bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finite-time stabilization of switched nonlinear singular systems with asynchronous switching
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Xingtao 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the finite-time stabilization of a class of switched nonlinear singular systems under asynchronous control. Asynchronism here refers to the delays in switching between the controller and the subsystem. First, the dynamic decomposition technique is used to prove that such a switched singular system is regular and impulse-free. Secondly, based on the state solutions of the closed-loop system in the matched time period and the mismatched time period of the system instead of constructing a Lyapunov function, the sufficient conditions for the finite-time stability of the asynchronous switched singular system are given, there is no limit to the stability of subsystems. Then, the mode-dependent state feedback controller that makes the original system stable is derived in the form of strict linear matrix inequalities. Finally, numerical examples are given to verify the feasibility and validity of the results.
Sustainable energy transition in Central Asia: status and challenges
Authors: Radovanović Mirjana , Filipović Sanja , Andrejević Panić Andrea 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
The paper aims at gaining insight into the implementation of the process of sustainable energy transition in the countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Information and scientific studies on the situation in these countries is scarce. On the other hand, these are resource-rich countries, some are exporters, and all are energy transit countries. The main aim of the paper was realized by applying the energy policies and regulatory framework analysis, defining priorities and monitoring selected indicators prescribed by the International Energy Agency.

Methods
The following methods were used in the quantitative analysis: measurement of data intercorrelation; Pearson test of correlation; principal component analysis (with rotation method: Oblimin with Kaiser normalization); Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy, Bartlett’s test of sphericity and t-test. The period covered by the quantitative analysis: 1990–2018, provided that the available data for 2019 or 2020 were used in certain cases.

Results
Sustainable energy transition is, at the analysis of policies and data, at a low level. There is no adequate regulatory framework in these countries. The energy transition takes place exclusively within the framework of providing enough energy, without regard to sustainability, while even energy exporting countries are not making efforts to achieve a sustainable energy transition.

