bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Gene Expression of phiEco32-like Bacteriophage 7-11
Authors: Lavysh Daria , Mekler Vladimir , Klimuk Evgeny , Severinov Konstantin
Published: January 2022

Salmonella enterica serovar Newport bacteriophage 7-11 shares 41 homologous ORFs with Escherichia coli phage phiEco32 and both phages encode a protein similar to bacterial RNA polymerase promoter specificity  subunit. Here, we investigated the temporal pattern of 7-11 gene expression during the infection and compared it to the previously determined transcription strategy of phiEco32. Using primer extension and in vitro transcription assays we identified eight promoters recognized by host RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing 7-11  subunit SaPh711_gp47. These promoters are characterized by a bipartite consensus GTAAtg-(16)-aCTA and are located upstream of late phage genes. While dissimilar from single-element middle and late promoters of phiEco32 recognized by holoenzyme formed by the phi32_gp36  factor, the 7-11 late promoters are located at genome positions similar to those of phiEco32 middle and late promoters. Two early 7-11 promoters are recognized by RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing host primary σ70 factor. Unlike the case of phiEco32, no shut off of σ70-dependent transcription is observed during 7-11 infection and there are no middle promoters. These differences can be explained by the fact that phage 7-11 does not encode a homologue of phi32_gp79, an inhibitor of host and early phage transcription and an activator of transcription by the phi32_gp36-holoenzyme.
Human Remains Identification Using Micro-CT, Spectroscopic and A.I. Methods in Forensic Experimental Reconstruction of Dental Patterns After Concentrated Acid Significant Impact
Authors: Thurzo Andrej , Jančovičová Viera , Hain Miroslav , Thurzo Milan , Novák Bohuslav , Kosnáčová Helena , Lehotská Viera , Moravanský Norbert , Varga Ivan
Published: January 2022

(1) Human teeth are the most resilient tissues in the body. However, exposure to concentrated acids might lead to their obliteration, thus making human identification difficult. Teeth often contain dental restorations from materials that are even more resilient to acid impact. This paper introduces novel method of 3D reconstruction of dental patterns as a crucial step for digital identification with dental records.; (2) With combination of modern methods of Micro-Computed Tomography, Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Attenuated Total Reflection in conjunction with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Artificial Intelligence Convolutional Neural Network algorithms, the paper presents the way of 3D dental pattern reconstruction and human remains identification. Research studies morphology of teeth, bone and dental materials (Amalgam, Composite, Glass-ionomer cement) under different periods of exposure to 75% sulfuric acid; (3) Results reveal significant volume loss in bone, enamel, dentine and as well glass-ionomer cement. Results also reveal significant resistance of composite and amalgam dental materials to sulfuric acid impact, thus serving as strong parts in the dental pattern mosaic. Paper also introduces probably first successful artificial intelligence application in automated forensic CBCT segmentation.; (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation utilizing mentioned technologies can solve problem of human remains identification with 3D reconstruction of dental patterns and their 2D projections over existing ante-mortem records.
Deciding on Optical Illusions: Reduced Alpha Power in Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Authors: Giannopoulos Anastasios E. , Zioga Ioanna , Kontoangelos Konstantinos , Papageorgiou Panos , Kapsali Fotini , Capsalis Christos Ν. , Papageorgiou Charalabos
Published: January 2022

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with imagined defects in appearance. Optical illusions induce illusory effects that distort the presented stimulus thus leading to ambiguous percepts. Using electroencephalography (EEG), we investigated whether BDD is related to differentiated perception during illusory percepts. Methods: 18 BDD patients and 18 controls were presented with 39 optical illusions together with a statement testing whether or not they perceived the illusion. After a delay period, they were prompted to answer whether the statement is right/wrong and their degree of confidence for their answer. We investigated differences of BDD on task performance and self-reported confidence and analysed the brain oscillations during decision-making using nonparametric cluster statistics. Results: Behaviorally, the BDD group exhibited reduced confidence when responding incorrectly, potentially attributed to higher levels of doubt. Electrophysiologically, the BDD group showed significantly reduced alpha power at mid-central scalp areas, suggesting impaired allocation of attention. Interestingly, the lower the alpha power of the identified cluster, the higher the BDD severity, as assessed by BDD psychometrics. Conclusions: Results evidenced that alpha power during illusory processing might serve as a quantitative EEG biomarker of BDD, potentially associated with reduced inhibition of task-irrelevant areas.
Self-calibration Method and Pose Domain Determination of Light-Pen in a 3D Vision Coordinate Measurement System
Authors: Shan Dongri , Zhang Chenglong , Zhang Peng , Wang Xiaofang , He Dongmei , Xu Yalu , Zhou Maohui , Yu Guoqi
Published: January 2022

