bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the role of melatonin in human melanocyte physiology: A skin context perspective
Authors: Sevilla Alec , Chéret Jérémy , Slominski Radomir M. , Slominski Andrzej T. , Paus Ralf
Published: February 2022

The evolutionarily ancient methoxyindoleamine, melatonin, has long perplexed investigators by its versatility of functions and mechanisms of action, which include the regulation of vertebrate pigmentation. Although first discovered through its potent skin‐lightening effects in amphibians, melatonin's role in human skin and hair follicle pigmentation and its impact on melanocyte physiology remain unclear. Synthesizing our limited current understanding of this role, we specifically examine its impact on melanogenesis, oxidative biology, mitochondrial function, melanocyte senescence, and pigmentation‐related clock gene activity, with emphasis on human skin, yet without ignoring instructive pointers from nonhuman species. Given the strict dependence of melanocyte functions on the epithelial microenvironment, we underscore that melanocyte responses to melatonin are best interrogated in a physiological tissue context. Current evidence suggests that melatonin and some of its metabolites inhibit both, melanogenesis (via reducing tyrosinase activity) and melanocyte proliferation by stimulating melatonin membrane receptors (MT1, MT2). We discuss whether putative melanogenesis‐inhibitory effects of melatonin may occur via activation of Nrf2‐mediated PI3K/AKT signaling, estrogen receptor‐mediated and/or melanocortin‐1 receptor‐ and cAMP‐dependent signaling, and/or via melatonin‐regulated changes in peripheral clock genes that regulate human melanogenesis, namelyBmal1andPer1. Melatonin and its metabolites also accumulate in melanocytes where they exert net cyto‐ and senescence‐protective as well as antioxidative effects by operating as free radical scavengers, stimulating the synthesis and activity of ROS scavenging enzymes and other antioxidants, promoting DNA repair, and enhancing mitochondrial function. We argue that it is clinically and biologically important to definitively clarify whether melanocyte cell culture‐based observations translate into melatonin‐induced pigmentary changes in a physiological tissue context, that is, in human epidermis and hair follicles ex vivo, and are confirmed by clinical trial results. After defining major open questions in this field, we close by suggesting how to begin answering them in clinically relevant, currently available preclinical in situ research models.
Unanticipated daytime melatonin secretion on a simulated night shift schedule generates a distinctive 24‐h melatonin rhythm with antiphasic daytime and nighttime peaks
Authors: Qian Jingyi , Morris Christopher J. , Phillips Andrew J. K. , Li Peng , Rahman Shadab A. , Wang Wei , Hu Kun , Arendt Josephine , Czeisler Charles A. , Scheer Frank A. J. L.
Published: February 2022

The daily rhythm of plasma melatonin concentrations is typically unimodal, with one broad peak during the circadian night and near‐undetectable levels during the circadian day. Light at night acutely suppresses melatonin secretion and phase shifts its endogenous circadian rhythm. In contrast, exposure to darkness during the circadian day has not generally been reported to increase circulating melatonin concentrations acutely. Here, in a highly‐controlled simulated night shift protocol with 12‐h inverted behavioral/environmental cycles, we unexpectedly found that circulating melatonin levels were significantly increased during daytime sleep (p < .0001). This resulted in a secondary melatonin peak during the circadian day in addition to the primary peak during the circadian night, when sleep occurred during the circadian day following an overnight shift. This distinctive diurnal melatonin rhythm with antiphasic peaks could not be readily anticipated from the behavioral/environmental factors in the protocol (e.g., light exposure, posture, diet, activity) or from current mathematical model simulations of circadian pacemaker output. The observation, therefore, challenges our current understanding of underlying physiological mechanisms that regulate melatonin secretion. Interestingly, the increase in melatonin concentration observed during daytime sleep was positively correlated with the change in timing of melatonin nighttime peak (p = .002), but not with the degree of light‐induced melatonin suppression during nighttime wakefulness (p = .92). Both the increase in daytime melatonin concentrations and the change in the timing of the nighttime peak became larger after repeated exposure to simulated night shifts (p = .002 and p = .006, respectively). Furthermore, we found that melatonin secretion during daytime sleep was positively associated with an increase in 24‐h glucose and insulin levels during the night shift protocol (p = .014 and p = .027, respectively). Future studies are needed to elucidate the key factor(s) driving the unexpected daytime melatonin secretion and the melatonin rhythm with antiphasic peaks during shifted sleep/wake schedules, the underlying mechanisms of their relationship with glucose metabolism, and the relevance for diabetes risk among shift workers.
Comparative genomics and phylogenetic perspectives of six fertile Lycoris species endemic to East Asia based on plastome characterization
Authors: Liu Kun , Sun Lu , Meng Weiqi , Zhu Hao , Zhang Dong , Wang Jinxia
Published: February 2022

