bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cluster Frontline Demonstration: An Effective Technique to Transfer the Technology for Enhancing Productivity and Profitability of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Singh Dhananjai , Tiwari Amrita , Chouksey Priya , Patel A. K. , Jharia Pushpa , Baghel M. S. , Sidhi Krishi Vigyan Kndra, , Kendra, Seoni Krishi Vigyan
Published: February 2022

Linseed, along with mustard, is one of India's most important oilseed crops, and it helps small and marginal farmers in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh supplement their income. Agriculture's development is mostly dependent on the use of scientific technology while making the most efficient use of available resources. Cluster Front Line Demonstrations were held at various farmers' fields during the rabi seasons of three selected blocks in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district to boost agricultural produce production, productivity, profitability, and quality. During the years 2016–17 and 2018–19, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sidhi, conducted 150 cluster frontline Linseed demonstrations. Through meetings and talks with farmers, the important inputs in existing production technology were discovered. Farmers' methods that were in use at the time were used as a control for comparing to the recommended procedures. The average yield of recommended practices registered 94 percent higher than the farmer’s practice. The average technology gap, extension gap and technology index were observed 10.59 q /ha, 3.59 q/ha and 58.84 percent respectively. The highest grain yield (7.67 q/ha) was recorded in the year 2018-19, it was 101.3 per cent more than the farmer’s practice (3.81 q/ha). Average net profitability of worth Rs. 9037 /ha as compared with farmers practices (Rs. 1785/ha) were obtained an average benefit-cost ratio i.e. 1.68 and 1.19 were recorded in demonstrated plot and farmers practice respectively. The higher additional returns (Rs. 7252/ha) and effective gain (Rs. 3659/ha) obtained under demonstrations could be due to improved technology, timely of crop cultivation operations and scientific monitoring.
Assessments of the Effects of Legume Species Intercropping on Radiation Use Efficiency of Sorghum
Authors: Dharshini S. Divya , Ramanathan SP. , Kokilavani S.
Published: February 2022

A field experiment was executed to assess the effect of legume species intercropping on the Radiation use efficiency of Sorghum during summer 2021. In India, Sorghum is primarily raised for poultry and animal feed and it is being cultivated under poor resource conditions. Hence, intercropping sorghum with legumes can help in improving the resource use efficiency than sole sorghum and also enable farmers to boost their livelihood. The treatments were T1-Sorghum Sole crop (SS), T2-2rows of Sorghum+2rows of Cowpea (2S:2C), T3-2rows of Sorghum+1row of Cowpea (2S:1C), T4-2rows of Sorghum+2rows of Greengram (2S:2G), T5-2rows of Sorghum+1rows of Greengram (2S:1G), T6-2rows of Sorghum+2rows of Lablab (2S:2L), T7-2rows of Sorghum+1rows of Lablab (2S:1L). An experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design and was replicated thrice. The results were statistically analysed using SPSS software. The results revealed that Sorghum + Lablab in 2:1 registered the highest leaf area index, dry matter production which ultimately resulted in high Radiation Use Efficiency. Overall, the intercropping system had high RUE than sole Sorghum. Thus it was concluded that planting sorghum with a legume in a 2:1 pattern would be recommended as it has better resource use efficiency than sole sorghum.
Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction for Seed Cotton Yield Performance and stability in Bt Cotton Hybrids (MON531 and MON15985)
Authors: R. Samak Ashwini N. , Rajeswari S. , Ravikesavan R. , Lokanadhan Subbalakshmi , Ganapathy N. , Kini A. V.
Published: February 2022

A study was conducted to understand the stability of seed cotton yield of 105 Bt cotton hybrids (BGI and BGII) using Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interactions (AMMI) analysis across three diverse locations in India during rainy season 2018. This study holds importance as the hybrids were resistant to Helicoverpa bollworms due to Bt events (MON531 and MON15985) in them which were expected to nullify variation arising out of differential bollworm pressure in different location, unlike in non Bt hybrids where this variation also played role in the stability of the hybrids. The main effect differences among hybrids (41.23 %), environments (39.56 %) and the interaction effects (19.21%) were highly significant of the total variance of seed cotton yield indicating a large difference between the testing location causing different hybrids to perform differently across the testing environments. The first two principal components axes (IPCA I and IPCA II) were highly significant and contributed 52.12 % and 47.88% of total interaction respectively. The distance from the origin and the placement of locations in different quadrants of biplot reflected that the locations were substantially discriminatory as Aurangabad and Dharwad, which were high yielding and Raichur was low yielding. Results showed that hybrids IAHH-8096 BGII, IAHH-8103 BGI, IAHH-8061 BGII and IAHH-8007 BGII were having lowest interaction and stable across the location, whereas hybrids IAHH-8080 BGI, IAHH-8084 BGI, IAHH-8004 BGII and IAHH-8105 BGI were having more interaction and unstable genotypes. Large frequency of hybrids (57) were stable with IPCA scores nearing zero and low ASV values which is attributed resistance to bollworm due to Bt events.
Trade Facilitation between China and Africa, Gravity Model Analysis How China is Benefiting in Trade with African Countries?
Authors: Kaouakib Hatim , Hui Fang
Published: February 2022

