bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of delayed PID‐type controllers for high‐order recycling systems with time delays using model reduction
Authors: Vazquez Guerra Rocio J. , Marquez Rubio Juan F. , del Muro‐Cúellar Basilio 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn even the simplest recycling system with a first‐order plus dead time model for the direct and recycling paths, the characteristic equation for the open‐loop transfer function contains an infinite number of poles. This is due to the presence of time delays in the internal dynamics. The task of designing a controller is therefore challenging from the perspective of control. This paper considers the problem of stabilising a high‐order delayed recycling system (with a possible unstable direct path) through the use of a reduced model in conjunction with a new PID (proportional‐integral‐derivative)‐type delayed controller. We state the condition under which the stability of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed and determine the sets of stabilising control parameters. The performance of our proposed strategy is illustrated using several numerical simulations of industrial processes, including an industrial quench column, two continuous stirred tank reactor systems with recycling and a reactor–separator process.
Natural resources derived biocomposites as potential carriers of green pesticides in agricultural field: Designing and fabrication of a pot‐like device
Authors: Viscusi Gianluca , Liparoti Sara , Pantani Roberto , Gorrasi Giuliana 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHemp fibers (HF) are used as filler in pectin to produce biocomposites. To improve the compatibility of the filler with the polymeric matrix, HF are treated through mechanochemically assisted alkaline attack. The effect of the treatment time on the morphology of HF is investigated through atomic force microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Cinnamic acid, a green pesticide, is added to the composites in order to test the capability of such materials to act as potential devices in the agricultural field. Analysis of thermal, mechanical, barrier properties and surface energy are evaluated on biocomposites and compared either to unfilled pectin or to composites filled with untreated HF. The release of cinnamic acid is evaluated and found to be dependent on the fibers' treatment time. The design and the fabrication of a pot prototype is also reported. The manufacture appears promising as green functional container for plants to be implanted in the ground.
Preparation and application of magnetic chitosan in environmental remediation and other fields: A review
Authors: Shaumbwa Veino Risto , Liu Dagang , Archer Bright , Li Jinlei , Su Fan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMagnetic chitosan has received considerable attention over the decades due to its low cost, biodegradability, green sources, magnetic intensity. In this review, we reviewed the preparation methods of magnetic chitosan using co‐precipitation, cross‐linking and electrochemical. Therein cross‐linking methodologies involved in the reaction of amino groups are facile to introduce additional reaction groups and improve anti‐swelling of chitosan layers, mostly in an acidic environment. Besides, we focused on the applications of magnetic chitosan in various fields such as wastewater treatment, for example, removal of heavy metal ions, organic/inorganic dyes, fluorides, and pesticides. Moreover, magnetic chitosan also reveals great potential application in the field of medical, pharmaceutical, food and electronic screening. Above all, magnetic chitosan is economically and operationally beneficial as it can be easily separated and controlled with an external magnetic field and can be modified to maximize its functions.
A novel grafted polyethylene with diphenyl phosphoryl group: Improved flame retardancy and favorable compatibility
Authors: Wang Weiduo , Li Huayi , Li Qian , Luo Zhi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA novel phosphorous/benzene‐containing flame‐retardant diphenyl phosphoryl polyethylene (PEP) is synthesized from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer with two steps reactions and its chemical structure is characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. The grafted molecular dispersion is calculated by gel permeation chromatography and the phase transition is analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. And results show its promising processability potential. High density polyethylene (HDPE) composite containing 15 wt% PEP is prepared by melt blending, and its fire performance and thermal behaviors are investigated in terms of limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL‐94) and thermogravimetric analysis. There is a 16% increase to 20.2 in the LOI value of PEP, while it fails the UL‐94 test. The char morphology is characterized by scanning electronic microscopy and observed multi‐layered intumescent residue char effectively reduces the transfer of heat and oxygen. The major degradation is quantitively analyzed by the Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa method. The results demonstrate that there is a catalytic effect by the phosphorous substance in char formation. Finally, the mechanical properties tests show that the loss due to the addition is small, which signifies the good compatibility between the pure HDPE and the grafted addition.
