bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Productivity Improvement through Work Study Techniques: A Case of a Modern Rice Mill in Ikwo, Ebonyi State
Authors: Nnanna Innocent , Arua Julius Egwu
Published: December 2022

Aim: To explore the use of the work-study techniques in the efficiency improvement in the productivity of a firm or industry. A firm's profit can be increased through productivity improvement by reducing non-value-added operations and adopting a new process for a particular activity. 

Study Design: Currently, productivity improvement is a crucial factor in industries. Therefore, one of the primary goals of this firm is to improve productivity which enhances its long-run profit. The most critical tool for enhancing the firm's productivity is work study. Hence, this study noted the bottleneck and provided an appropriate technique for productivity improvement.

Place and Duration of Study: A modern rice mill in Ikwo Ebonyi State Nigeria, between March 2021 and October 2022.

Methodology: A method study was carried out using well-designed questionnaire techniques with interconnected critical analysis of a particular production line. A reasonable work content reduction was obtained when the proposed improvement method was applied. A stopwatch was used to obtain the time study with much emphasis on the standard time for the operation sequences. As a result, each workstation capacity per day was calculated.

Results: The result shows that the firm productivity index improved by 14.29% when method study and work measurement were applied in the production line. Implementation of the proposed production line improved productivity from the old production line by 14.29%. Previously, the work content per ton was 4892 mins. Considering the line balancing and critical analysis of the proposed technique, the proposed work content took 3649 mins to be completed, this leads to a reduction of work content by 1243 mins after the line balancing and analysis. The proposed method helps to increase productivity to 14.29% with 25.41% reduction of work content and line balancing.

Conclusion: In the Ikwo modern rice mill, productivity improvement is considered a critical factor for increasing the profit margin. Therefore, an increase in the profitable index of the firm is the function of productivity improvement, as a result of proper planning and control of the available input variables.
Regional Disparities in Social Development in Haryana
Authors: Devender . , Kumar Jagdeep
Published: December 2022

The main objective of the present study was to analyse the pattern of district-level regional disparities in social development in Haryana. The study constructed a social development index (SDI) with consideration of 33 key indicators at the four-point of time, i.e., 1991-92, 2001-02, 2011-12, and 2018-19. The study used the “Wroclaw taxonomic” technique to construct composite indices. It was found that in 1991-92, Ambala, Karnal, and Sirsa districts were highly socially developed, whereas Jind, Faridabad, Panipat, and Kaithal districts were the least developed. Moreover, in 2018-19, Rewari, Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Panchkula had the highest level of social development, and Jhajjar, Gurugram, Panipat, and Rohtak districts had the least social development. Moreover, the study also observed that districts in the northern and southern regions had improved their level of social development. In contrast, districts surrounding the National Capital and the districts in the western region had deteriorated their level of social development. The study confirmed that the most economically well-developed districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Jhajjar, and Rohtak, were deprived of social development, and also revealed that the disparities in social development in Haryana had widened over the period and suggested that the Government should immediately formulate policies to uplift social development in lagging districts and reduce the disparities.
Saliterribacillus
Authors: Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Mehrshad Maliheh
Published: December 2022

Sa.li.ter.ri.ba.cil'lus. L. masc. n.
sal, salis,
salt; L. fem. n.
terra
, soil; L. masc. n.
bacillus
, a rod; N.L. masc. n.
Saliterribacillus
, a rod isolated from salt and soil.

Bacillota / Bacilli / Bacillales / Bacillaceae / Saliterribacillus

The genus
Saliterribacillus
is classified within the family
Bacillaceae
, order
Bacillales
, and in the class
Bacilli
and contains Gram‐stain‐positive, motile, and rod‐shaped cells. The cells are strictly aerobic; moderately halophilic, mesophilic, and neutrophilic microorganism that forms ellipsoidal endospores at a terminal or subterminal position in swollen sporangia. Growth occurs in media containing 0.5–22.5% (w/v) NaCl at temperatures in the range of 20–45°C, with optimum growth at 7.5% (w/v) NaCl and 35°C. Cells grow optimally at pH 7.0 and tolerate the range of 6.0–8.0. Chemoorganotrophic, and a number of sugars and organic acids are used as sole sources of carbon and energy. Acid is produced from different sugars. Catalase‐ and oxidase‐positive. The major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. MK‐7 is the major respiratory quinone, and MK‐6 is also present. The DNA G + C content of the sole member of this genus is 35.2 mol%. Phylogenetically related to the genera
Paraliobacillus
and
Sediminibacillus
in the family
Bacillaceae
. Currently, the genus includes one species.
Saliterribacillus persicus
is the type species of the genus isolated from the soil around the hypersaline lake Aran‐Bidgol in Iran.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 35.2 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Saliterribacillus persicus
Amoozegar et al. 2013
VP
.
Halalkalirubrum
Authors: Zhao Dahe , Zuo Zhenqiang , Xiang Hua
Published: December 2022

Hal.al.ka.li.ru'brum. Gr. masc. n.
hals
,
halos
, salt; N.L. neut. n.
alkali
, alkali; L. neut. adj.
rubrum
, red; N.L. neut. n.
Halalkalirubrum
, red organism existing in salted and alkaline environment.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Haloferacales / Halorubraceae / Halalkalirubrum

