bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of ZnO Nanostructure Morphologies on Perovskite Solar Cell Performance: A Review
Authors: Manabeng Matshidiso , Mwankemwa Benard , Ocaya Richard , Motaung Tshwafo Elias , Malevu Thembinkosi
Published: August 2022

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been widely studied over the last decade for its remarkable properties in optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices because of its high electron mobility and excitonic properties, probably the broadest range of nanostructured forms, and their ease and low cost of synthesis by a wide variety of methods. The volume of recent work on ZnO nanostructures and their devices can potentially overshadow significant developments in the field. Therefore, there is a need for a concise description of the most recent advances in the field. In this review, we focus on the effect of ZnO nanostructure morphologies on the performance of ZnO-based solar cells sensitized using methylammonium lead iodide perovskite. We present an exhaustive discussion of the synthesis routes for different ZnO nanostructure morphologies, ways to control the morphology, and the impact of morphology on the photo-conversion efficiency of a given PSC.
The Viability Analysis of Ubungo II Gas Power Plant Efficiency Improvement Using Co-Generation System in Tanzania
Authors: Nyanda Elias , Mushi Aviti , Justo Jackson
Published: August 2022

The power utility, Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) is faced with challenges of supplying adequate power to the ever-increasing demand. To this end, this paper explores the installed Ubungo Gas Power Plant (UGP II) located in Dar es Salaam to find means of utilizing it in co-generation method. The study embarked on detailed modelling of the system and run simulations which indicated that the co-generation can result to power generation efficiency increase between 10.42 to 50.92%. It is recommended to change the UGP II to exploit this co-generation method. Further, the study could be improved by including more parameters of the gas and steam plant and verify them experimentally.
APPROACH SELECTION METHOD FOR PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND ITS APPLICATION
Authors: Kononenko Igor , Kpodjedo Maximilien
Published: August 2022

Project portfolio management has evolved in recent decades from an empirical field to a field with advanced management technologies, including the active use of information technology. A number of standards and guidelines for project portfolio management have been created. Many dozens of specialized software tools have been developed. The effectiveness of an organization's project portfolio management significantly depends on the chosen management approach, as well as the level of use of project portfolio management capabilities. The level of utilization of project portfolio management capabilities is the level of maturity of an organization in this area. The aim of the article is to apply the method of project portfolio management approach selection. The article proposes to carry out the selection of a project portfolio management approach by solving a two-criteria problem. The first criterion is the risks inherent in this approach in the management of the organization's project portfolio under specific conditions. The less these risks, the more qualitative approach is applied. The second criterion - the costs of applying the evaluated approach. The application of the proposed method to improve project portfolio management in one of the technical universities in Ukraine was considered. Risks from non-performance or imperfect performance of portfolio management processes at the university were assessed. We also assessed the existing costs of managing the portfolio of projects.  To improve the quality of management at the university, it is advisable to improve the execution of portfolio management processes and implement those processes that are not yet performed. This can be done by implementing a computerized portfolio and project management system for the university. Jira Portfolio Commercial can be used as such a system. With the use of computerization, new processes for project portfolio management will appear. For a number of existing processes in the organization, employee payroll costs will be reduced. For many processes, risks from non-performance or imperfect execution will be reduced. Computerization of project portfolio management will enable to reduce management costs by 1.8% and risks by 49.4%, i.e. almost by half.
INFORMATION RISK MANAGEMENT METHOD IN DIGITALIZATION PROJECTS OF BUSINESS PROCESSES
Authors: Danchenko Olena , Bedrii Dmytro , Semko Alexander , Zaiats Olga
Published: August 2022

Risk management, in particular information risk, has always been the number one task in the development and implementation of any project. Digitalization projects are especially sensitive to information risks, therefore risk management is constantly looking for protection mechanisms. In the article, the authors analyzed some of the risk management methods proposed by other scientists. At the same time, there are still a number of issues in information risk management in the process of business digitalization. Among the methods that allow minimizing the likelihood of risk events occurring is the methodology for applying business process reengineering, which was used in the development of a new anti-risk method. At the same time, it is proposed to investigate the effectiveness of optimization of business processes through functional cost analysis (FCA) and determine its impact on the performance of the project as a whole. For clarity, the developers of the method propose an algorithm for optimizing the business process using a modified FCA, which is an integral part of the information risk management method of the project. The main idea of the method is that on the basis of the developed conceptual model of the project with its planned time and cost, they carry out identification and analysis of possible information risks, additionally plan certain amounts of reserve time and costs in case of a threat of risk events. That is, as a result of such options, business processes are optimized, information risks are analyzed, and the identification of new information risks during monitoring is repeated, the process is repeated until all possible risks are identified and analyzed, while the project does not spend additional time and budget, so as already planned. The described method can be used to manage information risks of projects in any subject area.
ANALYSIS OF SYNERGETIC APPROACH TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Authors: Danchenko Elena , Koreiba Andriy
Published: August 2022

