bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering variable neoplasms between ATM protein‐truncating and common missense variants using 394 694 UK Biobank exomes
Authors: Jiang Xiao , O'Neill Amanda , Smith Katherine R. , Lai Zhongwu , Carss Keren , Wang Quanli , Petrovski Slavé
Published: April 2022

As an essential regulator of DNA damage, ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene has been widely studied in oncology. However, the independent effects of ATM missense variants and protein‐truncating variants (PTVs) on neoplasms have not been heavily studied. Whole‐exome sequencing data and the clinical health records of 394,694 UK Biobank European participants were used in this analysis. We mined genetic associations from gene‐level and variant‐level phenome‐wide association studies, and conducted a variant‐level conditional association study to test whether the effects of ATM missense variants on neoplasms were independent of ATM PTV carrier status. The gene‐level PTV collapsing analysis was consistent with established ATM PTV literature showing that the aggregated impact of 286 ATM PTVs significantly (p < 2 × 10−9) associated with 31 malignant neoplasm phenotypes. Of 773 distinct protein‐coding variants in ATM, three individual missense variants significantly (p < 2 × 10−9) associated with nine phenotypes. Remarkably, although the nine phenotypes were tumor‐related, none overlapped the established ATM PTV‐linked malignancies. A subsequent conditional analysis identified that the missense signals were acting independently of the known clinically relevant ATM PTVs.
Shapes of subcortical structures in adolescents with and without familial history of substance use disorder
Authors: Wang Zhishun , Rodriguez‐Moreno Diana V. , Cycowicz Yael M. , Amsel Lawrence V. , Cheslack‐Postava Keely , He Xiaofu , Ryan Megan , Geronazzo‐Alman Lupo , Musa George J. , Bisaga Adam , Hoven Christina W.
Published: April 2022

It has been suggested that intergenerational transmission of risk for substance use disorder (SUD) manifests in the brain anatomy of substance naïve adolescents. While volume and shapes of subcortical structures (SSS) have been shown to be heritable, these structures, especially the pallidum, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus, have also been associated with substance use disorders. However, it is not clear if those anatomical differences precede substance use or are the result of that use. Therefore, we examined if volume and SSS of adolescents with a family history (FH+) of SUD differed from adolescents without such a history (FH−). Because risk for SUD is associated with anxiety and impulsivity, we also examined correlations between these psychological characteristics and volume/SSS. Using structural MRI and FSL software, we segmented subcortical structures and obtained indices of SSS and volumes of 64 FH+ and 58 FH− adolescents. We examined group differences in volume and SSS, and the correlations between volume/SSS and trait anxiety and impulsivity. FH+ adolescents had a significant inward deformation in the shape of the right anterior hippocampus compared to FH− adolescents, while the volume of this structure did not differ between groups. Neither shape nor volume of the other subcortical structures differed between groups. In the FH+ adolescents, the left hippocampus shape was positively correlated with both trait anxiety and impulsivity, while in FH− adolescents a negative correlation pattern of SSS was seen in the hippocampus. SSS appears to capture local anatomical features that traditional volumetric analysis does not. The inward shape deformation in the right anterior hippocampus in FH+ adolescents may be related to the known increased risk for behavioral dysregulation leading to SUD in FH+ offspring. Hippocampus shape also exhibits opposite patterns of correlation with anxiety and impulsivity scores across the FH+ and FH− adolescents. These novel findings may reveal neural correlates, not captured by traditional volumetric analysis, of familial transmission of increased vulnerability to SUD.
Fast and eco‐friendly method using atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry to characterize orange varieties
Authors: Pizzo Jessica Santos , da Silva Jiuliane Martins , Santos Patrícia Daniele Silva , Visentainer Jesui Vergilio , Santos Oscar Oliveira
Published: April 2022

Orange fruit is one of the most popular types of fruit in the world, and its juice is the main product of its processing. This study aimed to evaluate a simple, fast, and eco‐friendly methodology, atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry (ASAP‐MS), to assess the chemical profile of four oranges varieties (Valencia, Folha Murcha, Pera, and Iapar). The oranges' varieties were evaluated for the physicochemical composition (extraction yield, pH, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids [TSS], °Brix), ratio (TSS/TA), and bioactive compounds (ASAP‐MS analysis). The characterization of oranges resulted in great values of oranges yield according to the varieties (44.00–48.10% [w/w], adequate and characteristic acidity [0.73–1.35%], soluble solids content (10.24–13.80°Brix), pH (3.30–3.96), and ratio (7.59–19.90) level for this fruit. This powerful method showed that all analysis procedures were simple, fast, and easy because there is no need to prepare the sample and the analysis time lasted 2 min. Besides, results obtained exhibited a vast array of chemical groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) defined and distinguished the varieties of the orange. Therefore, ASAP‐MS and PCA showed that they are very attractive candidates for routine analysis to monitor the varieties of the orange with its pronounced advantages, besides being contributing to the environment because it does not use any quantities of organic solvents. This methodology was applied for the first time to this type of sample.
Prediction of femoral strength of elderly men based on quantitative computed tomography images using machine learning
Authors: Zhang Meng , Gong He , Zhang Ming
Published: April 2022

