bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of dynamic shading control for daylight measures in green buildings towards overall energy efficiency of lighting and air-conditioning systems
Authors: Sun Jingting
Published: September 2023

The introduction of daylight can improve buildings’ energy efficiency and bring benefit to occupant satisfaction. However, the introduction of daylight may accompany with excessive heat. Properly counterbalancing the energy consumption of air conditioning and lighting systems owing to the entry of daylight is a critical control target of dynamic shading adjustment in cooling season. Most dynamic shading control strategies in use only consider one single system. Additionally, for advanced control mode like performance-based control, the predictive model usually only examines the instantaneous effect of energy performance to determine the shading adjustment state, unable to quantify the overall influence of shading adjustment state on building energy consumption. In order to address this issue, special consideration is given to calculating the cumulative contribution of heat gains to cooling load in this study. An overall energy-efficient shading control metric is proposed and used as basis to develop optimized dynamic shading control strategy. An application example demonstrates that the SGR-Optimal control strategy can further save energy by 21.8% ~ 38.8% when compared to the Rule-based control strategy, thus allowing a better exploration of the energy efficiency potential of daylight measure.
Adversarial Learning and Secure AI
Authors: Miller David J. , Xiang Zhen , Kesidis George
Published: September 2023

Providing a logical framework for student learning, this is the first textbook on adversarial learning. It introduces vulnerabilities of deep learning, then demonstrates methods for defending against attacks and making AI generally more robust. To help students connect theory with practice, it explains and evaluates attack-and-defense scenarios alongside real-world examples. Feasible, hands-on student projects, which increase in difficulty throughout the book, give students practical experience and help to improve their Python and PyTorch skills. Book chapters conclude with questions that can be used for classroom discussions. In addition to deep neural networks, students will also learn about logistic regression, naïve Bayes classifiers, and support vector machines. Written for senior undergraduate and first-year graduate courses, the book offers a window into research methods and current challenges. Online resources include lecture slides and image files for instructors, and software for early course projects for students.
The Literary Criticism of Samuel Johnson
Authors: Smallwood Philip
Published: September 2023

For Samuel Johnson, poetical judgments were no mere exercise in dry evaluation; rather, they reflected deep emotional responsiveness. In this provocative study, Philip Smallwood argues for experiencing Johnson's critical texts as artworks in their own right. The criticism, he suggests, often springs from emotional sources of great personal intensity and depth, inspiring translation of criticism into poetry and channelling prose's poetic potential. Through consideration of other critics, Smallwood highlights singularities in Johnson's judgments and approach, showing how such judgments are irreducible to philosophical doctrines. 'Ideas', otherwise the material of criticism's propensity to systems and theories, exist for Johnson as feelings that 'slumber in the heart.' Revealing Johnson's humour and intellectual reach, Smallwood frames his criticism in unresolved ironies of time and forms of historical change. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available Open Access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.
Stewardship 2.0: Embracing elements of implementation science to enhance everyday antimicrobial Stewardship efforts
Authors: Monsees Elizabeth , Wirtz Ann L. , Krein Sarah
Published: September 2023

This article explores the utility of implementation science (IS) as a method to promote the effective uptake of antimicrobial stewardship processes. Elements of IS can be readily incorporated into QI work and used as a platform to extend stewardship reach. As stewards are stretched to do more, IS can be a potential vehicle to ensure that our collective work is impactful, sustainable, and contributes more broadly to clinically relevant improvements.
Experiences of a mobile phone delivered brief intervention for hazardous drinking: A qualitative study nested in the AMBIT trial from Goa, India
Authors: Fernandes Danielle , D’Souza Ethel , Sambari Seema , Pacheco Marimilha , D’Souza Joseline , Velleman Richard , Bhatia Urvita , Nadkarni Abhijit
Published: September 2023

Background

This study explores the experiences of participants receiving a mobile-based brief intervention (BI) for hazardous drinking in India, to determine characteristics that influenced engagement and examine perceived reasons for change in alcohol consumption.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adult hazardous drinkers who received a mobile-based BI in the intervention arm of a pilot randomised control trial. Data were coded through an iterative process and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Study participants reported a positive experience, with factors such as customised intervention delivery and personal motivation facilitating their engagement. Participants reported a reduction in quantity and frequency of alcohol use. This was credited to the intervention, particularly, its provision of health-related information, goal-setting content and strategies to manage drinking. Apart from alcohol reduction, participants reported improvements in diet, lifestyle, wellbeing, and familial relations.

