bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value co‐creation on technology‐enabled platforms for business model responsiveness and position enhancement in global value chains
Authors: Siaw Christopher Agyapong , Okorie Chukwuneke
Published: January 2022

Global value chains (GVCs) enable multinational enterprises (MNEs) to engage supplier and partner firms in developing/emerging economies for lower production costs and sell products in advanced economies for maximum profits. However, digital technologies are shifting the basis of value offering in GVC from products and services to platforms. Considering that these platforms facilitate business exchanges in multi‐actor networks, the partner or supplier firms of MNEs can easily become competitors to MNEs if these firms participate in different networks. Nevertheless, relatively little research addresses how MNEs can develop structural flexibility for competitive association with and differentiation from their partner firms while developing effective strategies to optimize value creation and capture from their relationship with these partner firms. This study develops a conceptual framework to explain how value co‐creation on technology‐enabled platforms facilitates structural flexibility and strategic management of firm relationships and activities in GVC. The framework has significant implications for responsive business models and enhanced positions for firms to participate and influence value creation and appropriation in GVC.
Anti‐diabetic and gut microbiota modulation effects of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) leaf extract in streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetic mice
Authors: Lin Jinming , Wen Jiamin , Xiao Nan , Cai Yu‐Tong , Xiao Jie , Dai Wenhao , Chen Jian‐Ping , Zeng Ke‐Wu , Liu Fengsong , Du Bing , Li Pan
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) tea has been used as an adjuvant treatment for diabetes in Pu’er, in the Yunnan province of China. The effects of sacha inchi tea on diabetes and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of a water extract of sacha inchi (P. volubilis L.) leaves (PWE) on hypoglycemic activity and gut microbiota composition in mice with streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). During the 6 weeks of the study, T1DM mice were administered PWE intragastrically at 400 mg kg−1 body weight (BW) per day.

RESULTS

Treatment with PWE reduced excessive loss of BW and excessive intake of food. It significantly decreased blood glucose levels and improved oral glucose tolerance. The treatment caused protective histopathological transformations in sections of the pancreas, leading to decreased insulin resistance and improved insulin sensitivity. Treatment with PWE also significantly ameliorated disorders of the gut microbiota structure and increased the richness and diversity of intestinal microbial species in T1DM mice. At the genus level, the populations of several crucial bacteria, such as Akkermansia, Parabacteroides, and Muribaculum increased in the PWE treatment group but the abundance of Ruminiclostridium and Oscillibacter decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with PWE can ameliorate hyperglycemic symptoms in STZ‐induced T1DM mice, and the anti‐diabetic effect of PWE was related to the amelioration of gut microbial structural disorder and the enrichment of functional bacteria. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Hydrophilic interaction LC–MS/MS method to avoid endogenous interference in the analysis of 4‐hydroxy isoleucine from dietary supplementation of fenugreek
Authors: Gowtham Lakshminarayanan , Ujjalkumar Das , Moksha Laxmi , Roy Tapas Kumar , Halder Nabanita , Velpandian Thirumurthy
Published: January 2022

4‐Hydroxy isoleucine is one of the potent hypoglycemic active constituents of fenugreek seeds. A method capable of reducing biological interferences is required for bioavailability studies. An isocratic separation of 4‐hydroxy isoleucine from endogenous interferences was achieved in ZIC‐cHILIC column using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (20:80, % v/v) pumped at 0.5 ml/min. Quantification was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode using the transitions of m/z 148.1→102.1 and m/z 276.1→142.2 for 4‐hydroxy isoleucine and homatropine (as internal standard), respectively. After full method validation, 4‐hydroxy isoleucine levels in human plasma and commercial fenugreek formulations were determined. This method showed good linearity in the range of 50–2000 ng/mL. Intra‐ and interday accuracies were in the range of 90.64–109.0% and precision was <4.82% CV. The mean (SD) plasma concentration of 4‐hydroxy isoleucine in healthy individuals at 2 h after oral administration of fenugreek tablet was found to be 1590 (260) ng/mL. Half of marketed formulations were found to contain <0.05% of 4‐hydroxy isoleucine content. We developed a rapid hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for analysis of 4‐hydroxy isoleucine in human plasma. This method can be applied directly to conduct the clinical pharmacokinetics studies of 4‐hydroxy isoleucine in human population.
Systemic Bevacizumab Treatment for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: Long‐Term Follow‐Up
Authors: Ruiz Ryan , Balamuth Naomi , Javia Luv R. , Zur Karen B.
Published: January 2022

Objectives/Hypothesis

Systemic bevacizumab is a new adjuvant therapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) that has shown promising preliminary results in children. The objective of this study was to report the largest series to date that includes long‐term follow‐up data on bevacizumab treatment.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Retrospective review of seven pediatric patients treated within the past 6 years with systemic bevacizumab for RRP refractory to traditional debridement.