Hip fracture is the most common complication of osteoporosis, and its major contributor is compromised femoral strength. This study aimed to develop practical machine learning models based on clinical quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images for predicting proximal femoral strength. Eighty subjects with entire QCT data of the right hip region were randomly selected from the full MrOS cohorts, and their proximal femoral strengths were calculated by QCT‐based finite element analysis (QCT/FEA). A total of 50 parameters of each femur were extracted from QCT images as the candidate predictors of femoral strength, including grayscale distribution, regional cortical bone mapping (CBM) measurements, and geometric parameters. These parameters were simplified by using feature selection and dimensionality reduction. Support vector regression (SVR) was used as the machine learning algorithm to develop the prediction models, and the performance of each SVR model was quantified by the mean squared error (MSE), the coefficient of determination (R2), the mean bias, and the SD of bias. For feature selection, the best prediction performance of SVR models was achieved by integrating the grayscale value of 30% percentile and specific regional CBM measurements (MSE ≤ 0.016, R2≥ 0.93); and for dimensionality reduction, the best prediction performance of SVR models was achieved by extracting principal components with eigenvalues greater than 1.0 (MSE ≤ 0.014, R2≥ 0.93). The femoral strengths predicted from the well‐trained SVR models were in good agreement with those derived from QCT/FEA. This study provided effective machine learning models for femoral strength prediction, and they may have great potential in clinical bone health assessments.
MicroRNA‐125a/b‐5p promotes malignant behavior in multiple myeloma cells and xenograft tumor growth by targeting DIS3
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wang Lan‐Lan , Guan Jun , Zhou Ying , Cheng Ping , Zou Liang
Published: April 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy with a high prevalence and is characterized by the clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells. As a new tumor suppressor, defective in sister chromatid joining (DIS3) was reported to be a gene closely related to MM. This study elucidated the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of DIS3 in MM. DIS3 mRNA and protein levels were detected using RT–qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assays, flow cytometry analyses, Transwell assays, and wound healing assays were performed to detect the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of MM cells. The binding relationship between miR‐125a/b‐5p and DIS3 was verified using luciferase reporter assays and RNA pulldown assays. Xenograft tumor models were established in nude mice to investigate the effects of miR‐125a/b‐5p and DIS3 on tumor growth in vivo. DIS3 levels were downregulated in MM cells, and DIS3 upregulation inhibited the malignant behaviors of MM cells. Mechanistically, miR‐125a/b‐5p directly targeted the 3′ untranslated region of DIS3. The expression of miR‐125a/b‐5p was upregulated in MM cells, miR‐125a/b‐5p knockdown inhibited the malignant behaviors of MM cells, and the inhibitory effect was reversed by DIS3 downregulation. The results of in vivo experiments indicated that miR‐125a/b‐5p promoted tumor growth by downregulating DIS3. Overall, miR‐125a/b‐5p promotes MM cellular processes and xenograft tumor growth by targeting DIS3.
A Review of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Applications in Microfluidics and Microdevices
Authors: Agha Abdulrahman , Waheed Waqas , Alamoodi Nahla , Mathew Bobby , Alnaimat Fadi , Abu‐Nada Eiyad , Abderrahmane Aissa , Alazzam Anas
Published: April 2022

Cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) are amorphous, transparent thermoplastics composed of cyclic olefin monomers (norbornene) and linear olefins (ethene). They are increasingly utilized as fabrication materials for microsystems and microfluidic devices, owing to their promising features of low water absorption, high electrical insulation, long‐term stability of surface treatments, and resistance to a broad variety of acids and solvents. Many manufacturing processes for COC‐based devices have been developed in recent decades. These methodologies are categorized as replication methods or fast prototyping as common in fabrication of thermoplastic microfluidic devices. This review gives a full discussion of the features of COCs, the various production processes, and the numerous selected applications in microfluidic platforms. The review also explores COC's composition and fundamental features, as well as fabrication processes and applications in a variety of fields, investigates the material's potential advantages and uses, and attempts to create a comprehensive list of COC's possible benefits. Due to their unique features and simplicity of fabrication, COCs are projected to advance the future of microfluidics, microsystems, and optofluidics.
Cellulose‐Based Soft Actuators
Authors: Chen Wenbo , Sun Bianjing , Biehl Philip , Zhang Kai
Published: April 2022

Compared to other commonly used materials in the field of soft actuators, cellulose offers many advantages such as low cost, sustainability, versatile applications, and abundancy. Due to the enormous and growing demand in the functional flexible electronics industry, cellulose‐based soft actuators are receiving a lot of attention and are undergoing an exciting development. In this focused review, the milestones and recent achievements of cellulose‐based actuators are presented. The actuation energy of the actuators is mainly generated through external stimuli like electricity, temperature, magnetic fields, light, or moisture. Different systems which use these stimuli and corresponding fabrication techniques for these materials, such as self‐assembly and layer by layer deposition are discussed. Further, the currently applied strategies to achieve programmable actions in soft actuators will be reviewed, which allow control over responding deformation. Finally, the pending challenges and some potential solutions in the upcoming development of cellulose‐based actuators are summarized.
Sweeping Georgia proposal becomes law, but sudden opposition raises questions
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2022

