bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation, optical, and thermal stability of Tb3+‐doped glass ceramics containing Al4Ti2SiO12
Authors: Wang Haotian , Zhang Guodong , Zhao Tianli , Su Chunhui , Zou Xiangyu , Zhang Hongbo
Published: June 2023

The Tb3+‐doped transparent glass ceramics containing Al4Ti2SiO12 crystal are synthesized by the melt‐solid‐crystallization method. The optimal heat treatment conditions for the glass ceramic samples are determined to be 750°C, 1.5 h based on differential scanning calorimeter, X‐ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and light transmittance curve. The luminescence properties of the glass ceramics samples are characterized by a fluorescence spectrometer. The emission spectrum revealed that the dominant emission is green attributed to Tb3+, the optimal doping concentration is 0.3%. And the thermal quenching activation energy of 0.3% Tb3+‐doped glass ceramics is 0.2554 eV, while the relative sensitivity is 1.50% K−1 at 298 K and the absolute sensitivity is 2.27×10−2 K−1 at 418 K through variable temperature fluorescence spectroscopy test and a series of calculations. These findings demonstrate the excellent stability and temperature sensitivity of glass ceramics, thereby highlighting their potential for use in green lighting and temperature sensing applications.
Brown sugar polyphenols as natural inhibitors of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase enzymes
Authors: Wang Jie , Nisar Tanzeela , Fang Zhongxiang , Huang Guanru , Yang Rui , Wang Fu , Zou Li , Wang Zi‐Chao , Lin Ying
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the compositional profile and inhibitory effect of brown sugar polyphenols (BSPs) on porcine pancreatic α‐amylase (PPA) and Baker's yeast α‐glucosidase (BYG) activities. The HPLC‐ESI‐MS (high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionisation‐mass spectrometry) analysis showed that BSPs comprised of four hydroxybenzoic acids including protocatechuic, p‐hydroxybenzoic, vanillic and syringic acids (PA, PHBA, VA and SA, respectively) and three hydroxycinnamic acids including chlorogenic, p‐coumaric and ferulic acids (CHA, PCA and FA, respectively), where CHA (29.24%) and SA (31.31%) were the main BSPs. The enzyme inhibition analysis expressed as IC50 values (except PA and VA) showed that CHA, PCA and FA exhibited higher PPA and BYG inhibitory activities than PHBA and SA, following the order of CHA > PCA > FA > PHBA > SA. Moreover, the BSPs showed better inhibitory activities against BYG than PPA. The inhibition mechanism analysis through inhibitory kinetics, fluorescence quenching, differential scanning calorimetry and molecular docking demonstrated that the BSPs inhibited the enzymes by binding with them mainly via hydrogen bonds. The results suggested that BSPs could be natural inhibitors of PPA and BYG.
Turn‐key research in food processing and manufacturing for reducing the impact of climate change
Authors: Martindale Wayne , Hollands Tom Æ , Jagtap Sandeep , Hebishy Essam , Duong Linh
Published: June 2023

This study addresses the critical need to report original and current findings on the global food system's ability to meet the growing natural resource demands of an estimated 9 billion global population. The objective is to provide guidance for researchers in developing strategies to reduce climate change risks in the food and beverage supply. To achieve this, we propose integrating innovative industry insights and digital applications into existing food system models as industrial demonstrators. Our research encompasses six impactful themes, demonstrating effective delivery methodologies. We highlight that human‐centred activities and practices, often overlooked in sustainability assessments, hinder improved security and sustainability in the food system. Through our work, we showcase how smarter food production processes, along with active citizen engagement, can achieve desired outcomes outlined in frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. A crucial aspect is the development of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, integrating workforce practices into manufacturing activities, and driving the necessary cultural changes for a sustainable food system. This study illuminates challenges faced by the global food system and provides actionable insights and methodologies to guide researchers and industry stakeholders in creating a more sustainable and secure future for food production and consumption.
Evaluation of the antihypertensive and antidiabetic potential of peptides from the globulin fraction of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) by an in silico and in vitro approach
Authors: Chirinos Rosana , Escobar‐Mendoza Nicolle , Figueroa‐Merma Andrés , de Oliveira Thomás Valente , Guzmán Fanny , Pedreschi Romina , Campos David
Published: June 2023

The angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE, antihypertensive effect) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV, antidiabetic effect) inhibitory potential of peptides derived from the quinoa globulin hydrolysis with thermolysin were evaluated by in silico and in vitro analysis. The in silico hydrolysis of the globulin fractions resulted in peptides (~400 sequences) of different sizes and sequence conformations, of which 25 presented a high bioactivity probability score (>0.8). When the 25 sequences were evaluated for their stability against in silico simulated gastrointestinal digestion, four sequences resulted, PR, SPH, IPPG and SG all of them with a high bioactivity profile against ACE and DPP IV inhibition, where SPH and IPPG turned out to be new sequences not reported before. The molecular docking study found a high affinity between IPPG‐ACE and IPPG‐DPP IV and SPH‐DPP IV, with several interaction points with the active sites of the enzymes evaluated. The IC50 values for ACE and DPP IV found by the in vitro hydrolysis with thermolysin in a protein concentrate and in quinoa globulin support the findings of the in silico approach. Therefore, we conclude that the globulin fraction of quinoa hydrolyzed with thermolysin represents a potential source of antihypertensive and antidiabetic peptides.
Development of noodles with high highland barley flour incorporation level with proteins and pre‐gelatinized flour/starch
Authors: Ding Xiangli , Quan Zhen‐Yang , Zhang Li‐Li , Li Lun , Qian Jian‐Ya
Published: June 2023

