bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The automated collapse data constructor technique and the data‐driven methodology for seismic collapse risk assessment
Authors: Bijelić Nenad , Lignos Dimitrios G. , Alahi Alexandre
Published: March 2023

Majority of the past research on application of machine learning (ML) in earthquake engineering focused on contrasting the predictive performance of different ML algorithms. In contrast, the emphasis of this paper is on the use of data to boost the predictive performance of surrogates. To that end, a novel data engineering methodology for seismic collapse risk assessment is proposed. This method, termed the automated collapse data constructor (ACDC), stems from combined understanding of the ground motion characteristics and the collapse process. In addition, the data‐driven collapse classifier (D2C2) methodology is proposed which enables conversion of the collapse data from a regression format to a classification format. The D2C2 methodology can be used with any classification tool, and it allows estimation of seismic collapse capacities in a way analogous to the incremental dynamic analysis. The proposed methodologies are tested in a case study using decision trees (XGBoost) and neural network classifiers with an extensive dataset of collapse responses of a 4‐story and an 8‐story steel moment resisting frames. The results suggest that the ACDC methodology allows for dramatic improvement of the predictive performance of data‐driven tools while at the same time significantly reducing data requirements. Specifically, the proposed method can reduce the number of ground motions required for collapse risk assessment from at least forty, as traditionally used, to less than twenty motions. Moreover, interpretation of feature importance conforms with the engineering understanding while revealing a novel, period‐dependent measure of ground motion duration. All data and code developed in this research are made openly available.
Vanished MDM2 amplification in multiple recurrences of an irradiated poorly differentiated sarcoma with amplified TRIO::TERT fusion gene
Authors: Goffinet Samantha , Di Mauro Ilaria , Doyen Jérôme , Boyer Julien , Birtwisle‐Peyrottes Isabelle , Keslair Frédérique , Pedeutour Florence , Dadone‐Montaudie Bérengère
Published: March 2023

Among sarcomas, MDM2 amplification is usually a molecular hallmark of well‐differentiated liposarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) and occasionally a secondary genetic anomaly in other sarcomas. Histological evaluation and FISH analysis showing MDM2 amplification led to the diagnosis of DDLPS for a tumor located on the left arm of a 71‐year‐old patient. The patient was treated by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) but the tumor recurred soon after. Array‐comparative genomic hybridization and targeted RNA/DNA sequencing of the primary tumor and of four recurrences were done. Strikingly, the MDM2 amplification observed in the primary tumor had vanished in the recurrences. In contrast, other rearrangements, such as amplification of the genes TRIO and TERT as well as TRIO::TERT fusion were detected retrospectively in the primary tumor and in all the recurrences. The transitory nature of the MDM2 amplification raised the hypothesis that RT was active on cells that contained MDM2 amplification but not on other tumor cells with only the TERT and TRIO alterations. In contrast to MDM2 amplification, the TRIO::TERT amplified fusion was stable over time. The detection of this fusion was crucial in the analysis of the diagnostically challenging last tumor; it allowed to determine that it was a fourth recurrence, instead of a new independent tumor. It also suggested the diagnosis undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma rather than DDLPS. The TRIO::TERT fusion is not well explored. The current study shows that its role in sarcomas, with or without MDM2 amplification, should be more extensively researched.
Ensemble the recent architectures of deep convolutional networks for skin diseases diagnosis
Authors: Duman Erkan , Tolan Zafer
Published: March 2023

If you decided to utilize deep learning in any image processing application, you would be faced with the issue, “Which architecture should I use?” due to the proliferation of existing CNN models and their advancements. Unfortunately, your answer will only be partially correct because each alternative has its advantage. The underlying idea of this research is to combine recent CNN models instead of selecting just one for optimal accuracy. Our study applied this idea to color lesion images to diagnose skin diseases. By ensembling, the recent CNNs, over 99% classification accuracy and over 97% sensitivity were achieved for the ISIC‐2017 dataset, which contains 2000 lesion images. Our mean sensitivity and AUC values for classifying 10000 color lesion images into seven different skin diseases (ISIC‐2018) were 0.825% and 0.922%, respectively. In categorizing over 25000 images from the ISIC 2019 dataset, our suggested technique achieved a mean sensitivity of over 90%.
Disrupted maternal communication and disorganized attachment in the Arab society in Israel
Authors: Ariav‐Paraira Inbar , Oppenheim David , Sagi‐Schwartz Abraham , Zreik Ghadir
Published: March 2023

Disrupted maternal communication during mother‐infant interaction has been found to be associated with infants’ disorganized attachment, but has been studied primarily in North American and European samples and not in Arab samples. To address this gap the study examined the association between disrupted maternal communication and infant attachment in a sample of 50 Arab mothers and their one‐year‐old infants in Israel. Attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), and disrupted communication with the AMBIANCE. Disrupted communication was higher in mothers of infants with disorganized and ambivalent attachment than in mothers of securely attached infants. The findings support the link between disrupted communication and disorganized attachment in the Arab society in Israel and add to our understanding of maternal behavior associated with ambivalent attachment.
JNK/c‐Jun pathway activation is essential for HBx‐induced IL‐35 elevation to promote persistent HBV infection
Authors: Li Xuefen , Zhu Qiaoyun , Ye Bo , Zhu Chunxia , Dong Yuejiao , Ni Qin
Published: March 2023

Background

Immunoregulation plays pivotal roles during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Studies have shown that Interleukin (IL)‐35 is an important molecule associated with inadequate immune response against HBV. However, the mechanisms involved in the up‐regulation of IL‐35 expression during persistent HBV infection remain unknown.