The genus
Halalkalirubrum
consists of haloalkaliphilic archaea. Cells are pleomorphic, Gram‐stain‐negative, and approximately 0.5 μm in diameter. Cells lyse when the NaCl concentration is below 2%. Oxidase and catalase tests are positive. They can grow with 11–25% (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.0–10.5, and between 4 and 42°C at Mg
2+
concentrations between 0 and 0.1 M. Colonies are circular, smooth, and red pigmented. H
2
S is not produced from thiosulfate. Indole formation is negative. Reduction of nitrate to nitrite is negative. Nitrite is not reduced under aerobic conditions. Anaerobic growth with nitrate, arginine, and DMSO is not observed. Cells do not hydrolyze gelatin, casein, starch, and Tweens 20, 40, 60, and 80. The following carbon sources are utilized as single carbon or energy sources for growth: glucose, maltose, lactose, sorbitol, acetate, pyruvate, lactate, fumarate, succinate, alanine, glutamate, ornithine, fructose, sorbose, xylose, mannitol, citrate, glycine, arginine, aspartate, and lysine. The major polar lipids are PG, PGP‐Me, PGS, and one unidentified glycolipid. DNA G + C content of the type strain of the type species is 58.37 mol%, a little lower than most of the closely related genera within the order
Haloferacales
. Known habitats are saline environments.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
:
58.37.

Type species:
Halalkalirubrum salinum
Zuo et al. 2021, VL207.
A machine learning modeling framework forTriticum turgidumsubsp.durumDesf. yield forecasting in Italy
Authors: Fiorentini Marco , Schillaci Calogero , Denora Michele , Zenobi Stefano , Deligios Paola , Orsini Roberto , Santilocchi Rodolfo , Perniola Michele , Montanarella Luca , Ledda Luigi
Published: December 2022

The forecasting of crop yield is one of the most critical research areas in crop science, which allows for the development of decision support systems, optimization of nitrogen fertilization, and food safety. Many tested modeling approaches can be differentiated according to the models and data used. The models used are traditional crop models that require data that are often difficult to measure. New modeling approaches based on artificial intelligence algorithms have proven to be of high performance, flexible, and can be tested based on available data. In this study, four independent field experiments conducted onTriticum turgidumsubsp.durumDesf. in central–southern Italy were used to train a set of machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict the yield using 16 variables: fertilization, nitrogen management, pedoclimatic, and remote sensing data. Four ML algorithms were calibrated and validated over two independent sites, and a linear regression model was used as a control. The calibrated models can predict the grain yield in the two regions by using ancillary data, topsoil physical and chemical properties, multispectral drone imagery, climatic data, and nitrogen fertilizer applied at the site. Among the four ML algorithms, stochastic gradient boosting (root‐mean‐square error  = 0.58 t ha−1) outperformed others during calibration and transferability. Nitrogen application rate, seasonal precipitation, and temperature are the most important features for predicting wheat yield.
Improved vapor pressure prediction from PR + COSMOSAC EOS using normal boiling temperature
Authors: Tsai Chang‐Che , Lin Shiang‐Tai
Published: December 2022

We evaluate the predictive power of the PR + COSMOSAC Equation of State (EOS) for vapor pressure using a large dataset of 19,081 compounds. The PR + COSMOSAC EOS uses results of quantum mechanical solvation calculations to determine the energy and molecular volume parameters in the Peng‐Robinson EOS and thus does not require experimental critical temperature (Tc), pressure (Pc), and acentric factor (ω) as in the conventional approach. The prediction accuracy (average absolute relative deviation) is 141%, about seven times that of the PR EOS. A new approach is developed to improve the prediction accuracy from PR + COSMOSAC EOS by incorporating experimental normal boiling temperature. The prediction accuracy improves to 58%, about three times that of the PR EOS. The PR + COSMOSAC EOS is an effective method for vapor pressure prediction when no or just some experimental data is available.
Engineering sodium‐decorated bifunctional Au‐Ti sites to boost molecular transfer for propene epoxidation with H2 and O2
Authors: Lin Dong , Xu Yang , Zheng Xiuhui , Sheng Wei , Liu Zhenyi , Yan Yinglong , Cao Yu , Liu Yibin , Feng Xiang , Chen De , Yang Chaohe
Published: December 2022

Regulating the microenvironment of active sites is crucial to boost the performance of direct propene epoxidation with H2 and O2. Herein, the enhanced surface transfer of H2O2 intermediates was first achieved by sodium‐decorated Au‐Ti bifunctional active sites. Combined with multi‐techniques (e.g., operando UV–vis–NIR system, DFT studies and quantitative model calculations), it is found that the sodium‐decorated silanols (Si‐ONa species) on the TS‐1 support enhance the formation of Ti‐OOH intermediates by restraining H2O2 decomposition. In addition, sodium‐decorated silanols improves the desorption of propylene oxide, suppressing its ring‐opening and formation for the carbonaceous deposits. Moreover, the sodium‐decorated Au nanoparticles with smaller diameter and higher electron density further strengthen O2 adsorption and boost the H2O2 formation. This work not only provides fundamental understandings on the microenvironment of Au‐Ti bifunctional catalysts but also sheds new light on enhancing the performance by boosting the surface molecular transfer.
Coordination Manipulation of Single Atom Catalysts for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries: Advances and Prospects
Authors: Zhao Haorui , Song Yingze , Sun Jingyu
Published: December 2022

