bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of bromelain isolation from honi pineapple crown
Authors: Susanti Siti , Rizqiati Heni , Lisandi Ivana F. , Nuryanto  , Arifan Fahmi
Published: October 2022

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that can be found in all parts of pineapple plant varieties. Pineapple crown (PC) has higher bromelain activity than other pineapple wastes such as peels and leaves. This study isolated bromelain from one variety of PC, namely Honi, and determined the optimum drying temperature as well as concentration of ammonium sulphate to obtain the best bromelain characteristics such as protein content, unit activity and specific activity. Honi PC was dried at various drying temperatures (35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 °C), and then extracted and purified using ammonium sulphate in various concentrations (20, 40, 60, and 80%), in order, to get bromelain. Furthermore, the yield of isolated bromelain was calculated and the protein content, unit activity and specific activity of bromelain characterised. The highest yield of crude bromelain (CB) was achieved at 35 °C. However, the highest protein level, unit activity and specific activity of CB were achieved at 55 °C (p < 0.05). Purification of CB using concentrations of ammonium sulphate in the range 40 to 80% resulted in a higher protein level (p < 0.05). The highest unit activity and specific activity of bromelain were achieved at a 60% concentration of ammonium sulphate (p < 0.05). 55 °C and 60% were the optimum drying temperature and concentration of ammonium sulphate respectively to achieve the best characteristics (2.16% protein level, 1.61 U/mL unit activity and 0.75 U/mg specific activity) for bromelain isolated from Honi PC. Honi PC isolated bromelain was shown to inhibit the browning reaction on apple fruits. The agroindustry waste product, Honi PC, has potential as a future alternative bromelain source.
3D-NAND flash memory based neuromorphic computing
Authors: Chen Yang-Yang , He Yu-Hui , Miao Xiang-Shui , Yang Dao-Hong ,   Post-doctoral Mobile Station, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China,   Post-doctoral Work Station, Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430205, China,   Hubei Yangtze Memory Laboratories, Wuhan 430205, China,   School of Integrated Circuit, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Published: October 2022

A neuromorphic chip is an emerging AI chip. The neuromorphic chip is based on non-Von Neumann architecture, and it simulates the structure and working principle of the human brain. Compared with non-Von Neumann architecture AI chips, the neuromorphic chips have significant improvement of efficiency and energy consumption advantages. The 3D-NAND flash memory has the merits of a mature process and ultra-high storage density, and recently it attracted many researchers’ attention. However, owing to the proprietary nature of the technology, there are few hardware implementations. This paper reviews the present research status of neuromorphic computing by using the 3D-NAND flash memory, introduces the forward propagation and backward propagation schemes, and proposes several improvements on the device, structure, and architecture of 3D NAND for neuromorphic computing.
Mechanism and characteristics of sound scattering modulation by underwater low frequency oscillating vortex flow field
Authors: Jing Chen-Xuan , Shi Sheng-Guo , Yang De-Sen , Zhang Jiang-Yi , Li Song ,   Acoustic Science and Technology Laboratory, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China,   Key Laboratory of Marine Information Acquisition and Security, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China,   College of Underwater Acoustic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Published: October 2022

The scattering of sound waves by underwater vortex flow filed is the basic problem of sound waves propagating in complex flow fields, which has important significance in implementing underwater target detection and sound imaging of flow field. The theoretical analysis model and numerical calculation method are established for the problem of sound scattering modulation in underwater low frequency oscillating vortex flow fields, and the generation mechanism and time frequency and space characteristics of the scattering modulation sound field are explored. Firstly, based on the wave equation of the moving medium, in the first-order approximation the wave equation is decomposed into the flow-sound coupling term and the non flow-sound coupling term by introducing a potential function, and the flow-sound coupling term is analyzed in the frequency domain, revealing the underwater oscillating vortex flow field. Secondly, the discontinuous Galerkin numerical calculation method is used to solve the wave equation of the moving medium, and the sound propagation process in the underwater low frequency oscillating vortex flow field is numerically simulated. Under the condition of low Mach number, the effects of incident sound frequency, the oscillation frequency of the vortex flow field, and the scale of the vortex core on the time-frequency and space characteristics of the scattering modulating sound fields of vortex flow field are analyzed, and theoretical analysis model is used to explain the characteristics. The research results show that under the condition of low Mach number, the scattering of sound wave by oscillating vortex flow field can produce a scattering modulated sound field containing the harmonic of oscillating frequency side frequency modulation. The amplitude of the scattered sound pressure changes periodically with time, and the forward scattering is much stronger than the backward scattering. The fundamental frequency scattering modulation is much stronger than the frequency doubling scattering modulation. With the increase of the frequency of the incident sound wave and the scale of the vortex core, the intensity of the scattering modulating sound field increases, and the spatial distribution of the total scattering sound field has symmetry and an obvious main lobe, the main lobe is gradually sharpened, the azimuth angle of the main lobe is close to the propagation direction of the incident wave. When the frequency ratio is much greater than 1, the vortex flow field oscillation frequency has little effect on the spatial distribution of the sound field intensity of scattering modulating sound field.
Spectroscopic, structural and thermal study of Y(OH)3microstructures synthesized by hydrothermal method: effect of the reaction time
Authors: Rodríguez de la Concha Azcárate Gabriela , Torres Gómez Nayely , Camacho-López Marco , Ruiz-Ruiz Victor Fabian , Hernandez-Guerrero Nadia , Vilchis-Nestor Alfredo Rafael
Published: October 2022