Last week's signing of comprehensive mental health legislation in Georgia represents an unquestionable victory in a state that has historically lagged nationally in access to mental health care. How the progress of the bill unfolded in the final weeks of the legislative session, however, brings to light a potential source of opposition to mental health initiatives that bears watching in other states.
CDC survey finds teen MH fared poorly during pandemic
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Although mental health had been getting progressively worse among high school students prior to the pandemic, new survey data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) March 31 reveal that many high school students across the country are experiencing poor mental health, emotional abuse and chronic sadness, prompting the CDC to label these findings a “cry for help.”
Design of multidirection pyramidal 5‐element MIMO antenna for detecting the position of a vehicle in buildings
Authors: Hong Ji‐Hun , Choi Yoon‐Seon , Woo Jong‐Myung
Published: April 2022

In this study, a multidirection pyramidal 5‐element antenna is designed to detect vehicle position information in the direction of the total hemisphere in real time. An inverted F and L‐shaped inverted antenna in a three‐dimensional arrangement was mounted on a ceiling of an indoor parking lot. The ground plane was folded into the shape of a square pyramid to direct beams into five different directions and each of them was placed 20–30 m away from the Bluetooth system to secure a stable recognition distance. The total size of the multidirectional antenna was 70 mm × 70 mm × 30 mm, and each antenna (#1–#4: L‐shaped inverted antenna, #5: inverted F antenna) retained the radiated characteristics of a broadside on the ground plane. The average of −10 dB bandwidth in the ISM band was 122 MHz (5%), and the average gain was 2.2 dBi. The four L‐shaped inverted F antennas were able to detect 360 degrees of and in the Azimuth direction. Moreover, two L‐shaped inverted F antennas and one inverted F antenna formed a beam on the hemisphere in the direction of an elevation, and the average mutual coupling between the antennas was −22.3 dB.
Pecking order theory and church debt financing: Evidence from the United Methodist church
Authors: Su Min , Yan Wenli , Harvey Nicholas
Published: April 2022

In the United States, religious congregations, as an important subset of the nonprofit sector, attract the most civic participation. Unlike other tax‐exempt organizations, churches do not file the annual tax informational Form 990 to the Internal Revenue Service, following the traditional notion of separation of church and state. Due to such an exemption, the church financial market exhibits a more severe information asymmetry problem than the corporate or nonprofit financial markets. The pecking order theory in corporate finance postulates that information asymmetry increases external financing costs, resulting in organizations demonstrating a pecking order of preference: internal funding first, then debt, and lastly, equity. This article presents the first known attempt in examining the pecking order theory in the context of church organizations, which is a large but opaque subset of nonprofit organizations. By examining the revenue and capital structures of over 30,000 United Methodist churches from 2005 to 2018, we find evidence that supports a pecking order in church mortgage loan borrowing. This study increases our understanding of church finance and congregational capital structure. It highlights the value of transparency in the church capital market and fills a significant gap in both the nonprofit finance research and the religious sector literature.
Quantitative description of filler dispersion in composite materials by fractal analysis and fluorescent labeling‐LSCM visualization technology
Authors: Wei Hao , Lv Xiangmeng , Zhao Yuhang , Li Changlin , Yan Huicheng , Sun Rong , Kang Ming
Published: April 2022

Filler dispersion is one of the key factors that significantly affect the performance of composite materials. Quantitative description of the dispersion state of fillers in composites and the internal relationship between the dispersion state and the macro‐mechanical properties of composites are very important for the performance design, prediction and processing process control of composites. In order to quantitatively and visually describe the dispersion state of inorganic fillers in matrix, research the relationship between fillers dispersion and composites properties. Here, by the fluorescent labeling technology of inorganic fillers and the surface organic modification technology, a modified fluorescently labeled calcium carbonate (MF‐CaCO3) with red fluorescence effect and good dispersibility was obtained, and polypropylene (PP)/MF‐CaCO3 composites with different loadings were prepared (the weight concentrations of MF‐CaCO3 in filler is 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%, respectively). The fractal dimension D value for evaluating the uniformity of filler dispersion has been successfully received, based on fractal analysis and fluorescent labeling‐laser scanning confocal microscope three‐dimensional (3D) visualization technology. Through the statistical results of experimental data, it was found that the value of fractal dimension D was obviously negatively correlated with the macroscopic mechanical properties of composite materials. When the dispersion of the filler was the best, that is, the fractal dimension D value took on a minimum and the composites had the best impact resistance. At the same time, this method based on fractal analysis and 3D visualization technology provides a new idea for quantitatively describing the dispersion state of fillers and its relationship with the mechanical properties of composites.
Crosslinked network solid polymer electrolyte with self‐healing ability and high stability for lithium metal battery
Authors: Xue Xiaoyuan , Cao Xiaoyan , Wan Long , Tong Yongfen , Li Tingting , Xie Yu
Published: April 2022

