bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Glacial summer paleohydrology across Central Europe
Authors: Prochnow Maximilian , Hepp Johannes , Strobel Paul , Zech Roland , Acharya Sudip , Szidat Sönke , Rius Damien , Millet Laurent , Glaser Bruno , Zech Michael
Published: December 2024

It is generally accepted that a weakening of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation caused the Younger Dryas cooling. Although the role of seasonality was emphasized previously, this aspect is rarely considered yet, and it remains elusive how this impacted hydroclimate during winters and summers across Central Europe. Here, we coupled biomarker-based δ18O and δ2H from Bergsee in southern Germany to reconstruct deuterium excess as a proxy for evaporation history from the Bølling-Allerød to the Preboreal. We compared this dataset with other biomarker isotope records in Central Europe. They are all lacking a strong isotopic depletion during the Younger Dryas, which is best explained by the summer sensitivity of the biomarker proxies: As Younger Dryas summers were relatively warm, there is an absence of the strong winter cooling signals recorded in annual water isotope records like Greenland or Lake Steißlingen. Lake evaporation at Bergsee together with other paleohydrological reconstructions draw a coherent picture of the Late Glacial hydroclimate, with strong evidence for warm and dry Younger Dryas summers. Rather than a southward shift of the Westerlies during winter, we suggest that a recently proposed feedback mechanism between North Atlantic sea ice extend, strong winter cooling and summer atmospheric blocking serves as a suitable explanation for summer dryness. Additional confidence to the robustness of these biomarker records is provided by the overall agreement of paleohydrological fluctuations during the Preboreal.
Solid Nanocarriers and Bioconjugation Strategies for Efficient In Vivo Drug Transport
Authors: Iqbal S. , Ilyas S. , Mathur S.
Published: December 2024

This chapter provides the current state of research in the development of solid nanocarriers and discusses their physiochemical properties in relation to their interaction with the biological environment. Many material parameters such as morphology, surface charge, and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of nanomaterials are crucial factors in having a deterministic influence on their affinity towards specific cellular or molecular markers. By engineering these characteristics, nanomaterials can be customized for precision drug delivery to diseased cells, increasing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects and more importantly reducing the systemic load. Moreover, the surface conjugation strategies, enabling the covalent attachment of various biomolecules (peptides, enzymes, proteins, small molecules, etc.), represent advancement against the conventional drug delivery and uptake models. Besides presenting an account of common bioconjugation strategies optimized for in vivo applications, the chapter also discusses stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, which are designed to respond to extrinsic triggers (pH fluctuations, temperature changes, etc.) in order to sense and respond to their target environment, enabling controlled and site-specific drug release crossing biological barriers and paving the way for precision in therapeutics.
Micellar Nanocarriers
Authors: García-Gallego S. , Ottaviani M.F.
Published: December 2024

Micelles are supramolecular assemblies of surfactant amphiphilic molecules dispersed in a liquid with multiple applications in drug delivery. This chapter presents traditional and new approaches to characterize micelle size and structure, drug/micelle interactions, and to evaluate drug loading and release. Results obtained by means of scattering, spectroscopic, rheological, microscopy-based, calorimetric, and other methods are presented. Systems from the simplest micelles to more advanced assemblies, with theranostic, targeting or stimuli-responsive properties, are discussed.
Understanding the GxP Requirements During Different Phases of Nanopharmaceutical Development
Authors: Capjak I. , Vrček I. Vinković
Published: December 2024

The development of nanopharmaceuticals is indicated by the evolution of new therapeutic principles and growing importance of the targeted therapy. During pre-clinical and clinical testing of nanopharmaceuticals, as well as during production, control, storage, and transport, is necessary to fulfill the requirements of good x practice (GxP). These requirements are part of the quality assurance (QA) system that ensures production of medicines with standardised quality, which makes them safe, effective and suitable for their clinical use according to current regulations.
Mechanistic investigation of light-driven catalysis for solar fuel formation
Authors: Natali Mirco , Sartorel Andrea
Published: December 2024

