bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination therapy with antipsychotics and antidepressants (pharmacological approach)
Authors: Kozlovskii V. L. , Popov M. Yu. , Kosterin D. N. , Lepik O. V.
Published: June 2022

Objective. To perform a pharmacological analysis of treatment received by patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and to elaborate the principles of combination therapy with antipsychotics and antidepressants based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Materials and methods. The study included 311 inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders admitted to the V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology for the management of treatment resistance. A comprehensive pharmacological analysis was performed including a retrospective evaluation of the quality of patients’ treatment (based on their medical records) and a comparison of the neurochemical activity of the drugs in order to determine the rationality of combined use of antipsychotics and antidepressants. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and frequency analysis.

Results. An analysis of treatment data for 311 patients has demonstrated that given the signiﬁcant frequency of combined administration of antipsychotics and antidepressants (29.3%), the choice of drugs was based on clinical judgment, without considering the pharmacological effects of the drugs being used. A comparison of pharmacodynamics has allowed to arrange antipsychotics and antidepressants according to their binding afﬁnities to neurochemical targets. A methodological approach to evaluating the compatibility of combined drugs based on their neurochemical activity and afﬁnity to speciﬁc receptors has been argued. The principles of combination therapy with antipsychotics antidepressants have been elaborated.

Conclusion. Combined use of an antipsychotic and an antidepressant without considering their ‘neurochemical compatibility’ regarding postsynaptic targets may decrease efﬁcacy and potentiate adverse effects. In combination therapy with an antipsychotic and an antidepressant, drugs should be started one at a time taking into account their pharmacokinetics in order to avoid the possibility of competitive neurochemical effects prior to establishing a speciﬁc drug homeostasis. The development of rational strategies for combination therapy should be based on the assessment of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the drugs.
Concept of 5P-medicine for prevention of acute cerebral ischemia in women
Authors: Manysheva K. B.
Published: June 2022

The objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of the 5P-model for the prevention of acute cerebral ischemia in Dagestan women.

Materials and methods. The prospective study included 35 women permanently residing in Dagestan. The mean age was 66.46 ± 10.9 years. Each participant of the study was individually interviewed and examined clinically, neurologically, an additional examination included: complete blood test, biochemical blood test, coagulation test, molecular genetic study for 11 candidate gene mutations signiﬁcant for the occurrence of ischemic stroke, electrocardiography, neuroimaging.

Results. By analyzing the results of the study, individual background conditions that predispose to the occurrence of ischemic stroke were established. The results of the examination were explained to each participant, there were given the recommendations on lifestyle modiﬁcation, a diet was prescribed and the necessary therapy was selected. In the process of dynamic observation for 4 years the observed group had no episodes of acute cerebrovascular accident.

Conclusions. The study conﬁrms the effectiveness of the use of the 5P-model for the prevention of acute cerebral ischemia in women Dagestan and declare a positive experience of its application.
The Microbiology of Non-aeruginosa Pseudomonas Isolated From Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: Criteria to Help Determine the Clinical Significance of Non-aeruginosa Pseudomonas in CF Lung Pathology
Authors: Moore John E. , McCaughan John , Rendall Jacqueline C. , Millar Beverley C.
Published: June 2022

Introduction: There is a paucity of reports on non-aeruginosa Pseudomonas (NAPs) in cystic fibrosis, hence this study wished 1). to examine the diversity/frequency of NAPs in an adult CF population, 2) to compare/contrast the microbiology and genomics of NAPs to P. aeruginosa and 3) to propose clinical and laboratory criteria to help determine their clinical significance in CF lung pathology.

Materials and Methods: Microbiological data was examined from 100 adult patients with cystic fibrosis from birth to present (31/12/2021), equating to 2455 patient years. 16S rDNA phylogenetic relatedness of NAPs was determined, as well as bioinformatical comparison of whole genomes of P. aeruginosa against P. fluorescens.

Results: Ten species were isolated from this patient cohort during this time period, with three species, i.e., P. fluorescens, P. putida and P. stutzeri, accounting for the majority (87.5%) of non-aeruginosa reports. This is the first report of the isolation of P. fragi, P. nitroreducens, P. oryzihabitans and P. veronii in patients with cystic fibrosis. The mean time to first detection of any non-aeruginosa species was 183 months (15.25 years) [median = 229 months (19.1 years)], with a range from 11 months to 338 months (28.2 years). Several of the NAPs were closely related to P. aeruginosa.