In this study, pre‐gelatinized highland barley flour (PHBF), pre‐gelatinized sweet potato starch (PSPS), wheat gluten (WG), and egg white protein (EWP) were used to develop highland barley noodles. Their effects on noodle quality were analysed, and then noodle formula optimization was carried out based on them. Changes in quality characteristics and intermolecular structure were analysed to explore the underlying mechanism. PHBF, PSPS, WG, and EWP influence the quality characteristics of HB noodles from diverse angles. After formula optimization, noodles with improved cooking and textural properties were obtained, in which HBF accounts for 93.0% of the composite flour and can be categorised as low expected glycemic index (eGI) foods. The viscosity and elasticity of the dough both improved; a more stable protein structure and enhanced starch structure were formed; and increased intermolecular forces were observed, which would contribute to the enhanced protein cross‐linking, structural order, and textural properties of noodles.
Effect of incorporation of seaweed (Portieria hornemanii) and Tilapia fish protein concentrate on the nutritional, physical and sensory attributes of cookies
Authors: Sivaraman Lekshmi , Deshmukhe Geetanjali , Xavier Kochery Augustine Martin , Hirekudel Sanath Kumar , Desai Ajay S. , Balange Amjad Khansaheb
Published: June 2023

Wheat flour is deficient in many nutrients and is the main ingredient of cookies. In the present study, Tilapia fish protein concentrate (FPC) (5%) and seaweed (Portieria hornemanii) (2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) were incorporated into cookie formulation. The treatments were respectively T3, T4, T5 and T6. Cookies prepared without FPC and seaweed (T1) and 5% FPC (T2) alone acted as a control. Proximate composition, total dietary fibre, mineral content, physical properties (baking loss, fracturability, colour and textural properties) and sensory characteristics were analysed. Improvement in the protein (4.98–8.19%) (P < 0.05), carbohydrate (63.74%), Total dietary fibre (3.35%), energy (546–574 Kcal/100 g cookies), spread factor (1.82–1.89) and mineral content was observed in cookies containing seaweed and FPC compared to control. High overall acceptability was obtained by T3 compared to the control. The present study showed cookies that are nutritionally improved as well as have good sensory acceptability can be developed by incorporating seaweed and FPC. In the future, the incorporation of specific purified compounds from seaweeds into cookies can be done.
Insights into the relationships among the formation of biogenic amines, microbiota composition using a culture‐independent method, and metabolic potential in chill‐stored Scomber japonicus
Authors: Liang Ruiping , Tang Haiqing , Chen Jingyi , Zhang Mengsi , Liu Lianliang , Ou Changrong
Published: June 2023

Fish spoilage is significantly influenced by the microbiota composition, in which the specific spoilage organisms are the main factors. In this article, we used the 16S rRNA V3–V4 hypervariable areas of bacteria to assess the microbial community and metabolic function of Scomber japonicus during storage at 4 °C for 9 days. The physicochemical and microbiological indices including total viable counts (TVC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) and biogenic amines (BAs) were determined. Observations revealed that TVC, TVB‐N and BAs content dramatically increased over the storage, TVB‐N, histamine, cadaverine and tyramine content reached 54.18 mg/100 g, 621.26, 190.93 and 57.48 mg kg−1, respectively, at the end of storage. The decrease of alpha diversity indicated the decrease of microbial community plenty and diversity. Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Moraxellaceae unclassified occupied the dominant position during storage. The accumulation of histamine and cadaverine correlated positively with Pseudomonas and Brochothrix while negatively with Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter and Flavobacterium. Putrescine production and Photobacterium showed a strong favourable association. Amino acid metabolism and glucose metabolism were the two primary metabolic routes during the storage of S. japonicus, according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Overall, this study explored the interrelationships among the microbial community, functional metabolisms and spoilage characteristics during the storage of S. japonicus, which aimed to identify the specific spoilage organisms and help to deepen the understanding of roles that this microbiota played during spoilage.
Circulating mitochondrial dysfunction as an early biomarker for contrast media‐induced acute kidney injury in chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Kusirisin Prit , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Noppakun Kajohnsak , Kuanprasert Srun , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: June 2023

