wide variety of chemical bonding is arranged in each layer, such as covalent Ga–Se, covalent Cr3+–Se, and weaker Cr2+–Se bonding, which endow it with a large phonon symphony by strong coupling of soft acoustic and low‐lying optical phonons. As a result, Ga6Cr5Se16 realizes an intrinsic low κlat of 0.79 W m−1 K−1 at 323 K, which is almost four times, or twice lower than that of Cr3Se4 (2.95 W m−1 K−1), or Cr2Se3 (1.56 W m−1 K−1), Ga2Se3 (1.36 W m−1 K−1) at 323 K, respectively. These insights will offer comprehensive understanding of the phonon propagation in complex layered chalcogenides, and also shed useful light on future design of low‐κlat solids.
Upgrading a Consumer Stereolithographic 3D Printer to Produce a Physiologically Relevant Model with Human Liver Cancer Organoids
Authors: Breideband Louise , Wächtershäuser Kaja N. , Hafa Levin , Wieland Konstantin , Frangakis Achilleas S. , Stelzer Ernst H. K. , Pampaloni Francesco
Published: May 2022

A widespread application of 3D bioprinting in basic and translational research requires accessibility to affordable printers able to produce physiologically relevant tissue models. To facilitate the use of bioprinting as a standard technique in biology, an open‐source device based on a consumer‐grade 3D stereolithography apparatus (SLA) printer is developed. This SLA bioprinter can produce complex constructs that preserve cell viability and recapitulate the physiology of tissues. The detailed documentation of the modifications apported to the printer as well as a throughout performance analysis allow for a straightforward adoption of the device in other labs and its customization for specific applications. Given the low cost, several modified bioprinters could be simultaneously operated for a parallelized tissue production. To showcase the capability of the bioprinter, constructs consisting of patient‐derived cholangiocarcinoma organoids encapsulated in a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel are produced. A thorough characterization of different GelMA/PEGDA ratios reveals that the mechanical properties of the bioprinted tumor model can be accurately fine‐tuned to mimic a specific tumor micro‐environment. Immunofluorescence and gene expression analyses of tumor markers confirm that the bioprinted synthetic hydrogel provides a flexible and adequate replacement of animal‐derived reconstituted extracellular matrix.
Rapid Profiling of Tumor‐Immune Interaction Using Acoustically Assembled Patient‐Derived Cell Clusters
Authors: Ao Zheng , Wu Zhuhao , Cai Hongwei , Hu Liya , Li Xiang , Kaurich Connor , Chang Jackson , Gu Mingxia , Cheng Liang , Lu Xin , Guo Feng
Published: May 2022

Tumor microenvironment crosstalk, in particular interactions between cancer cells, T cells, and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), mediates tumor initiation, progression, and response to treatment. However, current patient‐derived models such as tumor organoids and 2D cultures lack some essential niche cell types (e.g., MDSCs) and fail to model complex tumor‐immune interactions. Here, the authors present the novel acoustically assembled patient‐derived cell clusters (APCCs) that can preserve original tumor/immune cell compositions, model their interactions in 3D microenvironments, and test the treatment responses of primary tumors in a rapid, scalable, and user‐friendly manner. By incorporating a large array of 3D acoustic trappings within the extracellular matrix, hundreds of APCCs can be assembled within a petri dish within 2 min. Moreover, the APCCs can preserve sensitive and short‐lived (≈1 to 2‐day lifespan in vivo) tumor‐induced MDSCs and model their dynamic suppression of T cell tumor toxicity for up to 24 h. Finally, using the APCCs, the authors succesully model the combinational therapeutic effect of a multi‐kinase inhibitor targeting MDSCs (cabozantinib) and an anti‐PD‐1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (pembrolizumab). The novel APCCs may hold promising potential in predicting treatment response for personalized cancer adjuvant therapy as well as screening novel cancer immunotherapy and combinational therapy.
Unraveling the Design Principles of Battery‐Supercapacitor Hybrid Devices: From Fundamental Mechanisms to Microstructure Engineering and Challenging Perspectives
Authors: Xing Feifei , Bi Zhihong , Su Feng , Liu Fangyan , Wu Zhong‐Shuai
Published: May 2022

