bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency shiftand control ofhigh-order harmonicsof H atom driven by anasymmetric laser pulse
Authors: Wei Bo-Ning , Jiao Zhi-Hong , Zhou Xiao-Xin ,   College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Published: March 2022

A scheme of the large frequency shift for high-order harmonic generation (HHG) produced by atomic gas driven by an asymmetric laser pulse is proposed in the tunneling ionization regime. By numerically solving the three-dimensional time-dependent Schrodinger equation in the dipole approximation, we theoretically investigate the characteristics of HHG emitted from hydrogen atom driven by the laser pulse with different rising and falling times. Our results show that the HHG spectra of atomic H in cutoff region present a strong redshift and blueshift. The shift can be adjusted by varying the rising time or falling time of the laser pulse. The time frequency analysis, reveals that the reason for the frequency shift comes from different contributions from the rising time or falling time in the asymmetric laser pulse. If the contributed harmonics during the falling time is larger than that during the falling time, the red shift of HHG occurs. otherwise the blue shift appears. Therefore, by shaping the laser pulse waveform, the frequency of atomic HHG for a given order in the cutoff region in the tunneling ionization regime is tunable, which can cover the frequency range from the odd order to the adjacent even order.
Classification of Parkinson’s Disease Using EMG Signals from Different Upper Limb Movements Based on Multiclass Support Vector Machine
Authors:   Biomedical Imaging Unit, School of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia, Adem Hamdia Murad , Tessema Abel Worku , Simegn Gizeaddis Lamesgin
Published: March 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease that affects a wide range of productive individuals worldwide. The common approach to diagnose PD is through clinical assessment of the patient, which is highly subjective and time consuming. Electromyography (EMG) can be taken as a cheap way of PD diagnosis. However, highly experienced experts are required to interpret the signals. The manual procedures are complex, time-consuming, and prone to error resulting in misdiagnosis. In this research, an automatic system for detection and classification of PD stages using EMG signals acquired from different upper limb movements is proposed. In addition, effective upper limb movement for the identification of PD has been investigated. The data required for training and testing the system was collected from flexor carpi radialis and biceps brachii muscles of 15 PD patients and 10 healthy control subjects at Jimma University Medical Center. The raw EMG signal was preprocessed and frequency and time-domain features were extracted. A multiclass support vector machine model was then trained for four-class classification (normal, early, moderate, and advanced PD levels). The performance of the system was evaluated using different performance evaluators and a promising result has been obtained. 90%, 91.7%, 95%, and 96.6% overall classification accuracies were obtained for elbow flexion by 90-degrees without load, elbow flexion by 90-degrees with load, touching the shoulder, and wrist pronation, respectively. A user-friendly interface has been also developed for ease of use of the automatic PD classification system.
Coordination of Elbow, Shoulder, and Trunk Movements in the Backswing Phase of Baseball Pitching to Throw a Fastball
Authors: Katsumata Hiromu , Yamamoto Mikihiro , Kunikata Fumiya
Published: March 2022

Background: Baseball pitchers adopt a backswing motion to accelerate a forward swing of the arm and project the ball. However, knowledge about the backswing movement for delivering a fast pitch has not been accumulated enough. Objective: This study aimed to identify the kinematic parameters of the backswing movement associated with differences in the speed of pitches and capture the joint kinematics of the throwing arm in the backswing phase. Methodology: Based on the quasi-experimental study design, fifteen male college students with various levels of baseball experience pitched a baseball at their maximum, 40%, 60%, and 80% of their full ball speed. A motion capture system sampled data at 250 Hz, and three-dimensional data were acquired for shoulder and elbow joint movements, upper-trunk rotation, and ball movement in the backswing phase. Correlation analysis between the joint and ball parameters was conducted, and the relative timings of these parameters were calculated. Results: The speed of pitch showed a significant correlation with the ball peak speed in the backswing phase (r = 0.75), which showed a significant correlation with the velocity of the elbow flexion (r = −0.81), shoulder abduction (r = 0.75), external rotation (r = −0.86) and the upper trunk’s rotation (r = 0.75). Conclusions: The backswing movement producing the higher ball’s peak speed and its abrupt transition to the forward swing was associated with the higher release speed. This kinematic feature was achieved by the temporal coordination of the arm joint movements with the upper trunk’s rotation.
Fictional Folklore: On the Paremiology of A Game of Thrones
Authors:   Universidad de Extremadura, Spain, Tosina Fernández Luis J.
Published: March 2022

In this article, the first work in the fantasy literature series, titled A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin will be analyzed in relation to the author’s use of proverbs, in order to determine the role that these play in the narration and what their features are. This choice seems appropriate for the analysis of folklore elements, such as proverbs, given the popularity of the series and its presumed contribution to the spread of phraseology. In the analysis of this text, a rather interesting approach to proverbs emerges, one in which the author makes use of proverbs existing in the real world, as well as creates his own, ad hoc, for this literary composition. These occurrences seem particularly interesting and will be analyzed in detail to determine whether they produce the desired effect and whether they follow the expected use of proverbs in real life.
Turquerie Modası nın Bir Başka Yansıması: Amsterdam Denizcilik Müzesi nde (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) Sergilenen Türk İmgeli Gemi Dümen Başı Figürleri
Authors: Beydiz Mustafa Gürbüz
Published: March 2022