On account of high energy density and low cost of sulfur, lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) battery has been regarded as an appealing energy storage system to date. Nevertheless, it has faced formidable challenges, mainly pertaining to the fatal shuttle effect and retarded sulfur redox kinetics. Single atom catalysts (SACs) have showcased great promise for addressing these issues owing to their maximum atom utilization efficiency, favorable catalytic activity as well as their good structural tunability at an atomic level, considerably contributing to the recent fruitful advancements in Li−S realm. In this review, we summarize the state‐of‐the‐art strategies in the coordination manipulations of SACs toward highly efficient and durable Li−S batteries. The recent advances, existing issues, and future outlooks are discussed accordingly, aiming to guide the synthetic design of SACs, propel the underlying mechanism understanding and ultimately boost the commercial viability of Li−S batteries.
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with chemometric methods for the determination of fatty acid profiles in herbal oils
Authors: Tajabadi Fateme , Ghorbani‐Nohooji Majid , Gholami Ahmad , Ghiasi Yekta Mona , Ghasemi Seyed Vahid , Nabati Farzaneh , Sadri Seyede Hadis
Published: December 2022

The conventional method for analyzing fatty acid is gas chromatography (GC) with polar capillary columns. However, owing to the high cost and the sensitivity of these columns to the presence of water and oxygen, these columns are not the best choice for separation. Also, analyzing long‐chain acids (>C28) with polar columns is impossible. On the other hand, complete separation with nonpolar columns is not possible for some saturated, unsaturated and long‐chain fatty acids. Therefore, in this study, with the help of chemometric methods, a method was developed using GC/mass spectrometry (MS) with a nonpolar column to resolve the peaks to completely separate and accurately identify and quantify fatty acids. Using this method, the fatty acid profiles of the seed oils of Sesamum indicum L, Nigella sativa, Pimpinella anisum, Linum asitatissimum L, Silybum marianum and Amygdalus communis L. var. Amara and var. Dulcis were identified. Through applying the multivariate curve resolution method after GC/MS, the C‐18 fatty acids such as α‐linolenic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acids were separated and quantified. Also, the total percentages of identified fatty acids increased by 1–6% after resolving overlapping peaks. Finally, the obtained percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were confirmed by reference reports.
Review recent rulings regarding due process
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: December 2022

An overview of the key topics faced by campus administrators with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Apoptin causes apoptosis inHepG‐2 cells via Ca2+imbalance and activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Authors: Yu Xiaoyang , Wang Tongxing , Li Yue , Li Yiquan , Bai Bing , Fang Jinbo , Han Jicheng , Li Shanzhi , Xiu Zhiru , Liu Zirui , Yang Xia , Li Yaru , Zhu Guangze , Jin Ningyi , Shang Chao , Li Xiao , Zhu Yilong
Published: December 2022

Background

Apoptin is derived from the chicken anemia virus and exhibits specific cytotoxic effects against tumor cells. Herein, we found that Apoptin induced a strong and lasting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, Ca2+imbalance, and triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms by which Apoptin exhibited anti‐tumor effects in HepG‐2 cells.

Methods

The intracellular levels of calcium (Ca2+) were induced by ER stress and determined by electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence staining. The mitochondrial injury was determined by mitochondrial membrane potential and electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to investigate the levels of key proteins in ER stress and the apoptotic pathway in mitochondria. The relationship between Ca2+levels and apoptosis in Apoptin‐treated cells was analyzed using a Ca2+chelator (BAPTA‐AM), flow cytometry, and fluorescence staining. We also investigated the in vivo effects of Ca2+imbalance on the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway using tumor tissues xenografted on nude mice.

Results

This study showed that Apoptin induced a strong and long‐ lasting ER stress and injury, which subsequently led to an imbalance of cellular Ca2+levels, a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential, a significant extent image in the mitochondrial structure, and an increase in the expression levels of Smac/Diablo and Cyto‐C.

Conclusions

In summary, Apoptin induced apoptosis in HepG‐2 cells via Ca2+imbalance and activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. This study provided a new direction for antitumor research in Apoptin.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is related to large vessel occlusion in young patients with COVID‐19: Two case reports
Authors: Tabatabaee Seyedehnarges , Rezania Fatemeh , Soleimani Sevim , Mirzaasgari Zahra
Published: December 2022

Here, we report two cases of previously healthy young men with COVID‐19 infection who developed acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion followed by secondary events concerning for a further thromboembolic event. We hypothesize that the hypercoagulable state related to COVID‐19 exacerbated the underlying hereditary thrombophilia.
Nature and Strength of Weak O⋅⋅⋅O Interactions in Nitryl Halide Dimers
Authors: Petelski Andre Nicolai , Duarte Darío Jorge Roberto , Peruchena Nélida María
Published: December 2022