Battery‐supercapacitor hybrid devices (BSHDs) are aimed to be competitive complements to conventional batteries and supercapacitors by simultaneously achieving high energy density, high power density, and excellent cycling stability. However, the cooperative coupling of different energy storage mechanisms between batteries and supercapacitors is still challenging. Therefore, it is important to have a holistic understanding of BSHDs from material synthesis to final application. In this review, the basic concept and working principles of BSHDs are first discussed, which helps identify the related key scientific problems arising from hybridization. Then the ways in which some of these issues have been mitigated are discussed, for example by developing advanced microstructures and engineering the interface between electrode|current collector, electrode|electrolyte, and battery‐type(b‐type)|capacitor‐type(c‐type) materials. Furthermore, along with shedding light on innovative approaches for expanding the BSHDs’ cell voltage unconventional charge‐storage mechanisms and device configurations like dual ion and hydrogen ion hybrid supercapacitors are also summarized to push their performance even higher. Finally, a perspective on the technological challenges and future prospects of BSHDs from both an academic and industrial point of view is provided. This review is expected to serve as a window to look at the past and guide the future development of high‐performance BSHDs.
Analysis of the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase and body composition in Chinese women
Authors: Li Shuang , Wang Yi , He Jieyu , Huang Wu , Liao Eryuan , Liu Youshuo , Zhan Junkun , Wang Yanjiao
Published: May 2022

Objective

To investigate the relationships between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and body composition among postmenopausal women in China.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 776 postmenopausal women in China from May to July 2008. Clinical information was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Measures of body composition were obtained using dual X‐ray absorptiometry. Body lean mass and fat mass indices were calculated by dividing total body lean/fat weight (kg) by body height squared (kg/m2). Blood samples were collected to assess liver and renal functions and lipid profiles. Analysis of variance, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression were used to analyze the associations between serum ALT and body composition.

Results

We found negative relationships of serum ALT with age, menopause duration, and serum HDL‐C levels. Serum ALT was positively correlated with BMI, serum TG levels, and the lean mass index and fat mass index. In a multivariate model adjusted for age, menopause duration, serum TG, and HDL‐C levels, a 1‐unit increase in the fat mass index was associated with a 0.176 U/L increase in ALT (95% CI 0.020 to 0.050, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Serum ALT was positively associated with the body fat mass index of postmenopausal women in China.
Quantifying the impact of temporal analysis of products reactor initial state uncertainties on kinetic parameters
Authors: Yonge Adam , Gusmão Gabriel S. , Batchu Rakesh , Kunz M. Ross , Fang Zongtang , Fushimi Rebecca , Medford Andrew J.
Published: May 2022

The temporal analysis of products (TAP) reactor provides a route to extract intrinsic kinetics from transient measurements. Current TAP uncertainty quantification only considers the experimental noise present in the outlet flow signal. Additional sources of uncertainty such as initial surface coverages, catalyst zone location, inert void fraction, gas pulse intensity, and pulse delay, are not included. For this reason, a framework for quantifying initial state uncertainties present in TAP experiments is presented and applied to a carbon monoxide oxidation case study. Two methods for quantifying these sources of uncertainty are introduced. The first utilizes initial state sensitivities to approximate the parameter variances and provide insights into the structural certainty of the model. The second generates parameter confidence distributions through an ensemble‐based sampling algorithm. The initial state covariance matrix can ultimately be merged with the experimental noise covariance matrix, providing a unified description of the parameter uncertainties for a TAP experiment.
Prediction of cell penetrating peptides and their uptake efficiency using random forest‐based feature selections
Authors: Liu Peng , Ding Yijie , Rong Ying , Chen Dong
Published: May 2022

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that can carry biomolecules of varying sizes across the cell membrane into the cytoplasm. Correctly identifying CPPs is the basis for studying their functions and mechanisms. Here, we propose a novel CPP predictor that is able to predict CPPs and their uptake efficiency. In our method, five feature descriptors are applied to encode the sequence and compose a hybrid feature vector. Afterward, the wrapper + random forest algorithm is employed, which combines feature selection with the prediction process to find features that are crucial for identifying CPPs. The jackknife cross validation result shows that our predictor is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art CPP predictors, and our method reduces the feature dimension, which improves computational efficiency and avoids overfitting, allowing our predictor to be adopted to identify large‐scale CPP data.
Iodine‐catalyzed Regioselective Electrophilic (Fluoroalkyl) Sulfenylation of Indoles with (RSO2)2O via Deoxygenative Reduction
Authors: Mumtaz Yasir , Liu Jie
Published: May 2022