Discussion: NAPs were isolated infrequently and were transient colonisers of the CF airways, in those patients with CF in which they were isolated. A set of ten clinical and laboratory criteria are proposed to provide key indicators, as to the clinical importance of the non-aeruginosa species isolated.
A Practical Guide to the Numerical Implementation of Tensor Networks I: Contractions, Decompositions, and Gauge Freedom
Authors: Evenbly Glen
Published: June 2022

We present an overview of the key ideas and skills necessary to begin implementing tensor network methods numerically, which is intended to facilitate the practical application of tensor network methods for researchers that are already versed with their theoretical foundations. These skills include an introduction to the contraction of tensor networks, to optimal tensor decompositions, and to the manipulation of gauge degrees of freedom in tensor networks. The topics presented are of key importance to many common tensor network algorithms such as DMRG, TEBD, TRG, PEPS, and MERA.
RETRACTED: An Efficient Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Cu/Zn Hybrid MOF Nanostructures With High Microbial Strain Performance
Authors: Abdieva Gulnora Abdullaevna , Patra Indrajit , Al-Qargholi Basim , Shahryari Taher , Chauhan Narendra Pal Singh , Moghaddam-manesh Mohammadreza
Published: June 2022

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising choice for antibacterial and antifungal activity due to their composition, unique architecture, and larger surface area. Herein, the ultrasonic method was used to synthesize the Cu/Zn-MOF material as an effective hybrid nanostructure with ideal properties. SEM images were used to investigate the product’s morphology and particle size distribution. The XRD pattern revealed that the Cu/Zn hybrid MOF nanostructures had a smaller crystalline size distribution than pure Cu and Zn-MOF samples. Furthermore, the BET technique determined that the hybrid MOF nanostructures had a high specific surface area. TG analysis revealed that the hybrid MOF structures were more thermally stable than pure samples. The final product, with remarkable properties, was used as a new option in the field of antibacterial studies. Antibacterial activity was assessed using MIC and MBC against Gram negative and Gram positive strains, as well as antifungal activity using MIC and MFC. The antimicrobial properties of the synthesized Cu/Zn hybrid MOF nanostructures revealed that they were more effective than commercial drugs in some cases. This study’s protocol could be a new strategy for introducing new hybrid nanostructures with specific applications.
Modifying Surface Charges of a Thermophilic Laccase Toward Improving Activity and Stability in Ionic Liquid
Authors: Stevens Joseph C. , Shi Jian
Published: June 2022

The multicopper oxidase enzyme laccase holds great potential to be used for biological lignin valorization alongside a biocompatible ionic liquid (IL). However, the IL concentrations required for biomass pretreatment severely inhibit laccase activity. Due to their ability to function in extreme conditions, many thermophilic enzymes have found use in industrial applications. The thermophilic fungal laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila was found to retain high levels of activity in the IL [C2C1Im][EtSO4], making it a desirable biocatalyst to be used for lignin valorization. In contrast to [C2C1Im][EtSO4], the biocompatibility of [C2C1Im][OAC] with the laccase was markedly lower. Severe inhibition of laccase activity was observed in 15% [C2C1Im][OAc]. In this study, the enzyme surface charges were modified via acetylation, succinylation, cationization, or neutralization. However, these modifications did not show significant improvement in laccase activity or stability in [C2C1Im][OAc]. Docking simulations show that the IL docks close to the T1 catalytic copper, likely interfering with substrate binding. Although additional docking locations for [OAc]- are observed after making enzyme modifications, it does not appear that these locations play a role in the inhibition of enzyme activity. The results of this study could guide future enzyme engineering efforts by showing that the inhibition mechanism of [C2C1Im][OAc] toward M. thermophila laccase is likely not dependent upon the IL interacting with the enzyme surface.
Feline Adipose Derived Multipotent Stromal Cell Transdifferentiation Into Functional Insulin Producing Cell Clusters
Authors: Taguchi Takashi , Duan Wei , Wolfson Wendy , Duhon Brandy , Halphen Emily G. , Lopez Mandi J.
Published: June 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent feline endocrinopathies, affecting up to 1% of pet cats. De novo generation of functional insulin producing cell (IPC) clusters via transdifferentiation of feline adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells (ASCs) may not only provide a viable, functional cell therapy for feline DM, but may also serve as a platform for developing a comparable human treatment given feline and human DM similarities. Cells were induced to form IPCs with a novel, three-stage culture process with stromal or differentiation medium under static and dynamic conditions. Clusters were evaluated for intracellular zinc, viability, intracellular insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, ultrastructure, glucose stimulated insulin secretion in the presence or absence of theophylline, and protein and gene expression. Isolated cells were multipotent, and cell clusters cultured in both media had robust cell viability. Those cultured in differentiation medium contained zinc and mono- or polyhormonal α-, β-, and δ-like cells based on immunohistochemical labeling and Mallory-Heidenhan Azan-Gomori’s staining. Ultrastructurally, cell clusters cultured in differentiation medium contained insulin granules within vesicles, and clusters had a concentration-dependent insulin response to glucose in the presence and absence of theophylline which increased both insulin secretion and intracellular content. Expression of NK6.1, Pax6, Isl1, Glut2, RAB3A, glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin increased with differentiation stage for both sexes, and expression of nestin at stages 1 and 2 and Neurod1 at stage 2 was higher in cells from female donors. The cluster insulin secretion responses and endocrine and oncogene gene expression profiles were inconsistent with insulinoma characteristics. A total of 180 proteins were upregulated in differentiated clusters, and the majority were associated with biological regulation, metabolic processes, or stimulus response. Dynamic culture of IPC clusters resulted in clusters composed of cells primarily expressing insulin that released higher insulin with glucose stimulation than those in static culture. Collectively, the results of this study support generation of functional IPC clusters using feline ASCs isolated from tissues removed during routine sterilization. Further, cluster functionality is enhanced with dynamic, motion-driven shear stress. This work establishes a foundation for development of strategies for IPC therapy for short or long-term diabetes treatment and may represent an option to study prevention and treatment of diabetes across species.
Methane Emission Reduction and Biological Characteristics of Landfill Cover Soil Amended With Hydrophobic Biochar
Authors: Qin Yongli , Xi Beidou , Sun Xiaojie , Zhang Hongxia , Xue Chennan , Wu Beibei
Published: June 2022

