bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation and analysis of quantum computing application to Higgs boson reconstruction at the large Hadron Collider
Authors: Alexiades Armenakas Anthony , Baker Oliver K.
Published: November 2021

With the advent of the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) era, high energy physics (HEP) event selection will require new approaches to rapidly and accurately analyze vast databases. The current study addresses the enormity of HEP databases in an unprecedented manner—a quantum search using Grover’s Algorithm (GA) on an unsorted database, ATLAS Open Data, from the ATLAS detector. A novel method to identify rare events at 13 TeV in CERN’s LHC using quantum computing (QC) is presented. As indicated by the Higgs boson decay channel $$H\rightarrow ZZ^*\rightarrow 4l$$

H
→
Z

Z
∗

→
4
l

, the detection of four leptons in one event may be used to reconstruct the Higgs boson and, more importantly, evince Higgs boson decay to some new phenomena, such as $$H\rightarrow ZZ_d \rightarrow 4l$$

H
→
Z

Z
d

→
4
l

. Searching the dataset for collisions resulting in detection of four leptons using a Jupyter Notebook, a classical simulation of GA, and several quantum computers with multiple qubits, the current application was found to make the proper selection in the unsorted dataset. Quantum search efficacy was analyzed for the incoming HL-LHC by implementing the QC method on multiple classical simulators and IBM’s quantum computers with the IBM Qiskit Open Source Software. The current QC application provides a novel, high-efficiency alternative to classical database searches, demonstrating its potential utility as a rapid and increasingly accurate search method in HEP.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of fiber and nonfiber tissues to identify the genes preferentially expressed in fiber development in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Yang Jiangtao , Gao Lihua , Liu Xiaojing , Zhang Xiaochun , Wang Xujing , Wang Zhixing
Published: November 2021

Cotton is an important natural fiber crop and economic crop worldwide. The quality of cotton fiber directly determines the quality of cotton textiles. Identifying cotton fiber development-related genes and exploring their biological functions will not only help to better understand the elongation and development mechanisms of cotton fibers but also provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation of new cotton varieties with excellent fiber quality. In this study, RNA sequencing technology was used to construct transcriptome databases for different nonfiber tissues (root, leaf, anther and stigma) and fiber developmental stages (7 days post-anthesis (DPA), 14 DPA, and 26 DPA) of upland cotton Coker 312. The sizes of the seven transcriptome databases constructed ranged from 4.43 to 5.20 Gb, corresponding to approximately twice the genome size of Gossypium hirsutum (2.5 Gb). Among the obtained clean reads, 83.32% to 88.22% could be compared to the upland cotton TM-1 reference genome. By analyzing the differential gene expression profiles of the transcriptome libraries of fiber and nonfiber tissues, we obtained 1205, 1135 and 937 genes with significantly upregulated expression at 7 DPA, 14 DPA and 26 DPA, respectively, and 124, 179 and 213 genes with significantly downregulated expression. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway analyses were performed, which revealed that these genes were mainly involved in catalytic activity, carbohydrate metabolism, the cell membrane and organelles, signal transduction and other functions and metabolic pathways. Through gene annotation analysis, many transcription factors and genes related to fiber development were screened. Thirty-six genes were randomly selected from the significantly upregulated genes in fiber, and expression profile analysis was performed using qRT-PCR. The results were highly consistent with the gene expression profile analyzed by RNA-seq, and all of the genes were specifically or predominantly expressed in fiber. Therefore, our RNA sequencing-based comparative transcriptome analysis will lay a foundation for future research to provide new genetic resources for the genetic engineering of improved cotton fiber quality and for cultivating new transgenic cotton germplasms for fiber quality improvement.
Reorganization of functional and directed corticomuscular connectivity during precision grip from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Beck Mikkel Malling , Spedden Meaghan Elizabeth , Lundbye-Jensen Jesper
Published: November 2021

How does the neural control of fine movements develop from childhood to adulthood? Here, we investigated developmental differences in functional corticomuscular connectivity using coherence analyses in 111 individuals from four different age groups covering the age range 8–30 y. EEG and EMG were recorded while participants performed a uni-manual force-tracing task requiring fine control of force in a precision grip with both the dominant and non-dominant hand. Using beamforming methods, we located and reconstructed source activity from EEG data displaying peak coherence with the EMG activity of an intrinsic hand muscle during the task. Coherent cortical sources were found anterior and posterior to the central sulcus in the contralateral hemisphere. Undirected and directed corticomuscular coherence was quantified and compared between age groups. Our results revealed that coherence was greater in adults (20–30 yo) than in children (8–10 yo) and that this difference was driven by greater magnitudes of descending (cortex-to-muscle), rather than ascending (muscle-to-cortex), coherence. We speculate that the age-related differences reflect maturation of corticomuscular networks leading to increased functional connectivity with age. We interpret the greater magnitude of descending oscillatory coupling as reflecting a greater degree of feedforward control in adults compared to children. The findings provide a detailed characterization of differences in functional sensorimotor connectivity for individuals at different stages of typical ontogenetic development that may be related to the maturational refinement of dexterous motor control.
A study of awareness on HIV/AIDS among adolescents: A Longitudinal Study on UDAYA data
Authors: Srivastava Shobhit , Chauhan Shekhar , Patel Ratna , Kumar Pradeep
Published: November 2021