Contrast‐induced acute kidney injury (CI‐AKI) is the common hospitalized acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the diagnosis by serum creatinine might not be early enough. Currently, the roles of circulating mitochondria in CI‐AKI are still unclear. Since early detection is crucial for treatment, the association between circulating mitochondrial function and CI‐AKI was tested as a potential biomarker for detection of CI‐AKI. Twenty patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. Blood and urine samples were obtained at the time of PCI, and 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after PCI. Plasma and urine neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) were measured. Oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, mitochondrial dynamics and cell death were determined from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Forty percent of patients developed AKI. Plasma NGAL levels increased after 24 h after receiving contrast media. Cellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased mitochondrial fusion occurred at 6 h following contrast media exposure. Subgroup of AKI had higher %necroptosis cells and TNF‐α mRNA expression than subgroup without AKI. Collectively, circulating mitochondrial dysfunction could be an early predictive biomarker for CI‐AKI in CKD patients receiving contrast media. These findings provide novel strategies to prevent CI‐AKI according to its pathophysiology.
A sublethal concentration of chitosan oligosaccharide suppresses the population growth of the wheat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus)
Authors: Yu Hailong , Li Xinan , Lan Chen , Li Qiuchi , Sun Yulin , Tian Xujun , Zhu Saige , Ren Jianhua , Yan Zheng , Li Wenxiang , Zhu Xun
Published: June 2023

The bird cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a key pest of wheat in China. Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) has been widely used due to its biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, environmental friendliness and convenient extraction. This study was aimed at determining the acute toxicity of COS on R. padi and transgenerational effects of sublethal concentrations of COS on the biological characteristics of R. padi. The results indicated that COS possessed acute toxicity against R. padi after 48 h of exposure (LC50: 1227.35 mg/L). The sublethal concentration of COS (LC15: 260 mg/L) induced a decrease in adult longevity, adult prereproductive period and fecundity in the first filial generation (F1). Moreover, in F1 progeny, nymphal (1st–3rd), preadult and total prereproductive period significantly enhanced due to sublethal dose. Moreover, finite rate of increase (λ), the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0) of F1 progeny were significantly decreased, whereas a sublethal COS concentration exposure significantly increased the mean generation time (T) of F1 progeny. Overall, the study shows that sublethal concentration of COS can significantly suppress population growth of R. padi F1 generation, showing the potential of COS as a biorational option to manage aphids.
Proteomics of the astrocyte secretome reveals changes in their response to soluble oligomeric Aβ
Authors: Matafora Vittoria , Gorb Alena , Yang Fangjia , Noble Wendy , Bachi Angela , Perez‐Nievas Beatriz Gomez , Jimenez‐Sanchez Maria
Published: June 2023

Astrocytes associate with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Astrocytes react to changes in the brain environment, including increasing concentrations of amyloid‐β (Aβ). However, the precise response of astrocytes to soluble small Aβ oligomers at concentrations similar to those present in the human brain has not been addressed. In this study, we exposed astrocytes to media from neurons that express the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgene with the double Swedish mutation (APPSwe), and which contains APP‐derived fragments, including soluble human Aβ oligomers. We then used proteomics to investigate changes in the astrocyte secretome. Our data show dysregulated secretion of astrocytic proteins involved in the extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal organization and increase secretion of proteins involved in oxidative stress responses and those with chaperone activity. Several of these proteins have been identified in previous transcriptomic and proteomic studies using brain tissue from human AD and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our work highlights the relevance of studying astrocyte secretion to understand the brain response to AD pathology and the potential use of these proteins as biomarkers for the disease.

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Data‐driven approach to predicting the risk of pressure injury: A retrospective analysis based on changes in patient conditions
Authors: Jin Yinji , Back Ji‐Sun , Im Sun Ho , Oh Jong Hyo , Lee Sun‐Mi
Published: June 2023

Aims

To determine the risk of pressure injury development in the intensive care unit based on changes in patient conditions.

Design

This retrospective study was based on secondary data analysis.

Methods

Patient data from electronic health records were retrospectively obtained and we included 438 and 1752 patients with and without pressure injury, respectively, among those admitted to the medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) from January 2017–February 2020. Changes in patient conditions were analysed based on the first and last objective data values from the day of ICU admission to the day before the onset of pressure injury and categorised as follows: improved, maintained normal, exacerbated and unchanged. Logistic regression was performed to identify the significant predictors of pressure injury development based on 11 variables.

Results

The 11 selected variables were age, body mass index, activity, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, nursing severity level, pulse and albumin, haematocrit, C‐reactive protein, total bilirubin and blood urea nitrogen levels. The risk for a pressure injury was high with exacerbation of or persistently abnormal levels of nursing severity, albumin, haematocrit, C‐reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen and pulse >100 beat/min.

Conclusion

Periodic monitoring of haematological variables is important for preventing pressure injury in the intensive care unit.