Project management as a science is still very young and is in the process of rapid development, as well as in the process of penetration into all sectors of the economy and not only high-tech sector such as information technology, banking, aerospace, but also construction, agriculture, trade , etc. industry. In today's conditions of fierce competition, companies use project approaches to doing business and in some internal and / or external projects. Such a wide application of project approaches, in turn, requires from the methodology of project management adaptation to specific business conditions, development, search for new tools, methods, approaches. The synergetic approach differs from all modern directions of development in project management by its scientific and practical methods. The peculiarity of the synergetic approach to project management is to ensure the most relevant state in relation to the external and internal environment, stability and development when changing the parameters of influence due to internal self-organization processes. Based on the results of the analysis of scientific publications of domestic and foreign scientists and researchers in the field of synergetic project management, it was concluded that this aspect is a promising area of research. A synergetic approach to project management due to internal self-organization processes has great potential for development and practical application. The article analyzes the existing and potential areas of development of a synergetic approach in project management.
METHOD OF STAKEHOLDERS’ IDENTIFICATION BASED ON THEIR VIEWS IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS
Authors: Kadykova Iryna , Ovsiuchenko Yurii , Chumachenkо Igor
Published: August 2022

There has been proposed the method of stakeholders’ identification in strategic management of social programs. It is designed to recognize and assess the strength of causal relationships of failure of social projects and programs. The method is based on the differentiation of stakeholders by their ideas, which is revealed in the example of inclusive educational projects. The concept of stakeholder priority number has been introduced. The matrix "risk priority number" / "stakeholder priority number" is offered. We have developed the method of stakeholders’ identification based on their views in the strategic management of social programs, which consists of 7 Steps. Step 1: development of a questionnaire for the cause-and-effect relationships of the failure of inclusive educational projects according to the imagination of stakeholders of different groups. Step 2: survey of respondents with differentiation by stakeholder priority number and three groups of stakeholders: the state as a system of institutions; citizens with disabilities or their legal representatives; neurotypical visitors to institutions or their legal representatives. Step 3: investigation of stakeholders' perceptions of the cause-and-effect relationships of failure of inclusive projects according to the 6M method (Lan, Machines, Materials, Methods, Measurements, Mother-nature). Step 4: charting of Isikawa diagrams. Step 5: quantification of the strength of the identified relationships according to the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis method based on the results of a survey of respondents using the method of calculating the priority number of risk of failure mode. Step 6: ranking of the reasons for failure modes according to the "risk priority number" / "stakeholder priority number" matrix. Step 7: development of conclusions and recommendations. The analysis of the results of the poll with the identification of causal links will identify areas of disparity in the views of various stakeholders on the reasons for the failure of inclusive educational projects. Quantifying them makes it possible to identify the most important aspects that need to be addressed as a matter of priority on the part of project and program managers.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ECOLOGISTIC SYSTEMS PROJECTS
Authors: Kovtun Tetiana , Kovtun Dmytro
Published: August 2022

The negative impact of human economic activity on the environment has led to an imbalance in the economic and environmental aspects of life and the emergence of a threat of disruption to the ecosystems state, which will make it impossible for humanity to fully exist on the planet. The solution to the problem is in the plane of ecologization all spheres of management, including logistics, which has a significant impact on the state of the environment. The change in the worldview paradigm led to the emergence of the ecologically oriented logistic system concept, by which it is proposed to understand the logistic system as a set of link elements interconnected in the process of management the direct and reverse logistic flows movement, taking into account the eco-destructive impact on the environment. The article proposes to consider the management of ecologistic systems through the prism of the project approach. The purpose of the article is to characterize projects of ecologistic systems. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: specific features of ecologistic systems  projects were investigated; the place of ecologistic systems projects in the classification of projects was determined; a classification of ecologistic systems projects has been developed. The characteristics of the  ecologistic system project as a complex cybernetic system are given, the components of the project potential are determined. The place of  micro-, meso- and macro-ecologistic systems projects in the general classification of projects and the classification of investment projects has been determined. The article presents the author's classification of ecologistic systems projects. As a basic classification criterion, it is proposed to use the reason for the implementation or the purpose of the project: the creation, development or functioning of an ecologistic system. Creation projects are classified according to the product being created. Development projects are classified depending on the object or subject of management, kind and type of development. Functioning projects include projects to create an ecologistic product.
Characteristics and Main Controls of Tectonic Fractures and Their Contribution to Deep Tight Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Huoshiling-Shahezi Formations in Gudian Half-Graben, Songliao Basin, China
Authors: Xu Litao , Wang Ren , Shi Wanzhong , Yu Gang , Zhang Xiaoming , Tang Daqing , Meng Fulin
Published: August 2022

