bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anniversary meeting
Authors: - -
Published: December 2022

The usual business was conducted at the Anniversary meeting, including the election of new Fellows and the presentation of a list of deceased Fellows. Other reports presented included: A report on the number of Fellows on the Society’s Roll A report on the progress of the Society’s forthcoming publicationsReports into excavations undertaken by the Society during the previous sessionA report on the number of items added to the Society’s museumA note on changes in the Society’s Council, specifically the retirement of the Museum Curator Joseph Anderson and the President Sir Herbert MaxwellA note on the Rhind Lectureship from the previous sessionDr Hay Fleming then raised the issue of whether the Society’s museum should be open to the public on Sundays. The decision on this topic was postponed until 15th December. On this date, a vote was taken and when Dr Hay Fleming’s motion was voted down, he raised a Dissent and Protest (see pp.431-432). The Treasurer presented the Annual Report and a resolution was read thanking Sir Herbert Maxwell.

 

Meeting notes for 8 December, 1913 are appended.
Report on the Excavation, in September 1913, of a Vitrified Fort at Rockcliffe, Dalbeattie, known as the Mote of Mark
Authors: Curle Alexander O
Published: December 2022

At each point where a section was made through the defences, the construction was the same. At the outer edge there appeared a kerb of boulders; behind this rose a structureless rampart of earth and stone, containing a roughly built wall, and firmly coagulated with vitrified matter from top to bottom. No vitrifaction\r\nappeared in the rampart either in front or in rear of this wall, and it is thus a fair assumption that the wall was built and vitrified previous to the erection of the rampart against it. Excavation in the interior revealed evidence of occupation and the recovery of substantial numbers of moulds and glass fragments. It is argued that the number and variety of the moulds suggest a founding factory, established for the purposes of trade. There is evidence of two phases of occupation, one in the Roman period followed by a second phase in the ninth or tenth century.
Notices of a Short cist discovered in the Parish of Yester, East Lothian; of a Prehistoric Burial at Alva, Clackmannanshire; and of an Earth-House in Skye
Authors: Callander J Graham , Bryce Thomas
Published: December 2022

A short cist was found at Gifford during ploughing. The badly damaged skeleton was identified as an adult male. A small quantity of charcoal was also found. A flexed skeleton deposited in a natural rock cavity was accompanied by twenty snail shells. It is suggested that the skeleton may have been a dwarf. An earth-house on a ridge at Cairn-na-Bhodachid was discovered during gravel quarrying. It was dry-stone built with undressed blocks and had an entranceway leading into a gallery. The floor of the gallery had a covering of clay. Artefacts included pottery, animal bone and a possible hammer-stone. A Latin cross had been painted on to one of the lintels.
Account of the recent discovery of the Remains of David's Tower at Edinburgh Castle
Authors: Oldrieve W T
Published: December 2022

The construction of David's Tower began in 1367 and took more than ten years to complete. Excavation revealed the lower entrance to the ground floor of the putative tower. The doorway was medieval in character and a number of masons' marks were revealed in the stonework. The structure was filled with loose soil and debris. Artefacts included cannonballs, burst iron shells, coins of Edward I or II, glass wine flagons, clay pipes, pottery vessels and a soldier's iron helmet. The nearby well, first documented in 1313 was also examined. The results of the excavation are combined with documentary and cartographic evidence to suggest that the structure is indeed David's Tower.
On recent Scandinavian Grave-finds from the Island of Oronsay, and from Reay, Caithness, with Notes on the Development and Chronology of the Oval Brooch of the Viking Time
Authors: Curle James
Published: December 2022

A detailed account of the objects recovered from Carn nan Bharraich clearly state that the objects including brooches, shears and a probable dress fastener must have been buried with a female. The oval brooches in particular are definitively Viking. A skeleton at Reay was buried with a pair of oval brooches, a bridle-bit of iron, a\r\nbronze pin and buckle, a spindle-whorl of stone, an iron buckle and a small cross of the same metal. The oval brooches from both burials belong to a distinct group but differ markedly in the form of decoration and it is argued in chronology. with the help of Scandinavian studies, the writer attempts to show the gradual process by which such ornaments were gradually evolved, and to deal with the chronology of those found in Scotland.
Circular Forts in Lorn and North Perthshire; with a Note on the Excavation of one at Borenich, Loch Tummel
Authors: Watson William J
Published: December 2022

The forts are circular drystone structures. A description of the sites in the area is accompanied by plans of the surviving remains. The excavation of the fort at Borenich aimed to determine the nature of the structure, the quality of the masonry, whether it possessed chambers, the type of door or doors and to recover datable artefacts. The entrance passage was in two sections, the outer narrow, the inner wider, the division being caused by two door checks, one at each side. The checks\r\nconsisted of fairly heavy flat stones bxiilt in at right angles to the line\r\nof the passage. The wall was ten feet in thickness and of basic construction and there was no evidence of chambers. Three fireplaces were identified. Artefacts included a quern, unidentified iron objects, a bone pin and a spindle whorl.
Meeting notes
Authors: - -
Published: December 2022

Meeting notes for 8 March 1915.
Sculptured Sarcophagus and Churchyard Memorials at Dalmeny; with Notes on the Churchyards of Edzell, Lethnot, and Stracathro
Authors: Reid Alan
Published: December 2022