Rare earth hydroxides have a wide variety of applications due to their interesting optical and magnetic properties. Specifically, yttrium hydroxide Y(OH)3 is an essential compound of rare earth hydroxides that can be used in areas such as electronics and chemistry due to its optical and structural properties. In this work Y(OH)3 was synthesized under nine reaction times (2–24 h) using the hydrothermal method in order to analyze the morphology evolution process that the Y(OH)3 follow to obtain the expected bar morphology. Also, a characterization study of Y(OH)3 through several techniques such as x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, infrared, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry is presented. The obtained samples in every reaction time were compared on phase purity, particle size and shape, and spectroscopic and thermal properties. It was concluded that the reaction time has an important effect in obtaining yttrium hydroxide using the hydrothermal method. During the study, the optimal time to obtain only Y(OH)3 was evaluated, as well as the evolution of the morphology over time. At 12 hours, only Y(OH)3is obtained, therefore this time is proposed as the optimal time.
Clinical associations and genetic interactions of oncogenic BRAF alleles
Authors: Wagner Sebastian A.
Published: October 2022

BRAF is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that regulates the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, and mutations in the BRAF gene are considered oncogenic drivers in diverse types of cancer. Based on the signaling mechanism, oncogenic BRAF mutations can be assigned to three different classes: class 1 mutations constitutively activate the kinase domain and lead to RAS-independent signaling, class 2 mutations induce artificial dimerization of BRAF and RAS-independent signaling and class 3 mutations display reduced or abolished kinase function and require upstream signals.

Despite the importance of BRAF mutations in cancer, the clinical associations, genetic interactions and therapeutic implications of non-V600 BRAF mutations have not been explored comprehensively yet. In this study, the author analyzed publically available data from the AACR Project GENIE to further understand clinical associations and genetic interactions of oncogenic BRAF mutations. The analyses identified 93 recurrent BRAF mutations, out of which 50 could be assigned to a functional class based on literature review. The author could show that the frequency of BRAF mutations varies across cancer types and subtypes, and that the BRAF mutation classes are unequally distributed across cancer types and subtypes. Using permutation testing-based co-occurrence analyses, the author defined the genetic interactions of BRAF mutations in multiple cancer types and revealed unexplored genetic interactions that might define clinically relevant subgroups. With non-small cell lung cancer as example, the author further showed that the genetic interactions are BRAF mutation class-specific. The presented analyses explore the properties of oncogenic BRAF mutations and will help to further delineate the complex role of BRAF in cancer.
WRKY transcription factor family in lettuce plant (Lactuca sativa): Genome-wide characterization, chromosome location, phylogeny structures, and expression patterns
Authors: Du Ping , Wu Qinglian , Liu Yihua , Cao Xue , Yi Wenyi , Jiao Tikun , Hu Mengqi , Huang Ying
Published: October 2022

WRKY transcription factors (TF) have been identified in many plant species and play critical roles in multiple stages of growth and development and under various stress conditions. As one of the most popular vegetable crops, asparagus lettuce has important medicinal and nutritional value. However, study of WRKY TFs family in asparagus lettuce is limited. With the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) genome publication, we identified 76 WRKY TFs and analyzed structural characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal distribution, interaction network, and expression profiles. The 76 LsWRKY TFs were phylogenetically classified as Groups I, II (IIa-IIe), and III. Cis element analysis revealed complex regulatory relationships of LsWRKY genes in response to different biological progresses. Interaction network analysis indicated that LsWRKY TFs could interact with other proteins, such as SIB (sigma factor binding protein), WRKY TFs, and MPK. The WRKYIII subfamily genes showed different expression patterns during the progress of asparagus lettuce stem enlargement. According to qRT-PCR analysis, abiotic stresses (drought, salt, low temperature, and high temperature) and phytohormone treatment could induce specific LsWRKYIII gene expression. These results will provide systematic and comprehensive information on LsWRKY TFs and lay the foundation for further clarification of the regulatory mechanism of LsWRKY, especially LsWRKYIII TFs, involved in stress response and the progress of plant growth and development.
A retrospective study of prevalence and pattern of international consensus on ANA patterns among patients with hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Hsiao Shun-Wen , Fan Chuan-San , Yen Hsu-Heng , Huang Siou-Ping , Chen Yang-Yuan , Su Pei-Yuan
Published: October 2022

Background

A previous study reported a 30% prevalence of various autoantibodies among patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The International Consensus on Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Patterns was recently introduced to classify ANA patterns based on immunoassay on HEp-2 cells. There is no previous report with this newly developed classification to evaluate patients with HCV infection. The study aims to study the prevalence and pattern of ANA patterns among HCV-infected patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with HCV infection from September 2020 to June 2021 at our institution. A positive ANA is defined as a titer of more than 1:320. We compared patient features among the positive and negative groups.