The deep volcanic and clastic rocks in the Songliao Basin are typical tight reservoirs with ultralow porosity and permeability. Natural fracture determines the effective reservoirs in the deep strata. Integrated core and thin section observations, image logging, physical property measurement, X-ray diffraction, and seismic attribute analysis were applied to ascertain the characteristics and genetic mechanisms of the tectonic fractures in the Huoshiling-Shahezi Formations of the Gudian half-graben. The contribution of the fractures to deep tight reservoirs was also discussed. Results showed that tectonic fractures are mainly tension, shear, and slip fractures. The density of the fractures in andesitic tuffs with high clay minerals content is significantly higher than that in the other rock types. The main controls of the developmental degree of fractures are tectonism. Three sets of fractures were identified based on the genetic connection between fracture formation and tectonic stress. The NNW-trending tension fractures were formed in the syn-rift stage and successively extended in the post-rift stage. The regional compressional stress drove the formation of the NEE-trending shear fractures and NNW-trending “X” plane-conjugated shear fractures in the postextrusion stage. The averaged porosity and permeability of the reservoirs are generally less than 6.0% and lower than 0.06 mD. The pores can hardly independently provide migration pathways and storage spaces, but the fractures significantly improved the reservoir properties. The fractures were well developed in the regions near the Gudian fault, fault transfer zones, and volcanoes, indicating the distribution of potential reservoirs. Moreover, unraveling the types and orientations of the fractures will provide an essential basis for the analysis of hydrocarbon migration and hydraulic fracture treatments.
Patient-reported outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in systemic lupus erythematosus: Impact of disease activity
Authors: Touma Zahi , Costenbader Karen H. , Hoskin Ben , Atkinson Christian , Bell David , Massey Olivia , Berry Pamela , Karyekar Chetan S.
Published: August 2022

Background Limited real-world data exists on clinical outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients by SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). We aimed to examine the association between SLEDAI-2K score and clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes in patients with SLE.MethodsRheumatologists from the United States of America and Europe provided real-world demographic, clinical, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) data for SLE patients. Patients provided self-reported outcome data, capturing their general health status using the EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), health-related quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) and work productivity using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Low disease activity was defined as SLEDAI‑2K score ≤4 and ≤7.5mg/day glucocorticoids; patients not meeting these criteria were considered to have “higher” active disease. Data were compared between patients with low and higher disease activity. Logistic regression estimated a propensity score for SLE based on demographic and clinical characteristics. Propensity score matched analyses compared HCRU, patient-reported outcomes, income loss and treatment satisfaction in patients with low disease activity versus higher active disease.ResultsData from 296 physicians reporting on 730 patients (46 low disease activity, 684 higher active disease), and from 377 patients’ self-reported questionnaires (24 low disease activity, 353 higher active disease) were analyzed. (Flaring in the previous 12 months was 2.6‑fold more common among patients with higher versus low active disease.) EQ 5D‑3L utility index was 0.79 and 0.88 and FACIT-Fatigue scores were 34.78 and 39.79 in low versus higher active disease patients, respectively, indicating better health and less fatigue, among patients with low versus higher active disease. Absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment, and total activity impairment were 47-, 2-, 2-.6- and 1–5-fold greater in patients with higher versus low disease activity. In the previous 12 months there were 28% more healthcare consultations and 3.4‑fold more patients hospitalized in patients with higher versus low disease activity.ConclusionCompared to SLE patients with higher active disease, patients with low disease activity experienced better health status, lower HCRU. less fatigue, and lower work productivity impairment, with work absenteeism being substantially lower in these patients.
DAG-based Blockchain for Trust Aware Load Balanced Routing and Lightweight
Authors: M Revanesh , V SRIDHAR , Acken John m
Published: August 2022

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a staple network architecture that can be widely used to support diverse applications such as smart cities, smart homes, etc. The energy consumption and security have remained more perilous challenges in it. The blockchain is a potential solution for security provisioning in WSN. However, the classic blockchain has some problems as slow transaction processing and poor scalability. Hence, to address these issues the Directed Acyclic Graph-based Trust aware Load Balanced Routing (DAG-BTLBR) is proposed in WSN that constructs DAG for blocks. The proposed DAG-BTLBR is instigated with energy-efficient unequal cluster formation using Emperor Penguin Colony (EPC) algorithm. In this step, we mitigate the hotspot problem in WSN. An Adaptive Neuro-based Dual Fuzzy (ANDual Fuzzy) system is involved to find the secure and load-balanced route for packets transmission. ANDual Fuzzy is the combination of two fuzzy logic systems that will be in a parallel way. The DAG-based blockchain is used to store the transactions in the WSN. The lightweight authentication encryption scheme is designed for addressing data security requirements (data integrity, and confidentiality) and resource constraint issues of sensors. Initially, lightweight encryption is implemented by XTEA with Chaotic Map algorithm, whereas message authentication is implemented by Blake-256 algorithm. We computed the performance of our DAG-BTLBR model and compared it to the previous models by several evaluation criteria, which are implemented in NS3 (version 3.26). Our proposed model simulation results establish the performance and security improvements by minimizing end-to-end delay, time consumption, packet loss rate, and energy consumption, maximizing the throughput.
Ptbp1 knockdown failed to induce astrocytes to neurons in vivo
Authors: Yang Guixiang , Yan Zixiang , Wu Xiaoqing , Zhang Meng , Xu Chunlong , Shi Linyu , Yang Hui , Fang Kailun
Published: August 2022

