bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Some Fundamental Notions of Propulsion Shaft Alignment
Authors: Woodward John B.
Published: February 2022

Alignment of the shaft connecting driver and load may be done with the shaft regarded as a rigid body, as an elastic body with journal centers in line, or as an elastic body whose elasticity may be exploited by adjusting the heights of bearings. Through several example cases, the paper questions whether the rigid body school might benefit from moving bearings to exploit elasticity, or conversely, whether moving bearings to benefit bearing load distribution might have undesirable consequences such as excessive bending stress. Alternatives to rigid body alignment are explored through the use of a pump-motor combination for which it is found that reasonable adjustments of bearing heights produces large changes in bearing loads and in shaft bending stress; however neither appears to reach dangerous levels. Applied to a long, multi-bearing shaft for which a "fair curve" alignment might be applied, high levels of combined bending and torsional stress are found, but only for extreme cases. The paper lastly applies elastic bending formulas in testing several common-place rules for coping with the elastic deflections of uncoupled shaft sections.
Detecting and Correcting Propulsion Shafting Misalignment
Authors: Donaghy Andrew A.
Published: February 2022

The intent of this paper is to place in the hands of owners and ship repairers, phrased in simple terms, a guide to recognize problems caused by propulsion shafting misalignment and provide well tested methods to resolve them. Since the paper is based precisely on the technical assistance that the author has been giving owners and repairers for the past three and a· half decades on shafting realignment, the information should be particularly useful to the people who are actually involved in propeller and line shafting repair.
Tip-Driven Marine Propellers and Impellers-A Novel Propulsion Concept
Authors: Radojcic Dejan
Published: February 2022

Contemporary propulsors in tubes (waterjets, nozzles, side thrusters) are relatively cumbersome and definitely stem from simpler unshrouded installations. For shrouded installations, tip-driving is almost a natural solution. Although a novel concept, Mechanical Tip-Driven Propulsor (MTDP) is technically and economically feasible. Some noteworthy features of tip-driven propulsors are compact design, possibly higher efficiency, shrouded propeller, contra-rotation in the nozzle for steerable installations, etc. The TDP operates under undisturbed hydrodynamic conditions resulting in higher efficiency. The complete propeller disc is exploited for propulsion since the propeller shaft, the boss, the thrust column, etc. do not exist. Anticipated problems are sealing of the circular chamber and the gearbox. It is expected, however, that the gain in efficiency is to be larger than are the sealing frictional losses. A number of possible applications of TD concept in marine vessels are given, as for example contra-rotating lip-driven rudder-propeller, lip-driven waterjet, etc.
Civilizational factor in state-building process of the founding countries of the Eurasian Economic Union
Authors: Grachev Bogdan
Published: February 2022

The subject of this research is the civilizational foundations of the political systems of the founding countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, their genesis, and manifestation at various historical stages. Particular attention is turned to outlining the cultural-civilizational characteristics that determined the similarity of the political tradition. The article explores the peculiarity of transition from the Soviet political system to national political systems, indicates the differences in the process of establishment of the national political systems, reveals the general characteristics of the results of such transit, defines the role of cultural-civilizational factors. Assessment is given to the influence of geopolitical and civilizational factors upon integration and its further course. Research methodology leans on the historical-politological analysis applied through the prism of cultural-civilizational theory, as well as a range of the methods of historical-descriptive approach. The author's special contribution consists in summarizing the civilizational experience of founding countries of the Eurasian Economic Union from the perspective of its importance for the integration process. In the conditions of the demand for nationalism and sovereignty, the strong state power becomes one of the key obstacles towards further integration. Long-terms success of the union requires the formation of a certain ideological framework, such as variations of neo-Eurasianism.
Right-wing authoritarianism in Modern Russia in the conditions of the “state of emergency”
Authors: Anisimov Roman Sergeevich , Kombarov Vyacheslav Yur'evich
Published: February 2022

This article is dedicated to examination of the phenomenon of right-authoritarian personality (RWA), or more specifically, the theoretical, methodological and applied use of this concept within the framework of Giorgio Agamben’s concept of the "state of emergency". This study reveals the intolerance and lack of flexibility of an increasing number of people in modern Russia as deliberately cultivated by the state apparatus for the more effective ideological and hybrid military confrontation with many countries of the world. This provision is interpreted as the "state of emergency", in which according to the theory of Giorgio Agamben, punitive measures can be applied against the citizens bypass the law. Personality is viewed through the prism of actualization by the situation of the "state of emergency" of the authoritarian right-wing traits within its structure that contribute to the maintenance of totalitarian tendencies in the society. The scientific novelty consists in examination of the role and nature of the impact of social transformations defined as emergency upon actualization of the right-authoritarian traits in the structure of personality. Verification of the hypotheses is carried out in the course of empirical research with the use of various questionnaires for determining certain preferences in the cultural and social spheres of life, as well as what can be perceived as the social threat by right-wing authoritarians in the conditions of the “state of emergency”. Particular attention is given to the mechanism of actualization of right authoritarian tendencies in a person, as well as to the analysis of Giorgio Agamben’s concept of the “state of emergency”. Examination of this concept from sociological perspective is a long-run objective. The are no similar studies in the Russia science; thus, it is of particular interest to consider the results of analysis based on certain peculiarities in Russia.
Sparse sampling in frequency domain and laser imaging
Authors: Cui An-Jing , Li Dao-Jing , Wu Jiang , Zhou Kai , Gao Jing-Han ,   Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Microwave Imaging, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: February 2022