This paper studies the impact of trade facilitation on bilateral trade flows between China and African countries. This paper presents an analysis on African countries in the context of trade facilitation to enhance how china can benefit from trade with African countries. The econometric approach is based on the augmented gravity based on heckman two stages method, OLS and Poisson model to enhance the efficiency result, The panel data used covers the period from 2009 to 2019 and concerns 50 African countries. The result has been found positively in some variable like GDP and negatively in others Like LPI, infrastructure even though it leads to increase the bilateral trade and follow the advancement of development and economics. we conclude Africa is a potential market with a huge population and advantages.
Clinico-Hematological Study of Thrombocytopenia on the Basis of Bone Marrow Examination in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Nagar Vaidehi , Patil Nanda , Kanetkar Sujata
Published: February 2022

Background: Thrombocytopenia can occur in a variety of clinical conditions. Bone marrow aspiration is crucial for diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of thrombocytopenia, its spectrum, and how to interpret the results of bone marrow aspiration.

Aim & Objectives: To study the cases of thrombocytopenia on the basis of bone marrow examination for correlation of bone marrow findings with clinical features, haematological parameters and other investigations in cases of thrombocytopenia. Secondary objective is to investigate the role of morphological examination of bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy in diagnosis of various disorders leading to thrombocytopenia.

Results: The cross-sectional prospective study lasted two years, from May 2019 to May 2021, at a tertiary care centre where clinico-haematological evaluation of patients with thrombocytopenia was done on the basis of bone marrow examination. A total of 103 cases with thrombocytopenia underwent bone marrow examination of which most patients belonged to the age group of 41-50 with a male preponderance. Majority of the patients presented with generalized weakness and pallor. Megaloblastic anaemia was the most predominant cause followed by acute myeloid leukemia and dimorphic anaemia. More research into the pathogenesis of megakaryocytic alteration and its contribution to thrombocytopenia could lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of a variety of hematopoietic disorders and the identification of broader clinical applications.
Patients’ Satisfaction with Healthcare Services at Private and Public Hospitals in Aseer Region
Authors: Ozam Tariq Saad , Garnan Asma Abdullah S. , Alqahtani Naif  M.
Published: February 2022

Assessments of patients’ satisfaction with provided health care is important, not only as a measure of the quality of care patients receive, but also in identifying potential areas for improving the content of care provided by physicians .Research proved that improving patient satisfaction with physician increases the likelihood that a patient will return to a given health care provider.

Aim of Study: To assess patients’ satisfaction with healthcare services at private and governmental hospitals in Aseer Region, 2020.

Methodology: Following a cross sectional design, two hospitals were included, a governmental hospital and a private hospital. A total of 400 patients were interviewed according to a consecutive sampling technique

Conclusions: In both public and private hospitals, quality of  provided health services is significantly less than that expected across all components of patients’ satisfaction. In public hospitals, higher quality of received health services is perceived by older patients. In private hospitals, higher quality of received health services is v older and male patients and those who have health insurance. Both received and expected quality of health services are significantly higher in private than public hospitals.
Evaluation of Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Prothrombin Time in HIV and TB Patients in Owerri Metropolis
Authors: Okoroiwu Ijeoma Leticia , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Anaebo Queen Braxton N. , Walter Olivia
Published: February 2022

Background: Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) are the leading infectious diseases with high morbidity and mortality in the developing countries; it has been known to be associated with some coagulation abnormalities especially as the disease progresses.

Aim: The study aimed at evaluating the effect of HIV- Tuberculosis co- infection on some haemostatic parameters (APTT & PT). It was carried out at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo state.

Materials and Methods: Sixty (60) subjects were sampled comprising fifteen (15) HIV positive subjects, fifteen (15) TB positive subjects, fifteen (15) HIV-TB co-infected subjects and fifteen (15) HIV and TB negative subjects (Control). Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT) were analyzed using standard techniques.

Results: The results showed that HIV positive subjects showed a significant values of PT (15.45±1.44sec, P < 0.05) when compared with control subjects (12.45 + 1.23) and a non-statistically significant values of Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) (33.33± 6.27sec, P > 0.05) when compared with the control subjects (29.05+2.19). TB subjects showed statistical significant values of PT (15.84±0.98scc, P < 0.05) when compared with control subjects (12.45 + 1.23) and non- statistical significant values of APTT (33.55+5.26 sec P > 0.05) when compared with the control subjects (29.05+2.19 sec). Both the PT and APTT of HIV- tuberculosis Co-infected subjects showed significant values (17.03±1.46sec; 37.59±4.69sec, P < 0.05) compared with the control subjects (12.45+ 1.23sec; 29.05+2.19). One way analysis of variance showed no significant difference of a PT of TB patient (15.84+0.98) compared to PT of HIV patients (15.45+1.44 sec). PT of HIV- TB co-infected subjects higher values (P< 0.05) when compared with HIV patients but not significantly (P> 0.05) higher than compared with TB patients. Also there is a significant increase in APTT of TB patients (P<0.05) when compared with HIV patients. APTT of HIV-TB Co-¬infected subjects were not significantly elevated when compared with HIV and TB patients (P> 0.05).