Conversion of non-neuronal cells to neurons is a promising potential strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have reported that shRNA-, CasRx-, or ASO-mediated Ptbp1 suppression could reprogram resident astrocytes to neurons. However, some groups have disputed the data interpretation of the reported neuron conversion events. These controversies surrounding neuron conversion may due to differences in the astrocyte fate-mapping systems. Here, we suppressed Ptbp1 using Cas13X, and labeled astrocytes with the HA tag fused to Cas13X (Cas13X-NLS-HA). Compared with the GFAP-driven tdTomato labeling system (AAV-GFAP::tdTomato-WPRE) in previous studies, we found no astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in mouse striatum via the HA-tagged labeling system. Our findings indicate Ptbp1 knockdown failed to induce neuron conversion in vivo.
Motion compensation algorithm for Multi-Orthogonal Signal Underwater Navigation System on moving platform
Authors: ZHANG Sen , ZHOU Chen Lin , YIN Tian Qi , WANG Ming Zhi , LIU Jia Huan
Published: August 2022

For the problem of positioning error due to the rotation of the platform when the transmitter of the Multi-orthogonal Signals Underwater Navigation System (MOSUNS) is mounted on a moving platform, this paper performs a motion error modeling. The relationship between the platform motion parameters (translation rate and rotation rate, etc.) and the difference of linear velocity among each transmitting elements and the resulting phase error is derived, and the relationship between MOSUNS positioning error and platform motion parameters is further deduced. Based on the moving platform positioning error model, a motion compensation algorithm is proposed to compensate the phase error caused by the platform rotation, and then compensate the positioning error. The motion error is quantified and analyzed by computer simulation, and the validity of the motion compensation algorithm is verified by simulation.
Microstructural Analysis of Sheet Hydroforming Process Assisted by Ultrasonic Vibration on Punch Radial in a Hydro-Mechanical Deep Drawing Die
Authors: Ghasemi Reza , Elyasi Majid , Baseri Hamid , Mirnia Mohammad Javad
Published: August 2022

Today, the use of sheet hydroforming methods in the conventional deep drawing process has significantly improved the formability of the sheet. However, due to the limitations of the sheet hydroforming process, new methods can be used in combination with it, such as ultrasonic-vibration-assisted forming. Many of the mechanical effects of ultrasonic vibration in the metal forming process are due to the metallurgical and structural impacts of the material, so to find the cause of the observed events, one must look at the microstructural interactions of materials. Therefore, the process of St14 sheet hydroforming with the assistance of ultrasonic vibration is investigated microstructurally in this paper. For this purpose, during the hydroforming drawing process, ultrasonic vibration was radially applied to the punch in a hydro-mechanical deep drawing die. Then the process parameters, including thickness, equivalent strain, grain size, and rotation at a selected point of the cross-section of the sample parts are compared in four modes of conventional deep drawing (CDD), hydroforming deep drawing (HDD), deep drawing assisted by ultrasonic vibration (UDD), and hydroforming deep drawing assisted by ultrasonic vibration (UHDD). Results showed that the application of ultrasonic vibrations in the sheet hydroforming process led to a significant reduction in thickness strain (as well as equivalent strain), increased grain length, and reduced rotation. This implies the positive impact of ultrasonic vibrations in the flow of materials is due to the reduction of friction and facilitates the movement of dislocations.
Formation of chloride deposits on Early Mars under acidic and reducing crustal conditions
Authors: Fernandez-Remolar David , Altermann Wladyslaw , Gomez-Ortiz David , Hynek Brian , Izawa Matthew , Hauber Ernst , Adeli Solmaz , Amils Ricardo , Huang Ting , Rosi Angelo Pio , Deit Laetitia Le
Published: August 2022

Orbital missions have shown that some regions of the ancient Martian crust contain hundreds of discrete terrains covered by chloride evaporites. In terrestrial evaporitic systems, aqueous precipitation typically begins with the deposition of carbonates, followed by sulfates, and finally chlorides, a depositional sequence that has not yet been found on Mars. Instead, sulfide deposits are always separated spatially from chlorides and appear younger. This temporal and spatial separation suggests two different depositional regimes. Here, we present a model driven by the Martian chlorine geochemical cycle that allows the formation of chlorides whilst simultaneously inhibiting sulfate and carbonate precipitation. In this model, the chlorides are formed under reducing and acidic conditions in two contrasting settings the hydrothermal alteration of the Martian crust associated with the formation of faults: by direct evaporation of water bodies fed by meteoric solutions (type 1) and by precipitation from ascending saline solutions along the tectonic conduits (type 2). Such processes were sustained under a relatively thick and reducing atmosphere (1-0.1 bar) similar to the predicted conditions for the early Earth. The crustal circulation of chloride-precipitating fluids may have been driven by tectonic suction and pumping processes.
Health risk and ecotoxicological assessment of water bodies and sediments in the vicinity of slag heap in Siechnice, Lower Silesia, Poland (Ocena ekotoksykologiczna wód i osadów dennych w okolicy hałdy pohutniczej w Siechnicach (Dolny Śląsk, Polska) wraz z oceną ryzyka zagrożenia zdrowotnego)
Authors: Zeynalli Farhad , Kapelko Kacper , Wróbel Magdalena , Rybak Justyna
Published: August 2022