Burrowing in blindsnakes: A preliminary analysis of burrowing forces and consequences for the evolution of morphology
Authors: Herrel Anthony , Lowie Aurélien , Miralles Aurélien , Gaucher Philippe , Kley Nathan J. , Measey John , Tolley Krystal A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBurrowing is a common behavior in vertebrates. An underground life‐style offers many advantages but also poses important challenges including the high energetic cost of burrowing. Scolecophidians are a group of morphologically derived subterranean snakes that show great diversity in form and function. Although it has been suggested that leptotyphlopids and anomalepidids mostly use existing underground passageways, typhlopids are thought to create their own burrows. However, the mechanisms used to create burrows and the associated forces that animals may be able to generate remain unknown. Here, we provide the first data on push forces in scolecophidians and compare them with those in some burrowing alethinophidian snakes. Our results show that typhlopids are capable of generating higher forces for a given size than other snakes. The observed differences are not due to variation in body diameter or length, suggesting fundamental differences in the mechanics of burrowing or the way in which axial muscles are used. Qualitative observations of skull and vertebral shape suggest that the higher forces exerted by typhlopids may have impacted the evolution of their anatomy. Our results provide the basis for future studies exploring the diversity of form and function in this fascinating group of animals. Quantitative comparisons of the cranial and vertebral shape in addition to collecting functional and ecological data on a wider array of species would be particularly important to test the patterns described here.
Climate change mitigation: Carbon assurance and reporting integrity
Authors: Bui Binh , Houqe Muhammad Nurul , Zaman Mahbub 
Published: June 2021

AbstractConcern about climate change has increased the pressure on firms to be accountable for social impact and to report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Focusing on the view that sustainability‐oriented firms are likely to consider wider stakeholder interests and pursue high financial reporting integrity, this paper examines the association between carbon assurance and earnings management. Using a sample of firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we find voluntary adoption of carbon assurance (level), carbon disclosure and gender diverse boards are negatively associated with earnings management. Additional tests using different components of carbon assurance (percent and verification) confirm our main results. Our results suggest that firms that voluntarily invest in carbon assurance, carbon disclosure and gender diverse boards are less likely to engage in earnings management and thus have higher reporting integrity. This aligns with the view that firms' ethical concerns translate into higher quality reporting.
A journey to improve Arabic‐speaking young peoples’ access to psychological assessment tools: It’s not just Google translate!
Authors: Yassin Sulafa , Evans Chris 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOne of the key challenges that counsellors and psychotherapists may now find themselves encountering is that of working with clients whose native language is not English. This is of particular importance when using psychological assessment tools published in English to ascertain difficulties in a client's native language and utilising these tools to help in assessing the level of risk, whether this be done through an interpreter or a multilingual therapist delivering therapy in their native language. This paper takes the reader through the process of translating the YP‐CORE assessment tool from English (original version) to Arabic; it draws on the crucial personal involvements and experiences vital to good translation work and how a good translation must be informed by the challenges of delivering therapies in multicultural settings. The process illustrates some of the cultural (and possibly religious) influences that were at play during the translation process for the young people and their families. This article highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and competence, as well as religious implications, that some individuals from an Arab or Muslim background might experience in relation to accessing counselling/psychotherapy or even just being seen to support such psychological services (as was the case for translating the YP‐CORE). The crucial outcome of successfully creating an Arabic version of YP‐CORE, which is now published online and available for use by professionals, also brings with it a cultural awareness of Arabic‐speaking cultures and the possible implications of these when delivering counselling or psychotherapy and when constructing policies.
Prospective evaluation of lipid management following acute coronary syndrome in non‐Western countries
Authors: Navar Ann Marie , Matskeplishvili Simon T. , Urina‐Triana Miguel , Arafah Mohammed , Chen Jaw‐Wen , Sukonthasarn Apichard , Corp dit Genti Valérie , Daclin Véronique , Peterson Eric D. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundHalf the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is concentrated in the Asia‐Pacific (APAC) region.HypothesisSuboptimal control of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) may play a large role in the burden of CVD in APAC and non‐Western countries.MethodsThe Acute Coronary Syndrome Management (ACOSYM) registry is a multinational, multicenter, prospective observational registry designed to evaluate LDL‐C control in patients within 6 months after hospitalization following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event across nine countries.ResultsOverall, 1581 patients were enrolled, of whom 1567 patients met the eligibility criteria; 80.3% of the eligible patients were men, 46.1% had ST‐elevation myocardial infarction, and 39.5% had non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. Most (1245; 79.5%) patients were discharged on a high‐intensity statin. During the follow‐up, only 992 (63.3%) patients had at least one LDL‐C measurement; of these, 52.9% had persistently elevated LDL‐C (>70 mg/dl). The patients not discharged on a high‐dose statin were more likely (OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.1–4.8) to have an LDL‐C above the 70 mg/dl LDL‐C target compared with those who were discharged on a high‐dose statin.ConclusionOur real‐world registry found that a third or more of post‐ACS patients did not have a repeat LDL‐C follow‐up measurement. In those with an LDL‐C follow‐up measurement, more than half (52.9%) were not achieving a <70 mg/dl LDL‐C goal, despite a greater uptake of high‐intensity statin therapy than has been observed in recent evidence. This demonstrates the opportunity to improve post‐ACS lipid management in global community practice.