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) poses a severe challenge to healthcare and is a significant public health issue worldwide. This study intends to examine the change in the awareness level of HIV among adolescents. Furthermore, this study examined the factors associated with the change in awareness level on HIV-related information among adolescents over the period. Data used for this study were drawn from Understanding the lives of adolescents and young adults, a longitudinal survey on adolescents aged 10–19 in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The present study utilized a sample of 4421 and 7587 unmarried adolescent boys and girls, respectively aged 10–19 years in wave-1 and wave-2. Descriptive analysis and t-test and proportion test were done to observe changes in certain selected variables from wave-1 (2015–2016) to wave-2 (2018–2019). Moreover, random effect regression analysis was used to estimate the association of change in HIV awareness among unmarried adolescents with household and individual factors. The percentage of adolescent boys who had awareness regarding HIV increased from 38.6% in wave-1 to 59.9% in wave-2. Among adolescent girls, the percentage increased from 30.2 to 39.1% between wave-1 & wave-2. With the increase in age and years of schooling, the HIV awareness increased among adolescent boys ([Coef: 0.05; p < 0.01] and [Coef: 0.04; p < 0.01]) and girls ([Coef: 0.03; p < 0.01] and [Coef: 0.04; p < 0.01]), respectively. The adolescent boys [Coef: 0.06; p < 0.05] and girls [Coef: 0.03; p < 0.05] who had any mass media exposure were more likely to have an awareness of HIV. Adolescent boys' paid work status was inversely associated with HIV awareness [Coef: − 0.01; p < 0.10]. Use of internet among adolescent boys [Coef: 0.18; p < 0.01] and girls [Coef: 0.14; p < 0.01] was positively associated with HIV awareness with reference to their counterparts. There is a need to intensify efforts in ensuring that information regarding HIV should reach vulnerable sub-groups, as outlined in this study. It is important to mobilize the available resources to target the less educated and poor adolescents, focusing on rural adolescents.
The evolutionary heritage and ecological uniqueness of Scots pine in the Caucasus ecoregion is at risk of climate changes
Authors: Dering M. , Baranowska M. , Beridze B. , Chybicki I. J. , Danelia I. , Iszkuło G. , Kvartskhava G. , Kosiński P. , Rączka G. , Thomas P. A. , Tomaszewski D. , Walas Ł. , Sękiewicz K.
Published: November 2021

Scots pine is one of the most widely occurring pines, but future projections suggest a large reduction in its range, mostly at the southern European limits. A significant part of its range is located in the Caucasus, a global hot-spot of diversity. Pine forests are an important reservoir of biodiversity and endemism in this region. We explored demographic and biogeographical processes that shaped the genetic diversity of Scots pine in the Caucasus ecoregion and its probable future distribution under different climate scenarios. We found that the high genetic variability of the Caucasian populations mirrors a complex glacial and postglacial history that had a unique evolutionary trajectory compared to the main range in Europe. Scots pine currently grows under a broad spectrum of climatic conditions in the Caucasus, which implies high adaptive potential in the past. However, the current genetic resources of Scots pine are under high pressure from climate change. From our predictions, over 90% of the current distribution of Scots pine may be lost in this century. By threatening the stability of the forest ecosystems, this would dramatically affect the biodiversity of the Caucasus hot-spot.
The Jaynes–Cummings model of a two-level atom in a single-mode para-Bose cavity field
Authors: Fakhri H. , Sayyah-Fard M.
Published: November 2021

The coherent states in the parity deformed analog of standard boson Glauber coherent states are generated, which admit a resolution of unity with a positive measure. The quantum-mechanical nature of the light field of these para-Bose states is studied, and it is found that para-Bose order plays an important role in the nonclassical behaviors including photon antibunching, sub-Poissonian statistics, signal-to-quantum noise ratio, quadrature squeezing effect, and multi-peaked number distribution. Furthermore, we consider the Jaynes-Cummings model of a two-level atom in a para-Bose cavity field with the initial states of the excited and Glauber coherent ones when the atom makes one-photon transitions, and obtain exact energy spectrum and eigenstates of the deformed model. Nonclassical properties of the time-evolved para-Bose atom-field states are exhibited through evaluating the fidelity, evolution of atomic inversion, level damping, and von Neumann entropy. It is shown that the evolution time and the para-Bose order control these properties.
Liver fibrosis promotes immunity escape but limits the size of liver tumor in a rat orthotopic transplantation model
Authors: Li Tongqiang , Liu Jiacheng , Wang Yingliang , Zhou Chen , Shi Qin , Huang Songjiang , Yang Chongtu , Chen Yang , Bai Yaowei , Xiong Bin
Published: November 2021

