bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of internally stacked Cu2O:CuO layers in Cu2O:CuO/Gr/ZnO heterojunctions for solar cells applications
Authors: Marina M , Nisha Razalli N , Zamzuri M , Zainal S. , Rozie Nani A , Mohamad F. , Izaki M
Published: October 2021

The present work shows the construction of CuO grains on the electrodeposited Cu2O layer through annealing method and the photovoltaic effect of Cu2O:CuO/ZnO heterojunctions with graphene buffer layer is also discussed. The annealing temperature of Cu2O layer is varied from 100 to 300 °C. The graphene monolayer was deposited by chemical vapor deposition method. The morphology, structural and electrical properties of Cu2O layer were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) and I-V measurement, respectively. The Cu2O grains size increase as the annealing temperature increased and the CuO grains could be observed at 300°C. The graphene monolayer was successfully inserted in between Cu2O:CuO/ZnO heterojunction. The Cu2O:CuO/Gr/ZnO heterojunction shows high electrical rectification with threshold voltage of 0.5 V.
Numerical investigation of the effect of bluff body bluntness factor on the wake-vortex pattern
Authors: Foon Lee Lye , Khamaruddin M. H. A. , Showkat Ali S. A.
Published: October 2021

The research is concerned with the flow pattern and vortex shedding around a blunt trailing edge bluff body. The aim is to investigate the effect of the bluntness factor of the trailing edge on the fluid-flow for various aerodynamic purposes. This study is performed by using the blunt trailing edge plates with various thickness values ranging from 0.025 mm to 60 mm. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model from ANSYS Fluent software is used to carry out the numerical simulation. The results show that the vortex formation range for the smallest bluntness thickness are relatively smaller than that of the larger bluntness thickness ratio. Generally, the intensity of the vortex street becomes stronger as the thickness of the plate increases, except for the blunt thickness of 10 mm due to the effect of the vortex eye location and the formation length. The influence of the bluntness thickness of the trailing edge has been identified as an important parameter to avert the drag issue associated with the blunt bodies. The most important aspect of this article is that the current study has unravelled that the vortex shedding occurs at the ratio below the known critical value. Further investigations are needed to better understand the underlying physics associated with the vortex shedding from various bluntness thickness.
Review analysis on laminar separation bubble at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Benny Thompson EJ , Gunasekaran M
Published: October 2021

The importance of drag reduction with separation bubble become necessary study on air and ground vehicles, gas turbines, etc. and therefore their presence will play a major role in this context. Normally laminar separation bubble found to exist on the suction side of low-pressure turbine and this phenomenon can be reduced by vortex generators. In this review paper some findings show that the rate at which the decrease in lift coefficient because of the formation of laminar separation bubble is less compared to the increase in the drag coefficient, and at higher angles of attack separation bubble burst found to cause stalling of aerofoil. This paper further discusses how the length of the separation bubble is independent of the angle of attack even though the laminar region of the separation bubble found to extend. Further we report the impact of varying the angle of attack on the characteristics of the laminar separation bubble and how blowing and suction control mechanism suppresses the separation bubble.
RETRACTED: Design and fabrication of solar water distillation with conventional solar still
Authors: Prabu D , Giriprasath A , Viknesh S
Published: October 2021

The project of design and fabrication in “solar water distillation” is producing pure water from solar energy is of great importance the world over, our work is production of clean water effectively from saline water with utilization of solar still can produce sufficient amount of pure water from saline water. The solar energy is given as input which evaporates the sea water. The evaporated water gets condensed in above internal glass surface. The condensed water gets collected in a container and the collected water is noted down as output reading. In this conventional solar still with an extra addition of a phase changing material releases heat when there is no solar energy the heat released by this phase changing material evaporates the saline water when there is no sunlight to improve the productivity of the solar still during sunset condition also the still gives better performance with phase changing material (pcm). The comparatively cheap and compact system depends on non-conventional energy. The inspiration of the venture is restricted to accessibility of clean water assets of sullied water accessible for expected change in to compact water.
Prediction of Drag Coefficient of a Base Bleed Artillery Projectile at Supersonic Mach number
Authors: Siva Krishna Reddy D , Sah Prashant Kumar , Sharma Ashish
Published: October 2021

An artillery projectile in flight produces aerodynamic drag in base region known as base drag. By injecting hot gases into the base region at low speed, base drag can be reduced. The reduction in base drag significantly increases the range of the projectile. In the present work. Numerical simulations over 155 mm artillery projectiles are performed with and without base bleed. The free stream Mach number is 2.26. Simulations are performed with commercial CFD package, ANSYS-FLUENT. The numerical method is based on density-based algorithm and K-ω SST turbulence model was chosen for calculation of turbulent stresses. Computations are performed for Angle of Attack (AOA) for 0° and 10°. The predicted drag coefficient for AOA=0° is validated with experimental data. The hot gases are injected at a Mach number and pressure of 2.26 and 101325 respectively. With the base bleed, 14.4% reduction in drag coefficient for AOA=0° is observed. The effect of base bleed on flow field and surface pressure is analyzed and presented in the paper.
Production and Performance of Biodiesel from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate
Authors: Rajesh K , Devan P K , Srinath Maruthi M , Vignesh N P , Vigneshvar S , Sethu V
Published: October 2021