Machine learning for cell classification and neighborhood analysis in glioma tissue
Authors: Solorzano Leslie , Wik Lina , Olsson Bontell Thomas , Wang Yuyu , Klemm Anna H. , Öfverstedt Johan , Jakola Asgeir S. , Östman Arne , Wählby Carolina 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMultiplexed and spatially resolved single‐cell analyses that intend to study tissue heterogeneity and cell organization invariably face as a first step the challenge of cell classification. Accuracy and reproducibility are important for the downstream process of counting cells, quantifying cell–cell interactions, and extracting information on disease‐specific localized cell niches. Novel staining techniques make it possible to visualize and quantify large numbers of cell‐specific molecular markers in parallel. However, due to variations in sample handling and artifacts from staining and scanning, cells of the same type may present different marker profiles both within and across samples. We address multiplexed immunofluorescence data from tissue microarrays of low‐grade gliomas and present a methodology using two different machine learning architectures and features insensitive to illumination to perform cell classification. The fully automated cell classification provides a measure of confidence for the decision and requires a comparably small annotated data set for training, which can be created using freely available tools. Using the proposed method, we reached an accuracy of 83.1% on cell classification without the need for standardization of samples. Using our confidence measure, cells with low‐confidence classifications could be excluded, pushing the classification accuracy to 94.5%. Next, we used the cell classification results to search for cell niches with an unsupervised learning approach based on graph neural networks. We show that the approach can re‐detect specialized tissue niches in previously published data, and that our proposed cell classification leads to niche definitions that may be relevant for sub‐groups of glioma, if applied to larger data sets.
Imaging flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy in assessing radiation response in lymphocytes from umbilical cord blood and cancer patients
Authors: Durdik Matus , Kosik Pavol , Jakl Lukas , Kozackova Maria , Markova Eva , Vigasova Katarina , Beresova Katarina , Jakubikova Jana , Horvathova Eva , Zastko Lucian , Fekete Marta , Zavacka Ingrid , Pobijakova Margita , Belyaev Igor 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDNA double strand breaks (DSB) induced by ionizing radiation (IR) are usually measured using γH2AX/53BP1 DNA repair foci, that is considered to be the most sensitive assay for DSB analysis. While fluorescence microscopy (FM) is the gold standard for this analysis, imaging flow cytometry (IFC) may offer number of advantages such as lack of the fluorescence background, higher number of cells analyzed, and higher sensitivity in detection of DNA damage induced by IR at low doses. Along with appearance of γH2AX foci, the variable fraction of the cells exhibits homogeneously stained γH2AX signal resulting in so‐called γH2AX pan‐staining, which is believed to appear at early stages of apoptosis. Here, we investigated incidence of γH2AX pan‐staining at different time points after irradiation with γ‐rays using IFC and compared the obtained data with the data from FM. Appearance of γH2AX pan‐staining during the apoptotic process was further analyzed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) of cells at different stages of apoptosis and subsequent immunofluorescence analysis. Our results show that IFC was able to reveal dose dependence of pan‐staining, while FM failed to detect all pan‐staining cells. Moreover, we found that γH2AX pan‐staining could be induced by therapeutic, but not low doses of γ‐rays and correlate well with percentage of apoptotic cells was analyzed using flow cytometric Annexin‐V/7‐AAD assay. Further investigations showed that γH2AX pan‐staining is formed in the early phases of apoptosis and remains until later stages of apoptotic process. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation as detected with comet assay using FM correlated with the percentage of live and late apoptotic/necrotic cells as analyzed by flow cytometry. Lastly, we successfully tested IFC for detection of γH2AX pan‐staining and γH2AX/53BP1 DNA repair foci in lymphocyte of breast cancer patients after radiotherapy, which may be useful for assessing individual radiosensitivity in a clinically relevant cohort of patients.