Liver fibrosis plays a crucial role in promoting tumor immune escape and tumor aggressiveness for liver cancer. However, an interesting phenomenon is that the tumor size of liver cancer patients with liver fibrosis is smaller than that of patients without liver fibrosis. In this study, 16 SD rats were used to establish orthotopic liver tumor transplantation models with Walker-256 cell lines, respectively on the fibrotic liver (n = 8, LF group) and normal liver (n = 8, control group). MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was used to monitor the size of the tumors. All rats were executed at the third week after modeling, and the immunohistochemical staining was used to reflect the changes in the tumor microenvironment. The results showed that, compared to the control group, the PD-L1 (programmed cell death protein receptor-L1) expression was higher, and the neutrophil infiltration increased while the effector (CD8+) T cell infiltration decreased in the LF group. Additionally, the expression of MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) of tumor tissue in the LF group increased. Three weeks after modeling, the size of tumors in the LF group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (382.47 ± 195.06 mm3 vs. 1736.21 ± 657.25 mm3, P < 0.001). Taken together, we concluded that liver fibrosis facilitated tumor immunity escape but limited the expansion of tumor size.
Correlation between surface texture and internal defects in laser powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing
Authors: Yonehara Makiko , Kato Chika , Ikeshoji Toshi-Taka , Takeshita Koki , Kyogoku Hideki
Published: November 2021

The availability of an in-situ monitoring and feedback control system during the implementation of metal additive manufacturing technology ensures that high-quality finished parts are manufactured. This study aims to investigate the correlation between the surface texture and internal defects or density of laser-beam powder-bed fusion (LB-PBF) parts. In this study, 120 cubic specimens were fabricated via application of the LB-PBF process to the IN 718 Ni alloy powder. The density and 35 areal surface-texture parameters of manufactured specimens were determined based on the ISO 25,178–2 standard. Using a statistical method, a strong correlation was observed between the areal surface-texture parameters and density or internal defects within specimens. In particular, the areal surface-texture parameters of reduced dale height, core height, root-mean-square height, and root-mean-square gradient demonstrate a strong correlation with specimen density. Therefore, in-situ monitoring of these areal surface-texture parameters can facilitate their use as control variables in the feedback system.
Sex differences in auditory processing vary across estrous cycle
Authors: Krizman Jennifer , Rotondo Elena K. , Nicol Trent , Kraus Nina , Bieszczad Kasia M.
Published: November 2021

In humans, females process a sound’s harmonics more robustly than males. As estrogen regulates auditory plasticity in a sex-specific manner in seasonally breeding animals, estrogen signaling is one hypothesized mechanism for this difference in humans. To investigate whether sex differences in harmonic encoding vary similarly across the reproductive cycle of mammals, we recorded frequency-following responses (FFRs) to a complex sound in male and female rats. Female FFRs were collected during both low and high levels of circulating estrogen during the estrous cycle. Overall, female rodents had larger harmonic encoding than male rodents, and greater harmonic strength was seen during periods of greater estrogen production in the females. These results argue that hormonal differences, specifically estrogen, underlie sex differences in harmonic encoding in rodents and suggest that a similar mechanism may underlie differences seen in humans.
Usefulness of lung ultrasound for selecting asymptomatic older patients with COVID 19 pneumonia
Authors: Okoye Chukwuma , Calsolaro Valeria , Fabbri Alessandra , Franchi Riccardo , Antognoli Rachele , Zisca Ludovica , Bianchi Camilla , Calabrese Alessia Maria , Rogani Sara , Monzani Fabio
Published: November 2021

Clinical and prognostic differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic older patients with COVID-19 are of great interest since frail patients often show atypical presentation of illness. Lung Ultrasound (LUS) has been proven to be a reliable tool for detecting early-phase COVID-19 pneumonic alterations. The current prospective bicentric study aimed to compare LUS score and 3-month overall mortality between asymptomatic and symptomatic older patients with COVID-19, according to frailty status. Patients were stratified according to LUS score tertiles and Clinical Frailty Scale categories. Survival rate was assessed by telephone interviews 3 months after discharge. 64 symptomatic (24 women, aged 80.0 ± 10.8 years) and 46 asymptomatic (31 women, aged 84.3 ± 8.8 years) were consecutively enrolled. LUS score resulted an independent predictor of 3-month mortality [OR 2.27 (CI95% 1.09–4.8), p = 0.03], and the highest mortality rate was observed in symptomatic and asymptomatic pre-frail and frail patients (70.6% and 66.7%, respectively) with greater LUS abnormalities (3rd tertile). In conclusion, LUS identified an acute interstitial lung involvement in most of the older asymptomatic patients. Mortality rate progressively increased according to clinical frailty and LUS score degree, resulting a reliable prognostic tool in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Indoor air quality improvement and purification by atmospheric pressure Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP)
Authors: Asilevi Prince Junior , Boakye Patrick , Oduro-Kwarteng Sampson , Fei-Baffoe Bernard , Sokama-Neuyam Yen Adams
Published: November 2021