The studies of the impact of post-metallurgical landfill were conducted in Siechnice near Wrocław, Lower Silesia. The samples of sediments and water were taken at different distances from the slag heap area. We assessed the metal concentrations in the samples, then ecotoxicological tests were conducted as well. Ostracodtoxkit F was performed to measure the toxicity of sediments. Daphtoxkit F magna and Algaltoxkit F tests were performed to evaluate water quality. 30% mortality rate of H. incongruens (Ostracodtoxkit F) was recorded in sediment studies in the closest site to the waste dump. The highest mortality rate of D.magna in 100% dilution after 48 hours was observed in water samples taken from the closest distance to slag heap, and the death rate did not exceed 50%, therefore it was not possible to establish LC50. The concentrations of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, Cr) were determined in sediment samples. It was found that the closest site to the landfill was moderately/heavily polluted with Cr according to LAWA classification. The health risk assessment of the sediments was estimated by calculating non-carcinogenic health risk such as Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI); and carcinogenic risk - Excessive Risk of Cancer Development (ECR). Hazard Index (HI ing) for Cr was exceeding 1 for children, implying possible adverse health effects might occur. ECR values for Cr and Pb were above the range limit of 10⁻⁶ in all sample points. But the cancer risk was found to be very low.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote the stemness and progression of renal cell carcinoma via exosomal miR-181d-5p
Authors: Guo Hongqian , Ding Meng , Zhao Xiaozhi , Chen Xiaoqing , Diao Wenli , Kan Yansheng , Cao Wenmin , Chen Wei , Jiang Bo , Qin Haixiang , Gao Jie , Zhuang Junlong , Zhang Qing
Published: August 2022

The mechanisms underlying the effects of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on cancer stemness and tumor progression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have not been elucidated yet. In the present study, we found that the enrichment of CAFs was positively associated with tumor progression and cancer stemness in RCC. Further investigation revealed that CAFs could enhance cancer stemness through delivering exosomes to RCC cells, and miR-181d-5p was identified as the critical exosomal miRNA in CAF secreted exosomes by small RNA sequencing and subsequent screening assays. Mechanistically, exosomal miR-181d-5p transferred from CAFs to RCC cells directly suppressed the expression of ring finger protein 43 (RNF43) and activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus promoted cancer stemness and tumor progression. Overexpression of RNF43 strongly suppressed stemness properties and the effects could be reverted by miR-181d-5p. Overall, our findings revealed a crucial mechanism by which CAFs secreted exosomal miRNAs to enhance cancer stemness and thus promote RCC progression, suggesting a new avenue based on CAF secreted miRNAs for more effective targeted therapies.
Application value of antibody titer and RNA detection in the early prediction of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: A retrospective study
Authors: tuo wenbin , Guo Xia , Wu Mo , Xie Si , Shen Xin , Wang Jun , Cai Qinzhen , Yuan Chunhui , Yao Cong , Xiang Yun
Published: August 2022