Biochar-amended landfill cover soil (BLCS) can promote CH4 and O2 diffusion, but it increases rainwater entry in the rainy season, which is not conducive to CH4 emission reduction. Hydrophobic biochar–amended landfill cover soil (HLCS) was prepared to investigate the changes in CH4 emission reduction and biological characteristics, and BLCS was prepared as control. Results showed that rainwater retention time in HLCS was reduced by half. HLCS had a higher CH4 reduction potential, achieving 100% CH4 removal at 25% CH4 content of landfill gas, and its main contributors to CH4 reduction were found to be at depths of 10–30 cm (upper layer) and 50–60 cm (lower layer). The relative abundances of methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) in the upper and lower layers of HLCS were 55.93% and 46.93%, respectively, higher than those of BLCS (50.80% and 31.40%, respectively). Hydrophobic biochar amended to the landfill cover soil can realize waterproofing, ventilation, MOB growth promotion, and efficient CH4 reduction.
Pore Strategy Design of a Novel NiTi-Nb Biomedical Porous Scaffold Based on a Triply Periodic Minimal Surface
Authors: Lv Yuting , Liu Guohao , Wang Binghao , Tang Yujin , Lin Zhengjie , Liu Jia , Wei Guijiang , Wang Liqiang
Published: June 2022

The pore strategy is one of the important factors affecting the biomedical porous scaffold at the same porosity. In this work, porous scaffolds were designed based on the triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure under the same porosity and different pore strategies (pore size and size continuous gradient distribution) and were successfully prepared using a novel Ni46.5Ti44.5Nb9 alloy and selective laser melting (SLM) technology. After that, the effects of the pore strategies on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and permeability of porous scaffolds were systematically investigated. The results showed that the Ni46.5Ti44.5Nb9 scaffolds have a low elastic modulus (0.80–1.05 GPa) and a high ductility (15.3–19.1%) compared with previous works. The pore size has little effect on their mechanical properties, but increasing the pore size significantly improves the permeability due to the decrease in specific surfaces. The continuous gradient distribution of the pore size changes the material distribution of the scaffold, and the smaller porosity structure has a better load-bearing capacity and contributes primarily to the high compression strength. The local high porosity structure bears more fluid flow, which can improve the permeability of the overall scaffold. This work can provide theoretical guidance for the design of porous scaffolds.
Sample Preparation and Warping Accuracy for Correlative Multimodal Imaging in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb Using 2-Photon, Synchrotron X-Ray and Volume Electron Microscopy
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Ackels Tobias , Pacureanu Alexandra , Zdora Marie-Christine , Bonnin Anne , Schaefer Andreas T. , Bosch Carles
Published: June 2022

Integrating physiology with structural insights of the same neuronal circuit provides a unique approach to understanding how the mammalian brain computes information. However, combining the techniques that provide both streams of data represents an experimental challenge. When studying glomerular column circuits in the mouse olfactory bulb, this approach involves e.g., recording the neuronal activity with in vivo 2-photon (2P) calcium imaging, retrieving the circuit structure with synchrotron X-ray computed tomography with propagation-based phase contrast (SXRT) and/or serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) and correlating these datasets. Sample preparation and dataset correlation are two key bottlenecks in this correlative workflow. Here, we first quantify the occurrence of different artefacts when staining tissue slices with heavy metals to generate X-ray or electron contrast. We report improvements in the staining procedure, ultimately achieving perfect staining in ∼67% of the 0.6 mm thick olfactory bulb slices that were previously imaged in vivo with 2P. Secondly, we characterise the accuracy of the spatial correlation between functional and structural datasets. We demonstrate that direct, single-cell precise correlation between in vivo 2P and SXRT tissue volumes is possible and as reliable as correlating between 2P and SBEM. Altogether, these results pave the way for experiments that require retrieving physiology, circuit structure and synaptic signatures in targeted regions. These correlative function-structure studies will bring a more complete understanding of mammalian olfactory processing across spatial scales and time.
Insights Into the Biogenesis and Emerging Functions of Lipid Droplets From Unbiased Molecular Profiling Approaches
Authors: Sánchez-Álvarez Miguel , del Pozo Miguel Ángel , Bosch Marta , Pol Albert
Published: June 2022