Conclusion: HIV infections have been shown to affect both the Activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. There is significant alteration in coagulation parameters (particularly PT and APTT) on tuberculosis, lesions as a result of the mycobacterial infection can induce pro- coagulant tissue factor expression which can lead to coagulation defects.
Construction of a 3D Conceptual Model of Subsurface Sulfide Mineralizations Using Integrated Geophysical Survey in Saint Catherine, South Sinai, Egypt
Authors: A. Rashed Mohamed , Shendi El-Arabi H.
Published: February 2022

The genesis and mode of occurrence of sulfide mineralizations located within the quartz monzonite rocks of Saint Catherine Area, Egypt have divided researchers who studied them into 2 main groups. One group believes that the mineralizations belong to the porphyry copper type of deposits, while the other group thinks that the mineralizations are formed by deposition of sulfides-rich hydrothermal solution in the structural lineaments. This is the reason for conducting an integrated geophysical survey using magnetic, radiometric, very low frequency and turam electromagnetic methods to provide possible solutions to the conflict. Incorporating the results of the geophysical surveys with the previously available geological and geochemical data helped building up a realistic conceptual 3D model of the subsurface sulfide mineralizations. The model proposes that the mineralizations were formed through 2 stages of upward migration of hydrothermal solutions. The early stage resulted in the deposition of a deep massive heap of mineralizations, creating features that support porphyry copper deposits. In the later stage, some of these hydrothermal solutions traveled farther upward, along fault planes and dykes, forming shallower linear mineralized deposits controlled by the NW-SE structural lineaments. Both mineral deposits were deformed, displaced, and dissected by faults and dykes trending NE-SW, creating the present complicated situation, and showing contradicting evidences on their mode of occurrence. The proposed conceptual model accommodates all previously introduced evidences, solves the conflict between existing contradicting hypotheses, and presents a reasonable evidence-based view of the geometry and mode of formation of these mineralizations.
Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Co and Mo Modified Natural Sourced Hierarchical ZSM-5 Zeolite Catalysts on Vanillin and Phenol Production from Diphenyl Ether
Authors: Ramadhani Anita Nur , Abdullah Iman , Krisnandi Yuni Krisyuningsih
Published: February 2022

The conversion of lignocellulose biomass to value-added chemicals is challenging. In this paper, the conversion process of diphenyl ether (DPE) as a model lignin compound to phenol and vanillin compounds involved a bifunctional catalyst in reaching the simultaneous one-pot reaction in mild conditions with a high yield product. The catalysts used in this conversion are hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites and their cobalt oxide and molybdenum oxide impregnated derivate. The ZSM-5 zeolites were synthesized using alternative precursors from natural resources, i.e., Indonesian natural zeolite and kaolin. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were determined with various characterization methods, such as: X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Surface Area Analyzer (SAA), and NH3-Temperature Programmed Desorption (NH3-TPD). The catalytic activity on conversion of DPE substrates showed that the MoOx/HZSM-5 produced the highest %yield for phenol and vanillin products; 31.96% at 250 °C and 7.63% at 200 °C, respectively. The correlation study between the physicochemical properties and the catalytic activity shows that the dominance of weak acid (>40%) and mesoporosity contribution (pore size of ~ 9 nm) play roles in giving the best catalytic activity at low temperatures. Copyright © 2022 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Three‐dimensional deep neural network for automatic delineation of cervical cancer in planning computed tomography images
Authors: Ding Yi , Chen Zhiran , Wang Ziqi , Wang Xiaohong , Hu Desheng , Ma Pingping , Ma Chi , Wei Wei , Li Xiangbin , Xue Xudong , Wang Xiao
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Radiation therapy is an essential treatment modality for cervical cancer, while accurate and efficient segmentation methods are needed to improve the workflow. In this study, a three‐dimensional V‐net model is proposed to automatically segment clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs), and to provide prospective guidance for low lose area.

Material and methods

A total of 130 CT datasets were included. Ninety cases were randomly selected as the training data, with 10 cases used as the validation data, and the remaining 30 cases as testing data. The V‐net model was implemented with Tensorflow package to segment the CTV and OARs, as well as regions of 5 Gy, 10 Gy, 15 Gy, and 20 Gy isodose lines covered. The auto‐segmentation by V‐net was compared to auto‐segmentation by U‐net. Four representative parameters were calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the delineation, including Dice similarity coefficients (DSC), Jaccard index (JI), average surface distance (ASD), and Hausdorff distance (HD).

Results

The V‐net and U‐net achieved the average DSC value for CTV of 0.85 and 0.83, average JI values of 0.77 and 0.75, average ASD values of 2.58 and 2.26, average HD of 11.2 and 10.08, respectively. As for the OARs, the performance of the V‐net model in the colon was significantly better than the U‐net model (p = 0.046), and the performance in the kidney, bladder, femoral head, and pelvic bones were comparable to the U‐net model. For prediction of low‐dose areas, the average DSC of the patients’ 5 Gy dose area in the test set were 0.88 and 0.83, for V‐net and U‐net, respectively.