Background: Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) are prone to missed diagnosis at the early stages of the disease, which greatly affects the prognosis of children. In this study, the application value of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae, MP) antibody titer and RNA detection for diagnosing MP infection in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were evaluated. Seeking to appropriate detection methods and strategies for the early rapid diagnosis in children with MPP.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 563 pediatric patients with CAP who were admitted to Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between July 2021 to February 2022. In all patients, pharyngeal swabs were collected for MP-RNA detection (simultaneous amplification and testing, SAT), and paired serum samples were collected for MP antibody titers testing (particle agglutination, PA).Results: Among the 563 cases with pneumonia, 187 cases were in the MPP group and 376 cases were in the non-MPP group. The Kappa values between antibody agglutination test at different titers (1:80, 1:160) and MP-RNA detection were 0.612 and 0.660 (P＜0.01), and the consistency of the three methods was acceptable. when the single screening method was used, MP-RNA had the highest sensitivity (93.05%), while PA (1:160) had the highest specificity (100%), PA (1:80) with the AUC of 0.822 was better than PA (1:160) with the AUC of 0.783, and there was a significant difference. When the combined screening methods were used, the AUC of MP-RNA parallel PA (1:160) was significantly higher than that under titer (1:80) (z=-4.906, P < 0.01). Expert for MP-80, the efficacy of other three test methods in women was slightly better than that in men. Among the differences in age distribution, PA (1:80) was slightly less effective at 13~72 age group than at other ages, MP-RNA parallel PA (1:160) was slightly better than the younger age group (≤ 36 m) in the older age group (>36 m), PA (1:160) was just the opposite, while MP-RNA was slightly better than other age groups in the 13-72 age group.Conclusions: For the diagnosis of MPP in children at the early of the disease, the antibody titer (1:160) parallel MP-RNA should be given preference, and then further classified according to the antibody titer level and the age of the child. The combined application of the two detection methods could complement each other and strengthen the advantages, providing reliable laboratory evidence for the clinical diagnosis and timely treatment of MPP. When using PA method alone to provide reference standard to clarify MP infection, the differential diagnosis ability of 1:80 for MPP is better than 1:160, especially for children younger than 36 months.
Evaluation of the socioprofessional consequences of thoracic outlet syndrome
Authors: Logiou Charlotte , Demondion Xavier , Tiffreau Vincent , Wieczorek Valérie , Thevenon André
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a ductal syndrome that can have a significant functional impact. Various studies have highlighted positional factors and repetitive movements as risk factors for the development of TOS. However, there are few literature data on the socioprofessional consequences of TOS. Methods: We performed a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, multicentre study of workers having received a Doppler ultrasound diagnosis of TOS between December 17th, 2018, and March 16th, 2021. Immediately after their diagnosis, patients completed a self-questionnaire on the impact of TOS on their work activities. We assessed the frequency of TOS-related difficulties at work and the associated socioprofessional consequences. Trial Registration Number (TRN) is NCT03780647 and date of registration December 18, 2018. Results: Eighty-two participants (95.3%) reported difficulties at work. Seventy-seven of the participants with difficulties (94%) worked in the tertiary sector; these difficulties were due to prolonged maintenance of a posture, carrying loads, and repetitive movements. Although the majority of participants experienced organizational problems and lacked support at work, few of them had approached support organizations, expert and/or healthcare professionals. Conclusions: TOS was almost always associated with difficulties at work. However, poor awareness of sources of help or a perceived lack of need may discourage people with TOS from taking steps to resolve these difficulties. It is clear that the socioprofessional management of TOS requires significant improvements.
Early-life stress biases responding to negatively valenced stimuli and increases amygdala volume and vulnerability to later-life stress
Authors: Dalley Jeff , Dutcher Ethan , Lopez-Cruz Laura , Pama Ewa , Lynall Mary-Ellen , Bevers Iris , Jones Jolyon , Khan Shahid , Sawiak Stephen , Milton Amy , Clatworthy Menna , Robbins Trevor , Bullmore Edward
Published: August 2022

Early-life stress (ELS) or adversity, particularly in the form of childhood neglect and abuse, is associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes in adulthood. However, whether these relationships are mediated by the consequences of ELS itself or by other exposures that frequently co-occur with ELS is unclear. To address this question, we carried out a longitudinal study in rats to isolate the effects of ELS on regional brain volumes and behavioral phenotypes relevant to anxiety and depression. We used the repeated maternal separation (RMS) model of chronic ELS, and conducted behavioral measurements throughout adulthood, including of probabilistic reversal learning (PRL), responding on a progressive ratio task, sucrose preference, novelty preference, novelty reactivity, and putative anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze. Our behavioral assessment was combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for quantitation of regional brain volumes at three time points: immediately following RMS, young adulthood without further stress, and late adulthood with further stress. We found that RMS caused long-lasting, sexually dimorphic biased responding to negatively-valenced stimuli on the PRL task. RMS also slowed response time on the PRL task, but without this directly impacting task performance. RMS animals were also uniquely sensitive to a second stressor, which further slowed and biased their responding on the PRL task. MRI at the time of the adult stress revealed a larger amygdala volume in RMS animals compared with controls. These behavioral and neurobiological effects persisted well into adulthood despite a lack of effects on conventional tests of ‘depression-like’ and ‘anxiety-like’ behavior, and a lack of any evidence of anhedonia. Our findings indicate that ELS has long-lasting cognitive and neurobehavioral effects that interact with stress in adulthood and may have relevance for understanding the etiology of anxiety and depression in humans.
Ultrahigh Quantum Efficiencies from Photon Multiple-Fission in Yb3+ Clusters
Authors: Qin Weiping , Li Dagaung , Liu Zhenyu
Published: August 2022