Solar energy conversion into chemical fuels currently represents a viable solution to the global energy issue. In this regard, water splitting with formation of dihydrogen as an energy carrier has been usually considered as a target reaction. Due to the mechanistic complexity associated with both the oxidation (oxygen evolving reaction, OER) and reduction (hydrogen evolving reaction, HER) half-reactions, the design of active catalysts and their efficient coupling with photoactive components appear as a major target. Optical spectroscopies turn out to be key tools to monitor the photoreaction dynamics and extract detailed kinetic data which can be profitably employed towards performance optimization of both catalytic routines. This chapter will describe the application of steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy to the investigation of the mechanistic aspects associated with both the OER and HER performed using molecular components both as light-harvesting and catalytic units. Through the case studies examined, we will give an overview of how these spectroscopic tools allow proper identification of the photoreaction mechanism, the rate and efficiency of each (photo)chemical step, the possible involvement of proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET) processes and the occurrence of detrimental side-reactions, thus defining precise guidelines towards improvement of solar fuel formation.
NMR Investigations of Host–Guest Interactions in MOFs and COFs
Authors: Chen Shoushun , Du Xin , Liu Yuzhen , Xu Jun , Han Xingbao , Lucier Bryan E. G. , Huang Yining
Published: December 2024

Host–guest interactions in porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) play a key role in enhancing the performance of these materials for practical applications; however, it is often very challenging to investigate these interactions at the molecular level. In recent years, many solid-state NMR (SSNMR) approaches, including in situ variable temperature (VT), 2D correlation, and pulsed field gradient (PFG) experiments, have offered unique insights into the local structure and dynamics of adsorbed guest molecules in MOFs and COFs. Recent SSNMR studies of MOFs and COFs containing guest molecules are summarized in this chapter. These reports encompass a variety of gaseous and liquid guests such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, water, and methanol. We also highlight studies involving larger guest molecules, drugs, and biomolecules. It is apparent that SSNMR spectroscopy can provide a wealth of data pertaining to host–guest interactions in these materials; the information available commonly includes the number and location of guest adsorption sites, guest binding strengths, guest dynamics and diffusion rates, and guest-induced structural changes in the host. The studies discussed in this chapter illustrate how SSNMR spectroscopy serves as a powerful tool to probe host–guest interactions in MOFs/COFs, especially given the variety of potential target nuclei and the numerous experimental strategies that are available.
A review on hydroxyapatite fabrication: from powders to additive manufactured scaffolds
Authors: Vijayan Ananthika , Vishnu Jithin , A Revathi , Shankar Balakrishnan , Sambhudevan Sreedha
Published: December 2024

This review summarizes the current research advancements in the field of hydroxyapatite fabrication with specific focus on 3D, 4D and 5D printing.
N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis: from fundamentals to frontiers
Authors: Chakraborty Sukriyo , Barik Soumen , Biju Akkattu T.
Published: December 2024

This tutorial review provides an overview of various important structural features and reactivity modes of NHCs and delves deep into the recent advances in NHC-organocatalysis.
Shape-responsive host–guest chemistry: metal-free tetracationic porphyrin nonplanarity promoted by clay mineral interactions assessed by theoretical simulations
Authors: Suarez Eduardo Diaz , Lima Filipe Camargo Dalmatti Alves , Gil Rebaza Arles V. , Constantino Vera Regina Leopoldo , Petrilli Helena Maria
Published: December 2024

Distortions in the porphyrin core from planarity can trigger a unique structure–property relationship, imparting its basicity, chemical stability, redox potential, and excited-state energetics, among other properties.
Phase homogeneity mediated charge-carrier balance in two-step-method halide perovskite photovoltaics
Authors: Qu Duo , Shang Chuanzhen , Yang Xiaoyu , Wang Chenyun , Zhou Bin , Qin Qichao , Gao Lei , Qiao Jingyuan , Guo Qiang , Yang Wenqiang , Wang Kai , Zhu Rui , Tu Yongguang , Huang Wei
Published: December 2024

Phase homogeneity mediated charge-carrier balance reveals the heterogeneity issue of two-step-method perovskite films.
Engineering the acoustic field with a Mie scatterer for microparticle patterning
Authors: Jiang Xingyu , Zhao Yunpeng , Shen Minjie , Zhou Xiao , Chen Bin , Drinkwater Bruce W. , Tian Liangfei
Published: December 2024