Reporting Method

The study followed STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study contributes to the utilisation of patient data from electronic health records.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

In addition to other pressure injury risk assessment tools, ICU nurses can help prevent pressure injuries by assessing patients' blood test results, thereby promoting patient safety and enhancing the efficacy of nursing practice.
Multimorbidity patterns and 18‐year transitions from normal cognition to dementia and death: A population‐based study
Authors: Valletta Martina , Vetrano Davide Liborio , Xia Xin , Rizzuto Debora , Roso‐Llorach Albert , Calderón‐Larrañaga Amaia , Marengoni Alessandra , Laukka Erika J. , Canevelli Marco , Bruno Giuseppe , Fratiglioni Laura , Grande Giulia
Published: June 2023

Background

Several chronic diseases accelerate cognitive decline; however, it is still unknown how different patterns of multimorbidity influence individuals’ trajectories across the cognitive continuum.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the impact of multimorbidity and of specific multimorbidity patterns on the transitions across cognitive stages (normal cognition, cognitive impairment, no dementia [CIND], dementia) and death.

Methods

We included 3122 dementia‐free individuals from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. Using fuzzy c‐means cluster analysis, multimorbid participants were classified into mutually exclusive groups characterized by commonly coexisting chronic diseases. Participants were followed up to 18 years to detect incident CIND, dementia, or death. Transition hazard ratios (HRs), life expectancies, and time spent in different cognitive stages were estimated using multistate Markov models.

Results

At baseline, five multimorbidity patterns were identified: neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, sensory impairment/cancer, respiratory/metabolic/musculoskeletal, and unspecific. Compared to the unspecific pattern, the neuropsychiatric and sensory impairment/cancer ones showed reduced hazards of reverting from CIND to normal cognition (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.85 and HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39–0.91). Participants in the cardiovascular pattern exhibited an increased hazard of progression from CIND to dementia (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.15–2.52) and for all transitions to death. Subjects with the neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular patterns showed reduced life expectancy at age 75, with an anticipation of CIND (up to 1.6 and 2.2 years, respectively) and dementia onset (up to 1.8 and 3.3 years, respectively).

Conclusions

Multimorbidity patterns differentially steer individual trajectories across the cognitive continuum of older adults and may be used as a risk stratification tool.
Visuo‐vestibular and cognitive connections of the vestibular neuromatrix are conserved across age and injury populations
Authors: Smith Jeremy L. , Diekfuss Jed A. , Dudley Jonathan A. , Ahluwalia Vishwadeep , Zuleger Taylor M. , Slutsky‐Ganesh Alexis B. , Yuan Weihong , Foss Kim D. Barber , Gore Russell K. , Myer Gregory D. , Allen Jason W.
Published: June 2023

Background and Purpose

Given the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in pediatric concussion, there is a need to better understand pathophysiological disruptions within vestibular and associated cognitive, affective, and sensory‐integrative networks. Although current research leverages established intrinsic connectivity networks, these are nonspecific for vestibular function, suggesting that a pathologically guided approach is warranted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the generalizability of the previously identified “vestibular neuromatrix” in adults with and without postconcussive vestibular dysfunction to young athletes aged 14‐17.

Methods

This retrospective study leveraged resting‐state functional MRI data from two sites. Site A included adults with diagnosed postconcussive vestibular impairment and healthy adult controls and Site B consisted of young athletes with preseason, postconcussion, and postseason time points (prospective longitudinal data). Adjacency matrices were generated from preprocessed resting‐state data from each sample and assessed for overlap and network structure in MATLAB.

Results

Analyses indicated the presence of a conserved “core” network of vestibular regions as well as areas subserving visual, spatial, and attentional processing. Other vestibular connections were also conserved across samples but were not linked to the “core” subnetwork by regions of interest included in this study.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that connections between central vestibular, visuospatial, and known intrinsic connectivity networks are conserved across adult and pediatric participants with and without concussion, evincing the significance of this expanded, vestibular‐associated network. Our findings thus support this network as a workable model for investigation in future studies of dysfunction in young athlete populations.
Mitigating moral hazard with usage‐based insurance
Authors: Holzapfel Julia , Peter Richard , Richter Andreas
Published: June 2023

Technological progress has improved insurers' ability to monitor policyholders and has led to usage‐based insurance (UBI) contracts that incorporate behavioral risk factors in pricing. Economic theory predicts that any informative monitoring signal is adopted in equilibrium. In practice, the demand for UBI is still low to date with market shares in the single digits. We modify the standard moral‐hazard model in insurance economics by trading off a simpler effort model for a richer strategy space, and by focusing on the use of monitoring for premium differentiation. In our model, an informative monitoring technology is in use if it is sufficiently accurate. Otherwise, the premium incentive from monitoring is not large enough to alleviate the incentive‐compatibility constraint to an extent that would make policyholders better off. Our results help explain the slow adoption of UBI contracts in practice and provide an avenue to increase their appeal to policyholders.
Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio in neonatal foals with sepsis
Authors: Scalco Rebeca , de Oliveira Gabriela Novo , da Rosa Curcio Bruna , Wooten McCaide , Magdesian K. Gary , Hidai Stephanie Takako , Pandit Pranav , Aleman Monica
Published: June 2023

Background

Rapid and accurate markers to aid diagnosis of sepsis are needed in neonatal foals. The CBC variable red blood cell distribution width (RDW) to platelet ratio (RPR) is associated with inflammatory response and linked to poor outcomes of sepsis in human patients.

Hypothesis

Explore the correlation of RPR with sepsis in neonatal foals and evaluate RPR predictive and prognostic value.