The genus Lycoris Herb. (Amaryllidaceae) is endemic to East Asia and comprises approximately 20 taxa of which most are confirmed to be sterile hybrids. Here, we report the complete plastome genome (plastome) sequences of six fertile Lycoris species using Illumina sequencing technology. The plastomes of the six species range from 158 436 bp to 158 761 bp in length, and they all contain 112 unique genes consisting of 78 protein coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. Gene structure, gene order and GC content are highly conserved among the six Lycoris plastomes, yet their lengths vary owing to the contraction and expansion of the IR/SC borders. Sixteen hypervariable regions with nucleotide variability > 0.9% were found, among which seven markers (trnS‐trnG, ndhF‐rpl32, rpl32‐trnL, psaA‐ycf3, clpP intron1, trnK‐rps16 and psaJ‐rpl33) were longer than 500 bp. Two marker regions (trnS‐trnG and rpl32‐trnL), randomly selected and validated, showed 2–3 folds higher nucleotide variability than four universal marker regions within populations of L. radiata. Pairwise sequence comparisons detected multiple simple sequence repeat (SSR) sites, and the richest SSRs are A/T mononucleotides in these Lycoris plastomes. The robust phylogenies inferred from the plastomes and coding region sequences consistently divided the six species into two well supported clades. One consisted of L. sanguinea and L. sprengeri, the other included the remaining four species (L. longituba, L. aurea, L. chinensis and L. radiata). These plastome markers will be useful in further taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Lycoris. The obtained plastomes may facilitate the development of biotechnological applications for these herb bulbs with considerable ornamental and medical values, and offer genetic information for studying the phylogenetics and taxonomy of the genus.
OsEIL1 protects rice growth under NH4+ nutrition by regulating OsVTC1‐3‐dependent N‐glycosylation and root NH4+ efflux
Authors: Li Guangjie , Zhang Lin , Wu Jinlin , Yue Xiaowei , Wang Meng , Sun Li , Di Dongwei , Kronzucker Herbert J. , Shi Weiming
Published: February 2022

Rice is known for its superior adaptation to ammonium (NH4+) as a nitrogen source. Compared to many other cereals, it displays lower NH4+ efflux in roots and higher nitrogen‐use efficiency on NH4+. A critical role for GDP‐mannose pyrophosphorylase (VTC1) in controlling root NH4+ fluxes was previously documented in Arabidopsis, but the molecular pathways involved in regulating VTC1‐dependent NH4+ efflux remain unclear. Here, we report that ETHYLENE‐INSENSITIVE3‐LIKE1 (OsEIL1) acts as a key transcription factor regulating OsVTC1‐3‐dependent NH4+ efflux and protein N‐glycosylation in rice grown under NH4+ nutrition. We show that OsEIL1 in rice plays a contrasting role to Arabidopsis‐homologous ETHYLENE‐INSENSITIVE3 (AtEIN3) and maintains rice growth under NH4+ by stabilizing protein N‐glycosylation and reducing root NH4+ efflux. OsEIL1 constrains NH4+ efflux by activation of OsVTC1‐3, but not OsVTC1‐1 or OsVTC1‐8. OsEIL1 binds directly to the promoter EIN3‐binding site (EBS) of OsVTC1‐3 in vitro and in vivo and acts to increase the transcription of OsVTC1‐3. Our work demonstrates an important link between excessive root NH4+ efflux and OsVTC1‐3‐mediated protein N‐glycosylation in rice grown under NH4+ nutrition and identifies OsEIL1 as a direct genetic regulator of OsVTC1‐3 expression.
Thermal tolerance of Hypnea pseudomusciformis ecotypes (Cystocloniaceae, Rhodophyta) related to different floristic provinces along the Brazilian coast
Authors: Nauer Fabio , Cabral Oliveira Mariana , Plastino Estela Maria , Sumie Yokoya Nair , Toyota Fujii Mutue
Published: February 2022

Studies on the effects of temperature on physiological processes are essential to model macroalgae biogeographic distribution. Tetrasporophytes of Hypnea pseudomusciformis were collected from three floristic provinces (tropical, transition and warm temperate) along the Brazilian coast (~3.000 km), representing three ecotypes. Specimens were cultured under 20°C, 24°C, 28°C and 32°C for 21 days, then physiological parameters (growth rates, photosynthesis and pigments content) were analyzed. H. pseudomusciformis specimens tolerated a temperature variation from 20°C to 32°C. However, all ecotypes displayed a significant decrease in physiological performance at 32°C in all parameters analyzed. We hypothesized that the H. pseudomusciformis ecotype from the tropical province is already living at its thermal physiological limit, reaching its maximum growth only in the winter months (June to September), whereas a warm temperate ecotype reaches maximum growth in the summer months (December to March). This wide thermal optimum may be the reason for the widespread distribution of this species along the Brazilian coast, allowing it to occupy different thermal environments.
Cauchy matrix approach to the SU(2) self‐dual Yang–Mills equation
Authors: Li Shangshuai , Qu Changzheng , Yi Xiangxuan , Zhang Da‐jun
Published: February 2022

The Cauchy matrix approach is developed to solve the self‐dual Yang–Mills (SDYM) equation. Starting from a Sylvester matrix equation coupled with certain dispersion relations for an infinite number of coordinates, we derive some new relations that give rise to the SDYM equation under Yang's formulation. By imposing further constraints on complex independent variables, a broad class of explicit solutions of the equation under Yang's formulation are obtained.
Alpha lipoic acid toxicosis in cats (2008‐2016): Four cases
Authors: Carpenter Marcia M. , Hovda Lynn R.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To review clinical signs, treatments, and outcome of 4 cases in cats after ingestion of alpha lipoic acid.