Results

Overall, 258 patients were enrolled—184 patients with negative ANA and 74 patients (28.7%) with positive ANA. The mean age was 67.3 in ANA positive group and 61.2 ANA negative group. Female was prominent with ANA positive and accounted for 63.5%. The most detected ANA pattern was AC-1(homogeneous) (25.9%), followed by AC-4(fine speckled) (25.2%) and AC-21(anti-mitochondrial antibody) (9.6%). In ANA positive group, we found a trend of lower HCV viral load (5.72 log10 IU/ML vs. 6.02 log10 IU/ML), lower alanine aminotransferase level (39.5 U/L vs. 44 U/L), and higher advanced fibrosis (F3 and F4) (38.5% vs. 26.1%). In addition, higher positive ANA (more than 1:640) is significantly associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (77.76 vs. 87.94 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.044).

Conclusions

A high prevalence (28.7%) of ANA was found in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The presence of positive ANA is not related to the severity of their hepatic manifestation. However, higher positive ANA was significantly associated with lower eGFR.
Comparison of Offloading Dressing with Conventional Dressing in Healing of Plantar Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Modi Shraddha , Aroul T Tirou
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The first ever description of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs), made in the literature was in the mid-19th century. The management principles for it were laid by late 19th century and are still being followed. For a chronic DFU to heal, offloading of pressure, surgical debridement, correction of hyperglycaemia, the use of antibiotics are the corner stone of management. Offloading is an essential modality of prevention and treatment of recurrent plantar DFU. Aim: To compare offloading dressing to conventional dressing in promoting healing of diabetic plantar ulcers. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical trial was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry between January 2019 to June 2020 among the patients with DFU coming to the Department of General Surgery. A total of 44 patients were included in the study, 22 of these patients underwent offloading dressing and 22 underwent conventional dressing and these patients were followed-up for a duration of 6 weeks and compared on 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks. The patients were compared according to age, gender, duration of diabetes, glycaemic control, risk factors, previous surgery such as wound debridement or previous toe amputation, vascular assessment and site of ulcer, reduction in size of ulcer. The ulcers in both the groups were classified according to the Wagener’s grading of ulcer classification. All data collected was entered into Microsoft Excel 2016 and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 (IBM SPSS, US) software. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Among 44 patients, there was equal number of males and females in both the groups, with the total mean age 53.97±10.10 years. The majority of the study population belonged to the 5th decade (51-60 years), where the youngest patient was of 29 years and oldest was of 72 years. There were 22 patients in offloading group and 24 patients in conventional dressing group as one patient had bilateral plantar ulcers and one patient had two separate ulcers on the plantar aspect of the foot. Total of 45.45% in conventional group and 31.82% of the study population in offloading group had diabetes for 5-10 years of duration. Bad glycaemic control was seen in 40.90% of offloading population and 50% in conventional population. The size reduction percentage of ulcers on comparing both the groups was found to be significant for 2nd week review (p-value=0.03) and was nearly significant for the 6th week review (p-value=0.05). Conclusion: Summarising the above conducted study, offloading dressing was found to be a more efficacious alternative to the conventional dressing as there was greater difference observed in the reduction of the size of ulcer and the patients in the conventional group needed more number of dressings and the duration of healing in the two groups.
Predictability of STOP-Bang Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale in Identifying Obstructive Sleep Apnoea against Polysomnography: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ranjan Ashish , Khangarot Suman , Sharma Amit Kumar , Meena Atal Bihari , Meena Varsha Raj , Jain Dipanshu , Aishwarya AP , Sharma Gunjan
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Rising morbidty resulting from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is an emerging public health concern. The estimated prevalence of OSA in India has been investigated. STOP-Bang and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) have proven beneficial in identifying sleep breathing disorder. Validity of these questionnaire has been verified against polysomnography in many studies. Aim: To assess the predictive ability of STOP-Bang questionnaire and ESS in identifying OSA and comparing their efficacy with polysomnography. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India, from January 2020 to June 2021, among 100 patients with symptoms of OSA. The STOP-Bang questionnaires were administered to the patients, and scoring was done, followed by overnight attended polysomnography. The normality of data was tested by Shapiro Wilk’s test. The values obtained were statistically analysed and to compare the parameters between groups and with in groups for normal data parametric test One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test, for intragroup Paired t-test. Results: Mean age of the study population was 49.46±6.523 years, 79 were males and 21 females. Total, 79% of the subjects were males, and 21% of the study subjects were females. Among the 100, 65% had OSA as per polysomnography. STOP-Bang questionnaire had a higher sensitivity as compared to ESS in predicting OSA (75.38% for STOP-Bang and 72.31% for ESS). Conversely, the specificity of ESS (82.8%) was found to be greater than STOP-Bang (45.71%). Similar results were obtained for positive predictive value, in which ESS scored 88.6% while STOP-Bang scored 50%. For negative predictive values, ESS again scored higher (65%) than STOP-Bang (61.7%). Similarly, the Likelihood Ratio for a positive result (LR+) of ESS was greater than STOP-Bang (4.2 and 1.3 respectively). The STOP-Bang questionnaire, however, had higher Likelihood Ratio for a negative test (LR-) as compared to ESS (0.5 and 0.3 respectively). Conclusion: Polysomnography is the gold standard to diagnose OSA. For screening OSA, patients with symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, this study found that STOP-Bang questionnaire is better in identifying OSA as compared to ESS.
ОХОТА НА ДИОКСИД УГЛЕРОДА В ДЫМОВЫХ ГАЗАХ, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: Майборода А.О.
Published: October 2022