Results

All seven patients had a significant reduction in disease burden after initiation of systemic bevacizumab. There have been no major complications associated with systemic therapy so far. Median duration of bevacizumab treatment was 2.13 years. Three of the seven patients have been on treatment for over 3 years with the longest duration of treatment in our first patient now at 5.5 years. One patient experienced significant disease recurrence on two occasions when therapy was temporarily discontinued and was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Conclusion

Systemic bevacizumab is an effective therapy for cases of severe RRP with promising results both in short‐term and long‐term follow‐up. Side effects are minimal. Patients must be followed closely to determine appropriate dosing intervals to control disease and to screen for disease progression.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:2071–2075, 2022
Featured Front Cover
Authors: Liu Yuhuai , Shahbaz Muhammad , Fang Yunying , Li Baozhen , Wei Xiaomeng , Zhu Zhenke , Lynn Tin Mar , Lu Shunbao , Shibistova Olga , Wu Jinshui , Guggenberger Georg , Ge Tida
Published: January 2022

The cover image is based on the Original Article Stoichiometric theory shapes enzyme kinetics in paddy bulk soil but not in rhizosphere soil by Ge Tida et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4141.

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Tracing the footsteps of open research data in China
Authors: Li Chengzan , Zhou Yuanchun , Zheng Xiaohuan , Zhang Zeyu , Jiang Lulu , Li Zongwen , Wang Pengyao , Li Jianhui , Xu Songyuan , Wang Zhanjie
Published: January 2022

While the scientific research value, economic value and social value of research data have become increasingly apparent, the significance of open research data has reached a consensus. This article gives an introduction to open research data policies and measures in China, and reports on the status of constructing necessary infrastructure, specifically open data repositories. We compare open data repositories in China and Western countries in terms of scale, subject distribution, data policies, service and content operations. In addition, this article summarizes methods and motivations for data sharing among researchers in China. Finally, the paper discusses the characteristics, potential problems and challenges of China's open research data practices. We conclude with some suggestions for the future development of open research data in China from data policy, infrastructure construction, compliance with international standards and norms, credibility and influence improvement, incentives for data sharing and encouraging data sharing research practices.
Hybrid Nonisocyanate Polyurethanes (H‐NIPUs): A Pathway towards a Broad Range of Novel Materials
Authors: Bizet Boris , Grau Etienne , Asua José M. , Cramail Henri
Published: January 2022

The increasing demand for using less toxic and dangerous products has fostered the development of nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). Despite several years of progress within the search for these novel materials, they are still facing difficulties to reach the market. This may be due to the low mechanical properties obtained, which can be explained by the difficult access to high molar masses polymers. The combination of NIPUs with other types of polymers, thus forming polymer–polymer hybrid‐NIPUs (so called H‐NIPUs) can be an interesting alternative for the valorization of NIPUs though. This review describes the latest advancements in the developments of H‐NIPUs, with a specific focus on the combination with epoxy, polyacrylic, and silicium‐containing polymers. Finally, the emerging field of combining NIPUs with biopolymers is discussed. A specific focus on the synthetic challenges is provided, as well as their resulting influence onto the final material properties, thus showing how the synergistic combination of NIPUs with other polymers can be a promising pathway toward the formation of novel materials.
Eco‐Friendly Needleless Electrospinning and Tannic Acid Functionalization of Polyurethane Nanofibers with Tunable Wettability and Mechanical Performances
Authors: Dodero Andrea , Castellano Maila , Vicini Silvia , Hébraud Anne , Lobry Emeline , Nhut Jean‐Mario , Schlatter Guy
Published: January 2022

Electrospinning is the leading process allowing the fabrication of polymeric nanofibrous membranes and mats. Unfortunately, it generally requires the solubilization of the polymer in a toxic solvent causing health and environmental issues during the production. Here, it is demonstrated that polyurethane (PU) fibrous membranes can be produced by electrospinning and then, moreover, functionalized using water as the only solvent for each processing step. Waterborne polyurethane in the form of a dispersion is firstly electrospun using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as template polymer. After removing PEO via a washing cycle in water, the membranes show physico‐chemical properties influenced by the initial polymeric component ratio with greater mechanical performances and hydrophobicity observed at a higher PU amount. Aqueous solutions of bio‐based tannic acid (TA) are then employed to modify the surface properties of the membranes. The high amount of galloyl units per TA molecule allows its efficient anchoring on the fiber surface through supramolecular hydrogen bonding. By varying the TA amount and the order of washing cycle, the wettability can be tuned expanding the application range of the membranes. Finally, their efficient electrospinning at high flow‐rate using a home‐made needleless emitter paves the way for industrial production via full environmentally green processing.
Synthesis of high‐performance bio‐based benzoxazine for flame retardant application
Authors: Naiker Vidhukrishnan E. , Patil Dhananjay A. , More Aarti P. , Mhaske Shashank T.
Published: January 2022