Denizcilik kültürüne ait gemiler dönemler itibariyle teknolojik
gelişimlere göre tipolojik olarak değişikliğe uğramıştır. Askeri
anlamda denizlerde yüzen birer kale görevi gördükleri gibi aynı
zamanda deniz üstünde yüzen saraylar olarak da yorumlanabilir.
Gemilerin toplumların refah düzeyini yansıtan zengin süslemelerle
donatılması onları birbirinden farklı kılmıştır. Bu süslemeler aynı
zamanda siyasi propaganda aracı olarak kullanıldığı gibi gemi
sahibinin zenginliğini de yansıtmaktadır. Avrupa’da XVIII.
yüzyılda özellikle belli merkezlerde modaya dönüşen Turquerie
akımı gemi süslemeciliğinde de yer bulmuştur. Türk kıyafetleri
içinde betimlenmiş Batı insanı Doğu’nun fantastik gösterişli
hayatını kendisinde yansıtmaya çalışmış ve hatta bunu çeşitli sanat
dallarıyla ölümsüzleştirmiştir. Hollanda denizciliğinin de XVII.
yüzyılın başlarından itibaren gelişim göstermesi ve XVIII. yüzyılda
daha da ilerleyerek denizlerde hâkimiyet kurması, deniz ticaret
yolları ile limanlarında söz sahibi olması toplumsal zenginliğini
arttırmıştır. Het Scheepvaartmuseum’da sergilenen dümen başı
figürleri de bu düşüncenin bir başka görsel anlatımıdır. Bu çalışma
2018 yılında TÜBİTAK tarafından 2219 Yurt Dışı Doktora Sonrası
Araştırma Burs Programı kapsamında desteklenmiştir. Araştırma
için Amsterdam Het Scheepvaartmuseum ve diğer ilgili deniz
müzelerinden izinler alınmış, bu kapsamda eserlerin fotoğrafları
yazar tarafındançekilmiş ve ayrıca çalışma literatür taramasıyla
tamamlanmıştır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Gemiler, Süsleme, Turquerie, Amsterdam,
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Thiol redox switches regulate the oligomeric state of cyanobacterial Rre1, RpaA and RpaB response regulators
Authors: Ibrahim Iskander M. , Rowden Stephen J. L. , Cramer William A. , Howe Christopher J. , Puthiyaveetil Sujith
Published: March 2022

Cyanobacteria employ two‐component sensor‐response regulator systems to monitor and respond to environmental challenges. The response regulators RpaA, RpaB, Rre1 and RppA are integral to circadian clock function and abiotic stress acclimation in cyanobacteria. RpaA, RpaB and Rre1 are known to interact with ferredoxin or thioredoxin, raising the possibility of their thiol regulation. Here, we report that Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Rre1, RpaA and RpaB exist as higher‐order oligomers under oxidising conditions and that reduced thioredoxin A converts them to monomers. We further show that these response regulators contain redox‐responsive cysteine residues with an Em7 around −300 mV. These findings suggest a direct thiol modulation of the activity of these response regulators, independent of their cognate sensor kinases.
Photoisomerization kinetics of a novel photoswitchable film based on methyl red doped with sodium hexachloroplatinate hosted in polyethylene oxide
Authors: Al‐Bataineh Qais M. , Telfah Ahmad , Ahlmann Norman , Tolstik Elen , Tavares Carlos J. , Hergenröder Roland
Published: March 2022

This work proposes a novel dopant material to improve the energy storage in azo molecules. Organometallic material with platinum base atom (sodium hexachloroplatinate (IV) (Na2PtCl6)) was used as a dopant material in polyethylene oxide‐methyl red (PEO‐MR) films. The photoisomerization kinetics, the energy storage, and the electrical conductivity distribution of PEO‐(MR‐Na2PtCl6) films are investigated and studied. In addition, the effect of Na2PtCl6 on the chemical and crystal structure is also premeditated. It can be concluded that adding Na2PtCl6 to PEO‐MR film improves the energy storage in the azo molecules. Therefore, the addition of Na2PtCl6 into PEO‐MR films can be proposed for different applications, especially in molecular solar thermal energy storage media.
Benzo[g]coumarin‐benzothiazole hybrid: A fluorescent probe for the detection of amyloid‐beta aggregates
Authors: Kim Na Hee , Huh Youngbuhm , Kim Dokyoung
Published: March 2022

Here, we disclose a new turn‐on type fluorescent probe (named BCB‐1) for the detection of Aβ plaques, which is an essential biomarker in Alzheimer's disease (AD). BCB‐1 has a hybrid structure of benzo[g]coumarin and benzothiazole, and it showed significant emission enhancement at the near‐infrared (NIR) region when sensing Aβ plaques. BCB‐1 also showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward Aβ plaques, and its bio‐imaging applicability was confirmed within an AD mouse (5XFAD) brain. We expect our superb AD diagnosis fluorescent probe to be broadly applied in Aβ plaques related clinical and biological studies.
Iodine Chemisorption, Interpenetration and Polycatenation: Cationic MOFs and CPs from Group 13 Metal Halides and Dipyridyl Linkers
Authors: Schäfer Thomas C. , Becker Jonathan , Seuffert Marcel T. , Heuler Dominik , Sedykh Alexander E. , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: March 2022