A method for electrophilic C−H sulfenylation by deoxygenative reduction from less expensive and easily available sulfonic anhydrides is reported. This C−S bond‐forming reaction allows a general access to sulfenyl electrophiles, including important trifluoromethyl, perfluoroalkyl and aryl derivatives that are otherwise difficult to afford. Under metal‐free conditions, the reaction yielded 3‐arylthio (Fluoroalkylthio) indoles in good to excellent yields. The catalytic technique tolerates a wide range of functional groups.
Coot bird optimization algorithm for the temperature control of continuous stirred tank reactor process
Authors: Begum K. Ghousiya
Published: May 2022

The demand for novel and innovative control techniques has increased due to complexity in the process control industries which expect better control with enhanced performance. The optimization of proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller parameters plays a significant role in the petrochemical and biochemical industries. In all these industries, controlling of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) is highly deployed whose dynamic characteristics are non‐linear and difficult to control as there is a risk of its temperature deviating from the set point. To have an efficient control, a metaheuristic optimization technique‐based PID, fractional‐order PID controller (FOPID) control evolved using the behaviour of a swarm of birds named coot bird optimization algorithm (CBOA) has been highlighted in this paper. The tuning has been done using the weighted combination of fitness functions, specifically the overshoot (Os) and the settling time (
. The simulated results demonstrate the improvement of the time domain response parameters of CBOA tuned PID, FOPID controllers providing an optimum performance when compared to other optimization algorithms and a conventional controller.
Biological study of polyethyleneimine functionalized polycaprolactone 3D‐printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Khoshnood Negin , Shahrezayee Mohammad Hossein , Shahrezayee Mostafa , Shams Alireza , Zamanian Ali
Published: May 2022

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is one of the most usable polymers in biomedical applications. Despite this, PCL has a natural hydrophobic character and a lack of active site for interaction with other materials. For overcome this limitation, surface modification using polyethyleneimine (PEI) was carried out to provide suitable hydrophilic surface for cell adhesion and proliferation. The 3D printed scaffolds were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform‐infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, contact angle, and ninhydrin assay. Finally, enzymatic degradation behavior and cellular activities were carried out to investigate the possible application in bone tissue engineering. The results indicated the formation of uniform PEI coating along with increase in the surface hydrophilicity through absorption of 43% of free amine groups, improvement of enzymatic degradation of PCL scaffolds about four times from 1.51% to 5.77% after 4 days. Also, the biological studies indicated that modification of PCL scaffolds surface with PEI provided a suitable platform for attachment, differentiation and proliferation of MC3T3 cells in the PCL‐based scaffolds. Taken together, the results suggest that the 3D composite scaffolds could be used in bone tissue engineering.
Funktionalisierte Faserkunststoffbewehrung zur Wärmespeicherung in Betonbauteilen
Authors: Gauer Tillman , Penkert Fabian , Pahn Matthias
Published: May 2022

Durch die Vorgaben des Erneuerbare‐Energien‐Gesetzes wird Strom aus Erneuerbaren Energien vorrangig in das elektrische Netz eingespeist. Zur Vermeidung von Überlastungen im Stromnetz muss diese Einspeisung temporär reduziert werden. Die elektrische Energie, die in diesen Zeiträumen technisch erzeugt werden kann, aber nicht wird, wird als Ausfallarbeit bezeichnet. Diese fällt zum größten Teil in der Heizperiode an und kann zur Beheizung von Gebäuden genutzt werden. Ein Ansatz für die effiziente Einbindung von Erneuerbaren Energien eröffnet die Nutzung der Gebäudetragstruktur zur Wärmespeicherung. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags wird eine Lösung vorgestellt, mit der elektrische Energie in Wärme umgewandelt, in Betonbauteilen gespeichert und zur Beheizung von Gebäuden genutzt wird. Die Einspeicherung von Wärme erfolgt über eine neuartige, funktionalisierte Faserkunststoffbewehrung mit einem Heizdraht in Querschnittsmitte. Um das Ziel der Reduktion von Ausfallarbeit zu erreichen, wird ein Modell benötigt, welches abhängig von der Beladedauer und der ‐spannung die Temperatur im Bauteil vorhersagt. Das mithilfe von Messungen entwickelte Modell erlaubt dies für Beladedauern bis zu 12 h. Zudem werden die im Bauteil gespeicherte Wärme sowie die resultierende Heizleistung prognostiziert. Im untersuchten Beispiel werden Leistungen von bis zu 174 W/m2 und Temperaturänderungsraten von rd. 1 K/h erreicht.
Phloretin‐induced cytoprotective effects on mammalian cells: A mechanistic view and future directions
Authors: de Oliveira Marcos Roberto
Published: May 2022