All‐solid polymer electrolytes with good self‐healing ability and high stability were designed based on polyoxyethylenebis(amine) (H2N‐PEG‐NH2) and 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxaldehyde through the Schiff base reaction. The effects of H2N‐PEG‐NH2 of various molecule weights on thermal and electrochemical properties were studied. It was found that shCLSPE‐3400 electrolyte with appropriate PEG chain simultaneously exhibited good thermal stability, excellent self‐healing ability and high mechanical strength, which is due to the introduction of crosslinked network structure and dynamic reversible bonds in the electrolyte. It also showed a high ionic conductivity of 4.8 × 10−4 S cm−1, wide electrochemical stability window (5.1 V) and good lithium ion transfer number (tLi+ = 0.31) with an ethylene oxide/Li + ratio of 20:1 at 25 °C. In addition, a Li|shCLSPE‐3400|LiFePO4 battery with shCLSPE‐3400 as electrolyte was studied, and it showed good reversible specific capacity. Such electrolyte has potential for application in solid‐state batteries, which will facilitate improvement in the safety performance of lithium metal batteries. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
The relationship between teacher's gender and deep learning strategy: The mediating role of deep learning motivation
Authors: Song Xin , Yang Xiantong , Wang Qiang , Su Yu , Hong Jon‐Chao
Published: April 2022

Deep learning has gradually appeared in the field of teacher education research and is considered as an effective way to promote teacher professional development. To explore the relationship between teacher gender and deep learning strategies, as well as the mediating role of teachers' deep learning motivation, we conducted a questionnaire survey in this study on 429 valid teachers of different genders, ages and backgrounds. The results show that male teachers are more likely to adopt deep learning strategies and deep learning motivations than female teachers. Deep learning motivation is positively correlated with deep learning strategy while negatively correlated with superficial learning strategy. It can be seen that deep learning motivation plays a mediating role between teacher gender and deep learning strategies. These findings expand the understanding of teachers' learning and indicate that in professional development programs, we should pay more attention to the deep learning of female teachers, to help female teachers improve their deep learning motivation and deep learning strategies.
Diagnosis and dilemma: Clinician experiences of the use of ‘borderline personality disorder’ diagnosis in children and adolescents
Authors: Papadopoullos Rose , Fisher Paul , Leddy Adrian , Maxwell Sarah , Hodgekins Jo
Published: April 2022

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis in adolescents is a relatively recent concept and a fast‐emerging research area. Regarded by some as controversial, it is important for research to provide greater understanding of differing perspectives and their impact on the use of this diagnosis. Perspectives of 13 clinicians (therapists, psychiatrists and mental health nurses) were explored, to provide a contemporary understanding of perceptions and use of BPD diagnosis within child and adolescent mental health services in England. A particular focus was to explore dilemmas faced by clinicians and how these dilemmas were negotiated. This research took a qualitative, social constructionist approach to explore the in‐depth views and experiences of each participant. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, to seek out patterns and commonalities across these clinical perspectives. Three overarching themes were generated: ‘Who holds the power?’, ‘Dilemmas within the multidisciplinary team (MDT)’ and ‘The weightiness of making this decision’. Professional opinions of an adolescent BPD diagnosis are influenced by dominant and less dominant mental health discourses, including the impact of power, and availability of resources within the service context. The role of meaningful collaboration with young people, clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Direct synthesis of hyperbranched ethene oligomers and ethene‐MA co‐oligomers using iminopyridyl systems with weak neighboring group interactions
Authors: Fan Huijun , Xu Guoyong , Wang Hui , Dai Shengyu
Published: April 2022

The synthesis of hyper‐branched ethene oligomers through catalytic insertion reactions with late transition metal catalysts is unique in its synthetic and practical scope. In this study, a series of iminopyridyl Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes with electron‐rich distal aryl motifs were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were very efficient in ethene oligomerization and co‐oligomerization with methyl acrylate (MA). Hyperbranched ethene oligomers with different microstructures were generated using different metal species in ethene oligomerization. More importantly, hyperbranched ethene‐MA co‐oligomers with varying incorporation ratios were generated via ethene and MA co‐oligomerization using the Pd(II) complexes. Most notably, weak neighboring group interactions of distal aryl motifs in the nickel system are more effective in influencing the microstructure of ethene oligomers than the corresponding palladium system.
Aphicidal activity of farnesol against the green peach aphid – Myzus persicae
Authors: Cantó‐Tejero Manuel , Guirao Pedro , Pascual‐Villalobos María Jesús
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is considered one of most important agricultural pests in the world. It is one of the main pests in protected pepper crops under glasshouse conditions in Southeastern Spain, but its control is limited as a consequence of the few available authorized insecticides and their incompatibility with the natural enemies. Some essential oils and pure compounds such as anise (Pimpinella anisum) or farnesol are repellent and/or toxic to aphids. Their use as a botanical insecticides can be an alternative for aphid control in pepper.