Implication

By providing a context to explain the impact of the intervention, the learnings from this study can be used to strengthen the implementation of mobile-based interventions. This study outlines the scope for further research in digital health, such as Internet-based health interventions, and incorporating digital interventions within the ambit of existing health care programmes.
USUBA’S PRINCIPLE CAN FAIL AT SINGULAR CARDINALS
Authors: GOLSHANI MOHAMMAD , SHELAH SAHARON
Published: September 2023

We answer a question of Usuba by showing that the combinatorial principle
$\mathrm {UB}_\lambda $
can fail at a singular cardinal. Furthermore,
$\lambda $
can be taken to be
$\aleph _\omega .$
Viable Clostridium botulinum spores not detected in the household dust of major Canadian cities
Authors: Harris Richard A. , Blondin-Brosseau Madeleine , Levesque Christine , Rasmussen Pat E. , Beauchemin Suzanne , Austin John W.
Published: September 2023

Clostridium botulinum causes infant botulism by colonising the intestines and producing botulinum neurotoxin in situ. Previous reports have linked infant botulism cases to C. botulinum spores in household dust, yet the baseline incidence of C. botulinum spores in residential households is currently unknown. Vacuum cleaner dust from 963 households in 13 major Canadian cities was tested for C. botulinum using a novel real-time PCR assay directed against all known subtypes of the botulinum neurotoxin gene. None of the samples tested positive for C. botulinum. Analysis of a random subset of samples by MALDI Biotyper revealed that the most common anaerobic bacterial isolates were of the genus Clostridium and the most common species recovered overall was Clostridium perfringens. Dust that was spiked with C. botulinum spores of each toxin type successfully produced positive real-time PCR reactions. These control experiments indicate that this is a viable method for the detection of C. botulinum spores in household dust. We make several recommendations for future work that may help discover a common environmental source of C. botulinum spores that could lead to effective preventative measures for this rare but deadly childhood disease.
Comparison of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, conventional echocardiography, exercise parameters, and dyssynchrony measurements in Fontan patients
Authors: Cindik Nimet , Gökdemir Mahmut , Varan Birgül , Ulubay Gaye , Ozkan Murat , Tokel Niyazi Kürşad
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Little data are available concerning the methods used in the long-term follow-up of Fontan patients. We analyzed the association between serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, conventional echocardiography findings, exercise parameters, and dyssynchrony measurements in patients who underwent Fontan surgery.

Methods:

This study included 28 patients who underwent Fontan surgery (mean age 12.8 ± 4.36 years) and 27 healthy controls (mean age 12.5 ± 3.76 years). Echocardiography examinations and exercise tests were performed in both groups. The systemic ventricle was examined via echocardiography, dyssynchrony measurement was performed, the systemic ventricular myocardial performance index was calculated, and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured for all subjects.

Results:

Lower cardiac output, stroke volume, maximal work, chronotropic index, maximal oxygen uptake, and higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were observed in the Fontan group than in the control group (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between physical exercise parameters and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and dyssynchrony measurements.

Conclusion:

Measurements of exercise capacity, serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, and dyssynchrony measurement were more valuable than conventional methods for assessing patients’ clinical and functional status. Dyssynchrony measurements provided better information about ventricular status than did conventional echocardiography studies. While patients’ systolic function determined by conventional echocardiography was normal, dyssynchrony measurements showed the opposite result. The negative relationship between serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, dyssynchrony measurements, and exercise capacity suggests that these parameters should be investigated further in Fontan patients.
Ethical Decision Making in Disaster and Emergency Management: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Cuthbertson Joe , Penney Greg
Published: September 2023

Ethical decision making in disaster and emergency management requires more than good intentions; it also asks for careful consideration and an explicit, systematic approach. The decisions made by leaders and the effects they have in a disaster must carry the confidence of the community to which they serve. Such decisions are critical in settings where resources are scarce; when decisions are perceived as unjust, the consequences may erode public trust, result in moral injury to staff, and cause community division. To understand how decisions in these settings are informed by ethics, a systematic literature review was conducted to determine what ethical guidance informs decision making in disaster and emergency management. This study found evidence of ethical guidance to inform decision making in disaster management in the humanitarian system, based on humanitarian principles. Evidence of the application of an ethical framework to guide or reference decision making was varied or absent in other emergency management agencies or systems. Development and validation of ethical frameworks to support decision making in disaster management practice is recommended.
US Partisan Polarization on Climate Change: Can Stalemate Give Way to Opportunity?
Authors: Egan Patrick J. , Mullin Megan
Published: September 2023

The rise of climate change on the global political agenda coincided with the growth of partisan polarization in US politics and, in many ways, their trajectories mirror one another. When the climate crisis first began to attract political attention 30 years ago, Republicans and Democrats responded with similar levels of interest and concern. Today, partisan division overwhelms all other aspects of climate-change politics and environmental politics more broadly (Egan, Konisky, and Mullin 2022; Egan and Mullin 2017).
Flood Impacts on Net Ecosystem Exchange in the Midwestern and Southern United States in 2019
Authors: Balashov Nikolay V. , Ott Lesley E. , Weir Brad , Basu Sourish , Davis Kenneth J. , Miles Natasha L. , Thompson Anne M. , Stauffer Ryan M.
Published: September 2023