Invited for the cover of this issue are Klaus Müller‐Buschbaum and co‐workers at Giessen University. The image depicts an aluminium‐based MOF as a novel material for the capture of iodine radioisotopes from a potential gas atmosphere exposure. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202104171.
Game theory based spectrum sensing and transmission in energy harvesting hybrid cognitive radio networks (EH‐HCRN)
Authors: K Danesh , S Vasuhi
Published: March 2022

In an energy harvesting cognitive radio network (EH‐CRN), the correspondence among the primary transmitter (PT) and primary receiver (PR) for spectrum sensing and transmission becomes ineffective as a result of insufficient SNR, finite sensing duration and interferences. We recommend designing a suitable spectrum sensing structure based on game theory for energy harvesting hybrid CRN to resolve these complications. This comprises three phases: (i) co‐operative relay approach for primary user (PU) transmission; (ii) optimal sensing interval estimation; and (iii) co‐operative energy efficient spectrum sensing and transmission. Initially, a batch of suitable secondary transmitters (STs) are identified as relay nodes for the PTs in the first phase. Next, in the second phase, a sensing interval that maximizes a utility function devised concerning average throughput, collision probability regarding secondary user (SU) and energy detector threshold is determined by applying the game theory model. Finally, co‐operative transmission is utilized in the third phase if the PR could not decode the signal from PT via STs. The presented framework is simulated using NS2, and its efficiency is estimated in terms of the parameters like transmission latency, packet loss, residual energy and possibilities of successful data delivery.
Advanced heart failure: guideline‐directed medical therapy, diuretics, inotropes, and palliative care
Authors: Tomasoni Daniela , Vishram‐Nielsen Julie K.K. , Pagnesi Matteo , Adamo Marianna , Lombardi Carlo Mario , Gustafsson Finn , Metra Marco
Published: March 2022

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality, hospitalizations, and reduced quality of life and a major burden for the healthcare system. The number of patients that progress to an advanced stage of HF is growing. Only a limited proportion of these patients can undergo heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support. The purpose of this review is to summarize medical management of patients with advanced HF. First, evidence‐based oral treatment must be implemented although it is often not tolerated. New therapeutic options may soon become possible for these patients. The second goal is to lessen the symptomatic burden through both decongestion and haemodynamic improvement. Some new treatments acting on cardiac function may fulfil both these needs. Inotropic agents acting through an increase in intracellular calcium have often increased risk of death. However, in the recent Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial, omecamtiv mecarbil was safe and effective in the reduction of the primary outcome of cardiovascular death or HF event compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.99; P = 0.03) and its effects were larger in those patients with more severe left ventricular dysfunction. Patients with severe HF who received omecamtiv mecarbil experienced a significant treatment benefit, whereas patients without severe HF did not (P = 0.005 for interaction). Lastly, clinicians should take care of the end of life with an appropriate multidisciplinary approach. Medical treatment of advanced HF therefore remains a major challenge and a wide open area for further research.
Subtle‐but‐smouldering myocardial injury after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment accompanied by amyloid deposits
Authors: Ida Mizuki , Nakamori Shiro , Yamamoto Shinya , Watanabe Seimi , Imanaka‐Yoshida Kyoko , Ishida Masaki , Sakuma Hajime , Yamanaka Keiichi , Dohi Kaoru
Published: March 2022

Although cardiac troponin is a highly specific biomarker for myocardial cell injury, it is important to recognize the pitfalls of this test in the diagnosis and management of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myocarditis. We describe the challenging case of an 81‐year‐old woman with persistently high troponin after undergoing immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab, and histological evidence of amyloid deposition in the myocardium. The patient received immunosuppressive treatments based on the magnitude of troponin changes because myocarditis was clinically suspected. However, histological examination revealed the deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils with only minimal T‐lymphocyte infiltration and no myocyte necrosis, suggesting transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis rather than ICI myocarditis. This case highlights the importance of assessing other causes of persistently high troponin, and the necessity of incorporating comprehensive histological and immunohistochemical examinations of the endomyocardial biopsy, especially when cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging is inconclusive.
Synthesis, Electrochemistry, Spectroelectrochemistry, and Electrochromism of Metallophthalocyanines Substituted with Four (2,4,5‐Trimethylphenyl)ethynyl Groups
Authors: Özcan Sevgi , Kobak Rabia Zeynep , Budak Özlem , Koca Atıf , Bayır Zehra Altuntaş
Published: March 2022