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising technology for the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ) by removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through advanced oxidation process (AOP). In this paper, authors developed a laboratory scale dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor which generates atmospheric NTP to study the removal of low-concentration formaldehyde (HCHO), a typical indoor air VOC in the built environment associated with cancer and leukemia, under different processing conditions. Strong ionization NTP was generated between the DBD electrodes by a pulse power zero-voltage switching flyback transformer (ZVS-FBT), which caused ionization of air molecules leading to active species formation to convert HCHO into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The impact of key electrical and physical processing parameters i.e. discharge power (P), initial concentration (Cin), flow rate (F), and relative humidity (RH) which affect the formaldehyde removal efficiency (ɳ) were studied to determine optimum conditions. Results show that, the correlation coefficient (R2) of removal efficiency dependence on the processing parameters follow the order R2 (F) = 0.99 > R2 (RH) = 0.96, > R2 (Cin) = 0.94 > R2 (P) = 0.93. The removal efficiency reached 99% under the optimum conditions of P = 0.6 W, Cin = 0.1 ppm, F = 0.2 m3/h, and RH = 65% with no secondary pollution. The study provided a theoretical and experimental basis for the application of DBD plasma for air purification in the built environment.
Cost-effective surveillance of invasive species using info-gap theory
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Penghao , Thomas Melissa L. , Zheng Dan , McKirdy Simon J.
Published: November 2021

Invasive species can lead to community-level damage to the invaded ecosystem and extinction of native species. Most surveillance systems for the detection of invasive species are developed based on expert assessment, inherently coming with a level of uncertainty. In this research, info-gap decision theory (IGDT) is applied to model and manage such uncertainty. Surveillance of the Asian House Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril and Bibron, 1836 on Barrow Island, is used as a case study. Our research provides a novel method for applying IGDT to determine the population threshold ($$K$$
K
) so that the decision can be robust to the deep uncertainty present in model parameters. We further robust-optimize surveillance costs rather than minimize surveillance costs. We demonstrate that increasing the population threshold for detection increases both robustness to the errors in the model parameter estimates, and opportuneness to lower surveillance costs than the accepted maximum budget. This paper provides guidance for decision makers to balance robustness and required surveillance expenditure. IGDT offers a novel method to model and manage the uncertainty prevalent in biodiversity conservation practices and modelling. The method outlined here can be used to design robust surveillance systems for invasive species in a wider context, and to better tackle uncertainty in protection of biodiversity and native species in a cost-effective manner.
Biogeochemical feedbacks to ocean acidification in a cohesive photosynthetic sediment
Authors: Vopel Kay , Marshall Alexis , Brandt Shelly , Hartland Adam , Lee Charles K. , Cary S. Craig , Pilditch Conrad A.
Published: November 2021

Ecosystem feedbacks in response to ocean acidification can amplify or diminish diel pH oscillations in productive coastal waters. Benthic microalgae generate such oscillations in sediment porewater and here we ask how CO2 enrichment (acidification) of the overlying seawater alters these in the absence and presence of biogenic calcite. We placed a 1-mm layer of ground oyster shells, mimicking the arrival of dead calcifying biota (+Calcite), or sand (Control) onto intact silt sediment cores, and then gradually increased the pCO2 in the seawater above half of +Calcite and Control cores from 472 to 1216 μatm (pH 8.0 to 7.6, CO2:HCO3− from 4.8 to 9.6 × 10−4). Porewater [O2] and [H+] microprofiles measured 16 d later showed that this enrichment had decreased the O2 penetration depth (O2-pd) in +Calcite and Control, indicating a metabolic response. In CO2-enriched seawater: (1) sediment biogeochemical processes respectively added and removed more H+ to and from the sediment porewater in darkness and light, than in ambient seawater increasing the amplitude of the diel porewater [H+] oscillations, and (2) in darkness, calcite dissolution in +Calcite sediment decreased the porewater [H+] below that in overlying seawater, reversing the sediment–seawater H+ flux and decreasing the amplitude of diel [H+] oscillations. This dissolution did not, however, counter the negative effect of CO2 enrichment on O2-pd. We now hypothesise that feedback to CO2 enrichment—an increase in the microbial reoxidation of reduced solutes with O2—decreased the sediment O2-pd and contributed to the enhanced porewater acidification.
Graphene perfect absorber with loss adaptive Q-factor control function enabled by quasi-bound states in the continuum
Authors: Lee Sangjun , Song Joohyung , Kim Sangin
Published: November 2021

Numerous device structures have been proposed for perfect absorption in monolayer graphene under single-sided illumination, all of which requires the critical coupling condition, i.e., the balance between the loss of graphene and the leakage rate of the device. However, due to the difficulty of the precise control of the quality of synthesized graphene and unwanted doping in graphene transferred to the substrate, the loss of graphene is rather unpredictable, so that the perfect absorption is quite difficult to achieve in practice. To solve this problem, we designed a novel perfect absorber structure with a loss adaptive leakage rate control function enabled by the quasi-bound states in the continuum (BIC) and numerically demonstrated its performance. Our designed device is based on a slab-waveguide grating supporting both the quasi-BIC and the guided-mode resonance (GMR); the quasi-BIC with an adjustable leakage rate controlled by an incident angle is responsible for absorption, while the GMR works as an internal mirror. Since the proposed device scheme can have an arbitrarily small leakage rate, it can be used to implement a perfect absorber for any kind of ultrathin absorbing media. Due to the simple structure avoiding an external reflector, the device is easy to fabricate.
Multipole resonance and Vernier effect in compact and flexible plasmonic structures
Authors: Lim Yeonsoo , An Soo-Chan , Jeong Hoon Yeub , Nguyen Thi Hai-Yen , Byun Gangil , Jun Young Chul
Published: November 2021