Conclusions
There are no indications that the energy transition in the countries of Central Asia will take place according to the standards of the European Union or global bodies. On the other hand, having in mind the natural resources of the mentioned countries and the specific geopolitical position, monitoring the changes is of special importance. The impact of changes on sustainability can be determined mainly ex post.
Phenylpropanoid metabolism enzyme activities and gene expression in postharvest melons inoculated with Alternaria alternata
Authors: Bai Yujia , Feng Zuoshan , Paerhati Maerhaba , Wang Jin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study explored the mechanism of melon resistance toAlternaria alternata(A.alternata) infection in Jiashi and 86-1 melons. Melons were inoculated withA.alternataand the change in lesion diameter was measured. The changes in cinnamic acid-4-hydroxylase (C4H), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and 4-coumaric acid coenzyme A ligase (4CL) activity and gene expression were studied in the pericarp tissues of Jiashi and 86-1 melons. The lesion diameter was smaller in Jiashi melon than in 86-1 melon, and the pericarp lesions were smaller than pulp lesions, indicating that Jiashi melon can resistA.alternatainfection better than 86-1 melon. After inoculation withA.alternata, the C4H, PAL, and 4CL activities of Jiashi and 86-1 melons peaked in the middle and late storage period, and the peak was higher in Jiashi melons. The gene expression changes were consistent with the enzyme activity. TheC4H,PAL, and4CLgene expression was significantly higher in Jiashi melon pericarp than in 86-1 melon, and the C4H, PAL, and 4CL activities in Jiashi melon were positively correlated with their gene expression, confirming the role of phenylpropanoid metabolism enzymes in resistance toA.alternata.
Effects of transcranial ultrasound stimulation pulsed at 40 Hz on Aβ plaques and brain rhythms in 5×FAD mice
Authors: Park Mincheol , Hoang Gia Minh , Nguyen Thien , Lee Eunkyung , Jung Hyun Jin , Choe Youngshik , Lee Moon Hwan , Hwang Jae Youn , Kim Jae Gwan , Kim Tae 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tauopathy. Reducing Aβ has been considered a major AD treatment strategy in pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Impairment of gamma oscillations, which play an important role in perception and cognitive function, has been shown in mouse AD models and human patients. Recently, the therapeutic effect of gamma entrainment in AD mouse models has been reported. Given that ultrasound is an emerging neuromodulation modality, we investigated the effect of ultrasound stimulation pulsed at gamma frequency (40 Hz) in an AD mouse model.MethodsWe implanted electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes and a piezo-ceramic disc ultrasound transducer on the skull surface of 6-month-old 5×FAD and wild-type control mice (n = 12 and 6, respectively). Six 5×FAD mice were treated with two-hour ultrasound stimulation at 40 Hz daily for two weeks, and the other six mice received sham treatment. Soluble and insoluble Aβ levels in the brain were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spontaneous EEG gamma power was computed by wavelet analysis, and the brain connectivity was examined with phase-locking value and cross-frequency phase-amplitude coupling.ResultsWe found that the total Aβ42 levels, especially insoluble Aβ42, in the treatment group decreased in pre- and infra-limbic cortex (PIL) compared to that of the sham treatment group. A reduction in the number of Aβ plaques was also observed in the hippocampus. There was no increase in microbleeding in the transcranial ultrasound stimulation (tUS) group. In addition, the length and number of microglial processes decreased in PIL and hippocampus. Encelphalographic spontaneous gamma power was increased, and cross-frequency coupling was normalized, implying functional improvement after tUS stimulation.ConclusionThese results suggest that the transcranial ultrasound-based gamma-band entrainment technique can be an effective therapy for AD by reducing the Aβ load and improving brain connectivity.
Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals the dynamic process and novel markers in porcine spermatogenesis
Authors: Zhang Lingkai , Li Fuyuan , Lei Peipei , Guo Ming , Liu Ruifang , Wang Ling , Yu Taiyong , Lv Yinghua , Zhang Tao , Zeng Wenxian , Lu Hongzhao , Zheng Yi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundSpermatogenesis is the process by which male gametes are formed from spermatogonial stem cells and it is essential for the reliable transmission of genetic information between generations. To date, the dynamic transcriptional changes of defined populations of male germ cells in pigs have not been reported.ResultsTo characterize the atlas of porcine spermatogenesis, we profiled the transcriptomes of ~ 16,966 testicular cells from a 150-day-old pig testis through single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). The scRNA-seq analysis identified spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and three somatic cell types in porcine testes. The functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that these cell types played diverse roles in porcine spermatogenesis. The accuracy of the defined porcine germ cell types was further validated by comparing the data from scRNA-seq with those from bulk RNA-seq. Since we delineated four distinct spermatogonial subsets, we further identified CD99 and PODXL2 as novel cell surface markers for undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia, respectively.ConclusionsThe present study has for the first time analyzed the transcriptome of male germ cells and somatic cells in porcine testes through scRNA-seq. Four subsets of spermatogonia were identified and two novel cell surface markers were discovered, which would be helpful for studies on spermatogonial differentiation in pigs. The datasets offer valuable information on porcine spermatogenesis, and pave the way for identification of key molecular markers involved in development of male germ cells.
Imaging of peripheral vascular malformations — current concepts and future perspectives
Authors: Schmidt Vanessa F. , Masthoff Max , Czihal Michael , Cucuruz Beatrix , Häberle Beate , Brill Richard , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Wildgruber Moritz 
Published: December 2021