The use of real space functions and molecular graphs has pushed some chemists to wonder: Are interactions between negatively charged oxygen atoms possible? In this contribution we analyze whether there is a real interaction between oxygen atoms in nitryl halide dimers (XNO2)2 (X=F, Cl, Br and I) and in tetranitromethane and derivatives. Based on ab‐initio and density functional theories (DFT) methods, we show these complexes are weakly stabilized. Energy decomposition analyses based on local molecular orbitals (LMOEDA) and interacting quantum atoms (IQA) reveal both dispersion and exchange play a crucial role in the stabilization of these complexes. Electron charge density and IQA analyses indicate that the oxygen atoms are connected by privileged exchange channels. In addition, electrostatic interactions between O and N atoms are also vital for the stabilization of the complexes. Finally, a reasonable explanation is given for the dynamic behavior of nitryl groups in tetranitromethane and derivatives.
Comparative study of different polysaccharide‐based edible coatings on physicochemical attributes and bioactive compounds of mango cv. Dashehari fruits
Authors: Gupta Vaishali , Meena Nirmal Kumar , Sharma Yogendra Kumar , Choudhary Kalpana
Published: December 2022

Coating is an effective method in order preserve food value and prolong the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. In the present investigation, the effect of various polysaccharide‐based edible coatings on fruit physicochemical and bioactive compounds of stored Dashehari mango was studied. After coating treatment with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1%), guar gum (GG) (2%) and gum acacia (GA) (2%) with control fruits were stored, and quality traits such as peel thickness, physiological loss in weight (PLW), decay, total soluble solids (TSS), sugars, titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), total carotenoids (TC), total chlorophyll content (TCC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AOX), and sensory traits were analyzed. According to the results, fruits treated with CMC (1%) showed higher peel thickness (0.67 mm), least PLW (10.44%), and decay (2.26%) compared to control fruits. Furthermore, at the end of storage, CMC (1%) coated fruits significantly retained the higher TA, AA, and chlorophyll content (4.30 mg 100−1), 1.7‐fold higher TPC, and 2.08‐fold higher AOX capacity compared to control. Sensory results also showed higher scores and better acceptability of CMC‐coated fruits after storage of 9 days at ambient conditions.
Biological and psychological early prognostic factors in complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review
Authors: Louis Marc‐Henri , Meyer Caroline , Legrain Valéry , Berquin Anne
Published: December 2022

Background and objective

Several risk factors for the onset of CRPS have been found, but evidence for prognostic factors associated with the progression of this condition remains sparse. However, the detection and management of these factors are necessary to design secondary prevention strategies. The objective of this systematic review was to identify prognostic factors in adult individuals with early CRPS.

Database and data treatment

PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Scopus, were published between January 1990 and November 2021. Two independent investigators selected cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies looking at early (<12 weeks from onset) prognostic factors for pain, CRPS severity score, disability, return to work, or quality of life. The quality in prognostic studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. A qualitative meta‐synthesis was performed.

Results

Out of 4652 different articles, six studies met the inclusion criteria. We identified 21 early factors associated with a poorer prognosis in type I CRPS. We found moderate evidence to support six of them: higher pain intensity, self‐rated disability, anxiety, pain‐related fear, being a female and high‐energy triggering event. Only two studies had an overall low risk of bias.

Conclusions

This study showed an important lack of information on early prognostic factors in CRPS. Only one article investigated the link with psychological characteristics. There is a crucial need for larger studies, with a well‐defined population using validated measures.

Significance

This systematic review highlights the lack of knowledge about early prognostic factors in CRPS. A few putative prognostic factors were identified. Most of the moderate evidence is related to a single cohort. Future research is required to find out which patients are vulnerable to chronification.
An improved optimal energy aware data availability approach for secure clustering and routing in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Kingston Roberts Michaelraj , Thangavel Jayapratha
Published: December 2022

Maintaining high residual energy is one of the major challenges of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), where nodes are moving at a random speed. In addition, data availability is also a major concern that must be maintained constantly during the packet transmission phase. In this research work, a Residual‐Energy‐Based Data Availability Approach (REDAA) for WSNs is developed to increase the network lifetime by focusing on the selection of stable routing paths and cluster heads. During the first phase of the work, the network model, and assumptions for route creations are adopted to effectively initialize the data transmission phase. During the second phase, a cluster was formed, and two categories of cluster heads were created based on quadrature low energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (Q‐LEACH) and multi‐hop low energy adaptive clustering (MH‐LEACH) algorithms to formalize the route and to make data available whenever requested. During the third phase, energy conservation routes are initialized, and data gathering is improved through slot‐based code division multiple access schemes. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed REDAA approach can achieve an improvement in terms of throughput and energy consumption by 37% and 70% respectively when compared to MH‐LEACH approach, whereas in comparison to Q‐LEACH approach, these improvements are found to be 30% and 73% respectively.
3D‐MASNet: 3D mixed‐scale asymmetric convolutional segmentation network for 6‐month‐old infant brain MR images
Authors: Zeng Zilong , Zhao Tengda , Sun Lianglong , Zhang Yihe , Xia Mingrui , Liao Xuhong , Zhang Jiaying , Shen Dinggang , Wang Li , He Yong
Published: December 2022