Lipid droplets (LDs) are spherical, single sheet phospholipid-bound organelles that store neutral lipids in all eukaryotes and some prokaryotes. Initially conceived as relatively inert depots for energy and lipid precursors, these highly dynamic structures play active roles in homeostatic functions beyond metabolism, such as proteostasis and protein turnover, innate immunity and defense. A major share of the knowledge behind this paradigm shift has been enabled by the use of systematic molecular profiling approaches, capable of revealing and describing these non-intuitive systems-level relationships. Here, we discuss these advances and some of the challenges they entail, and highlight standing questions in the field.
Mechanism of Liver Regeneration During ALPPS
Authors: Xiao Yao , Peng Lantao , Xu Hongjuan , Huang Ming , Yang Chao , Liu Guodong , Ouyang Xiwu , Li Xiaoli , Wang Yuanjing , Sheng Langqing , Zhai Denggao , Lin Ling , Liu Ling , Liu Gang , Gong Liansheng
Published: June 2022

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors in the world, and surgical resection is the main treatment for liver cancer. Liver failure due to insufficient residual liver volume is a fatal complication after hepatectomy. How to effectively increase the residual liver volume after hepatectomy and improve the safety of hepatectomy has always been a problem to be solved in liver surgery. Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) effectively reduces the occurrence of liver failure due to insufficient residual liver volume after hepatectomy, thereby increasing the probability of radical resection by inducing rapid proliferation of residual liver tissue. However, the molecular mechanism of residual liver tissue regeneration after primary ALPPS (combined liver partition and portal vein ligation) remains unclear. Here, we found that lots of circular RNAs (circRNAs) are upregulated after ALPPS in pig liver cells; then, we identified the orthologous circRNA in humans and pigs to detect their function in liver regeneration. The results showed that loss of circ-0067724 and circ-0016213 could suppress liver cell proliferation. Together, these findings suggest that circ-0067724 and circ-0016213 play an important role in liver cell proliferation, and this may help us to find new strategies to promote liver regeneration.
NMR-Driven Identification of Cinnamon Bud and Bark Components With Anti-Aβ Activity
Authors: Ciaramelli Carlotta , Palmioli Alessandro , Angotti Irene , Colombo Laura , De Luigi Ada , Sala Gessica , Salmona Mario , Airoldi Cristina
Published: June 2022

The anti-Alzheimer disease (AD) activity reported for an aqueous cinnamon bark extract prompted us to investigate and compare the anti-amyloidogenic properties of cinnamon extracts obtained from both bark and bud, the latter being a very little explored matrix. We prepared the extracts with different procedures (alcoholic, hydroalcoholic, or aqueous extractions). An efficient protocol for the rapid analysis of NMR spectra of cinnamon bud and bark extracts was set up, enabling the automatic identification and quantification of metabolites. Moreover, we exploited preparative reverse-phase (RP) chromatography to prepare fractions enriched in polyphenols, further characterized by UPLC-HR-MS. Then, we combined NMR-based molecular recognition studies, atomic force microscopy, and in vitro biochemical and cellular assays to investigate the anti-amyloidogenic activity of our extracts. Both bud and bark extracts showed a potent anti-amyloidogenic activity. Flavanols, particularly procyanidins, and cinnamaldehydes, are the chemical components of cinnamon hindering Aβ peptide on-pathway aggregation and toxicity in a human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Together with the previously reported ability to hinder tau aggregation and filament formation, these data indicate cinnamon polyphenols as natural products possessing multitarget anti-AD activity. Since cinnamon is a spice increasingly present in the human diet, our results support its use to prepare nutraceuticals useful in preventing AD through an active contrast to the biochemical processes that underlie the onset of this disease. Moreover, the structures of cinnamon components responsible for cinnamon anti-AD activities represent molecular templates for designing and synthesizing new anti-amyloidogenic drugs.
Synthesis of Benzylidene Analogs of Oleanolic Acid as Potential α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitors
Authors: Ke Jun-Jie , Lin Jing , Zhang Xin , Wu Xiao-Zheng , Zheng Ying-Ying , Hu Chun-Mei , Kang Yu , Zhang Kun , Xiong Zhuang , Ma Zhi-Qiang
Published: June 2022

A series of benzylidene analogs of oleanolic acid 4a∼4s were synthesized and assessed for their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. The results presented that all synthesized analogs exhibited excellent-to-moderate inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Analog 4i showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50: 0.40 μM), and analog 4o presented the strongest α-amylase inhibition (IC50: 9.59 μM). Inhibition kinetics results showed that analogs 4i and 4o were reversible and mixed-type inhibitors against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively. Simulation docking results demonstrated the interaction between analogs and two enzymes. Moreover, analogs 4i and 4o showed a high level of safety against 3T3-L1 and HepG2 cells.
Novel Pyrimidine Derivatives Bearing a 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Skeleton: Design, Synthesis, and Antifungal Activity
Authors: Pan Nianjuan , Liu Chunyi , Wu Ruirui , Fei Qiang , Wu Wenneng
Published: June 2022

