bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Doses and Storage Time on Acridity of Irradiated Cocoyam Corms
Authors: Gladys Ndidiamaka. Nwachukwu, , Peter A. Idah, , Ogbonnaya Chukwu, , Kassem U. Isah, , Uchenna Onwuhaka Madu, 
Published: December 2024

Cocoyam is a stable food commonly eaten by the people of Eastern Nigeria. Its utilization as a raw material for food products is affected by its acridity content. The traditional method of processing cocoyam for consumption is by cooking which is time and energy consuming. Nigeria Colocasia esculenta spp (NCe 001 and NCe 011) and Xanthosoma sagittifolium spp (NXs 001 and NXs 002) were subjected to gamma irradiation of 20, 40, 80, 120 and 150Gy for one hour and stored. The controls samples and the stored irradiated samples were analysed to determine their acridity content. The effect of storage time on the acridity content of the irradiated cocoyam samples was studied. The main and interaction effects of storage time and dosage on acridity content were obtained statistically. The result of the study showed that there was a 50% reduction in the acridity content of the irradiated samples after 28 weeks of storage. A significant impact on the acridity content for all the varieties at above 80Gy was observed from the result of the study. There is limited information on the effect of gamma irradiation dose rate and storage period on the acridity in the four cocoyam varieties found in Nigeria. The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of gamma irradiation dose rate and storage period on the acridity content of these four cocoyam varieties.
Biogenic Synthesis and Comparative Assessment of the Antimicrobial Activities of Silver and Zinc Nanoparticles of Dialium guineense Leaf Extract against Human Pathogens
Authors: GO Ikeh , PE Ugwu , RC Okpoto , EA Njoku , CC Diovu , CC Adonu 
Published: December 2024

Aim: The study aimed to perform a comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of green synthesis of silver and zinc nanoparticles.
Study Design: Experimental.
Methodology: A biogenic and facile method of synthesis of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles (DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs) using silver nitrate and zinc nitrate as precursors and an aqueous extract of Dialium guineense leaf (DGL) as a reducing agent respectively was demonstrated in this work. The synthesized DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs were checked for their antimicrobial activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida albicans. Comparative assessment of the antimicrobial activities of DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs against human pathogens were also conducted. Characterization of the metallic nanoparticles were carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), as well as the BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area measurement.
Results: Both metallic nanoparticles were found to inhibit the growth of microbes. However, One-way ANOVA of the IC50 of microbial growth inhibition profile shows significant mean difference between DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs; DGL—SNPs showed improved outcome to the DGL—ZNPs with a P value of at. The surface Plasmon resonance absorption peak of 275 and 261 nm for DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs respectively; FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phytochemicals such as phenol, saponin, and alkaloid that play the major roles in stabilizing the DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs. XRD result shows a crystallite size of 27.9 nm and 22.6 nm from the width of the principal peak reflection of (0 1 3) and (1 2 2) respectively for DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs; EDX shows the formation of Silver atoms and ZnO in the DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs; from the BET, the average particle size 59.76 nm for silver and 70.17 nm for zinc. The SEM showed the irregular structure of DGL—SNPs and DGL—ZNPs.
Conclusion: There is a significant difference in the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles and zinc nanoparticles as a promising agent against human pathogens.
Temporal trends in geographic clines of chum salmon reproductive traits associated with global warming and hatchery programmes
Authors: Hasegawa Koh , Okamoto Yasutaka , Morita Kentaro 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Geographic clines in life‐history traits are often recognized as adaptations to the associated transitional environments. As life‐history traits evolve in response to anthropogenic processes, these geographic clines can change over time.

The geographic and temporal trends of reproductive traits in Japanese chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta were analysed. Data were collected from 23 rivers located between 36° and 45° north latitude and 136° and 146° east longitude from 1994 to 2010.

We confirmed the geographic clines of reproductive traits: relative gonad weight increased in more northeasterly locations, and females had fewer, but larger, eggs in more northeasterly locations after standardization by body size.