Дымовые газы тепловых электростанций, прежде всего угольных, – главные загрязнители атмосферы. Как экономично и эффективно удалять диоксид углерода (СО) из дымовых газов – вот в чём вопрос. Концентрация СО достаточно низкая в дымовых выбросах тепловых двигателей, и её сепарация обходится очень дорого. Если удастся понизить затраты на её извлечение, то такая технология также решит задачу, поставленную Илоном Маском на конкурсе XPRIZE Carbon Remova, – извлекать углекислый газ непосредственно из атмосферы. Это возможно в том случае, когда модернизированные электростанции будут потреблять не ископаемое, а биотопливо. Углерод, изъятый растениями из атмосферы, при сжигании на тепловых электростанциях, после изъятия из дымовых газов подвергается захоронению и не возвращается в атмосферу.
ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСКОЕ ИЗМЕРЕНИЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ И СОЦИАЛЬНЫХ ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЙ: ОТ ЧЕЛОВЕКА ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО К ЧЕЛОВЕКУ КУЛЬТУРНОМУ, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: Бодрунов С.Д.
Published: October 2022

В статье на основе анализа глубоких технологических и социальных трансформаций последних десятилетий делается вывод, что их основой является процесс рождения качественно новой социальной реальности – ноономики. Это общество, технологическим базисом которого является знаниеёмкое безлюдное производство, развитие осуществляется в постэкономическом социальном пространстве, где формируются и реализуются новые качества человека как человека культурного, преодолевающего узкий горизонт потребностей ценностей и мотивов человека экономического. Продвижение к этому обществу является объективной закономерностью, диктуемой технологическим прогрессом; оно осуществляется по мере развития отношений солидарности, диффузии собственности и социализации. Автор творчески использует разработки широкого спектра учёных, развивающих идеи эко-социо-гуманистической ориентации общественного развития, а также теоретиков, изучающих глобальные проблемы, и критически анализирует ряд положений теории ноосферы Владимира Вернадского.
Incidence, Infestation and Role of Weather Factors in Regulating the Population of Flea Beetle (Altica hemensis) on Soybean under Temperate Conditions
Authors: Farooq Zuhaib , Mantoo Mohd. Ayoob , Yaqoob Munazah , Bhat Tauseef Ahmad , Ayoub Liyaqat , Irshad Sheikh Salma , Wani Fehim Jeelani , Shah Ishfaq Majeed , Sheikh Showkat Ahmad
Published: October 2022

Pulses have a strong history of nourishing human beings for centuries together. Soybean (G. max) being an important pulse crop, became vulnerable to a number of insect pests, viz., flea beetle (A. hemensis), pod borer (H. armigera), etc. Since in Kashmir through its intensive cultivation the acreage and production of the crop steadily increased, it is imperative to study the population buildup of the major insect-pests attacking soybean. The incidence of flea beetle, Altica hemensis commenced from 27th Standard meteorological week (SMW) with an average population level of 0.48 beetles per three leaves per plant reached its peak level of 1.75 beetles in 32nd SMW and then decreased and reached 0.24 beetles in 40th SMW. The percentage of flea beetle, A. hemensis infestation ranged from 8-40%, with highest infestation recorded in 33rd and 34th SMW respectively. The incidence of flea beetle revealed positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.45), minimum temperature (r = 0.87), morning relative humidity (r = 0.39), evening relative humidity (r = 0.68) and negative correlation with rainfall (r = - 0.41) and sunshine hours (r = - 0.19). The regression analysis revealed that 88 per cent of flea beetle, A. hemensis population was influenced by weather parameters.
The Contribution of Farm Woodlots to Household Income Diversification in Kashmir Himalayas
Authors: Arjumand Tahera , Islam M. A. , Khan P. A. , Wani A. A. , Gatoo A. A. , Murtaza Shah , Maqbool Showkat
Published: October 2022

The study investigated the household forest resource extraction and income diversification of farm woodlot land-use system in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. The study administered multi-stage random sampling technique to withdraw the sample of 163 woodlot owners from the 12 sample villages. Secondary data were collected from all the possible sources and primary data were collected through structured interviews, non-participant observations, woodlot inventories and rapid market assessment. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics including frequency, mean, percentage, range and standard deviation. The study documented four types of woodlots commonly established by the smallholder farmers and the growing stock of farm woodlots recorded were; Poplar (17.59 m3), Salix (21.30 m3), Robinia (20.92 m3) and Mixed (18.23 m3). The woodlot resources generated annual income of ₹71391.81/household (subsistence= 68.81%, cash= 31.19%); of which timber contributed the maximum share (56.99%) followed by fuel wood (16.26%), wicker (14.15%) and charcoal (12.60%). The average gross annual income was ₹138756.78/household which is differentiated as agriculture (20.12%), business (18.02%), woodlots (16.05%), livestock (13.24%), horticulture (10.26%), service (6.94%) and wage labour (4.03%). Nonetheless, the farm woodlot resources are the 3rd major contributor of household economy. Woodlot farming play a significant role in livelihood security by the production of forest resources for subsistence consumption, cash income, safety-nets and employments. The study confirmed that the farm woodlots are the key option for socioeconomic development, poverty reduction and livelihood security; hence, policy must be directed towards the income diversification through sustainable production, extraction and commercialization of the woodlot resources.
Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on the Growth and Yield of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv)
Authors: Shivashakarappa Kuber , Gunnaiah Raghavendra , Ajjappala Brijesh S. , Kadi Ajay , Vuppula Abhilash
Published: October 2022