In this study, twenty novel pyrimidine derivatives bearing a 1,3,4-thiadiazole skeleton were designed and synthesized. Then their antifungal activity against Botrytis cinereal (B. cinereal), Botryosphaeria dothidea (B. dothidea), and Phomopsis sp. were determined using the poison plate technique. Biological test results showed that compound 6h revealed lower EC50 values (25.9 and 50.8 μg/ml) on Phompsis sp. than those of pyrimethanil (32.1 and 62.8 μg/ml).
Facile Fabrication of Hierarchically Porous Boronic Acid Group-Functionalized Monoliths With Optical Activity for Recognizing Glucose With Different Conformation
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Luwei , Hsu Yu-I , Asoh Taka-Aki , Uyama Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

At present, various materials based on helical polymers are nanoparticle or microsphere, which is not ease of use in practical application. Accordingly, facile preparation hierarchically porous monolith based on helical polymer needs to be developed. Herein, hierarchically porous boronic acid group-functionalized monoliths that exhibited optical activity were fabricated with a facile method based on crosslinking and polymerization-induced phase separation (CPIPS). Chiral substituted acetylene and achiral substituted acetylene with a boronic acid group were used as monomers. By regulating the composition of the pre-polymerization solution, the permeability and macropore size of the porous structure could be controlled. The hierarchically porous structure and large surface area were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen gas adsorption/desorption isotherms. In particular, the boronic acid functional group that can interact with a cis-diol group was successfully introduced on the skeleton surface of the monoliths. Further, the main chain of the copolymer that constituted the monoliths exhibited a high cis content and tacticity, and the monoliths showed good optical activity. Thus, the present study established a facile method to synthesize hierarchically porous boronic acid group-functionalized monoliths with optical activity via CPIPS, and the monoliths showed potential in recognition, separation, and adsorption of compound with chirality and cis-diol groups.
Biodiesel Production From Oleic Acid Using Biomass-Derived Sulfonated Orange Peel Catalyst
Authors: Kumawat Manoj Kumar , Rokhum Samuel Lalthazuala
Published: June 2022

Biodiesel, as an alternative fuel for petroleum-based fuel, has recently acquired significant attention. The current study focused on using biowaste to produce catalysts for low-cost biodiesel manufacturing. Orange peels (OP) were used to make carbon-based solid acid catalysts with sulfonic acid group (–SO3H) density of 1.96 mmol g−1via a “one-pot” carbonization-sulfonation treatment. Under the optimized reaction conditions (15:1 MeOH to oleic acid molar ratio, 7 wt.% catalyst loading w.r.t oleic acid, 80°C reaction temperature, 60 min reaction time), 96.51 ± 0.4% conversion of oleic acid to methyl oleate (a biodiesel component) was obtained. The catalyst displayed high recyclability and stability on repeated reuse, with a negligible decrease in biodiesel conversion up to 5 catalytic cycles.
Distributive Features of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Aquatic Systems in the Source Area of the Yellow River on the Northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Ma Qiang , Jin Huijun , Wu Qingbai , Yang Yuzhong , Wang Qingfeng , Luo Dongliang , Huang Yadong , Li Yan , Li Xiaoying , Serban Raul D. , Liang Sihai , Gao Shuhui , Marchenko Sergey S.
Published: June 2022

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the main participant in carbon cycles through water pathways. Recent studies have highlighted the roles of aquatic systems in landscape and watershed carbon budgets. This study is based on 261 samples collected between 2016 and 2017, from individual water types (e.g., river/stream, lake/pond, icing/spring, snow/rain, groundwater/ice, and others) in the source area of the Yellow River (SAYR). These samples were analyzed for examining the distributive features of DOC in aquatic systems, especially in relation to environmental factors. It shows that: 1) DOC concentrations in permafrost-related waters (7.2–234.4 mg C·L−1) were often the highest among all aquatic DOC sources (lakes/ponds: 21.3 ± 34.1 mg C·L−1, rivers/streams: 4.3 ± 3.7 mg C·L−1, and groundwater: 1.8 ± 1.4 mg C·L−1); 2) the seasonality of riverine DOC showed declining features in 2016 and high in summer/autumn, followed by a spring freshet in 2017, and a close association with intra-annual precipitation modes; 3) the main controls of aquatic DOC are permafrost presence, precipitation, and NDVI, and they contribute to 38% of variances of environmental variables in affecting variations in aquatic DOC in the SAYR; and 4) a literature review on biodegradable DOC (BDOC) of varied aquatic DOC pools indicates the highest DOC concentrations (48–1,548 mg C·L−1) and BDOC (23–71%) of ground-ice meltwater. Thus, we suggest that in the SAYR, permafrost dynamics dominate aquatic DOC distribution, and permafrost thaw may alter aquatic DOC budgets, eventually becoming an additional source for atmospheric carbon emissions.
Numerical Simulation and Hazard Analysis of Debris Flows in Guxiang Gully, Tibet, China
Authors: Tang Jinbo , Liu Chen , Mao Jiajie , Wang Hao
Published: June 2022