Phloretin (C15H14O5), a dihydrochalcone flavonoid, is mainly found in fruit, leaves, and roots of apple tree. Phloretin exerts antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐tumor activities in mammalian cells through mechanisms that have been partially elucidated throughout the years. Phloretin bioavailability is well known in humans, but still remains to be better studied in experimental animals, such as mouse and rat. The focus of the present review is to gather information regarding the mechanisms involved in the phloretin‐elicited effects in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Several manuscripts were analyzed and data raised by authors were described and discussed here in a mechanistic manner. Comparisons between the effects elicited by phloretin and phloridzin were made whenever possible, as well as with other polyphenols, clarifying questions about the use of phloretin as a potential therapeutic agent. Toxicological aspects associated to phloretin exposure were also discussed here. Furthermore, a special section containing future directions was created as a suggestive guide towards the elucidation of phloretin‐related actions in mammalian cells and tissues. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(1):13–40, 2016
Labyrinthitis ossificans following severe acute otitis media
Authors: Uraguchi Kensuke , Kariya Shin , Ando Mizuo
Published: May 2022

Labyrinthitis occurs because of the inflammation of the inner ear. We present a rare case of labyrinthitis ossificans following an acute otitis media. The T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed decreased signal intensity in the right inner ear due to labyrinthitis ossificans, consistent with the clinical presentation.
The earlier, the better? A review of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Fajiu , Chen Ying , Wu Juanjuan , Li Chenghong , Chen Shi , Zhu Ziyang , Qin Wei , Liu Min , Hu Bingzhu , Liu Shuang , Zhong Wenzhao
Published: May 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the approach to advanced and locally advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Antibodies blocking inhibitory immune checkpoints, such as programmed death 1 (PD‐1) and its ligand (PD‐L1), have remarkable antitumor efficacy and have been approved as a standard first‐ or second‐line treatment in non‐oncogene‐addicted advanced NSCLC. The successful application of immunotherapy in advanced lung cancer has motivated researchers to further evaluate its clinical role as a neoadjuvant setting for resectable NSCLC and for improved long‐term overall survival and curative rates. In this review, we discuss the efforts that incorporate ICIs into the treatment paradigm for surgically resectable lung cancer. We reviewed the early‐phase results from neoadjuvant clinical trials, the landscape of the majority of ongoing phase III trials, and discuss the prospects of ICIs as a curative therapy for resectable lung cancer. We also summarized the potential biomarkers and beneficiaries involved in the current study, as well as the remaining unresolved challenges for neoadjuvant immunotherapy.
CaO‐Based Heterogeneous Catalyst from Cow Bone for Direct Cracking of Triglycerides
Authors: Ameh Charles Ugbede , Eterigho Elizabeth Jumoke , Musa Abdullahi Abdullahi
Published: May 2022

A calcium oxide (CaO)‐based heterogeneous catalyst derived from waste cow bone for the direct cracking of Moringa oleifera seed oil was investigated. Optimization was carried out using a five‐level‐four‐factorial central composite design based on response surface methodology in 30 experimental runs. Under the optimal conditions of reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, reaction time, and agitation speed, 68 % biodiesel was achieved. A total of four major fatty acid methyl esters were identified in the synthesized biodiesel by the retention time and fragmentation pattern data of the gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. The statistical model for predicting the biodiesel yield was developed for the effects and percentage contributions of the optimization variables.
N‐CF3 Imidazolidin‐2‐one Derivatives via Photocatalytic and Silver‐Catalyzed Cyclizations
Authors: Turksoy Abdurrahman , Bouayad‐Gervais Samir , Schoenebeck Franziska
Published: May 2022