The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a sustainable way for efficient absorption and utilization of nutrients by crop species to enhance growth and yield and persistence against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the use of PGPRs in drought tolerant crops such as foxtail millet is limited because of the low adaptability of PGPRs to the low moisture conditions. In this study, PGPRs acclimatised to low moisture conditions, were isolated from the rhizosphere of sorghum and their growth and yield promoting effect on foxtail millet was studied. Four isolates, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Pantoea Stewart were isolated from the rhizosphere of sorghum cultivated on black soils. Further their identity was confirmed by sequencing 16S rDNA.

Foxtail millet seeds were inoculated with the newly isolated PGPR strains and evaluated for their effect on shoot and root growth under greenhouse conditions. Effect of PGPRs on yield related traits such as ear-head weight, grain weight, fodder weight, and ear-head length were assessed under field conditions. Newly isolated PGPRs boosted average root and shoot length when seeds were inoculated with Bacillus cereus (19.33 cm) and Pseudomonas putida (28.66 cm), respectively. On the other hand, among the four bacterial cultures, Bacillus subtilis enhanced grain weight (40.42%), ear-head weight (30.19%), fodder weight (49.72%) and ear-head length (42.56%) compared to the control group under field conditions. When considered collectively, the empirical evidence suggests that PGPR can improve crop growth and yield under greenhouse and field conditions.
Evaluation of Cardiovascular Effects of Carvacrol in a D-(+)-Galactose-Induced aging Model
Authors: Dantas Sabine Helena , Almeida Arthur José Pontes de , Gonçalves Tays Amanda Felisberto , Araújo Islania Gisélia Albuquerque , Rezende Mathania Silva de Almeida , Veras Robson Cavalcante , Silva Antônia Lêda , Medeiros Isac Almeida de
Published: October 2022

Aim: To evaluate the cardiovascular effect of carvacrol treatment in a D(+)galactose accelerated aging model, investigating effects on vascular reactivity, oxidative stress, and systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Methodology: Eight-week-old male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used for oral treatment for eight weeks. Organ baths were used for vascular reactivity studies (FEN, ACh, and NPS), fluorescence microscopy to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS, using DHE probe), and Tail-Cuff for systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements. Non-linear regression was used to create the concentration-response curves. Emax denotes the tissue's maximum response.

Results: The aged rats showed a significant increase in fluorescence intensity by the DHE probe compared to the CTL group (CTL=100 ± 3.6%, n=5 and Dgal=167.7 ± 7.9%, n=5, respectively). However, the levels of ROS in the carvacrol-treated groups were significantly attenuated in the Dgal+C50 (138.8 ± 4.5%, n=5) and Dgal+C100 (130.0 ± 5.5%, n=5) groups. The animals of the Dgal group presented hypertension through the significant increase in SBP compared to the CTL group (CTL=135.9 ± 3.9 mmHg, n=6, Dgal=170.9 ± 2.0 mmHg, n=9, respectively). The increased SBP of Dgal rats could be reversed by treatment with carvacrol (Dgal+C50=137.9 ± 2.7 mmHg, n=5, and Dgal+C100=124.6 ± 8.2 mmHg, n=5, respectively. On the other hand, carvacrol was unable to restore the ACh-induced vasorelaxation effect found in CTL (Emax=100.0 ± 3.9%), Dgal (Emax=84.9 ± 4.4%), Dgal+C50 (Emax=84.9 ± 4.4%) and Dgal+C100 (Emax=82.1 ± 6.2 %).

Conclusion: Carvacrol shows protective antioxidant effects capable of reducing SBP in aged animals, being an important tool in promoting healthy aging.
A Study of Interlinkages among Exchange Rate and Stock Price for India
Authors: Sanwal Kirti , Ismail Saba
Published: October 2022

This paper is an attempt to examine the empirical relation between exchange rate and Indian stock price using the monthly time series data over the period 2011-2021. Johansen’s cointegration test has been applied to test the long run relationship between exchange rate and stock price. Both the trace and Maximum Eigenvalue test statistic are less than the 0.05 critical values. Thus, the null hypothesis of no cointegration is accepted and no long run stable equilibrium relation was found to exist between exchange rate and stock price. The analysis further reveals the prevalence of unidirectional causal relationship from stock price to exchange rate by employing the Granger causality test. Thus, the study is found to support the Stock oriented model. So, regulators can predict the trends in exchange rate from the past values of stock prices which can induce profitable trading in the currency market. This study would be of immense importance for various stakeholders like investors, practitioners and policy makers to reduce the information symmetry owing to the volatile nature of the two variables.
Dynamic Epitaxial Growth of Organic Heterostructures for Polarized Exciton Conversion
Authors: Wu Bin , Fan Jian‐Zhong , Han Jing‐Yu , Su Yang , Zhuo Ming‐Peng , Sun Ji‐Hao , Gao Yang , Chen Song , Wu Jun‐Jie , Wang Zuo‐Shan , Wang Xue‐Dong
Published: October 2022