The Dalmeny sarcophagus has animal carvings in bold relief at both ends. On the side there is a line of figures standing under an arcading of Norman style, whose arches and supporting columns were more or less clearly indicated at different points in the\r\nworn sculpture. This is believed to be a representation of Christ and the twelve Apostles, six placed on each side of the central figure of our Lord. The lid of the sarcophagus does not survive. The churchyard also contains a number of elaborate table-stones, a large representation of the symbolic designs common to the Lothians, and a few headstones. In the old churchyard of Edzell parish are a number of finely\r\nornamented tombstones, dating from the eighteenth century, several architectural features of the pre-Reformation church and a sculptured slab. At Lethnot there are two very elaborate table-stones and eight erect stones, all dating from or near to 1750. There are three massive inscribed stones at Stracathro.
Notes on a Necklace of Glass Beads found in a Cist in Dalmeny Park, South Queensferry
Authors: Baldwin Brown G
Published: December 2022

A west-east aligned long cist constructed from sandstone slabs contained teeth and a dozen glass beads. The possibility that the burial demonstrated Anglian influence is considered and in the main discounted.
The Bell in the Town House at Burntisland
Authors: Macrae Donald
Published: December 2022

In 1677 the bell was sent abroad to be mended. The ornamentation, which consists of grapes and vine leaves, is of a kind not uncommon on bells made in the Netherlands in the seventeenth century. When the bell was sent to be recast the original French inscription of 1595 was reproduced (badly) and a second inscription in Dutch was added.
Notes on Contin Church, Ross-shire, with its Sacrament House, and Two Sepulchral Slabs in the Churchyard
Authors: MacLean A C
Published: December 2022

The church is dedicated to the Celtic saint Maelrubha. Of Irish royal lineage, he is said to have been born in AD 642, and to have ultimately reached Applecross about 673 by way of Iona. His Ross-shire churches may therefore have been founded at the end of the seventh century, or at the beginning of the eighth. He is said to have died in 722. The few documentary references to the church are presented along with an architectural account. An elaborate floriated cross survives in the churchyard. A second stone has a fine large wheel-cross head carving. The sacrament house was rediscovered in 1908 and probably dates from the 15th century.
Meeting notes
Authors: - -
Published: December 2022

Meeting notes for 9 February 1915.
Preliminaries
Authors: - -
Published: December 2022

Front matter for Volume 49

Table of contents

List of illustrations

Office-bearers 1914-5

Laws of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

List of the Fellows November 1915

List of Corresponding members 1915

List of Honorary members November 1915

List of the Lady Associates November 1915

Societies, Institutions, &c., Exchanging publications
Seven-Year Durability of Improvements in Urinary Incontinence After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: King Wendy C. , Hinerman Amanda S. , Subak Leslee L.
Published: December 2022

This cohort study evaluates the durability of improvements in urinary incontinence among women and men who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy.
Magnetic Porous Carbon Composites for Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Feng Kaiyu , Jiang Jie , Ren Lianggui , He Qinchuan , He Yongchao , Wang Yiqun
Published: December 2022

Biomass carbon composites have the shining points of lightweight, economy, harmlessness, and large specific surface area, casting on them great development prospects in terms of excellent wave absorbing properties. Herein, a facile route to fabricate magnetic porous with a special spongy structure for its great contribution to microwave absorption is reported. It is endowed with a strong absorption capacity and a wide absorption band. The 3D spongy structure and uniform distribution of magnetic Co particles can promote defect polarization, interface polarization, and dipole polarization, which are conducive to scattering and reflection of electromagnetic waves (EMW) in the absorbing body. The magnetic Co particles can enhance the magnetic loss on the one hand and harmonize the impedance matching on the other hand. The minimum reflection loss can reach −54.7 dB. The effective absorption bandwidth at 2.1 mm can reach 7.61 GHz, almost covering the X and Ku bands. This proposed strategy provides more possibilities for the application of biomass microwave absorbers with lightweight and broadband properties.
Flexible Transparent Bifunctional Capacitive Sensors with Superior Areal Capacitance and Sensing Capability based on PEDOT:PSS/MXene/Ag Grid Hybrid Electrodes
Authors: Cheng Tao , Yang Xuan‐Li , Yang Sheng , Li Lang , Liu Zhong‐Ting , Qu Jie , Meng Chao‐Fu , Li Xiang‐Chun , Zhang Yi‐Zhou , Lai Wen‐Yong
Published: December 2022

Flexible transparent supercapacitors (FTSs) have aroused considerable attention. Nonetheless, balancing energy storage capability and transparency remains challenging. Herein, a new type of FTSs with both excellent energy storage and superior transparency is developed based on PEDOT:PSS/MXene/Ag grid ternary hybrid electrodes. The hybrid electrodes can synergistically utilize the high optoelectronic properties of Ag grids, the excellent capacitive performance of MXenes, and the superior chemical stability of PEDOT:PSS, thus, simultaneously demonstrating excellent optoelectronic properties (T: ≈89%, Rs: ≈39 Ω sq−1), high areal specific capacitance, superior mechanical softness, and excellent anti‐oxidation capability. Due to the excellent comprehensive performances of the hybrid electrodes, the resulting FTSs exhibit both high optical transparency (≈71% and ≈60%) and large areal specific capacitance (≈3.7 and ≈12 mF cm−2) besides superior energy storage capacity (P: 200.93, E: 0.24 µWh cm−2). Notably, the FTSs show not only excellent energy storage but also exceptional sensing capability, viable for human activity recognition. This is the first time to achieve FTSs that combine high transparency, excellent energy storage and good sensing all‐in‐one, which make them stand out from conventional flexible supercapacitors and promising for next‐generation smart flexible energy storage devices.
Suppressed Interface Defects by GeSe2 Post‐Deposition Treatment Enables High‐Efficiency Kesterite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhou Zhengji , Cao Lei , Kou Dongxing , Yuan Shengjie , Zheng Zhi , Yang Gang , Tian Qingwen , Wu Sixin , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: December 2022

Kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) has emerged as a promising photovoltaic material not only because of its environmentally benign and earth‐abundant constituents, but also its outstanding photoelectronic properties. Unfortunately, the significant open‐circuit voltage (Voc) loss and inferior fill factor (FF) resulting from abundant nonradiative carrier recombination at depletion region has become a major obstacle for further improving device performance. Here, an effective strategy to passivate the deep trap and band‐tail states in the heterojunction is proposed, by modifying the CZTSSe absorber layer with GeSe2 post‐deposition treatment. The results reveal that the Ge4+ can migrate into the front surface of the absorber, which plays an active role in suppressing the CuSn deep defects and [2CuZn+SnZn] defect clusters, accordingly dramatically reducing severe interfacial nonradiative carrier recombination of CZTSSe photovoltaic device. Under optimal treatment conditions, the CZTSSe solar cell efficiency increases from 10.36% to 12.22%, mainly benefitting from the increasement of Voc and FF.
Simple Visualization of Universal Ferroelastic Domain Walls in Lead Halide Perovskites
Authors: Zhang Bo , Sun Shuo , Jia Yinglu , Dai Jun , Rathnayake Dhanusha T.N. , Huang Xi , Casasent Jade , Adhikari Gopi , Billy Temban Acha , Lu Yongfeng , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Guo Yinsheng
Published: December 2022

Domain features and domain walls in lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have attracted broad interest due to their potential impact on optoelectronic properties of this unique class of solution‐processable semiconductors. Using nonpolarized light and simple imaging configurations, ferroelastic twin domains and their switchings through multiple consecutive phase transitions are directly visualized. This direct optical contrast originates from finite optical reflections at the wall interface between two compositionally identical, orientationally different, optically anisotropic domains inside the material bulk. The findings show these domain walls serve as internal reflectors and steer energy transport inside halide perovskites optically. First‐principles calculations show universal low domain‐wall energies and modest energy barriers of domain switching, confirming their prevalent appearance, stable presence, and facile moving observed in the experiments. The generality of ferroelasticity in halide perovskites stems from their soft bonding characteristics. This work shows the feasibility of using LHP twin domain walls as optical guides of internal photoexcitations, capable of nonvolatile on–off switching and tunable positioning endowed by their universal ferroelasticity.
Venation‐Mimicking, Ultrastretchable, Room‐Temperature‐Attachable Metal Tapes for Integrated Electronic Skins
Authors: Feng Bin , Sun Tianming , Wang Wengan , Xiao Yu , Huo Jinpeng , Deng Zhongyang , Bian Gongbo , Wu Yuxi , Zou Guisheng , Wang Wenxian , Ren Tianling , Liu Lei
Published: December 2022

Future electronic skin systems require stretchable conductors and low‐temperature integration of external components, which remains challenging for traditional metal films. Herein, a bioinspired design concept is reported to endow metal films with 200% stretchability as well as room‐temperature integration capability with diverse components. It is revealed that by controllable implantation of defects, distinctive venation‐mimicking cracking modes can be induced in strained metal films, leading to profound stretchability regulation. An intriguing exponential‐to‐linear transition of the film electromechanical performance is observed, which is elucidated by a unified model covering the essence of all modes. Combined with room‐temperature integration capability, an integrated electronic skin is constructed with metal films serving as stretchable electrodes, diverse sensors, and “tapes” to attach subcomponents, showing prospects in helping disabled people. This one‐step, defect implantation strategy is applicable to common metals without special substrate treatments, which enables fascinating ultrastretchable metal film conductors with low‐temperature integration capability to spark more sophisticated flexible electronic systems.
Dual‐Rotor Luminescence Based on Supramolecular Secondary Reassembly
Authors: Xu Wen‐Wen , Qin Yue‐Xiu , Niu Jie , Xu Wenshi , Chen Yong , Zhang Heng‐Yi , Liu Yu
Published: December 2022