Case series summary

Four cases with known alpha lipoic acid ingestions developed clinical signs. A consistent clinical sign in all cases was vomiting, while 2 of the 4 cases resulted in death.

New or unique information provided

This is the first reported case series of alpha lipoic acid ingestions in cats.
Understanding the Performance of the Banking System in Times of Crisis: the Case of Commercial Banks in the CEMAC
Authors: Ondaye William Geslin
Published: February 2022

This article aims to explain the performance of the banking system in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) during a crisis period by exploring the average value of the bank profitability indicator. A comparative reading of this indicator between 1986 and 2020 shows that profitability during a crisis period is higher than during the normal period. Using an analysis of the model of banking performance with the method of generalized moments (GMM), the results show that the contradiction relating to the banking performance is explained by: 1)- the strong presence of the State in the capital of commercial banks in the CMEAC zone during the crisis; 2)- the decline in liquidity characteristic of crisis periods also explains this performance of the CEMAC banking sector. It is recommended that the monetary authorities ensure that their decisions are strictly applied by commercial banks in normal times as well as in times of crisis
A Reduced Model Based on Proper Generalized Decomposition for the Fast Analysis of IGBT Power Modules Lifetime
Authors: Schuler Louis , Chamoin Ludovic , Khatir Zoubir , Berkani Mounira , Ouhab Merouane , Degrenne Nicolas
Published: February 2022

A reduced weakly-coupled thermo-mechanical model based on the proper generalized decomposition method was developed for the numerical analysis of power modules. The employed model reduction method enabled us to obtain, in a preliminary offline phase, the solution of the thermo-mechanical problem over a large range of design parameters, with much time saving compared to a classical (brute force) multi-resolution finite element method. In an online postprocessing phase, the power module lifetime, modeled with a strain-life law, was then computed in a straightforward manner by rapidly evaluating the solution for any value of the parameters. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to select parameters values leading to acceptable module lifetimes with respect to given criteria. A robust design study was also performed to illustrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Spectroscopic, structural, and strain-dependent analysis of suspended bulk WSe2 sheets
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Avra S. , Kaul Anupama B.
Published: February 2022

Among the two-dimensional transitional metal dichalcogenides, tungsten diselenide (WSe2) has recently attracted a great deal of interest because of its interesting optoelectronic properties, which makes it well-positioned for a variety of electronic and quantum-optoelectronic applications. In this work, Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were utilized to analyze the phononic and electronic parameters in suspended bulk WSe2 sheets, fabricated utilizing photolithography and wet chemical etching. The optical properties such as the PL peak intensities were found to be enhanced by almost ∼4× in the suspended WSe2 regions when compared to substrate supported bulk WSe2. Additionally, temperature T-dependent Raman spectroscopy was conducted to calculate the first-order Raman temperature coefficient χ, which was determined to be lower in the suspended bulk WSe2 sheets due to the absence of substrate-induced scattering. Finally, we analyzed the modulation of Raman and PL peaks with local strain engineering from which the sensitivity of the Raman-active E2g1 mode and PL indirect I-peak in suspended bulk WSe2 were also calculated. Our work will be beneficial in analyzing thermal, optical, and mechanical properties of WSe2 in a suspended platform for its application in electronic, thermoelectric, and mechanical sensors in the future.
Noise and air pollution during Covid-19 lockdown easing around a school site
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Omidvarborna Hamid , Valappil Abhijith Kooloth , Bristow Abigail
Published: February 2022

During the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns, road traffic volumes reduced significantly leading to reduced pollutant concentrations and noise levels. Noise and the air pollution data during the lockdown period and loosening of restrictions through five phases in 2021 are examined for a school site in the United Kingdom. Hourly and daily average noise level as well as the average over each phase, correlations between noise and air pollutants, variations between pollutants, and underlying reasons explaining the temporal variations are explored. Some strong linear correlations were identified between a number of traffic-sourced air pollutants, especially between the differently sized particulates PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 (0.70 < r <0.98) in all phases and an expected inverse correlation between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ground-level ozone (O3) (–0.68 < r < –0.78) as NO2 is a precursor of O3. Noise levels exhibit a weak correlation with the measured air pollutants and moderate correlation with meteorological factors, including wind direction, temperature, and relative humidity. There was a consistent and significant increase in noise levels (p < 0.01) of up to 3 dB with initial easing, and this was maintained through the remaining phases.
Including acoustic modes in the vortex-sheet eigenbasis of a jet
Authors: Mancinelli Matteo , Martini Eduardo , Jaunet Vincent , Jordan Peter
Published: February 2022