Guxiang Gully, located in Bome county in southwest Tibet, China, is a right-bank tributary of the Purlung Tsangpo River. Hanging glaciers are widely distributed upstream of the gully, and a large number of moraines can cause debris flows triggered by run-offs generated by the rainstorm and melting water of glaciers deposited in this gully. The debris flow in the Guxiang Gully can frequently pose a serious threat to the Sichuan–Tibet highway. Due to the lack of field observation data, in this study, the flood discharge method combining the run-off generated by rainstorms and melting water of glaciers was employed to determine the magnitudes of debris flows under once-in-a-century, once-in-two-century, and once-in-three-century flood return periods. Furthermore, a numerical simulation is implemented to determine the maximum flow depth and velocity of the debris flow in each grid cell and the inundated debris flow area in Guxiang Gully with different return periods. Subsequently, each grid cell’s maximum flow depth and velocity are used to assess buried hazards and impact hazards, respectively. The integrated hazard could be calculated by combining the buried hazard and the impact hazard. The result shows that the hazard of the top of the fan and Purlung Tsangpo River affected by the debris flow is highest, and the debris flow is likely to block the Purlung Tsangpo River.
Review of the Deformation Mechanism and Earth Pressure Research on the Double-Row Pile Support Structure
Authors: Zhou Yijun , Luo Liangrui , Zheng Linxue
Published: June 2022

As a new support structure system, the double-row pile is widely used in foundations in pit engineering, slope engineering, water conservancy engineering, and other fields. It has a big horizontal stiffness and strong anti-overturning ability and has less impact on the surrounding neighboring existing buildings (structures) when it is applied. It must be mentioned that the design experience of the double-row pile is ahead of the theory, and some research has been carried out on double-row pile support structures. This work reviews and evaluates the force deformation and earth pressure on piles of double-row piles, including pile deformation damage mechanism, soil pressure distribution law, and double-row pile structure form. In addition, the problems and shortcomings of the current double-row pile research are concluded. These results have enriched the study of the mechanism of double-row piles, provided the theoretical guidance for double-row pile support structures, and laid the foundation for further theoretical research.
Coevolution of Superconductivity With Structure and Hall Coefficient in Pressurized NaSn2As2
Authors: Guo Jing , Huang Cheng , Long Sijin , Zhou Yazhou , Cai Shu , Li Xiaodong , Li Yanchun , Yang Ke , Li Aiguo , Guo Jiangang , Wu Qi , Sun Liling
Published: June 2022

A new class of van der Waals-type layered materials, ASn2Pn2 (A= Li, Na, Sr, Eu; Pn= As, P, Sb), has attracted much attention in the field of condensed matter physics because they have interesting physical properties and various ground states, as well as potential applications. Here, we are the first to report the close connection among the superconducting transition temperature Tc, crystal structure and Hall coefficient in pressurized NaSn2As2 single crystal. We found that the superconducting NaSn2As2 displays two pressure-induced crystal structure phase transitions, first from an ambient-pressure rhombohedral (R) phase to a monoclinic (M) phase starting at ∼ 12 GPa (PC1), and then to a simple cubic (C) phase starting at ∼ 33 GPa (PC2). In these phases, the Tc value and carrier concentration change correspondingly. Our results suggest that the observed three superconducting states are related to the change of structural phase and the variation of carrier concentrations.
Prediction of Process Parameters for the Integrated Biomass Gasification Power Plant Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Ayub Hafiz Muhammad Uzair , Rafiq Muhammad , Qyyum Muhammad Abdul , Rafiq Ghazala , Choi Gyu Sang , Lee Moonyong
Published: June 2022

Alternative renewable fuels like biomass have the potential to be considered for electricity generation by replacing the utilization of fossil fuels and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. An integrated biomass gasification power plant is the best suitable option to generate electricity from different biomass feedstocks. Several modeling and simulation techniques have been utilized for the integrated biomass gasification power generation process. These models are utilized to predict the power output from the different gasifier types, designs, and feedstocks. In this study, An Artificial neural network (ANN) model is developed to estimate the process parameters of the Integrated biomass gasification power plant. This ANN model predicts the gasification temperature (T) and air to fuel ratio (AFR) for the gasification process integrated with the power plant at the atmospheric pressure. There is a total of ten input parameters such as moisture content of biomass (M), volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (FC), ash content (A), element composition of carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S) and required power (KW) are used to predict the two key gasification process parameters T and AFR. The data generated from thermodynamic equilibrium model simulations are employed in the developed ANN model for the different 86 biomass feedstocks. The proposed ANN model was optimized for the Mean Squared Error (MSE) loss function and evaluated using MSE and R score metrics. It is observed that the best predicted for a hidden layer size was of 60 neurons. The best test score was achieved as an MSE score of 1,497 and test R 0.9976. This study can be implemented for any kind of biomass feedstock for the power generation system.
A Novel Branch and Bound Pure Integer Programming Phase Unwrapping Algorithm for Dual-Baseline InSAR
Authors: Liu Hui , Yue JiaWei , Huang QiHuan , Li GeShuang , Liu Min
Published: June 2022