Innate immunity in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults
Authors: Huang Juan , Pearson James Alexander , Wong F. Susan , Wen Li , Zhou Zhiguang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLatent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is an autoimmune disease that shares some genetic, immunological and clinical features with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Immune cells including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) have been detected in the pancreas of patients with LADA and a rat model of LADA. Therefore, similar to type 1 diabetes, the pathogenesis of LADA may be caused by interactions between islet β‐cells and innate and adaptive immune cells. However, the role of the immunity in the initiation and progression of LADA remains largely unknown. In this review, we have summarized the potential roles of innate immunity and immune‐modulators in LADA development. Furthermore, we have examined the evidence and discussed potential innate immunological reasons for the slower development of LADA compared with type 1 diabetes. More in‐depth mechanistic studies are needed to fully elucidate the roles of innate immune‐associated genes, molecules and cells in their contributions to LADA pathogenesis. Undertaking these studies will greatly enhance the development of new strategies and optimization of current strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
The application of laboratory‐based analytical tools and techniques for the quality assessment and improvement of commercial antivenoms used in the treatment of snakebite envenomation
Authors: Patra Aparup , Herrera María , Gutiérrez José María , Mukherjee Ashis K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSnakebite envenomation is a public health problem of high impact, particularly for the developing world. Antivenom, which contains whole or protease‐digested immunoglobulin G, purified from the plasma of hyper‐immunized animals (mainly horses), is the mainstay for the treatment of snakebite envenomation. The success of antivenom therapy depends upon its ability to abrogate or reduce the local and systemic toxicity of envenomation. In addition, antivenom administration must be safe for the patients. Therefore, antivenom manufacturers must ensure that these products are effective and safe in the treatment of envenomations. Antivenom efficacy and safety are determined by the physicochemical characteristics of formulations, purity of the immunoglobulin fragments and antibodies, presence of protein aggregates, endotoxin burden, preservative load, and batch to batch variation, as well as on the ability to neutralize the most important toxins of the venoms against which the antivenom is designed. In this context, recent studies have shown that laboratory‐based simple analytical techniques, for example, size exclusion chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, immunological profiling including immuno‐turbidimetry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, Western blotting, immune‐chromatographic technique coupled to mass spectrometry analysis, reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography, spectrofluorometric analysis, in vitro neutralization of venom enzymatic activities, and other methodologies, can be applied for the assessment of antivenom quality, safety, stability, and efficacy. This article reviews the usefulness of different analytical techniques for the quality assessment of commercial antivenoms. It is suggested that these tests should be applied for screening the quality of commercial antivenoms before their preclinical and clinical assessment.
Stanozolol‐N‐glucuronide metabolites in human urine samples as suitable targets in terms of routine anti‐doping analysis
Authors: Göschl Lorenz , Gmeiner Günter , Gärtner Peter , Stadler Georg , Enev Valentin , Thevis Mario , Schänzer Wilhelm , Guddat Sven , Forsdahl Guro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe exogenous anabolic‐androgenic steroid (AAS) stanozolol stays one of the most detected substances in professional sports. Its detection is a fundamental part of doping analysis, and the analysis of this steroid has been intensively investigated for a long time. This contribution to the detection of stanozolol doping describes for the first time the unambiguous proof for the existence of 17‐epistanozolol‐1′N‐glucuronide and 17‐epistanozolol‐2′N‐glucuronide in stanozolol‐positive human urine samples due to the access to high‐quality reference standards. Examination of excretion study samples shows large detection windows for the phase‐II metabolites stanozolol‐1′N‐glucuronide and 17‐epistanozolol‐1′N‐glucuronide up to 12 days and respectively up to almost 28 days. In addition, we present appropriate validation parameters for the analysis of these metabolites using a fully automatic method online solid‐phase extraction (SPE) method already published before. Limits of identification (LOIs) as low as 100 pg/ml and other validation parameters like accuracy, precision, sensitivity, robustness, and linearity are given.
Climate‐induced increase in terrestrial carbon storage in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Gu Fengxue , Zhang Yuandong , Huang Mei , Yu Li , Yan Huimin , Guo Rui , Zhang Li , Zhong Xiuli , Yan Changrong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPredicting the change in carbon storage in regions of high carbon uptake and those under highly intensive human disturbance is crucial for regional ecosystem management to promote sustainable development of the economy and ecology in the future. We use a process‐based model to estimate the terrestrial carbon storage in Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) and to predict the change of carbon storage over the next 100 years. The results show that the vegetation carbon (VC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) storage were 8.97 and 28.85 Pg C in the YREB from 1981 to 2005, respectively. The highest VC density is distributed in the southern region of the YREB, and the highest SOC density distributes in subalpine and alpine area of the western region of the YREB. Carbon storage in the YREB continued to increase from 1981 to 2005 and in future projections, under both the representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) and the RCP8.5 scenarios. The increased rate of carbon storage in the YREB under the RCP8.5 scenario is higher than that under the RCP4.5 scenario. Under the RCP4.5 scenario, the increasing trend of VC storage tends to be reduced after the 2060s; conversely, the increase of both VC and SOC is accelerated after the 2050s under the RCP8.5 scenario. The SOC density in Western Sichuan will decrease in the future, especially under the RCP8.5 scenario. Western Sichuan has the highest SOC density in the YREB; therefore, it is important to manage the ecosystems there in order to cope with significant warming. The positive impact of warming and the CO2 fertilization effect on vegetation growth and carbon uptake will be predominantly attributed to the increase of terrestrial carbon storage in the YREB. However, warming will stimulate the decomposition of soil organic carbon, contributing directly to reducing SOC storage in high‐altitude regions (e.g., alpine and subalpine regions of Western Sichuan).