Vortex-sheet (V-S) models of jets are widely used to describe the dynamics of modes, such as the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and guided acoustic waves. However, the absence of the free-stream acoustic modes in the V-S eigenspectrum is seldom pointed out in the literature. This family of modes is important if, for example, one is interested into the problems of sound emission or flow-acoustic interactions. In this work, it is shown how a distantly confined jet may be used as a surrogate problem for the free jet, in which the free-stream acoustic waves appear as a set of discrete modes. Comparing the modes observed in the free jet with those of the distantly confined jet, we show that other than the free-stream acoustic modes, the eigenvectors and eigenvalues converge exponentially with the wall distance. The proposed surrogate problem, thus, efficiently reproduces the dynamics of the original problem while accounting for the dynamics of the free-stream acoustic eigenmodes.
Tensorial formulations for improved thixotropic viscoelastic modeling of human blood
Authors: Armstrong Matthew , Pincot Andre , Jariwala Soham , Horner Jeff , Wagner Norman , Beris Antony
Published: February 2022

Recent work modeling the rheological behavior of human blood indicates that blood has all the hallmark features of a complex material, including shear-thinning, viscoelastic behavior, yield stress, and thixotropy. There is renewed interest in the modeling of human blood with thixo-elasto-visco-plastic rheological models. Previous work [Armstrong and Tussing, Phys. Fluids 32, 094111 (2020)] has led to the development of the enhanced thixotropic viscoelastic model for blood (ethixo-mHAWB; called here, after a minor modification, ETV) that incorporates viscoelasticity to a thixotropic model for the stress contributed by the rouleaux aggregates, in addition to describing using a nonlinear viscoelastic model the stress contributed by the individual red blood cells deforming under the action of the flow. This model has shown superior performance in fitting human blood steady state and transient rheological data from a strain-controlled rheometer [Horner et al., J. Rheol. 62, 577–591 (2018); 63, 799–813 (2019)] as compared to other alternate models. In the present work, we first develop another variant of the ETV model, the enhanced structural stress thixotropic-viscoelastic (ESSTV) model, and the modification patterned following an elastoviscoplastic model developed recently [Varchanis et al., J. Rheol. 63, 609–639 (2019)]. We develop full tensorial stress formulations of the rouleaux stresses for both the above-mentioned models, resulting in the t-ETV and t-ESSTV models. We use steady state and step-ups, and step-downs in shear rate data to independently fit the parameters of all before-mentioned models. We compare predictions against experimental data obtained on small, large, and unidirectional large amplitude oscillatory shear conditions. We find that the full tensor stress formulations t-ETV and t-ESSTV significantly improved the predictive capability of the earlier ETV model.
The Relationship Between Measures of Postural Control in Concussion Assessment
Authors: DeFeo Courtney , Heebner Nicholas , Baker Carrie , Hoch Matthew , Morelli Nathan
Published: February 2022

Objective: To determine the relationship between postural sway performance during commonly utilized postural control assessments following a concussion, including the modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS), concussion balance test (COBALT), and sensory organization test (SOT) in healthy young adults. Approach: Twenty participants completed all balance testing. The mBESS conditions included double limb stance, single limb stance, and tandem stance. The COBALT was comprised of yaw plane head shake (HS) and vestibular ocular reflex cancellation conditions performed on firm and foam surfaces. Subjects performed 6 conditions of the SOT (C1–C6), which systematically perturbed sensory inputs. Postural sway performance was measured using a single force plate and quantified as a sway score for the mBESS and COBALT, and an equilibrium score for the SOT. Spearman rank correlations were used to examine the relationship between postural sway performance for each test. Main Results: There was a moderate positive correlation between mBESS-tandem stance and the HS on foam COBALT condition (r = .643, P = .002). There was a moderate negative correlation between mBESS-double limb stance and SOT-C6 (r = −.512, P = .021), and between mBESS-single limb stance and SOT-C6 (r = −.523, P = .018). The COBALT and SOT demonstrated numerous moderate to good negative correlations (r = −.448 to −.708, P ≤ .05), including a good negative correlation between HS on foam and SOT-C1 (r = −.725, P = .0003). Significance: Performance on the mBESS had minimal relationship to performance on the COBALT and SOT, suggesting that the clinical standard may not challenge sensory integration at the same capacity as other tests. All COBALT conditions had fair to good associations to at least 2 SOT conditions, suggesting both assessments are representative of sensory integration. Further investigation of the current clinical approach is warranted as the COBALT may be a clinically feasible test of sensory integration.
Pathogenic, but Not Nonpathogenic,
Rickettsia
spp. Evade Inflammasome-Dependent IL-1 Responses To Establish an Intracytosolic Replication Niche
Authors: Voss Oliver H. , Cobb Jennifer , Gaytan Hodalis , Rivera Díaz Natalia , Sanchez Rigoberto , DeTolla Louis , Rahman M. Sayeedur , Azad Abdu F.
Published: February 2022

Currently, no vaccines are available to prevent rickettsioses, while vector-borne rickettsial infections in humans are on the rise globally. In fact, the insufficient understanding of how pathogenic
Rickettsia
species circumvent host immune defense mechanisms has significantly hindered the development of more effective therapeutics.
Proteomic and Phosphoryproteomic Investigations Reveal that Autophagy-Related Protein 1, a Protein Kinase for Autophagy Initiation, Synchronously Deploys Phosphoregulation on the Ubiquitin-Like Conjugation System in the Mycopathogen Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Lin Hai-Yan , Ding Jin-Li , Peng Yue-Jin , Feng Ming-Guang , Ying Sheng-Hua
Published: February 2022