Light pen 3D vision coordinate measurement systems are increasingly widely used due to their advantages, such as small size, convenient carrying and wide applicability. The posture of the light pen is an important factor affecting accuracy. The pose domain of the pen needs to be given so that the measurement system has a suitable measurement range to obtain more qualified parameters. The advantage of the self-calibration method is that the entire self-calibration process can be completed at the measurement site without any auxiliary equipment. After the system camera calibration is completed, we take several pictures of the same measurement point with different poses to obtain the conversion matrix of the picture, and then use spherical fitting, the generalized inverse method of least squares, and the principle of position invariance within the pose domain range. The combined stylus tip center self-calibration method calculates the actual position of the light pen probe. The experimental results show that the absolute error is stable below 0.0737 mm and that the relative error is stable below 0.0025 mm. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the method; the measurement accuracy of the system can meet the basic industrial measurement requirements.
Electrospun ZnSnO3/ZnO Composite Nanofibers and Its Air-Sensitive Properties
Authors: Dong Songtao , Jin Xiaoyun , Wei Junlin , Wu Hongyan
Published: January 2022

In this work, a novel heterojunction based on ZnSnO3/ZnO nanofibers was prepared using electrospinning method. The crystal, structural and surface compositional properties of sample based on ZnSnO3 and ZnSnO3/ZnO composite nanofibers were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Compared to pure ZnSnO3 nanofibers, the ZnSnO3/ZnO heterostructure nanofibers display high sensitivity and selectivity response with fast response towards ethanol gas at low operational temperature. The sensitivity response of sensor based on ZnSnO3/ZnO composite nanofibers were 19.6 towards 50 ppm ethanol gas at 225°C, which was about 1.5 times superior than that of pure ZnSnO3 nanofibers, which can be owed mainly to the presence of oxygen vacancies and the synergistic effect between ZnSnO3 and ZnO.
Symmetries of Thirring Models on 3D Lattices
Authors: Wipf Andreas Wilhelm , Lenz Julian Johannes
Published: January 2022

We review some recent developments about strongly interacting relativistic Fermi theories in three spacetime dimensions. These models realize the asymptotic safety scenario and are used to describe the low-energy properties of Dirac materials in condensed matter physics. We begin with a general discussion of the symmetries of multi-flavor Fermi systems in arbitrary dimensions. Then we review known results about the critical flavor number $N_\mathrm{crit}$ of Thirring models in three dimensions. Only models with flavor number below $N_\mathrm{crit}$ show a phase transition from a symmetry-broken strong-coupling phase to a symmetric weak-coupling phase. Recent simulations with chiral fermions show that $N_\mathrm{crit}$ is smaller than previously extracted with various non-perturbative methods. Our simulations with chiral SLAC fermions reveal that for four-component flavors $N_\mathrm{crit}=0.80(4)$. This means that all reducible Thirring models with $\Nr=1,2,3,\dots$ show no phase transition with order parameter. Instead we discover footprints of phase transitions without order parameter. These new transitions are probably smooth and could be used to relate the lattice Thirring models to Thirring models in the continuum. For a single irreducible flavor, we provide previously unpublished values for the critical couplings and critical exponents.
Duckweeds as Promising Food Feedstocks Globally
Authors: Pagliuso Debora , Grandis Adriana , Fortirer Janaina Silva , Camargo Plinio , Floh Eny Ioshevet , Buckeridge Marcos Silveira
Published: January 2022

Duckweeds are the smallest flowering plants on Earth. They grow fast on water's surface and produce large amounts of biomass. Further, duckweeds display high adaptability, and species are found around the globe growing under different environmental conditions. In this work, we report the composition of 21 ecotypes of fourteen species of duckweeds belonging to the two sub-families of the group (Lemnoideae and Wolffioideae). It is reported the presence of starch and the composition of soluble sugars, cell walls, amino acids, phenolics, and tannins. These data were combined with literature data recovered from 85 publications to produce a compiled analysis that affords the examination of duckweeds as possible food sources for human consumption. We compare duckweeds compositions with some of the most common food sources and conclude that duckweed, which is already in use as food in Asia, can be an interesting food source anywhere in the world.
Epigenetic Issues. The Link Between Microbiota and Gestational Diabetes.
Authors: Mora-Janiszewska Olimpia , Faryniak-Zuzak Anna , Darmochwał-Kolarz Dorota
Published: January 2022

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is considered a significant and increasing problem worldwide. The growing body of evidence points out that a hostile intrauterine environment in mothers with GDM via epigenetic mechanisms induces "diabetogenic" and "obesogenic" changes in an offspring's DNA. This sets in motion a vicious intergenerational cycle of metabolic diseases gradually deteriorating the health of the human population. One of the most important players in this process seems to be altered microbiota/microbiome.
There is a chance that the identification of specific epigenetic marks may provide a key for future diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic solutions/measures in the field of person-alized medicine. Given the reversibility of most epigenetic changes, an opportunity arises to improve the long-term health of the human population/race.
In this manuscript, we aim to summarize available data on epigenetic changes among women suffering from GDM and their progeny in association with changes in microbiome.
Deploying Efficiently Modern Applications on Cloud
Authors: Perri Damiano , Simonetti Marco , Gervasi Osvaldo
Published: January 2022