Precise segmentation of infant brain magnetic resonance (MR) images into gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are essential for studying neuroanatomical hallmarks of early brain development. However, for 6‐month‐old infants, the extremely low‐intensity contrast caused by inherent myelination hinders accurate tissue segmentation. Existing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based segmentation models for this task generally employ single‐scale symmetric convolutions, which are inefficient for encoding the isointense tissue boundaries in baby brain images. Here, we propose a 3D mixed‐scale asymmetric convolutional segmentation network (3D‐MASNet) framework for brain MR images of 6‐month‐old infants. We replaced the traditional convolutional layer of an existing to‐be‐trained network with a 3D mixed‐scale convolution block consisting of asymmetric kernels (MixACB) during the training phase and then equivalently converted it into the original network. Five canonical CNN segmentation models were evaluated using both T1‐ and T2‐weighted images of 23 6‐month‐old infants from iSeg‐2019 datasets, which contained manual labels as ground truth. MixACB significantly enhanced the average accuracy of all five models and obtained the most considerable improvement in the fully convolutional network model (CC‐3D‐FCN) and the highest performance in the Dense U‐Net model. This approach further obtained Dice coefficient accuracies of 0.931, 0.912, and 0.961 in GM, WM, and CSF, respectively, ranking first among 30 teams on the validation dataset of the iSeg‐2019 Grand Challenge. Thus, the proposed 3D‐MASNet can improve the accuracy of existing CNNs‐based segmentation models as a plug‐and‐play solution that offers a promising technique for future infant brain MRI studies.
Forecasting the Asian stock market volatility: Evidence from WTI and INE oil futures
Authors: Ghani Maria , Ma Feng , Huang Dengshi
Published: December 2022

This study investigates whether China's crude oil futures (INE) and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) markets hold valuable information for estimating the realized volatility of seven Asian stock markets. This study has several notable findings. First, China's oil futures can trigger forecast accuracy for three equity indices (Nikkei 225, NSEI, and FT Straits Times), whereas WTI helps forecast the volatility of the two indices (KSE 100 and KOSPI). Second, comparing China's crude oil futures with WTI's crude oil futures, we find that the former could be an effective indicator for all seven Asian stock markets during a high‐volatility period, while WTI information is helpful in forecasting the volatility of the KSE 100, NSEI, and FT Strait Times during the low‐volatility period. Further, information of both oil futures is ineffective for the Hang Seng and SSEC equity indices. Our results are robust in several robustness checks, including alternative evaluation methods, recursive window approach, and alternative realized measures, even during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Boundary value problems for nonlinear second‐order functional differential equations with piecewise constant arguments
Authors: Buedo‐Fernández Sebastián , Cao Labora Daniel , Rodríguez‐López Rosana
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider a class of nonlinear second‐order functional differential equations with piecewise constant arguments with applications to a thermostat that is controlled by the introduction of functional terms in the temperature and the speed of change of the temperature at some fixed instants. We first prove some comparison results for boundary value problems associated to linear delay differential equations that allow to give a priori bounds for the derivative of the solutions, so that we can control not only the values of the solutions but also their rate of change. Then, we develop the method of upper and lower solutions and the monotone iterative technique in order to deduce the existence of solutions in a certain region (and find their approximations) for a class of boundary value problems, which include the periodic case. In the approximation process, since the sequences of the derivatives for the approximate solutions are, in general, not monotonic, we also give some estimates for these derivatives. We complete the paper with some examples and conclusions.
Influence of multiple structural parameters on buffer performance of a thin‐walled circular tube based on the coupling modeling technique
Authors: Jiang Kun , Lu Xinggan , Wang Hao
Published: December 2022

Pyrotechnic devices are widely used in the aerospace and defense industries. However, these devices generate high‐frequency and high‐amplitude shock responses during their use, compromising safe operation of the system. In this paper, the application of a thin‐walled circular tube as the energy absorber in pyrotechnic devices is investigated. To accurately predict the shock load and the buffer performance of the thin‐walled circular tube, a coupled model connecting the energetic material combustion and finite element simulation is established. The validity of the coupled model is verified by comparing with experiments. Then, the collapse mechanism of the thin‐walled circular tube is studied, and the influence of multiple structural parameters on its buffer performance is analyzed. The results show that the thin‐walled circular tube effectively reduces the shock overload. The maximum shock overload reduced from 572 612g to 11 204g in the studied case. The structural parameters of the thin‐walled circular tube mainly affect the deformation process and the maximum shock overload. The order of importance of structural parameters to the maximum shock overload is determined, among which the wall thickness has the most significant effect.
A localized Fourier collocation method for 2D and 3D elliptic partial differential equations: Theory and MATLAB code
Authors: Gu Yan , Fu Zhuojia , Golub Mikhail V.
Published: December 2022