Methods

In this study, we constructed a plasmid expressing the HBV X protein (pCMV‐HBx) to evaluate the relationship between HBx and IL‐35. Activation of the JNK/c‐Jun pathway was analyzed and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing and luciferase reporter assays were performed to determine whether c‐Jun could regulate IL‐35 transcription.

Results

HBx can significantly activate IL‐35 promoter in both LO2 and HepG2 cells compared to the control plasmid (pCMV‐Tag2) using the dual‐luciferase assay. Whereas other viral proteins, such as S, preS1, the core protein, had no significant effect on IL‐35 expression. Similarly, WB and qRT‐PCR also showed that HBx can significantly promote IL‐35 expression at protein and mRNA levels in the aforementioned cells. The relevant pathway mechanism showed that the expression of JNK and c‐Jun genes was significantly higher in transfected cells carrying pCMV‐HBx than in the pCMV‐Tag2‐transfected and ‐untransfected cells. WB analysis revealed that phosphorylated JNK and c‐Jun were overexpressed after HBx action. Conversely, the addition of the JNK/c‐Jun signaling pathway inhibitor could significantly suppress HBx‐induced IL‐35 expression in a dose‐dependent manner.

Conclusions

A novel molecular mechanism of HBV‐induced IL‐35 expression was revealed, which involves JNK/c‐Jun signaling in up‐regulating IL‐35 expression via HBx, resulting in transactivation of the IL‐35 subunit EBI3 and p35 promoter.
The Mental Illness‐Health Matrix and the Mental State Space Matrix: Complementary meta‐conceptual frameworks for evaluating psychological states
Authors: Lomas Tim , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: March 2023

Objective

It is increasingly appreciated that mental health may not just involve a relative absence of mental illness, but the active presence of positive psychological desiderata. However, research attention on mental illness and health has tended to remain siloed and disconnected—proceeding along parallel tracks—with their potential relationship underexplored and undertheorized. As such, we sought to develop theoretical models to help us better understand the interaction of these two domains of experience.

Methods

Through extensive engagement with relevant literature, we created two complementary meta‐conceptual frameworks to represent and evaluate states of mental illness and health.

Results

The Mental Illness‐Health Matrix allows different forms of mental illness and health to be situated and assessed within a common framework. The Mental State Space Matrix further enables these various forms to be conceptualized and appraised in terms of numerous common parameters (e.g., valence and arousal).

Conclusion

It is hoped that these frameworks will stimulate and support further research on the inter‐relational dynamics of illness and health. Indeed, the matrices themselves are provisional works‐in‐progress, with their articulation here intended as a foundation for their further development as understanding of these topics evolves and improves.
Interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and stoichiometry of lake phytoplankton
Authors: Frost Paul C. , Pearce Nolan J. T. , Berger Stella A. , Gessner Mark O. , Makower A. Katharina , Marzetz Vanessa , Nejstgaard Jens C. , Pralle Aljona , Schälicke Svenja , Wacker Alexander , Wagner Nicole D. , Xenopoulos Marguerite A.
Published: March 2023

Phytoplankton responses to nutrient enrichment are often assumed to be universal, but in practice they can significantly vary because the effect size to an increased supply of one nutrient may depend on the availability of the other. Here, we used two complementary two‐way factorial experiments to determine how responses of lake phytoplankton to increased N and P supply vary with increasing concentrations of the other nutrient. We manipulated dissolved N and P concentrations in a 4‐d bioassay conducted with lake phytoplankton and measured/determined chlorophyllaand carbon (C)‐specific growth rates, phytoplankton size‐classes, chlorophyll‐specific N and P removal, and seston C : N : P ratios. These data were used to assess the presence and type of interactive effects between N and P on phytoplankton. For most response variables, the effects of increased N supply depended on the background concentration of P and vice versa. The specific nature of effects differed among response variables and depended on the N and P concentrations present in the bioassay. Generally, increases of N or P alone elicited few and weaker effects than increasing the supply of one element in combination with the other. Overall, our results show that phytoplankton responses to increased N or P supplies are context dependent and likely reflect multiple processes involved in nutrient uptake and use. These results also show that phytoplankton responses to N and P supply ratios can depend on the supply rate of the other nutrient, which complicates understanding how single nutrient enrichment affects lake phytoplankton producers.
An hp‐adaptive multi‐element stochastic collocation method for surrogate modeling with information re‐use
Authors: Galetzka Armin , Loukrezis Dimitrios , Georg Niklas , De Gersem Herbert , Römer Ulrich
Published: March 2023

This article introduces an ‐adaptive multi‐element stochastic collocation method, which additionally allows to re‐use existing model evaluations during either ‐ or ‐refinement. The collocation method is based on weighted Leja nodes. After ‐refinement, local interpolations are stabilized by adding and sorting Leja nodes on each newly created sub‐element in a hierarchical manner. For ‐refinement, the local polynomial approximations are based on total‐degree or dimension‐adaptive bases. The method is applied in the context of forward and inverse uncertainty quantification to handle non‐smooth or strongly localized response surfaces. The performance of the proposed method is assessed in several test cases, also in comparison to competing methods.
The lived experience of Chinese medical tourists receiving cancer care: A qualitative study
Authors: Xu Tuzhen , Liu Fuqin , Cesario Sandra K. , Moore Brenda
Published: March 2023

Aim

The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the lived experience of Chinese medical tourists receiving cancer care in clinical settings in the United States.