RESULTS

The effect of farnesol was evaluated against M. persicae in a new bioassay developed to test the contact effect (aqueous formulation of the products) on aphids in laboratory conditions. Aniseed essential oil, geraniol and (Z)‐jasmone at 0.6% causes an aphid mortality of >50%; and farnesol was the most effective (93.67% mortality). Farnesol nanoemulsions between 0.2% and 0.6% were formulated with an IKA‐Labor Pilot dispersing machine (7940 rpm for 10 min) using Tween 80 as a surfactant. These formulations were tested on field experiments (glasshouse conditions) on pepper crops for 2 years. Foliar applications of farnesol at a concentration of 0.4% in field conditions causes a high reduction in aphid populations, with efficacies of ≈70–80% with respect to the control, similar to or even higher than the efficacy of the reference pyrethrin insecticide.

CONCLUSION

Farnesol showed a great aphicidal effect against M. persicae. The use of this molecule in integrated pest management programs combined with natural enemies is a good option for future control of M. persicae. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Accuracy of Swan‒Ganz catheterization‐based assessment of right ventricular function: Validation study using high‐fidelity micromanometry‐derived values as reference
Authors: Shima Hideki , Nakaya Toshitaka , Tsujino Ichizo , Nakamura Junichi , Sugimoto Ayako , Sato Takahiro , Watanabe Taku , Ohira Hiroshi , Suzuki Masaru , Kato Masaru , Yokota Isao , Konno Satoshi
Published: April 2022

Right ventricular (RV) function critically affects the outcomes of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Pressure wave analysis using Swan‒Ganz catheterization (SG‐cath) allows for the calculation of indices of RV function. However, the accuracy of these indices has not been validated. In the present study, we calculated indices of systolic and diastolic RV functions using SG‐cath‐derived pressure recordings in patients with suspected or confirmed PH. We analyzed and validated the accuracies of three RV indices having proven prognostic values, that is, end‐systolic elastance (Ees)/arterial elastance (Ea), β (stiffness constant), and end‐diastolic elastance (Eed), using high‐fidelity micromanometry‐derived data as reference. We analyzed 73 participants who underwent SG‐cath for the diagnosis or evaluation of PH. In this study, Ees/Ea was calculated via the single‐beat pressure method using [1.65 × (mean pulmonary arterial pressure) − 7.79] as end‐systolic pressure. SG‐cath‐derived Ees/Ea, β, and Eed were 0.89 ± 0.69 (mean ± standard deviation), 0.027 ± 0.002, and 0.16 ± 0.02 mmHg/ml, respectively. The mean differences (limits of agreement) between SG‐cath and micromanometry‐derived data were 0.13 (0.99, −0.72), 0.002 (0.020, −0.013), and 0.04 (0.20, −0.12) for Ees/Ea, β, and Eed, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the indices derived from the two catheterizations were 0.76, 0.71, and 0.57 for Ees/Ea, β, and Eed, respectively. In patients with confirmed or suspected PH, SG‐cath‐derived RV indices, especially Ees/Ea and β, exhibited a good correlation with micromanometry‐derived reference values.
Wiener–Hammerstein nonlinear system identification using spectral analysis
Authors: Brouri Adil
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a new approach is developed for the identification of Wiener–Hammerstein model structures. Unlike several other papers, the transfer functions of linear elements are of unknown structure. Indeed, the linear subsystems are not necessarily parametric or FIR. Furthermore, the function of nonlinear block can be nonparametric and noninvertible. The main challenge in identifying a Wiener–Hammerstein system lies in the separation of the dynamics over the input and the output LTI elements. Presently, this issue does not arise, without any conditions being imposed on the frequency band. Then, a two‐stage identification method is suggested. Firstly, the system is excited by a set of constant inputs to capture the system nonlinearity. In the second stage, an identification approach based on the spectral analysis and using periodic input signals is developed to determine the linear elements parameters. In the present method, very interesting concepts are used, like the Fourier decomposition, the frequency approach and the spectrum analysis. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed identification method is both effective and efficient.
Surface image velocimetry: Aerial tracer particle distribution system and techniques for reducing environmental noise with coloured tracer particles
Authors: Biggs Hamish John , Smith Brendon , Detert Martin , Sutton Hamish
Published: April 2022

A novel aerial tracer particle distribution system has been developed. This system is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and flown upstream from where surface velocimetry measurements are conducted. Tracer particles can be rapidly deployed across the full channel width and distributed in a crescent shape (for larger channels), so that they reach the measurement cross section at a similar time. This enables surface velocimetry techniques to be applied in rivers and channels lacking sufficient natural tracer particles or surface features. Lack of tracers is a common problem during low flows, in lowland rivers, or in artificial channels. Techniques for colouring tracer particles with biodegradable dye have also been developed, along with methods for extracting them from Red Green Blue (RGB) imagery in the Hue Saturation Value (HSV) colour space. The use of coloured tracer particles enables flow measurements in situations where sunglint, surface waves, moving shadows or dappled lighting on riverbeds can interfere with and corrupt results using surface velocimetry techniques. These developments further expand the situations where surface velocimetry can be applied, as well as improving the accuracy of the results. The tracer particle distribution system has been successfully deployed in multiple rivers and canals in New Zealand and has enabled surface velocimetry measurements where they were not previously possible due to a lack of natural tracers.
Environmental sustainable development through modeling and ranking of influential factors of reference groups on consumer behavior of green products: The case of Iran
Authors: Sobhanifard Yaser , Hashemi Apourvari Seyed Mohammad Saleh
Published: April 2022