In this study, a phosphorous‐containing benzoxazine was synthesized using a bio‐based primary amine, vanillin diamine true sample 2 (VDTS2,IUPAC name: 4‐(([3‐aminopropyl] imino) methyl)‐2‐methoxyphenyl(4‐(([3‐aminopropyl] imino) methyl)‐2‐methoxyphenyl) phenylphosphonate), paraformaldehyde and vanillin and tested for its use as a flame‐retardant. The molecular structure of the synthesized benzoxazines was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and1H NMR spectroscopy. Polybenzoxazine was obtained through the ring‐opening polymerization of the benzoxazine monomer, and the formation of the same was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy. The polymerization mechanism of the benzoxazine was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal properties of the benzoxazine were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and TGA. The flame‐retardant properties of the polybenzoxazine films obtained were investigated by the LOI. Due to the highly brittle nature of the polybenzoxazine, the synthesized polybenzoxazine was further crushed and incorporated into an epoxy system to investigate its use as a flame‐retardant additive. The thermal property and flame‐retardant property of the epoxy films were then studied. The flame‐retardant and thermal stability test results of the epoxy‐pbz films showed that the epoxy‐pbz films showed improved thermal stability and achieved a UL‐94 V‐0 rating and an LOI of 28% at 15% by weight of the polybenzoxazine concentration. SEM analysis was also conducted to study the surface morphology of the polybenzoxazine and epoxy‐pbz films pre and post the flame test. FTIR analysis was carried out to study the flame retardant mechanism of the polybenzoxazine and the epoxy‐pbz film. The respective films' mechanical properties were also investigated to study the film‐forming capability of the films.
Tri‐layered alginate/poly(𝜀‐caprolactone) electrospun scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Karimi Seyed Nasir Hosseini , Aghdam Rouhollah Mehdinavaz , Ebrahimi S. A. Seyyed , Chehrehsaz Yalda
Published: January 2022

Novel tri‐layered electrospun alginate–graphene oxide (GO)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) conductive scaffolds were fabricated with a sequential electrospinning method for the first time, in which the middle PCL layer acts as a mechanical support of the scaffold. The top and bottom alginate–GO nanofibrous layers provide cell viability and attachment, and also electroconductivity for the scaffold. The fabrication of this nanofibrous scaffold aims to simulate cardiac extracellular matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the nanofibrous scaffolds, confirming the presence of GO in nanofibers and also crosslinking reaction of the alginate nanofibrous layer. The electroconductivity of the tri‐layered electrospun scaffolds reached 7.29 ± 0.91 μS with the incorporation of 1 wt% GO into the top and bottom alginate nanofibrous layers. The ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the alginate–0.5 wt% GO/PCL scaffold reached 22.46 ± 0.07 and 4.35 ± 0.56 MPa, respectively. The biocompatibility of the nanofibrous scaffolds was evaluated using cardiac progenitor cells. The results showed that the presence of GO accelerated the degradation of the scaffolds in phosphate‐buffered saline solution. The cell studies revealed that GO incorporation into alginate nanofibers on the surface of the tri‐layer scaffolds could enhance cell viability, adhesion and proliferation. Overall, the tri‐layered electroconductive alginate–PCL nanofibrous scaffolds could be considered as potential candidates for cardiac tissue regeneration. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
You can't sit with us…just kidding! An investigation into the association between empathy and prosocial teasing
Authors: Platt Michelle , Malecki Christine K. , Luckner Amy , Wiemer Kristina , Pyun Yoonsun
Published: January 2022

Prosocial teasing is the positive playful form of relational aggression, and studies have found children engage in playful teasing more often than aggressive teasing. Therefore, understanding the basic characteristics or skills that contribute to the more complex social skill of prosocial teasing is important. The current study focused on the role of empathy in students' perception of their engagement in two different forms of relational behaviors, playful and aggressive. Associations between empathy and engagement in playful and aggressive relational behaviors were investigated with 389 fifth‐grade students in the Midwest with the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) rating scale and modified Children's Social Behavior Scale—Self‐Report (CSBS‐S), along with gender interaction in those relationships. Results demonstrated that empathy was significantly and negatively related to the level of engagement in both relational aggression and prosocial teasing. No gender differences were found in levels of relational aggression or in prosocial teasing. Gender differences were observed in empathy, where girls reported higher levels of empathy than boys. Results indicated that empathy was a significant predictor of engagement in both relational aggression and prosocial teasing for both fifth‐grade boys and girls. Implications concerning these findings are discussed.
Advance of click chemistry in anion exchange membranes for energy application
Authors: Yang Weihong , Chen Jin , Yan Jing , Liu Shuang , Yan Yi , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: January 2022

Click chemistry has attracted tremendous attention in polymer synthesis due to its high efficiency, considerable yield, and simple synthesis/work‐up procedures. Among the various functional polymer materials prepared by click chemistry, anion exchange membrane (AEM) is a kind of polyelectrolyte which contains cations attached to the polymer skeleton. Click chemistry not only provides facile pathways for the preparation of AEMs but also generates diverse architectures of AEMs with robust performance. The commonly used click chemistry in AEMs consists of: (i) Diels‐Alder reaction, (ii) thiol‐ene, and (iii) Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). This review will focus on the advance of click chemistry in the preparation of AEMs, especially synthetic approaches for different AEMs and their corresponding application in energy‐related fields, such as fuel cells, redox flow battery, electrodialysis, and so on.
Variations in infection control practices suggest a need for guidelines in primary ciliary dyskinesia patient care
Authors: Caliskan Ayse B. , Horani Amjad , Manion Michele , Brody Steven L.
Published: January 2022