Nowadays exhaustion of fossil fuel, increasing fuel price and the scarcity of petroleum products exist. It promotes the interest in the growth of alternative sources for petroleum-based fuel. Biodiesel is renewable fuel obtained from vegetable oil, animal fats and algae. The biodiesel from palm oil has been considered as the most merging alternate fuel used for transportation. The esterification and transesterification process is employed to extract biodiesel from PFAD due to high FFA content. In the esterification process, 2% of H2SO4 as an acidic catalyst with 12:1 molar ratio at 60°C temperature for 60 min was used as process parameters. In the transesterification process 0.5% KOH, 8:1 molar ratio is mixed at 60°C for 60 min. The properties of oil such as density, viscosity, flash point, fire point, etc., have been analysed. The biodiesel is blended with standard diesel and tested in DI diesel engine for its performance and emissions. The performance of test fuel is plotted for the various blends of biodiesel at the different loading conditions. The performance attributes such as brake thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption, have been calculated and compared with the diesel. Brake Thermal Efficiency comparatively low for biodiesel and it blends due to lower calorific value. The emission attributes such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and smoke are found to decrease with an increase in the blending ratio of biodiesel. The NOx is found to increase for biodiesel and its blends compared to diesel due to better combustion.
Influence of nano additives with cashew nut shell bio-oil in CI diesel engine
Authors: Thanigaivelan V , Singh Sahil Kumar , Rajhans Shashank Shekhar , Jagtap Aniket Satish
Published: October 2021

Biodiesel is a unique diverse fuel source that aims to enhance the worth of fossil fuels and the endurance and hygiene of diesel engines. This cuts requirement on overseas fuels and decreases greenhouse gas productions because of closed carbon chain. The increased nitrogen oxide emissions and their irreconcilability with cold weather environments and the many advantages of biodiesel such as regular fuel filters, fuel reservoirs and fuel fuels for engine components are outweighed. The growth and the inclusion of nanoparticles for fuel additives have another potential to overcome the shortcomings. Cashews are high in tropical biomass surplus used to generate energy such as cerium oxide. Cobalt oxide and aluminums oxide can increase the property of non-additive CNSL and reduce deficiencies.
Design and Development of Autofeed Pneumatic Punching and Riveting Machine.
Authors: Arunkumar G , Tison Antonio J , Pon Velayutham
Published: October 2021

Metal as sheets are more significant. However, metal as sheets can’t be straightforwardly utilized, activities like punching, blanking, twisting, riveting, and so forth are should be done on the metal sheets. For these activities, most enormous scope fabricating businesses utilize powerfully worked machines which are not savvy, generally little and medium scale enterprises utilize hand-worked machines for completing sheet metal activity which are moderate. 6 bar pressure is enough for these machines to work. The compressed air is going through the cylinders to the chamber powers the cylinder out which thus incites the cylinder down which thus does the way toward punching or riveting. This empowers us to utilize various kinds of hardware to perform various tasks. After the consummation of punch or rivet in the sheet metal the compressed air flows to the lower part of the chamber which incites the cylinder upwards so the metal is liberated from the tool and the following punch or rivet measure is made accessible. As per the functioning material the functioning pressing factor can be changed. This empowers us to utilize various kinds of punch or rivet apparatus which helps in bringing about a wide scope of items.
Experimental investigation of IC engine performance using calophylum inophylum biodiesel
Authors: Kalra Shivansh , Agarwal Ayush , Arul Kumar S , Mathanraj V
Published: October 2021

With a higher energy demand, the cost of oil is also increasing along with that the resources are vanishing at a very high pace and such conventional fuels creates environmental pollution, thus the best option is to find some clean, viable alternative for the same. Biodiesel is an available option and thus a better substitute for the IC engine fuel, It majorly restricts high emissions of the Carbon Monoxide(CO), Particulate Matter (PM), Hydrocarbon (HC) emission. Perversely, a number of experiments are conducted on a single blended bio fuel. This paper concentrates on two different bio-fuel blends with diesel. Calophylum Inophylum oil used for controlling the emission from the exhaust and subsequently improves the performance of an engine. The parameters are as follow: Brake thermal efficiency (BTE), specific fuel consumption and exhaust emission were noted. Lower the blends of biofuel more will be the thermal efficiency and thus it too reduces the specific fuel consumption. Calophylum Inophylum oil is used to prepare biodiesel blends ie (B20 and B40). The combustion characteristics investigated are cylinder gas pressure and heat release rate. Investigation is carried out at various loads and varying crank angles. The emissions at exhaust end were decreased while an increase was noted when the parts of biodiesel in the blend formed. This itself is sufficient to prove the viability and potential of the biofuel as an alternative to the conventional fuel being used to run an IC engine.
Performance investigation on solar still with plate fins and latent heat energy storage
Authors: Sathish Kumar T R , Balaji G , Mohamed Shihan M , Nithish Kumar A , Pranav J
Published: October 2021