The monochromaticity of the laser and the characteristics of the natural image’s spectrum, including sparsity and concentrating in the low frequency range, make it possible to sample the image spectrum sparsely. Based on small-scale laser detectors and the introduced laser reference signals, a method of laser imaging with sparse sampling in frequency domain is proposed in this paper. The principle of frequency sparse sampling laser imaging and the imaging system structure are introduced. The simulation results of spectrum and complex images reconstructed are given. Both the effects of the signals’ parameters, such as the ratio of the reference laser signal amplitude to the laser echo spectrum amplitude and the initial phase of the laser reference signal, on reconstruction results are investigated. The reconstruction results are evaluated by correlation coefficient, mean square error (MSE), and structural similarity index (SSIM). For the strong correlation between phase and amplitude of the laser echo complex image, the amplitude image and the phase image are both set to be 256 × 256 diagram. The sparse laser detector plane array consists of 5 64 × 64 frequency domain laser detector arrays, which form a cross and make a sparsity rate of 31.25%(5/16). The simulation results show that the correlation coefficient, MSE and SSIM of the spectrum reconstructed are 0.96, 22.14, 1.00 and those of the complex image reconstructed are 0.96, 1857.25 and 0.67 respectively. The simulation results indicate that the method proposed is effective. However, the method requires the laser reference signal amplitude to be about 30 times the mean value of the laser echo spectrum amplitude, which reduces the dynamic range of the detectors. The initial phase of the laser reference signal has no obvious effect on the reconstruction results.
Monitoring of ambient carbon monoxide concentrations based on wavelength modulation direct absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Zhen , Du Yan-Jun , Ding Yan-Jun , Li Zheng , Peng Zhi-Min ,   State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Published: February 2022

Wavelength modulation-direct absorption spectroscopy (WM-DAS) has the advantages of both direct absorption spectroscopy (DAS) measurable absorptivity function and wavelength modulation spectrum (WMS) with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, the WM-DAS spectrum is used to measure the absorptivity of 4300.7 cm–1 line of CO molecule and the detection limit is as low as 4 × 10–7 (200 s) at 0.5 m optical path, room temperature and low pressure. Then, through combining the WM-DAS spectrum with a 120 m long optical path Herriott cell, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, the standard deviation of the fitting residual error of the absorptivity function is reduced down to ~5.1 × 10–5 (1 s). Finally, different concentrations of CO are continuously monitored by long-path WM-DAS measurement system, and compared with the results obtained from the cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). The experimental results show that the measurement results from the long-path WM-DAS and CRDS method are the same. The detection limit of CO concentration in long-path WM-DAS system is as low as 0.9 ppb (200 s), and the WM-DAS system is simple and the measurement speed is much faster than CRDS. At the same time, the long-path WM-DAS system is used to continuously monitor the atmospheric trace CO concentration and trend for one month, and the measured results are highly consistent with those from the China Environmental Monitoring Station.
Passive near-field optical scanning imaging based on semiconductor nanowire/tapered microfiber probe
Authors: Dou Lin , Ma Yan-Na , Gu Zhao-Qi , Liu Jia-Tong , Gu Fu-Xing ,   School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we propose a passive near-field scanning imaging system by using the structure of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowire/tapered microfiber probe, which combines the near-field scanning structure and the nanowire/microfiber coupling technology. In the passive near-field scanning imaging system, a passive nanoprobe is adopted to detect the intensity change of the reflected light field on the sample surface, which not only retains the advantage of the nanoprobe for the strong restriction of the reflected light on the sample surface, but also reduces the interference of strong excitation light during detection. Through the high efficiently evanescent field coupling between the CdS nanowire and the tapered microfiber, the collected light signal is transmitted to the photodetector in the far field, and finally the imaging of the target sample morphology can be realized.

At first, the light field model of the nanowire/tapered microfiber probe structure is verified by the finite element analysis method. The calculated collection efficiency from the sample to the probe is about 4.65‰ and the transmission efficiency from the nanowire to the tapered microfiber is about 74.47%. The collection efficiency is improved by an order of magnitude compared with traditional metal-coated near-field probe. In the experiments, a scanning step of 20 nm and a probe-sample distance of 230 nm are selected. The nanowire/tapered microfiber probe and traditional tapered fiber probe are both used to measure the widths of different CdSe nanoribbons samples, and the atomic force microscopy measurement is used as the benchmark to calculate their measurement error, which is increased about 3 times. By changing the angle θ between the probe and the sample, it is found that the resolution obtained using the designed nanowire/microfiber probe is always higher than only using the tapered microfiber probe. Comparing with the tapered microfiber probe scheme, the measurement error is reduced to a value less than 7.2%.