Primary ciliary dyskinesis (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with impaired mucociliary clearance caused by defects in ciliary structure and function. The major clinical feature of PCD is recurring or persistent respiratory tract infection. Respiratory tract colonization with drug‐resistant organisms impacts the frequency of infections and lung function decline. Protective gear has been employed by caregivers in an attempt to control respiratory tract bacterial spread between patients with cystic fibrosis, but use in PCD is not known. We conducted a web‐based survey to investigate infection control and prevention practices of PCD centers in North America, and how practices have been influenced by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The response rate was 87.0%. Before the COVID‐19 pandemic, glove, gown, and mask use were variable, and only 3.7% of centers used masks during encounters with PCD outpatients. After COVID‐19 mandates are lifted, 48.1% of centers plan to continue to use masks during outpatient care, while the practice regarding the use of gloves and gowns was not influenced by the current pandemic. There is no uniform practice for infection control in PCD care indicating the need for practice guidelines. Mitigation of respiratory virus transmission learned during the COVID‐19 pandemic may impact future infection control approaches used for patients with PCD and other lung diseases.
Trends of WoS educational research articles in the last half‐century
Authors: Tosun Cemal
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to reveal the development trends of the last 50 years of Web of Science (WoS) educational research. For this aim, 93,699 articles published in 116 journals were analysed with bibliometric techniques. The results of the analysis showed that the number of WoS educational research articles accelerated in 1980, 2008 and 2019. The first conclusion of the research was that funding support is an important factor in the number of WoS educational research articles. The core topics of educational research by countries, year intervals, Q categories of journals and all sub‐disciplines of education were revealed in this study, and the second conclusion of this research was that the core topics of the last half‐century of WoS educational research articles were higher education, teacher education, professional development and assessment. In addition, the study revealed that components of the core topics in educational research have differed according to countries, year intervals, Q categories of journals and all sub‐disciplines of education. The results of this study showed that the focus of the articles published in Q1 journals was technology‐assisted learning environments. The most productive countries were the USA, UK, Australia and Canada. In addition, China and Taiwan were among the top 10 with increasing article number in recent years. According to another conclusion of this study, the contribution rates of the top 10 countries to educational research tended to decrease with the contributions of other countries’ researchers to the field. It was found that the most productive authors were C.C. Tsai, G.J. Hwang and W.M. Roth. On the other hand, the most productive organisations, the journals that publish the most articles, the organisations that provide the most funds and the common features of the most cited articles were determined in the present study. The diversity in educational researches can be achieved by knowing the topics that researchers have been interested in the past periods. Therefore, the results of the present study are considered to be indicative for different studies in future.
Event‐triggered robust model predictive control for linear discrete‐time systems with a guaranteed average inter‐execution time
Authors: Deng Li , Shu Zhan , Chen Tongwen
Published: January 2022

An event‐triggered robust model predictive control (MPC) approach is proposed for linear discrete‐time systems with bounded disturbances. According to the probability distribution of bounded disturbances, an event‐triggered scheme involving a designed minimal robust positively invariant set is constructed to generate dynamic triggering sets. The MPC‐related optimization problem subject to hard constraints should be solved only at event‐triggered instants when the state is outside the corresponding triggering set. A classical tube‐based MPC that allows the initially predicted state different from the current actual state of the plant is considered to improve the feasible region. The designed event‐triggered controller can achieve a prescribed expectation of inter‐execution times and reduce the burden of communication and computation, while not sacrificing the quadratic performance significantly. It is proved that the proposed control approach ensures recursive feasibility and robust stability. Three examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method.
How Sustainable Development Goals interlinkages influence European Union countries’ progress towards the 2030 Agenda
Authors: Kostetckaia Mariia , Hametner Markus
Published: January 2022

The analysis of interlinkages between the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the assessment of countries' progress towards the goals are two prominent research areas in the debate around the 2030 Agenda. The central questions are whether countries are progressing towards the goals at sufficient speed, and whether the SDGs can be achieved in their entirety. While it is evident that trade‐offs between the 2030 Agenda's objectives might prevent countries from achieving all 17 SDGs simultaneously, the extent to which interactions (synergies and trade‐offs) between the goals facilitate or hinder countries' progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda has so far received little attention. The present study combines the two topics by linking the analysis of synergies and trade‐offs between the SDGs in the European Union (EU) member states with a longitudinal assessment of these countries' progress towards the goals. SDG interlinkages are assessed through Spearman's rank order correlation, while progress is calculated according to Eurostat's progress measure. Using regression analysis, we find a significant negative relationship between countries' progress and the shares of trade‐offs among SDG indicators and a moderate positive relationship between progress and synergies, suggesting that trade‐offs have a bigger influence on the pace of countries' progress towards the goals than synergies. In order to achieve the SDGs by 2030, it is thus crucial to not only exploit synergies between the goals but also to overcome trade‐offs.
Correcting for partial verification bias in diagnostic accuracy studies: A tutorial using R
Authors: Arifin Wan Nor , Yusof Umi Kalsom
Published: January 2022