Solar still is a cheap and portable solar distillation system that can purify brackish water into potable water and is ideal for domestics use. Low productivity is a major issue that needs to be addressed in solar stills. In the present work, the efficiency of the fabricated single slope single basin solar still was enhanced by the incorporation of plate fins over the basin liner of the still. The daily productivity was further increased by attaching a latent heat energy storage unit to the still. Paraffin wax was used as phase change material (PCM) in the energy storage unit. Experiments were conducted on modified solar still for the following two cases (i) with mere plate fins and (ii) with plate fins and PCM. A 40.6% increase in productivity was observed for the solar still with mere fins and the productivity is increased by 94.51% for the solar still incorporated with both fins and PCM when compared with that of conventional still.
Review on Process Development and Challenges in Biomass Pyrolysis
Authors: Nanditta R V , Goyal Kunal , Nagulash Rahul B , Balaji G
Published: October 2021

In recent times, the escalation of greenhouse gases, air pollution and depletion of the ozone layer has enforced the researchers to renovate the regular use of fossil fuels into alternate methods which are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. Biomass is one of the traditions to swap fossil fuels. Biomass can be transmogrified into beneficial and eco-friendly forms of energy under various conversion processes. The obtained energy can be used for heating water, industrial heating process, and generating electricity. Pyrolysis is a method to alter biomass into useful products, as the final yields of this process include bio-oil, char, methane (CH4), hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). It is well known for its high efficiency and environmental performance. In this method even the agricultural residues, waste woods, solid municipal waste, plant wastes can be utilized. This review comprehends the various concepts on products of biomass pyrolysis, mechanisms, and several pre-treatment processes used for efficient pyrolysis of biomass have been analysed. The impact of various fundamental constraints such as temperature, heating rate, particle size was studied and their influence on yield and composition were studied.
Comparison of performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine fuelled with different blends of bio-diesel
Authors: Das Nirab Kumar , Gowtham R , Venkatesan Atthreya , Malarmannan S , Manikanda Raja G
Published: October 2021

In these times of potential energy crisis and climate change, search for alternative sources for conventional fuel has led us to bio-diesel. Vegetable oils are typically highly dense and viscous and to overcome it we prefer the methyl ester of the oil. In our study we have used methyl ester of Palm stearin oil, which can be found in our country (India) abundantly, and conducted emission and performance tests on a non-modified diesel engine. Diesel along with four different blends of 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% by mass were used to carry the tests in different loading conditions. The results have shown promising possibility of the use of palm-stearin oil blended bio-diesel as CO, NOX and HC emissions reduced and B-30 provided the best mechanical efficiency.
R1234yf/R134a Based Refrigerant Mixture for Automobile Air Conditioning Systems: A Thermodynamic Approach
Authors: Prabakaran Rajendran , Somasundaram P , Sidney Shaji , Sanjeev K , Mohamed Fasil , Subathran VM
Published: October 2021

The environmental protocols lead to analysing various refrigerants minimum global warming potential (GWP) to substitute high GWP R134a in an automobile air conditioning (AAC) system. The present study deals with the thermodynamic analysis of the AAC unit using R1234yf/R134a refrigerant mixtures under three-vehicle speed conditions such as idling (L-900 rpm), city limit (M-1800 rpm), and high speed (H-2700 rpm). The mass fractions of R1234yf/R134a such as 0:1, 1:0, 0.9:0.1, 0.8:0.2, 0.7:0.3, 0.6:0.4 and 0.5:0.5 were considered in this analysis. The cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) of R1234yf were observed to be poorer than that of the existing R134a by up to 10.4% and 8.3%. The addition of R134a in R1234yf reduced the performance gap between the existing R134a system under all the speed conditions. There was an increase cooling capacity and COP of the AAC by up to 6.4% and 4.9% was found with the addition of 0.5 mass fraction of R134a in R1234yf. However, the GWP of the refrigerant mixture was increased with rise in R134a mass fraction of which causes more direct CO2 emission from the AAC system. This study prevailed that the use of R1234yf/R134a mixture (0.5:0.5 by a mass fraction) performed very much similar to that of R134a in the AAC unit. Further, the R1234yf/R134a mixture (0.9:0.1 by a mass fraction) is suggested to use in the AAC system to satisfy the environmental protocols (GWP < 150).
Numerical analysis of vertical axis wind turbine with the wing profile of NACA0021
Authors: Sathiyamoorthy K , Gorli Sai Subhash , Sai Pothireddy Karthik , Nandha Sri Varma N
Published: October 2021