The geographic clines changed over the years. The northeastward geographic trend of increasing gonad weight became more pronounced over time. Temporal trends towards smaller but more numerous eggs were evident, especially in northeasterly locations.

Under natural and sexual selection, gonadal investment should be constrained by the energetic demands of the cost of migration, particularly in southwesterly locations (which are farthest from the feeding grounds), and by breeding competition during natural reproduction. In addition, females should have fewer but larger eggs owing to a constraint on growth opportunities for their offspring in more northeasterly regions of Japan, which are colder and have less available food. However, global warming may mitigate this constraint on growth opportunities in northeastern Japan by increasing river water temperatures. Moreover, we consider that relaxation of the effects of natural and sexual selection on intense breeding competition and early growth conditions has occurred through domestication selection by hatchery programmes. These may have caused temporal shifts in geographic clines.

We should consider several co‐occurring anthropogenic impacts on natural and sexual selection when evaluating the life‐history traits of organisms. For the sustainable use of biological resources, maintaining geographically adapted life‐history traits during adaptation to climate change is essential. Therefore, the conservation of wild salmon populations formed by natural selection is preferable to the stocking of hatchery‐reared fry.
Dual‐layer spectral CT for proton, helium, and carbon ion beam therapy planning of brain tumors
Authors: Longarino Friderike K. , Tessonnier Thomas , Mein Stewart , Harrabi Semi B. , Debus Jürgen , Stiller Wolfram , Mairani Andrea 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPretreatment computed tomography (CT) imaging is an essential component of the particle therapy treatment planning chain. Treatment planning and optimization with charged particles require accurate and precise estimations of ion beam range in tissues, characterized by the stopping power ratio (SPR). Reduction of range uncertainties arising from conventional CT‐number‐to‐SPR conversion based on single‐energy CT (SECT) imaging is of importance for improving clinical practice. Here, the application of a novel imaging and computational methodology using dual‐layer spectral CT (DLCT) was performed toward refining patient‐specific SPR estimates.A workflow for DLCT‐based treatment planning was devised to evaluate SPR prediction for proton, helium, and carbon ion beam therapy planning in the brain. DLCT‐ and SECT‐based SPR predictions were compared in homogeneous and heterogeneous anatomical regions. This study included eight patients scanned for diagnostic purposes with a DLCT scanner. For each patient, four different treatment plans were created, simulating tumors in different parts of the brain.For homogeneous anatomical regions, mean SPR differences of about 1% between the DLCT‐ and SECT‐based approaches were found. In plans of heterogeneous anatomies, relative (absolute) proton range shifts of 0.6% (0.4 mm) in the mean and up to 4.4% (2.1 mm) at the distal fall‐off were observed. In the investigated cohort, 12% of the evaluated organs‐at‐risk (OARs) presented differences in mean or maximum dose of more than 0.5 Gy (RBE) and up to 6.8 Gy (RBE) over the entire treatment. Range shifts and dose differences in OARs between DLCT and SECT in helium and carbon ion treatment plans were similar to protons.In the majority of investigated cases (75th percentile), SECT‐ and DLCT‐based range estimations were within 0.6 mm. Nonetheless, the magnitude of patient‐specific range deviations between SECT and DLCT was clinically relevant in heterogeneous anatomical sites, suggesting further study in larger, more diverse cohorts. Results indicate that patients with brain tumors may benefit from DLCT‐based treatment planning.