Herein, synergistically confining anthracene‐phenylpyridium derivatives (1’ and 1) as dual‐rotor luminogens through macrocyclic cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) and hyaluronic acid (HA) mediated supramolecular secondary reassembly is reported to give bright fluorescence emission. The non‐emissive dual‐rotor molecule 1 first assembles with CB[8] to form non‐emissive supramolecular nanotubes, which are further reconstructed to be nanoparticles with a diameter of 83 nm by HA induced secondary reassembly through electrostatic interaction. Intriguingly, the secondary reassembly not only transforms the topological morphology, but also acts as a switch to activate the robust fluorescence of dual‐rotor molecule, accompanying emission at 600 nm with large Stokes shift (150 nm). This activation is mainly attributed to sufficient suppression of intramolecular rotation and promotion of intramolecular charge transfer of dual‐rotor molecule after reassembly. Benefiting from multiple components synergistic stimuli‐responsiveness and the targeted ability of HA to tumor cells, the secondary reassembly constructed dual‐rotor luminescence system is successfully applied in triplet encryption information security and targeted cancer cell imaging.
Quantifying the Sensitivity and Unclonability of Optical Physical Unclonable Functions
Authors: Lio Giuseppe Emanuele , Nocentini Sara , Pattelli Lorenzo , Cara Eleonora , Wiersma Diederik Sybolt , Rührmair Ulrich , Riboli Francesco
Published: December 2022

Due to their unmatched entropy, complexity, and security level, optical physical unclonable functions (PUFs) currently receive a lot of interest in the literature. Despite the large body of existing works, herein, one of their core features in detail is studied, namely, their physical unclonability. This article tackles this fundamental and yet largely unaddressed issue. In simulations and/or experiments, the sensitivity of diffraction‐based optical responses is investigated with respect to various small alterations such as variation in position, size, and number of the scatterers, as well as perturbations in the spatial alignment between the PUF and the measurement apparatus. The analysis focuses on 2D optical PUFs because of their relevance in integrated applications and the need to reply to security concerns that can be raised when the physical structure of the geometry is accessible. Among the results of this study, the sensitivity analysis shows that a positional perturbation of scatterers on the order of 30 nm, that is, far below the wavelength of the probing laser light of 632 nm wavelength, is sufficient to invalidate the PUF response and thus detect forgery attempt. These results support and quantify the high adversarial efforts required to clone optical PUFs, even for 2D layouts.
Room Temperature‐Integrated Photodetector between 5 μm and 8 μm Wavelength
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hao Nhi , Koompai Natnicha , Turpaud Victor , Montesinos-Ballester Miguel , Frigerio Jacopo , Calcaterra Stefano , Ballabio Andrea , Le Roux Xavier , Coudevylle Jean- René , Villebasse Cédric , Bouville David , Alonso-Ramos Carlos , Vivien Laurent , Isella Giovanni , Marris-Morini Delphine
Published: December 2022

Mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) optics has a great importance for a large number of applications in sensing, imaging, or even telecommunication. However, high‐speed and room‐temperature‐integrated photodetector (PD) operating in a wide spectrum of the mid‐IR is a critical device that is currently missing for the development of compact and efficient spectroscopic systems exploiting synchronous detection. Herein, a waveguide‐integrated PD based on a Schottky diode embedded in a graded silicon germanium waveguide is demonstrated. Photodetection is obtained in a wide spectral range from 5 to 8 μm wavelength, with responsivity reaching up to 0.1 mA W−1. Photodetection performed in pulsed regime with laser pulse width between 50 and 200 ns indicates an operation beyond 20 MHz. Interestingly, the achieved performances indicate that this device is already suitable for on‐chip signal monitoring, while further improvement can pave the way toward advanced compact and fully integrated spectroscopic systems operating in long‐wave infrared regions.
In‐Sensor Reservoir Computing Based on Optoelectronic Synapse
Authors: Sun Yi , Li Qingjiang , Zhu Xi , Liao Cen , Wang Yongzhou , Li Zhiwei , Liu Sen , Xu Hui , Wang Wei
Published: December 2022

Conventional machine vision systems suffer from great data latency and energy consumption in cognitive tasks due to the separated vision sensors, memory units, and processors. In‐sensor computing based on optoelectronic synapses allows efficient computation by directly sensing and processing optical signals. Herein, an optoelectronic synapse based on Au/ZnO:N/IGZO/TiN structure is proposed. It shows uniform optical SET and electrical RESET behaviors, with various light‐tunable plasticity. Furthermore, a 4‐bit reservoir is experimentally implemented on the device, which is ideal to construct in‐sensor reservoir computing (RC) system. By converting spatiotemporal optical signals to higher dimensional feature space, in‐sensor RC has a great advantage in processing sequential visual information. Simulation results demonstrate that the in‐sensor RC system based on the proposed synapse achieves a considerable recognition accuracy (90.45%) for the MNIST dataset with very limited 36‐30‐10 perceptron network, and a 97.14% accuracy for human action classification from sequential vision data based on the Weizmann dataset. This work proves the low training cost and great efficiency for processing spatiotemporal and sequential optical signals, which may pave a new way for future machine vision applications.
Giant Polyoxoniobate‐Based Inorganic Molecular Tweezers: Metal Recognitions, Ion‐Exchange Interactions and Mechanism Studies
Authors: Wu Ping‐Xin , Guo Zheng‐Wei , Lai Rong‐Da , Li Xin‐Xiong , Sun Cai , Zheng Shou‐Tian
Published: December 2022