Animals

Three hundred seventeen hospitalized neonatal foals ≤7 days of age that had a CBC and physical exam performed at admission between 2012 and 2021.

Methods

Retrospective case‐control study. Clinical records were used to calculate sepsis scores and define groups. Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio was calculated and compared between groups (septic vs nonseptic) based on Kruskal‐Wallis and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests. A multivariate logistic regression model to predict sepsis was created. The cutoff for RPR was obtained based on the maximal Youden Index. The Kaplan‐Meier method and the log‐rank test were used to estimate survival curves and compare survival rates based on RPR.

Results

Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio was significantly higher in septic foals (Median = 0.099, confidence interval [CI] [0.093; 0.108]) than in sick nonseptic (0.085, CI [0.083; 0.089]) and healthy foals (0.081, CI [0.077; 0.086]; P < .0001). Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio was able to predict sepsis with high accuracy (AUC = 82.1%). The optimal RPR cutoff for sepsis was 0.09.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio calculation is practical, inexpensive, and based on CBC‐derived data. Calculation of RPR along with CBC can aid in the diagnosis of sepsis and estimation of outcome.
Regulation of photosynthetic and hemolytic activity of Phaeocystis globosa under different light spectra
Authors: Song Xinru , Xu Zhuoyun , Zhang Wenguang , Tong Mengmeng
Published: June 2023

Phaeocystis globosa frequently proliferates in eutrophic waters and forms ichthyotoxic algal blooms that cause massive fish mortalities in marine ecosystems. One of the ichthyotoxic metabolites was identified as the glycolipid‐like hemolytic toxin, reported to be initiated under light conditions. However, the association between hemolytic activity (HA) and photosynthesis of P. globosa remained unclear.

Light spectra (blue, red, green, and white) and 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU) were selected as the stressors to stimulate the hemolytic response of P. globosa in relation to the light and dark photosynthesis reaction.

Hemolytic activity in P. globosa was sensitive to the light spectrum as it decreased from 93% to nearly undetectable (1.6%) within 10 min of transfer from red (630 nm) to green light (520 nm). This indicates that the vertical transformation of P. globosa from deep to surface waters (dominated by green light and all light spectra, respectively) may drive the hemolytic response in coastal waters. However, regulation of photosynthetic electron transfer in the light reaction of P. globosa was excluded by the evidence of inconsistent response of HA to photosynthetic activity.

The biosynthesis of HA may interfere with the pathway of photopigments diadinoxanthin or fucoxanthin, and the metabolism of three‐ and five‐carbon sugars (GAP and Ru5P, respectively), which ultimately lead to changes in the alga's hemolytic carbohydrate metabolism.
H2S works synergistically with rhizobia to modify photosynthetic carbon assimilation and metabolism in nitrogen‐deficient soybeans
Authors: Zhang Ni‐Na , Suo Bing‐Yu , Yao Lin‐Lin , Ding Yu‐Xin , Zhang Jian‐Hua , Wei Ge‐Hong , Shangguan Zhou‐Ping , Chen Juan
Published: June 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) performs a crucial role in plant development and abiotic stress responses by interacting with other signalling molecules. However, the synergistic involvement of H2S and rhizobia in photosynthetic carbon (C) metabolism in soybean (Glycine max) under nitrogen (N) deficiency has been largely overlooked. Therefore, we scrutinised how H2S drives photosynthetic C fixation, utilisation, and accumulation in soybean‐rhizobia symbiotic systems. When soybeans encountered N deficiency, organ growth, grain output, and nodule N‐fixation performance were considerably improved owing to H2S and rhizobia. Furthermore, H2S collaborated with rhizobia to actively govern assimilation product generation and transport, modulating C allocation, utilisation, and accumulation. Additionally, H2S and rhizobia profoundly affected critical enzyme activities and coding gene expressions implicated in C fixation, transport, and metabolism. Furthermore, we observed substantial effects of H2S and rhizobia on primary metabolism and C–N coupled metabolic networks in essential organs via C metabolic regulation. Consequently, H2S synergy with rhizobia inspired complex primary metabolism and C–N coupled metabolic pathways by directing the expression of key enzymes and related coding genes involved in C metabolism, stimulating effective C fixation, transport, and distribution, and ultimately improving N fixation, growth, and grain yield in soybeans.
Emotional processing and positive affect after acute exercise in healthy older adults
Authors: Kommula Yash , Purcell Jeremy J. , Callow Daniel D. , Won Junyeon , Pena Gabriel S. , Smith J. Carson
Published: June 2023