This study aims to extract, model, and rank reference groups on green consumer behavior to achieve environmentally sustainable development. This research was conducted in Iran in four stages. In the first stage, thematic factors were extracted through the research literature. These factors were expressed in 26 factors using expert opinions. A questionnaire containing 26 factors affecting the subject was designed in the second stage. This questionnaire was distributed among 404 people in the Iranian consumer community. In the third stage, the results of the questionnaires were reviewed, and the relevant model was presented using exploratory factor analysis. Finally, the factors were ranked using a neural network toolbox in MATLAB software and a random forest algorithm. Twenty‐six factors were extracted in the effect of reference groups on green consumer behavior. The results of the statistical sample showed the effect of these factors on the research topic. With studies performed by exploratory factor analysis, a model related to how factors affect the subject was presented in seven applied components. Finally, they were ranked to evaluate the effectiveness of the factors. This study attempts for the first time to investigate the impact of reference groups on green consumer behavior with such a wide range of factors to promote sustainable environmental development.
Electron inelastic mean free path (IMFP) values of Kapton, polyethylene (PE), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) measured with elastic peak electron spectroscopy (EPES)
Authors: Werner Wolfgang S. M. , Helmberger Fabian , Schürrer Manuel , Ridzel Olga , Stöger‐Pollach Michael , Eisenmenger‐Sittner Christoph
Published: April 2022

Elastic peak electron spectroscopy (EPES) was employed to measure the inelastic mean free path (IMFP) for energies between 500 and 1600 eV for five insulating organic compounds: Kapton, polyethylene (PE), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A Ni and a Si sample were used as reference materials to avoid measurement of the elastic reflection coefficient in absolute units. Correction of experimental elastic peak intensities for surface excitations was performed which turned out to be essential. The results are compared with recent evaluations of optical constants to yield the IMFP in the literature giving satisfactory agreement, with deviations generally below 20%. Investigation of the kinematics in an electron reflection experiment shows that the dispersion coefficient used in REELS data analysis cannot be identified with the true plasmon dispersion.
Nanomedicines Targeting Heat Shock Protein 90 Gene Expression in the Therapy of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zaib Sumera , Areeba B. S. , Nehal Rana B. S. , Wattoo Javed Iqbal , Alsaab Hashem O. , Alzhrani Rami M. , Awwad Nasser S. , Ibrahium Hala A. , Khan Imtiaz
Published: April 2022

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death all over the globe among women. Nanotechnology has emerged recently to overcome the limitations of the traditional drug delivery system. Conventional chemotherapies have several side effects that damage the immune system and other organs. Several other cancer treatments cause the proliferation of normal cells, making them cancerous due to nonspecific targeting, inability to enter the core of the tumor, and poor solubility. To overcome the problems of chemotherapies, nanotechnology has come up with the direct killing of a tumor cell with fewer side effects. Nanoparticles are designed to recognize the cancer cells and provide accurate drug delivery without interacting with the healthy cells. The use of nanoparticles with anticancer drug therapies has shown promising effects in the killing of cancer cells. The major objective of this review is to discuss the role of Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) in breast cancer and its treatment by targeted therapy via nanotechnology. This review covers research published since 2001 describing the nanotechnology mediated Hsp90 targeted breast cancer therapy.
Design, Synthesis, In‐Vivo Anti‐Diabetic Activity, In‐Vitro α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and Molecular Docking Studies of Some Quinazolinone Derivatives
Authors: Ibrahim Albaraa , Sakr Helmy M. , Ayyad Rezk R. , Khalifa Mohamed M.
Published: April 2022

A new series of quinazolinone bearing acetamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. The designed compounds were tested for their in vivo anti‐hyperglycemic effects against STZ‐induced hyperglycemic rats. Compound 10 a displayed the strongest hypoglycemic effect with blood glucose level reduction of 43.75 %. Besides, congeners 10 e, 10 i, 10 j, and 11 c strongly reduced the glucose level with percent reduction of 33.08, 30.00, 35.00, and 32.83 %, respectively. The most active members were then evaluated for their ability to inhibit Saccharomyces cerevisiae α‐glucosidase using BioVision α‐Glucosidase Inhibitor Screening Kit. Compounds 10 a and 11 c possessed potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 649 and 715 μM, respectively. Molecular docking study against the α‐glucosidase homology model was performed to understand the molecular interactions between the molecule and enzyme.
Graphene Oxide as an Adsorbent for Ruthenium from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Mohanty Biranchi Narayan , Yuvaraj Ramani , Jena Hrudananda , Ponraju Durairaj
Published: April 2022

Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by modified Hummers method and its adsorption behavior towards ruthenium (III) from aqueous solution was studied w.r.t contact time, pH, ruthenium (III) concentration, GO dosage, temperature and ionic strength. The synthesized GO and ruthenium(III) adsorbed graphene oxide (Ru‐GO) were characterized by various techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy‐Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). Pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model were best fitted in terms of standard deviation and regression coefficient. Adsorption of ruthenium (III) was pH dependent and maximum removal occurred at pH=2 with Kd=2.468×103 mL. g−1. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH°), entropy (ΔS°), Gibbs energy (ΔG°), activation energy (Ea) and sticking probability (SP*) were also calculated.Moreover, complete desorption of ruthenium (III) on GO could be achieved at an acidity of 8 M HNO3.
An integrated intervention combining cognitive‐behavioural stress management and progressive muscle relaxation improves immune biomarkers and reduces COVID‐19 severity and progression in patients with COVID‐19: A randomized control trial
Authors: Alawna Motaz , Mohamed Ayman A.
Published: April 2022

COVID‐19 is a world disaster. In response to COVID‐19 quarantine, stress, anxiety, and depression may easily develop which negatively affect immunity and decrease the patient's response against the COVID‐19 virus. This study investigated the effect of an integrated intervention combining cognitive‐behavioural stress management (CBSM) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMRs) on immune biomarkers and disease severity and progression in patients with COVID‐19 and the period to which these changes last. Thirty patients with mild or moderate COVID‐19 were randomly distributed into intervention and control groups. The intervention group performed an integrated intervention combining CBSM and PMRs. There were three outcome measures including blood immune markers, salivary immunoglobulin A, and Wisconsin scale (WIS). Two‐week post‐intervention, there were significant differences between groups in the WIS total score, Leucocytes, Lymphocytes, Interleukin‐6, and Immunoglobulin‐A. While there were non‐significant differences between both groups in Interleukin‐10 and TNF‐α. The significant differences between groups in the WIS total score, Leucocytes, Lymphocytes, Interleukin‐6, and Immunoglobulin‐A significantly continued 1 week as a follow‐up. This study concluded that performing an integrated intervention combining CBSM and PMRs for 2 weeks significantly increases immune biomarkers mainly Leucocytes, Lymphocytes, Interleukin‐10, and Interleukin‐6 along with S‐IgA. Also, this protocol significantly decreases disease severity and associated stress, anxiety, and depression; and enhances the quality of life in patients with COVID‐19. The study was retrospectively registered with NCT04998708.
Effective enhancement of intumescent flame retardant coating by coordinating manganese ions on cotton fabrics
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Ma Zhongying , Zhang Dan , Wang Yuhua
Published: April 2022

The intumescent flame retardant coating consisting of polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly sodium phosphate has various drawbacks including poor water durability, inferior flame retardancy, and large consumption of nonrenewable raw resources. An intumescent fire retardant coating coordinating with manganese ions was designed onto the cotton fabrics surface by a layer‐by‐layer assembly method to solve these concerns. Energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that the coating included well‐distributed manganese ions. The thermogravimetric measurement showed that after adding manganese ions into the coating, the decomposition of treated fabrics shifted towards a lower temperature and more char residues were formed due to the catalytic effect of manganese ions. Coated cotton fabrics with manganese ions yielded the most reduction in peak heat release rate and the highest rise in char residues, up to 69.1% and 34.7%, respectively, in microscale combustion calorimeter results. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the samples with manganese ions was the highest, up to 28.3% and the char layer was more intact and continuous after vertical combustion test. Scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that treated cotton fabrics with manganese ions had more bubbles and char residues on the fiber surface. These findings indicated that manganese ions coordination was responsible for the catalytic and synergistic effects. Furthermore, the coating containing manganese ions exhibited better water endurance owing to high‐LOI values even after rinsing. This work shows manganese ions into intumescent flame retardant coatings improves cotton fabrics flame retardancy and water resistance.
Data integration in causal inference
Authors: Shi Xu , Pan Ziyang , Miao Wang
Published: April 2022

Integrating data from multiple heterogeneous sources has become increasingly popular to achieve a large sample size and diverse study population. This article reviews development in causal inference methods that combines multiple datasets collected by potentially different designs from potentially heterogeneous populations. We summarize recent advances on combining randomized clinical trials with external information from observational studies or historical controls, combining samples when no single sample has all relevant variables with application to two‐sample Mendelian randomization, distributed data setting under privacy concerns for comparative effectiveness and safety research using real‐world data, Bayesian causal inference, and causal discovery methods.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Semiparametric Models

Applications of Computational Statistics > Clinical Trials
Probing scalar dark matter oscillations with neutrino oscillations
Authors: Losada Marta , Nir Yosef , Perez Gilad , Shpilman Yogev
Published: April 2022