This work reports the interesting and unique cation‐exchange behaviors of the first indium‐bridged purely inorganic 3D framework based on high‐nuclearity polyoxoniobates as building units. Each nanoscale polyoxoniobate features a fascinating near‐icosahedral core–shell structure with six pairs of unique inorganic “molecular tweezers” that have changeable openings for binding different metal cations via ion‐exchanges and exhibit unusual selective metal‐uptake behaviors. Further, the material has high chemical stability so that can undergo single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal metal‐exchange processes to produce a dozen new crystals with high crystallinity. Based on these crystals and time‐dependent metal‐exchange experiments, we can visually reveal the detailed metal‐exchange interactions and mechanisms of the material at the atomic precision level. This work demonstrates a rare systematic and atomic‐level study on the ion‐exchange properties of nanoclusters, which is of significance for the exploration of cluster‐based ion‐exchange materials that are still to be developed.
A report on learning gains and student confidence after incorporating an enzyme purification and characterization course‐based undergraduate experience
Authors: Jones Eric , Glanz Hunter , Wilkinson Steven , Fogle Emily
Published: December 2022

Course‐based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) can provide undergraduate students access to research opportunities when student and faculty resources are limited. In addition to expanding research opportunities, CUREs may also be explored as a pedagogical tool for improving student learning of course content and laboratory skills, as well as improving meta‐cognitive features such as confidence. We examined how a 6‐week CURE in an upper‐level undergraduate biochemistry lab affected student gains in content knowledge and confidence in scientific abilities, compared to a non‐CURE section of the same course. We find that gains in content knowledge were similar between CURE and non‐CURE sections, indicating the CURE does not negatively impact student learning. The CURE was associated with a statistically significant gain in student confidence, compared to non‐CURE group. These results show that even a relatively short CURE can be effective in improving student confidence at scientific research skills, in addition to expanding access to research.
Myxococcus xanthus as Host for the Production of Benzoxazoles
Authors: Winand Lea , Lernoud Lucia , Meyners Saskia Anna , Kuhr Katharina , Hiller Wolf , Nett Markus
Published: December 2022

Benzoxazoles are important structural motifs in pharmaceutical drugs. Here, we present the heterologous production of 3‐hydroxyanthranilate‐derived benzoxazoles in the host bacterium Myxococcus xanthus following the expression of two genes from the nataxazole biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces sp. Tü 6176. The M. xanthus expression strain achieved a benzoxazole titer of 114.6±7.4 mg L−1 upon precursor supplementation, which is superior to other bacterial production systems. Crosstalk between the heterologously expressed benzoxazole pathway and the endogenous myxochelin pathway led to the combinatorial biosynthesis of benzoxazoles featuring a 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3‐DHBA) building block. Subsequent in vitro studies confirmed that this crosstalk is not only due to the availability of 2,3‐DHBA in M. xanthus, rather, it is promoted by the adenylating enzyme MxcE from the myxochelin pathway, which contributes to the activation of aryl carboxylic acids and delivers them to benzoxazole biosynthesis.
Bulk preparation of free‐standing single‐iron‐atom catalysts directly as the air electrodes for high‐performance zinc‐air batteries
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Bo , Meng Yu , Zhong Hong , Zhang Lili , Ding Shichao , Fang Lingzhe , Li Tao , Mei Yi , Hou Peng‐Xiang , Liu Chang , Beckman Scott P. , Lin Yuehe , Cheng Hui‐Ming , Li Jin‐Cheng
Published: December 2022

The keen interest in fuel cells and metal‐air batteries stimulates a great deal of research on the development of a cost‐efficient and high‐performance catalyst as an alternative to traditional Pt to boost the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode. Herein, we report a facile and scalable strategy for the large‐scale preparation of a free‐standing and flexible porous atomically dispersed Fe–N‐doped carbon microtube (FeSAC/PCMT) sponge. Benefiting from its unique structure that greatly facilitates the catalytic kinetics, mass transport, and electron transfer, our FeSAC/PCMT electrode exhibits excellent performance with an ORR potential of 0.942 V at −3 mA cm−2. When the FeSAC/PCMT sponge was directly used as an oxygen electrode for liquid‐state and flexible solid‐state zinc‐air batteries, high peak power densities of 183.1 and 58.0 mW cm−2 were respectively achieved, better than its powdery counterpart and commercial Pt/C catalyst. Experimental and theoretical investigation results demonstrate that such ultrahigh ORR performance can be attributed to atomically dispersed Fe–N5 species in FeSAC/PCMT. This study presents a cost‐effective and scalable strategy for the fabrication of highly efficient and flexible oxygen electrodes, provides a significant new insight into the catalytic mechanisms, and helps to realize significant advances in energy devices.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Hyper‐Cross‐Linked Polymers Toward Amines Oxidation Coupled with H2O2 Generation through Extending Monomer's Conjugation Degree
Authors: Nie Xinhao , Zhao Ying , Gao Wei , Liu Weihua , Cheng Xiang , Gao Yongjun , Shang Ningzhao , Gao Shutao , Wang Chun
Published: December 2022

Visible‐light‐driven amines oxidation coupled with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation is a promising way to convert solar energy to chemical energy. Herein, a series of hyper‐cross‐linked polymers (HCPs) photocatalysts with different arenes monomers, including benzene (BE), diphenyl (DP), p‐terphenyl (TP), or p‐quaterphenyl (QP), were synthesized by simple Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction. Owing to the maximum monomer's conjunction degree and excellent oxygen (O2) adsorption capacity, QP‐HCPs exhibited highest photocatalytic activity for benzylamine oxidation coupled with H2O2 generation under the irradiation of 455 nm Blue LED lamp. More than 99 % of benzylamine could be converted to N‐benzylidenebenzylamine within 60 min. In addition, nearly stoichiometric H2O2 was synchronously obtained with a high production rate of 9.3 mmol gcat−1 h−1. Our work not only demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity of HCPs photocatalysts significantly depends on monomer's conjunction degree, but also provided a new strategy for converting solar energy to chemical energy.
Robuste Problemlöser
Authors: Homburg Claudia
Published: December 2022