Diagnostic tests play a crucial role in medical care. Thus any new diagnostic tests must undergo a thorough evaluation. New diagnostic tests are evaluated in comparison with the respective gold standard tests. The performance of binary diagnostic tests is quantified by accuracy measures, with sensitivity and specificity being the most important measures. In any diagnostic accuracy study, the estimates of these measures are often biased owing to selective verification of the patients, which is referred to as partial verification bias. Several methods for correcting partial verification bias are available depending on the scale of the index test, target outcome, and missing data mechanism. However, these are not easily accessible to the researchers due to the complexity of the methods. This article aims to provide a brief overview of the methods available to correct for partial verification bias involving a binary diagnostic test and provide a practical tutorial on how to implement the methods using the statistical programming language R.
Prediction of Carbon Dioxide Solubility in Polymers Based on Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization and Least Squares Support Vector Machine
Authors: Chen Huijie , Zeng Ming , Zhang Hang , Chen Bingsheng , Guan Lixin , Li Mengshan
Published: January 2022

Solubility is a significant physical and chemical property. The solubility of carbon dioxide(CO2) in polymers is an important application of green chemistry. Aimed at the problem of insufficient precision of the existing prediction model, a solubility prediction model based on the adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm and the least‐squares support vector machine(APSO‐LSSVM) is proposed. Different from the traditional particle swarm algorithm, APSO algorithm improves the problem of easily falling into local optimal solution. The regularization parameters and kernel function tuning parameters of the LSSVM were optimized by APSO and then use this model to predict the solubility of CO2 in eight polymers within a wide range of temperatures and pressures. APSO‐LSSVM model has great prediction ability, with a good correlation between prediction data and experimental data, high prediction accuracy, short calculation time and strong stability. Compared with back propagation artificial neural network(BP ANN), back propagation‐particle swarm optimization algorithm artificial neural network(BP‐PSO ANN) and LSSVM, APSO‐LSSVM has better comprehensive performance. The average absolute relative deviation(AARD), root mean square error(RMSE), determination coefficient(R2) were respectively 0.2130, 0.0120, 0.9853. In addition, the model has good expansibility and can be applied to other fields such as chemistry and medicine.
Tailoring MSx Quantum Dots (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) for Advanced Energy Storage Materials with Strong Interfacial Engineering
Authors: Zhang Liming , Zhao Wenqing , Yuan Shaohui , Yang Yue , Ge Peng , Sun Wei , Ji Xiaobo
Published: January 2022

Metal sulfides, as vital members of electrodes materials, still suffer from serious volume expansion and polysulfides shuttling. Herein, through inexpensive and high efficiency chemical‐bonding/hydrophobic‐association methods, a series of metal‐sulfides quantum dots (QDs) with large‐scale synthesis (≈100 g) is successfully prepared, further forming low‐dimensional composites with high redox activity. For the derived electrodes samples, with the increasing of outer electron numbers (Co2+/Ni2+/Cu2+/Zn2+), interfacial coupling is significantly modified. Among them, nanoscale ZnS@double carbon with rich interfacial Zn‐O/S‐C bonds displays remarkable electrochemical activity, with the capacity of ≈1000 mAh g−1 after 100 loops. Through tailoring double carbons and interfacial merits, in situ sulfur formation is stabilized, and the cycling stability of Zn‐based samples can increase up to 4000 cycles. Even at 5.0 A g−1 after 1500 cycles, the full‐cells capacity can reach up to ≈380 mAh g−1. Supported by detailed kinetic analysis and ex situ technologies, the enhanced interfacial capacitances and ions moving are confirmed for the improved electrochemical properties. Given this, the work is expected to boost future developments of mineral processing, and QDs preparation, whilst providing effective strategies for advanced electrode materials.
A combination of deep learning and genetic algorithm for predicting the compressive strength of high‐performance concrete
Authors: Ranjbar Iman , Toufigh Vahab , Boroushaki Mehrdad
Published: January 2022