AbstractVascular Malformations belong to the spectrum of orphan diseases and can involve all segments of the vascular tree: arteries, capillaries, and veins, and similarly the lymphatic vasculature. The classification according to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) is of major importance to guide proper treatment. Imaging plays a crucial role to classify vascular malformations according to their dominant vessel type, anatomical extension, and flow pattern. Several imaging concepts including color-coded Duplex ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CDUS/CEUS), 4D computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including dynamic contrast-enhanced MR-angiography (DCE-MRA), and conventional arterial and venous angiography are established in the current clinical routine. Besides the very heterogenous phenotypes of vascular malformations, molecular and genetic profiling has recently offered an advanced understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of these lesions. As distinct molecular subtypes may be suitable for targeted therapies, capturing certain patterns by means of molecular imaging could enhance non-invasive diagnostics of vascular malformations. This review provides an overview of subtype-specific imaging and established imaging modalities, as well as future perspectives of novel functional and molecular imaging approaches. We highlight recent pioneering imaging studies including thermography, positron emission tomography (PET), and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), which have successfully targeted specific biomarkers of vascular malformations.
Physical modelling techniques for the dynamical characterization and sound synthesis of historical bells
Authors: Carvalho Miguel , Debut Vincent , Antunes Jose 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Capable of maintaining characteristics practically intact over the centuries, bells are musical instruments able to provide important and unique data for the study of musicology and archaeology essential to understand past manufacturing and tuning techniques. In this research we present a multidisciplinary approach based on both direct and reverse engineering processes for the dynamical characterization and sound synthesis of historical bells which proven particularly useful to extract and preserve important information for Cultural Heritage. It allows the assessment of the bell’s 3D morphology, sound properties and casting and tuning techniques over time. The accuracy and usefulness of the developed techniques are illustrated for three historical bells, including the oldest recognized bell in Portugal, dated 1287, and two eighteenth century bells from the Mafra National Palace carillons (Portugal). The proposed approach combines non-invasive up-to-date imaging technology with modelling and computational techniques from vibration analysis, and can be summarized in the following steps: (1) For the diagnosis of existing bells, a precise assessment of the bell geometry is achieved through 3D scanning technologies, used for the field measurement and reconstruction of a 3D geometry model of each bell; (2) To access the modal properties of the bells, for any given (at the design stage) or measured geometry, a finite element model is built to compute the significant frequencies of the bell partials, and the corresponding modal masses and modeshapes. In the case of existing bells, comparison of the computed modes with those obtained from vibrational data, through experimental modal identification, enables the validation (or otherwise correction) of the finite element model; (3) Using the computed or experimentally identified modes, time-domain dynamical responses can be synthesized for any conceivable bell, providing realistic sounds for any given clapper and impact location. Although this study primarily aimed to better understand the morphology and sounds of historical bells to inform their conservation/preservation, this technique can be also applied to modern instruments, either existing or at design stages. To a larger extent, it presents strong potential for applications in the bell industry, namely for restoration and re-tuning, as well as in virtual museology.
Attributes and references to honey bees (Insecta; Hymenoptera; Apidae) and their products in some Asian and Australian societies’ folkloristic domains
Authors: Meyer-Rochow V. B. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
References to insects in myths, stories, and idioms can be found in almost any culture, but with regard to references involving honey bee species in the Asia-Australian region, little information is available. Such references to bees can be highly informative by revealing attitudes of admiration, fear, ignorance, or even revulsion towards these insects.

Results
The subject is briefly reviewed and examples of references to bees of selected cultural communities are given. Although folkloristic references to honey bees were found to be mostly positive highlighting fearlessness, cleverness, and industriousness of the bees, some also touch upon their ability to cause pain.