Abstract

If ultra-light dark matter (ULDM) exists and couples to neutrinos, it can be discovered via time-periodic variations in the neutrino mass and mixing parameters. We analyze the current bounds on such a scenario and establish the sensitivity expected for both time-averaged and time-resolved modulations in future neutrino oscillation experiments. We place a special emphasis in our analysis on time modulations of the CP violating mixing phase. We illustrate with a toy model the case where the leading modulation effect can be CP violating while the effect on CP conserving parameters is suppressed. We show a unique imprint that a time-averaged CP violating modulation of ULDM can leave in neutrino oscillations, while direct CP asymmetries vanish.
Forbidden scalar dark matter and dark Higgses
Authors: Wojcik George N. , Rizzo Thomas G.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

As experimental searches for WIMP dark matter continue to yield null results, models beyond the WIMP paradigm have proliferated in order to elude ever improving observational constraints, among them that of sub-GeV dark matter mediated by a massive vector portal (a dark photon) associated with a new dark U(1) gauge symmetry. It has been previously noted that for a significant range of the parameter space of this class of models, the annihilation of dark matter particles into a pair of dark photons can dominate the freeze-out process even when this process is kinematically forbidden for dark matter at rest — this is known as the “forbidden dark matter” (FDM) regime. Prior studies of this regime, however, assume that any “dark Higgs” associated with breaking the dark U(1) and imparting mass to the dark photon is decoupled from the dark matter and as such plays no role in the freeze-out process. In this paper, we explore the effects of a dark Higgs on sub-GeV dark matter phenomenology in this FDM regime by considering the simplest possible construction in which there exist non-trivial dark matter-dark Higgs couplings: a model with a single complex scalar DM candidate coupled directly to the dark Higgs field. We find that for a wide range of parameter space, the dark Higgs can alter the resulting relic abundance by many orders of magnitude, and that this effect can remain significant even for a small dark matter-dark Higgs coupling constant. Considering measurements from direct detection and measurements of the CMB, we further find that points in this model’s parameter space which recreate the appropriate dark matter relic abundance suffer only mild constraints from other sources at present, but may become accessible in near-future direct detection experiments.
Quantum nonequilibrium dynamics from Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations
Authors: Sedrakyan Tigran A. , Babujian Hrachya M.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We consider a set of non-stationary quantum models. We show that their dynamics can be studied using links to Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov (KZ) equations for correlation functions in conformal field theories. We specifically consider the boundary Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten model, where equations for correlators of primary fields are defined by an extension of KZ equations and explore the links to dynamical systems. As an example of the workability of the proposed method, we provide an exact solution to a dynamical system that is a specific multi-level generalization of the two-level Landau-Zenner system known in the literature as the Demkov-Osherov model. The method can be used to study the nonequilibrium dynamics in various multi-level systems from the solution of the corresponding KZ equations.
Etablierte Klassifikationssysteme der posterioren Malleolus-Fraktur
Authors: Müller Elena , Terstegen Julia , Kleinertz Holger , Weel Hanneke , Frosch Karl‑Heinz , Barg Alexej , Schlickewei Carsten
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund

Frakturen des posterioren Malleolus finden sich bei fast 50 % aller Sprunggelenkfrakturen. Die hohe klinische Relevanz dieser Gelenkfrakturen erklärt sich durch das deutlich schlechtere klinische sowie funktionelle Outcome. Bis heute mangelt es an einer einheitlichen Lehrmeinung bezüglich Klassifikation und Behandlung dieser Frakturen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Intention dieser Arbeit war eine systematische Literaturübersicht über klinische Studien, welche posteriore Malleolus-Frakturen untersucht und mit einer der 3 etablierten Klassifikationen nach Haraguchi, Bartonicek/Rammelt oder Mason klassifiziert haben.

Material und Methoden

Die Datenbank PubMed wurde vollständig am 01.07.2021 durchsucht. Nur Publikationen in englischer und deutscher Sprache wurden eingeschlossen. Die systematische Literatursuche wurde entsprechend den aktuellen Kriterien von „Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses“ (PRISMA) durchgeführt. Die methodologische Qualität der eingeschlossenen Studien wurde anhand des modifizierten Coleman-Scores quantifiziert.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt 27 Studien mit insgesamt 2220 Patienten konnten in die systematische Literaturübersicht eingeschlossen werden. Trimalleolarfrakturen zeigten dabei eine deutlich ungünstigere Prognose als andere OSG-Frakturen. Prognostisch entscheidend für das klinische Outcome war v. a. die Qualität der Reposition.

Diskussion

Keine der 3 untersuchten Klassifikationen konnte sich bisher in der Fachliteratur durchsetzen. Speziell im Hinblick auf einen ableitbaren Therapiealgorithmus oder auf eine Prognose hinsichtlich des Outcome sind die untersuchten Klassifikationen schwach oder nicht zu verwenden. Einzig die Klassifikation nach Bartonicek/Rammelt ist geeignet, sich aufgrund des ableitbaren Therapiealgorithmus in der Literatur sowie im klinischen Alltag durchzusetzen.