This study analyses some of the leading technologies for the construction and configuration of IT infrastructures to provide services to users. For modern applications, guaranteeing service continuity even in very high computational load or network problems is essential. Our configuration has among the main objectives of being highly available (HA) and horizontally scalable, that is, able to increase the computational resources that can be delivered when needed and reduce them when they are no longer necessary. Various architectural possibilities are analysed, and the central schemes used to tackle problems of this type are also described in terms of disaster recovery. The benefits offered by virtualisation technologies are highlighted and are bought with modern techniques for managing Docker containers that will be used to build the back-end of a sample infrastructure related to a use-case we have developed. In addition to this, an in-depth analysis is reported on the central autoscaling policies that can help manage high loads of requests from users to the services provided by the infrastructure. The results we have presented show an average response time of 21.7 milliseconds with a standard deviation of 76.3 milliseconds showing excellent responsiveness. Some peaks are associated with high-stress events for the infrastructure, but the response time does not exceed 2 seconds even in this case. The results of the considered use case studied for nine months are presented and discussed. In the study period, we improved the back-end configuration and defined the main metrics to deploy the web application efficiently.
New Way of Synthesis of Few-Layer Graphene Nanosheets by the Selfpropagating High-Temperature Synthesis Method From Bi-opolymers for Large-Scale Production - A Method of Utilization Waste From the Woodworking Industry for Clean Earth Tomorrow
Authors: Voznyakovskii Alexander , Vozniakovskii Aleksey , Kidalov Sergey
Published: January 2022

For the first time, few-layer graphene (FLG) nanosheets were synthesized by the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) from biopolymers (starch and lignin). We suggested that biopolymers (lignin, tree bark) and polysaccharides, in particular starch, could be an acceptable source of native cycles for the SHS process. The carbonization of biopolymers under the conditions of the SHS process was chosen as the basic method of synthesis. Chemical reactions, under the conditions of the SHS process, proceed according to a specific mechanism of nonsothermal branched-chain processes, which are characterized by the joint action of two fundamentally different process-accelerating factors - avalanche reproduction of active intermediate particles and self-heating. The method of obtaining FLG nanosheets included the thermal destruction of hydrocarbons in a mixture with an oxidizing agent. We used biopolymers as hydrocarbons and ammonium nitrate as an oxidizing agent. Thermal destruction was carried out in the mode of SHS, heating the mixture in a vessel at a speed of 20–30 oC/min to 150-200 oC and keeping at this temperature for 15–20 min with the discharge of excess gases into atmosphere. A combination of spectrometric research methods, supplemented by electron microscopy data, has shown that the particles of the carbonated product powder in their morphometric and physical parameters correspond to FLG nanosheets. An X-ray diffraction analysis of the indicated FLG nanosheets was carried out, which showed the absence of formations with a graphite crystal structure in the final material. The surface morphology was also studied and the features of the IR absorption of FLG nanosheets were analyzed. It is shown that the developed SHS method makes it possible to obtain FLG nanosheets with linear dimensions of tens of microns and a thickness of not more than 1-5 graphene layers (several graphene layers).
Aspectuo-Temporal Underspecification in Anindilyakwa: Descriptive, Theoretical, Typological and Quantitative Issues
Authors: Caudal Patrick , Bednall James
Published: January 2022

So-called ‘zero’ or ‘null’ tenses have often been characterized as functionally deficient forms, deprived of any inherent content. In this paper, we will focus on the semantics of a morpho-phonologically null inflectional verbal paradigm in Anindilyakwa (Groote Eylandt, N.T., Australia, which is both temporally and aspectually underspecified. Through a quantitative corpus study conducted in the paper, we establish that ‘zero inflection’ in this language, contra prior works on such tenses in general (e.g. Bybee 1990) and in Anindilyakwa in particular (Bednall 2019), presents various degrees of sensitivity to traditional Vendlerian aspectual parameters. We show that while telicity is not a significant predictor for the temporal interpretation of zero-inflected Anindilyakwa verbs, and dynamicity is a good but not very good predictor, only a very broad opposition between change-of-state (including qua boundedness) and non-change-of-state, or perfective/imperfective, gives very significant biases towards past vs. present anchoring. We also show that atomic telicity is the only categorical Aktionsart predictor for temporal anchoring in this context correctly predict the temporal anchoring of such verbs, and stativity is not biased towards present interpretations, thereby questioning currently received typological theories of the semantics of so-called ‘zero-tenses’ / aspectuo-temporally underspecified tenses.
Experimental Study of Steel Shot and Lead Shot Transformation Under the Environmental Factors
Authors: Lisin Vladimir , Chizhikova Valentina , Lubkova Tatiana , Yablonskaya Daria
Published: January 2022