Spoof surface plasmons in corrugated metal surfaces allow tight field confinement and guiding even at low frequencies and are promising for compact microwave photonic devices. Here, we use metal-ink printing on flexible substrates to construct compact spoof plasmon resonators. We clearly observe multipole resonances in the microwave frequencies and demonstrate that they are still maintained even under significant bending. Moreover, by combining two resonators of slightly different sizes, we demonstrate spectral filtering via the Vernier effect. We selectively address a target higher-order resonance while suppressing the other modes. Finally, we investigate the index-sensing capability of printed plasmonic resonators. In the Vernier structure, we can control the resonance amplitude and frequency by adjusting a resonance overlap between two coupled resonators. The transmission amplitude can be maximized at a target refractive index, and this can provide more functionalities and increased design flexibility. The metal-ink printing of microwave photonic structures can be applied to various flexible devices. Therefore, we expect that the compact, flexible plasmonic structures demonstrated in this study may be useful for highly functional elements that can enable tight field confinement and manipulation.
Social context facilitates visuomotor synchrony and bonding in children and adults
Authors: Howard Ellen M. , Ropar Danielle , Newport Roger , Tunçgenç Bahar
Published: November 2021

Interpersonal synchrony is a fundamental part of human social interaction, with known effects on facilitating social bonding. Moving in time with another person facilitates prosocial behaviour, however, it is unknown if the degree of synchronisation predicts the degree of social bonding. Similarly, while people readily fall in synchrony even without being instructed to do so, we do not know whether such spontaneous synchronisation elicits similar prosocial effects as instructed synchronisation. Across two studies, we investigated how context (social vs non-social stimulus) and instruction (instructed vs uninstructed) influenced synchronisation accuracy and bonding with the interaction partner in adults and children. The results revealed improved visuomotor synchrony within a social, compared to non-social, context in adults and children. Children, but not adults, synchronised more accurately when instructed to synchronise than when uninstructed. For both children and adults, synchronisation in a social context elicited stronger social bonding towards an interaction partner as compared to synchronisation in a non-social context. Finally, children’s, but not adults’, degree of synchrony with the partner was significantly associated with their feelings of social closeness. These findings illuminate the interaction of sensorimotor coupling and joint action in social contexts and how these mechanisms facilitate synchronisation ability and social bonding.
An evolutionary functional genomics approach identifies novel candidate regions involved in isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Furió Victoria , Moreno-Molina Miguel , Chiner-Oms Álvaro , Villamayor Luis M. , Torres-Puente Manuela , Comas Iñaki
Published: November 2021

Efforts to eradicate tuberculosis are hampered by the rise and spread of antibiotic resistance. Several large-scale projects have aimed to specifically link clinical mutations to resistance phenotypes, but they were limited in both their explanatory and predictive powers. Here, we combine functional genomics and phylogenetic associations using clinical strain genomes to decipher the architecture of isoniazid resistance and search for new resistance determinants. This approach has allowed us to confirm the main target route of the antibiotic, determine the clinical relevance of redox metabolism as an isoniazid resistance mechanism and identify novel candidate genes harboring resistance mutations in strains with previously unexplained isoniazid resistance. This approach can be useful for characterizing how the tuberculosis bacilli acquire resistance to new antibiotics and how to forestall them.
CdSe:In Mid-infrared transparent conductive films prospering uncooled PbSe/CdSe heterojunction photovoltaic detectors
Authors: Qiu Jijun , Liu Yun , Cai Zhihua , Phan Quang , Shi Zhisheng
Published: November 2021

Being a promising candidate infrared transparent and conductive coatings in the 1–12 μm, the practicality of CdSe:In was verified by building uncooled PbSe/CdSe photovoltaic detectors with 1.0 × 109 cm Hz1/2 W−1 under blackbody radiation.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes as a reducing agent for the synthesis of a Prussian blue-based composite: a quartz crystal microbalance study
Authors: Ishii Yosuke , Al-zubaidi Ayar , Taniguchi Yoshimitsu , Jindo Shinya , Kawasaki Shinji
Published: November 2021

We investigated the synthesis mechanism of Prussian blue on single-walled carbon nanotubes, by performing in situ quartz crystal microbalance measurements and intermittent photoirradiation to probe the electrode mass change during the process.
Ba2Bi2[Zn(PO4)4]: ionic-isolation-activated first barium bismuth zincophosphate with unprecedented ∞[Zn(PO4)4]10− chains and balanced overall performance
Authors: Li Yu-Xin , Duan Mei-Hong , Ma Pei-Xin , Yang Xu-Kui , Ma Wen-Hua , Wang Bai-Chuan , Fang Zhi
Published: November 2021