Climate extremes such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, frosts, and windstorms add considerable variability to the global year‐to‐year increase in atmospheric CO2 through their influence on terrestrial ecosystems. While the impact of droughts on terrestrial ecosystems has received considerable attention, the response to flooding is not well understood. To improve upon this knowledge, the impact of the 2019 anomalously wet conditions over the Midwest and Southern US on CO2 vegetation fluxes is examined in the context of 2017–2018 when such precipitation anomalies were not observed. CO2 is simulated with NASA's Global Earth Observing System (GEOS) combined with the Low‐order Flux Inversion, where fluxes of CO2 are estimated using a suite of remote sensing measurements including greenness, night lights, and fire radiative power as well as with a bias correction based on insitu observations. Net ecosystem exchange CO2 tracers are separated into the three regions covering the Midwest, South, and Eastern Texas and adjusted to match CO2 observations from towers located in Iowa, Mississippi, and Texas. Results indicate that for the Midwestern region consisting primarily of corn and soybeans crops, flooding contributes to a 15%–25% reduction of annual net carbon uptake in 2019 in comparison to 2017 and 2018. These results are supported by independent reports of changes in agricultural activity. For the Southern region, comprised mainly of non‐crop vegetation, annual net carbon uptake is enhanced in 2019 by about 10%–20% in comparison to 2017 and 2018. These outcomes show the heterogeneity in effects that excess wetness can bring to diverse ecosystems.
Lysosomes mediate the mitochondrial UPR via mTORC1-dependent ATF4 phosphorylation
Authors: Li Terytty Yang , Wang Qi , Gao Arwen W. , Li Xiaoxu , Sun Yu , Mottis Adrienne , Shong Minho , Auwerx Johan
Published: September 2023

Lysosomes are central platforms for not only the degradation of macromolecules but also the integration of multiple signaling pathways. However, whether and how lysosomes mediate the mitochondrial stress response (MSR) remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that lysosomal acidification via the vacuolar H+-ATPase (v-ATPase) is essential for the transcriptional activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). Mitochondrial stress stimulates v-ATPase-mediated lysosomal activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which then directly phosphorylates the MSR transcription factor, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Disruption of mTORC1-dependent ATF4 phosphorylation blocks the UPRmt, but not other similar stress responses, such as the UPRER. Finally, ATF4 phosphorylation downstream of the v-ATPase/mTORC1 signaling is indispensable for sustaining mitochondrial redox homeostasis and protecting cells from ROS-associated cell death upon mitochondrial stress. Thus, v-ATPase/mTORC1-mediated ATF4 phosphorylation via lysosomes links mitochondrial stress to UPRmt activation and mitochondrial function resilience.
Strategy to combat biofilms: a focus on biofilm dispersal enzymes
Authors: Wang Shaochi , Zhao Yanteng , Breslawec Alexandra P. , Liang Tingting , Deng Zhifen , Kuperman Laura L. , Yu Qiuning
Published: September 2023

Bacterial biofilms, which consist of three-dimensional extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), not only function as signaling networks, provide nutritional support, and facilitate surface adhesion, but also serve as a protective shield for the residing bacterial inhabitants against external stress, such as antibiotics, antimicrobials, and host immune responses. Biofilm-associated infections account for 65-80% of all human microbial infections that lead to serious mortality and morbidity. Tremendous effort has been spent to address the problem by developing biofilm-dispersing agents to discharge colonized microbial cells to a more vulnerable planktonic state. Here, we discuss the recent progress of enzymatic eradicating strategies against medical biofilms, with a focus on dispersal mechanisms. Particularly, we review three enzyme classes that have been extensively investigated, namely glycoside hydrolases, proteases, and deoxyribonucleases.
Updates to the NASA human system risk management process for space exploration
Authors: Antonsen Erik L. , Connell Erin , Anton Wilma , Reynolds Robert J. , Buckland Daniel M. , Van Baalen Mary
Published: September 2023

This paper describes updates to NASA’s approach for assessing and mitigating spaceflight-induced risks to human health and performance. This approach continues to evolve to meet dynamically changing risk environments: lunar missions are currently being designed and the ultimate destination will be Mars. Understanding the risks that astronauts will face during a Mars mission will depend on building an evidence base that informs not only how the humans respond to the challenges of the spaceflight environment, but also how systems and vehicles can be designed to support human capabilities and limitations. This publication documents updates to the risk management process used by the Human System Risk Board at NASA and includes changes to the likelihood and consequence matrix used by the board, the design reference mission categories and parameters, and the standardized evaluation of the levels of evidence that the board accepts when setting risk posture. Causal diagramming, using directed acyclic graphs, provides all stakeholders with the current understanding of how each risk proceeds from a spaceflight hazard to a mission-level outcome. This standardized approach enables improved communication among stakeholders and delineates how and where more knowledge can improve perspective of human system risks and which countermeasures can best mitigate these risks.
Protein remote homology detection and structural alignment using deep learning
Authors: Hamamsy Tymor , Morton James T. , Blackwell Robert , Berenberg Daniel , Carriero Nicholas , Gligorijevic Vladimir , Strauss Charlie E. M. , Leman Julia Koehler , Cho Kyunghyun , Bonneau Richard
Published: September 2023