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the patterns of steel and lead shot transformation under the impact of environmental factors (two types of shot exposed alone and in combination with each other). The analyzed environmental factors include atmospheric precipitation of various acidity and soil solutions with a higher content of organic acids. This research demonstrated that steel shot is characterized by a high transformation rate that is an order of magnitude higher on average than the transformation rate of lead under the same conditions. The prevalence of the suspended iron form (excluding the interaction with organic acids) presents risks for such environmental components as soils and sediments and may be hazardous to the ambient air and natural waters in case of wind erosion and surface runoff from the catchment area. Furthermore, the joint presence of steel and lead shot mutually accelerates the corrosion of both metals, thus increasing the environmental risks.
The Diabetes Transition of Hospital Care (DiaTOHC) Pilot Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intervention Designed to Reduce Readmission Risk of Adults with Diabetes
Authors: Rubin Daniel J , Gogineni Preethi , Deak Andrew , Vaz Cherie L , Watts Samantha , Recco Dominic , Dillard Felicia R , Wu Jingwei , Karunakaran Abhijana , Kondamuri Neil , Zhao Huaqing , Naylor Mary D , Golden Sherita H. , Allen Shaneisha
Published: January 2022

Hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge (30-day readmission) is a high-priority quality measure and cost target. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and efficacy of the Diabetes Transition of Hospital Care (DiaTOHC) Program on readmission risk in high-risk adults with diabetes.

This was a non-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared usual care (UC) to DiaTOHC at a safety-net hospital. The primary outcome was all-cause 30-day readmission.

Between 10/16/2017 and 05/30/2019, 115 patients were randomized. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, 14 (31.1%) of 45 DiaTOHC subjects and 15 (32.6%) of 46 UC subjects had a 30-day readmission (p=0.88) while 35.6% DiaTOHC and 39.1% UC subjects had a 30-day readmission or ED visit (p=0.72). The Intervention:UC cost ratio was 0.33 (0.13-0.79)95%CI (p<0.01). Among the 69 subjects with baseline HbA1c >7.0% (53 mmol/mol), 30-day readmission rates were 23.5% (DiaTOHC) and 31.4% (UC, p=0.46) and composite 30-day readmission or ED visit rates were 26.5% (DiaTOHC) and 40.0% (UC, p=0.23). In this subgroup, the Intervention:UC cost ratio was 0.21 (0.08-0.58)95%CI (p=0.002).

The DiaTOHC Program is feasible and may decrease combined 30-day readmission/ED visit risk as well as healthcare costs among patients with higher HbA1c levels.
Solving the ‘Two Times Problem’ With an Information Gathering and Utilizing System (IGUS)
Authors: Gruber Ronanld P. , Montemayor Carlos , Block Richard A.
Published: January 2022

There is a long standing ‘two times problem’ in that a satisfactory reconciliation between the time of physics and that of psychology has not been realized. A partial solution to the past/present/future phenomenon has been successfully given by the Hartle information gathering and processing system (IGUS) view. That model IGUS robot is enhanced here for the entire ‘two times problem’ to deal with not only the temporal experiences of the flow of time but also those of manifest time. A dualistic robot is proposed which has a veridical system of temporal experiences that are compatible with various spacetime cosmologies. It also has an illusory system of corresponding temporal experiences. This dualistic IGUS robot was made possible by discovering temporal experience within the brain that correspond to those of physics. The dualistic theory suggests that the veridical system, as a result of evolution, begets the illusory system to enhance behavioral adaptation. Thus, there is just one fundamental physical time which the brain does, indeed, possess and then enhances with illusory counterparts. Therefore, there should no longer be a need to reify illusory temporal experiences as modern spacetime cosmologies tend to do. Physical time already resides within human time.
The Cationic Amphiphilic Drug Hexamethylene Amiloride Eradicates Bulk Breast Cancer Cells and Therapy-Resistant Subpopulations With Similar Efficiencies
Authors: Berg Anastasia L , Rowson-Hodel Ashley , Hu Michelle , Keeling Michael , Wu Hao , VanderVorst Kacey , Chen Jenny J , Hatakeyama Jason , Jilek Joseph , Dreyer Courtney A , Wheeler Madelyn R , Yu Ai-Ming , Li Yuanpei , Carraway Kermit L
Published: January 2022