This article presented an efficient deep learning technique to predict the compressive strength of high‐performance concrete (HPC). This technique combined the convolutional neural network (CNN) and genetic algorithm (GA). Six CNN architectures were considered with different hyper‐parameters. GA was employed to determine the optimum number of filters in each convolutional layer of the CNN architectures. The resulted CNN architectures were then compared to each other to find the best architecture in terms of accuracy and capability of generalization. It was shown that all of the proposed CNN models are capable of predicting the HPC compressive strength with high accuracy. Finally, the best of the six considered models was validated through the 10‐fold cross‐validation method and compared to the previous studies on the same data set. Models were developed through a comprehensive data set consisting of 1030 HPC compressive strength test data. Comparing the proposed technique with previous studies showed that the proposed technique has a considerable advantage over previous methods and can be employed for reliable estimation of the mechanical properties of different engineering materials.
A revised subfamilial classification of Polypodiaceae based on plastome, nuclear ribosomal, and morphological evidence
Authors: Wei Ran , Zhang Xian‐Chun
Published: January 2022

The polygrammoid fern family Polypodiaceae represents one of the most diversified epiphytic fern groups, with more than 1600 species distributed on all continents except Antarctica, with the highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite progress in recent phylogenetic studies of Polypodiaceae, the infrafamilial classification of this group of ferns is still problematic. Here, we explore the phylogenetic relationship within Polypodiaceae using plastid genome (plastome) and nuclear ribosomal cistron genome data obtained from high‐throughput sequencing. Although genome skimming data strongly support the monophyly of many genera and clades of Polypodiaceae, relationships within some clades and along the backbone of the phylogeny remain incongruent between plastome and nuclear data. The explanation is possibly a factor of complex evolutionary history found in these clades, such as rapid radiation, incomplete lineage sorting, ancient hybridization, and recent introgression. Based on the concatenated dataset, our phylogenetic analyses support nine major clades in Polypodiaceae, which merit the recognition as subfamilies, Crypsinoideae, Grammitidoideae, Loxogrammoideae, Microsoroideae, Platycerioideae, Polypodioideae, Adetogrammoideae, Campyloneuroideae, and Serpocauloideae, while the latter three are separated from Polypodioideae as new subfamilies. All of these infrafamilial divisions, identified with molecular data, are further supported by non‐molecular features including leaf dissection, venation, scales and paraphyses, soral features, and geographical distributions. Systematic and taxonomic discussions on the subfamilial treatment are also provided.
Source choice and use in counterargument writing
Authors: Al Bulushi Zawan
Published: January 2022

This study contributes to research on source integration in argumentative writing, with a focus on the understudied aspect of source choice and use in counterarguments. Using source‐based argumentative essays written by 13 students in one English as a second language section of a first‐year composition course in the United States, the author examined the types of sources related to confirmation bias as cited by students in counterarguments. Analyses of the essays included observing students’ stances on the issues; identifying the counterarguments; classifying the sources as confirmatory of students’ stances, opposing, neutral, or background; and counting the number of citations. The findings reveal that the students mostly cited background and confirmatory sources when writing counterarguments. Insufficient citation was evident in both counterarguments and entire essays. Pedagogical implications include guiding students toward reading and integrating opposing sources to potentially improve the quality of counterarguments and to promote perceptual gains beyond the classroom as students write about social issues important to them.
Long noncoding RNA OIP5‐AS1 promotes the stemness of lung cancer cells through enhancing Oct4 mRNA stability
Authors: Mao Chengye , Li Xionghui
Published: January 2022

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5‐AS1 was shown to facilitate drug resistance and metastasis in several tumors. As cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been elucidated as the origin of drug resistance and tumor progression, we speculate that lncRNA OIP5‐AS1 holds critical roles in the CSC‐like traits of lung cancer. Here, lncRNA OIP5‐AS1 was found to be highly expressed in lung cancer cell spheres. Following experiments showed that OIP‐AS1 knockdown reduced the CSC‐like traits of lung cancer spheres, while overexpression of OIP‐AS1 conferred the CSC‐like traits in lung cancer cells by performing sphere‐formation analysis, detecting stemness marker expression, and ALDH activity. Mechanistic studies revealed that lncRNA OIP5‐AS1 could increase Oct4 expression by directly interacting with Oct4 mRNA and enhancing Oct4 mRNA stability. Finally, we found that the knockdown of Oct4 could rescue the promoting effects of OIP5‐AS1 overexpression on the CSC‐like traits of lung cancer. These results demonstrate that lncRNA OIP5‐AS1 can confer lung cancer CSC‐like traits by directly interacting with Oct4 mRNA and thus increasing Oct4 mRNA stability and expression.
Emerging roles of RNA–RNA interactions in transcriptional regulation
Authors: Wang Di , Ye Rong , Cai Zhaokui , Xue Yuanchao
Published: January 2022

Pervasive transcription of the human genome generates a massive amount of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that lack protein‐coding potential but play crucial roles in development, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. To achieve these biological functions, ncRNAs must first fold into intricate structures via intramolecular RNA–RNA interactions (RRIs) and then interact with different RNA substrates via intermolecular RRIs. RRIs are usually facilitated, stabilized, or mediated by RNA‐binding proteins. With this guiding principle, several protein‐based high‐throughput methods have been developed for unbiased mapping of defined or all RNA‐binding protein‐mediated RRIs in various species and cell lines. In addition, some chemical‐based approaches are also powerful to detect RRIs globally based on the fact that RNA duplex can be cross‐linked by psoralen or its derivative 4′‐aminomethyltrioxsalen. These efforts have significantly expanded our understanding of RRIs in determining the specificity and variability of gene regulation. Here, we review the current knowledge of the regulatory roles of RRI, focusing on their emerging roles in transcriptional regulation and nuclear body formation.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry
Variations of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Do Tung Duy , Kita Kazuyuki
Published: January 2022