Conclusions

It is feasible to use the V‐Net model to automatically segment cervical cancer CTV and OARs to achieve a more efficient radiotherapy workflow. In the delineation of most target areas and OARs, the performance of V‐net is better than U‐net. It also offers advantages with its feature of predicting the low‐dose area prospectively before radiation therapy (RT).
Engineered Delivery of Dental Stem‐Cell‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Zarubova Jana , Hasani‐Sadrabadi Mohammad Mahdi , Dashtimoghadam Erfan , Zhang Xuexiang , Ansari Sahar , Li Song , Moshaverinia Alireza
Published: February 2022

Periodontal disease begins as an inflammatory response to a bacterial biofilm deposited around the teeth, which over time leads to the destruction of tooth‐supporting structures and consequently tooth loss. Conventional treatment strategies show limited efficacy in promoting regeneration of damaged periodontal tissues. Here, a delivery platform is developed for small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) to treat periodontitis. EVs can achieve comparable therapeutic effects to their cells of origin. However, the short half‐lives of EVs after their administration along with their rapid diffusion away from the delivery site necessitate frequent administration to achieve therapeutic benefits. To address these issues, “dual delivery” microparticles are engineered enabling microenvironment‐sensitive release of EVs by metalloproteinases at the affected site along with antibiotics to suppress bacterial biofilm growth. GMSC sEVs are able to decrease the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by monocytes/macrophages and T cells, suppress T‐cell activation, and induce the formation of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in vitro and in a rat model of periodontal disease. One‐time administration of immunomodulatory GMSC sEV‐decorated microparticles leads to a significant improvement in regeneration of the damaged periodontal tissue. This approach will have potential clinical applications in the regeneration of a variety of tissues.
Hydrogel Transformed from Nanoparticles for Prevention of Tissue Injury and Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Li Zimeng , Li Gang , Xu Jiajia , Li Chenwen , Han Songling , Zhang Chunfan , Wu Peng , Lin Yongyao , Wang Chenping , Zhang Jianxiang , Li Xiaodong
Published: February 2022

Functional hydrogels responsive to physiological and pathological signals have extensive biomedical applications owing to their multiple advanced attributes. Herein, engineering of functional hydrogels is reported via transformable nanoparticles in response to the physiologically and pathologically acidic microenvironment. These nanoparticles are assembled by a multivalent hydrophobic, pH‐responsive cyclodextrin host material and a multivalent hydrophilic guest macromolecule. Driven by protons, the pH‐responsive host–guest nanoparticles can be transformed into hydrogel, resulting from proton‐triggered hydrolysis of the host material, generation of a hydrophilic multivalent host compound, and simultaneously enhanced inclusion interactions between host and guest molecules. By in situ forming a hydrogel barrier, the orally delivered transformable nanoparticles protect mice from ethanol‐ or drug‐induced gastric injury. In addition, this type of nanoparticles can serve as responsive and transformable nanovehicles for therapeutic agents to achieve triggerable and sustained drug delivery, thereby effectively treating typical inflammatory diseases, including periodontitis and arthritis in rats. With combined advantages of nanoparticles and hydrogels, together with their good in vivo safety, the engineered transformable nanoparticles hold great promise in tissue injury protection and site‐specific/local delivery of molecular and cellular therapeutic agents.
A Fibrin Site‐Specific Nanoprobe for Imaging Fibrin‐Rich Thrombi and Preventing Thrombus Formation in Venous Vessels
Authors: Zhong Yixin , Ye Man , Huang Liandi , Hu Liu , Li Fangzhou , Ni Qiankun , Zhong Jie , Wu Hongyun , Xu Fengfei , Xu Jie , He Xiaojing , Wang Zhigang , Ran Haitao , Wu Yunzhu , Guo Dajing , Liang Xing‐Jie
Published: February 2022

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent public health issue worldwide. Before treatment, spatiotemporally accurate thrombus detection is essential. However, with the currently available imaging technologies, this is challenging. Herein, the development of a novel fibrin‐specific nanoprobe (NP) based on the conjugation of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) with the pentapeptide Cys−Arg−Glu−Lys−Ala (CREKA) for selective and semiquantitative imaging in vivo is presented. By integrating Fe3O4 and NIR fluorochrome (IR780), the NP can function as a highly sensitive sensor for the direct analysis of thrombi in vivo. The fibrin‐specific NP distinguishes fibrin‐rich thrombi from collagen‐rich or erythrocyte‐rich thrombi, which can be beneficial for future individually tailored therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, loading NPs with the ketotifen fumarate results in mast cell degranulation inhibition, and hence, NPs can prevent thrombosis without the risk of excessive bleeding. Thus, the use of fibrin‐specific NPs may serve as a safe alternative approach for the detection and prevention of VTEs in susceptible populations in the future.
Trends in Nanophotonics‐Enabled Optofluidic Biosensors
Authors: Wang Juan , Maier Stefan A. , Tittl Andreas
Published: February 2022