A model of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT ) with the wing profile of NACA0021 is created for testing purpose in the modeling software. The numerical test is conducted in the profile using two equation turbulence model. The result is presented here. The visualization part of blade is showing the detailed region of both velocity and pressure. The large number of simulation is performed for attaining the maximum performance of the blade with different tip speed ratio. The result shows the average co-efficient of performance of 0.27 at the tip speed ratio of 2.5. The flow visualization is studied at the simple level.
Foresight of promising scientific fields in scientific social networks
Authors: Orlova Y A , Pronichkin S V , Mamai I B , Kholstov A V
Published: October 2021

Currently, the problem of developing methods for determining promising directions, trends in scientific research and technology is the most important component of the process of forming a national science policy. The problem of finding priority or breakthrough areas of development is reduced to sorting out in one form or another and assessing possible existing areas of scientific activity. It is proposed to use a semantic network of communicative information space, in which the structuring of the subject area is based on the selection of objects and identifying features, which include not only features-properties, but also features-relationships. A module for traversing elements of a scientific social network by reference graph has been implemented, as well as an algorithm for determining the level of importance of a scientific direction according to multiple criteria.
Scientific and technical programs’ actors absorption capacity multicriteria analysis network models
Authors: Ulyev A D , Pronichkin S V , Kholstov A V , Mamai I B
Published: October 2021

Scientific and technical programs are an important means of implementing the priority directions of the science and technology development. The key features of scientific and technical programs for the formation of demand and supply for scientific knowledge are considered, the classification of the programs main types is carried out. Criteria for assessing the potential and activity of the scientific and technical programs actors were developed. Dynamic models of the system analysis of the scientific and technical programs actors’ absorption capacity according to many criteria based on the data envelopment analysis methodology are proposed.
Using evolutionary algorithms to determine the environmental projects effectiveness
Authors: Mamai I B , Savelyev B I , Pronichkin S V , Kholstov A V
Published: October 2021

Environmental projects have a high degree of uncertainty and risk of their implementation. In the process of assessing their effectiveness, it is necessary to take into account the interests of all the participants in the environmental project. The environmental projects effectiveness evaluation is formalized in the form of a mathematical problem of nonlinear programming with Boolean variables with constraints such as equality and inequality. To solve it, the interactive genetic algorithm for the environmental projects implementation trajectory formation was developed.
Formation of descriptors for medical risk classifiers based on the current-voltage characteristics of biologically active points
Authors: Miroshnikov A V , Kiselev A V , Shatalova O V , Kadyrova Sofiya
Published: October 2021

Diagnosis of many diseases can be achieved using the electrical response of bioactive points on patient’s body. Predictions are made by analyzing the electrical response of patients’ biologically active points. To analyze the impact on the organ, values of the current strength in the organ were measured and the changes of the passive electrical properties on selected bioactive locations on the body. The research goal is to develop a classification neural network model to predict post-surgery complication risk for prostate surgery. The obtained current-voltage characteristics is used as input in the classification artificial neural network model that predicts two classes. The dataset involves medical information of 120 patients diagnosed with prostate disease. Descriptors are composed of the analysis of five current-voltage characteristics. Neural network classifiers prediction shows a high capacity to predict critical conditions. The developed model is valuable because it can be used in beepers for prenosological diagnosis of infectious diseases. The 3 BAP models using I – Taiyuang, IX – Daling, and V – Shenmen configuration produced the highest accuracy. The accuracy of the classifier ranged from 80% to 82%.
Towards designing knowledge bases for aircraft malfunctions diagnostics based on model transformations
Authors: Kotlov Y V , Popov V M , Yurin A Y
Published: October 2021

The paper describes a method of forming prototypes of knowledge bases for the interactive electronic technical manual for RRJ-95 troubleshooting. The method includes three main stages: the formation of an ontology for diagnosing an aircraft malfunctions; the formation of event trees that describe the sequence of operations to eliminate specific malfunctions; the construction of knowledge bases that codify the basic concepts of the ontology and trees formed. At each stage, the following software are used: Protégé, Extended Event Tree Editor (EETE), and Personal Knowledge Base Designer (PKBD). Data-driven integration of software is implemented through model transformations. The description of the main stages of the method; the table of correspondences used in the implementation of model transformations, as well as an illustrative example are presented.
Semantic patent analysis with Amazon Web Services
Authors: Manukyan A , Korobkin D , Fomenkov S , Kolesnikov S
Published: October 2021

Semantic analysis of the patent array allows us to solve several modern problems: (1) Clustering of the patent array. This information can be useful for identifying patent trends, key modern technologies, and predicting the demand for technologies in the future period; (2) Automation of the work of the patent office expert. Based on a full-text query (the text of a patent application), a search for analogous patents can be performed. This study describes a developed software that provides the possibility of clustering the patent array (topic modeling), identifying groups of related patents (not based on patent classification but on the basis of key terms/phrases extracted from the texts), and a search for patents using AWS technologies.
Creating an artificial neural network for predicting the dynamics of retrospective yield series
Authors: Rogachev A F
Published: October 2021