The well‐elucidated improvement of mood immediately after exercise in older adults presumably involves adaptations in emotion‐processing brain networks. However, little is known about effects of acute exercise on appetitive and aversive emotion‐related network recruitment in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute exercise, compared to a seated rest control condition, on pleasant and unpleasant emotion‐related regional activation in healthy older adults. Functional MRI data were acquired from 32 active older adults during blocked presentations of pleasant, neutral and unpleasant images from the International Affective Pictures System. fMRI data were collected after participants completed 30 min of moderate to vigorous intensity cycling or seated rest, performed in a counterbalanced order across separate days in a within‐subject design. The findings suggest three ways that emotional processing in the brain may be different immediately after exercise (relative to immediately after rest): First, reduced demands on emotional regulation during pleasant emotional processing as indicated by lower precuneus activation for pleasant stimuli; second, reduced processing of negative emotional stimuli in visual association areas as indicated by lower activation for unpleasant stimuli in the bilateral fusiform and ITG; third, an increased recruitment in activation associated with regulating/inhibiting unpleasant emotional processing in the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex), angular gyri, supramarginal gyri, left cerebellar crus I/II and a portion of right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Overall, these findings support that acute exercise in active older adults alters activation in key emotional processing and regulating brain regions.
Urban strategy in an era of public policy assessment: Beyond the methodological divide
Authors: Garza Nestor , Garza Jennifer
Published: June 2023

This article presents the one‐sided intellectual influence of Economics on Urban Studies & Planning, the case of two social science disciplines with different epistemologies and approaches to policy advice. Subsequently, it presents the emergence of the so‐called evidence based policy (EBP) approach in Economics, comprising experimental (randomized control trial) and quasi‐experimental (difference‐in‐differences and propensity score matching) methods. The article shows that even though EBP claims to be exempt from normative/political, and even theoretical, considerations, it builds upon two features of neoclassical economics: sufficiency and separability. These conditions comprise its normative neoclassical theory background. We discuss the neoliberal turn in development narratives and their influence on urban planning, which coincides with the emergence of EBP. We analyze some EBP examples in the urban planning scholarship.
Weather shocks and exchange rate flexibility
Authors: Elekdag Selim , Tuuli Maxwell
Published: June 2023

This paper assesses the stabilization properties of fixed versus flexible exchange rate regimes and aims to answer this research question: Does greater exchange rate flexibility help an economy's adjustment to weather shocks? To address this question, the impact of weather shocks on real per capita GDP growth is quantified under the two alternative exchange rate regimes. We find that although weather shocks are generally detrimental to per capita income growth, the impact is less severe under flexible exchange rate regimes. Moreover, the medium‐term adverse growth impact of a 1°C increase in temperature under a pegged regime is about −1.4 percentage points on average, while under a flexible regime, the impact is less than one half that amount (−0.6 percentage point). This finding bolsters the idea that exchange rate flexibility not only helps mitigate the initial impact of the shock but also promotes a faster recovery. Importantly, there is evidence of nonlinear effects, whereby greater exchange rate flexibility can be more beneficial for EMDCs with hotter climates. In terms of mechanisms, our findings suggest that the depreciation of the nominal exchange rate under a flexible regime supports real export growth. In contrast to standard theoretical predictions, we find that countercyclical fiscal policy may not be effective under pegged regimes amid high debt, highlighting the importance of the policy mix and precautionary (fiscal) buffers.
Adaptive First-Crossing Approach for Life-Cycle Reliability Analysis
Authors: Yu Shui , Guo Peng , Wu Xiao
Published: June 2023

Life-cycle reliability analysis can effectively estimate and present the changes in the state of safety for structures under dynamic uncertainties during their lifecycle. The first-crossing approach is an efficient way to evaluate time-variant reliability-based on the probabilistic characteristics of the first-crossing time point (FCTP). However, the FCTP model has a number of critical challenges, such as computational accuracy. This paper proposes an adaptive first-crossing approach for the time-varying reliability of structures over their whole lifecycle, which can provide a tool for cycle-life reliability analysis and design. The response surface of FCTP regarding input variables is first estimated by performing support vector regression. Furthermore, the adaptive learning algorithm for training support vector regression is developed by integrating the uniform design and the central moments of the surrogate model. Then, the convergence condition, which combines the raw moments and entropy of the first-crossing probability distribution function (PDF), is constructed to build the optimal first-crossing surrogate model. Finally, the first-crossing PDF is solved using the adaptive kernel density estimation to obtain the time-variant reliability trend during the whole lifecycle. Examples are demonstrated to specify the proposed method in applications.
Bubble Growth in a Large Superheated Fluid During Nucleate Pool Boiling
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