The resistance of cancer cell subpopulations, including cancer stem cell (CSC) populations, to apoptosis-inducing chemotherapeutic agents is a key barrier to improved outcomes for cancer patients. The cationic amphiphilic drug hexamethylene amiloride (HMA) has been previously demonstrated to efficiently kill bulk breast cancer cells independent of tumor subtype or species, but acts poorly toward non-transformed cells derived from multiple tissues. Here we demonstrate that HMA is similarly cytotoxic toward breast CSC-related subpopulations that are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, but poorly cytotoxic toward normal mammary stem cells. HMA inhibits the sphere-forming capacity of FACS-sorted human and mouse mammary CSC-related cells in vitro, specifically kills tumor but not normal mammary organoids ex vivo, and inhibits metastatic outgrowth in vivo, consistent with CSC suppression. Moreover, HMA inhibits viability and sphere formation by lung, colon, pancreatic, brain, liver, prostate and bladder tumor cell lines, suggesting that its effects may be applicable to multiple malignancies. Mechanistically, HMA elicits the permeabilization of the limiting lysosomal membrane, a hallmark feature of the lysosome-dependent cell death pathway. Our observations expose a key vulnerability intrinsic to cancer stem cells, and point to novel strategies for the exploitation of cationic amphiphilic drugs in cancer treatment.
Modeling of Risk Aversion Linked to Renewable Energy Policy and Decision-Maker Behavior
Authors: Ecike Ewanga Dieudonné Dieudo
Published: January 2022

This paper presents the behavior of decision makers, the possible choices and the strategies 1 resulting from the uncertainties related to the integration of renewable energies. Its uncertainties 2 are the risks associated with the volatility of renewable sources, the dynamics of energy production 3 as well as the planning and operation of the electricity grid. The goal is to model the risk-averse 4 decision-maker’s behavior and the choice of integrating renewable energies into the electrical system. 5 Following a bibliographic approach, we expose a methodology to model the decision-maker’s 6 behavior(risk aversion and predilection for risk) to risk taking. The risk-averse decision maker may 7 adopt nonlinear utility functions. Risk aversion is a behavior that reflects the desire to avoid risk 8 decisions and thus reduces the risk of adverse consequences. A decision support tool is provided to 9 the decision-maker to choose a best-fit strategy based on his preferences. The rational and risk-averse 10 decision-maker would seek to maximize a concave utility function instead of seeking to minimize its 11 cost. Taste or aversion to risk can be modeled by a thematic function of utility.
Exploring Mitochondrial Localization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by Padlock Assay. A Pilot Study in Human Placenta
Authors: Di Certo Maria Grazia , Gabanella Francesca , Barbato Christian , Corbi Nicoletta , Fiore Marco , Petrella Carla , de Vincentiis Marco , Greco Antonio , Ferraguti Giampiero , Corsi Alessandro , Ralli Massimo , Pecorella Irene , Di Gioia Cira R.T. , Pecorini Francesco , Brunelli Roberto , Passananti Claudio , Minni Antonio
Published: January 2022

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic dictated new priorities in biomedicine research. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. In this pilot study, we optimized our padlock assay to visualize genomic/subgenomic regions using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placental samples obtained from a confirmed case of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was localized in trophoblastic cells. We also checked the presence of the virion by immunolocalization of its glycoprotein spike. In addition, we imaged mitochondria of placental villi keeping in mind that the mitochondrion has been suggested as a potential residence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Indeed, we observed a substantial overlapping of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and mitochondria in trophoblastic cells. This intriguing linkage correlated with an aberrant mitochondrial network. Overall, to our knowledge, this is the first study that provides the evidence of a co-localization of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and mitochondria in SARS-CoV-2 infected tissue. These findings also support the notion that SARS-CoV-2 infection could reprogram mitochondrial activity in highly specialized maternal/fetal interface.
Significant Near Field Enhancement Over Large Volumes Around Metal Nanorods via Strong Coupling of Surface Lattice Resonances and Fabry-Pérot Resonance
Authors: Shi Yunjie , Dong Yuming , Sun Degui , Li Guangyuan
Published: January 2022

Metal nanoparticles supporting plasmons are widely used to enhance electromagnetic fields, resulting in strong light-matter interactions at the nanoscale in a diverse range of applications. Recently, it has been shown that when metal nanorods are periodically arranged with proper lattice periods, surface lattice resonances (SLRs) can be excited and near fields can be greatly enhanced over extended volumes. In this work, we report significant near field enhancement over even larger volumes by placing the metal nanorod array within a Fabry-Pérot (F-P) microcavity. Results show that taking advantage of strong coupling between the SLR and the photonic F-P resonances, the electric field intensity of the bonding split mode can be enhanced by up to 1935 times, which is about three times of the enhancement of the SLR, and the greatly enhanced field can extend over most of the F-P microcavity. We further show that the F-P resonances of both odd and even orders can strongly couple to the SLR by varying the nanorods position from the middle of the microcavity. We expect that the proposed plasmonic-photonic coupling system will find promising applications in nanolasers, nonlinear optics and sensing.
Short and Very Short Term Firm-level Load Forecasting for Warehouses: A Comparison of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models
Authors: Ribeiro Andrea Maria N. C. , do Carmo Pedro Rafael X. , Endo Patricia Takako , Rosati Pierangelo , Lynn Theo
Published: January 2022