Autophagy-related protein 1 (Atg1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase for autophagy initiation. In contrast to the unicellular yeast, the target proteins phosphorylated by Atg1 are largely unknown in filamentous fungi.
Pancreatoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma 13 years after oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction: report of a case
Authors: Biesma Nanske C , te Riele Wouter W , Van Santvoort Hjalmar C , Molenaar I Quintus
Published: February 2022

Advancements in cancer management have led to improved survival in patients with oesophageal cancer. This has resulted in an increased incidence of second primary malignancies with the pancreas as a common secondary cancer site. Resectable pancreatic and periampullary cancers are treated by pancreatoduodenectomy, including resection of the gastroduodenal artery which provides the blood supply to the gastric conduit in patients who underwent oesophagectomy. A 77-year-old man with a history of distal oesophageal cancer, for which an oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction was performed, presented in the emergency department. Extensive workup showed a lesion suspected for a distal cholangiocarcinoma. Pancreatoduodenectomy was deemed feasible after arterial angiography revealed that the gastric conduit was dominantly vascularised by the right gastric artery. Adequate imaging of the blood supply is essential to determine eligibility for pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with a second primary malignancy in the pancreas or periampullary region after oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction.
Flap amputation for long-standing post-LASIK flap dislocation with epithelial ingrowth
Authors: Nair Sridevi , Kaur Manpreet , Bari Aafreen , Titiyal Jeewan S
Published: February 2022

A man aged 26 years presented with complaints of diminution of vision in his right eye for 1 year following a fist injury. He had a history of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis in both eyes 5 years earlier. On examination, his uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) in the right eye was 1.0 logMAR. Slit-lamp examination of the right eye revealed a superotemporal dislocation of the flap with coexisting epithelial ingrowth encroaching the pupillary area. Due to the presence of long-standing fixed flap folds, a flap amputation was performed along with removal of the epithelial ingrowth using 0.02% mitomycin C as adjunct. Postoperatively, the UDVA was 0.3 logMAR on day 1, which improved to 0.2 logMAR at 1 week. At 1 year, the UDVA was 0.2 logMAR improving to 0.1 logMAR with refraction, with minimal paracentral corneal haze and no signs of corneal ectasia.
Recurrence of Graves’ disease in the thyroglossal duct after total thyroidectomy
Authors: Vaz-Pereira Ricardo , Santos Carlos , Monteiro Ana , Pinto de Sousa João
Published: February 2022

Graves’ disease (GD) due to hyperfunction of thyroglossal duct remnants is rare, but recurrence after total thyroidectomy is even rarer. We present a rare case of a patient with recurrence of GD in a thyroglossal duct, after total thyroidectomy, who has been treated by Sistrunk procedure. Patients with a history of GD and difficult thyroid function control after total thyroidectomy should be studied to rule out persistent and functional thyroid tissue. In these cases, surgical treatment is an effective option.
Failures in emergency management of pediatric airway foreign bodies by rigid bronchoscopy: we have yet to complete our learning
Authors: Moslehi Mohammad Ashkan
Published: February 2022

Background

Several children are affected by airway foreign body aspiration (FBA) resulting from life-threatening conditions. Choking has been considered the major symptom and is defined as airway blockage by a foreign body (FB), leading to marked morbidity or mortality. This retrospective study indicates the possibility of misdiagnosis or rigid bronchoscope (RB) failure, which is the standard gold method for extracting FB in the airway.

Methods

Six children with airway FBA who failed treatment using RB between 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively studied. The inclusion criterion was a history of failure to extract FB using RB followed by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB).

Results

In the present study, among 63 patients who had undergone rigid bronchoscopy, airway FBs were successfully removed in 57 (90.48%). Rigid bronchoscopy failed in 6 (9.52%) patients. The age of cases at the time of bronchoscopy ranged from 11 months to 13 years. FFB was performed to extract missing or remaining FBs and was done successfully in all patients. The patients made an uneventful recovery following FB extraction using the FFB method.

Conclusions

It is not easy to diagnose and treat airway FB in children. Rigid bronchoscopy has been approved as a method to manage airway FB, but a negative bronchoscopy result must usually be interpreted carefully. FFB is applicable as a proper and relatively safe diagnostic and therapeutic tool in managing airway FBs among the pediatric population, especially in cases where rigid bronchoscopy was performed but missed or failed to extract the FB.
Liquefaction of sands subjected to principal stress rotation caused by generalized seismic loading
Authors: Prasanna R. , Sivathayalan S.
Published: February 2022