A localized Fourier collocation method is proposed for solving certain types of elliptic boundary value problems. The method first discretizes the entire domain into a set of overlapping small subdomains, and then in each of the subdomains, the unknown functions and their derivatives are approximated using the pseudo‐spectral Fourier collocation method. The key idea of the present method is to combine the merits of the quick convergence of the pseudo‐spectral method and the high sparsity of the localized discretization technique to yield a new framework that may be suitable for large‐scale simulations. The present method can be viewed as a competitive alternative for solving numerically large‐scale boundary value problems with complex‐shape geometries. Preliminary numerical experiments involving Poisson, Helmholtz, and modified‐Helmholtz equations in both two and three dimensions are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
Ultra‐low loss polyphenylene oxide‐based composites with negative thermal expansion fillers
Authors: Zhu Xiaotao , Fang Zeming , Yi Ying , Wang Zeru , Meng Yeqiao , Liu Qianfa , Wang Ke
Published: December 2022

The mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of components has created numerous reliability issues in electronic packages. Incorporating inorganic fillers into polymer matrices has been proven to be an effective way to reduce the CTE, but properly balancing CTE with other key properties of the composites is still a challenge. In the current work, negative thermal expansion Zr2WP2O12 (ZWP) particles were prepared by a high‐temperature solid‐phase synthesis method. Polyphenylene oxide (PPO)‐based composites with different volume fractions (0, 10, 20, 30 vol%) of ZWP particles were prepared and their thermal expansion and dielectric properties were characterized. PPO/silica composites with the same volume fractions of silica were also prepared and characterized for comparison. With the content of filler increased from 0 to 30 vol%, the CTE of the PPO/ZWP composites reduced from 74.2 to 45.4 ppm/°C, which is more significant than that of the PPO/silica composites (48.0 ppm/°C with 30 vol% silica). Meanwhile, the dielectric loss of PPO/ZWP composites decreased significantly from 0.0024 (0 vol% ZWP) to 0.0018 (30 vol% ZWP) at 10 GHz, which is better than PPO/silica composites (0.0019 with 30 vol% Silica). The PPO/ZWP composites exhibit excellent comprehensive properties, which may be promising materials for high‐frequency applications in electronic packaging fields.
Network analysis of depression in prostate cancer patients: Implications for assessment and treatment
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Christie David R. H. , Arnold Wayne M. , Bitsika Vicki
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Many prostate cancer patients also suffer from depression, which can decrease their life satisfaction and also impede recovery from their cancer. This study described the network structure of depressive symptomatology in prostate cancer patients, with a view to providing suggestions for clinical interventions for depressed patients.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional design, 555 prostate cancer patients completed the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9).

Results

Network analysis and multidimensional scaling indicated that anhedonia was the most central symptom for these men, and that several sets of depression symptoms were closely associated with each other. These included anhedonia‐depressed mood; sleeping problems‐fatigue/lethargy; and suicidal ideation‐low self‐worth‐depressed mood. Other depression symptoms such as appetite problems, concentration problems, and motor problems, were less well‐related with the remainder of the network. Patients receiving treatment for reocurring prostate cancer (PCa) had significantly higher PHQ9 scores than patients undergoing their initial treatment, but no major differences in their network structures. Implications for clinical practice were derived from the relationships between individual depression symptoms and the overall depression network by examining node predictability.

Conclusions

The use of total depression scores on an inventory does not reflect the underlying network structure of depression in PCa patients. Identification and treatment of the central symptom of anhedonia in PCa patients suggests the need to adopt specific therapies that are focussed upon this symptom.
New results on sliding mode control for polynomial fuzzy singular systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Feng Zhiguang , Yang Yang , Lam Hak‐Keung
Published: December 2022

This article focuses on the problem of sliding mode control (SMC) for polynomial fuzzy singular systems with the matched uncertainty, time‐varying delay and different control input matrices. An integral sliding surface with different control input matrices and polynomial matrices is established. The existence of the equivalent controller can be determined according to the given sum‐of‐squares conditions. By choosing an appropriate augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and utilizing a generalized free‐matrix‐based integral inequality, a less conservative admissibility condition of sliding mode dynamics is proposed in the form of sum‐of‐squares. It is noteworthy that due to the choice of augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, the traditional methods cannot transform the nonlinear terms in the admissibility condition of sliding mode dynamics into linear terms. Here, several inequalities are introduced to overcome this difficulty. Furthermore, the SMC law is proposed to ensure the reachability of the sliding surface. The simulation results show that the proposed method is less conservative and effective.
Synthesis and Rheological Properties of Polyacrylamide Nanospheres and SiO2/PAM Composite Nanospheres
Authors: Peiyao Qi , Shuo Wang , Ye Ju , Zhongli Tang , Jin Qu , Junping Zheng , Xiaofei Liu
Published: December 2022

Polyacrylamide nanospheres are a kind of polymer material that can improve the development effect of oilfield water flooding and realize reservoir stimulation. However, due to its good water absorption, the strength cannot well meet the needs of practical production, and is forced to be limited to application on oil displacement. Therefore, in this paper, SiO2/PAM composite nanospheres were synthesized by the inverse microemulsion method to meet the needs of profile control and water shutoff in oilfields. The structure, oil displacement effect and rheological properties of polyacrylamide nanospheres and SiO2/PAM composite nanospheres were comparatively studied. The results show that both nanospheres are viscoelastic nanospheres. Since the elastic response is greater than the viscous response in SiO2/PAM composite nanospheres, and the polymer nanospheres do the opposite, there are significant differences in various rheological properties, such as variation of apparent viscosity with shear rate, creep recovery characteristics, viscoelasticity etc. This work provides a basis for the practical application of SiO2/PAM composite nanospheres in oilfields.
Adhesion of Polymer to TiO2 Particles Decreases Photocatalytic Activity of Polyelectrolyte Hydrogel Photocatalyst
Authors: Mansurov Renat R. , Pavlova Irina A. , Safronov Alexander P.
Published: December 2022