While the N‐trifluoromethylation of cyclic ureas is of interest for the potential to fundamentally change the properties of these biologically relevant moieties, the single synthetic procedure known to date describing their access only gives 4,4‐disubstituted or fused aromatic cyclic N‐CF3 urea derivatives. We herein report an alternative approach to unleash access to the 4‐monosubstituted imidazolidinone motif. The strategy relies on straightforward cyclization of readily accessible acyclic ureas, enabled by Ag‐catalysis or light‐assisted proton coupled electron transfer. The cyclic core is shown to be highly robust and amenable to various derivatizations, such as tandem Ni‐catalysis, C−B, C−N, C−C cross couplings or C−H functionalizations, tolerating basic, nucleophilic and/or oxidizing conditions.
Development of tinea corporis in a Japanese patient with atopic dermatitis under treatment with upadacitinib in a real‐world clinical setting: Possible contribution of the suppression of Th17
Authors: Uchiyama Akihiko , Motegi Sei‐ichiro
Published: May 2022

We present a rare case of a patient with AD who developed tinea corporis during upadacitinib treatment in a real‐world clinical setting. We hypothesized that the suppressive effect of Th17 immunity by upadacitinib possibly has contributed to the development of tinea corporis.
Multitarget Derivatives of D2AAK1 as Potential Antipsychotics: The Effect of Substitution in the Indole Moiety
Authors: Kondej Magda , Wróbel Tomasz M. , Targowska‐Duda Katarzyna M. , Leandro Martínez Antón , Koszła Oliwia , Stępnicki Piotr , Zięba Agata , Paz Alba , Wronikowska‐Denysiuk Olga , Loza Maria I. , Castro Marián , Kaczor Agnieszka A.
Published: May 2022

Schizophrenia is a complex disease which is best treated with multitarget drugs, such as atypical antipsychotics. Previously, using structure‐based virtual screening, we found a virtual hit, D2AAK1, with nanomolar affinity for dopamine and serotonin receptors important in schizophrenia pharmacotherapy. As a part of an optimization campaign of D2AAK1, we obtained 17 derivatives that also display a multitarget profile. Selected compounds were tested against off‐targets in schizophrenia, i. e., histamine H1receptor and muscarinic M1receptor, and these did not display considerable affinity for these receptors. The two most promising compounds were subjected to behavioral studies. These compounds decreased amphetamine‐induced hyperactivity in mice which indicates their antipsychotic potential. The compounds did not interfere with the memory consolidation in mice, as determined in the passive avoidance test. The favorable pharmacological profile of these compounds was rationalized using molecular modeling.
An innovative framework for balanced cluster‐based data aggregation in sensor networks
Authors: Jain Khushboo , Kumar Anoop
Published: May 2022

The essential design concern of a sensor network is to balance energy consumption of sensor nodes (SNs) to prolong the network lifetime. Many research works cited that clustering techniques efficiently utilize the network's energy resource by organizing SNS into groups of clusters and benefits in reduced data transmission. An extensively used category of cluster‐based protocols is the probabilistic clustering technique in which a preset optimum likelihood is used to facilitate the selection procedure of cluster head (CH). These clustering techniques suffer from non‐uniform dissemination of CH, which leads to uneven load balance and uneven energy consumption of SNs during network activities like data transmitting and data receiving. This causes an energy‐hole problem and reduces network lifetime. In order to solve these issues, we have focused on to design a balanced cluster‐based data aggregation and formulate a method that increases the energy efficiency of probabilistic clustering techniques by optimizing the number of clusters and the dissemination of CHs in the sensor network. The simulation analysis proves that the proposed technique accomplishes significantly enhanced than the existing works.
Regulation of homeostasis and regeneration in the adult intestinal epithelium by the TGF‐β superfamily
Authors: Fink Mardi , Wrana Jeffrey L.
Published: May 2022