Emissions of air pollutants have been increasing significantly in Asian countries due to the rapid development of industry and economy. Long-range, transboundary transport of these pollutants probably affects the atmospheric environment and the regional climate in this region (Kita et al. 2009). Climate change, air pollution, and sustainable development are inter-linked, and co-benefits of cutting short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) will avoid global warming higher than 1.5 °C and negative trade-offs (CCAC 2019; IPCC 2018). Therefore, identification of SLCP emission/production/ transportation sources is critical for planning mitigative measures to reduce SLCP.
The Effect of Climate Change and Natural Disasters on Mangrove Forests in Xuan Thuy National Park: Proposed Adaptation Measures for Mangrove Forests
Authors: Van Nguyen Quang
Published: January 2022

Xuan Thuy National Park (XTNP), the first Ramsar site in Southeast Asia, is located in a low-lying coastal region in Nam Dinh Province of Vietnam. Most of the core zone of the XTNP is comprised of mangrove forests, which are inhabited by 222 indigenous and migratory bird species, 202 plant species, 386 invertebrate species, and 154 fishes (Fig. C4.1). Many of these species are rare, including nine endangered birds that are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, have been recorded and sighted in the XTNP. The endangered birds are Western Curlew, Black-faced Spoonbill, Saunders’s Gull, Painted Stork, Asian Dowitcher, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Spot-billed Pelican, Nordmann’s Greenshank, and Chinese Egret (MONRE 2020).
Stakeholder Perception and Empirical Evidence: Oil Palm Biomass Utilization as Climate-Smart Smallholder Practice
Authors: Oktarina Sachnaz Desta , Nurkhoiry Ratnawati , Amalia Rizki , Nasution Zulfi Prima Sani
Published: January 2022

The smallholder perception and adaptation of climate-smart practice has been rarely addressed. More precisely, on oil palm smallholder whose plot was frequently accused as driving force of ecosystem service depletion. The study to reveal stakeholder perception and its implementation towards biomass utilization was performed in the case study of North Sumatera Province. The Labuhan Batu, Batu Bara, Langkat, and Serdang Bedagai District was selected as the sample cases where the oil palm concessions were highly overlaid. The first phase of the study was conducted by text mining analysis to decode smallholder, practitioner, and expert’s perception and sentiment against oil palm biomass products within the SMEs scheme. The next phase of implementation was operated by introducing biomass-driven oil palm products such as empty fruit bunch briquette, oil palm fronds pellet, midrib handicraft, oil palm based-livestock feed, empty fruit bunch oyster mushrooms, oil palm juice brown sugar, oil palm-laminated wood, and empty fruit bunch-compost. The feasibility and preferences among those eight alternatives were then assessed by multi-criteria decision-making tools named Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on its benefit, opportunity, cost, and risk features. The text mining analysis discovered that initially, the smallholders were perceived to have a lower interest in making use of biomass products as they presumed that it still marginalize farmers. It was also still unclear whether they realize and understand the potential of biomass utilization to ameliorate nature. After the time of implementation, they were enlightened and chose oil palm midrib handicraft over other alternatives as their pluri-activity. Having said that, it is necessary to keep promoting climate-smart adaptation practices at the local level for the sustainability of people, profit, and the planet.
Economic Evaluation and Climate Change Adaptation Measures for Rice Production in Vietnam Using a Supply and Demand Model: Special Emphasis on the Mekong River Delta Region in Vietnam
Authors: Ishikawa-Ishiwata Yuki , Furuya Jun
Published: January 2022

Vietnam is one of the most affected countries in terms of monetary losses or mortality of extreme events due to climate change in the world. Since agriculture is directly affected by the climate conditions in Vietnam, several adaptation measures such as shifting transplanting dates and/or using different cultivars have been taken to mitigate the loss of rice production because of climate change. In this chapter, we introduce the econometric evaluation methods of the adaptation measures with the supply and demand models. The supply and demand models each consist of yield, planted area, exports, imports, stock changes, and food demand functions of rice. By measuring the yield and planted area functions with climate variables, the effect of climate change on future rice production and food demand can be estimated. By inserting a mathematical model of dissemination of new cultivars, the possible outlook of the adaptation measure can be assessed as scenarios. In the case of the Mekong Delta Region, farmers in the coastal to central areas have been shifting the aquaculture-based farming style. We also discuss these transitions of farming style.
Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Education in Japan
Authors: Sakurai Aiko , Ito Tetsuji
Published: January 2022