Design

A qualitative phenomenological design.

Methods

In this study, Hermeneutic phenomenology was used to interview 11 participants on WeChat, a popular social media platform of China. Hermeneutic phenomenology methods and hermeneutic circles were used to analyse data.

Results

Five themes identified were: the application process involves various challenges; overcoming transportation and language barriers; feeling content with healthcare received in the United States; nearly perfect experience, except for long waiting times; and high cost of being a medical tourist.

Conclusion

Despite the cost and complexity of cancer treatment, Chinese medical tourists valued their experience in US clinical settings. Although, they experienced real challenges, they overcame obstacles with self‐determination and varied resources. Therefore, culturally appropriate healthcare is highly recommended.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings of this study are relevant for clinical practice, particularly cancer care to medical tourists in the United States. To better support the Chinese medical tourists with cancer, various strategies and techniques, as reported in this study, could be helpful. It is highly recommended to provide healthcare providers to enable them to understand and respect the diversity norms of other cultures.
Factors influencing postpartum depression among Japanese parents: A prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Yamakawa Yuko , Maruta Michio , Higuchi Yuya , Tokunaga Akiko , Iwanaga Ryoichiro , Honda Sumihisa , Imamura Akira , Tanaka Goro
Published: March 2023

Aim

Postpartum depression (PPD) may have negative effects on the parents and lead to impaired cognitive, socioemotional, and behavioral development in their children. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with PPD in parents during the first year after delivery.

Methods

This study used a self‐administered questionnaire. Questionnaires were mailed at 5 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after delivery, respectively. The particpants were 107 pairs of mothers and fathers. PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Data on sense of coherence (SOC), Quality Marriage Index, Social Support Scale, Mother‐to‐Infant Bonding Scale, and sociodemographic variables were collected. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the strength of the association between several variables and the EPDS at each survey period for fathers and mothers, respectively.

Results

The prevalence of PPD in the first‐year postpartum ranged from 12.1%–23.4% to 7.5%–8.4% for fathers and mothers, respectively. SOC had the strongest impact on EPDS scores for both fathers and mothers at all four survey periods.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that stress coping skills are an important factor affecting PPD throughout the first‐year postpartum for both fathers and mothers.
Relationship between tumor thickness on images and cellular dissociation grading composing of tumor budding and cell nest size in early tongue cancer
Authors: Yokoo Yoshinobu , Yuasa Kenji , Ohno Jun , Ikebe Tetsuro
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the image analysis using contrast enhanced CT, contrast enhanced T1‐weighted MR imaging and ultrasonography (US), is related with the cellular dissociation grade (CDG) based on tumor budding grade and cell nest size in stage I and II tongue oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Method

Seventeen cases of T1N0M0 and T2N0M0 tongue OSCC with the completion of more than 1‐year follow‐up were retrospectively enrolled. The satisfactory data, including contrast enhanced CT images, contrast enhanced T1‐weighted MR images, and US images as well as histopathological specimens could be taken from 16 cases and analyzed by the specialists of oral pathologist, oral radiologist, and oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Results

The differences between tumor thickness (TT) on US images and TT on contrast enhanced CT images or contrast enhanced T1‐weighted MR images were larger in the lower tumor budding grade cases rather than in the higher budding grade. Likely, such image‐measured TT differences were larger in the bigger nest cases than in the smaller nest cases. The occurrence of delayed nodal metastasis was related to the small TT differences of CT–US or MRI–US and the higher CDG score (≧5 points). All the cases with delayed nodal metastasis were CDG score ≧5 points.

Conclusions

TT differences between on contrast enhanced CT/MR imaging, and US imaging may predict the cell dissociation activity and nodal metastasis.
Efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for managing sickle cell disease complications in children and adolescents: Systematic review with network meta‐analysis
Authors: Tonin Fernanda S. , Ginete Catarina , Ferreira Joana , Delgadinho Mariana , Santos Brígida , Fernandez‐Llimos Fernando , Brito Miguel
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effects of disease‐modifying agents for managing sickle cell disease (SCD) in children and adolescents by means of a systematic review with network meta‐analyses, surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) and stochastic multicriteria acceptability analyses (SMAA) (CRD42022328471). Eightteen randomized controlled trials (hydroxyurea [n = 7], l‐arginine [n = 3], antiplatelets [n = 2], immunotherapy/monoclonal antibodies [n = 2], sulfates [n = 2], docosahexaenoic acid [n = 1], niprisan [n = 1]) were analyzed. SUCRA and SMAA demonstrated that hydroxyurea at higher doses (30 mg/kg/day) or at fixed doses (20 mg/kg/day) and immunotherapy/monoclonal antibodies are more effective for preventing vaso‐occlusive crisis (i.e., lower probabilities of incidence of this event; 14, 25, and 30%, respectively), acute chest syndrome (probabilities ranging from 8 to 30%), and needing of transfusions (11–31%), while l‐arginine (100–200 mg/kg) and placebo were more prone to these events. Therapies were overall considered safe; however, antiplatelets and sulfates may lead to more severe adverse events. Although the evidence was graded as insufficient and weak, hydroxyurea remains the standard of care for this population, especially if a maximum tolerated dose schedule is considered.
Plasma‐enhanced evaporation and its impact on plasma properties and gaseous chemistry in a pin‐to‐water pulsed discharge
Authors: Yang Qi , Qiao Jun‐Jie , Cheng He , Wang Da‐Zhi , Zhang Qing‐Yuan , Wang Xue‐Ying , Xiong Qing
Published: March 2023