In addition, compared with the active luminescence probe scheme, this passive near-field scanning scheme reduces the preparation complexity of the optical probe and the detection structure complexity of the optical system. The large microscopic illumination area can avoid the influence of the small laser spot size on imaging, and the imaging range is determined only by the travel distance of the linear stage. Therefore, our work may provide an attractive approach for developing new near-field scanning microscopy systems in the future.
Allele-specific gene expression can underlie altered transcript abundance in zebrafish mutants
Authors: White Richard J , Mackay Eirinn , Wilson Stephen W , Busch-Nentwich Elisabeth M
Published: February 2022

In model organisms, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) is frequently used to assess the effect of genetic mutations on cellular and developmental processes. Typically, animals heterozygous for a mutation are crossed to produce offspring with different genotypes. Resultant embryos are grouped by genotype to compare homozygous mutant embryos to heterozygous and wild-type siblings. Genes that are differentially expressed between the groups are assumed to reveal insights into the pathways affected by the mutation. Here we show that in zebrafish, differentially expressed genes are often over-represented on the same chromosome as the mutation due to different levels of expression of alleles from different genetic backgrounds. Using an incross of haplotype-resolved wild-type fish, we found evidence of widespread allele-specific expression, which appears as differential expression when comparing embryos homozygous for a region of the genome to their siblings. When analysing mutant transcriptomes, this means that the differential expression of genes on the same chromosome as a mutation of interest may not be caused by that mutation. Typically, the genomic location of a differentially expressed gene is not considered when interpreting its importance with respect to the phenotype. This could lead to pathways being erroneously implicated or overlooked due to the noise of spurious differentially expressed genes on the same chromosome as the mutation. These observations have implications for the interpretation of RNA-seq experiments involving outbred animals and non-inbred model organisms.
Visualizing cellular and tissue ultrastructure using Ten-fold Robust Expansion Microscopy (TREx)
Authors: Damstra Hugo GJ , Mohar Boaz , Eddison Mark , Akhmanova Anna , Kapitein Lukas C , Tillberg Paul W
Published: February 2022

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a powerful technique to overcome the diffraction limit of light microscopy that can be applied in both tissues and cells. In ExM, samples are embedded in a swellable polymer gel to physically expand the sample and isotropically increase resolution in x, y, and z. The maximum resolution increase is limited by the expansion factor of the gel, which is four-fold for the original ExM protocol. Variations on the original ExM method have been reported that allow for greater expansion factors but at the cost of ease of adoption or versatility. Here, we systematically explore the ExM recipe space and present a novel method termed Ten-fold Robust Expansion Microscopy (TREx) that, like the original ExM method, requires no specialized equipment or procedures. We demonstrate that TREx gels expand 10-fold, can be handled easily, and can be applied to both thick mouse brain tissue sections and cultured human cells enabling high-resolution subcellular imaging with a single expansion step. Furthermore, we show that TREx can provide ultrastructural context to subcellular protein localization by combining antibody-stained samples with off-the-shelf small-molecule stains for both total protein and membranes.
Discovery of coordinately regulated pathways that provide innate protection against interbacterial antagonism
Authors: Ting See-Yeun , LaCourse Kaitlyn D , Ledvina Hannah E , Zhang Rutan , Radey Matthew C , Kulasekara Hemantha D , Somavanshi Rahul , Bertolli Savannah K , Gallagher Larry A , Kim Jennifer , Penewit Kelsi M , Salipante Stephen J , Xu Libin , Peterson S Brook , Mougous Joseph D
Published: February 2022

Bacterial survival is fraught with antagonism, including that deriving from viruses and competing bacterial cells. It is now appreciated that bacteria mount complex antiviral responses; however, whether a coordinated defense against bacterial threats is undertaken is not well understood. Previously, we showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa possess a danger-sensing pathway that is a critical fitness determinant during competition against other bacteria. Here, we conducted genome-wide screens in P. aeruginosa that reveal three conserved and widespread interbacterial antagonism resistance clusters (arc1-3). We find that although arc1-3 are coordinately activated by the Gac/Rsm danger-sensing system, they function independently and provide idiosyncratic defense capabilities, distinguishing them from general stress response pathways. Our findings demonstrate that Arc3 family proteins provide specific protection against phospholipase toxins by preventing the accumulation of lysophospholipids in a manner distinct from previously characterized membrane repair systems. These findings liken the response of P. aeruginosa to bacterial threats to that of eukaryotic innate immunity, wherein threat detection leads to the activation of specialized defense systems.
Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in Brazilian women of childbearing age: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Macena Mateus , Praxedes Dafiny , De Oliveira Ana Debora , Paula Déborah , Barros Maykon , Silva Júnior André , Araújo Witiane , Pureza Isabele , de Melo Ingrid Sofia , Bueno Nassib
Published: February 2022

Background

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is among the most common micronutrient deficiencies in women of childbearing age and may affect children’s development. Brazil has several national programs to tackle this condition, such as food fortification and supplementation for pregnant women, but IDA prevalence in this population has not been systematically reviewed. We sought to determine the prevalence of IDA in Brazilian women of childbearing age through a systematic review with metanalysis.