Commercial buildings are a significant consumer of energy worldwide. Logistics facilities, and specifically warehouses, are a common building type yet under-researched in the demand-side energy forecasting literature. Warehouses have an idiosyncratic profile when compared to other commercial and industrial buildings with a significant reliance on a small number of energy systems. As such, warehouse owners and operators are increasingly entering in to energy performance contracts with energy service companies (ESCOs) to minimise environmental impact, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness. ESCOs and warehouse owners and operators require accurate forecasts of their energy consumption so that precautionary and mitigation measures can be taken. This paper explores the performance of three machine learning models (Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)), three deep learning models (Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU)), and a classical time series model, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) for predicting daily energy consumption. The dataset comprises 8,040 records generated over an 11-month period from January to November 2020 from a non-refrigerated logistics facility located in Ireland. The grid search method was used to identify the best configurations for each model. The proposed XGBoost models outperform other models for both very short load forecasting (VSTLF) and short term load forecasting (STLF); the ARIMA model performed the worst.
Carbon Dots/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles With Tuneable Composition and Properties
Authors: Stachowska Joanna D , Gamża Monika B , Mellor Claire , Gibbons Ella N , Krysmann Marta J , Kelarakis Antonios , Gumieniczek-Chłopek Elżbieta , Strączek Tomasz , Kapusta Czesław , Szwajca Anna
Published: January 2022

We present a simple strategy to generate a family of carbon dot/iron oxide nanoparticles (C/Fe-NPs) that relies on the thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate in the presence of a highly fluorescent carbon-rich precursor, while polyethylene glycol serves as the passivation agent. By varying the molar ratio of the reactants, a series of C/Fe-NPs have been synthesized with tuneable elemental composition in terms of C, H, O, N, Fe. The quantum yield is enhanced from 6% to 9% as the carbon content increases from 27% to 36%, while the room temperature saturation magnetization is improved from 4.1 emu/g to 17.7 emu/g as the iron content is enriched from 17 to 31%. In addition, the C/Fe-NPs show excellent antimicrobial properties, minimal cytotoxicity and demonstrate promising bioimaging capabilities, thus showing great potential for the development of advanced diagnostic tools.
Quantum Jumps Revisited
Authors: Chiatti Leonardo , Licata Ignazio
Published: January 2022

A theoretical description of quantum jumps at the level of elementary particles is proposed, based on a micro-cosmological interpretation of their de Broglie phase. The third quantization formalism proposed in current literature for the description of baby universes in quantum cosmology is used here to describe the breakdown of unitarity in the transition from the pre-jump to the post-jump wave function. The corpuscular aspect manifested by the particle in the micro-interaction that originates the jump is represented by a pair of evanescent "micro-universes", respectively pre- and post-jump, connected by a wormhole. The latter represents the actual implementation of the interaction that leads to the projection on the outgoing state; this interaction is always local, even when the selected outgoing state is entangled. Therefore, the decoherence which leads to the emergence of classicality is originated by the same fundamental interactions of the Standard Model involved in the unitary evolution of the wave function. The objective nature of the reduction process admits implications on the possibility of using the formalism in the cosmological context, which are briefly discussed.
Targeting GPCRs & their Signaling as a Therapeutic Option in Melanoma
Authors: Raymond Jeremy H , Aktary Zackie , Larue Lionel , Delmas Véronique
Published: January 2022

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve prominent roles in melanocyte lineage physiology, with an impact at all stages of development, as well as on mature melanocyte functions. GPCR ligands are present in the skin and regulate melanocyte homeostasis, including pigmentation. The role of GPCRs in the regulation of pigmentation and, consequently, protection against external aggression, such as ultraviolet radiation, has long been established. However, evidence of new functions of GPCRs directly in melanomagenesis has been highlighted in recent years. GPCRs are coupled, through their intracellular domains, to heterotrimeric G proteins, which induce cellular signaling through various pathways. Such signaling modulates essential cellular processes of melanomagenesis, such as proliferation and migration. GPCR-associated signaling in melanoma can be activated by the binding of paracrine factors to their receptors or directly by activating mutations. In this review, we present melanoma-associated alterations of GPCRs and their downstream signaling and discuss the various preclinical models used to evaluate new therapeutic approaches against GPCR activity in melanoma. Recent striking advances in our understanding of the structure, function, and regulation of GPCRs will undoubtedly broaden treatment options in melanoma in the future.
Public Health Policy Pillars for the Sustainable Elimination of Zoonotic Schistosomiasis
Authors: Janoušková Eva , Clark Jessica , Kajero Olumayowa , Alonso Sergi , Lamberton Poppy H. L. , Betson Martha , Prada Joaquín M.
Published: January 2022