The plasma in contact with liquids has led to various novel applications such as plasma biomedicine, material synthesis, and so on. However, the phenomenon of evaporation under plasma treatment and its impact on plasma–liquid interactions has a limited understanding. In this study, the spatially and temporally resolved behavior of water vapor production and its induced influences on plasma properties and gaseous chemistry were studied in detail in an atmospheric pressure pin‐to‐water pulsed He discharge. Diagnostic methods such as laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) and high‐resolution optical emission spectroscopy (OES) were applied to determine the water vapor and OH radical densities, as well as key plasma parameters such as the gas temperature and electron density. It shows that the physicochemical properties of plasma vary among different discharge regions due to evaporation behavior stimulated during the pulsed discharge‐on phase. In addition, using simulation based on the experimental data, the mechanisms of how water vapor affects the observed spatiotemporal behaviors of OH radicals in different discharge regions are understood. Compared to the pin‐anode and liquid‐cathode sheath regions, proper electron parameters such as density and temperature, as well as water vapor density in the plasma‐positive column, significantly enhance the production of reactive OH radical through the dominant path of electron‐stimulated H2O dissociation. However, higher levels of electron parameters in the intense discharge region near the positive‐pin boundary enhance OH dissociation and finally result in the hollow distribution of OH density. From the global kinetic plasma simulation, the production of reactive hydroxide species playing key roles in plasma medicine treatments, such as O, H, HO2, H2O2, and hydrated ions including H+(H2O)4 and H+(H2O)5, are promoted noticeably as a result of the enhanced water evaporation process.
Exploring boron applications in modern agriculture: Antifungal activities and mechanisms of phenylboronic acid derivatives
Authors: Du Sha‐Sha , Luo Xiong‐Fei , An Jun‐Xia , Zhang Zhi‐Jun , Zhang Shao‐Yong , Wang Yi‐Rong , Ding Yan‐Yan , Jiang Wei‐Qi , Zhang Bao‐Qi , Ma Yue , Zhou Yong , Hu Yong‐Mei , Liu Ying‐Qian
Published: March 2023

Background

The unreasonable use of chemical fungicides causes common adverse consequences that not only affect the environment, but also cause resistance and resurgence problems of plant pathogens, which are extremely harmful to human health, the economy, and the environment. Based on the rich biological activities of boron‐based compounds, 82 phenylboronic acid derivatives were selected and their antifungal activities against six agricultural plant pathogens were determined. Combined with transcriptomics tools, the mechanism of action of compound A49 (2‐chloro‐5‐trifluoromethoxybenzeneboronic acid) against Botrytis cinerea Pers (B. cinerea) was studied.

Results

The EC50 values of compounds A24, A25, A30, A31, A36, A41, A49 and B23 against all six fungi were under 10 μg/mL. Compound A49 displayed significant activity against B. cinerea (EC50 = 0.39 μg/mL), which was better than that of commercial fungicide boscalid (EC50 = 0.55 μg/mL). A49 not only inhibited the germination of B. cinerea spores, but also caused abnormal cell morphology, loss of cell membrane integrity, enhanced cell membrane permeability, and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Further findings showed that A49 reduced cellular antioxidant activity, and peroxidase and catalase activities. Transcriptomic results indicated that A49 could degrade intracellular redox processes and alter the metabolism of some amino acids. Meanwhile, A49 showed obvious activity in vivo and low cytotoxicity to mammal cells.

Conclusion

The boron‐containing small molecule compounds had high efficiency and broad‐spectrum antifungal activities against six plant pathogens, and are expected to be candidate compounds for a new class of antifungal drugs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Science education in an age of misinformation
Authors: Osborne Jonathan , Pimentel Daniel
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we argue that the current science curricula are failing to educate students to be competent outsiders to science. Historically, science education has rested on two premises. The first is that it is possible for students to acquire sufficient scientific knowledge from K‐12 education to become intellectually independent. That is that science education can produce individuals capable of evaluating scientific evidence and arguments critically for themselves. This belief is what underlies many of the conceptions of scientific literacy and is the basis of the rationale that is used to sustain and justify what is offered in nearly all countries across the globe. The second is the belief that the science that students will encounter will have been filtered such that it can be trusted. Nothing today could be further from the truth. Today, misinformation abounds and much of it purports to be scientific. Very few conceptions of scientific literacy have considered how students can be prepared to evaluate the claims that abound on social media. Current conceptions of “scientific literacy,” we argue, are failing to articulate the competencies and knowledge required in today's changed context. In what follows, we lay out our arguments for why it is time to rethink the conception of scientific literacy by considering what it requires to be a competent outsider to science. Then drawing on our recent report, we lay out what might be done within science education to address the specific phenomenon of misinformation.
Theoretical study on the solvent‐free self‐catalyzed coupling mechanism of a chiral vicinal diamine and isobutyraldehyde mediated by the outgrowth H2O
Authors: Cheng Xueli , Zhao Yanyun , Liu Jingjing , Sun Junshan , Miao Yanfei , Ling Baoping
Published: March 2023