Nucleate pool boiling heat transfer rates are very high and therefore it is used to cool devices such as computers, nuclear reactors, rocket motors, etc. During nucleate pool boiling in a large superheated fluid, the bubble growth from a heated surface goes through several stages. First bubble growing stage is mainly governed by surface tension and by inertia forces from the surrounding fluid. In low (Tsup - Tsat), i.e. (Tsup - Tsat) < 5 K, at atmospheric pressure, first bubble growth stage is less than 1 millisecond (ms). The bubble detaches from the heated surface when the buoyant force overcomes the surface tension and the bubble starts to grow close to a spherical shape. The second bubble growth stage is mainly governed by conduction and convection transient heat transfer. In low (Tsup - Tsat), the second bubble growing stage goes up to about 15 ms. Then, the growing bubble enters a third stage, where the fluid’s growing thermal and velocity boundary layers around the bubble interact and govern the bubble growth. There have been many experimental and theoretical studies regarding bubble growth during nucleate pool boiling. An excellent overview of these studies is provided in Ref. [13]. In this chapter, we will model the second growing stage of the bubble surface in an infinite superheated fluid as a semi-infinite solid surface where only transient and one-dimensional heat conduction occurs as shown in Figure 1-1. This analysis assumes water as fluid interfacing a bubble at atmospheric pressure at low superheats, (Tsup - Tsat) < 5 K.
Heat Treating a Long Cylindrical Pine Log in Vacuum
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, we will investigate heat treatment of a long cylindrical pine log, namely its length is at least ten times its radius, in vacuum. This kind of heat treatment of pine logs reduces its water content and therefore reduces its shrinkage, increases its dimensional stability and improves its decay while reducing its tensile and bending strengths. The pine log has a uniform initial temperature of 20 C. This pine log is treated like an infinite cylinder which suddenly experiences radiation heat transfer in a vacuum oven with a radiation source temperature of 200 C (473 K) and it has a radius, Ro , a length, L and LRo>10. Transient temperature of this infinitely long pine log is given as a partial differential equation in cylindrical coordinates in Equation 11-1. See. Ref. [15].
Stress Relieving a Stainless-Steel Plate in Shape of A Rectangular Parallelepiped
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

We will investigate cooling rate of a stainless-steel plate in shape of a rectangular parallelepiped during a stress relieving process as shown in Figure 14-1.
Heat Transfer Between Two Semi-Infinite Solids in Contact
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

We will investigate heat transfer between two semi-infinite solids when they are brought into thermal contact. One-dimensional transient conduction heat transfer in a semi-infinite solid has been solved with different boundary conditions in most heat transfer books. For example: See Ref. [10]. There is a constant surface temperature applied to X = 0 surface, see Figure 15-1, which is different than semi-infinite solid’s initial temperature. Following partial differential equation and initial and boundary conditions apply as given in Equations 15-1.
Heat Transfer Between a Log Cabin and a Brush Fire
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

We will investigate heat transfer between a log cabin and a surrounding brush fire. We will assume the pine wood logs of the cabin to be semi-infinite solids. One-dimensional transient conduction heat transfer in a semi-infinite solid with combined convection and radiation heat transfers at pine wood log cabins surface will be used. There is a constant surface convection and radiation heat transfer from burning brush applied suddenly at X = 0 surface as shown in Figure 16-1. Applicable partial differential equation and initial and boundary conditions are given in Equations 16-1.
Cooling of a Desert’s Surface on Earth at Night from Infrared Radiation Heat Transfer
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, we will investigate transient infrared radiation heat transfer at night from a desert’s surface at X = 0 which is suddenly exposed to outgoing and incoming constant infrared radiation heat flux. Solution to one-dimensional transient conduction heat transfer in a semi-infinite solid which is suddenly exposed to a constant heat flux at X = 0 was detailed in Chapter 17. Transient temperature distribution in a semi-infinite solid which is suddenly exposed to a constant heat flux qX=0 is shown in Equation 21-1.
Solidification of Magmas in Lava Lakes
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

Erupting volcanoes flow sometimes into pit craters located around them and form lava lakes. After volcanic eruption stops, magmas in these pit craters start to solidify and release latent heat of fusion to the atmosphere from its solidified surface. It can take years to complete solidification of the liquid magma in some deep pit craters. Pit craters are not explosion craters or vents. Pit craters are depressions of a localized collapse into a void. Time dependent heat transfer during solidification of magma in a lava lake in a pit crater is similar to ice formation on a water lake and it is shown in Figure 24-1 where X is the thickness of the solidified magma layer which started solidifying from X = 0.
Cooling a Pot of Soup in Air
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

In this chapter, the temperature-time history of a hot pot of soup which is immersed in still-air environment will be analyzed as shown in Figure 7-1. The still-air environment’s temperature is controlled and it varies linearly with time. The hot soup in the thin-walled aluminum pot will have negligible internal conduction heat transfer resistance as compared to the external free convection heat transfer resistance to the still-air environment, namely the body of the hot soup will almost have a constant temperature during the cooling process. Free convection heat transfer coefficient between the still-air environment is assumed to be a constant during the whole cooling process and all air properties are calculated at film temperature.
Solar Energy Storage in Water
Authors: Atesmen M. Kemal
Published: June 2023

World energy consumption in 2040 is estimated to be 1.7 × 1017 W-hr/year. Solar energy will provide about 10% of this world energy consumption while replacing coal and oil. In this chapter, incoming solar energy that is processed in a solar collector to energize flowing water will be optimized for energy usage as shown in Figure 8-1. This solar energy usage optimization process starts with the knowledge of solar radiation energy that is available at a particular location and at a particular time on Earth. Hourly averaged direct and diffuse solar energy measured data, shown in Figure 8-2, that are incident on a horizontal surface at Fort Peck, Montana on 16 July 2015 will be used, see Ref. [12], (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Solar Radiation Database).
MINIMALISTIC DESIGN OF AN ACTUATION DEVICE TO MANIPULATE AN ACTIVE FLEXIBLE ROBOTIC TOOL
Authors: Lafreniere Samuel , Tran Kyle , Konh Bardia
Published: June 2023