Quantum cutting (QC) is a process that can split one high-energy photon into two or more low-energy photons.1-4 As an attractive mechanism, it has been extensively explored for acquiring high quantum efficiency (QE) of more than 100%.5-8 Here, we report the first experimental observation of multiphoton QC with ultrahigh QEs in CaF2:Yb polycrystalline. Under 266 nm excitation, an internal quantum efficiency as high as ~285% was achieved, indicating that one ultraviolet (UV) photon was split into more than two ~1000 nm near infrared (NIR) photons. Photovoltaic experiments demonstrated that the polycrystalline increased the output power of a polycrystalline silicon solar cell by more than 200% in the case of 266 nm irradiation. Spectral analysis confirmed that the ultrahigh QE originated from efficient cooperative absorptions of Yb-tetramers and Yb-trimers and individual emission of single Yb3+ ions. This study provides a promising approach for improving spectral response of silicon solar cells and detectors in the UV region.
Retrospective Investigation of the Morpometric Anatomy of the Occipital Condyle, Hypoglossal Canal and its Surroundings in Turkish Populaton with CBCT
Authors: EVLİ Cengiz , KOLSUZ Mehmet Eray , ORHAN Kaan
Published: August 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study is to examine morphometrically the occipital condyle and surrounding structures, which is an important region in terms of surgery and forensic medicine, and to evaluate the change of mean values according to gender and age; it is also the evaluation of the correlation of the measurements made.
Methods
1 80 (90 men, 90 women ) CBCT images selected from the archive of Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry. Occipital Condyle length and width, Hypoglossal Canal-Basion distance, Hypoglossal Canal-Opistion distance, Hypoglossal Canal - Occipital Condyle anterior and posterior border distance, Occipital Condyle thickness, Hypoglossal Canal length, the widest diameter of Hypoglossal Canal, the narrowest diameter of the Hypoglossal Canal, the length of the Jugular Tubercle, the width of the Jugular Tubercle, the anterior intercondylar distance, the posterior intercondylar distance, and the Foramen Magnum index were measured. At the same time, the presence of septum or spicule in the hypoglossal canal and protrusion of the occipital condyle were evaluated. The relationship of age, gender, anterior and posterior intercondylar distance, and foramen magnum index measurements with all measurements were examined.
Results
Men's measurements were found to be significantly higher than women's measurements.
Conclusion
When our results are evaluated, it is seen that our values are generally close to the studies on CT. Considering that CBCT images can be obtained with lower radiation and lower cost compared to CT, it is thought that CBCT can be used as an alternative to CT for this region.
Modeling Community COVID-19 Transmission Risk Associated with U.S. Universities
Authors: Uelmen J. A. , Kopsco Heather , Mori Jameson , Brown William , Smith Rebecca
Published: August 2022

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst in recent history, resulting in excess of 520,000,000 cases and 6,200,000 deaths worldwide. The United States has recently surpassed 1,000,000 deaths. Individuals who are elderly and/or immunocompromised are the most susceptible to serious sequelae. Rising sentiment often implicates younger, less-vulnerable populations as primary introducers of COVID-19 to communities, particularly around colleges and universities. This research seeks to evaluate the potential role of college students, measured as total university enrollment, in overall community-level age-adjusted COVID-19 case and mortality rate within each American county. From January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, a total of 22,385,335 cases and 374,130 deaths were reported to the CDC. Adjusting for more than 32 key socio-demographic, economic, and epidemiologic variables, we implemented regression and factor analytic methods to determine the overall infection and mortality susceptibility for each county and key factors associated with case and mortality rates. Overall, counties with increasing numbers of university enrollment showed significantly lower case rates and marginal decreases in mortality rates. Contrary to common sentiment, our findings demonstrate that counties with high university enrollments may be more adherent to public safety measures and vaccinations, likely contributing to safer communities.
Transcriptome Analysis of Knockout Mutants of Rice Seed Dormancy Gene OsVP1 and Sdr4
Authors: Chen Wenqiang , Liu Dapu , Li Zhixin , Chen Kai , Luo Ju , Xu Jianlong
Published: August 2022

Seed dormancy and germination are critical agricultural traits influencing rice grain yield. Although there are some genes have previously identified, the comprehensive understanding on large-scale transcriptome is deficient. In this study, we generated mutants of two representative regulators of seed germination, Oryza sativa Viviparous1 ( OsVP1 ) and Seed dormancy 4 ( Sdr4 ), by CRISPR/Cas9 approach and named them cr-osvp1 and cr-sdr4 . The weakened dormancy of mutants indicated that the functions of OsVP1 and Sdr4 are required for normal early seed dormancy. In the transcriptome sequencing analysis, 4157 and 8285 DEGs were identified in cr-osvp1 vs. NIP and cr-sdr4 vs. NIP groups, respectively, with a large number of overlapped DEGs that have similar expression patterns in two groups. The GO and KEGG enrichments showed that genes related to carbohydrate metabolic, nucleoside metabolic, amylase activity and plant hormone signal transduction were involved in the dormancy regulation. These results indicated that OsVP1 and Sdr4 play an important role in regulating seed dormancy that involved in multiple metabolism and regulatory pathways. The systematic analysis of the transcriptional level changes provides theoretical basis for the research of seed dormancy and germination in rice.
Tricultured cell sheets develop into functional pancreatic islet tissue with a vascular network
Authors: Sekine Hidekazu , Homma Jun , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: August 2022