The article considers the specifics of constructing an artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting the dynamics of time series levels (TS) of grain yield in arid conditions on the example of the Volgograd region. In order to justify the choice of the architecture and hyperparameters of ANN, a preliminary statistical analysis of the simulated TS was performed. The autocorrelation functions of the retrospective yield series constructed in this case can be taken into account when choosing ANN hyperparameters for predicting grain yield. A number of ANN architectures based on recurrent layers, including LSTM, were analyzed. The best results of neural network modeling are obtained for cascading groups of layers of a seriesparallel architecture. The proposed neural network technology for predicting TS yield levels using a pre-forecast autocorrelation analysis of retrospective levels reduces the error of short-term forecasting of grain yield in the arid natural and climatic conditions of the Lower Volga region. Taking into account the results of autocorrelation analysis allows you to choose the values of ANN hyperparameters more reasonably. The achieved accuracy of the regression problem was 82..87%, which can be considered acceptable for planning agricultural production for 1-2 years. The ways of improving the accuracy of the neural network solution of the problem of predicting productivity in the arid conditions of the Lower Volga region using retrospective TS of productivity are formulated.
An integrated comparative physiology and molecular approach pinpoints mediators of breath-hold capacity in dolphins
Authors: Blawas Ashley M , Ware Kathryn E , Schmaltz Emma , Zheng Larry , Spruance Jacob , Allen Austin S , West Nicole , Devos Nicolas , Corcoran David L , Nowacek Douglas P , Eward William C , Fahlman Andreas , Somarelli Jason A
Published: October 2021

Background and objectives

Ischemic events, such as ischemic heart disease and stroke, are the number one cause of death globally. Ischemia prevents blood, carrying essential nutrients and oxygen, from reaching tissues, leading to cell and tissue death, and eventual organ failure. While humans are relatively intolerant to ischemic events, other species, such as marine mammals, have evolved a unique tolerance to chronic ischemia/reperfusion during apneic diving. To identify possible molecular features of an increased tolerance for apnea, we examined changes in gene expression in breath-holding dolphins.

Methodology

Here, we capitalized on the adaptations possesed by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for diving as a comparative model of ischemic stress and hypoxia tolerance to identify molecular features associated with breath holding. Given that signals in the blood may influence physiological changes during diving, we used RNA-Seq and enzyme assays to examine time-dependent changes in gene expression in the blood of breath-holding dolphins.

Results

We observed time-dependent upregulation of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) gene and increased lipoxygenase activity during breath holding. ALOX5 has been shown to be activated during hypoxia in rodent models, and its metabolites, leukotrienes, induce vasoconstriction.

Conclusions and implications

The upregulation of ALOX5 mRNA occurred within the calculated aerobic dive limit of the species, suggesting that ALOX5 may play a role in the dolphin’s physiological response to diving, particularly in a pro-inflammatory response to ischemia and in promoting vasoconstriction. These observations pinpoint a potential molecular mechanism by which dolphins, and perhaps other marine mammals, respond to the prolonged breath holds associated with diving.
Two strains of airborne Nocardiopsis alba producing different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as biofungicide for Ganoderma boninense
Authors: Widada Jaka , Damayanti Ema , Alhakim Mohammad Ryan , Yuwono Triwibowo , Mustofa Mustofa
Published: October 2021

Nocardiopsis are actinobacteria which produce active compounds, such as antifungals and volatile compounds. Ganoderma boninense is a pathogenic and aggressive fungus that decreases palm oil yield during production. In this study, we isolated two strains of Nocardia (GME01 and GME22) from airborne contaminants on the actinobacteria culture collection in the laboratory. The aim of this study is to identify two strains of Nocardiopsis and to obtain the antifungal potency of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) against G. boninese. We characterized the morphology using Scanning Electrone Microscope (SEM), molecular properties and whole-cell protein spectra using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), antifungal assay on G. boninense and VOCs analysis of Nocardia using solid phase micro extraction/gas chromatography (SPME/GC). The two Nocardiopsis strains had the similar characteristic such as white aerial mycelium and spores, aerobic, grow well on ISP-2, TSA and NA medium without diffusible pigment and had the highest similarity with Nocardiopsis alba DSM 43377 (99.63% and 99.55% similarity for GME01 and GME22, respectively), Different morphological feature was found in aerial mycelium and spores. GME22 has a clearly fragmented mycelium whereas GME01 has none. Other features also showed different on the whole-cell protein spectra, antifungal activity and VOCs profiles. Antifungal activity assay on G. boninense showed that N. alba GME22 has higher antifungal activity than GME01 related with the VOCs abundance in two strains. Almost 38.3% (18 VOCs) of N. alba GME22 and 25.5% (12 VOCs) of N. alba GME01 were found specifically in each strain, and 36.2% (the 17 same VOCs) produced by both. The known volatile antifungal compounds S-methyl ethanethioate, 1,2-dimethyldisulfane, acetic acid, 2-methyl propanoic acid, 3-methyl-butanoic acid, nonan-2-one, undecan-2-one and 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexan-1-ol only produced by N. alba GME22 and 1,3-dimethyltrisulfane only produced by N. alba GME01. A total of two known antifungal compounds 1,2-dimethyldisulfane and 6-methylheptan-2-one were produced by both N. alba. The abundance of antifungal VOCs produced by these bacteria is potentially to be used as biocontrol agent for pathogenic fungi in plants.
Genome-wide analysis of acute low salinity tolerance in the eastern oysterCrassostrea virginicaand potential of genomic selection for trait improvement
Authors: McCarty Alexandra J , Allen Standish K , Plough Louis V
Published: October 2021