Optofluidic sensors integrate photonics with micro/nanofluidics to realize compact devices for the label‐free detection of molecules and the real‐time monitoring of dynamic surface binding events with high specificity, ultrahigh sensitivity, low detection limit, and multiplexing capability. Nanophotonic structures composed of metallic and/or dielectric building blocks excel at focusing light into ultrasmall volumes, creating enhanced electromagnetic near‐fields ideal for amplifying the molecular signal readout. Furthermore, fluidic control on small length scales enables precise tailoring of the spatial overlap between the electromagnetic hotspots and the analytes, boosting light‐matter interaction, and can be utilized to integrate advanced functionalities for the pre‐treatment of samples in real‐world‐use cases, such as purification, separation, or dilution. In this review, the authors highlight current trends in nanophotonics‐enabled optofluidic biosensors for applications in the life sciences while providing a detailed perspective on how these approaches can synergistically amplify the optical signal readout and achieve real‐time dynamic monitoring, which is crucial in biomedical assays and clinical diagnostics.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Chemoselective Borylation of (Poly)halogenated Aryl Triflates and Their Application in Consecutive Reactions
Authors: Ng Shan Shan , Chen Zicong , Yuen On Ying , So Chau Ming
Published: February 2022

This study reports the palladium‐catalyzed chemoselective borylation of (poly)halogenated aryl triflates with a reactivity order of C−Cl>C−OTf. A catalyst system comprising Pd(OAc)2 and SelectPhos (L1) enables a reaction with high reactivity and chemoselectivity. The consecutively chemoselective borylation reaction followed by the chemoselective intermolecular Suzuki‐Miyaura reaction can be performed using a one‐pot two‐step approach to synthesize unsymmetrical biaryl compounds containing the triflate moiety. The reaction can be scaled up to the gram scale without diminishing the yield and chemoselectivity.

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Revealing the Design Principles of Ni‐Rich Cathodes for All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Jiang Wei , Zhu Xinxin , Huang Renzhi , Zhao Shu , Fan Xinming , Ling Min , Liang Chengdu , Wang Liguang
Published: February 2022

Electrode microstructure is one of the primary factors determining the electrochemical properties of all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs). However, the key principles of electrode design to realize fast ionic/electronic transport pathways are not well elucidated. Herein, the correlation between electrode microstructure and electrochemical behaviors is studied through different electrode design in terms of energy‐density‐related electrode composition and Ni‐rich layered oxides particle size distribution. A positive relation between particle size and mass fraction in electrode design is revealed, that is, as the particle size increases, more cathode materials are required to enable the fast reaction kinetics. The well interconnected active particles and solid electrolytes construct the highly percolated ionic/electronic transfer networks, which determines the overall electrochemical properties. The findings in this work give a new insight into electrode design to promote the development of high‐energy and high‐power ASSBs.
MOF‐801 polycrystalline membrane with sub‐10 nm polymeric assembly layer for ion sieving and flow battery storage
Authors: Cao Hongyan , Xia Yu , Lu Yuqin , Wu Yulin , Xia Yongsheng , Hou Xiaoxuan , Wang Yixing , Liu Gongping , Huang Kang , Xu Zhi
Published: February 2022

Molecular sieving metal–organic framework (MOF) polycrystalline membranes have great potential for ion sieving and are desirable as efficient separators for devices of energy storage such as flow battery. Herein, we report a continuous MOF‐801 polycrystalline membrane with an ultrathin polymeric assembly layer (less than 10 nm) for the vanadium flow battery (VFB). Owing to the precise sub‐nanometer sieving pores and abundant H‐bond networks in MOF‐801 frameworks, the membrane exhibited better H/V selectivity (up to 194) and conductivity (about 0.028 S/cm) than commercial Nafion‐117 membrane (H/V selectivity: ~9.5, conductivity: 0.017 S/cm). VFB results revealed that a cell with above MOF polycrystalline membrane showed high coulombic efficiency (CE: 96.1%) and excellent energy efficiency (EE: 83.2%) at 20 mA/cm2, which was much comparable to Nafion membrane. This work demonstrates that MOF polycrystalline membrane is a promising candidate as ion sieving membrane for energy technique.
A techno‐economic analysis framework for intensified modular systems
Authors: Gazzaneo Vitor , Watson Madelynn , Ramsayer Carlie B. , Kilwein Zachary A. , Alves Victor , Lima Fernando V.
Published: February 2022