Methods to induce islet β-cells from induced pluripotent stem cells or embryonic stem cells have been established. However, islet β-cells are susceptible to apoptosis under hypoxic conditions, so the technique used to transplant β-cells must maintain the viability of the cells in vivo. The present study describes the development of a tricultured cell sheet, which was made by co-culturing islet β-cells, vascular endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells for 1 day. The islet β-cells in the tricultured cell sheet self-organized into islet-like structures surrounded by a dense vascular network in vitro. Triple-layered tricultured cell sheets engrafted well after transplantation in vivo and developed into insulin-secreting tissue with abundant blood vessels and a high density of islet β-cells. We anticipate that the tricultured cell sheet could be used as an in vitro pseudo-islet model for pharmaceutical testing and may have potential for development into transplantable grafts for use in regenerative medicine.
Structure and dynamics of a duplex-embedded G-quadruplex system resolved to 7.4 Å resolution by cryo-EM and SAXS
Authors: Monsen Robert , Chua Eugene , Hopkins Jesse , Chaires Jonathan , Trent John
Published: August 2022

Genomic regions with high guanine content fold into non-B form DNA four-stranded structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4s). Extensive in vivo investigations have revealed that promoter G4s are transcriptional regulators. Little structural information exists for these G4s embedded within duplexes, their presumed genomic environment. Here we report the structure and dynamics of a 28 kDa duplex-G4-duplex (DGD) model system using cryo-EM, molecular dynamics, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies, resolved to 7.4 Å. The DGD structural ensemble features a 49-67° bend induced by a stacked duplex-G4 interaction at the 5’ G-tetrad interface with a persistently unstacked 3’ duplex and poly dT surrogate-complement loop. Structural analysis shows that the DGD model is quantifiably more druggable than the monomeric G4 structure alone and represents a new structural drug target. Our results illustrate how the integration of cryo-EM, MD, and SAXS can reveal complementary detailed static and dynamic structural information on DNA G4 systems.
Environmentally friendly synthesis of bimetallic Ag-Cu/graphitic carbon nitride for Photocatalytic degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbon Side product liberated from the petrochemical industry
Authors: Blall Elsayed G. , Abdou HOSSAM A. , Ezzat Abbas A. , Shokry Fathy , Mahmoud Amira S.
Published: August 2022

1,2-Dichloroethane(DCE) is one of the maximum critical chlorinated unstable natural pollution in waste liquid and has been indexed as a tough pollutant via way of means of numerous regulatory groups global. It is substantially used as a precursor with inside the petrochemical corporation to provide vinyl chloride monomers for the manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In this study, g-C3N4 photocatalysts synthesized by traditional thermal polycondensation methods have small specific surface areas and wide band gaps; these defects severely suppress the photocatalytic activity. Our research has focused on the optimization and modification of g-C3N4. by doping some bimetallic elements such as Ag and Cu Bimetals which alter the photochemical properties of g-C3N4, in particular, narrow the band gap and expand photoabsorption into the visible range, which improves the photocatalytic performance. quantum efficiencies, illumination area and increasing specific power irradiance. The tendencies of synthesized Ag-Cu/C3N4 have been showing the use of FTIR, XRD, EDX, and TEM strategies. This confirms the presence of enormous shapes with inside the shape of quantum dots and a 2-D Nanosheet. The degradation of DCE changed into showed through the dimension of UV-Visible spectra of degradable product and indicated the pseudo-first-order-kinetic response. Another sturdy indication of deterioration of DCE is the measuring of Cl ion liberated from degradation via titration.
Production of Biomass Pellets from Sawdust to Enhance Fuel Efficiency
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Mostafizur , Haque Md. Aminul , Akter Nargis , Jamal Mohammad Shah , Hossain Mosharof
Published: August 2022

Providing energy security for sustainable rural development biomass pellets are the major contributor to the bioenergy sector. The higher heating value of woody biomass pellets has encouraged much commercial utilization in the present rapidly growing industrial-economic world. Commercially available biomass sawdust-like Gurjan Balsam (Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gaertn.), White Siris (Albizia lucida), Cadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba), Tamarind (Tatoul markarian), Blackberry (Acacia acuminate), Mango (Mangifera indica), Raintree (Samanea saman), and Lambu (Swietenia hybrida) are opened up huge opportunities in the bioenergy sector. Eight wood sawdust samples investigated the heating value with the increasing pressure in the range of 6 kN to 20 kN. The height heating value was achieved at the pressure for Tamarind sawdust (14221.66 kJ/kg ± 0.84%) which possesses 6.53 ± 0.23% of moisture content. Gurjan Balsam with the highest moisture content (32.28 ± 0.14%) produced the lowest heating value (11260.09 kJ/kg ± 0.32%).