The synthesis of the novel phthalonitrile containing (2,4,5‐trimethylphenyl)ethynyl moieties was performed using the palladium‐catalyzed Sonogashira crosslinking methodology. Cobalt phthalocyanine was obtained with the cyclotetramerization reaction of this dinitrile derivative, while the synthesis of zinc and manganese phthalocyanines was reported by the Sonogashira coupling reaction of the appropriate iodo phthalocyanines. Voltammetric and electrochromic analyses were applied to determine the possible applications of these complexes in different electrochemical/display technologies. The rich redox responses of the complexes had a good influence on the spectroelectrochemical characters of them. Electrochromic measurements of the complexes indicated fast, and reversible color changes with reasonable optical contrasts.
The two pore potassium channel THIK‐1 regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Drinkall Samuel , Lawrence Catherine B. , Ossola Bernadino , Russell Samuel , Bender Clare , Brice Nicola B. , Dawson Lee A. , Harte Michael , Brough David
Published: March 2022

The NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome is a multi‐protein complex responsible for the activation of caspase‐1 and the subsequent cleavage and activation of the potent proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18, and pyroptotic cell death. NLRP3 is implicated as a driver of inflammation in a range of disorders including neurodegenerative diseases, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. A commonly reported mechanism contributing to NLRP3 inflammasome activation is potassium ion (K+) efflux across the plasma membrane. Identification of K+ channels involved in NLRP3 activation remains incomplete. Here, we investigated the role of the K+ channel THIK‐1 in NLRP3 activation. Both pharmacological inhibitors and cells from THIK‐1 knockout (KO) mice were used to assess THIK‐1 contribution to macrophage NLRP3 activation in vitro. Pharmacological inhibition of THIK‐1 inhibited caspase‐1 activation and IL‐1β release from mouse bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs), mixed glia, and microglia in response to NLRP3 agonists. Similarly, BMDMs and microglia from THIK‐1 KO mice had reduced NLRP3‐dependent IL‐1β release in response to P2X7 receptor activation with ATP. Overall, these data suggest that THIK‐1 is a regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to ATP and identify THIK‐1 as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory disease.
Lung ultrasound in premature infants as an early predictor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Radulova Petya , Vakrilova Liliya , Hitrova‐Nikolova Stanislava , Dimitrova Violeta
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a widely used technique in neonates to diagnose a lot of acute diseases. However, its role in the diagnosis of chronic lung conditions is still to be evaluated. We aimed to describe the changes in ultrasound images as well as the appearance of lung consolidations (LC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods

For a period of 2 years we prospectively examined 124 VLBW infants, divided into two main groups: below 28 gestational weeks with two subgroups—BPD (moderate and severe) and non‐BPD, and 28–32 gestational weeks with two subgroups—BPD (moderate and severe) and non‐BPD group. We performed weekly LUS until 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA). On the seventh postnatal day, we calculated the LUS score as a semiquantitative score that represents the aeration (0–3) in three different areas (upper anterior, lower anterior, lateral) of each lung.

Results

We performed around 750 LUS exams. The BPD groups had LUS scores above 8 on the seventh day, p < 0.001. The number of LC was higher in the BPD groups 14 (3–45) than in the mild or non‐BPD groups 2.5 (0–6), p < 0.001, and the difference was significant for the period between 1 week and 1 month after birth, p = 0.001. In the BPD group <28 weeks' PMA, LC appeared equally in the anterior, lateral, and posterior fields, while in the BPD group 28–32 weeks' PMA, LC are more typical for the anterior‐lateral fields.

Conclusion

Serial LUS exams and identification of LC could be early predictors of moderate and severe forms of BPD. LUS score >8 on the seventh postnatal day is an early predictor of severe BPD. LC in more lung fields are typical for the severe forms of the disease.
Behavior‐based medical diagnosis—Applying perspectives of behavioral science to clinical reasoning
Authors: Shikino Kiyoshi , Ohira Yoshiyuki , Sato Eri , Ikegami Akiko , Suzuki Shingo , Noda Kazutaka , Uehara Takanori , Ikusaka Masatomi
Published: March 2022

Behavioral science, the scientific study of human behavior and the elucidation of its laws, is also applied to medicine, and is included in pre‐graduate education.Understanding patient behaviors that correspond to behavior‐based medical diagnosis and interpreting the clinical information suggested by these patient behaviors can be useful in avoiding diagnostic errors in clinical practice.
Raman optical activity of the antibiotic vancomycin bound to its biological target
Authors: Aerts Roy , Herrebout Wouter , Johannessen Christian
Published: March 2022

The glycopeptide vancomycin has an antimicrobial effect by halting the synthesis of the bacterial cell‐wall by binding the D‐Ala‐D‐Ala peptide motif of the cell‐wall precursor Lipid II. This interaction has been extensively investigated using techniques such as XRD and NMR. Here, vancomycin complexed with Ala‐γGlu‐Lys‐D‐Ala‐D‐Ala (the pentapeptide part of Lipid II) is studied by means of Raman and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectroscopy. Where for conventional structural elucidation techniques, the direct study of a drug‐biological target complex is routine, it is not the case for the ROA technique. Through experimental recordings and DFT‐level spectral calculations of the complex, it was found that ROA specifically probes the conformation of vancomycin, even in the presence of the biological target. As such, it could be determined that no noticeable conformational changes are involved when binding Ala‐γGlu‐Lys‐D‐Ala‐D‐Ala. This work showcases the interest of directly examining interacting systems conformationally by means of ROA, potentially complementing and/or confirming findings from other studies, and eventually contributing to a more complete understanding of the structure–activity relationship of a drug compound.
Determination of pepsin by capillary electrophoresis using mixed polymer coated capillary with switchable properties toward protein adsorption/desorption
Authors: Li Mengqin , Wang Yuchen , He Kang , Wang Yanmei
Published: March 2022