As the global demand for seafood increases, research into the genetic basis of traits that can increase aquaculture production is critical. The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is an important aquaculture species along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States, but increases in heavy rainfall events expose oysters to acute low salinity conditions, which negatively impact production. Low salinity survival is known to be a moderately heritable trait, but the genetic architecture underlying this trait is still poorly understood. In this study, we used ddRAD sequencing to generate genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data for four F2 families to investigate the genomic regions associated with survival in extreme low salinity (<3). SNP data were also used to assess the feasibility of genomic selection (GS) for improving this trait. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and combined linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed significant QTL on eastern oyster chromosomes 1 and 7 underlying both survival and day to death in a 36-day experimental challenge. Significant QTL were located in genes related to DNA/RNA function and repair, ion binding and membrane transport, and general response to stress. GS was investigated using Bayesian linear regression models and prediction accuracies ranged from 0.48 to 0.57. Genomic prediction accuracies were largest using the BayesB prior and prediction accuracies did not substantially decrease when SNPs located within the QTL region on Chr1 were removed, suggesting that this trait is controlled by many genes of small effect. Our results suggest that GS will likely be a viable option for improvement of survival in extreme low salinity.
La Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos y la “conversación entre iguales”The Inter-American Human Rights Court and the “conversation among equals”
Authors: Gargarella Roberto
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the justification of the work of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The idea that moves this text is that, commonly, we study the decisions of the Court trying to determine whether they refer to an activist or self-restrained Court; whether those decisions are liberal, conservative or progressive; but we seldom reflect on the very justification of the Court’s task. In this brief paper, I will begin to examine the question, taking into account a particular conception of democracy—which I will call “democracy as conversation among equals.” From that standpoint I will derive a certain justification of judicial review—a model of judicial review that would be sensitive to the context and institutional peculiarities of the region—that will help me to critically evaluate the role and mission of the Inter-American Court.
Can Religion Save Corrupt Politicians? Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Sumaktoyo Nathanael Gratias , Muhtadi Burhanuddin
Published: October 2021

Does endorsing an Islamist agenda protect a candidate involved in corruption from negative voter evaluations? The corruption literature suggests that voter reactions to corruption are not unbiased and as such Islamist agendas could potentially mitigate the negative effects of a corruption scandal, especially in religious societies. The political Islam literature suggests that endorsing an Islamist agenda would not shield corrupt politicians from negative reactions of the voters. We directly answer this question through 2 nationally representative survey experiments in the world’s most populous Muslim democracy Indonesia. Our findings are 2-fold. First, Islamist agendas, in general, have only little effects on voter support for a candidate. Second, voters punish corrupt candidates equally, regardless whether or not they endorse an Islamist agenda.
Microscopy and biomimetics: the NanoSuit® method and image retrieval platform
Authors: Hariyama Takahiko , Takaku Yasuharu , Kawasaki Hideya , Shimomura Masatsugu , Senoh Chiyo , Yamahama Yumi , Hozumi Atsushi , Ito Satoru , Matsuda Naoto , Yamada Satoshi , Itoh Toshiya , Haseyama Miki , Ogawa Takahiro , Mori Naoki , So Shuhei , Mitsuno Hidefumi , Ohara Masahiro , Nomura Shuhei , Hirasaka Masao
Published: October 2021

This review aims to clarify a suitable method towards achieving next-generation sustainability. As represented by the term ‘Anthropocene’, the Earth, including humans, is entering a critical era; therefore, science has a great responsibility to solve it. Biomimetics, the emulation of the models, systems and elements of nature, especially biological science, is a powerful tool to approach sustainability problems. Microscopy has made great progress with the technology of observing biological and artificial materials and its techniques have been continuously improved, most recently through the NanoSuit® method. As one of the most important tools across many facets of research and development, microscopy has produced a large amount of accumulated digital data. However, it is difficult to extract useful data for making things as biomimetic ideas despite a large amount of biological data. Here, we would like to find a way to organically connect the indispensable microscopic data with the new biomimetics to solve complex human problems.
Natural flavonolignans as potential therapeutic agents against common diseases
Authors: Song Kainan , Li Meichen , Yang Yuqian , Zhang Zhe , Zhu Qing , Liu Jianyu , Wang Andong
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Plant-derived flavonolignans had been demonstrated to have various biological functions. They are an important class of natural products combined by a flavonoid unit and a phenylpropanoid unit.