Time‐varying robustness analysis of launch vehicles under thrust perturbations
Authors: Biertümpfel Felix , Bennani Samir , Pfifer Harald 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article presents a robustness analysis for launch vehicles during atmospheric ascent. It is based on recent advances in the worst‐case analysis of uncertain, finite horizon linear time‐varying (LTV) systems. Integral quadratic constraints are used to represent the uncertainties leading to a worst‐case gain condition based on a parameterized Riccati differential equation (RDE). This framework readily covers certain parametric uncertainties, for example, aerodynamic uncertainties. However, the effects of thrust perturbations are inherently harder to address. They directly result in mass and balance uncertainties, and a deviation from the planned trajectory. The latter amounts to a shift from the nominal/reference trajectory that has to be accounted for. Since thrust is proportional to the mass change of the launch vehicle, the thrust uncertainty is modeled as an external disturbance acting on the system. In order to cover the deviation from the reference trajectory, a dynamic uncertainty model is added in the analysis. A worst‐case aerodynamic loads and lateral drift analysis under wind disturbances is performed. The LTV results are validated against Monte Carlo simulations of the space launcher's nonlinear model.
Chance‐constrained model predictive control a reformulated approach suitable for sewer networks
Authors: Svensen Jan Lorenz , Niemann Hans Henrik , Falk Anne Katrine Vinther , Poulsen Niels Kjølstad 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this work, a revised formulation of chance‐constrained (CC) model predictive control (MPC) is presented. The focus of this work is on the mathematical formulation of the revised CC‐MPC, and the reason behind the need for its revision. The revised formulation is given in the context of sewer systems, and their weir overflow structures. A linear sewer model of the Astlingen benchmark sewer model is utilized to illustrate the application of the formulation, both mathematically and performance‐wise through simulations. Based on the simulations, a comparison of performance is done between the revised CC‐MPC and a comparable deterministic MPC, with a focus on overflow avoidance, computation time, and operational behavior. The simulations show similar performance for overflow avoidance for both types of MPC, while the computation time increases slightly for the CC‐MPC, together with operational behaviors getting limited.
Nanosecond Laser Patterned Porous Graphene from Monolithic Mesoporous Carbon for High‐Performance Solar Thermal Interfacial Evaporation
Authors: Liu Fenghua , Lou Deyuan , Liang Enkang , Gu Yunjiao , Wang Zan , Shi Xiaowen , Bradley Robert , Zhao Binyuan , Wu Weiping 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPhotothermal interfacial evaporation based on micro‐nano porous materials is an effective and energy‐saving new strategy to utilize low‐density solar energy to achieve water purification, but there are still many challenges especially in preparing nanostructures toward enhanced performances. Here, a one‐step simple method is adopted by using nanosecond laser to process the surface of monolithic biomass carbon under ambient conditions. During the preparation process, the surface of biomass carbon is directly converted into patterned porous graphene under the action of nanosecond laser. This method not only provides a new way for the wide and easy preparation of graphene, but more importantly, it can be very convenient to prepare graphene‐biomass porous carbon composites with special textures and special microstructures with ultra‐broadband light absorption. The combination of the macroscopic porous feature in monolithic carbon revealed by synchrotron X‐ray ptychography together with the nanostructured surface of patterned porous graphene demonstrates ultrahigh solar thermal‐vapor conversion rate up to 98.7%. This work develops an effective way to fabricate porous graphene from biomass carbon, as well as an energy‐efficient water treatment technology toward wastewater containing complex contaminants.
Peer coaching increases emergency medicine faculty ability to perform and teach awake fiberoptic intubation
Authors: McCloskey Colin G. , Dimza Christopher T. , Stull Matthew J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the impact of peer coaching as a continuing medical education (CME) modality to improve faculty performance and teaching of a low‐frequency, high‐complexity procedure, awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI).MethodsAcademic emergency medicine faculty at a single tertiary care, Level I trauma center participated in a prospective pre‐/postinterventional assessment of a peer coaching educational intervention. Participants completed a preintervention online survey to identify comfort and previous experience with performing and teaching AFOI. The participants reviewed presession materials and then completed a 25‐min didactic session with a peer coach. Participants were then broken into dyads where they initially each practiced the procedure and then attempted to teach the procedure to their colleague. An institutional standardized checklist for AFOI was utilized to assess participants procedural competency. Postintervention online surveys were compared to the preintervention surveys.ResultsA total of 15 faculty members were recruited for the study and completed pre‐ and postintervention surveys. All participants showed ability to perform AFOI as proven by successful completion of the procedural checklist. There was a statistically significant increase for self‐perceived efficacy in performing (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34 to 3.06) and teaching AFOI (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.56 to 3.05). All participants felt more likely to attempt AFOI after a single peer coaching session and most (14/15, 93.3%) were more likely to teach AFOI. Participants identified peer coaching as more effective at instilling confidence to perform and teach the skill than other CME activities that they have experienced.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that peer coaching increases practicing faculty's ability to perform and teach a low‐frequency, high‐complexity procedure, AFOI. Peer coaching may offer an opportunity to improve the utility of learning compared to more traditional didactic‐based CME initiatives.