In this work, a simple online preconcentration method for quantitative detection of pepsin was realized by using the binary mixed polymer brushes coated capillary with switchable properties toward protein adsorption. Firstly, the binary mixed polymer brushes were prepared by grafting poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) and poly(4‐vinylpyridine) onto the inner wall of the capillary through a polydopamine anchor. Then the coatings were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer and electroosmotic flow measurement. The results indicated that the composition of coating could be controlled by varying the feed ratio of poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) to poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and the inner surface charge could be tuned toward the change of pH and ionic strength. The results showed that when the poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline)/poly(4‐vinylpyridine) mass ratio was 80/20, the highest online preconcentration effect was obtained and the sensitivity enhancement factor was 6.3. Moreover, satisfactory sensitivity (limit of detection: 7.5 ng/mL) and good repeatability were obtained with the online preconcentration method. The polymer‐coated capillary was still stable for online preconcentration and detection of pepsin after 50 consecutive runs. Last, the proposed method was used successfully to online preconcentrate pepsin in the saliva matrix.
Memory retention of conditioned aversion training in New Zealand's alpine parrot, the kea
Authors: McLean Lydia R. W. , Nichols Margaret M. , Taylor Alex H. , Nelson Ximena J.
Published: March 2022

New Zealand pest control operations commonly deploy toxic sodium fluoroacetate (1080) baits to control introduced mammalian predators and protect vulnerable native fauna, yet the highly intelligent kea (Nestor notabilis) is at risk of mortality following ingestion of toxic baits intended for their protection. We tested the retention of conditioned aversion in 11 captive kea that had learned to avoid baits containing the bird repellent anthraquinone alongside color, olfactory, and taste cues. We revisited kea over increasing time intervals (3 days, 5 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 yr) offering them otherwise identical non‐repellent baits. Kea retained their aversion until the final session, 1 year after previous exposure to reinforcement, and almost 2 years since previous exposure to repellent. Whether the kea forgot their aversion or the repeated exposures to non‐repellent baits resulted in extinction of the aversion, our results indicate that kea are capable of remembering an aversion for long enough to be of practical use to conservation managers in reducing kea mortality through 1080 operations.
Bio‐Based Piezo‐ and Thermoresistive Photocurable Sensing Materials from Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil
Authors: Mendes‐Felipe Cristian , Costa Pedro , Roppolo Ignazio , Sangermano Marco , Lanceros‐Mendez Senentxu
Published: March 2022

Bio‐based photocurable polymers are increasingly in demand as environmentally friendly materials for advanced applications. Together with functional fillers, these represent a next step for the generation of functional and active smart materials, compatible with additive manufacturing technologies. Herein, acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) mixed with different amounts of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) up to 6 wt% in order to obtain UV‐curable piezoresistive and thermoresistive materials, is reported. It is shown that the addition of rGO to AESO hinders the curing process, but always maintains double bond conversions higher than 50%. Composites are characterized by a good dispersion of micrometric filler clusters. Further, the thermal stabilities are close to 300 °C and crosslinking degrees are above 1.75 mmol cm–3. The Young modulus of the composites decreases with the addition of the rGO fillers, in particular for the higher filler contents, and electrical conductivities up to 0.13 S m–1 are obtained for the composites with the highest rGO content. UV‐curable composites with piezoresistive and thermoresistive responses suitable for applications are thus obtained, characterized by gauge factors around 26 for deformations up to 2% and maximum thermoresistive sensitivity of S = 0.43, values similar to the values obtained for petroleum‐based materials.
Study of nonhomogeneous linear second‐order discrete dynamical systems with uncertainties: Solution and stability with applications
Authors: Cortés Juan‐Carlos , Navarro‐Quiles Ana , Sferle Sorina‐Madalina
Published: March 2022

We study, from a probabilistic standpoint, a full randomization of nonhomogeneous second‐order linear difference equations assuming that its data (initial conditions, coefficients, and forcing term) are random variables. Our analysis consists of computing the so‐called first probability density function of the solution, which is a stochastic process, and then analyzing the stability of the solution assuming that all data have an arbitrary joint probability density function. To achieve these goals, we take extensive advantage of the so‐called random variable transformation technique. The theoretical results extend their deterministic counterpart, and then, they have many applications in real‐world problems where uncertainty plays a key role. Our findings are first illustrated by means of several numerical examples, where different simulations are carried out, and, second, by means of a model belonging to biomathematics.
Preparation of hypercrosslinked polymers with cashew nut shell liquid for removal of volatile organic compounds
Authors: Liu Zixin , Liu Huan , Wang Yan , Yu Haoran , Wang Jianying
Published: March 2022

Hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) have aroused considerable attention due to their high chemical stability and potential applications in adsorption. A series of HCPs were prepared via one‐step solvent knitting method using the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) as bio‐based building block. Characterization of the prepared samples was performed by N2 adsorption, Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectra, solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy images. Depending on the N2 adsorption, the as‐prepared CNSL‐HCP4 exhibits the highest specific surface area of 93 m2·g−1 and displays a uniform pore‐size distribution. TGA results show that the decomposition temperature of the polymers exceeds 350°C. More significantly, the dynamic adsorption of high concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was investigated with CNSL‐HCP4 under dry and humid conditions. The results show that the maximum adsorption capacity of o‐xylene under dry conditions is 217 mg·g−1 and its corresponding adsorption amount (208 mg·g−1) decreases slightly under 30% relative humidity condition, indicating that CNSL‐HCP4 had a hydrophobic surface. A little decrease in adsorption capacity of o‐xylene on CNSL‐HCP4 after five recycles confirms the reusability of the CNSL‐HCPs. Therefore, CNSL‐HCP4 is considered to be a promising candidate for potential adsorbent in recycling the VOCs from the exhaust.
Ubiquitinomics: History, methods, and applications in basic research and drug discovery
Authors: Steger Martin , Karayel Özge , Demichev Vadim
Published: March 2022

The ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) was discovered about 40 years ago and is known to regulate a multitude of cellular processes including protein homeostasis. Ubiquitylated proteins are recognized by downstream effectors, resulting in alterations of protein abundance, activity, or localization. Not surprisingly, the ubiquitylation machinery is dysregulated in numerous diseases, including cancers and neurodegeneration. Mass spectrometry (MS)‐based proteomics has emerged as a transformative technology for characterizing protein ubiquitylation in an unbiased fashion. Here, we provide an overview of the different MS‐based approaches for studying protein ubiquitylation. We review various methods for enriching and quantifying ubiquitin modifications at the peptide or protein level, outline MS acquisition, and data processing approaches and discuss key challenges. Finally, we examine how MS‐based ubiquitinomics can aid both basic biology and drug discovery research.
Effect of external electric field on hexadiene homolog C6H6(SiF2)3
Authors: Chen Li‐jun , Huan Qi‐shan , Tang Shi‐yun , Wei De‐ju , Guo Jun‐jiang , Zhao Yu‐han , Tang An‐jiang
Published: March 2022

C6H6(SiF2)3 has a very unique spatial geometry shape, electronic structure, and hetero‐chain structure. The addition of external electric field makes C6H6(SiF2)3 become a strong candidate for the research and development of new functional materials. Based on quantum chemical calculation, we studied the influence of external electric field on C6H6(SiF2)3 and came to the conclusion that the addition of external electric field makes the molecular structure of C6H6(SiF2)3 occur obvious deformation. The essence of structural deformation is energy change and atomic force. But if the external electric field is removed, C6H6(SiF2)3 will return to its original configuration; that is, C6H6(SiF2)3 has obvious elastic characteristics. The existence of strong external electric field will lead to the charge polarization distribution of C6H6(SiF2)3. With the increase of external electric field intensity, C6H6(SiF2)3 shows color in the visible light range, and it can be controlled to show different color by changing the intensity of external electric field. In addition, applying external electric field to C6H6(SiF2)3 in invisible solvent benzene can save more electricity than that without solvent, and the absorption band in the visible light range is more significant. Therefore, invisible solvent can be added to enhance its color display under different external electric field intensity.
Mechano‐Nanoarchitectonics: Design and Function
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: March 2022

Mechanical stimuli have rather ambiguous and less‐specific features among various physical stimuli, but most materials exhibit a certain level of responses upon mechanical inputs. Unexplored sciences remain in mechanical responding systems as one of the frontiers of materials science. Nanoarchitectonics approaches for mechanically responding materials are discussed as mechano‐nanoarchitectonics in this review article. Recent approaches on molecular and materials systems with mechanical response capabilities are first exemplified with two viewpoints: i) mechanical control of supramolecular assemblies and materials and ii) mechanical control and evaluation of atom/molecular level structures. In the following sections, special attentions on interfacial environments for mechano‐nanoarchitectonics are emphasized. The section entitled iii) Mechanical Control of Molecular System at Dynamic Interface describes coupling of macroscopic mechanical forces and molecular‐level phenomena. Delicate mechanical forces can be applied to functional molecules embedded at the air–water interface where operation of molecular machines and tuning of molecular receptors upon macroscopic mechanical actions are discussed. Finally, the important role of the interfacial media are further extended to the control of living cells as described in the section entitled iv) Mechanical Control of Biosystems. Pioneering approaches on cell fate regulations at liquid–liquid interfaces are discussed in addition to well‐known mechanobiology.
Comparative evaluation of the sedative and physiological effects of medetomidine alone and in combination with pethidine, morphine, tramadol, and methadone in goats
Authors: Salarpour Maryam , Sakhaee Ehsanollah , Samimi Amir Saeed , Azari Omid
Published: March 2022

Background

The use of combinations of α2‐adrenergic agonists and opioids has been published as providing superior sedation than either drug alone.