In Minen geht man nicht gerade zimperlich mit Messgeräten um. Die Messorte liegen oft weit unter der Erdoberfläche ‐ zudem führen Staub, Geröll und Lärm jede Füllstandmessung an ihre Grenzen. Dennoch behaupten sich Radarmessgeräte von Vega in diesem schwierigen Umfeld, wie zwei Beispiele aus Südafrika zeigen.
Novel EGFR‐MAPK kinase and ABC transporter inhibitors for HepG2 resistant to Erlotinib
Authors: Ostlund Trevor , SutraDhar Kakan , Elgazwi Sara M. , Mahnashi Mater , Kyeremateng Jennifer , Iram Surtaj , Halaweish Fathi
Published: December 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third‐leading cause of cancer death in the world, with outlook for most patients having a 5‐year survivability of less than 5%. In a previous study from our laboratory, novel estrone inspired analogs act as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in HepG2 cells. This study focuses on the effect of these analogs on an HCC cell line resistance to Erlotinib. Lead compounds MMA132 and MMA102 showed 13 and 20 µM IC50 values, respectively against HepG2‐R resistant to Erlotinib. These compounds showed cell cycle arrest of the G2 phase up to 54%, and inhibited cell migration of HepG2‐R cells up to 48 h. Western blot analysis revealed that MMA132 reduced total EGFR content after 48 h, while MMA102 inhibited MEK kinase by 84% after 48 h. Western blot analysis also revealed that multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) is overexpressed in HepG2‐R, suggesting that ABC transporters play a likely cause in drug resistance. MMA102 showed significant inhibition of both P‐glycoprotein (83%) and ABCG2 (53%), two additional ABC transporters. Additionally, MMA102 and MMA132 were used in a combination therapy with MK571(MRP1/2 inhibitor) and produced IC50 values of 18 and 10 µM, respectively, better than either MMA102/132 or MK571 alone. To validate our findings, we conducted molecular dynamic simulations with MMA102 and MMA132 in MEK, P‐glycoprotein, MRP1, and MRP2. Results coincided with biological findings in which MMA102 orientation is favored in both MEK and P‐glycoprotein pockets, whereas MMA132 likely binds with MRP2, as likely suggested by the combinatorial study.
Environmental niche overlap in sibling planktonic species Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis in Arctic fjords
Authors: Weydmann‐Zwolicka Agata , Cottier Finlo , Berge Jørgen , Majaneva Sanna , Kukliński Piotr , Zwolicki Adrian
Published: December 2022

Knowledge of environmental preferences of the key planktonic species, such as Calanus copepods in the Arctic, is crucial to understand ecosystem function and its future under climate change. Here, we assessed the environmental conditions influencing the development stages of Atlantic Calanus finmarchicus and Arctic Calanus glacialis, and we quantified the extent to which their niches overlap by incorporating multiple environmental data. We based our analysis on a 3‐year seasonal collection of zooplankton by sediment traps, located on moorings in two contrasting Svalbard fjords: the Arctic Rijpfjorden and the Atlantic‐influenced Kongsfjorden. Despite large differences in water temperature between the fjords, local realized ecological niches of the sibling Calanus species overlapped almost perfectly. The exception was the earliest copepodites of C. glacialis in Rijpfjorden, which probably utilized the local ice algal bloom in spring. However, during periods with no sea ice, like in Kongsfjorden, the siblings of both Calanus species showed high synchronization in the population structure. Interestingly, differences in temperature preferences of C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis were much higher between the studied fjords than between the species. Our analysis confirmed the high plasticity of Calanus copepods and their abilities to adapt to highly variable environmental settings, not only on an interannual basis but also in a climate warming context, indicating some resilience in the Calanus community.
Real‐life research projects improve student engagement and provide reliable data for academics
Authors: Marley Sarah A. , Siani Alessandro , Sims Stuart
Published: December 2022

Student engagement can have a positive influence on student success. Many methods exist for fostering engagement but tend to be generic and require tailoring to specific contexts, subjects, and students. In the case of undergraduate science students, practical classes are a popular tool for increasing engagement. However, despite strong potential for improvement via links with “real life” research projects (RLRPs), few academic staff incorporate research participation with teaching activities. This is potentially due to poor time availability and low opinions of students' ability to collect reliable data. This study aims to examine whether involvement with RLRPs can generate reliable scientific data and also act as a motivational tool for engaging tertiary science students. A preexisting core activity for first‐year biology and marine biology students was modified to include a short RLRP component. Student‐based data collection and a questionnaire about experiences were used to examine the reliability of student‐collected data and student perceptions of RLRPs. Results indicated that error rate in student‐collected data was minimal. Irrespective of participating in a “normal” practical class or a class with a RLRP component, students collected equally accurate data. However, when the topic aligned specifically with their degree subject, student accuracy was higher. All students surveyed reported high motivation with the idea of RLRP participation, placing high importance on this from an educational and employability perspective. Yet, students were not confident about participating in RLRPs until they had engaged with one, suggesting that introducing such projects into taught sessions early‐on may encourage students to seek further opportunities in the future. In conclusion, incorporating RLRPs into the curriculum of undergraduate science courses has considerable potential benefits for both students and academic staff.
The role of genomic signatures of directional selection and demographic history in the population structure of a marine teleost with high gene flow
Authors: Weist Peggy , Jentoft Sissel , Tørresen Ole K. , Schade Franziska M. , Pampoulie Christophe , Krumme Uwe , Hanel Reinhold
Published: December 2022