The combination of ion-mixing and anionic condensation has activated the first barium bismuth zincophosphate of Ba2Bi2[Zn(PO4)4] with unprecedented ∞[Zn(PO4)4]10− chains and balanced overall performance.
Structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of mesoporous CuO nanoparticles with tunable size and different morphologies
Authors: Said Mohamed I. , Othman A. A. , Abd elhakeem Esraa M.
Published: November 2021

Ethanol/water percentage plays a crucial role in tuning of the particle size and morphology, hence the structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized CuO nanomaterials.
Highly efficient Ru(ii)–alkylidene based Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts for ring-closing metathesis reactions
Authors: Al-Enezi Mariam Y. , John Elizabeth , Ibrahim Yehia A. , Al-Awadi Nouria A.
Published: November 2021

Three novel phosphine-free Ru-alkylidenes (7a–7c) have been synthesized and utilized as efficient catalysts for ring closing metathesis (RCM) reaction.
A CFD study on the performance of CO2 methanation in a water-permeable membrane reactor system
Authors: Liu Zhewei , Bian Zhoufeng , Wang Zhigang , Jiang Bo
Published: November 2021

A water-permeable membrane reactor is proposed to promote CO2 methanation with in situ removal of H2O. A two-dimensional CFD simulation model is built up and the effects of GHSV, H2O permeance and CO2/H2 permeation selectivity are investigated.
On the cross-streamline lift of microswimmers in viscoelastic flows
Authors: Choudhary Akash , Stark Holger
Published: November 2021

The current work studies the dynamics of a microswimmer in pressure-driven flow of a weakly viscoelastic fluid.
Teachers’ Use of Scaffolds Within Conversations During Shared Book Reading
Authors: Deshmukh Richa S. , Pentimonti Jill M. , Zucker Tricia A. , Curry Bridget
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

We studied conversations initiated through teacher questions during shared book reading in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms as these conversations provide opportunities for the teacher to scaffold emerging language skills. This study provides detailed analysis of scaffolding strategies used by teachers after children answered teachers' questions.

Method:

Participants included 93 prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers who read aloud a standard narrative text to their class of students. All the sessions were video-recorded, transcribed, and then coded for conversational turns and teacher scaffolding strategies.

Results:

Descriptive findings showed great variability in the length of conversations and the extent to which teachers used scaffolding strategies. Most teacher scaffolds matched children's accuracy of response such that they provided support after incorrect responses and provided additional challenge after correct responses. Significant sequential associations were observed between the level of children's response and multiple types of scaffolds (e.g., corrective feedback scaffold after incorrect response; discussing factual questions after a correct response).

Conclusions:

Findings indicate that during shared reading, teachers are responsive to children's answers and are able to provide challenge or support as needed. However, teachers infrequently used scaffolding strategies like
causal effects, predictions,
and
recasts
. Given evidence that strategies such as recasts support early language skills, professional development experiences could encourage early childhood teachers to incorporate this and other key scaffolding strategies.
Studies about the State of Perceived Stress and Determining Risk Factors; case of Yemeni Students community Residing in Morocco
Authors: Omair Abdulrahman taresh yahya , Bakkali Abderrahim , Aroui Norelhouda , Rafiq Malika , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , Khadmaouil Aberrazzak
Published: November 2021

Stress qualifies both a constraining situation but also the physiological process put in place by our body to adapt it. However, the students’ period is characterized by difficulties which make this behavior very widespread. The aim is to study the state of psychological health, and determining factors. the study is carried out on 197 (80.2% of men), studying in Moroccan higher education establishments. The stress test applied is Sheldon Cohen’s, (1983) based on 10 items with 5 point ratings from “never” to “very often”. The average age of the respondents is 32.84 ± 0.586 years,. The average length of residence is 4.74 ± 0.178 years (66% of these students are married). In addition, the distribution of the respondents’ scores shows a prevalence of 57.7% (n = 113) in this category see life as a perpetual threat. The chi2 independence shows that only age has a significant influence on perceived stress (chi2 = 7.665; p <0.05). Indeed, 61.66% of respondents aged less than 35 years showed a perpetual threat against 51.31% were over 35 years old. Then, the Yemeni authorities must provide support sessions for new students about French language learning, orientation on Moroccan social and cultural life and.
Cleft palate in Pierre Robin sequence
Authors: Oubejja Houda , Menbahi Imane , Elhasnaoui Chadi , Qurouach Souha , Benomar Ismail , Fouad Ettayebi Fouad
Published: November 2021

Pierre Robin’s sequence PRS is a congenital malformative sequence with a retrognathism, a glossoptosis and an upper respiratory obstruction with an associated cleft palate. This malformative association can be disabling for both the child and his parents, because of its aesthetic, functional, psychological and social impacts. Patients and methods: We have investigated 14 patients with PRS presenting cleft palates, collected over a period of 5 years, from March 2014 to November 2019 in the pediatric surgical emergencies department (PSE) in Rabat Children’s Hospital (HER). Results: Nine of the 14 patients had a complete cleft palate. The average age of intervention was 23 months ranging from 13 months to 4 years. The study showed a slight female predominance (n = 8, 57%). Regarding the treatment, 3 patients were treated with the Bardach’s technique, 3 had the Von Langenbeck’s technique, 3 had the Push-back technique and one patient who suffered from a post-operative persisting velar division was treated by veloplasty 3rd generation. The hospital stay was around 24 hours and the post-operative follow-up was uncomplicated for all our patients.