Phase unwrapping (PU) is an important bottleneck restricting the practical application of the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technique. In view of the similarity between solving the ambiguity number of integral cycles in PU for dual-baseline InSAR and pure integer programming (PIP) problem in science of overall planning, a new branch and bound PIP-PU algorithm for dual-baseline InSAR is proposed. A PIP-PU model with the intercept on the vertical axis as the objective function and a ray as the constraint condition is first constructed. Then, how to solve the ambiguity number is given in detail by graphical means. Finally, the axis symmetry theory is introduced to further improve PU efficiency. The proposed algorithm has the advantages of better unwrapping ability even in phase under-sampling areas and abrupt topographic change areas and lower requirement of the baselines. Through two sets of simulated data and one set of real data experiments, the feasibility, effectiveness, and practicability of this proposed algorithm are verified, respectively. In addition, compared with the branch-cut method, quality-guided method, least square method, and minimum cost flow method, the proposed method has the highest accuracy and suboptimal unwrapping efficiency.
Differential Comprehensive Effects of Food Quality and ZnO Nanoparticles on the Key Traits of Early Life History of Daphnia magna
Authors: Sun Yunfei , Yu Bo , Lei Yulu , Qin Shanshan , Lyu Kai , Yang Zhou
Published: June 2022

In aquatic ecosystems, cladocerans, an important part of zooplankton, are often exposed to new pollutant nanoparticles and poor quality food simultaneously. To evaluate the combined effects of poor quality food and nanoparticles on the development and early reproductive performance of cladocerans, we exposed Daphnia magna, a representative cladoceran, to different concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles under the food conditions containing different proportions of non-toxic Microcystis, recorded some key indicators of the early life history, and analyzed the possible differential dose effects. The results showed that non-toxic Microcystis and ZnO nanoparticles significantly delayed the times to maturation and reproduction and also significantly reduced the survival time, the body length at maturation, the number of offspring in the first brood, and the total offspring per female of D. magna. When the food contained non-toxic Microcystis, D. magna did not reach sexual maturity at 0.25 mg L−1 ZnO nanoparticles and did not develop eggs and reproduce offspring at 0.20 mg L−1 ZnO nanoparticles, especially non-toxic Microcystis and ZnO nanoparticles had a significant or nearly significant synergistic effect on the time to maturation, time to first brood, and the total offspring per female of D. magna, whereas for other life history indicators, non-toxic Microcystis and ZnO nanoparticles showed an additive effect, based on comparing the slopes of linear fitting of the relevant indicators with nanoparticle concentration under different food quality conditions. Such findings are helpful to realistically evaluate the comprehensive stress effect on zooplankton under the complex conditions of poor food quality and coexistence of pollutants.
Does innovation in Environmental Technologies Curb CO2 Emissions? Evidence From Advanced Time Series Techniques
Authors: Hongqiao Han , Xinjun Wang , Ahmad Mahmood , Zhonghua Li
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the impact of environmental innovation, de jure trade globalization, renewable energy consumption and financial development on CO2 emissions in the United States (US) under the Environment Kuznets Curve hypothesis (EKC). To do this, yearly data from 1971 to 2018 is employed using the novel Augmented ARDL (AARDL) and Gradual Shift causality for empirical analysis. The empirical outcomes from the AARDL test disclosed cointegration between variables. The long-run empirical estimation revealed that environmental innovation is contributing to CO2 mitigation. Also, environmental innovation helps to develop the EKC between economic growth and CO2. Apart from this, environmental innovation Granger causes economic growth and CO2. Additionally, financial development is positively connected with CO2, while renewable energy alleviates emissions levels. The study also found a negative association between de jure trade globalization and CO2 emissions only in the short run. Based on the empirical results, this study suggests that the US should enhance innovation in environmental technologies and, at the same time, make policies to accelerate de jure trade globalization to achieve climate-related goals.
Natural and Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Nesting Ecology of the American Crocodile in Florida, United States
Authors: Mazzotti Frank J. , Balaguera-Reina Sergio A. , Brandt Laura A. , Briggs-González Venetia , Cherkiss Mike , Farris Seth , Godahewa Avishka
Published: June 2022

Nesting ecology of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Florida has been both positively and negatively influenced by anthropogenic and natural factors since the species was placed on the federally endangered species list in 1975. This includes a shift in nesting sites and an expansion of nesting to anthropogenic habitat. Using a 50-year record of monitoring data (1970-2020), we assessed factors influencing nesting ecology (number of nests, nest morphology, success rate, and habitat use) from a total of 3,013 nests recorded across South Florida. We detected a change in nesting success rate, increasing from 61% in the 1970’s to near 90% since 2010. Our hot spot analysis illustrates that nesting sites in northeastern Florida Bay and Flamingo/Cape Sable (Everglades National Park) were important for American crocodiles. Anthropogenic habitats, such as canals provided vital habitat nesting in areas such as Flamingo/Cape Sable (Everglades National Park), Turkey Point Power Plant, and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge for the current Florida population. Environmental parameters suspected to affect nesting success have shown an increasing trend over the past 50 years and minimum temperature and rainfall, during the summer season, are correlated with increased nesting success and temporal variation across South Florida. The adaptive capacity that American crocodiles exhibited in Florida gave the species advantages to face changes in climate and landscape over the last 50 years, however, it does not imply that the adaptive capacity of the species to face these changes (evolutionary potential) cannot reach a limit if changes continue. Here, we document C. acutus nesting ecology population responses to ecosystem restoration efforts in Florida; and further demonstrate the value of protecting and restoring habitat to support recovery of listed species.
Designing a Reminders System in Highly Automated Vehicles’ Interfaces for Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Eskandar Mahtab , Giang Wayne C. W. , Motamedi Sanaz , Devos Hannes , Koon Lyndsie , Akinwuntan Abiodun , Kondyli Alexandra
Published: June 2022