In this work, a novel systematic techno‐economic analysis framework is proposed for costing intensified modular systems. Conventional costing techniques are extended to allow estimation of capital and operating costs of modular units. Economy of learning concepts are included to consider the effect of experience curves on purchase costs. Profitability measures are scaled with respect to production of a chemical of interest for comparison with plants of traditional scale. In the developed framework, a base case scenario is analyzed to identify the relevance of the economy of learning and cost parameters that are yet to be established for modular projects that will be deployed. Then, a sensitivity analysis step is conducted to define changes in relevant variables that benefit the construction of modular systems. In a final step, scenarios in which the modular technology presents break‐even and further reduction in cost are identified. A process model for a modular hydrogen unit is developed and used for demonstration of the proposed framework. In this application, process synthesis is carried out, including operability analysis for selection of feasible operating conditions. A comparison with a benchmark conventional steam methane reforming plant shows that the modular hydrogen unit can benefit from the economy of learning. A synthesized flowsheet for a modular steam methane reforming plant is used to map the decrease in natural gas price that must be needed for the plant to break even when compared to traditional technologies. Scenarios in which the natural gas price is low allow break‐even cost for both individual hydrogen units and the assembled modular plant. For such break‐even cases, the economy of learning must produce a reduction of 40% or less in capital cost when the natural gas price is under 0.02 US$/Sm3. This result suggests that the synthesized modular hydrogen process has potential to be economically feasible under these conditions. The developed tools can thus be used to accelerate the deployment and manufacturing of standardized modular energy systems.
New 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles linked with the 1,2,3‐triazole moiety as antiproliferative agents targeting the EGFR tyrosine kinase
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed A. , Mohammed Anber F. , Salem Ola I. A. , Gomaa Hesham A. M. , Youssif Bahaa G. M.
Published: February 2022

A series of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐1,2,3‐triazole hybrids bearing different pharmacophoric moieties has been designed and synthesized. Their antiproliferative activity was evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (Panc‐1, MCF‐7, HT‐29, and A‐549) using the MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)−2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The preliminary activity test displayed that the most active compounds, 6d, 6e, and 8a–e, suppressed cancer cell growth (GI50 = 0.23–2.00 µM) comparably to erlotinib (GI50 = 0.06 µM). Compounds 6d, 6e, and 8a–e inhibited the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR‐TK) at IC50 = 0.11–0.73 µM, compared to erlotinib (IC50 = 0.08 ± 0.04 µM). The apoptotic mechanism revealed that the most active hybrid 8d induced expression levels of caspase‐3, caspase‐9, and cytochrome‐c in the human cancer cell line Panc‐1 by 7.80‐, 19.30‐, and 13‐fold higher than doxorubicin. Also, 8d increased the Bax level by 40‐fold than doxorubicin, along with decreasing Bcl‐2 levels by 6.3‐fold. Cell cycle analysis after treatment of Panc‐1 cells with hybrid 8d revealed a high proportion of cell accumulation (41.53%) in the pre‐G1 phase, indicating cell cycle arrest at the G1 transition. Computational docking of the 8d and 8e hybrids with the EGFR binding site revealed their ability to bind with EGFR similar to erlotinib. Finally, in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion/pharmacokinetic studies for the most active hybrids are discussed.
Preparation and luminescence properties of KLaSiO4:Tb3+ phosphors
Authors: Ma Wenjing , Wang Xigui
Published: February 2022

KLaSiO4:Tb3+ phosphors were synthesized using the sol–gel method. The structure and luminescence properties of the materials were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, fluorescence spectra and calculated Commission Internationale de l'éclairage coordinates. The results showed that the material had a hexagonal structure, and that doping of Tb3+ did not change the crystal structure of KLaSiO4. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the existence of stretching vibrations of Si–O, bending vibrations of Si–O–Si, and asymmetric tensile vibrations of Si–O in KLaSiO4. The excitation spectrum of the sample consisted of 4f7→5d1 broadband absorption and the characteristic excitation peak of Tb3+, the excitation peak at 232 nm belongs to the spin allowed 7FJ→7DJ transition of Tb3+, the excitation peak at 268 nm belongs to the spin forbidden 7FJ→9DJ transition of Tb3+, and the absorption band of 7FJ→7DJ transition is split. Under excitation at 232 nm, the emission peak of the sample was composed of the 5D4→7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) energy level transition of Tb3+. The highest emission peak is located at 543 nm, which belongs to the 5D4→7F5 transition and emits green light. Concentration quenching occurred when the Tb3+ doping concentration was greater than 1% mol, the quenching mechanism was an electric dipole–electric dipole action. When the ratio of citric acid to total metal ions was 1:1 and the annealing temperature was 800°C, the surface defects of the phosphors were greatly reduced, the quenching effect was reduced, and the luminous intensity reached the maximum.
Single‐cell genotyping of phytoplankton from ocean water by gel‐based cell manipulation
Authors: Yoshino Tomoko , Mao Yihao , Maeda Yoshiaki , Negishi Ryo , Murata Satoshi , Moriya Seiichiro , Shimada Hirofumi , Arakaki Atsushi , Kobayashi Kenichi , Hagiwara Yoshitsugu , Okamoto Kazutoshi , Tanaka Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2022