The self‐catalyzed addition of a chiral vicinal diamine with two isobutyraldehyde molecules and the subsequent diaza‐Cope rearrangement between two diimines were investigated systematically by M06‐2X method in conjunction with the 6‐311+G(d) basis set. Our theoretical model shows that, 1) the solvent‐free coupling of the vicinal diamine and isobutyraldehyde molecules produces a relative stable compounds with an imidazolidine‐dihydro‐1,3‐oxazine fused ring instead of imine intermediates; 2) the assistance of a yielded water molecule can significantly decrease the free‐energy barriers of the ring‐recombination and ring‐opening processes by borrowing a hydrogen atom from it; 3) the two addition processes with the free‐energy barriers of 150.0 and 159.0 kJ/mol, respectively, and the successive formation of the five‐membered ring with a barrier of 164.1 kJ/mol control the whole reaction system.
Comparative Studies of Co/SBA‐15 Catalysts Synthesized with Different Silica Sources Including Coal Fly Ash for Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Gupta Pavan K. , Kumar Vineet , Maity Sudip , Kishore Gupta Goutam , Datta Sudipta , Singh Arvind , Sengupta Siddhartha
Published: March 2023

SBA‐15 is synthesized using triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 as the structure directing agent and different silica sources such as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), sodium metasilicate, coal fly ash (CFA) derived supernatant and a mix of sodium metasilicate, CFA‐derived supernatant for comparative study towards Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The active metal cobalt (15 wt. %) has been impregnated in each support via the wet impregnation technique. The catalysts and supports are characterized by N2 adsorption‐desorption, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High‐Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), X‐ray Energy Dispersion Spectrophotometer (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR). The catalytic performance of synthesized catalysts for the FTS has been investigated in a fixed bed tubular reactor at T=220 °C, P=30 bar, and GHSV=500 h−1 using simulated syngas composition equivalent to coal‐derived syngas using air blown fixed bed gasifier having H2/CO molar ratio of 2 : 1. The maximum CO conversion and middle distillate (C6−C20) selectivity is observed as 59.2 % and 84.6 % respectively for the catalyst support synthesized from mix of sodium metasilicate and CFA‐derived supernatant.
Aceclofenac Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, and Determination of Anti‐oxidant and Anti‐inflammatory Activities by Chemiluminescence Assays and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Raza Asim , Abbas Khan Mohsin , Ahmad Irshad , Bari Ahmad , Masood Anum , Ullah Farhat , Awan Breena
Published: March 2023

Aceclofenac (ACF) is a newer derivative of diclofenac, and one of the emerging NSAIDs for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. In this research we have develop a set of 2‐(2‐(2‐((2,6‐dichlorophenyl)amino)phenyl)acetoxy)acetic acid derivatives (AR1‐AR12) using Fischer esterification in good yields and in an efficient manner. All the compounds were fully characterized physical (solubility and melting points) and chemical by spectral data analysis of FTIR, 1HNMR and 13CNMR and elemental analysis. In‐vitro anti‐inflammatory activity was performed by Chemiluminescence technique in which we found 2‐oxo‐1,2‐diphenylethyl2‐(2‐(2((2,6‐dichlorophenyl)amino)phenyl) acetoxy)acetate (AR2 71 %), 2‐(4‐formyl‐2‐methoxyphenoxy)‐2‐oxoethyl2‐(2‐((2,6 dichloro‐phenyl) amino)phenyl)acetate (AR3 74.7 %),2‐(2‐(2‐(2‐((2,6‐dichloropheny l)amino) phenyl) acetoxy) acetoxy)‐3‐(2‐(2‐(3‐((2,6‐dichlorophenyl) amino) phenyl) acetoxy)acetoxy)succinic acid (AR6 89.2 %), 2‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2‐oxoethyl2‐(2‐((2,6‐dichloro‐phenyl) amino) phenyl) acetate (AR8 71.1 %), 1,3‐dioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indene‐2,2‐diyl bis(2‐(2‐(2‐((2,6‐dichlorophenyl)amino)phenyl)acetoxy)acetate) (AR9 76.3 %) found more potent as compared to parent compound while AR3, AR6 and AR9 highly potent than standard reference ibuprofen (73.2 %). The current molecular docking study was performed In order to check the suitable method for the binding of target ligands and proteins Glide docking with extra precision (XP) mode. The hydrogen bonding interactions of Aceclofenac are prominent with Isoleucine moiety, those of compound AR‐6 shows hydrophobic interaction with active amino acid Leucine and Phenylalanine moieties. Anti‐oxidant activities were also performed, AR‐3 (79.30 %), AR‐5 (91.23 %), AR‐9 (83.43 %) AR‐12 (92.43 %) were found to be more anti‐oxidant as compared to aceclofenac (ACF) (66.46 %). These derivatives were synthesized with different aliphatic and aromatic alcohols and phenols.
Efficient Co‐Adsorption and Highly Selective Separation of Cs+ and Sr2+ with a K+‐Activated Niobium Germanate by the pH Control
Authors: Sun Hai‐Yan , Hu Bing , Lv Tian‐Tian , Guo Yan‐Ling , Yao Yue‐Xin , Yang Lu , Feng Mei‐Ling , Huang Xiao‐Ying
Published: March 2023