Conclusions
Owing to the decreasing contacts and increasing alienization regarding insects generally, a plea is made to collect whatever information is still available about references to bees in songs, myths, stories, proverbs, and idioms and to compare such uses from different regions, e.g., North and South Korea. This would support other fields of research aiming to discover and to describe cultural relationships, migrations, and contacts between different peoples of the Asian/Australian region.
Interictal autonomic dysfunction in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Shaker Kanar K. , Al Mahdawi Akram M. , Hamdan Farqad B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAutonomic nervous system (ANS) symptoms are frequently present in people with epilepsy (PwE). They are generally more prominent when they originate from the temporal lobe. We aim to investigate the alterations of autonomic functions during the interictal period in patient with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) using heart-based tests, blood pressure (BP)-based tests and sympathetic skin response (SSR). Forty-eight PwE with disease duration ranging from 2 to 15 years and 51 healthy individuals were studied. Long-term electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, the heart rate variability (HRV) during normal breathing, deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver and standing, BP responses during standing, to isometric hand grip and to mental arithmetic, and the SSR was recorded for all participants.Results31 patients with TLE and 17 with IGE showed lower RR-IV values during deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver and standing, but not during rest, impaired BP responses during standing, isometric hand grip, and mental arithmetic. Also, prolonged SSR latencies. Within PwE group, no difference was noticed between males and females, nor between the left and right temporal lobes.ConclusionAbnormal autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) regulatory functions suggest that epilepsy may alter the autonomic function and this is not only in TLE but rather in IGE too. These autonomic changes are irrespective of the localization of epilepsy between the two hemispheres. The ANS changes in epileptic patients, particularly those with autonomic symptoms, confirm that electrophysiologic measures of autonomic function may be of value in preventing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Multi-genotype varieties reduce rice diseases through enhanced genetic diversity and show stability and adaptability in the field
Authors: He Ping , Wang Cong , Zhang Neng , Liu Bin , Yang Yang , Zhu Yifan , Li Xiaofang , Yu Xuanli , Han Guangyu , Wang Yun-Yue 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRice is a crucial food crop worldwide. The genetic diversity in rice germplasm indicates its promising potential utilization in disease and pest control. To explore the relationship between genetic diversity and disease resistance in rice plants, multi-genotype rice varieties developed from multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population lines were used here to analyze the correlation between disease occurrence and genetic diversity, as well as for field monitoring of their disease occurrences and yields. We found that genetic diversity and disease resistance of the multi-genotype varieties tested in this study were superior to those of their component lines and mono-genotype varieties, and the incidence of rice blast disease decreased as the genetic diversity of multi-genotype rice varieties increased. We further conducted field trials using these multi-genotype varieties for three years in different rice-planting areas. The results showed that multi-genotype varieties exhibited good disease resistance and high-yielding potential. Thus, proper use of multi-genotype varieties characterized by rich genetic diversity is a promising approach to improve disease resistance of rice plants in agricultural production systems and is of great significance for ensuring food security and achieving sustainable agricultural development.
Stability-indicating method development and validation for the concurrent determination of darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide by UPLC in bulk and tablet dosage forms
Authors: Satya Venkata Sakuntala M. , Lakshmana Rao A. , William Carey M. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Tablet dosage forms containing combination of darunavir a protease inhibitor, cobicistat a cytochrome P450 3A inhibitor, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide which were nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors were approved by USFDA on 1st July 2018 to suppress the viral load in HIV patients. It can be used as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and paediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg. An UPLC method was developed, and separation was done on SB C8 column of dimensions 50 × 2.1 × 1.8 μ with mobile phase 0.01 N potassium dihydrogen ortho phosphate (pH-4.8) and acetonitrile in 60:40 ratio, at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min and an injection volume of 2 μL. The column temperature was maintained at 30 °C, and detection wavelength was 267 nm. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines.

Results
The retention times were 1.031, 1.341, 1.630 and 2.153 min, and they were linear in the concentration range of 1.25–7.5 μg/mL, 18.75–112.5 μg/mL, 25–150 μg/mL and 100–600 μg/mL for tenofovir alafenamide, cobicistat, emtricitabine and darunavir, respectively. The intraday and interday precisions were found to be within acceptable limits. LOD was found to be 0.06 μg/mL, 0.51 μg/mL, 1.31 μg/mL and 3.01 μg/mL, and LOQ was 0.19 μg/mL, 1.54 μg/mL, 3.96 μg/mL and 9.13 μg/mL for tenofovir alafenamide, cobicistat, emtricitabine and darunavir. The correlation coefficients were found to be more than 0.999, and recovery was more than 99.52% indicating the method was accurate. Forced degradation studies reveal that the drugs are unstable under acidic conditions. The method was simple, accurate, precise, stable and can be analysed in less runtime of 4 min.

Conclusions
The flexibility, accuracy and precision of the developed method ensure its applicability in routine analysis of tablet dosage forms.

Graphical Abstract
Residential satisfaction in gated communities according to stages in the life cycle with reference to Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Osman Fatma Osama , Moustafa Yasser M. , Fahmy Amgad Aly 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe objective of the study is to investigate, in the Egyptian context, residential satisfaction in gated communities (GCs) in relation to stages in the life cycle. The aim is to identify possible differences between the different stages in the life cycle in terms of the most important predictors of overall residential satisfaction. The study relies on a survey questionnaire administered to a sample of residents of Al-Rehab GC in Cairo, Egypt (n = 131). The sample was divided into four life cycle stage groups: young singles (YS) (n = 36), heads of young family households (YF) (n = 41), heads of households with older children (OC) (n = 34), and empty nesters (EN) (n = 20). Statistical analysis does indeed reveal differences between stages in the life cycle in relation to the most important components of residential satisfaction. In particular, for YF and OC, the social environment within the GC was the most important predictor of overall residential satisfaction. For these two life cycle groups, issues related to the needs and safety of their children were also important. In contrast, for EN, the social environment and characteristics of the area around the dwelling appeared to be much less important than for other groups. For EN, satisfaction with the dwelling unit itself was shown to be the most important predictor of overall residential satisfaction.