A comprehensive experimental study that quantifies the influence of coupled compression and shear wave loading on liquefaction susceptibility of sands is presented. Such loading is typical in situ, and leads to complex principal stress rotation, which in turn impacts the potential for liquefaction in soils even if the cyclic loading intensity remains constant. The nature and degree of principal stress rotation caused by this coupled loading are significantly influenced by the initial consolidation stress state, and the cyclic shear (ΔS), cyclic normal (ΔN) stress increments, the ratio ΔS/ΔN, and the phase shift (δ) between the waves. Cyclic hollow cylinder torsional shear tests were carried out on Fraser River sand specimens isotropically consolidated to different effective mean normal stress [Formula: see text] and subjected to coupled cyclic loading with representative ΔS/ΔN. For a given cyclic stress ratio (CSR) and initial [Formula: see text], the liquefaction resistance decreases with increasing s-wave intensity relative to p-wave intensity, which are proxies to stress increments ΔS and ΔN, respectively. Liquefaction resistance decreases with an increase in ΔS/ΔN up to a limiting value of about 2 beyond which increasing ΔS/ΔN does not significantly influence the cyclic resistance. The finding that cyclic resistance ratio [Formula: see text] decreases with increasing ΔS/ΔN is consistent with the understanding that the cyclic resistance is lower under simple shear loading mode compared to triaxial shear. Tests results also demonstrate that the liquefaction resistance of sand decreases with increasing initial effective confining stress regardless of the nature of the cyclic shear. This indicates that the correction Kσ factor (ratio of cyclic resistance at [Formula: see text] to resistance at [Formula: see text] = 100 kPa) can be considered even under generalized coupled loading conditions.
The first eigenvalue for the p-Laplacian on Lagrangian submanifolds in complex space forms
Authors: Ali Akram , Lee Jae Won , Alkhaldi Ali H.
Published: February 2022

The goal of this paper is to prove new upper bounds for the first positive eigenvalue of the [Formula: see text]-Laplacian operator in terms of the mean curvature and constant sectional curvature on Riemannian manifolds. In particular, we provide various estimates of the first eigenvalue of the [Formula: see text]-Laplacian operator on closed orientate [Formula: see text]-dimensional Lagrangian submanifolds in a complex space form [Formula: see text] with constant holomorphic sectional curvature [Formula: see text]. As applications of our main theorem, we generalize the Reilly-inequality for the Laplacian [R. C. Reilly, On the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian for compact submanifolds of Euclidean space, Comment. Math. Helv. 52(4) (1977) 525–533] to the [Formula: see text]-Laplacian for a Lagrangian submanifold in a complex Euclidean space and complex projective space for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
The memory function of the generalized diffusion equation of active motion
Authors: Sevilla Francisco J.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, an exact description of the statistical motion of active particles in three dimensions is presented in the framework of a generalized diffusion equation. Such a generalization contemplates a nonlocal, in time and space, connecting (memory) function. This couples the rate of change of the probability density of finding the particle at position [Formula: see text] at time [Formula: see text] with the Laplacian of the probability density at all previous times and to all points in space. Starting from the standard Fokker–Planck-like equation for the probability density of finding an active particle at position [Formula: see text] swimming along the direction [Formula: see text] at time [Formula: see text], we derive in this paper in an exact manner the connecting function that allows a description of active motion in terms of this diffusion equation.
Constraints on the curvature of nuclear symmetry energy from recent astronomical data within the KIDS framework
Authors: Gil Hana , Papakonstantinou Panagiota , Hyun Chang Ho
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we investigate the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy [Formula: see text] in the KIDS (Korea-IBS-Daegu-SKKU) framework for the nuclear equation of state (EoS) and energy-density functional (EDF). The aim is to constrain the value of the curvature parameter ([Formula: see text]) based on recent astronomical data. First, assuming a standard saturation point, we calculate bulk nuclear properties within KIDS-EDF for different values of the compression modulus of symmetric nuclear matter ([Formula: see text]) and of the leading-order symmetry energy parameters, i.e., the symmetry energy ([Formula: see text]) and slope ([Formula: see text]) at saturation density, each within a broadly accepted range, as well as [Formula: see text]. All of the above EoS parameters are varied independently of each other. The skewness parameter ([Formula: see text]) is presently kept fixed at 650[Formula: see text]MeV. For all EoS parameter sets which describe the selected nuclear data within better than [Formula: see text], we calculate the neutron star EoS and mass–radius relation and analyze the results in terms of Pearson correlation coefficients [Formula: see text]. We find that the value of [Formula: see text] is strongly correlated with the radius of both a canonical and a massive star [Formula: see text]. If we impose that all known astronomical constraints on the neutron star radii must be satisfied, we deduce [Formula: see text]. As a result, the symmetry energy as a function of the density is consistently found to have an inflection point at [Formula: see text]. We take the opportunity to report that the neutron skin thickness of [Formula: see text]Pb shows no correlation at all with the neutron star radii [Formula: see text], in contrast with studies which focus on the role of [Formula: see text] only.
An Extended SORA Method for Hybrid Reliability-Based Design Optimization
Authors: Tian Wanyi , Chen Weiwei , Wang Zhonghua , Ni Bingyu
Published: February 2022

In many practical engineering problems, distributions of some random variables may not be precisely known or even only the variation ranges can be given, due to which the Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO) methods cannot be applied directly. In this paper, a hybrid RBDO model is established to deal with hybrid uncertainties including random variables with interval distribution parameters and coexistence of random and interval variables. The hybrid uncertainties lead to an interval of reliability, thus giving rise to a triple-loop optimization problem, which burdens the computational effort significantly. Therefore, an extended Sequential Optimization and Reliability Assessment (SORA) method is proposed, where the worst-case point over the bounded domain of interval uncertainty is employed to replace reliability constraint with deterministic optimization. Therefore, the hybrid RBDO problem can be efficiently solved by a series of deterministic optimization procedures. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method are illustrated through several numerical examples.
Characterization and Quantum Efficiency Determination of Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells as Sensors for Precise Flux Calibration
Authors: Brownsberger Sasha , Zhang Lige , Andrade David , Stubbs Christopher W.
Published: February 2022