137Cs and 90Sr are hazardous to ecological environment and human health due to their strong radioactivity, long half‐life, and high mobility. However, effective adsorption and separation of Cs+ and Sr2+ from acidic radioactive wastewater is challenging due to stability issues of material and the strong competition of protons. Herein, a K+‐activated niobium germanate (K‐NGH‐1) presents efficient Cs+/Sr2+ coadsorption and highly selective Cs+/Sr2+ separation, respectively, under different acidity conditions. In neutral solution, K‐NGH‐1 exhibits ultrafast adsorption kinetics and high adsorption capacity for both Cs+ and Sr2+ (qmCs = 182.91 mg g−1; qmSr = 41.62 mg g−1). In 1 M HNO3 solution, K‐NGH‐1 still possesses qmCs of 91.40 mg g−1 for Cs+ but almost no adsorption for Sr2+. Moreover, K‐NGH‐1 can effectively separate Cs+ from 1 M HNO3 solutions with excess competing Sr2+ and Mn+ (Mn+ = Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) ions. Thus, efficient separation of Cs+ and Sr2+ is realized under acidic conditions. Besides, K‐NGH‐1 shows excellent acid and radiation resistance and recyclability. All the merits above endow K‐NGH‐1 with the first example of niobium germanates for radionuclides remediation. This work highlights the facile pH control approach towards bifunctional ion exchangers for efficient Cs+/Sr2+ coadsorption and selective separation.
Rationally Integrating 2D Confinement and High Sodiophilicity toward SnO2/Ti3C2Tx Composites for High‐Performance Sodium‐Metal Anodes
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Zhang Yiming , Guan Haotian , Meng Sikai , Lu Yangfan , Wang Jin , Huang Guangsheng , Li Xin , Cui Jingqin , Li Qian , Zhang Qichun , Qu Baihua
Published: March 2023

The metallic sodium (Na) is characterized by high theoretical specific capacity, low electrode potential and abundant resources, and its advantages manifests itself as a promising candidate anode of sodium metal batteries (SMBs). However, the vaporization during the plating/stripping or uncontrolled growth of sodium dendrites in sodium metal anodes (SMAs) has posed major challenges to its practical applications. To address this issue, here, the SnO2/Ti3C2Tx composite is rationally fabricated, in which sodiophilic SnO2 nanoparticles are in situ dispersed on the 2D Ti3C2Tx, providing the acceptor sites of Na+ that can control vaporization and dendrites. The SnO2/Ti3C2Tx composite anode exhibits smooth and homogeneous morphology after Na‐metal deposition cycles, stable Coulombic efficiency (CE) of half cells, long stable cycles of symmetric cells due to highly sodiophilic sites, and confinement effect. In addition, the full cells assembled with Na0.6MnO2 also show excellent rate performance and cycling performance. These discoveries demonstrate the effectiveness of the acceptor sites and the confinement effect provided by the SnO2/Ti3C2Tx composite, and thus provide an additional degree of freedom for designing SMBs.
Association of diet quality indices with serum and metabolic biomarkers in participants of the ORISCAV-LUX-2 study
Authors: Vahid Farhad , Hoge Axelle , Hébert James R. , Bohn Torsten ,   On behalf of the ORISCAV working group*., Alkerwi Ala’a , Noppe Stephanie , Delagardelle Charles , Beissel Jean , Chioti Anna , Stranges Saverio , Schmit Jean-Claude , Lair Marie-Lise , D’Incau Marylène , Pastore Jessica , Aguayo Gloria , Le Coroller Gwenaëlle , Vaillant Michel , Samouda Hanen , Appenzeller Brice , Malisoux Laurent , Couffignal Sophie , Gantenbein Manon , Devaux Yvan , Huiart Laetitia , Bejko Dritan , Fagherazzi Guy , Perquin Magali , Ruiz-Castell Maria , Ernens Isabelle
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Diet quality is a critical modifiable factor related to health, including the risk of cardiometabolic complications. Rather than assessing the intake of individual food items, it is more meaningful to examine overall dietary patterns. This study investigated the adherence to common dietary indices and their association with serum/metabolic parameters of disease risk.

Methods

Dietary intakes of the general adult population (n = 1404, 25–79 years) were assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire (174 items). The French ANSES-Ciqual food composition database was used to compute nutrient intakes. Seven indicators were calculated to investigate participants’ diet quality: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Score (DASH-S), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI), and Naturally Nutrient-Rich Score (NNRS). Various serum/metabolic parameters were used in the validity and association analyses, including markers of inflammation, blood glucose, and blood lipid status.

Results

Following linear regression models adjusted for confounders, the DASH-S was significantly associated with most metabolic parameters (14, e.g., inversely with blood pressure, triglycerides, urinary sodium, uric acid, and positively with serum vitamin D), followed by the DQI-I (13, e.g., total cholesterol, apo-A/B, uric acid, and blood pressure) and the AHEI (11, e.g., apo-A, uric acid, serum vitamin D, diastolic blood pressure and vascular age).