A comparative study on the photocatalytic activity was done for TiO2/poly(acrylamide‐co‐potassium acrylate) composite hydrogels with varying content of potassium acrylate monomer units. The presence of the acrylate units led to the increase in the swelling ratio of hydrogel and to the enhancement of the diffusion of the methyl orange probe dye to the surface of the embedded TiO2 particles. However, the photocatalytic activity was not improved. Microcalorimetry data showed that while the enthalpy of polymer adhesion to the TiO2 particles surface was positive in the case of polyacrylamide and it became negative if acrylate units were included in the polymer network. Likely, the adhesion enhancement occurred due to the electrostatic interaction among acrylate monomer units and surface of TiO2 particles. As a result of polymer adhesion to the active surface of the catalyst particles was partly blocked and the photocatalytic activity of the composite hydrogel diminished.
Synthesis of Quinoline‐Morpholine‐Coupled 1,2,3‐Triazole Hybrids as In vitro EGFR inhibitors
Authors: Mamidala Annapurna , Bokkala Karthik , Thirukovela Narasimha Swamy , Sirassu Narsimha , Bandari Srinivas , Nukala Satheesh Kumar
Published: December 2022

Herein we described the synthesis of some new quinoline‐morpholine coupled 1,2,3‐triazole hybrids (6 a–n) from 5‐chloroquinolin‐8‐ol using well known reactions like Mannich reaction, O‐propargylation, and finally copper (I) catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The structures of all newly synthesized hybrids were confirmed by 1H–NMR, 13C–NMR, and Mass spectra. All of them were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity towards three human cancer cell lines including MCF‐7, A549 and HepG2 by MTT assay where four compounds (6 c, 6 j, 6 m and 6 n) exhibited more potency than the reference erlotinib against all the three cell lines. In vitro tyrosine kinase EGFR inhibition assay for the same four compounds revealed that 6 m has triple inhibiting power with IC50 value of 0.14 μM and 6 j has nearly double inhibiting power with IC50 value of 0.22 μM compared to erlotinib. Molecular docking studies with EGFR have shown that all the above four compounds have more binding energies (−9.09 kcal/mol to −9.96 kcal/mol) than that of erlotinib (‐7.69 kcal/mol). Finally, in silico pharmacokinetic profile was achieved using SWISS/ADME and pkCSM, where all the four compounds followed Lipinski rule, Veber rule, Egan rule and Muegge rule and the lipophilicity (ClogP) was found to be ranging from 2.98 to 3.69.
Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Study of Genistein‐O‐1,3,5‐Triazine Derivatives as Multifunctional Anti‐Alzheimer Agents
Authors: Zou Jing‐Pei , Qian Jing‐Jing , Liu Shan‐Ming , Li Rui , Zhang Xiao‐Qing , Yang Shun , Liu Yu‐Wei , Liu Wei‐Wei , Ma Shao‐Jie , Shi Da‐Hua
Published: December 2022

Twenty‐four genistein‐O‐1,3,5‐triazine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multi‐functional anti‐Alzheimer agents. These compounds were confirmed by IR, NMR and HRMS and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Most target compounds showed good inhibition and selectivity to acetylcholinesterase. Among these compounds, compound 4 e (7‐((4‐chloro‐6‐(diisobutylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)oxy)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one) exhibited the strongest inhibition to acetylcholinesterase with IC50 of 0.034 μM, which was comparable with that of donepezil (IC50=0.037 μM). The enzyme kinetics studies showed that this compound was a kind of mixed type inhibitor. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations study of this compound indicated that it could interact with the crucial amino acids present at the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of acetylcholinesterase and bind to acetylcholinesterase stably. Furthermore, this compound also showed terrific metal chelating abilities. ADMET characteristics implied that these compounds could possess the properties to become drug candidates. Thus, this compound may become a latent multifunctional anti‐Alzheimer agent.
Studies on Biosynthesis of Chiral Sulfoxides by Using P450 119 Peroxygenase and Its Mutants
Authors: Wang Qin , Jiang Xin‐Meng , Gao Yan‐Ping , Yin Li‐Ping , Wei Xiao‐Yao , Guo Kai , Gao Xiao‐Wei , Wang Li , Zhang Chun
Published: December 2022