As the precision frontier of astrophysics advances toward the one millimagnitude level, flux calibration of photometric instrumentation remains an ongoing challenge. We present the results of a lab-bench assessment of the viability of monocrystalline silicon solar cells to serve as large-aperture (up to 125[Formula: see text]mm diameter), high-precision photodetectors. We measure the electrical properties, spatial response uniformity, quantum efficiency (QE), and frequency response of third-generation C60 solar cells, manufactured by Sunpower. Our new results, combined with our previous study of these cells’ linearity, dark current, and noise characteristics, suggest that these devices hold considerable promise, with QE and linearity that rival those of traditional, small-aperture photodiodes. We argue that any photocalibration project that relies on precise knowledge of the intensity of a large-diameter optical beam should consider using solar cells as calibrating photodetectors.
Evaluating Dynamic Binary Instrumentation Systems for Conspicuous Features and Artifacts
Authors: D’Elia Daniele Cono , Invidia Lorenzo , Palmaro Federico , Querzoni Leonardo
Published: February 2022

Dynamic binary instrumentation (DBI) systems are a popular solution for prototyping heterogeneous program analyses and monitoring tools. Several works from academic and practitioner venues have questioned the transparency of DBI systems, with anti-analysis detection sequences being found already in malware and executable protectors. The present Field Note details new and established detection methods and evaluates recent versions of popular DBI systems against them. It also sets out reflections on potential remediations and alternatives available to security researchers for their daily needs. We make available a large collection of implemented detections, hoping it can help the community build better DBI runtimes and tools.
A Current Learning Theory Approach to the Etiology and Course of Anxiety and Related Disorders
Authors: Zinbarg Richard E. , Williams Alexander L. , Mineka Susan
Published: February 2022

The authors describe how contemporary learning theory and research provide the basis for models of the etiology and maintenance of anxiety and related disorders. They argue that contemporary learning theory accounts for much of the complexity associated with individual differences in the development and course of these disorders. These insights from modern research on learning overcome the limitations of earlier behavioral approaches, which were overly simplistic and have been justifiably criticized. The authors show how considerations of early learning histories and temperamental vulnerabilities affect the short- and long-term likelihood that experiences with stressful events will lead to the development of anxiety disorders. They also discuss how contextual variables during and after stressful learning experiences influence the maintenance of anxiety disorder symptoms. Thus, contemporary learning models provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the etiology and course of anxiety and related disorders.
Dendrite Growth of Lithium through Separator Using In Situ Measurement Technique
Authors: Arise Ichiro , Miyahara Yuto , Miyazaki Kohei , Abe Takeshi
Published: February 2022

In situ techniques as a clue to clarify the mechanism of lithium dendrite growth through the separator were applied. The aim of this work was to clarify the dendrite growth mechanism through the separator and to investigate and discuss the relationship between lithium intercalation into graphite and lithium deposition on the graphite surface, applying in situ and ex situ optical microscope and in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was visually characterized the lithium dendrite growth by the ionic transfer through the separator and obtained the fundamental knowledge by in situ optical microscope. In the case of lithium deposition through the aramid coated separator (ACS), the dendrites were observed to be granular over a wide area. On the other hand, in the case of lithium deposition through the ceramic coated separator (CCS), dendrites were fibrous over a wide area by ex situ optical microscope.

The superiority of ACS is related to the flatness and uniformity of the pores due to aramid resin. This result was supported by an analysis applying in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Galvanic Corrosion of AA5083/Fe in Diluted Synthetic Seawater: Effect of Anodizing on Local Electrochemistry on and around Al
6
(Fe,Mn) on Al-Matrix
Authors: Kosaba Takumi , Muto Izumi , Sugawara Yu
Published: February 2022

In 100-times diluted synthetic seawater at 298 K (pH 8.2), the effect of anodizing on the galvanic corrosion resistance of AA5083 coupled to pure Fe, Type 430, or 304 stainless steel was investigated by measuring the galvanic current densities and electrode potentials. Anodizing in H
2
SO
4
effectively suppressed the galvanic corrosion of AA5083. It was shown that an increase in pitting potential by anodizing alone could not determine whether galvanic corrosion would occur or not. The cathodic activity on Al
6
(Fe, Mn), which causes alkalization on and around Al
6
(Fe, Mn) particles, decreased as the anodizing time and voltage increased. And, the anodic oxide film on the Al-matrix in alkaline environments became stable as the thickness of the oxide film increased. A comparison of these two factors revealed that the dissolution resistance of surface oxide film on Al-matrix contributed the galvanic corrosion prevention of anodized AA5083 coupled to pure Fe. In the case of AA5083 anodized at 16 V for 180 s, no galvanic corrosion damage was observed on the AA5083 coupled to Type 430 or 304.
Facile Surface Coatings for Performance Improvement of NMC811 Battery Cathode Material
Authors: Sun Xiao-Guang , Jafta Charl J. , Tan Susheng , Borisevich Albina , Gupta Ram B. , Paranthaman Mariappan Parans
Published: February 2022