Conclusion

Food-group-based indices, including DASH-S, DQI-I, and AHEI, were good predictors for serum/metabolic parameters, while nutrient-based indices, such as the DAI or NNRS, were less related to biological markers and, thus, less suitable to reflect diet quality in a general population.
Physiological Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Vitamin B1 on Productivity and Physio-Biochemical Traits of White Lupine (Lupinus termis L.) Under Salt Stress
Authors: Sadak Mervat Shamoon
Published: March 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizalfungi (AMF) have a key role in natural and agricultural ecosystems affecting plant nutrition, soil biological activity and modifying the availability of nutrients. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential coenzyme which incorporated in a wide range of plant metabolic processes. Thus, this research aimed to study the possibility of mitigating the negative effect of salinity stress on white lupine plant via using AMF and Vit B1through assessment growth, various physiological traits and yield components of the white lupine plant. AMF was added to the soil (0.0 and 7 g pot−1) and Vit B1was foliar applied to white lupine seedlings (0.0, 100 and 200 mgL−1) and watered by two levels of salinity (0.0 or 5000 mgL−1). Salinity stress (5000 mgL−1) resulted in significant reductions in growth photosynthetic pigments constituents, endogenous indole acetic acid (IAA), some elements & productivity of white lupine in comparison to control plants. While, increasing phenols, some osmolytes and sodium compared to control (plants irrigated by tap water). Adding AMF to soil with the recommended dose boosted white lupine growth, certain physiological aspects and productivity in white lupine plants under irrigation with saltwater (5000 mgL−1). Furthermore, exogenous Vit B1 treatment with 100 & 200 mgL−1not only enhanced growth and seeds productivity of white lupine plants under normal irrigation but also, improved salinity tolerance by increasing white lupine growth and productivity via inmproving photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes levels and element contents compared to their corresponding controls. Finally it could be concluded that, 200 mgL−1Vit B1 wit AMF treatment shows superiority in inducing maximum improving white lupine plant salinity tolerance.
Threshold-based Naïve Bayes classifier
Authors: Romano Maurizio , Contu Giulia , Mola Francesco , Conversano Claudio
Published: March 2023

The Threshold-based Naïve Bayes (Tb-NB) classifier is introduced as a (simple) improved version of the original Naïve Bayes classifier. Tb-NB extracts the sentiment from a Natural Language text corpus and allows the user not only to predict how much a sentence is positive (negative) but also to quantify a sentiment with a numeric value. It is based on the estimation of a single threshold value that concurs to define a decision rule that classifies a text into a positive (negative) opinion based on its content. One of the main advantage deriving from Tb-NB is the possibility to utilize its results as the input of post-hoc analysis aimed at observing how the quality associated to the different dimensions of a product or a service or, in a mirrored fashion, the different dimensions of customer satisfaction evolve in time or change with respect to different locations. The effectiveness of Tb-NB is evaluated analyzing data concerning the tourism industry and, specifically, hotel guests’ reviews from all hotels located in the Sardinian region and available on Booking.com. Moreover, Tb-NB is compared with other popular classifiers used in sentiment analysis in terms of model accuracy, resistance to noise and computational efficiency.
Foliar Resorption Efficiency Does Not Change Along an Elevational Gradient in Two Dominant Peatbog Plant Species
Authors: Kučerová Andrea , Adamec Lubomír
Published: March 2023

Plants adapted to nutrient-poor temperate peatlands exhibit relatively low foliar N and P contents and resorb N and P from ageing leaves very efficiently to minimize their nutrient losses through litter fall. Changes in nutrient resorption efficiency due to an expectable increase of temperature may affect nutrient cycling in peatlands. We used an elevational gradient as a proxy for the effect of ongoing climatic change and compared the foliar N and P resorption efficiencies (REN, REP) of two co-occurring typical plant dominants (Molinia caerulea and Vaccinium uliginosum) at four microsites of each of two acidic peatbogs in southern Bohemia, Czechia, at two elevations differing by ca 500 m. No significant difference in soil nutrient content was found between the two sites. Foliar N and P contents in mature leaves in both species did not depend on the elevational gradient and were mostly not correlated with the inorganic soil nutrients. The REN (70–78%) and REP values (61–70%) in Vaccinium were markedly lower than those in Molinia (84–85% and 92–94%, respectively). In line with literature data, the peatland dominants Molinia and Vaccinium possess different strategies of foliar N and P resorption from ageing leaves. High REN and REP in Molinia obviously underlie its strong dominance in unmanaged peatland habitats. No elevational difference in both REN and REP was found in either species, indicating that the resorption efficiencies of these species are not expected to change markedly under the projected scenario of increasing temperature and lengthening growing season.
Feasibility Jump: an LP-free Lagrangian MIP heuristic
Authors: Luteberget Bjørnar , Sartor Giorgio
Published: March 2023