Many individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) struggle with the decision to cease driving prematurely due to cognitive deficiencies in processing speed, memory, attention, judgment, or visuospatial skills. Highly automated vehicles (AVs) can be used as assistive technologies for individuals with MCI, performing all driving tasks for them, and extending their safe and independent mobility. However, use of highly AVs introduces a different set of challenges than manual driving. These challenges rely more heavily on memory and decision-making abilities of its users. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the barriers that individuals with MCI face when interacting with highly AVs to support the design of in-vehicle interfaces that will help users with non-driving related travel tasks. Specifically, we aimed to design a system for providing reminders and other guidance to individuals with MCI during solo trips in personally owned or private AVs. To achieve this goal, we conducted individual interviews with experts in driving rehabilitation, rehabilitation professionals, and academics with a focus on assistive technologies, rehabilitation sciences, engineering, and inclusive design (N = 7). The thematic analysis of the data from these subject matter experts highlighted the necessity for reminders, defined as system-initiated prompts that assist individuals with remembering or acknowledging a specific piece of information, and resulted in a set of user needs. We then created a set of prototype interfaces based on these user needs that help individuals with MCI complete their trips by providing reminders of important trip related information. The reminders system was designed to be displayed on a central dashboard display placed in front of the passenger’s seat and present important information that address the users’ difficulties with prospective memory, remembering and understanding the features of the highly AV, and understanding the current trip status. This study serves as an initial investigation into ensuring that the experience of using highly AVs is inclusive and can support the needs of individuals with MCI. The designed interactions proposed by the reminders system can serve as a platform for future in-vehicle interfaces.
CRISPR-Cas9-Based Technology for Studying Enteric Virus Infection
Authors: Hirano Junki , Murakami Kosuke , Hayashi Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2022

Enteric viruses, including numerous viruses that initiate infection in enteric canal, are recognized as important agents that cause wide spectrum of illnesses in humans, depending on the virus type. They are mainly transmitted by fecal-oral route with several vector such as contaminated water or food. Infections by enteric viruses, such as noroviruses and rotaviruses, frequently cause widespread acute gastroenteritis, leading to significant health and economic burdens and therefore remain a public health concern. Like other viruses, enteric viruses ‘‘hijack’’ certain host factors (so called pro-viral factors) for replication in infected cells, while escaping the host defense system by antagonizing host anti-viral factors. Identification(s) of these factors is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying viral replication and pathogenicity, which will aid the development of efficient antiviral strategies. Recently, the advancement of genome-editing technology, especially the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas9 system, has precipitated numerous breakthroughs across the field of virology, including enteric virus research. For instance, unbiased genome-wide screening employing the CRISPR-Cas9 system has successfully identified a number of previously unrecognized host factors associated with infection by clinically relevant enteric viruses. In this review, we briefly introduce the common techniques of the CRISPR-Cas9 system applied to virological studies and discuss the major findings using this system for studying enteric virus infection.
DTI-BERT: Identifying Drug-Target Interactions in Cellular Networking Based on BERT and Deep Learning Method
Authors: Zheng Jie , Xiao Xuan , Qiu Wang-Ren
Published: June 2022

Drug–target interactions (DTIs) are regarded as an essential part of genomic drug discovery, and computational prediction of DTIs can accelerate to find the lead drug for the target, which can make up for the lack of time-consuming and expensive wet-lab techniques. Currently, many computational methods predict DTIs based on sequential composition or physicochemical properties of drug and target, but further efforts are needed to improve them. In this article, we proposed a new sequence-based method for accurately identifying DTIs. For target protein, we explore using pre-trained Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) to extract sequence features, which can provide unique and valuable pattern information. For drug molecules, Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is employed to generate information from drug molecular fingerprints. Then we concatenate the feature vectors of the DTIs, and input them into a feature extraction module consisting of a batch-norm layer, rectified linear activation layer and linear layer, called BRL block and a Convolutional Neural Networks module to extract DTIs features further. Subsequently, a BRL block is used as the prediction engine. After optimizing the model based on contrastive loss and cross-entropy loss, it gave prediction accuracies of the target families of G Protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, enzymes, and nuclear receptors up to 90.1, 94.7, 94.9, and 89%, which indicated that the proposed method can outperform the existing predictors. To make it as convenient as possible for researchers, the web server for the new predictor is freely accessible at: https://bioinfo.jcu.edu.cn/dtibert or http://121.36.221.79/dtibert/. The proposed method may also be a potential option for other DITs.