Conclusion: Although we had a relatively high success with our approach, the complexity and lack of consensus regarding the management of Pierre Robin’s sequence still requires the involvement of a multidisciplinary team. The main aim is to give the best aesthetical and functional results in order to reduce the suffering of the PRS children and families.
Effect of intra-hippocampal lead injection on affective and cognitive disorders in male WISTAR rats: Possible involvement of oxidative stress
Authors: Naïla Nakidi , Makthar War , Lamtai Mouloud , Zghari Oussama , Aboubaker El Hessni , Abdelhalem Mesfioui , Ali Ouichou
Published: November 2021

This paper is focused on affective and cognitive disorders induced by direct exposure to lead chloride (Pb) and the possible implication of oxidative stress in male WISTAR rats. Using stereotaxic surgery, a group of male wistar rats received an intracerebral injection of 3 μL of lead chloride (1 mg / L) into the right hippocampus or 3 μL of 0.9% Nacl for shame operated controls groups. After 4 days of rest, a series of benchmark neurobehavioral tests were made to evaluate affective and cognitive behaviors, such as open field test (OFT) and Elevated plus maze (EPM) for anxiety like behavior; Forced swim test (FST) for depressive like behavior; finally Y maze (Y-Maze) and Morris maze (MWM) tests for working memory, spatial learning and spatial memory. The data showed that Pb induces anxiogenic and depressogenic effects but does not induce a significant effect in memory. Then by measuring oxidative stress markers using the hippocampal assay of lead-treated rats, it’s appears that Pb can increase nitrogen monoxide, lipid peroxidation and reduces significantly the activity of superoxide dismutase. Therefore, our results showed that Pb is able to induce affective disorders and increase highly oxidative stress but has an insignificant effect on cognitive impairment.
Gender-specific lethality due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Morocco
Authors: Chahboune Mohammed , Khadmaoui Abderrazzak , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , Mokhtari Abdelrhani , Nshimiyimana François Xavier , Soulaymani-Bencheikh Rachida
Published: November 2021

The objective of this study is to assess trends in death cases caused by carbon monoxide poisoning and to determine the possible reasons for a risk predisposition for a given sex in the event of a possible trend. In doing so, professionals working in the field of prevention take into account in control programs.

Methods: Study of the regional and national evolution of sex-specific lethalities due to carbon monoxide poisoning based on deaths reported by the Anti-poison Center and Pharmacovigilance (CAPM) in the 16 regions for the period 1999-2013.

Results: The chronological evolution of case-specific mortality rates on the whole shows an increasing trend for both sexes, which is in perfect proportion with the growth of deaths reported because of CO in the different regions. However, the values for the male, whose average for the period studied is 1.106%, are larger than those for females, whose average is only 0.618%. This more masculine tendency of lethalities cannot obviously be attributed to sex, nor to the particularities of deadly human CO exposure since all deaths are accidental and not related to socio-professional characteristics.

Conclusion: The fatal risk in case of CO intoxication seems to favor a rather masculine superiority. This difference in lethality is simply explained by differences in the frequencies of poisoning and their fatal evolutions. Indeed, the quotient would be more masculine since the deaths due to the CO are practically similar for both sexes, whereas the frequency of the intoxications is more feminine.
Misuse of drugs in the District of Bamako, Mali
Authors: Diallo Tidiane , Diara Abdourahamane , Coulibaly Sanou Khô , Konaté Youssoul , Hami Hinde , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , Maïga Ababacar
Published: November 2021

Introduction: In Mali, the irrational use of drugs constitutes a public health problem through the misuse of certain psychotropic and / or analgesic drugs for drug addiction purposes. The aim of this study was to measure the consumption of drugs diverted from their therapeutic use in Bamako. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Bamako with a sample of 260 respondents: 98 health workers and 162 clients (pharmacies) / patients (hospitals). Results: Men were more affected than women, with 62% of cases. The 15-45 age group accounted for 55% of cases. According to the results, workers and students respectively represented 19% and 17% of cases. Promethazine (20%), the combination Paracetamol / codeine / caffeine (13%) and Tramadol (11%) were the drugs most commonly used and diverted from their medical use among clients of pharmacies. According to pharmacists, the drugs affected by misuse were Misoprostol (10%), Clonazepam (9%) and Promethazine (9%). According to doctors and nurses, Misoprostol, Promethazine and diazepam were used for other purposes with 23%, 16% and 13%, respectively. Conclusion: In order to reduce this practice, a synergy of action by health professionals is essential for the rational use of drugs.
Determinants of access to primary health care for the elderly in the province of Essaouira
Authors: Mejdouli Hicham , Baali Abdellatif , Amor Hakima , Ouzennou Nadia
Published: November 2021

Morocco is experiencing demographic and epidemiological changes marked by an increase in the proportion of elderly people accompanied by a growing prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities, thus leading to an increase in the demand for health care. the Moroccan health system therefore faces the challenge of meeting the specific needs of older populations in terms of access to and use of health care services. To achieve this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a community-based approach, based on primary health care facilities (PHCFs), to the provision of services for older people.