Introduction

The present study aims to compare the sedative and physiological effects of intravenous (IV) administration of medetomidine alone and in combination with methadone, morphine, tramadol, and pethidine in goats.

Methods

Ten healthy goats aged 12 ± 3 months and weight of 22 ± 4 kg were used in an experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. The animals were assigned to five IV treatments with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments: medetomidine (20 μg kg−1), medetomidine/methadone (0.5 mg kg−1), medetomidine/morphine (0.5 mg kg−1), medetomidine/tramadol (5 mg kg−1), and medetomidine/pethidine (1 mg kg−1).

Results

Clinical adverse effects such as tremors (facial and generalized), bruxism, nystagmus, mydriasis, and vocalization were presented in all the medetomidine/opioid treatments. Clinical adverse effects were observed at 10–90 minutes in medetomidine/opioid treatments. Animals in all treatments were sedated at 5–90 minutes. Sedation was significantly higher in medetomidine/opioid treatments than in medetomidine at 15–30 minutes after administration (P < 0.05). In all treatments, heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decreased from baseline at 5–105 and 30–60 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in heart and respiratory rates between different treatments at any time point. Ruminal motility was decreased in medetomidine and medetomidine/opioid treatments at 10–75 and 10–105 minutes, respectively. Compared with medetomidine, ruminal motility was significantly lower in medetomidine/opioid treatments at 75–105 minutes.

Conclusion

The use of combinations of medetomidine/opioids would be considered for superior sedation at 15–30 minutes after administration in goats. No significant differences were detected among opioids in combination with medetomidine in goats.
Review and data mining of linguistic studies of English modal verbs
Authors: Yu Jianping , Fu Jilin , Bai Tana , Xu Xueping
Published: March 2022

Modal verbs express modality, and modality is concerned with the status of the proposition that describes an event, it also expresses the opinion and attitude of a speaker toward the proposition of an utterance. Since modalities are directly related to the objective world, subjective world, and language use, they have been a hot topic of philosophers, logicians and linguists. Philosophers concern with the relations between the objective world and the true/false values of the modality; logicians are interested in the relations among the possibility, necessity and the objective world; and linguists pay attention to the modality category, sense category, function, recognition, and application of modal verbs. In recent years, the linguistic studies of modal verbs have extended from general linguistic studies to computational linguistic studies. Since modal verbs are a complex semantic system and they are often indeterminate in senses, they have been a tough issue in linguistic studies and have attracted great attention. To clarify the status of the previous linguistic studies of modal verbs and reveal the characteristics of the studies will be of great significance for the further study. Therefore, this article will focus on the review of the previous linguistic studies of English modal verbs and the data mining of the characteristics of the previous studies, and based on the summary of the previous studies, give suggestions for the further study of the English modal verbs.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Text Mining

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
Major Historical Landmarks in Computer Science
Authors: Barachini Franz , Stary Christian
Published: March 2022

We present the most important landmarks in computation and computing which contributed to the current state of the art in computer science. They constitute a prerequisite for digital twins, and their upgrade to digital selves through socio-emotional intelligence.
Embodying Social Behavior
Authors: Barachini Franz , Stary Christian
Published: March 2022

Starting out with human behavior variability in the context of a sample case, we demonstrate positioning algorithmic twin execution utilizing the findings from Part II and thus embodying socio-emotional intelligence.
Mercury biomonitoring in German adults using volumetric absorptive microsampling
Authors: Koutsimpani-Wagner Anastasia , Quartucci Caroline , Rooney James P. K. , Bose-O’Reilly Stephan , Rakete Stefan
Published: March 2022

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant and a danger to human health. Human biomonitoring of Hg using a dried blood matrix instead of venous blood sampling for exposure assessment is of growing interest. This study aims to develop, validate, and evaluate the application of volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) for Hg biomonitoring in humans. Sampling, drying, and storage conditions were evaluated during method development. Storage in pre-cleaned glass vials after drying for 2 h in a desiccator ensured analyte stability for at least 4 weeks. Sixty-eight paired capillary VAMS and venous blood samples from volunteers in Munich, Germany, were used for method validation. Hg levels in VAMS and venous blood samples were determined by direct mercury analysis. The limits of detection and quantitation for VAMS were 0.18 and 0.61 µg/l, respectively. However, sensitivity could be improved by using two microsamples for analysis instead of one. Hg levels in VAMS samples correlated very well with Hg levels in venous blood samples (R2 = 0.958). Furthermore, VAMS showed a high accuracy (median recovery: 117%) and precision (median relative standard deviation: 8.7%), especially for Hg concentrations above 1.0 µg/l. In fact, accuracy and precision of VAMS improved with increasing Hg concentrations. In conclusion, VAMS in combination with direct mercury analysis is an accurate and viable alternative for human biomonitoring of Hg.