Key findings

From the literature survey, 88 constituents from natural resources were identified. Different derivatives of flavonolignans were listed, fused phenylpropanoid unit with dioxane ring, or cyclic ether, or simple ether side chain, or lactone, and so on. Besides, the pharmacological effects of flavonolignans were summarized as well. It has a wide range of anti-tumour, antioxidant, anti-microorganic and anti-inflammatory effects.

This review had provided a full-scale profile of flavonolignans on its plant sources, phytochemistry and pharmacology, and also proposed some issues and perspectives which may be of concern in the future. It was greatly anticipated that the commercialization of the flavonolignans would lead to uplift the financial abilities of communities attending the growing of the flavonolignans and the relevant and potential production becoming an international herbal and pharmaceutical commodity.
Updates in cutaneous manifestations of systemic vasculitis
Authors: Elbendary Amira , Abdel-Halim Mona R.E. , Ragab Gaafar
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review

The main purpose of this review is to present newly reported cutaneous manifestations of systemic vasculitis, updates in investigations to verify systemic involvement in cases with cutaneous vasculitis and new therapeutic guidelines. The spectrum of COVID-19-related vasculitis is also covered.

Recent findings

Only a few reports highlighted new cutaneous presentations or associations with some systemic vasculitic entities. For example, the association of inflammatory disorders with Takayasu arteritis, the importance of considering Kawasaki disease in febrile children with erythema nodosum, the development of necrotic ulcers on fingers and toes in Behçet's disease and the possible presence of polyarteritis nodosa-like pathological features in vulvar ulcers of Behçet's disease. New attempts to classify cutaneous manifestations of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) and the diagnostic investigations for cutaneous vasculitis cases to verify systemic involvement are discussed. Treatment of systemic vasculitis with cutaneous vasculitis should be tailored according to disease status. A plethora of reports in the past 2 years focused on the broad spectrum of COVID-19 vasculitic manifestations.

Although newly reported cutaneous manifestations of systemic vasculitis are relatively uncommon, the plethora of reports in the past 2 years on COVID-19 vasculitis necessitates the expansion of the classification of vasculitis associated with probable cause to include severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) vasculitis.
Anti-inflammatory Therapeutics and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Eghtedari Bibinaz , Roy Sion K. , Budoff Matthew J.
Published: October 2021

It has been demonstrated that atherosclerotic disease progression is contingent upon chronic inflammation. The sequence of events leading up to plaque formation, instability, and eventual plaque rupture hinges upon the interaction of proinflammatory cytokines and fat deposition within the coronary vasculature. Over the past decade, a large body of evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of specific anti-inflammatory therapeutics in halting the progression of coronary artery disease. Despite this, these therapeutics have yet to be included in guideline-directed medical therapy regimens. This review will focus on several anti-inflammatories, which have been studied in the context of cardiovascular disease—colchicine, canakinumab, VIA-2291, and methotrexate, and will highlight the potential benefits majority hold in hindering atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease progression. This holds especially true for individuals already on optimal medical therapy who continue to be at high risk for adverse cardiovascular events.
Benefits of Structured Pediatric to Adult Transition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: McCartney Sara , Lindsay James O. , Russell Richard K. , Gaya Daniel R. , Shaw Ian , Murray Charlie D. , Finney‐Hayward Tricia , Sebastian Shaji
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of structured transition from pediatric to adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) services on objective patient outcomes, including disease flares, admission rates, and healthcare resource use.

Methods:

A retrospective observational study in 11 United Kingdom gastroenterology centers. Transition patients attended ≥2 visits to the gastroenterology service with both pediatric and adult personnel jointly present; non‐transition patients transferred to adult services without joint visits. Data were collected from medical records for the 12‐month periods before and after the date of the first visit involving adult IBD services (index visit).

Results:

A total of 129 patients were included: 95 transition patients and 34 non‐transition patients. In the 12 months post‐index visit, transition patients had fewer disease flares (P = 0.05), were more likely to be steroid‐free (71% vs 41%, P < 0.05), and were less likely to have an emergency department visit leading to hospital admission (5% vs 18%, P < 0.05). During this period, the mean estimated overall cost of care per patient was £1644.22 in the transition group and £1827.32 in the non‐transition group (P = 0.21).

Conclusion:

Structured transition from pediatric to adult IBD care services was associated with positive and cost‐neutral outcomes in patients with pediatric IBD.
Clinical Characteristics and Short‐Term Outcomes of Children With Asparaginase‐Associated Pancreatitis
Authors: Mauney Erin E. , Power‐Hays Alexandra , Flamand Yael , Vrooman Lynda , Silverman Lewis B. , Grover Amit S.
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

Acute pancreatitis is a significant toxicity of L‐asparaginase, a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This case series describes the short‐term clinical course and disposition of patients who developed asparaginase‐associated pancreatitis (AAP) at one quaternary pediatric center.