Highly spatial and angular precision in epitaxial‐growth process is crucial for constructing organic low‐dimensional heterostructures (OLDHs) with the desired substructures, which remains significant challenge owing to the unpredicted location of complex heterogeneous nucleation. Herein, a dynamic epitaxial‐growth approach is developed along the tailored longitudinal/horizontal directions to create diverse OLDHs with hierarchical architectures. The controlled morphology evolution of seed crystals from kinetic to thermodynamic species is achieved via incrementally increasing the crystallization time from 0 to 600 s. Accordingly, the kinetic and thermodynamic seed crystals respectively present the specific lattice‐matching crystal‐planes of (100) and (011), which facilitates the longitudinal epitaxial‐growth (LG) process for triblock heterostructures, and the horizontal epitaxial‐growth (HG) process for axial‐branch heterostructures. The dominant core/shell heterostructures are prepared via both LG and HG processes with a crystallization time of ≈30 s. Significantly, these prepared OLDHs realize the rationally polarized exciton conversion for optical logic gate application through the exciton conversion and photon propagation at the heterojunction. This strategy provides an avenue for the precise synthesis of OLDHs with anisotropy optical characters for integrated optoelectronics.
Skyrmions Under Control—FIB Irradiation as a Versatile Tool for Skyrmion Circuits
Authors: Ahrens Valentin , Kiesselbach Clara , Gnoli Luca , Giuliano Domenico , Mendisch Simon , Kiechle Martina , Riente Fabrizio , Becherer Markus
Published: October 2022

Magnetic data storage and processing offer certain advances over conventional technologies, amongst which nonvolatility and low power operation are the most outstanding ones. Skyrmions are a promising candidate as a magnetic data carrier. However, the sputtering of skyrmion films and the control of the skyrmion nucleation, motion, and annihilation remains challenging. This work demonstrates that using optimized focused ion beam irradiation and annealing protocols enables the skyrmion phase in W/CoFeB/MgO thin films to be accessed easily. By analyzing ion‐beam‐engineered skyrmion hosting wires, excited by sub‐100 ns current pulses, possibilities to control skyrmion nucleation, guide their motion, and control their annihilation unfold. Overall, the key elements needed to develop extensive skyrmion networks are presented.
A Polarization‐Modulated Information Metasurface for Encryption Wireless Communications
Authors: Wang Hai Lin , Ma Hui Feng , Cui Tie Jun
Published: October 2022

Programmable and information metasurfaces have shown great potentials in wireless communications, but there are few reports on encrypted communications. In this paper, a programmable polarization‐modulated (PoM) information metasurface is proposed, which can not only customize arbitrarily linearly polarized reflected waves, but also modulate their amplitudes in real time. Based on this feature, a physical‐level wireless communication encryption scheme is presented and experimentally demonstrated by introducing a meta‐key, which can be encrypted and sent by the programmable PoM information metasurface. To be specific, the key is encoded and concealed into different linear polarization channels, and then modulated and transmitted by the information metasurface at the transmitting end. At the receiving end, the modulated signal can be received and decoded by using a pair of polarization discrimination antennas. A wireless transceiver system is established to verify the feasibility of the scheme. It is shown that, once the meta‐key is obtained, the corresponding encrypted target information that has been sent to the user in advance can be recovered.
All‐Electric Spin Device Operation Using the Weyl Semimetal, WTe2, at Room Temperature
Authors: Ohnishi Kosuke , Aoki Motomi , Ohshima Ryo , Shigematsu Ei , Ando Yuichiro , Takenobu Taishi , Shiraishi Masashi
Published: October 2022

Topological quantum materials (TQMs) possess abundant and attractive spin physics, and a Weyl semimetal is the representative material because of the generation of spin polarization that is available for spin devices due to its Weyl nature. Meanwhile, a Weyl semimetal allows the other but unexplored spin polarization due to local symmetry breaking. Here, all‐electric spin device operation using a type‐II Weyl semimetal, WTe2, at room temperature is reported. The polarization of spins propagating in the all‐electric device is perpendicular to the WTe2 plane, which is ascribed to local in‐plane symmetry breaking in WTe2, yielding the spin polarization creation of propagating charged carriers, namely, the spin‐polarized state creation from the nonpolarized state. Systematic control experiments unequivocally negate unexpected artifacts, such as the anomalous Hall effect, the anisotropic magnetoresistance, etc. Creation of all‐electric spin devices made of TQMs and their operation at room temperature can pave a new pathway for novel spin devices made of TQMs resilient to thermal fluctuation.
The restoration potential of offshore mussel farming on degraded seabed habitat
Authors: Bridger Danielle , Attrill Martin J. , Davies Bede F. R. , Holmes Luke A. , Cartwright Amy , Rees Siân E. , Cabre Llucia Mascorda , Sheehan Emma V.
Published: October 2022