We present Feasibility Jump (FJ), a primal heuristic for mixed-integer linear programs (MIP) using stochastic guided local search over a Lagrangian relaxation. The method is incomplete: it does not necessarily produce solutions to all feasible problems, the solutions it produces are not in general optimal, and it cannot detect infeasibility. It does, however, very quickly produce feasible solutions to many hard MIP problem instances. Starting from any variable assignment, Feasibility Jump repeatedly selects a variable and sets its value to minimize a weighted sum of constraint violations. These weights (which correspond to the Lagrangian multipliers) are adjusted for constraints that remain violated in local minima. Contrary to many other primal heuristics, Feasibility Jump does not require a solution of the continuous relaxation, which can be time-consuming for some problems. We compare FJ against FICO Xpress Solver 8.14 and we show that this heuristic is effective on a range of problems from the MIPLIB 2017 benchmark set, significantly improving the average time to find a first feasible solution. We also show that providing these quick solutions to Xpress produces a modest reduction in the average time to optimality in the same benchmark set. Our entry based on FJ to the MIP 2022 Computational Competition (which challenged participants to write LP-free MIP heuristics) won 1st place. Moreover, an implementation of Feasibility Jump now runs by default on FICO Xpress Solver 9.0, where similar results to the ones presented here could be observed.
Effects of coal bedding dip angle on hydraulic fracturing crack propagation
Authors: Huang Laisheng , Li Bo , Wang Bo , Zhang Junxiang
Published: March 2023

As a commonly used and effective technology for increasing the permeability of coal–rock reservoirs, hydraulic fracturing has been widely used in engineering sites to realize the efficient exploitation and utilization of gas resources in coal–rock reservoirs. The core of hydraulic fracturing is the initiation, propagation, and path of hydraulic cracks. In this paper, the combination of true triaxial physical test and numerical simulation is used to study the influence of coal bedding characteristics on the crack propagation of hydraulic fracturing and to discuss the important role of bedding in hydraulic crack formation. Results show that the control effect of the coal bedding dip angle on the hydraulic crack propagation under the same stress conditions is stronger than that of the maximum principal stress, and the control effect of the bedding on the crack propagation is weaker under the bedding dip angles of 0° and 90°. Reasonable fracturing fluid displacement setting is conducive to the formation of complex hydraulic fracture network structure, small displacement is conducive to the opening of primary natural fractures, and large displacement is conducive to hydraulic cracks that pass through the structural surface and the coal–rock interface. Global and local methods of finite element mesh embedding zero-thickness cohesion element and a pore-pressure node merging method to simulate fracturing are established using Python language and ABAQUS numerical analysis platform, respectively. The numerical simulation results suggest that the main fractures are formed along the principal stress direction, and the secondary branch fractures are formed along the bedding direction under the condition wherein the coal bedding dip angle is 30°. Under the conditions of different stress fields and fracturing fluid discharges, the controlling effect of bedding on hydraulic fracture is closely related to the fracturing parameters.
Epidemiology of resistant gram-negative bacteria in nursing homes
Authors: Mills John P. , Mantey Julia , Cassone Marco , Kaye Keith S. , Mody Lona
Published: March 2023

Background:

Resistant gram-negative bacteria (R-GNB) colonization in nursing home patients can cause clinical infection and intrafacility transmission. Limited data exist on the roles of age and function on R-GNB colonization.

Methods:

A secondary data analysis was performed from a cohort study of 896 patients admitted to 6 Michigan nursing homes between November 2013 and May 2018. Swabs obtained upon enrollment, weekly for 1 month, then monthly until nursing home discharge from 5 anatomical sites were cultured for GNB. R-GNB were defined as resistant to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, or imipenem. Patients with growth of the same R-GNB as the initial positive visit, from any anatomical site at any subsequent visit, were considered persistently colonized. Demographic data, antibiotic use, device use, and physical self-maintenance scales (PSMSs) were obtained upon enrollment. Characteristics were compared between patients with R-GNB colonization versus those without, and those with persistent R-GNB colonization versus those with spontaneous decolonization.

Results:

Of 169 patients with a positive R-GNB culture and ≥2 subsequent study visits, 89 (53%) were transiently colonized and 80 (47%) were persistently colonized. Compared to uncolonized patients, persistent and transient R-GNB colonization were associated with higher PSMS score: 1.14 (95% confidence interval or CI, 1.05–1.23; P = .002) and 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01–1.19; P = .023), respectively. Persistent colonization was independently associated with longer duration of nursing home stay (1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.02; P < .001). Higher readmission rate among persistently colonized patients was observed on unadjusted analysis.

Conclusions:

Persistent R-GNB colonization is associated with younger age, functional disability, and prolonged length of nursing home stay. In-depth longitudinal studies to understand new acquisition and transmission dynamics of R-GNB in nursing homes are needed.
Respectability Politics and Black Mayors’ Responses to Police-involved Killings, Protests, and Civil Unrest: Is a Paradigm Shift Underway?
Authors: Wade Magic M.
Published: March 2023

This study asks if Black mayors’ individual and collective responses to George Floyd’s killing were qualitatively different than mayoral reactions to the deaths of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray. Specifically, I examine whether Black mayors rejected the “timeworn” tradition of respectability politics in favor of a new paradigm in 2020. I also consider the characteristics of mayors, cities, and media that may explain this change. My original dataset includes 232 public statements issued by 31 Black mayors during either the Obama administration (2014–2015) or Trump administration (2020). I find that the cohort of Black mayors leading large cities during Era 2 were demonstrably less likely to activate respectability politics when talking about Floyd’s murder than their predecessors. I discuss the implications of these observations considering the political climate mayors are confronting at the time of writing, around the 2-year anniversary of Floyd’s death.