Methodology

A protocol was previously published on the PROSPERO platform under the code CRD42020200960. A panel of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) approved the protocol of this study under the public call number 26/2019. The main databases searched were MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, and SciELO. In gray literature, the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations and the annals of the Brazilian Congress of Epidemiology and the Brazilian Congress of Public Health were accessed. The search strategy involved terms related to the condition (IDA) and the age group of the population of interest (teenagers and adults). Studies that had assessed the prevalence of IDA in Brazilian women of childbearing age (10–49 years) were included. Three independent reviewers read all titles and abstracts and extracted data from the included studies. Random effects meta-analyses using the Freeman-Tukey arcsine transformation were carried out with prevalence data, and meta-regression was conducted to test for subgroup differences. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

From 21,210 unique records screened, 237 full-texts were retrieved, of which 91 were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 83 were included in the meta-analysis. The overall IDA prevalence was 25% (95% CI [23–28], 83 studies). The subgroup of studies that used random sampling showed a prevalence of 22% (95% CI [17–27], 22 studies), whereas in those with non-random sampling, the prevalence was 27% (95% CI [23–30], 61 studies), without significant differences between subgroups in the metaregression (P = 0.13). High prevalence of IDA were found in the subgroups of studies conducted in the North and Northeast regions (30%; 95% CI [24–37]; seven studies, and 30%; 95% CI [26–34]; 27 studies, respectively), in studies conducted with indigenous population (53%; 95% CI [27–78], four studies), and with studies that had their collections after 2015 (28%; 95% CI [23–34], nine studies).

Conclusions

IDA in women of childbearing age remains a public health problem in Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast region. The national programs should be strengthened and more thoroughly supervised to decrease this condition nationally.
Molecular characterization and expression profiling of transformer 2 and fruitless-like homologs in the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon
Authors: Thaijongrak Prawporn , Chotwiwatthanakun Charoonroj , Laphyai Phaivit , Prachumwat Anuphap , Kruangkum Thanapong , Sobhon Prasert , Vanichviriyakit Rapeepun
Published: February 2022

Transformer 2 (tra 2) and fruitless (fru) genes have been proven to play a key role in sex determination pathways in many Arthropods, including insects and crustaceans. In this study, a paralog of P. monodon tra 2 (Pmtra 2), P. monodon ovarian associated transformer 2 (PmOvtra 2) and 2 isoforms of P. monodon fruitless-like gene (Pmfru-1 and Pmfru-2) were identified and characterized. The full cDNA sequence of PmOvtra 2 consisted of 1,774 bp with the longest open reading frame (ORF) of 744 bp encoding for 247 amino acids. The PmOvtra 2 exhibited a predicted RNA-recognition motif (RRM) domain and two arginine-serine (RS) regions, suggesting its function in RNA splicing. The full cDNA sequence of Pmfru-1 consisted of 1,306 bp with 1,182 bp ORF encoding for 393 amino acids, whereas the full cDNA sequence of Pmfru-2 consisted of 1,858 bp with 1,437 bp ORF encoding 478 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequences of Pmfru-1 and Pmfru-2 exhibited highly conserved domains of Fru proteins, including Broad-complex, Tramtrack and Bric-a-brac (BTB), and zinc finger (ZF) domains. In addition, Pmfru-1 and Pmfru-2 were suggestively originated from the same single genomic locus by genomic sequence analysis. Specifically, Pmfru pre-mRNA was alternatively spliced for Pmfru-1 and Pmfru-2 to include mutually exclusive exon 7 and exon 6, respectively. Temporal and spatial expression of PmOvtra 2, Pmfru-1, and Pmfru-2 were also investigated by qPCR. The results showed that all were expressed in early developmental stages with undifferentiated gonads starting from nauplius until postlarvae. The expression of PmOvtra 2 started at nauplius stage and gradually increased from mysis to postlarvae (PL) 1. However, the expression of Pmfru-1 was low at the nauplii stage and slightly increased from protozoea to PL5, whereas the expression of Pmfru-2 maintained a low level from nauplius to mysis and then gradually increased at the PL stages. Expressions of PmOvtra 2, Pmfru-1, and Pmfru-2 were detected in various tissues including nervous tissue, gill, heart, hepatopancreas, gut, and gonads. Interestingly, the sexually dimorphic expression of PmOvtra 2, Pmfru-1, and Pmfru-2 was demonstrated in fully developed gonads in which the ovary showed significantly higher expressions than the testis. The great difference in the expression pattern of PmOvtra 2, Pmfru-1, and Pmfru-2 in the ovary and testis suggested their roles in the female sex determination in P. monodon.
New Challenges Facing Curricula in KSA in Light of Vision 2030: Major Objectives and Curriculum Design
Authors: Mahmoud S. S. , Al-Othmany D. S.
Published: February 2022