Graphical abstract
What can a midsized, semi-arid city teach us about human-made forests?
Authors: Rasmussen Shaundra Mae , Tinkham Wade Travis , McHale Melissa Renee
Published: March 2022

Research has shown that urban tree canopy (UTC) provides a multitude of ecosystem services to people in cities, yet the benefits and costs of trees are not always equitably distributed among residents and households. To support urban forest managers and sustainability planning, many studies have analyzed the relationships between UTC and various morphological and social variables. Most of these studies, however, focus on large cities like Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, and New York, NY. Yet, small and midsized cities are experiencing the most growth globally, often having more opportunity to alter management strategies and policies to conserve and/or increase canopy cover and other green infrastructure. Using both a linear and spatial regression approach, we analyzed the main drivers of UTC across census block groups in Fort Collins, CO, a midsize, semi-arid city projected to undergo significant population growth in the next 20-30 years. Results from Fort Collins indicated that block groups with older buildings and greater housing density contained more UTC, with 2.2% more canopy cover for every 10 years of building age and 4.1% more for every 10 houses per hectare. We also found that distributional inequities may already be developing within this midsized city, as block groups with more minority communities were associated with lower UTC. We compared the drivers of UTC in Fort Collins to other cities located in different climate regions, or biomes, and in various stages of urban development.  Based on these results, we suggested future urban forest management strategies for semi-arid cities like Fort Collins.
Historical links between climate and fire on species dispersion and trait evolution
Authors: Lamont Byron B.
Published: March 2022

The interaction effects between climate and fire regime in controlling the type of vegetation and species composition is well established among the Earth’s biomes. Climate and the associated fire regime are never stable for long, and annual temperatures, atmospheric carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, and burn probability have varied radically over the last 350 million years. At the scale of thousands of years, floras have oscillated between spreading and retracting as climate and the dependent fire regime have fluctuated. At the scale of millions of years, distinct traits have evolved along three lines: fire resistance, fire-stimulated dormancy release, and rapid postfire growth, all limited by the type of fire (as controlled by climate) and postfire weather. Eight pairings of fire- and postfire-related traits resulting from the interplay between fire and climate are noted here. Smoke-released seed dormancy is beneficial on two counts: it increases the chance of recruitment under the present fireprone climate and increases the chances of survival should the wet season shift to another time of year where temperatures are higher or lower. Four pathways can be recognized with respect to the fire regimes induced by climate changes: (1) from non-fireprone to fireprone habitats (gains fire-adapted trait, 13 studies covering the last 115 million years (My) described here); (2) from a surface fire to a crown fire-type habitat (gains a different fire-adapted trait, 13 studies); (3) from a crown fire-type to surface fire-type habitat (loss of fire-adapted trait, 12 studies); and (4) from moderately burnt (crown fire) to non-fireprone habitat, such as desert, rainforest, or alpine habitats (loss of fire-adapted trait, 6 studies). Four case studies, at decreasing taxonomic rank, are used to illustrate the intimate relationship between climate change with its associated vegetation and fire regime change as they promote adaptive trait evolution: gain then loss of heat-released seed dormancy in Dipterocarpaceae–Cistaceae–Bixaceae over 90 My, gain then loss of serotiny in Callitroid Cupressaceae over the last 65 My, gain then loss of smoke-released seed dormancy in Proteoid Proteaceae over the last 120 My, and gain then loss of resprouting and serotiny among Hakea species (Grevilleoid Proteaceae) over the last 20 My. Examples of within-species rates of migration and trait change, including a model describing increasing degree of serotiny with intensifying drought, are given. The relevance of this historical approach to current (anthropogenic) climate change and associated fire regime alteration is discussed. Despite major threats expected to species conservation status at both the macro-(biome) and micro-(population) scales, I conclude that insufficient time or opportunities remain for effective migration to less-stressed areas or suitable adaptive responses to climate/fire regime change to evolve.
Plant-Microbial Symbioses in Coastal Systems: Their Ecological Importance and Role in Coastal Restoration
Authors: Farrer Emily C. , Van Bael Sunshine A. , Clay Keith , Smith McKenzie K. H.
Published: March 2022

Coastal systems are immensely valuable to humans. They contain unique ecosystems that are biodiversity reservoirs and provide key ecosystem services as well as a wealth of cultural heritage. Despite their importance to humans, many coastal systems are experiencing degradation that threatens their integrity and provisioning of services. While much is known about the plant communities and associated wildlife in coastal areas, the importance of microorganisms represents a large knowledge gap. Here we review the ecology of plant-microbial symbioses in coastal systems, including mycorrhizae, nitrogen fixers, endophytes, rhizosphere microbes, and pathogens. We focus on four common coastal communities: sand dunes, marshes, mangroves, and forests/shrublands. We also assess recent research and the potential for using microbes in coastal restoration efforts to mitigate anthropogenic impacts. We find that microbial symbionts are largely responsible for the health of plants constituting the foundation of coastal communities by affecting plant establishment, growth, competitive ability, and stress tolerance, as well as modulating biogeochemical cycling in these stressful coastal systems. Current use of microbial symbionts to augment restoration of stressful and degraded coastal systems is still very much in its infancy; however, it holds great promise for increasing restoration success on the coast. Much research is still needed to test and develop microbial inocula for facilitating restoration of different coastal systems. This is an excellent opportunity for collaboration between restoration practitioners and microbial ecologists to work toward a common goal of enhancing resilience of our coastal ecosystems at a time when these systems are vulnerable to an increasing number of threats.