Recent studies have uncovered patterns of genomic divergence in marine teleosts where panmixia due to high gene flow has been the general paradigm. These signatures of divergent selection are often impacted by structural variants, acting as “supergenes” facilitating local adaptation. The highly dispersing European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)—in which putative structural variants (i.e., inversions) have been identified—has successfully colonized the brackish water ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. Thus, the species represents an ideal opportunity to investigate how the interplay of gene flow, structural variants, natural selection, past demographic history, and gene flow impacts on population (sub)structuring in marine systems. Here, we report on the generation of an annotated draft plaice genome assembly in combination with population sequencing data—following the salinity gradient from the Baltic Sea into the North Sea together with samples from Icelandic waters—to illuminate genome‐wide patterns of divergence. Neutral markers pointed at large‐scale panmixia across the European continental shelf associated with high gene flow and a common postglacial colonization history of shelf populations. However, based on genome‐wide outlier loci, we uncovered signatures of population substructuring among the European continental shelf populations, i.e., suggesting signs of ongoing selection. Genome‐wide selection analyses (xp‐EHH) and the identification of genes within genomic regions of recent selective sweeps—overlapping with the outlier loci—suggest that these represent the signs of divergent selection. Our findings provide support for genomic divergence driven by local adaptation in the face of high gene flow and elucidate the relative importance of demographic history versus adaptive divergence in shaping the contemporary population genetic structure of a marine teleost. The role of the putative inversion(s) in the substructuring—and potentially ongoing adaptation—was seemingly not substantial.
Metal oxide semiconductors for gas sensing
Authors: Goel Neeraj , Kunal Kishor , Kushwaha Aditya , Kumar Mahesh
Published: December 2022

The usage of the gas sensor has been increasing very rapidly in the industry and in daily life for various potential applications. In the recent years, metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) become the primary choice for designing highly sensitive, stable, and low‐cost real‐life applications‐based gas sensors due to their inherent physical and chemical properties. Researchers have proposed numerous sensing mechanisms to explain the functionality of MOS‐based gas sensors. In this review, we have comprehensively covered different sensing mechanisms used for MOS. We have also discussed different parameters affecting the sensitivity and selectivity of the gas sensors. Moreover, the different techniques used to enhance the gas sensing response of MOS‐based sensors are also extensively covered. And finally, we give our prospective on recent opportunities and challenges on the future applications of MOS‐based gas sensors.
Cognitive and clinical gender‐related differences among binge‐spectrum eating disorders: Analysis of therapy response predictors
Authors: Mallorquí‐Bagué Núria , Lozano‐Madrid María , Granero Roser , Mestre‐Bach Gemma , Vintró‐Alcaraz Cristina , Sánchez Isabel , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana , Fernández‐Aranda Fernando
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study assessed gender‐related differences in executive functions (decision‐making, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility), personality traits and psychopathological symptoms in binge‐spectrum eating disorders (EDs). Secondly, we aimed to separately explore the predictive value of gender and executive functions in treatment outcome.

Method

A battery of self‐reported and neurocognitive measures were answered by a sample of 85 patients (64 females) diagnosed with a binge‐spectrum ED (41 BN; 44 binge eating disorder).

Results

Data showed gender‐related differences in executive functioning, displaying women lower inhibitory control and lower cognitive flexibility than men. Regarding personality traits and psychopathology symptoms, women presented higher reward dependence and cooperativeness, as well as more drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, bulimia, and somatisation symptoms than men. Finally, worse executive functioning, particularly having lower ability in concept formation seems to predict worse treatment outcomes and dropout in these patients.

Conclusions

We described gender specific neuropsychological, personality and psychopathological impairments in patients with binge‐spectrum EDs. Moreover, difficulties in executive functioning might have an impact on treatment response, since patients with a lower ability in concept formation are less likely to benefit from treatment. The present results can help improving current treatment approaches by tackling gender and individual differences.
Efficient identification of trait‐associated loss‐of‐function variants in the UK Biobank cohort by exome‐sequencing based genotype imputation
Authors: Yu Wen‐Yuan , Yan Shan‐Shan , Zhang Shu‐Han , Ni Jing‐Jing , Bin‐Li  , Pei Yu‐Fang , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2022