Exploiting sequence–structure–function relationships in biotechnology requires improved methods for aligning proteins that have low sequence similarity to previously annotated proteins. We develop two deep learning methods to address this gap, TM-Vec and DeepBLAST. TM-Vec allows searching for structure–structure similarities in large sequence databases. It is trained to accurately predict TM-scores as a metric of structural similarity directly from sequence pairs without the need for intermediate computation or solution of structures. Once structurally similar proteins have been identified, DeepBLAST can structurally align proteins using only sequence information by identifying structurally homologous regions between proteins. It outperforms traditional sequence alignment methods and performs similarly to structure-based alignment methods. We show the merits of TM-Vec and DeepBLAST on a variety of datasets, including better identification of remotely homologous proteins compared with state-of-the-art sequence alignment and structure prediction methods.
Multi-omics data integration using ratio-based quantitative profiling with Quartet reference materials
Authors: Zheng Yuanting , Liu Yaqing , Yang Jingcheng , Dong Lianhua , Zhang Rui , Tian Sha , Yu Ying , Ren Luyao , Hou Wanwan , Zhu Feng , Mai Yuanbang , Han Jinxiong , Zhang Lijun , Jiang Hui , Lin Ling , Lou Jingwei , Li Ruiqiang , Lin Jingchao , Liu Huafen , Kong Ziqing , Wang Depeng , Dai Fangping , Bao Ding , Cao Zehui , Chen Qiaochu , Chen Qingwang , Chen Xingdong , Gao Yuechen , Jiang He , Li Bin , Li Bingying , Li Jingjing , Liu Ruimei , Qing Tao , Shang Erfei , Shang Jun , Sun Shanyue , Wang Haiyan , Wang Xiaolin , Zhang Naixin , Zhang Peipei , Zhang Ruolan , Zhu Sibo , Scherer Andreas , Wang Jiucun , Wang Jing , Huo Yinbo , Liu Gang , Cao Chengming , Shao Li , Xu Joshua , Hong Huixiao , Xiao Wenming , Liang Xiaozhen , Lu Daru , Jin Li , Tong Weida , Ding Chen , Li Jinming , Fang Xiang , Shi Leming
Published: September 2023

Characterization and integration of the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome of different datasets is difficult owing to a lack of ground truth. Here we develop and characterize suites of publicly available multi-omics reference materials of matched DNA, RNA, protein and metabolites derived from immortalized cell lines from a family quartet of parents and monozygotic twin daughters. These references provide built-in truth defined by relationships among the family members and the information flow from DNA to RNA to protein. We demonstrate how using a ratio-based profiling approach that scales the absolute feature values of a study sample relative to those of a concurrently measured common reference sample produces reproducible and comparable data suitable for integration across batches, labs, platforms and omics types. Our study identifies reference-free ‘absolute’ feature quantification as the root cause of irreproducibility in multi-omics measurement and data integration and establishes the advantages of ratio-based multi-omics profiling with common reference materials.
Spatial–temporal distribution of global production–living–ecological space during the period 2000–2020
Authors: Fu Jingying , Gao Qiang , Jiang Dong , Li Xiang , Lin Gang
Published: September 2023

Global production-living-ecology space closely corresponds with sustainable development’s economic, social and ecological elements. The dataset of global production–living–ecological space in this paper was generated by combining the global land cover obtained using GlobeLand30 and the population density supplied by NASA’s Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center in 2000, 2010, and 2020. The verification was carried out using the random sampling function of ArcGIS software on the basis of Google Earth sample images. The overall accuracy of the global production–living–ecological space data in 2020 was 83.94% and the Kappa coefficient was 0.81. The overall accuracy of the global production–living–ecological space data in 2010 was 87.00% and the Kappa coefficient was 0.84. The overall accuracy of the spatial data in 2000 was 86.06% and the Kappa coefficient was 0.83. The dataset fills a gap in the global production-living-ecology space database and will be an essential reference for assessing the coordinated development of sustainable development goals.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Synthesis and characterization of ZrFe2O4@SiO2@Ade-Pd as a novel, recyclable, green, and versatile catalyst for Buchwald–Hartwig and Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Saadh Mohamed J. , Khasawneh Hussam Elddin Nabieh , Ortiz Geovanny Genaro Reivan , Ahsan Muhammad , Sain Dinesh Kumar , Yusuf Kareem , Sillanää Mika , Iqbal Amjad , Akhavan-Sigari Reza
Published: September 2023

This work presents the simple synthesis of a green and novel Palladium based magnetic nanocatalyst with effective catalytic properties and reusability. These heterogeneous catalysts were prepared by the anchoring of Pd(0) on the surface of ZrFe2O4 MNPs coated with a di-substituted adenine (Ade) compound as a green linker. The as-synthesized ZrFe2O4@SiO2@Ade-Pd MNPs were methodically characterized over different physicochemical measures like VSM, EDX, Map, SEM, TEM, ICP, and FT-IR analysis. The catalytic activity of ZrFe2O4@SiO2@Ade-Pd was carefully examined for the room-temperature Carbon–Carbon coupling reaction in acetonitrile as a solvent. It is worth noting that the synthesized solid catalyst can be easily recovered with a bar magnet and reused for five cycles without decrease of catalytic activity.
New theropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Japan provides critical implications for the early evolution of ornithomimosaurs
Authors: Hattori Soki , Shibata Masateru , Kawabe Soichiro , Imai Takuya , Nishi Hiroshi , Azuma Yoichi
Published: September 2023