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease acquired through contact with contaminated freshwater. The definitive hosts are terrestrial mammals, including humans, with some Schistosoma species crossing the animal-human boundary through zoonotic transmission. An estimated 12 million people live at risk of zoonotic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mekongi, largely in the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Region and in Indonesia. Mathematical models have played a vital role in our understanding of the biology, transmission, and impact of intervention strategies, however, these have mostly focused on non-zoonotic Schistosoma species. Whilst these non-zoonotic-based models capture some aspects of zoonotic schistosomiasis transmission dynamics, the commonly-used frameworks are yet to adequately capture the complex epi-ecology of multi-host zoonotic transmission. However, overcoming these knowledge gaps goes beyond transmission dynamics modelling. To improve model utility and enhance zoonotic schistosomiasis control programmes, we highlight three pillars that we believe are vital to sustainable interventions at the implementation (community) and policy-level, and discuss the pillars in the context of a One-Health approach, recognising the interconnection between humans, animals and their shared environment. These pillars are: (1) human and animal epi-ecological understanding; (2) economic considerations (such as treatment costs and animal losses); and (3) sociological understanding, including inter- and intra-human and animal interactions.
Estimation of Extreme Loads of the Mi-24 Helicopter During Maneuvers Using Simulation Method
Authors: Kowaleczko Grzegorz , Piatkowski Lukasz
Published: January 2022

The aim of the study is to assess the loads that are transferred from the main rotor and the tail rotor to the helicopter fuselage. These loads change in the various phases of the transient flight as a result of the variable control of the maneuver and as a result of the variable flow around the blades. The knowledge of the loads allows for the proper selection of the level of excitations that should load the fuselage structure during fatigue and strength tests. The simulation model describing the helicopter flight is discussed. This model takes into account the motion of each blade relative to its hinges. Results are shown for two maneuvers - pullup/pushover and diving. The values of extreme loads transferred to the fuselage were obtained.
Metaheuristic Algorithms Based on Compromise Programming for Multi-Objective Urban Shipment Problem
Authors: Ngo Son Tung , Jaafar Jafreezal , Aziz Izzatdin Abdul , Aftab Muhammad Umar , Nguyen Giang Hoang , Bui Ngoc Anh
Published: January 2022

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and its variants are found in many fields, especially logistics. In this study, we introduced an adaptive method to a complex VRP. It combines multi-objective optimization and several forms of VRPs with practical requirements for an urban shipment system. The optimizer needs to consider terrain and traffic conditions. The proposed model also considers customers' expectations, shipper considerations as goals, and the common goal like transportation cost. We offered compromise programming to approach the multi-objective problem by decomposing the original multi-objective problem into a minimized distance-based problem. We designed a hybrid version of the Genetic algorithm with the Local Search algorithm to solve the proposed problem. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm with the Tabu Search algorithm, the original Genetic algorithm on the tested dataset. The results show that our method is an effective decision-making tool for the multi-objective VRP and an effective solver for the new variation of VRP.
Spatial Correlation Network and Driving Effect of Carbon Emission Intensity in China’s Construction Industry
Authors: Wang Zhenshuang , Zhou Yanxin , Zhao Ning , Wang Tao , Zhang Zhong Sheng
Published: January 2022

To explore the spatial network structure characteristics and driving effects of carbon emission intensity in China's construction industry, the investigation combined the modified gravity model and social network analysis method to deeply analyze the spatially associated network structure characteristics and driving effects of carbon emission intensity in China's construction industry, based on the measurement of carbon emission data of China's construction industry from 2006 to 2017. The results show that the regional differences of carbon emission of construction industry are significant, and the carbon emission intensity of construction industry show a fluctuation trend. The overall network of carbon emission intensity shows an obvious “core-edge” state, the hierarchical network structure is gradually broken. Economically developed provinces generally play a leading role in the network, and play an intermediary role to guide other provinces to develop together with them. Among the network blocks, most of the blocks play the role of “brokers”. The block with the leading economic development has a strong influence on the other blocks. The increase of network density, the decrease of network hierarchy and network efficiency will reduce the construction carbon emission intensity.
Multivariate Markov Chain Model for Sales Demand Estimation in a Company
Authors: Martina Annisa
Published: January 2022

Estimation of the number of demands for a product must be done correctly, so that the company can get maximum profit. Therefore, this study discusses how to estimate the amount of sales demand in a company correctly. The model that will be used to estimate sales demand is the Multivariate Markov Chain Model. This model can estimate the future state by observing the present state. The model requires parameter estimation values ​​first, namely the transition probability matrix and the weighted Markov chain, where in previous studies an estimation of the transition probability matrix has been carried out, so that in this study we will continue to estimate the weighted Markov chain parameters. This model is compatible with 5 data sequences (product types) defined as product 1, product 2, product 3, product 4, and product 5, with 6 conditions (no sales volume, very slow-moving, slow-moving, standard, fast moving, and very fast moving). As the result, the state probability for product 1, product 2 and product 3 in company 1 are stationary at state 6 (very fast moving), product 4 and product 5 are stationary at state 2 (very slow moving).
Utilização da robótica educacional para o estudo de resistores não lineares no 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental
Authors: Batista Michel Corci , Schiavon Gilson Junior , Toureiro Janaína de Oliveira Reis
Published: January 2022