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is heading towards a comprehensive revolution socially, economically, politically, medically and scientifically. The features of the change are very well embodied mainly in the vision 2030 and in the National Transformation Program (NTP). The features and objectives are distributed among the different ministries and institutions in the Kingdom. The current study investigated the main objectives related to the Ministry of Education. The research tools are: a survey of the vision 2030 and the NTP documents to decide on the main objectives related to education, an interview with curriculum design specialists to discuss the credibility and applicability of the objectives and a unit designed by the researcher in which he includes whatever possible of these objectives. The findings of the study revealed that the objectives (related to students’ outcomes, curriculum design and teacher training) are very well embodied in vision 2030 and NTP. The interviews with educators showed that these objectives are achievable if implemented by very well trained teachers and highly motivated students. The study recommended teacher training that matches the new challenges in terms of teaching strategies, updating curricula, and reconsidering the main goals of the teaching learning process.
Widening Participation and the Provision of High Quality Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Improvement Programmes: A Case Study of the University of Buea
Authors: Ebot Ashu Frederick
Published: February 2022

The Cameroon higher education (HE) system is sincerely stratified, with younger and mature students from more privileged backgrounds comprising the majority of student’s from urban city population. Since independence considerable investment has been made to Widen Participation (WP) and provides High Quality Teaching and Learning (PHQTL) but attempts to evaluate these initiatives and demonstrate impact have presented a major challenge for the HE sector. The main objective of the study was to analyse internal stakeholder’s effectiveness in the implementation of WP and the PHQTL in HE can ensure peace, security, welfare and prosperity of a nation. For study proposes one state university in the Anglophone region of Cameroon was taken and different faculties were included in the population. Four senior leaders, four middle leaders and four students were taken as the sample of the study. This qualitative study was conducted through the analysis of the focus group interview transcripts and ethical considerations are presented. The study proposes a typology to measure Widening Participation at all points of the student life-cycle. The new widening participation typology consists of raising aspirations, fair admission and retention, flexible progression, out-reach partners, vocational emphasis, flexible delivery and lifelong learning though groups have changed over time, and attention has shifted from recruitment and admission to retention, on-course support, and access to equitable career opportunities. The present study recommends a pyramid of measuring High Quality Teaching and Learning (HQTL) in Higher Education may be ranked and recognized at local, national and international level. Formalities for achieving widen participation and high quality teaching and learning include: Online learning will have major role; traditional mode still relevant, on the job training – could involve fee, education as a continuous long-term engagement, increased entrepreneurship possibilities, increase learning opportunity for people with disability. Teachers will be encouraged to become learning facilitators, and students will have more influence over their own learning. Tomorrow's classrooms will need to emphasise a mix of student engagement in learning, inquiry-based techniques, curiosity, imagination, and design thinking.
Game-Based Learning (GBL) in Teaching Primary Mathematics
Authors: Arciosa Ramil M.
Published: February 2022

Aim: Determine the effectiveness of the Game-Based Learning(GBL) using theSnake-and-Ladder mechanical game boarding in teaching primarymathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of wholenumbers.

Methodology: Descriptive and experimental method. In descriptive method,where the developed mechanical Game-Based Learning, validated by eighty (80) pre-service teachers as major teaching strategy in primary mathematics and tested its’ effectiveness using the pre and post-test design.

Results: In validating the mechanical GBL (Game-Based Learning) –A mathematical Snake-and Ladder game boarding in eighty (80) pre-service teachers for their practicum-classroom demonstration, manifested agreeable perceptions (x =4.30) terms of technical quality, content quality and instructional quality. Using the mechanical GBL as major instructional aids in teaching basicmathematics got a very satisfactory (x = 3.50) respondents’ responses in theactual classroom demonstration.

Recommendation: Mobile Apps of GBL(Game-Based Learning) development.
Characterization of Ogwuta Source Clay Using Advanced Analytical Tools
Authors: Inya Agha Inya , Uzoamaka Ibezim-Ezeani Millicent , Chidi Obi
Published: February 2022

One of the naturally abundant minerals with diverse industrial applications is the clay mineral. The choice of application depends on the characteristics of the clay. In this study, internal composition of the large and untapped Ogwuta clay deposit located in Afikpo, South Eastern Nigeria was further investigated as a guide to its applications. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric (TG), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were employed to access its composition. The scanning electron micrograph revealed that the clumping of the clay particles was due to edge-to-edge, edge-to-face or face-to-face flocculation. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that at temperature range of 153-325°C, the observed weight percent loss (13.67%), consistent with kaolinitic clays, was due to the removal of water of crystallization of the interlayer cations. X-ray diffraction result further revealed kaolinite as the predominant mineral with the presence of quartz and polygorskite.