A comprehensive understanding of phytoplankton diversity is valuable for assessing an environment of interest as phytoplankton are primary producers in various aquatic food webs. Microscopic analyses are useful for diversity assessment based on characteristic cell morphologies. However, phylogenetic classification based solely on morphology requires an extremely high level of expertise. The genetic approach is another option for evaluating phytoplankton diversity; however, it cannot reveal morphological information. To integrate these two approaches, an original technology was developed, that is referred to as microcavity array (MCA)/gel‐based cell manipulation (GCM). The model experiments using monocultures of various phytoplankton indicated that the efficiencies of cell recovery and isolation of single‐cell plankton were dependent on cell size and shape. Cells with widths larger than the cavity width showed high level of recovery and isolation efficiency. Subsequent whole‐genome amplification (WGA) of isolated single‐cell plankton provided a sufficient amount (≈30 μg) of WGA products for genetic analyses. Furthermore, it is showed that MCA/GCM could directly analyze phytoplankton in ocean water obtained from Suruga Bay, Japan, without any cumbersome pretreatment. These results indicate that MCA/GCM technology is a powerful tool for elucidating the phytoplankton diversity in marine environment.
The relationship between neurocognitive performance and HRV parameters in nurses and non‐healthcare participants
Authors: Chalmers Taryn , Eaves Shamona , Lees Ty , Lin Chin‐Teng , Newton Phillip J. , Clifton‐Bligh Roderick , McLachlan Craig S. , Gustin Sylvia M. , Lal Sara
Published: February 2022

Nurses represent the largest sector of the healthcare workforce, and it is established that they are faced with ongoing physical and mental demands that leave many continuously stressed. In turn, this chronic stress may affect cardiac autonomic activity, which can be non‐invasively evaluated using heart rate variability (HRV). The association between neurocognitive parameters during acute stress situations and HRV has not been previously explored in nurses compared to non‐nurses and such, our study aimed to assess these differences. Neurocognitive data were obtained using the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Cognistat psychometric questionnaires. ECG‐derived HRV parameters were acquired during the Trier Social Stress Test. Between‐group differences were found in domain‐specific cognitive performance for the similarities (p = .03), and judgment (p = .002) domains and in the following HRV parameters: SDNNbaseline, (p = .004), LFpreparation (p = .002), SDNNpreparation (p = .002), HFpreparation (p = .02), and TPpreparation (p = .003). Negative correlations were found between HF power and domain‐specific cognitive performance in nurses. In contrast, both negative and positive correlations were found between HRV and domain‐specific cognitive performance in the non‐nurse group. The current findings highlight the prospective use of autonomic HRV markers in relation to cognitive performance while building a relationship between autonomic dysfunction and cognition.
RETRACTED: Outcome of neurocritical disorders, a multicenter prospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ali Khalid Mohamed , Salih Mahmoud Hussien , AbuGabal Hiba Hassan , Omer Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla , Ahmed Ammar ElTahir , Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed Khabab
Published: February 2022

Background

Patients with neurocritical disorders who require admission to intensive care units (ICUs) constitute about 10–15% of critical care cases.

Objectives

To study the outcome of neurocritical disorders in intensive care units.

Methodology

This is a prospective cross‐sectional study that was conducted among neurocritical patients who were admitted in four intensive care units of four major hospitals in Khartoum state during the period from November 2020 to March 2021.

Results

Seventy‐two neurocritical patients were included in this study; 40(55.6%) were males and 32(44.4%) were females. Twenty‐one (29.2%) patients fully recovered, 35 (48.6%) partially recovered and 16 (22.2%) died. The mortality of the common neurocritical diseases were as follows: stroke 30.4%, encephalitis (8.3%), status epilepticus (11.1%), Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) (16.7%), and myasthenia gravis (MG) (25%).

Conclusion

This study identified that near two‐thirds of the patients required mechanical ventilation. Delayed admission was observed due to causes distributed between the medical side and patient side. The majority of patients were discharged from ICU with partial recovery.
Teaching design of composite structures through Composite Analysis and Design Apps (CADA) and Design Challenges
Authors: Bishay Peter L.
Published: February 2022

Although composite materials are used in many industries nowadays, an educational tool for the design of laminated composite structures is missing in the literature. This study discusses the most important features that should exist in such a tool and, hence, presents the “Composite Analysis and Design Apps” (CADA) tool. To improve engineering students' design skills, engineering curricula should be supplemented with many design problems and course projects that focus on design, rather than analysis, of engineering components or systems. To incorporate more design problems into the curriculum of a senior undergraduate course on “mechanics and design of composite materials” in a more interesting way, an educational intervention, called the “Design Challenges,” is also presented in this study. The effect of using CADA in the Design Challenges to improve students' design skills is detailed. The study involved 21 mechanical engineering students who worked in 7 teams in each challenge. Performance of student teams in each challenge, student self‐reporting surveys, and students' performance in a design problem in the final exam were the three assessments evaluated. Assessment results proved that the Design Challenges were successful in increasing students' understanding and interest in the design of composite structures and improving their skills in tackling design problems. CADA also proved to be an effective and efficient tool for the analysis and design of thin composite laminates.
Selective Hydrogen Production from Glycerol over Ruthenium Catalyst
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Kumar Awasthi Mahendra , Priya Bhanu , Kumar Singh Sanjay
Published: February 2022