Methods:

Clinical data, including laboratory data, inpatient and intensive care unit (ICU) days, imaging findings, presence of complications such as need for ventilation, dialysis, and the development of pleural effusions, and mode of nutrition were abstracted from the medical record of patients with AAP. Pediatric criteria were used to classify episode severity based on the development of organ failure and local complications, such as pancreatic necrosis.

Results:

Between 2005 and 2015, 34 patients had AAP with 43 distinct episodes of pancreatitis. The median inpatient length of stay was 10 days (range 2–65). Seven episodes (16.3%) required intensive care unit (ICU)‐level care. Seventeen episodes (39.5%) were severe based on the development of organ failure or presence of pancreatic necrosis. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was used in 17 episodes (39.5%); for 34 episodes (79.1%), patients were discharged on entirely oral feeds. Antibiotics were administered in 20 episodes (46.5%). Pancreatic necrosis was identified within the first week in 12 episodes (27.9%). There were no deaths due to AAP.

Conclusions:

The clinical course varies widely among patients with AAP. Over one‐third of the patients in this series developed severe pancreatitis. Although the prognosis of AAP is generally good, many patients develop systemic complications of AAP, requiring TPN or ICU‐level care.
Comparison of body structure, function, activity, and participation levels according to ankle foot orthosis wearing time in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Unes Sefa , Coskun Gursoy , Kerem Gunel Mintaze
Published: October 2021

Background:

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are usually recommended to prevent deformities and to increase the standing and walking performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).

Objective:

To compare the body functions and structures, activity and participation levels, and environmental factors according to AFO-wearing time in children with spastic CP.

Study design:

Prospective, cross-sectional-observational-clinical study.

Methods:

Eighty children with spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System I–III; mean age 7.3 ± 3.9 years) were divided into two groups with equal ages and duration of AFO usage, which is provided as a part of routine clinical care: 6–12 hours per day group (n = 40) and 12–24 hours per day group (n = 40). The outcomes measured were calf muscle's spasticity with the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), passive ankle dorsiflexion angle (DA), 66-item Gross Motor Function Measurement, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Parental satisfaction was measured with a Visual Analog Scale. Multifactorial ANOVA was used to compare the groups, corrected for 66-item Gross Motor Function Measurement.

Results:

No significant differences for the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, MAS, and DA were found between the groups. Significant differences for the PedsQL (76.99 vs. 57.63; mean difference [MD], 15.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.99∼20.22), daily living activities (65.30 vs. 35.92; MD, 25.72; 95% CI, 17.58∼33.86), fatigue (76.9 vs. 56.85; MD, 23.11; 95% CI, 16.87∼29.35), and satisfaction (8.08 vs. 5.21; MD, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.64∼3.27) were found between the groups; 6–12 hour group had superiority for each outcome (P < 0.001). Wearing time was significantly correlated with PedsQL (r = −0.524, P < 0.001) and satisfaction (r = −0.521, P < 0.001) but not with MAS or DA.

Conclusions:

AFO-wearing time seems to depend on the child's activity and participation levels rather than body functions and structures in children with spastic CP. Prolonged AFO-wearing time was negatively correlated with both the activity-participation level and parental satisfaction.
Verbal Descriptions of the Probability of Treatment Complications Lead to High Variability in Risk Perceptions
Authors: Rosen Joshua E. , Agrawal Nidhi , Flum David R. , Liao Joshua M.
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To assess whether different methods for communicating the probability of treatment complications for operative and nonoperative appendicitis treatments result in differences in risk perception.

Background:

Surgeons must communicate the probability of treatment complications to patients, and how risks are communicated may impact the accuracy and variability in patient risk perceptions and ultimately their decision making.

Methods:

A series of online surveys of American adults communicated the probability of complications associated with surgical or antibiotic treatment of acute appendicitis. Probability was communicated with verbal descriptors (eg, “uncommon”), point estimates (eg, “3% risk”), or risk ranges (eg, “1% to 5%”). Respondents then estimated the probability of a complication for a “typical patient with appendicitis.” The Fligner-Killeen test of homogeneity of variance was used to compare the variability in respondent risk estimates based on the method of probability communication.

Results:

Among 296 respondents, variance in probability estimates was significantly higher when verbal descriptions were used compared to point estimates (P < 0.001) or risk ranges (P < 0.001). Identical verbal descriptors produced meaningfully different risk estimates depending on the complication being described. For example, “common” was perceived as a 45.6% for surgical site infection but 61.7% for antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Conclusion:

Verbal probability descriptors are associated with widely varying and inaccurate perceptions about treatment risks. Surgeons should consider alternative ways to communicate probability during informed consent and shared decision-making discussions.