This study has revealed the applicability of Ogwuta source clay in both industrial and manufacturing activities.
Effect of Selenium-yeast on Cognitive Performance on Pregnant Dams Exposed to Noise Stress
Authors: Ochayi Okwute Michael , Anyaehie Bond , Iyare Eghosa , Haruna DanAzumi Umar , E. Ivang Andrew
Published: February 2022

A total of twelve pregnant Wistar rats were used, and randomly divided into three groups (n=4). Group A (negative control), not exposed to noise stress), group B (1mL/kg of distilled water + 4h /15 days noise stress), group C (0.04 mg/kg) of selenium-yeast + 4 h/15 days noise stress). On day 18 and 19 of gestation cognitive tests were conducted using Y-maze and Novel Object Recognition Test. A significant increase (P ˂ 0.05) was observed in the percentage alternation and discrimination index in group A compared with group B. However, the percentage alternation and DI were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) decreased in group C compared with group B. In conclusion, noise stress induces cognitive deficit, this deficit can be mitigated with the administration of selenium-yeast.
Pre- and Post-harvest Salicylic Acid Application Improves Plant Growth, Fruit Quality and Storability of Pear- A Review
Authors: Ali Angrej , Rasool Khalid , Ganai N. A. , Wani A. H.
Published: February 2022

Pears (Pyrus spp.) are important fruit of the temperate and sub-temperate zone worldwide commercially cultivated for its delicate flavour and smooth texture. Although several other species are grown on a large scale, Pyrus communis and P. pyrifolia are the two most important commercial pear species. Salicylic acid (SA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is widely distributed in plants and is thought to be a hormone due to its regulatory role in plants. Salicylic acid as plant growth regulator has attracted a lot of attention because of its role in modulating plant responses particularly the biotic and abiotic stresses. Salicylic acid application in pear has the potential to improve plant performance and yield, reduce chilling injury, postharvest diseases and decay, and preserve fruit quality after harvest during storage. Further research in larger perspectives is needed to validate the predictors' reliability in production and postharvest management of pear.
Residues to Energy: A Study on Improving the Renewable Energy Mix in Nigeria
Authors: Towoju Olumide A.
Published: February 2022

The quest for the reduction of global warming which is largely associated with Carbon IV Oxide emission and the reduction of the dependency on fossil fuels for energy generation is a continuous task. Biofuels are coming in to fill the gap with the potential of reduced emissions and being renewable. While biofuels feedstock at times can compete with food cultivation for land and water, some feedstock is just allowed to rot away as wastes and some of such in Nigeria are Mango seeds, African Star Apple seeds, Orange peel and African Pear. This result in environmental pollution and economic loss. The current fraction of renewable energy in Nigeria annual energy production is negligible, and its fraction in the consumed energy is about 3%. This narrative can change with the exploration of her vast agricultural residues. This study seeks to explore some agricultural residues in Nigeria and waste oil, determine their suitability in the generation of energy when converted to biodiesel, and the conversion of biodiesel residue to energy resources. The enormous amount of agricultural residues in Nigeria can be put into use in the generation of biodiesel with comparable favourable characteristics with petroleum diesel and biodiesel wastes also into useful energy sources resulting in a cleaner environment and revenue generation. It is projected that the percentage contribution of renewables to produced energy will be 19% and 47% for her energy consumption.
Excavation of a Bronze Age kerbed cairn at Olcote, Breasclete, near Calanais, Isle of Lewis
Authors: Neighbour Tim , McSweeney Kathleen , Carter Stephen , Johnson Melanie , Warren Graeme , Milburn Paula , Church Michael
Published: February 2022

An archaeological excavation was carried out by the Centre for Field Archaeology (CFA) from October to December 1995 of a Bronze Age kerbed cairn at Olcote, Breasclete, Isle of Lewis (NGR: NB 2180 3475). The cairn was discovered by CFA during an evaluation of a dense scatter of worked and unworked quartz made by local archaeologists, Margaret and Ron Curtis. The remains lay in the path of the improvement of the single track road through Breasclete. A range of archaeological features and deposits was identified and recorded within the excavation trench. These fell into three groups on stratigraphic grounds: pre-cairn features, including pits, spade or cultivation marks and a buried ground surface; the cairn itself, including inner and outer kerbs, burnt peat deposits, a central cist and other features; and modern deposits which cut the cairn, including post-holes and field drains. Excavation and post-excavation were wholly funded by Historic Scotland.
Network Virtualization and Network Hypervisors
Authors: Blenk Andreas , Kellerer Wolfgang
Published: February 2022

Modern communication networks have to deal with dynamically changing requirements of emerging applications. In order to support such heterogeneous requirements on the same substrate network, concepts for network abstraction and network programmability are essential to offer applications that individually tailored views on the network. Network virtualization is the basic concept to provide an abstraction of a substrate network that can be offered to a network application provider. Here, a network hypervisor realizes the level of indirection between substrate network and virtual network(s). Additional programmability can be offered through the concept of Software‐Defined Networking (SDN). SDN provides a network abstraction based on a centralized view on a network to program individual features such as forwarding rules inside a network. This chapter gives an overview of the networking concept of network virtualization as the example of the virtualization of SDN‐based networks. The combination of network virtualization and Software‐Defined Networking provides full network abstraction and adaptability. We detail the basic features of a network hypervisor, abstraction and isolation, and provide the example of FlowVisor as a prominent network hypervisor example in the state of the art.
Fiber‐Wireless (FiWi)‐Enhanced Mobile Networks in the 6G ERA
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Amin , Maier Martin
Published: February 2022