Fabrication and the barrier characterization of the cellulose nanofibers/organic montmorillonite/poly lactic acid nanocomposites
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Lu , Li Fayong , Wang Ke , Wu Xiaoru , Liu Hailu , Long Bibo , Zhao Yang , Xie Dong , Chen Junjia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe hydrophobic modification of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) was carried out via free radical polymerization using methyl methacrylate (MMA) as the monomer to improve the compatibility between CNF and poly lactic acid (PLA). Followed by the preparation of the novel nanocomposites in combination of the organic montmorillonite and the substrate. The resulting nanocomposites were then coated on paper surface using a cast‐coating process in an attempt to improve the barrier properties towards water vapor and oxygen. In addition, the composite films are prepared via a solution casting method. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), and tensile strength of the as‐prepared films were systematically measured. The corresponding results demonstrated that the WVTR, WVP and OTR decreased with the addition of a certain content of MCNF in coatings. 0.2 wt% MCNF is the optimum content, showing the best gas resistance and tensile performance. The lowest value of WVTR and WVP are 10.30 g/(m2⋯24 h) and 3306.58 g⋯μm/(m2⋯24 h) for films with 0.2 wt% MCNF added, which is 88.23% and 26.05% lower than that of PLA composite film without NFC.
Long‐Term Efficacy and Safety of Guselkumab, a Monoclonal Antibody Specific to the p19 Subunit of Interleukin‐23, Through Two Years: Results From a Phase III, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study Conducted in Biologic‐Naive Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: McInnes Iain B. , Rahman Proton , Gottlieb Alice B. , Hsia Elizabeth C. , Kollmeier Alexa P. , Xu Xie L. , Jiang Yusang , Sheng Shihong , Shawi May , Chakravarty Soumya D. , van der Heijde Désirée , Mease Philip J. 
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveTo assess long‐term efficacy and safety of guselkumab, an interleukin‐23 p19 subunit (IL‐23p19) inhibitor, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the phase III DISCOVER‐2 trial.MethodsIn the DISCOVER‐2 trial, patients with active PsA (≥5 swollen joints and ≥5 tender joints; C‐reactive protein level ≥0.6 mg/dl) despite prior nonbiologic therapy were randomized to receive the following: guselkumab 100 mg every 4 weeks; guselkumab 100 mg at weeks 0 and 4 and then every 8 weeks; or placebo with crossover to guselkumab 100 mg every 4 weeks, beginning at week 24. Efficacy assessments included American College of Rheumatology ≥20%/50%/70% improvement criteria (ACR20/50/70), Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of psoriasis score of 0 (indicating complete skin clearance), resolution of enthesitis (Leeds Enthesitis Index) and dactylitis (Dactylitis Severity Score), and changes in the Sharp/van der Heijde modified radiographic scores for PsA. Clinical data (imputed as no response/no change from baseline if missing) and observed radiographic data were summarized through week 100; safety assessments continued through week 112.ResultsOf the 739 randomized and treated patients, 652 (88%) completed treatment through week 100. Across groups of guselkumab‐treated patients (including those in the placebo–guselkumab crossover group), the following findings at week 100 indicated that amelioration of arthritis signs/symptoms and extraarticular manifestations was durable through 2 years: ACR20 response (68–76%), ACR50 response (48–56%), ACR70 response (30–36%), IGA score of 0 (55–67%), enthesitis resolution (62–70%), and dactylitis resolution (72–83%). Mean changes in the Sharp/van der Heijde modified score for PsA from weeks 52 to week 100 (range 0.13–0.75) indicated that the low rates of radiographic progression observed among guselkumab‐treated patients at earlier time points extended through week 100. Through week 112, 8% (5.8 per 100 patient‐years) and 3% (1.9 per 100 patient‐years) of the 731 guselkumab‐treated patients had a serious adverse event or serious infection, respectively; 1 death occurred (road traffic accident).ConclusionIn biologic‐naive PsA patients, guselkumab provided durable improvements in multiple disease domains with no unexpected safety findings through 2 years.