This work presents a minimalistic design of an actuation system to operate an active flexible robotic tool to steer within tissue for precise targeting. The device is designed to be held by hand or installed on a robotic system. The robotic tool is operated based the user’s commands received from a joystick button. Two internal tendons, actuated by two Maxon motors, realize precise bidirectional bending at the tip of the robotic tool. The flexible robotic tool is intended to facilitate manipulations in needle-based interventions such as prostate biopsy and brachytherapy.
SYSTEMATIC 12-CORE TRANSPERINEAL PROSTATE BIOPSY WITH MINIMAL ACTIVE NEEDLE INSERTIONS IN A PATIENT PROSTATE-SIZED PHANTOM
Authors: Padasdao Blayton , Konh Bardia
Published: June 2023

Systematic 12-core prostate biopsy has been an established practice for prostate cancer diagnosis. The procedure involves extraction of a tissue sample from 12 zones of the prostate gland for pathologic analyses using at least 12 needle insertions. The procedure is usually performed using straight needles and under ultrasound imaging. We have previously developed an active tendon-driven biopsy needle that can bend inside tissue with teleoperative or robotic control. This work presents our active biopsy needle’s capability to reach 12 marked zones in a patient-specific prostate model, avoiding the urethra, with only two insertions in a transperineal prostate biopsy.
DISCOVERING PATTERNS IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGICAL RESIDENT BEHAVIOR DURING A CEPHALOMEDULLARY NAIL PROCEDURE WITH A WIRE NAVIGATION SIMULATOR
Authors: Williams Evan , Thomas Geb , Long Steven , Anderson Donald D. , Karam Matthew D.
Published: June 2023

Each year there are hundreds of thousands of emergency department visits for hip fractures. Hip fracture repair is a common surgical procedure that residents learn early in their careers. Efficient fluoroscopy use and the precision of fixation can have an important influence on patient outcomes. This study used a wire navigation simulator to assess patterns in behavior between less experienced and experienced surgeons. The hypothesis was that experienced surgeons would have more controlled hand motions, higher accuracy in obtaining an entry point, and use less fluoroscopy than less experienced surgeons.

A new simulation module for the cephalomedullary nail wire navigation task was developed, including a solid Sawbones model and visually and haptically realistic soft tissue. Second- and fifth-year residents found an appropriate entry point and drive their k-wire into the femoral shaft. Each participant repeated this task twice.

Experienced surgeons had a starting point on average 1.77 mm more accurate than less experienced surgeons (p = 0.045), and experienced surgeons were more consistent in their starting point. Neither group used significantly more images or time (p = 0.097 and p = 0.061, respectively). Surgeons who consistently used larger corrections typically required more images to find their entry point. Each corrective movement with a swept area larger than 1329.7 mm2 was estimated to add between 1.53-2.25 images to the total needed.
CREATING A FRACTURE REDUCTION AND WIRE NAVIGATION SIMULATOR FOR ORTHOPAEDIC SKILLS TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT
Authors: Tatum Marcus , Long Steven , Anderson Don , Thomas Geb
Published: June 2023

We describe a novel surgical simulator designed to train and assess an orthopaedic residents surgical skill on the tasks of fracture reduction and surgical wire navigation. We use a unique approach of combining accurate surgical models created using patient CT data along with a 3D tracking system that allows for realistic, real-time imaging along with automated performance tracking and benchmarking. Additionally, we have devised a method for tracking the surgical wire associated with the procedure to allow for a complete simulation of reducing and pinning a pediatric elbow fracture.
TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WEARABLE DEVICE TO MANAGE UPPER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA
Authors: Thomas Leah , Jarvis Seth , Wenger Laura , Newberry Tara , Muelenaer Jr. Andre , Arena Christopher B.
Published: June 2023

3 to 5 million Americans are affected by lymphedema and 140 to 200 million patients worldwide [1,2]. The chronic, progressive condition is only treatable, but not curable, leaving patients with debilitating symptoms that can significantly impair their quality of life [3]. Treatments include manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage and compression garments, often applied sequentially. MLD is limited by consistent access to a qualified lymphedema therapist. Our wearable device utilizes vibration to mimic the patterns of massage in MLD. The long-term goal is to enable at-home maintenance therapy between MLD sessions and improve the overall management of lymphedema. Acceleration, frequency, and sound levels of our motors were tested and compared to current clinical solutions. Acceleration testing was conducted by placing an accelerometer in a tissue model at varying distances to collect acceleration data at different duty cycles. Frequency data was calculated in MATLAB using FFT. Acceleration, sound frequency, and sound level of our motors were all within a close range of the values collected from clinical tools. The acceleration frequency of the motors rose slightly with an increased duty cycle, but did not exceed the smaller clinical tool frequency values. Based on our testing, the motors used in our device are comparable to clinical tools currently used by certified lymphedema therapists.