Although the original premise of 5G networks was to enable the Internet of Everything (IoE) services and applications, the current deployments of such networks prove otherwise. Shortcomings of 5G have recently attracted a great deal of attention from both the research community and the industry to define next‐generation 6G systems, as an enabler of a variety of disruptive applications ranging from extended reality (XR) to haptics. In this article, we review the 6G vision, paying particular attention to its underlying human‐centric premise. We then elaborate on the recently emerging concepts of Tactile Internet and Internet of No Things, which are envisioned to be enabled over FiWi‐enhanced low‐latency LTE‐Advanced (LTE‐A) heterogeneous networks (HetNets) using a TDM/WDM 1/10 Gb/s Ethernet passive optical network (PON) backhaul and a Wi‐Fi offloading front end with artificial intelligence (AI)‐enhanced multiaccess edge computing (MEC) servers placed at the optical‐wireless interfaces.
Structure Inversion‐Bridged Sequential Amino Acid Metabolism Disturbance Potentiates Photodynamic‐Evoked Immunotherapy
Authors: Lei Lei , Cai Shengsheng , Zhang Yan , Yang Lianyi , Deng Jin , Mei Heng , Zhang Xuequan , Zhang Kun , He Bin , Cao Jun
Published: February 2022

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐activated immunotherapy is decided by the ROS level and immunosuppressive microenvironment. This report shows the construction of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor dimers (d‐ss‐DO)‐loaded polymer nanoparticles assembled from Ce6‐tethered disulfide bond‐bridged copolymers. The biomimetic polymeric nanoparticles can serve as glutathione peroxidase to deplete glutathione (GSH) and realize the dense‐to‐loose structure inversion (SI) arising from GSH‐triggered disulfide bonds breakage, which favors d‐ss‐DO release and GSH‐arised d‐ss‐DO cleavage into monomer. This sequential GSH metabolism disturbance can break the redox equilibrium and induce cell dyshomeostasis for facilitating more ROS accumulation and removing cancer stress protection in the photodynamic process. More significantly, the cleaved monomer modulates tryptophan (Trp) metabolism for blockading IDO immune escape target and liberating IDO‐induced immune dampening effect, which along with massively accumulated ROS, mitigates the immunosuppressive microenvironment for potentiating systematic immune responses and increasing tumor vulnerability especially after combining with anti‐PD‐L1. Thus, the SI‐bridged sequential amino acid (i.e., GSH, Trp) metabolism disturbance brings about the largest photodynamic‐evoked immunotherapeutic consequences against breast cancer and melanoma via altering the expressions of apoptosis—amino acids biosynthesis—and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis‐related genes, thus holding high potential in ROS‐activated immunotherapy.
The Development of Chiral Nanoparticles to Target NK Cells and CD8+ T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Zhao Jing , Hao Changlong , Hu Shudong , Chen Chen , Cao Yi , Xu Zhengyu , Guo Jun , Xu Liguang , Sun Maozhong , Xu Chuanlai , Kuang Hua
Published: February 2022

The chirality of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, NPs) can influence their interaction with cells and biological systems. However, how chirality can exert impact on the immune response has yet to be investigated. Here, the immunological effect of chiral nanomaterials is investigated as a therapeutic and preventive option against tumors. Compared with achiral nanoparticles, chiral NPs with a g‐factor of 0.44 are shown to enhance both innate and acquired immunity against tumor growth. It is also found that chiral NPs enhance the activation of CD8+ T and natural killer cells (CD69+ NK cells) by stimulating dendritic cells (DCs). Importantly, L‐type NPs induce a 1.65‐fold higher proportion of CD8+ T and CD69+ NK cells than D‐type NPs. Next, the therapeutic and preventative effects of chiral NPs against tumors in a EG7.OVA tumor model are investigated. It is found that L‐type NPs have a significant greater ability to induce apoptosis in tumor cells and prolong the survival time of model mice than D‐type NPs. Mice treated with L‐type NPs induce the activation of 84.98 ± 6.63% CD8+ T cells and 33.62 ± 3.41% of NK cells in tumor tissues; these are 1.62‐fold and 1.39‐fold higher than that seen in the mice treated with D‐type NPs. Mechanistic studies reveal that chiral NPs exert mechanical force on bone‐marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and stimulate the expression of cytokines to induce cytotoxic activity in NK cells. Synergistically, the CD8+ T cells are stimulated to eliminate tumor cells via antigen cross presentation. The force of interaction between L‐type NPs and cells is higher than that for D‐NPs, thus further promoting the activation of NK cells and CD8+ T cells and their infiltration into tumor tissue. These findings open up a new avenue for chiral nanomaterials to act as immunoadjuvants for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
An Engineered Protein−Au Bioplaster for Efficient Skin Tumor Therapy
Authors: Wei Zheng , Sun Jing , Lu Shuang , Liu Yawei , Wang Bo , Zhao Lai , Wang Zili , Liu Kai , Li Jingjing , Su Juanjuan , Wang Fan , Zhang Hongjie , Yang Yang
Published: February 2022