Ornithomimosauria consists of the ostrich-mimic dinosaurs, most of which showing cursorial adaptations, that often exhibit features indicative of herbivory. Recent discoveries have greatly improved our knowledge of their evolutionary history, including the divergence into Ornithomimidae and Deinocheiridae in the Early Cretaceous, but the early part of their history remains obscured because their fossil remains are scarce in the Aptian–Albian sediments. In recent years, many isolated ornithomimosaur remains have been recovered from the Aptian Kitadani Formation of Fukui, central Japan. These remains represent multiple individuals that share some morphological features common to them but unknown in other ornithomimosaurs, suggesting a monospecific accumulation of a new taxon. As a result of the description and phylogenetic analysis, the Kitadani ornithomimosaur is recovered as a new genus and species Tyrannomimus fukuiensis, the earliest definitive deinocheirid that complements our knowledge to understand the early evolutionary history of Ornithomimosauria. Due to its osteological similarity to Tyrannomimus, a taxon previously considered an early tyrannosauroid based on fragmentary specimens, namely Aviatyrannis jurassica, may represent the earliest ornithomimosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Europe, significantly expanding the temporal and biogeographic range of Ornithomimosauria. This finding fills a 20-million-year ghost lineage of Ornithomimosauria implied by the presence of the oldest fossil record of Maniraptora from the Middle Jurassic and is consistent with the hypothesis that their biogeographic range was widespread before the Pangaean breakup in the Kimmeridgian.
Reliability analysis of the triple modular redundancy system under step-partially accelerated life tests using Lomax distribution
Authors: Al-Essa Laila A. , Abdel-Hamid Alaa H. , Alballa Tmader , Hashem Atef F.
Published: September 2023

Triple modular redundancy (TMR) is a robust technique utilized in safety-critical applications to enhance fault-tolerance and reliability. This article focuses on estimating the distribution parameters of a TMR system under step-stress partially accelerated life tests, where each component included in the system follows a Lomax distribution. The study aims to analyze the system’s reliability and mean residual lifetime based on the estimated parameters. Various estimation techniques, including maximum likelihood, percentile, least squares, and maximum product of spacings, are explored. Additionally, the optimal stress change time is determined using two criteria. An illustrative example supported by two actual data sets is presented to showcase the methodology’s application. By conducting Monte Carlo simulations, the assessment of the estimation methods’ effectiveness reveals that the maximum likelihood method outperforms the other three methods in terms of both accuracy and performance, as indicated by the numerical outcomes. This research contributes to the understanding and practical implementation of TMR systems in safety-critical industries, potentially saving lives and preventing catastrophic events.
Identifying Palaeolithic birch tar production techniques: challenges from an experimental biomolecular approach
Authors: Kozowyk Paul R. B. , Baron Liliana I. , Langejans Geeske H. J.
Published: September 2023

The intentional production of birch bark tar by European Neanderthals as early as 190,000 years ago plays an important role in discussions about the technological and behavioural complexity of Pleistocene hominins. However, research is hampered because it is currently unknown how Neanderthals were producing birch tar. There are several different techniques that could have been employed, but these differ in their apparent production complexity, time and resource efficiency. Identifying production processes in the archaeological record is therefore paramount for furthering research on the technical behavioural repertoire. Organic biomarkers, identified with Gas Chromatograph–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), have been used to identify possible production processes during the Neolithic. Here we test whether these biomarkers can also distinguish Palaeolithic (aceramic) tar production methods. We produced tar using five different methods and analysed their biomolecular composition with GC–MS. Our results show that the biomarkers used to distinguish Neolithic tar production strategies using ceramic technology cannot be reliably used to identify tar production processes using aceramic Palaeolithic techniques. More experimentation is required to produce a larger reference library of different tars for future comparisons. To achieve this, complete GC–MS datasets must also be made publicly available, as we have done with our data.
Adsorptive removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solution using Rumex abyssinicus derived activated carbon
Authors: Abewaa Mikiyas , Mengistu Ashagrie , Takele Temesgen , Fito Jemal , Nkambule Thabo
Published: September 2023