Pensando na melhoria do ensino e nas perspectivas atuais do sistema educacional brasileiro, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial pedagógico de um kit didático para o estudo de resistores não lineares por meio da Robótica Educacional. Os recursos de ensino empregados são de fácil acesso e baixo custo para professores e alunos corroborando com o método do aprendizado significativo relacionados aos conceitos introdutórios de resistores não lineares. As atividades experimentais do kit foram implementadas em uma turma do 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental, de uma instituição privada da cidade de Maringá, Estado do Paraná (PR), Brasil. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se as respostas dadas pelos alunos durante o desenvolvimento das atividades, bem como um diário de campo produzido pelo professor/pesquisador. Os dados foram apresentados e discutidos segundos os pressupostos da pesquisa qualitativa. O resultado obtido mostrou-se positivo no quesito motivacional e rendimento escolar dos alunos, sendo comprovados pelo aumento de interesse e participação coletiva durante a realização das atividades.
Is High Viscosity a Requirement for Fracturing Fluids?
Authors: Busteed John E. , Arroyo Jesus , Morales Francisco , Omer Mohammed , Fragachan Francisco E.
Published: January 2022

Uniformly distributing proppant inside fractures with low damage on fracture conductivity is the most important index of successful fracturing fluids. However, due to very low proppant suspension capacity of slickwater and friction reducers fracturing fluids and longer fracture closure time in nano & pico darcies formations, proppants settles quickly and accumulates near wellbore resulting in worse-than-expected well performance, as the fracture full capacity is not open and contributing to production. Traditionally, cross-linked polymer fluid systems are capable to suspend and transport high loading of proppants into a hydraulically generated fracture. Nevertheless, amount of unbroken cross-linked polymers is usually left in fractures causing damage to fracture proppant conductivity, depending on polymer loading. To mitigate these challenges, a low viscosity-engineered-fluid with excellent proppantcarrying capacity and suspension-in excess of 30 hours at static formation temperature conditions - has been designed, enhancing proppant placement and distribution within developed fractures, with a 98% plus retained conductivity.

In this work experimental and numerical tests are presented together with the path followed in developing a network of packed structures from polymer associations providing low viscosity and maximum proppant suspension. Challenges encountered during field injection with friction are discussed together with the problem understanding characterized via extensive friction loop tests. Suspension tests performed with up to 8-10 PPA of proppant concentration at temperature conditions are shared, together with slot tests performed.

Physics-based model results from a 3D Discrete Fracture Network simulator that computes viscosity, and elastic parameters based on shear rate, allows to estimate pressure losses along the flow path from surface lines, tubular goods, perforations, and fracture. This work will demonstrate the advanced capabilities and performance of the engineered fluid over conventional fracturing fluids and its benefits. Additionally, this paper will present field injection pressure analysis performed during the development of this fluid, together with a field case including production results after 8 months of treatment. The field case production decline observed after fracture treatment demonstrates the value of this system in sustaining well production and adding additional reserves.
Hydraulic Fracturing Design Optimization Guidelines for Heterogeneous Reservoir
Authors: Al Samli Hussein , Al Shueili Ahmed , Trejo Ricardo Sebastian , Kayumov Rifat , Jaboob Musallam
Published: January 2022

This paper describes the journey of hydraulic fracturing design solutions and implementation in Khazzan field. More than 100 wells have been stimulated with hydraulic fracturing in the field in the last decade. Most of these wells were treated with a single-stage massive propped hydraulic fracturing treatment aimed at stimulating the entire vertical productive zone in a single treatment. More recently, hydraulic fracturing has begun on the southern acreage from Khazzan, referred to as Ghazeer. Producing layers in this area are thicker and higher permeability and, as a result, more prolific. Based on the available data and experiences, the establishment of clear guidelines has become a requirement to help the understanding and adjust the hydraulic fracturing design for each well to be become a well-specific optimum design.

During the stimulation journey, surveillance techniques have been utilized and implemented in the Khazzan and Ghazeer fields to provide and develop better understanding of the fracture propagation process. These data have proven essential to support stimulation design evolvement and determine if multiple fracturing stages are justified or whether a single stage would be sufficient.

Based on a wide range of hydraulic fracture stimulation operations performed across the Khazzan and Ghazeer fields, a flowchart was developed to integrate all the lessons learned from the previous experience and help optimize future fracture design. Clear guidelines include the rationale between the selection of single or multiple fracturing stages, the selection of optimal pad fractions, and other associated details of the fracture design. This flowchart has been extensively validated with surveillance and has proven its inherent value in many stimulated wells, with either single or multiple proppant fracturing stages.