Melanoma is the most lethal malignancy in skin cancer and may occur at any site and express melanocytes. Due to malignant melanoma's invasion and migration nature, conventional therapies make it challenging to remove the whole tumor tissue while undertaking the high risks of tumor recurrence. Regarding the emerging targeted therapies and immunotherapy, drug resistance and low immunotherapeutic activity remain significant challenges. It is thus becoming urgently important to develop alternative strategies for melanoma therapy. Herein, a novel bifunctional protein‐based photothermal bioplaster (PPTB) is developed for non‐invasive tumor therapy and skin tissue regeneration. The complexation of adhesive protein and gold nanorods (GNRs) endow the obtained PPTB with good biocompatibility, controllable near‐infrared (NIR) light‐mediated adhesion performance, and high photothermal performance. Therefore, the PPTB bioagent facilitates skin adhesion and effectively transfers heat from skin to tumor. This behavior endows PPTB capability to eradicate skin tumors conveniently. Thus, the assembly strategy enables this hybrid bioplaster to hold great potential for skin‐related tumor treatment.
Toward Surfaces with Droplet Impact Robustness and Low Contact Angle Hysteresis
Authors: Ding Wenwu , Dorao Carlos A. , Fernandino Maria
Published: February 2022

Superhydrophobic surfaces show excellent water repellent performance. However, liquid impalement occurs when a droplet impacts on the surface at high velocity. To achieve higher resistance to liquid impalement at the same scale, a dense array of structures or structures with pinning at the structures top are typically used, but they also lead to increased contact angle hysteresis and higher energy dissipation. Changing the structure side wall shape can help to maintain low hysteresis and withstand high impact energy at the same scale. Droplet contact angle, contact angle hysteresis and droplet impact experiments are performed on both conical and cylindrical pillar surfaces. Comparing conical and cylindrical pillar structures with the same pitch and height, it is found that cylindrical pillars exhibit higher critical Weber number but result in larger contact angle hysteresis and larger liquid residue size when above a critical Weber number. A proper design of conical structures can maintain large contact angle, low hysteresis, strong resistance to impalement, higher number of bouncing and smaller liquid residue size. In addition, the critical Weber number for the conical structures in this work is higher than micro‐patterned pillar surfaces at the same pitch range, implying that we improve the anti‐wetting performance further.
Toward Green Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Current Status and Future Challenges
Authors: Dworakowska Sylwia , Lorandi Francesca , Gorczyński Adam , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: February 2022

Reversible‐deactivation radical polymerizations (RDRPs) have revolutionized synthetic polymer chemistry. Nowadays, RDRPs facilitate design and preparation of materials with controlled architecture, composition, and functionality. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has evolved beyond traditional polymer field, enabling synthesis of organic–inorganic hybrids, bioconjugates, advanced polymers for electronics, energy, and environmentally relevant polymeric materials for broad applications in various fields. This review focuses on the relation between ATRP technology and the 12 principles of green chemistry, which are paramount guidelines in sustainable research and implementation. The green features of ATRP are presented, discussing the environmental and/or health issues and the challenges that remain to be overcome. Key discoveries and recent developments in green ATRP are highlighted, while providing a perspective for future opportunities in this area.
A Mott–Schottky Heterogeneous Layer for Li–S Batteries: Enabling Both High Stability and Commercial‐Sulfur Utilization
Authors: Shi Mengjiao , Liu Zheng , Zhang Su , Liang Shichuan , Jiang Yuting , Bai He , Jiang Zimu , Chang Jin , Feng Jing , Chen Wenshuai , Yu Haipeng , Liu Shouxin , Wei Tong , Fan Zhuangjun
Published: February 2022

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are severely impeded by their poor cycling stability and low sulfur utilization due to the inevitable polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics. This work reports a Mott–Schottky RGO‐PANI/MoS2 (RPM) heterogeneous layer modified separator for commercial‐sulfur‐based LSBs through the vertical growth of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) arrays on the polyaniline (PANI) in situ reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Due to the synergistic effects of the “reservoir” constructed by MoS2 and RGO‐PANI, strong absorbability, high conductivity, and electrocatalytic activity, RPM exhibits a successive “trapping–interception–conversion” behavior toward lithium polysulfides. As a result, the LSBs assembled using a commercial‐sulfur as the cathode and RPM as modified layer exhibit high sulfur utilization (3.8 times higher than that of the unmodified separator at 5 C), excellent rate performance (553 mAh g−1 at 10 C), and outstanding high‐rate cycle stability (524 mAh g−1 after 700 cycles at 5 C). Moreover, even at a high sulfur loading of 5.4 mg cm−2, a favorable areal capacity of 3.8 mAh cm−2 is still maintained after 80 cycles. Theoretical calculations elucidate that such a systematic strategy can effectively suppress the shuttling effect and boost the catalytic conversion of intercepted polysulfides. This work may provide a feasible strategy to promote the practical application of commercial‐sulfur‐based LSBs.