The large‐scale open access whole‐exome sequencing (WES) data of the UK Biobank ~200,000 participants is accelerating a new wave of genetic association studies aiming to identify rare and functional loss‐of‐function (LoF) variants associated with complex traits and diseases. We proposed to merge the WES genotypes and the genome‐wide genotyping (GWAS) genotypes of 167,000 UKB homogeneous European participants into a combined reference panel, and then to impute 241,911 UKB homogeneous European participants who had the GWAS genotypes only. We then used the imputed data to replicate association identified in the discovery WES sample. The average imputation accuracy measure r2 is modest to high for LoF variants at all minor allele frequency intervals: 0.942 at MAF interval (0.01, 0.5), 0.807 at (1.0 × 10−3, 0.01), 0.805 at (1.0 × 10−4, 1.0 × 10−3), 0.664 at (1.0 × 10−5, 1.0 × 10−4) and 0.410 at (0, 1.0 × 10−5). As applications, we studied associations of LoF variants with estimated heel BMD and four lipid traits. In addition to replicating dozens of previously reported genes, we also identified three novel associations, two genes PLIN1 and ANGPTL3 for high‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol and one gene PDE3B for triglycerides. Our results highlighted the strength of WES based genotype imputation as well as provided useful imputed data within the UKB cohort.
Immunonutrition in major oncologic head and neck surgery: Analysis of complications, plasmatic equilibrium, and costs
Authors: Ascoli Alessandro , Missale Francesco , Giordano Giorgio‐Gregory , Vallin Alberto , Gradaschi Raffaella , Guiddo Erica , Schenone Guido , Sukkar Samir Giuseppe , Copello Francesco , Parrinello Giampiero , Iandelli Andrea , Peretti Giorgio , Marchi Filippo
Published: December 2022

Background

Malnutrition, in patients with solid tumors, is associated with a worse clinical outcome and about 40% of patients affected by head and neck cancers (HNC) are malnourished at the time of cancer diagnosis. We investigated the potential benefit of a standardized immunonutritional protocol (INP) to patients with HNC receiving major ablative surgery.

Methods

An observational study was conducted enrolling 199 patients: 50 treated with the INP and 149 with standard enteral nutrition. Complication rates, need for medications, and costs were considered as outcomes.

Results

INP played a protective role in development of major surgical complications (OR 0.23, p = 0.023), albumin administration (RR 0.38, p = 0.018), and antibiotic duration (p < 0.001) and is cost‐effective in patients with moderate or severe malnutrition (−6083€ and −11 988€, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study supports the utility of INP, and accurate nutritional screening can help to identify malnourished patients who would receive the most benefits from this protocol.
Bidirectional regulation by “star forces”: Ionotropic astrocyte's optical stimulation suppresses synaptic plasticity, metabotropic one strikes back
Authors: Maltsev Alexander , Roshchin Matvey , Bezprozvanny Ilya , Smirnov Ivan , Vlasova Olga , Balaban Pavel , Borodinova Anastasia
Published: December 2022

The role of astrocytes in modulating synaptic plasticity is an important question that until recently was not addressed due to limitations of previously existing technology. In the present study, we took an advantage of optogenetics to specifically activate astrocytes in hippocampal slices in order to study effects on synaptic function. Using the AAV‐based delivery strategy, we expressed the ionotropic channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2) or the metabotropic Gq‐coupled Opto‐a1AR opsins specifically in hippocampal astrocytes to compare different modalities of astrocyte activation. In electrophysiological experiments, we observed a depression of basal field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the CA1 hippocampal layer following light stimulation of astrocytic ChR2. The ChR2‐mediated depression increased under simultaneous light and electrical theta‐burst stimulation (TBS). Application of the type 2 purinergic receptor antagonist suramin prevented depression of basal synaptic transmission, and switched the ChR2‐dependent depression into potentiation. The GABAB receptor antagonist, phaclofen, did not prevent the depression of basal fEPSPs, but switched the ChR2‐dependent depression into potentiation comparable to the values for TBS in control slices. In contrast, light stimulation of Opto‐a1AR expressed in astrocytes led to an increase in basal fEPSPs, as well as a potentiation of synaptic responses to TBS significantly. A specific blocker of the Gq protein downstream target, the phospholipase C, U73122, completely prevented the effects of Opto‐a1AR stimulation on basal fEPSPs or Opto + TBS responses. To understand molecular basis for the observed effects, we performed an analysis of gene expression in these slices using quantitative PCR approach. We observed a significant upregulation of “immediate‐early” gene expression in hippocampal slices after light activation of Opto‐a1AR‐expressing astrocytes alone (cRel, Arc, Fos, JunB, and Egr1) or paired with TBS (cRel, Fos, and Egr1). Activation of ChR2‐expressing hippocampal astrocytes was insufficient to affect expression of these genes in our experimental conditions. Thus, we concluded that optostimulation of astrocytes with ChR2 and Opto‐a1AR optogenetic tools enables bidirectional modulation of synaptic plasticity and gene expression in hippocampus.
Vehicle destination prediction with spatial clustering and machine learning
Authors: Jiang Weiwei
Published: December 2022

The Internet of Vehicles is the next‐generation information and technology infrastructure for solving existing challenges. The ability to predict vehicle destinations is a prerequisite for providing more applications, for example, content caching and data dissemination. However, the data in a real‐world system could be limited. In this letter, the vehicle destination prediction problem with limited data is defined, and a general clustering‐then‐classification framework is further proposed as the solution. Based on a real‐world dataset, the experimental results show that the combination of the DBSCAN clustering algorithm and the XGBoost classifier outperforms the baselines.