Targeting lactate metabolism and glycolytic pathways in the tumor microenvironment by natural products: A promising strategy in combating cancer
Authors: Kooshki Leila , Mahdavi Parisa , Fakhri Sajad , Akkol Esra Küpeli , Khan Haroon 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAnticancer drugs are not purely effective because of their toxicity, side effects, high cost, inaccessibility, and associated resistance. On the other hand, cancer is a complex public health problem that could intelligently adopt different signaling pathways and alter the body's metabolism to escape from the immune system. One of the cancer strategies to metastasize is modifying pH in the tumor microenvironment, ranging between 6.5 and 6.9. As a powerful determiner, lactate is responsible for this acidosis. It is involved in immune stimulation, including innate and adaptive immunity, apoptotic‐related factors (Bax/Bcl‐2, caspase), and glycolysis pathways (e.g., GLUT‐1, PKM2, PFK, HK2, MCT‐1, and LDH). Lactate metabolism, in turn, is interconnected with several dysregulated signaling mediators, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AMPK, NF‐κB, Nrf2, JAK/STAT, and HIF‐1α. Because of lactate's emerging and critical role, targeting lactate production and its transporters is important for preventing and managing tumorigenesis. Hence, exploring and developing novel promising anticancer agents to minimize human cancers is urgent. Based on numerous studies, natural secondary metabolites as multi‐target alternative compounds with health‐promoting properties possess more high effectiveness and low side effects than conventional agents. Besides, the mechanism of multi‐targeted natural sources is related to lactate production and cancer‐associated cross‐talked factors. This review focuses on targeting the lactate metabolism/transporters, and lactate‐associated mediators, including glycolytic pathways. Besides, interconnected mediators to lactate metabolism are also targeted by natural products. Accordingly, plant‐derived secondary metabolites are introduced as alternative therapies in combating cancer through modulating lactate metabolism and glycolytic pathways.
In silico and in vivo studies of the effect of surface curvature on the osteoconduction of porous scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Yun , Wang Peng , Jin Jiyong , Li Lan , He Si‐yuan , Zhou Ping , Jiang Qing , Wen Cuie 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRecent evidence shows that the curvature of porous scaffold plays a significant role in guiding tissue regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism remains controversial to date. In this study, we developed an in silico model to simulate the effect of surface curvature on the osteoconduction of scaffold implants, which comprises the primary aspects of bone regeneration. Selective laser melting was used to manufacture a titanium scaffold with channels representative of different strut curvatures for in vivo assessment. The titanium scaffold was implanted in the femur condyles of rabbits to validate the mathematical model. Simulation results suggest that the curvature affected the distribution of growth factors and subsequently induced the migration of osteoblast lineage cells and bone deposition to the locations with higher curvature. The predictions of the mathematical model are in good agreement with the in vivo assessment results, in which newly formed bone first appeared adjacent to the vertices of the major axes in elliptical channels. The mechanism of curvature‐guided osteoconduction may provide a guide for the design optimization of scaffold implants to achieve enhanced bone ingrowth.