Various alkyl‐aryl and heteroaromatic sulfides were catalyzed by P450 119 peroxygenase in the presence of TBHP. P450 119 mutants were used to improve the yield and enantioselectivity of the sulfoxidation. The P450 119 mutation at 153 was found to efficiently improve activity, specificity and enantioselectivity of the sulfoxidation of heteroaromatic sulfides up to 93 % yield and 57 % ee for the first time, meanwhile its thermal stability, kinetic parameters and molecular docking were studied. The experimental results provide a potential method for the biosynthesis of chiral sulfoxides, especially for asymmetric oxidation of heteroaromatic sulfides, by enduring evolution of thermal‐stable P450 119 peroxygenase.
Transformational Sustainability Entrepreneurship: Encouraging Students to Become Real Change Agents
Authors: Alcorta de Bronstein A. , Timm J. -M.
Published: December 2022

Entrepreneurial Education needs to be transformed. Our seminar called Transformational Sustainability Entrepreneurship aims at meeting this need by guiding students to become change agents for tackling the grand societal challenges of our time. In this chapter, we explain the five fundamental aspects in which this seminar is designed for students’ transformational learning experience. The seminar itself is divided into three phases: Understanding, Creative Thinking, and Pitching with an overarching reflection process. We introduce the concept, which we have been using for four years at two different universities, for others to apply and use in their own teaching activities.
Coding Unplugged—A Guide to Introducing Coding and Robotics to South African Schools
Authors: Greyling Jean
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this paper is to serve as a practical guide to assist South African teachers in introducing coding and robotics to their learners. The main challenges that are faced are the lack of resources (computer laboratories) as well as trained teachers. The paper investigates the importance of introducing learners not only to coding, but also to computational thinking. As a way to empower teachers resources that could assist in this process are discussed. Furthermore, actual activities and exercises are introduced. The coding app TANKS is introduced as a powerful unplugged tool to introduce coding and computational thinking without the need for computers.
Studying Finland’s Cultural Diplomacy from World War II to the CSCE
Authors: Clerc Louis
Published: December 2022

Between 1945 and the Helsinki CSCE meeting in 1975, personalities and institutions in Finland’s government discussed the role of the state in the country’s international cultural relations, both in the frame of the Cold War and in the context of a rapidly changing welfare state. After a period of war, the reality of Finland’s opening up to the world could be seen in the emergence of new cultural forms, new movements of population, new economic activities, and a surge in international trade contacts. Behind these spontaneous changes, one could also discern the handiwork of a series of public institutions and personalities that worked to change and modernize Finland’s society and its position in the world. This book is an effort to understand what international cultural relations meant for Finland’s foreign policy managers, and to document the development of state activism in this domain during the first three decades of the Cold War.
Quantum chaos, scrambling and operator growth in $$ T\overline{T} $$ deformed SYK models
Authors: He Song , Lau Pak Hang Chris , Xian Zhuo-Yu , Zhao Long
Published: December 2022

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the quantum chaos in various $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

-deformed SYK models with finite N, including the SYK4, the supersymmetric SYK4, and the SYK2 models. We numerically study the evolution of the spectral form factor (SFF), the out-of-time ordered correlator (OTOC), and the Krylov complexity. We find that the characteristic evolution of the SFF, OTOC and K-complexity of both the SYK4 and SSYK4 models remains unchanged under the deformation, which implies that the properties of quantum chaos is preserved. We also identify a many-body localization behavior in the deformed SYK2 model.
A possible subthreshold pole in S11 channel from πN Roy-Steiner equation analyses
Authors: Cao Xiong-Hui , Li Qu-Zhi , Zheng Han-Qing
Published: December 2022

Abstract

The hyperbolic version of Roy-Steiner equation describing low energy πN scatterings, with larger analyticity domain in the complex s plane is solved. The numerical results on phase shifts of low partial waves are in agreement with that of Hoferichter et al. [Phys. Rept.625 (2016) 1]. A subthreshold pole in S11 channel is found located at $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= (918 ± 3) − i(163 ± 9) MeV.
Autoimmunenzephalitis – ein Update
Authors: Heine Josephine , Duchow Ankelien , Rust Rebekka , Paul Friedemann , Prüß Harald , Finke Carsten
Published: December 2022

Der Nachweis von Autoantikörpern gegen Nerven- oder Gliazellen ermöglicht heute bei zahlreichen neurologischen und psychiatrischen Symptomkomplexen die frühe und spezifische Diagnose einer Autoimmunenzephalitis. Damit hat sich auch die Herangehensweise an die immuntherapeutische Behandlung dieser Krankheitsgruppe fundamental verändert, ebenso wie das Verständnis der zugrunde liegenden Pathophysiologie und der auslösenden Faktoren. Die noch immer wachsende Zahl neuer Autoantikörper erfordert ein regelmäßiges Update über den Stand der Antikörperdiagnostik, die Häufigkeit assoziierter Tumoren sowie das antikörperspezifische Spektrum klinischer Symptome, die von Wesensänderungen und kognitiven Störungen über epileptische Anfälle und Bewegungsstörungen bis hin zu vegetativen und Bewusstseinsstörungen führen. Der Beitrag fasst die aktuellen Neuerungen zusammen, die sich im klinischen Spektrum von Enzephalitiden, in der bildgebenden und Liquordiagnostik, in der Prognoseabschätzung, in der Etablierung innovativer Immuntherapien, in der Anwendung diagnostischer Pfade bereits vor dem Eintreffen des Antikörperbefundes und im Verständnis der Krankheitsentstehung ergeben.