The potential for malachite green dye saturated effluent to severely affect the environment and human health has prompted the search for effective treatment technologies. Thus, this study was conducted with the goal of developing activated carbon from Rumex abyssinicus for the adsorptive removal of malachite green dye from an aqueous solution. Unit operations such as drying, size reduction, impregnation with H3PO4, and thermal activation were used during the preparation of the activated carbon. An experiment was designed considering four main variables at their respective three levels: initial dye concentration (50, 100, and 150 mg/L), pH (3, 6, and 9), contact period (20, 40, and 60 min), and adsorbent dosage (0.05, 0.01, and 0.15 g/100 mL). Optimization of the batch adsorption process was carried out using the Response Surface methodology's Box Behnken approach. The characterization of the activated carbon was described by SEM for surface morphology with cracks and highly porous morphology, FTIR for multi-functional groups O–H at 3506.74 cm−1 and 3290.70 cm−1, carbonyl group stretching from aldehyde and ketone (1900–1700 cm−1), stretching motion of aromatic ring C=C (1543.12 cm−1), stretching motion of –C–H (1500–1200 cm−1), vibrational and stretching motion of –OH (1250.79 cm−1), and vibrational motion of C–O–C (1049.32 cm−1), pHpzc of 5.1, BET for the specific surface area of 962.3 m2/g, and XRD for the presence of amorphous structure. The maximum and minimum dye removal efficiencies of 99.9% and 62.4% were observed at their respective experimental conditions of (100 mg/L, 0.10 mg/100 mL, pH 6, and 40 min) and (100 mg/L, 0.15 mg/100 mL, pH 3, and 20 min), respectively. Langmuir, Freundlich, Toth, and Koble-Corrigan models were used to evaluate the experimental data, in which Koble-Corrigan model was found to be the best fit with the highest value of R2 0.998. In addition to this, the kinetic studies were undertaken using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Boyd models, and as a result, the pseudo-second-order model proved to have a better fit among the kinetic models. The kinetics and isotherm analysis revealed that the nature of the adsorption to be homogenous and monolayer surfaces driven by chemosorption. Furthermore, the thermodynamics study revealed the nature of adsorption to be feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. On the other hand, the reusability study depicted the fact that the adsorbent can be utilized for five cycles with a negligible drop in the removal efficiencies from 99.9 to 95.2%. Finally, the low-cost, environmentally benign, and high adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material derived from Rumex abyssinicus stem could be used to treat industrial effluents.
The effect of uveitis and undiagnosed spondyloarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Shih-Ching , Yang Chung-Han , Tsai Yun-Chen , Yu Kuang-Hui
Published: September 2023

Delay diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA) is associated with poor functional ability and quality of life. Uveitis is the most frequent extraarticular manifestation in SpA, and its prevalence increases with longer disease duration. This study examines the effect of uveitis on the disease activity and functional outcome of undiagnosed SpA. We reviewed published and unpublished studies. Data were pooled using the random-effects model; pooled means, and mean differences (MDs) were calculated. In the included 14 studies, disease activity, functional index, and inflammatory markers were measured in 2581 patients with SpA with uveitis and 13,972 without. The pooled mean delay in diagnosis of SpA with uveitis (6.08 years; 95% CI 4.77 to 7.38) was longer than those without (5.41 years; 95% CI 3.94 to 6.89). The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score was the highest for a delay of 2–5 years (5.60, 95% CI 5.47 to 5.73) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) score was the lowest for a delay of < 2 years (2.92, 95% CI 2.48 to 3.37) and gradually increased to delay of > 10 years (4.17, 95% CI 2.93 to 5.41). Patients with SpA with uveitis had higher trend of Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP and BASDAI. The delay to diagnosis was longer in SpA with uveitis, and disease activity was often higher than those without uveitis. Early diagnosis of SpA with timely initiation of an appropriate management plan may reduce the adverse effects of the disease and improve functional ability.
Study on the law of surface subsidence in layered mining of thick coal seam with medium hard roof
Authors: Liu Xiugang , Wei Fei , Tan Zhixiang , Jiang Zaibing , Wang Yi , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2023

In this study, the change law of the surface subsidence coefficient under the condition of thick coal seam layered mining was investigated. The study is based on the measured subsidence data of the 1210-working face of the Mengba mine surface mobile observation station after the first- and second-layer mining. UDEC numerical simulation software was used to simulate the variation of surface subsidence coefficient after the first, second, third, fourth, fifth-, and sixth-layer mining when the thickness of slicing mining is 5 m. The maximum relative error between the simulated result and the measured result of the subsidence coefficient q is 2.7%, which further verifies the correctness of the established model. Moreover, the simulation results show that with the increase of the cumulative mining thickness, the subsidence coefficient q of the surface presents a segmented characteristic. When the cumulative mining thickness does not reach 25 m, the subsidence coefficient of the surface gradually increases with the increase of the mining thickness. On the other hand, when the cumulative mining thickness reaches 25 m, the subsidence coefficient of the surface will tend to a constant value and no longer change with the increase of the mining thickness. Finally, the calculation formula between the surface subsidence coefficient and the cumulative mining thickness of layered mining under the condition of medium hard roof is fitted, which provides a parameter basis for coal seam mining with similar geological conditions.
Drought characteristics in Mediterranean under future climate change
Authors: Essa Yassmin H. , Hirschi Martin , Thiery Wim , El-Kenawy Ahmed M. , Yang Chunxue
Published: September 2023

The present work aims to address the physical properties of different drought types under near-future climates in the Mediterranean. To do so, we use a multi-model mean of the bias-adjusted and downscaled product of five Earth System Models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project—phase6 (CMIP6), provided by Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP), under four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, SSP3–7.0, and SSP5–8.5) for the period 2021–2060, to estimate the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at 1-, 6-, and 12-month time scales, and address the meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological drought, respectively. Additionally, SPEI is calculated from the bias-adjusted CMIP6 historical simulations and the reanalysis ‘WFDE5’ for 1980–2014 as a historical and reference period. The comparison of the CMIP6 with WFDE5 reveals a consistently increasing tendency for drought occurrences in the Mediterranean, particularly for agricultural and hydrological drought time scales. Nonetheless, an overestimation in historical trend magnitude is shown by the CMIP6 with respect to WFDE5. The projection results depict drought frequencies ranging between 12 and 25% of the studied period 2021–2060, varying with regions and climate scenarios. The tendency to increase the drought frequency is more pronounced in the southern than northern Mediterranean countries. Drought severity is remarkable in the aggregated time scales; consequently, more pressure is foreseen in the food and water sectors. Drought seasonality reveals a higher tendency for drought occurrences in summer (autumn) months for the meteorological (agricultural) droughts. The driving factor(s) for drought occurrence strongly depends on regional climate characteristics.
Regulation of brain endothelial cell physiology by the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase Mer
Authors: Happonen Kaisa E. , Burrola Patrick G. , Lemke Greg
Published: September 2023

The receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (gene name Mertk) acts in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to tighten the blood-brain barrier (BBB) subsequent to viral infection, but how this is achieved is poorly understood. We find that Mer controls the expression and activity of a large cohort of BBB regulators, along with endothelial nitric oxide synthase. It also controls, via an Akt-Foxo1 pathway, the expression of multiple angiogenic genes. Correspondingly, EC-specific Mertk gene inactivation resulted in perturbed vascular sprouting and a compromised BBB after induced photothrombotic stroke. Unexpectedly, stroke lesions in the brain were also reduced in the absence of EC Mer, which was linked to reduced plasma expression of fibrinogen, prothrombin, and other effectors of blood coagulation. Together, these results demonstrate that Mer is a central regulator of angiogenesis, BBB integrity, and blood coagulation in the mature vasculature. They may also account for disease severity following infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Improving AlphaFold2-based protein tertiary structure prediction with MULTICOM in CASP15
Authors: Liu Jian , Guo Zhiye , Wu Tianqi , Roy Raj S. , Chen Chen , Cheng Jianlin
Published: September 2023

Since the 14th Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP14), AlphaFold2 has become the standard method for protein tertiary structure prediction. One remaining challenge is to further improve its prediction. We developed a new version of the MULTICOM system to sample diverse multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) and structural templates to improve the input for AlphaFold2 to generate structural models. The models are then ranked by both the pairwise model similarity and AlphaFold2 self-reported model quality score. The top ranked models are refined by a novel structure alignment-based refinement method powered by Foldseek. Moreover, for a monomer target that is a subunit of a protein assembly (complex), MULTICOM integrates tertiary and quaternary structure predictions to account for tertiary structural changes induced by protein-protein interaction. The system participated in the tertiary structure prediction in 2022 CASP15 experiment. Our server predictor MULTICOM_refine ranked 3rd among 47 CASP15 server predictors and our human predictor MULTICOM ranked 7th among all 132 human and server predictors. The average GDT-TS score and TM-score of the first structural models that MULTICOM_refine predicted for 94 CASP15 domains are ~0.80 and ~0.92, 9.6% and 8.2% higher than ~0.73 and 0.85 of the standard AlphaFold2 predictor respectively.
Fundamental decoherence from quantum spacetime
Authors: Arzano Michele , D’Esposito Vittorio , Gubitosi Giulia
Published: September 2023

Understanding whether quantum gravitational effects can lead to a fundamental decoherence, affecting all systems regardless of their environment, is a long standing open challenge. Here we provide a rigorous derivation of decoherence within a full-fledged model of quantum spacetime, encoded by noncommutativity at the Planck scale. Specifically, we obtain a generalized time evolution of quantum systems in which pure states can evolve into mixed states. This takes the form of a Lindblad-like time evolution for the density operator when the action of time translations generator is deformed by the effects of spacetime noncommutativity. The decoherence time for the evolution of a free particle is used to show that the Planck mass is the maximum allowed mass for elementary quantum systems.
Analysing engagement with Indigenous Peoples in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report
Authors: Carmona Rosario , Reed Graeme , Thorsell Stefan , Dorough Dalee Sambo , MacDonald Joanna Petrasek , Rai Tunga Bhadra , Sanago Gideon Abraham
Published: September 2023

Indigenous Peoples’ advocacy and contributions to climate action have drawn international attention, including from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This article assesses to which degree the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) recognises the role and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples. Through a content analysis of the Working Groups I, II, and III reports and the Synthesis Report, we found an increasing number of references related to Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge systems. However, the IPCC still perpetuates a reductionist approach that reinforces harmful stereotypes. Overcoming this weakness requires greater reflexivity and concrete actions, including consistent recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, refraining from merely portraying Indigenous Peoples as vulnerable and adopting a strengths-based approach, ensuring ethical and equitable application of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems, and involving Indigenous Peoples from the scoping process. By implementing these measures, the IPCC can improve its partnership with Indigenous Peoples in preparation for AR7.
Rational design of a ratiometric fluorescent aptasensor for patulin in traditional Chinese medicine through the studies of the interaction mechanism between its DNA aptamer and the target molecule
Authors: Liao Yumeng , Zhang Nan , Chai Danni , Liu Boshi , Li Jingrong , Fang Yuting , Zhang Di , Liu Rui , Li Zheng
Published: September 2023

The first rationally-designed aptasensor for patulin in a complex system was developed through the studies of the interaction mechanism between its aptamer and the target molecule.
A hollow NaBiF4:Tb nanoscintillator with ultra-weak afterglow for high-resolution X-ray imaging
Authors: Zou Huirong , Yi Minghao , Xu Shiqing , Lei Lei
Published: September 2023