Community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) is considered to be the core of any risk reduction approach. CBDRR is defined as an approach that seeks to: (1) reduce the vulnerabilities and increase the capacities of vulnerable groups and communities to cope with, prevent, or minimize loss and damage to life, property, and the environment, (2) minimize human suffering, and (3) hasten recovery (Shaw 2016).
A hyperbolic analogue of the Atiyah-Hitchin manifold
Authors: Sutcliffe Paul
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The Atiyah-Hitchin manifold is the moduli space of parity inversion symmetric charge two SU(2) monopoles in Euclidean space. Here a hyperbolic analogue is presented, by calculating the boundary metric on the moduli space of parity inversion symmetric charge two SU(2) monopoles in hyperbolic space. The calculation of the metric is performed using a twistor description of the moduli space and the result is presented in terms of standard elliptic integrals.
Charged lepton EDM with extra Yukawa couplings
Authors: Hou Wei-Shu , Kumar Girish , Teunissen Sven
Published: January 2022

Abstract

In a two Higgs doublet model with extra Yukawa couplings, we assess the new physics contributions to charged lepton electric dipole moment. We focus especially on muon (and tau) EDM where in the coming decade several experiments — Muon g-2, J-PARC and PSI (and Belle II) — will push sensitivities down by several orders of magnitude. With the working assumption that extra Yukawa couplings are analogous to SM ones in strength and taking exotic scalar masses in sub-TeV range, we find that μ and τ EDM can be enhanced to values larger than new physics scenarios that scale with lepton mass. The main effect comes from the flavor-conserving extra top coupling ρtt via well-known two-loop diagrams. Deviating from our working assumption, if the muon g − 2 anomaly arises from the one-loop diagram, driven by singly enhanced lepton flavor violating ρτμ coupling, it can also induce rather large muon EDM, accessible at upcoming experiments.
Hippo/YAP signaling pathway protects against neomycin-induced hair cell damage in the mouse cochlea
Authors: Wang Maohua , Dong Ying , Gao Song , Zhong Zhenhua , Cheng Cheng , Qiang Ruiying , Zhang Yuhua , Shi Xinyi , Qian Xiaoyun , Gao Xia , Guan Bing , Yu Chenjie , Yu Youjun , Chai Renjie
Published: January 2022

The Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway has been shown to be able to maintain organ size and homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The abuse of aminoglycosides is one of the main causes of sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). However, the role of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in cochlear hair cell (HC) damage protection in the auditory field is still unclear. In this study, we used the YAP agonist XMU-MP-1 (XMU) and the inhibitor Verteporfin (VP) to regulate the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in vitro. We showed that YAP overexpression reduced neomycin-induced HC loss, while downregulated YAP expression increased HC vulnerability after neomycin exposure in vitro. We next found that activation of YAP expression inhibited C-Abl-mediated cell apoptosis, which led to reduced HC loss. Many previous studies have reported that the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is significantly increased in cochlear HCs after neomycin exposure. In our study, we also found that YAP overexpression significantly decreased ROS accumulation, while downregulation of YAP expression increased ROS accumulation. In summary, our results demonstrate that the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway plays an important role in reducing HC injury and maintaining auditory function after aminoglycoside exposure. YAP overexpression could protect against neomycin-induced HC loss by inhibiting C-Abl-mediated cell apoptosis and decreasing ROS accumulation, suggesting that YAP could be a novel therapeutic target for aminoglycosides-induced sensorineural hearing loss in the clinic.
Tsunami Preparedness: Is Zero Casualties Possible?
Authors: Bernard Eddie N.
Published: January 2022

Inspired by the goal of Kuroshio Town, a coastal community in southern Japan, to have zero casualties from the next tsunami, this study will focus on a tsunami preparedness program to save everyone’s life. The first step in the program is to determine how many people in a tsunami hazard zone can be protected using existing horizontal and vertical evacuation procedures and shelters. The people who live or work in tsunami hazard zones but cannot or will not use these shelters are identified as “unprotected”. A possible solution to save the “unprotected” is to offer a shelter-in-place option to complement the horizontal and vertical evacuation options. Such a shelter-in-place option would provide protection for those unable or unwilling to use horizontal or vertical evacuation facilities. The shelter-in-place option would offer customized protection for individuals and businesses free of contagious diseases found in gatherings associated with horizontal or vertical evacuation shelters. To be effective, the shelter-in-place option must be immediately accessible to protect people from drowning, being crushed, being hit by floating objects, suffocation by ingesting silt laden water, fires, and hypothermia. An example of a shelter-in-place product is a patented, spherical aluminum capsule that floats on the tsunami protecting people from fire, cold water, being crushed, ingesting contaminated water, being hit by floating objects, and drowning. Since the capsule floats, there is no need to accurately predict tsunami flooding heights. This study includes numerical model simulations for 20 capsules subjected to 3 tsunami flooding scenarios in Newport, Oregon indicating the capsules have a low probability of being washed out to sea. Using a shelter-in-place option, along with horizontal and vertical evacuation options, zero casualties from the next tsunami is possible.