The delicate balance between the homeostatic maintenance and regenerative capacity of the intestine makes this a fascinating tissue of study. The intestinal epithelium undergoes continuous homeostatic renewal but is also exposed to a diverse array of stresses that can range from physiological processes such as digestion to exposure to infectious agents, drugs, radiation therapy, and inflammatory stimuli. The intestinal epithelium has thus evolved to efficiently maintain and reinstate proper barrier function that is essential for intestinal integrity and function. Factors governing homeostatic epithelial turnover are well described; however, the dynamic regenerative mechanisms that occur following injury are the subject of intense ongoing investigations. The TGF‐β superfamily is a key regulator of both homeostatic renewal and regenerative processes of the intestine. Here, we review the roles of TGF‐β and BMP on the adult intestinal epithelium during self‐renewal and injury to provide a framework for understanding how this major family of morphogens can tip the scale between intestinal health and disease.
Pteridophyte species richness in the central Himalaya is limited by cold climate extremes at high elevations and rainfall seasonality at low elevations
Authors: Qian Hong , Kessler Michael , Vetaas Ole R.
Published: May 2022

There is a consensus that climate factors strongly influence species richness along elevation gradients, but which factors are crucial and how they operate are still elusive. Here, we assess the relative importance of temperature‐related versus precipitation‐related variables and the relative importance of extreme climate versus climate seasonality in driving pteridophyte species richness. We used correlation and regression analyses to relate species richness of pteridophytes, and their two major groups (lycophytes, ferns), in fifty 100‐m vertical bands to climatic factors representing different aspects of climatic conditions (general climate, stressful climate, and climate seasonality). Variation partitioning analysis was used to determine the relative importance of each group of climatic factors on species richness. Across the entire elevational gradient, species richness had a parabolic response to mean annual temperature (adjusted R2 = .87−.91), and a linear response to annual precipitation (adjusted R2 = .82). Mean annual temperature and annual precipitation in the second‐order polynomial model together explained 96.3%−98.7% of the variation in species richness. The variation in species richness uniquely explained by minimum temperature of the coldest month was much greater than that uniquely explained by temperature seasonality, but the variation in species richness uniquely explained by precipitation during the driest month was much smaller than that uniquely explained by precipitation seasonality. Overall, extreme climate variables explained slightly more variation than did climate seasonality. Our study suggests that pteridophyte richness along the elevational gradient is largely driven by a combination of both temperature‐ and precipitation‐related parameters, although precipitation‐related variables play a slightly stronger role, and that extreme low temperature events (at high elevations) and seasonal precipitation variability (at low elevations) are the strongest determinants of pteridophyte species richness.
Sensitive environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to detect hemlock woolly adelgid and its biological control predators Leucotaraxis silver flies and a Laricobius beetle
Authors: Kirtane Anish , Dietschler Nicholas J. , Bittner Tonya D. , Lefebvre Marshall Bigler , Celis Sabrina , O'Connor Katharine , Havill Nathan , Whitmore Mark C.
Published: May 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis can be a powerful tool for the early detection of invasive organisms. However, research on terrestrial eDNA detection from foliage surfaces has been limited. In this study, we developed methods to capture and detect eDNA using qPCR from an invasive forest pest, hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), and three of its biological control predators Leucotaraxis piniperda, Leucotaraxis argenticollis, and Laricobius nigrinus. We designed four highly efficient qPCR assays with a low limit of detection (1–10 copies/reaction). The assay targeting A. tsugae was species‐specific. The assays targeting Le. piniperda, and Le. argenticollis were biotype‐specific in addition to being species‐specific demonstrating applications of eDNA analysis beyond species‐level detection. The La. nigrinus assay also detected DNA from closely related and hybridizing Laricobius rubidus. The eDNA methods were evaluated against traditional detection methods. We collected foliage samples from three strata (bottom, middle, and top) of eastern hemlock trees to detect the presence of A. tsugae. The detection of the biological control predators was evaluated using western hemlock foliage samples collected from the predators' native range in western Washington. The eDNA methods had significantly higher positive detection rates (2.8–4.5 times) than conventional methods of all target species. The strata of sampling were not significant in determining the presence of A. tsugae infestation. The eDNA concentration positively correlated with the observed density for all species. This study demonstrates the efficacy of eDNA analysis as a more sensitive tool for early detection of A. tsugae and to track the establishment of its biological control predators.