Lanthanide-doped NaBiF4 NSs with ultra-weak afterglow were prepared by a rapid room-temperature method. The scintillation intensity was enhanced by incorporating Gd3+ ions, and a high spatial resolution of 12.5 lp mm−1 was achieved.
Upconversion luminescence and temperature sensing properties of Yb2(MoO4)3:Ln3+ (Ln = Ho, Tm, Er) phosphors based on energy transfer
Authors: Du Huimin , Liang Yunhao , Liu Xingzuo , Deng Yue , Yang Jie , Yang Jun , Hu Shanshan
Published: September 2023

Yb2(MoO4)3:Ln3+ (Ln = Ho, Tm, Er) phosphors were synthesized by a hydrothermal method with further calcination.
Impact of substituent's position on the DSSC performances of new 1,1′-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene appended nickel(ii) methoxy cyanodithiolates
Authors: Srivastava Devyani , Kushwaha Aparna , Kociok-Köhn Gabriele , Gosavi Suresh W. , Chauhan Ratna , Ashokkumar Muthupandian , Kumar Abhinav , Muddassir Mohd.
Published: September 2023

New dppf appended Ni(ii) complexes with isomeric dithiolate synthesized and used as sensitizers in DSSC.
Molecular dynamics simulation and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of polyamide 4 and different bio-based polyamide blends
Authors: Zhang Yajing , Wang Mingda , Wang Liquan , Chen Tao , Feng Weisheng , Wang Tianyi , Zhao Liming
Published: September 2023

The structural unit of PAX determines the crystallization behavior of the PA4/PAX blends, and the degree of participation of PAX in the crystallization of the PA4 phase differs during cooling crystallization.
Designing novel monolayer and multilayer h-CSe crystals with tunable photoelectric properties
Authors: Dong Xiumei , Mao Caixia , Qian Libing , Hu Yonghong , Xue Li , Huang Haiming
Published: September 2023

A new structure of monolayer h-CSe was predicted, exhibiting excellent stability. It was found to be an indirect semiconductor with a tunable bandgap by altering the strain and layer number. It also exhibits strong light harvesting ability.
Single-atom site catalysis in Li–S batteries
Authors: Wang Kun , Liu Sheng , Shu Zhenghao , Zheng Qingyi , Zheng Mingsen , Dong Quanfeng
Published: September 2023

With their high theoretical energy density, Li–S batteries are regarded as the ideal battery system for next generation electrochemical energy storage.
Noncovalent chemistry of xenon opens the door for anesthetic xenon recovery using Bio-MOFs
Authors: Canturk Behra , Erarslan Zekiye , Gurdal Yeliz
Published: September 2023

Xe purification is energy-intensive. However, a closed Xe cycle can separate anesthetic Xe from exhaled gas and recycle it into the inhalation gas. To achieve this, top-performing Bio-MOFs and the reasons behind them were theoretically determined.
Theoretical investigation of quantum capacitance of Co-doped α-MnO2 for supercapacitor applications using density functional theory
Authors: Vijayan Ariya K. , M. S Sreehari , Kour Simran , Dastider Saptarshi Ghosh , Mondal Krishnakanta , Sharma A. L.
Published: September 2023

Substitution doping of cobalt in α-MnO2 can enhance its structural stability, electric conductivity, potential window, and surface charge density. The shortened band gap and localized states near the Fermi level improve the quantum capacitance (CQC) of α-MnO2.
Curvature induced structural changes of the chicken villin headpiece subdomain by single walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Paul Srijita , Biswas Parbati
Published: September 2023

CNTs of higher curvatures inflict greater perturbation to the protein structure during surface adsorption. A critical velocity of 4 Å ns−1and force of ∼300 pN can encapsulate and release the native protein successfully at 300 K temperature.
The driving effects of common atmospheric molecules for formation of clusters: the case of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonia, and dimethylamine
Authors: Longsworth Olivia M. , Bready Conor J. , Joines Macie S. , Shields George C.
Published: September 2023

Secondary aerosols form from gas-phase molecules that create prenucleation complexes, which grow to form aerosols. Understanding how secondary aerosols form in the atmosphere is essential for a better understanding of global warming.
Controlling the thermoelectric properties of organo-metallic coordination polymers through backbone geometry
Authors: Liu Zilu , Haque Md Azimul , Savory Chris N. , Liu Tianjun , Matsuishi Satoru , Fenwick Oliver , Scanlon David O. , Zwijnenburg Martijn A. , Baran Derya , Schroeder Bob C.
Published: September 2023

The thermoelectric properties of organometallic coordination polymers (OMCPs) are influenced by the geometry of their backbone, thus underscoring the intricate nature of the structural elements to consider when designing novel thermoelectric OMCPs.
Investigation of AlN plasma induced by a laser into a vacuum and nitrogen ambience
Authors: Tekili Adel , Abdelli-Messaci Samira , Kaloune Samia , Dekhira Azeddine , Lafane Slimane
Published: September 2023

The present study provides detailed information on AlN plasma species kinetic. Feature as the spatial and temporal stratification of plasma species should be of great interest for both fundamentals and applications concerns.