The United Kingdom's first large‐scale, offshore, long‐line mussel farm deployed its first ropes in 2013 in Lyme Bay, southwest United Kingdom, located in an area of seabed that was heavily degraded due to historic bottom‐towed fishing. It was hypothesised that due to the artificial structures that accumulate mussels and exclude destructive fishing practices, the seabed could be restored. To assess the restoration potential of the farm and its ecosystem interactions over time, a multi‐method, annual monitoring approach was undertaken. Here, we tested the effects of the farm trial stations on the seabed habitat, epifauna and demersal species over 5 years. Responses of % mussel cover, sessile and sedentary, and mobile taxa were measured using three video methods. Within 2 years of infrastructure deployment, mussel clumps and shells were detected below the headlines, increasing the structural complexity of the seabed. After 4 years, there was a significantly greater abundance of mobile taxa compared to the Controls that remained open to trawling. Commercial European lobster and edible crab were almost exclusively recorded within the farm. We discuss whether these findings can be considered a restoration of the seabed and how these data can be used to inform the future management of offshore mariculture globally.
Generalized n‐Locality Inequalities in Linear‐Chain Network for Arbitrary Inputs Scenario and Their Quantum Violations
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Pan A. K.
Published: October 2022

Multipartite nonlocality in a network is conceptually different from standard multipartite Bell nonlocality. In recent times, network nonlocality has been studied for various topologies. A linear‐chain topology of the network is considered and the quantum nonlocality (the non‐n‐locality) is demonstrated. Such a network scenario involves n number of independent sources and parties, two edge parties (Alice and Charlie), and central parties (Bobs). It is commonly assumed that each party receives only two inputs. In this work, a generalized scenario where the edge parties receive an arbitrary n number of inputs (equals to a number of independent sources) is considered and each of the central parties receives two inputs. A family of generalized n‐locality inequalities for a linear‐chain network for arbitrary n is derived and the optimal quantum violation of the inequalities is demonstrated. An elegant sum‐of‐squares approach enabling the derivation of the optimal quantum violation of aforesaid inequalities without assuming the dimension of the system is introduced. It is shown that the optimal quantum violation requires the observables of edge parties to be mutually anticommuting.
3,4‐Bis(hydroxymethyl)hexane‐1,6‐diol‐based Maltosides (HDMs) for Membrane‐Protein Study: Importance of Detergent Rigidity–Flexibility Balance in Protein Stability
Authors: Lee Hyun Sung , Das Manabendra , Mahler Florian , Ahmed Waqar , Wang Haoqing , Mortensen Jonas S. , Hariharan Parameswaran , Ghani Lubna , Byrne Bernadette , Guan Lan , Loland Claus J. , Keller Sandro , Chae Pil Seok
Published: October 2022

Detergents have been major contributors to membrane‐protein structural study for decades. However, membrane proteins solubilized in conventional detergents tend to aggregate or denature over time. Stability of large eukaryotic membrane proteins with complex structures tends to be particularly poor, necessitating development of novel detergents with improved properties. Here, we prepared a novel class of detergents, designated 3,4‐bis(hydroxymethyl)hexane‐1,6‐diol‐based maltosides (HDMs). When tested on three membrane proteins, including two G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), the new detergents displayed significantly better behaviors compared with DDM. Moreover, the HDMs were superior or comparable to LMNG, an amphiphile widely used for GPCR structural study. An optimal balance of detergent rigidity vs. flexibility of the HDMs is likely responsible for their favorable behaviors toward membrane‐protein stability. Thus, the current study not only introduces the HDMs, with significant potential for membrane‐protein structural study, but also suggests a useful guideline for designing novel detergents for membrane‐protein research.
The journey toward the integrated reporting of Italian airport operators: Empirical evidence
Authors: Thomas Antonio , Scandurra Giuseppe
Published: October 2022

The increased managerial complexity that emerged in the last decades has also determined the need to quantitatively and qualitatively improve companies' disclosures, especially in relation to how financial or non‐financial performances are achieved. According to the majority of business administrators and accounting scholars, the reporting tool that currently fulfils the aforementioned purposes lies in implementing the so‐called integrated report (). In this view, this research aims at understanding if and how the Italian airport operators are approaching the drafting of an . The airport operators' sector is particularly significant because of the relevant social and environmental impact it exerts on the external context. For this reason, it is important to understand how they try to satisfy the stakeholders' requests. Thus, following the format already tested in other similar investigations, this study carries out an analysis of social or sustainability reports published by these companies to determine which of the key elements of the first internationally recognized  are already included in such reports. The findings show that reporting scores range from 40 to 70%. As expected, the current reporting lacks the key connections required from the  and shows a little looking‐forward orientation. Nevertheless, these reports already contain some typical elements of , such as materiality analysis and stakeholders' engagements, which could constitute the pillars to evolve these reports into a real .
Oscillating Flow of Power‐Law Fluids over a Sphere: Drag and Nusselt Number Behavior
Authors: Mishra Garima , Chhabra Rajendra Prasad
Published: October 2022