High nickel content layered oxide LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) is a promising cathode material with a high theoretical capacity of 200 mAh g−1 for use in high energy density lithium-ion batteries. However, its surface can easily get passivated by LiOH and Li2CO3 due to its surface residual Li2O being reacting with ambient moisture and CO2. Herein, NMC811 was treated in a 3.0 M solution of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) at 60 °C for 8 h, 16 h and 24 h, respectively, resulting in coating of the NMC811 surface with LiF due to the basic nature of those residual lithium salts that react with LiFSI. The facile treatment of NMC811 in LiFSI/DMC not only improves the cycling stability but also enhances the capacity of the Li/NMC811 cells, mainly because of the thinning of the Li2CO3 layer as suggested by cyclic voltammograms and impedance analyses. This method opens a new avenue for activation of passivated NMC811 particles for practical battery applications.
Electrochemical Probing of Steric, Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Interactions of Large Cations in Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity
Authors: Frey Taylor L. , Fruehauf Krista R. , Lucas Rachel A. , Polster Jake W. , Shea Kenneth J. , Siwy Zuzanna S.
Published: February 2022

Porous membranes have been used for many applications, including separations in biotechnology, the food industry, water purification, and even energy storage devices. The benefit of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) is their consistently sized nanopore channels. Inherent functionalities of the PIM structure not only create these channels but are also available for further modifications that can change the interactions of ions and molecules inside of the pore. Here we design solid state nanopores on which are drop-casted two different PIMs, functionalized with either a cyano group or a carboxylic acid. Ionic transport through the membranes is investigated based on pore size and charge-charge interactions, as well as steric and hydrophobic interactions. Achieving specific ion selectivity with easily processable porous membranes opens new avenues for water purification strategies and energy storage.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Family Member (ALDH2) Is a Therapeutic Index for Oxaliplatin Response on Colorectal Cancer Therapy with Dysfunction p53
Authors: Wang Wei-Lin , Batzorig Uyanga , Hung Chin-Sheng , Wei Po-Li , Huang Chien-Yu , Chang Yu-Jia
Published: February 2022

Oxaliplatin resistance is a major issue in the treatment of p53 mutant colorectal cancer (CRC). Finding the specific biomarkers would improve therapeutic efficacy of patients with CRC. In order to figure out the biomarker for CRC patients with mutant p53 access oxaliplatin, a Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE42387) was used to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and Cytoscape software were used to predict protein‐protein interactions. The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery online tool was used to group the DEGs into their common pathways. 138 DEGs were identified with 46 upregulated and 92 downregulated. In the PPI networks, 7 of the upregulated genes and 13 of the downregulated genes were identified as hub genes (high degrees). Four hub genes, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 family member (ALDH2), aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1), aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10), and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) were enriched in the most significant pathway, glycerolipid metabolism. Further, we found that low expression of ALDH2 is correlated with poor overall survival and oxaliplatin resistance. Finally, we found that combined treatment with ALDH2 inhibitor and oxaliplatin will reduce the sensitivity to oxaliplatin in p53 mutant HT29 cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ALDH2 may be a biomarker for oxaliplatin resistance status in CRC patients and bring new insight into treatment strategy for p53 mutant CRC patients.
Complex Nanomaterials in Catalysis for Chemically Significant Applications: From Synthesis and Hydrocarbon Processing to Renewable Energy Applications
Authors: Chadha Utkarsh , Selvaraj Senthil Kumaran , Ashokan Hridya , Hariharan Sai P. , Mathew Paul V. , Venkatarangan Vishal , Paramasivam Velmurugan
Published: February 2022

The world is rapidly changing, the resources are getting depleted, and the demand for newer technologies and products is increasing. To keep up with these new advances, highly efficient catalytic routes need to be taken to be sustainable and ensure a drawn-out existence of resources for future generations. Catalysis turns out to be a significantly important field of application when it comes to the era of nanoscience, where all devices and technologies are becoming smaller and smaller in size with improved properties. When deeming the usability of a catalyst, it is of paramount importance to have a good understanding of their properties and their synergistic effect on the other reagents in the reaction. Over the last decade, the field of nanocatalysis has grown rapidly, both in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Given that nanoparticles have a high surface-to-volume ratio when compared to bulk materials, they are appealing as catalysts. Catalysts accelerate and boost thousands of different chemical reactions on a daily basis, forming the foundation of the multibillion-dollar chemical industry worldwide, a pathway leading to green chemistry, and a novel, yet crucial, environmental protection technology. As a result, in this review, the use of nanocatalysts and the application of their special features in the renewable energy, hydrocarbon processing, and fine chemical synthesis sector was explored. A detailed explanation of the working mechanism of these nanocatalysts, starting from how they are synthesized to the effect of modification of their surface, has been put together. We have tried to collect all the current progresses in these three sectors to the best of our abilities. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this paper would be useful for future researchers and academicians wishing to contribute toward this subject of interest.