Glycerol – one of the prominent by‐products of biodiesel is also an important source of hydrogen gas. Herein, the efficient and selective production of hydrogen gas from glycerol in water at 90–120 °C over a ruthenium nanoparticle (∼2.7 nm) catalyst is demonstrated. Notably, high yield of hydrogen gas (n(H2)/n(glycerol); 0.96–1.61) was achieved from the glycerol‐water solution, where the reaction temperature and base concentration played crucial role in achieving high yield of H2. Advantageously, under the studied reaction conditions, the ruthenium catalyst also exhibited appreciably high long‐term stability for over 36 h while generating ca. 70 L H2 per gram of Ru with H2 yield of 350 L per L of glycerol. Moreover, high yield for lactic acid is also achieved during the production of hydrogen gas from glycerol.
An “On‐Demand”, Selective Dehydrogenative Borylation or Hydroboration of Terminal Alkynes Using Zn2+‐based Catalyst
Authors: Jaiswal Kuldeep , Groutchik Kristina , Bawari Deependra , Dobrovetsky Roman
Published: February 2022

An air‐stable dicationic Zn2+ complex (1) in a tripod‐type ligand with non‐bound phosphorus base and three pyridinyl “arms” (TPPh) was synthesized. Remarkably, while 2 mol% of 1 at room temperature selectively catalyzed dehydrogenative borylation of terminal alkynes with HBPin, a lower loading of 1 (0.5 mol%) at 90 °C selectively promoted hydroboration reaction of the same alkynes skipping the dehydrogenative borylation step. The mode of action of 1 was proposed based on experimental observations as well as the mechanism of dehydrogenative borylation was studied by DFT computations.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Cycloaromatization Route to Cycloparaphenylenes that Exhibit Aggregation‐Induced Emission
Authors: Wang Li‐Hsiang , Nagashima Yuki , Abekura Masato , Uekusa Hidehiro , Konishi Gen‐ichi , Tanaka Ken
Published: February 2022

A high‐yielding new route to substituted cycloparaphenylenes has been developed via reductive aromatization of a diyne bearing two cyclohexadiene units giving a cyclophenylene‐ethynylene (CPE) followed by the cationic rhodium(I)/dppe complex‐catalyzed intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition (cycloaromatization) of the CPE with monoynes. The thus‐obtained products, substituted [8]cycloparaphenylene‐triphenylenes ([8]CPPTs), exhibited definite aggregation‐induced emission (AIE). This molecule is noteworthy as a novel AIE‐active cycloarylene that does not have well‐known AIE luminogens, such as tetraphenylethene and 1,2,4,5‐tetraphenylbenzene skeletons. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses of the AIE‐active [8]CPPTs revealed their highly ordered packing structures in which the rotation of the triphenylene moieties is restricted.
Utilization of steerable sheath improves the efficiency of atrial fibrillation ablation guided by robotic magnetic navigation compared with fixed‐curve sheath
Authors: Luo Qingzhi , Xie Yun , Bao Yangyang , Wei Yue , Lin Changjian , Zhang Ning , Ling Tianyou , Chen Kang , Pan Wenqi , Wu Liqun , Jin Qi
Published: February 2022

Background

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of steerable sheaths compared with fixed‐curve sheaths on the procedural outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation guided by robotic magnetic navigation (RMN).

Methods and Results

In this retrospective case−control study, 110 patients scheduled for AF catheter ablation were enrolled and divided into two groups. Fifty‐five patients (paroxysmal, 70%) were treated with RMN‐guided ablation utilizing a steerable sheath and another 55 patients (paroxysmal, 70%) were ablated with RMN using a fixed‐curve sheath. Clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Compared with the fixed‐curve sheath group, the steerable sheath group procedure time (111.9 ± 25.2 vs. 90.4 ± 20.7 min, p < .001) and radiofrequency (RF) time (35.9 ± 9.0 vs. 30.5 ± 7.4 min, p < .001) were significantly shortened. Additionally, the navigation index was significantly improved (0.41 ± 0.06 vs. 0.48 ± 0.08, p < .001) in the steerable sheath group. By employing a large catheter loop for targeting the right pulmonary veins (PVs), the steerable sheath group significantly reduced the RF delivery time (15.0 ± 3.0 vs. 12.0 ± 2.1 min, p < .001) during right‐side PV isolation (PVI). However, total fluoroscopy time was similar between the two groups (5.6 ± 2.6 vs. 5.0 ± 2.0 min, p > .05). Acute PVI success rates were similar between the two groups. No major or minor complications occurred in either group.

Conclusion

Appropriate utilization of steerable sheath technology can improve the efficiency of AF ablation guided by RMN, primarily by reducing the total procedure and RF delivery times of right‐side PVI without compromising safety.
A New Approach to Optimize pH Buffers**
Authors: Blétry Marc
Published: February 2022

Buffer solutions are pervasive in chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, etc. A better understanding of buffer properties and what controls them is susceptible to be of interest in many scientific and technological fields. For instance, linear pH gradients are commonly used in electrophoresis and their optimization rests on numerical optimization of the concentrations of various weak species. It is probably generally assumed that no basic progress could be made on optimization approaches. We introduce here a new strategy to buffer optimization, based on a parametric study of the roots of the first derivative of the buffer index. In this way, it is possible to find mathematically optimal sets of parameters (pKa and concentrations). The method is applied to mixtures of 2, 3 and 4 monovalent species, which represent simple cases that do not call for overly elaborate numerical optimization techniques, but are nevertheless of practical interest in various branches of analytical chemistry.