The forced convection flow and heat transfer aspects of an isothermal sphere in an oscillating stream of power‐law fluids in the range of 5 ≤ Re ≤ 120 and 0.3 ≤ n ≤ 1.5 are numerically investigated. The effects of shear‐dependent viscosity and oscillatory flow features on the temporal variation of streamlines, patterns of streaming flows, drag coefficient, and Nusselt number are examined in depth. The power‐law index modulates the transition of the steady streaming flows between two distinct streaming regimes. Overall, shear‐thinning fluids at low oscillation frequencies are observed to yield significant increase in heat transfer. Due to the phase lag in the momentum boundary layer, the drag coefficient exhibits a phase lag ranging from π/2 to 4π/5 whereas the Nusselt number lags by about 50 % of these values.
Evaluating antitumor activity of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase against head and neck patient‐derived xenografts
Authors: Rab Regina , Ehrhardt Annette , Achyut Bhagelu R. , Joshi Disha , Gilbert‐Ross Melissa , Huang Chunzi , Floyd Katharine , Borovjagin Anton V. , Parker William B. , Sorscher Eric J. , Hong Jeong S.
Published: October 2022

Background

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) gene transfer represents a promising approach to treatment of head and neck malignancies. We tested recombinant adenovirus already in phase I/II clinical testing and leading‐edge patient‐derived xenografts (PDX) as a means to optimize this therapeutic strategy.

Methods

Our experiments investigated purine base cytotoxicity, PNP enzyme activity following treatment of malignant tissue, tumor mass regression, viral receptor studies, and transduction by tropism‐modified adenovirus.

Results

Replication deficient vector efficiently transduced PDX cells and mediated significant anticancer effect following treatment with fludarabine phosphate in vivo. Either 6‐methylpurine or 2‐fluoroadenine (toxic molecules generated by the PNP approach) ablated head and neck cancer cell proliferation. High levels of adenovirus‐3 specific receptors were detected in human tumor models, and vector was evaluated that utilizes this pathway.

Conclusions

Our studies provide the scientific foundation necessary to improve PNP prodrug cleavage and advance a new treatment for head and neck cancer.
Regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 gene and its association with malignancy
Authors: Hassani Mohammad Arian , Murid Jamshid , Yan Jinsong
Published: October 2022

Background

With the progression of next‐generation sequencing technologies, researchers have identified numerous variants of the regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1) gene that are associated with a broad spectrum of phenotypic manifestations, including malignancies. At the molecular level, RTEL1 is involved in the regulation of the repair, replication, and transcription of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the maintenance of telomere length. RTEL1 can act both as a promotor and inhibitor of tumorigenesis. Here, we review the potential mechanisms implicated in the malignant transformation of tissues under conditions of RTEL1 deficiency or its aberrant overexpression.

Recent findings

A major hemostatic challenge during RTEL1 dysfunction could arise from its unbalanced activity for unwinding guanine‐rich quadruplex DNA (G4‐DNA) structures. In contrast, RTEL1 deficiency leads to alterations in telomeric and genome‐wide DNA maintenance mechanisms, ribonucleoprotein metabolism, and the creation of an inflammatory and immune‐deficient microenvironment, all promoting malignancy. Additionally, we hypothesize that functionally similar molecules could act to compensate for the deteriorated functions of RTEL1, thereby facilitating the survival of malignant cells. On the contrary, RTEL1 over‐expression was directed toward G4‐unwinding, by promoting replication fork progression and maintaining intact telomeres, may facilitate malignant transformation and proliferation of various pre‐malignant cellular compartments.

Conclusions

Therefore, restoring the equilibrium of RTEL1 functions could serve as a therapeutic approach for preventing and treating malignancies.
Contribution of Real‐World Evidence in European Medicines Agency's Regulatory Decision Making
Authors: Bakker Elisabeth , Plueschke Kelly , Jonker Carla J. , Kurz Xavier , Starokozhko Viktoriia , Mol Peter G. M.
Published: October 2022

Real‐world data/evidence (RWD/RWE) may provide insightful information on medicines' clinical effects to guide regulatory decisions. While its contribution has been recognized for safety monitoring and disease epidemiology across medicines' life cycles, using RWD/RWE to demonstrate efficacy requires further evaluation. This study aimed to (i) characterize RWD/RWE presented by applicants to support claims on medicines' efficacy within initial marketing authorization applications (MAAs) and extension of indication applications (EoIs), and (ii) analyze the contribution of RWD/RWE to regulatory decisions on medicines' benefit–risk profile. RWD/RWE was included to support efficacy in 32 MAAs and 14 EoIs submitted 2018–2019. Of these, RWD/RWE was part of the preauthorization package of 16 MAAs and 10 EoIs, and was (i) considered supporting the regulatory decision in 10 applications (five MAAs, five EoIs), (ii) considered not supporting the regulatory decision in 11 (seven MAAs, four EoIs), and (iii) not addressed at all in the evaluation of 5 applications (four MAAs, one EoI). Common limitations of submitted RWD/RWE included missing data, lack of representativeness of populations, small sample size, absence of an adequate or prespecified analysis plan, and risk of several types of bias. The suitability of RWD/RWE in a given application still requires a case‐by‐case analysis considering its purpose of use, implying reflection on the data source, together with its assets and limitations, study objectives and designs, and the overall data package issued. Early interactions and continuous dialogues with regulators and relevant stakeholders is key to optimize fit‐for‐purpose RWE generation, enabling its broader use in medicines development.