This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study based on a quantitative approach. The survey was carried out via a questionnaire intended for a sample of 739 people aged 60 years and over attending the ESSPs in the province of Essaouira between January and February of the year 2020.

Our study has allowed us to understand the determinants related to the use of PHC by the elderly in the province of Essaouira. These determinants concern the characteristics of the elderly as well as the organisational and institutional aspects of the care offer. The bivariate analysis of the results showed a statistically significant association between the use of PHC by the elderly and the area of residence, gender, level of education, distance travelled to health facilities, quality of reception, and availability of medicines.

Policymakers are called upon to consider the determinants of the use of PHC in order to better address the health needs of older people, and also to respond to WHO guidance in this area.
Study of deformation properties of road foundations of the mixed type intended for the movement of mobile complexes for monitoring and transporting raw materials
Authors: Belyaev Alexander , Markovnina Alina , Belyakov Vladimir , Makarov Vladimir
Published: November 2021

Analysis of the conditions of movement of mobile robotic complexes showed that about 70% of the time of movement is made up of sand, gravel and sandy areas. In winter, it is covered with snow. An unsolved problem is the traffic conditions during the transition period, namely, movement on snow-sandy support bases. This paper is devoted to the study of road and soil foundations, i.e. mixed surfaces consisting of sand and snow. A method for obtaining mixed surfaces (mixtures) with different percentages is described. It is shown how the measurements of the density and fractional composition of the sand were carried out. It also shows how the snow density was measured. Examples of test fragments are given. A test procedure for measurement of deformation properties is presented. “Load-deformation” curves are provided. The study reveals how the sand and snow percentage affects the curve behaviour. Dependencies are given to describe the process “load deformation” for sand and snow. The dependence of the mixtures is proposed. The generalized dependence includes the dependences of Goryachkin - Letoshnev and Malygin. This paper also specifies the curve behaviour for an undisturbed road and soil foundation, and a surface exposed to an operating mover or a utility vehicle. It is shown that for mixtures of various compositions for an intact surface and under repeated loading, the difference in stresses is from 1.25 to 5 times.
Modeling the swing of mobile loader cranes with anchor outriggers when operating on weak soils
Authors: Lagerev Igor , Lagerev Alexander , Tarichko Vadim
Published: November 2021

The paper presents a dynamic model illustrating the swing of a mobile machine on a wheeled chassis equipped with a loader crane and anchor outriggers during loading and unloading operations. The model regards the interaction effect of the outrigger anchoring device with weak soil within the system “load – loader crane – chassis – outriggers – anchor devices – soil”. Possible variants of single and multiple step soil compaction and changes in its deformation characteristics in the area of the outrigger anchor device implementation are considered. The impact of the gaps formed during soil compaction on the swing parameters of a mobile machine during the swing of the boom of the loader crane is demonstrated as applied to a full-scale crane-manipulator. The rate of chassis tilt angle and swing period of the mobile machine increase during the loader crane operation with an increase in the gaps in the ground. The swing parameters during the initial stage of crane operation gradually increase for soils characterized by multiple compaction until these parameters reach some steady-state values determined by soil stiffness. Awareness of the steady-state value of the crane tilt angle amplitude achieved at the end of the process of weak soil compaction enables to reasonably assess the risk of a mobile machine overturning.
Prospects of freight traffic redirection from rail to water transport through the example of the Amur Basin and coal export transportation
Authors: Deruzhinskiy Grigoriy , Kurenkov Petr , Vakulenko Sergey , Kalinin Kirill , Romenskaya Maria
Published: November 2021

The authors consider the prospects for the development of coal industry and its export potential. The facts of the development of mass transportation of coal by rail in the direction of port transport hubs are given. There is an acute problem of finding new supply channels. In these conditions, it is proposed to start the implementation of a large-scale project for the development of a multimodal transport scheme for the export of coal using river transport. During the 140-day navigation period along the rivers of the Amur Basin in the summer months, a large volume of export coal can be transported to the Far Eastern seaports. Three logistic schemes are proposed and a list of individual subprojects for the development of transport infrastructure for the needs of this project for the transportation of coal from Kuzbass, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Buryatia and Yakutia is given. It is proposed to organize transshipment from railway to river transport in three hubs: Sretensk, Dzhalinda and Verkhnezeisk. Each logistic scheme will be focused on a certain volume of transportation and has its own advantages and disadvantages. The authors invite the transport community to actively discuss this format of transportation due to the urgent need to find ways to develop cargo flows. Each of the three logistic schemes can be considered separately or in combination with others.