A Mie scatterer can operate as a passive acoustic emitter in water, enabling dynamic and versatile modulation of the acoustic field. It can engage with multiple acoustic waves, leading to the generation of a localized standing wave field.
An AIE active sulfonyldianiline derived Schiff base for the detection of folic acid, hemoglobin, and glucose
Authors: Patel Dhvani A. , Jali Bigyan R. , Sahoo Suban K.
Published: December 2024

A V-shaped AIEgen SDASA obtained by condensing 4,4′-sulfonyldianiline with salicylaldehyde was employed to detect folic acid. The in situ generated SDASA–Zn2+ complex was used for the fluorescent turn-off detection of hemoglobin and glucose.
Nanophotonic structures energized short-wave infrared quantum dot photodetectors and their advancements in imaging and large-scale fabrication techniques
Authors: Wu Dan , Xu Genghao , Tan Jing , Wang Xiao , Zhang Yilan , Ma Lei , Chen Wei , Wang Kai
Published: December 2024

The schematic includes nanophotonic structures energized short-wave infrared quantum dot photodetectors and their advancements in imaging and large-scale fabrication techniques.
ESIPT fluorescence turn-on sensors for detection of short chain inorganic polyphosphate in water
Authors: Roy Subhra Kanti , Moser Sandra , Dürr-Mayer Tobias , Hinkelmann Rahel , Jessen Henning J.
Published: December 2024

We introduce two water-soluble excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) based fluorescent turn-on probes responding to inorganic polyphosphates.
An ingenious double-modified strategy to prepare a “hexagonal warrior” separator for lithium metal batteries
Authors: Sun Shitong , Jin Bo , Liu Hui , Jiang Qing
Published: December 2024

CoMo-LDH and MS CN are integrated skillfully by an electrostatic assembly. The double-modified PP separator facilitated uniform Li+ transport and mitigated the volume expansion during Li plating/stripping processes.
Interplay between A-site and oxygen-vacancy ordering, and mixed electron/oxide-ion conductivity in n = 1 Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite Sr2Nd2Zn2O7
Authors: Li Danhe , Lu Guangxiang , Cheng Zien , Avdeev Maxim , Xu Jungu , Zhou Zhengyang , Cong Rihong , Yang Tao , Jiang Pengfei
Published: December 2024

The A-site and oxygen-vacancy ordering in Sr2Nd2Zn2O7 are inextricably linked, disrupting one would thus destroy the other. This compound is a mixed oxide ionic and electronic conductor, exhibiting dominant ionic conduction at elevated temperatures.
570 nm/770 nm light-excited deep-red fluorescence switch based on dithienylethene derived from BF2-curcuminoid
Authors: Li Ziyong , Ma Xiaoxie , Song Jinzhao , Wang Qilian , Feng Yongliang , Liu Haining , Zhang Pei , Guo Hui , Yin Jun
Published: December 2024

A novel DTE derivative (NBDC) has been developed and presents unprecedented 570 nm/770 nm light-driven photochromism, dual-mode deep-red fluorescence and TADF switching performance, as well as acid/base-gated photochromism.
Correction: Enhanced catalytic activity of solubilised species obtained by counter-cation exchange of K{CoII1.5[FeII(CN)6]} for water oxidation
Authors: Seki Yusuke , Nakazono Takashi , Tabe Hiroyasu , Yamada Yusuke
Published: December 2024

Correction for ‘Enhanced catalytic activity of solubilised species obtained by counter-cation exchange of K{CoII1.5[FeII(CN)6]} for water oxidation’ by Yusuke Seki et al., Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 16760–16767, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04390A.
Revolutionizing energy: converting CO2 into methanol using flue gases from natural gas combined cycle power plants
Authors: Al-Elanjawy Yasser Abbas Hammady , Yilmaz Mustafa
Published: December 2024

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies are crucial for reducing CO2 emissions from power plants and promoting environmental sustainability.
Repurposing e-waste cathodes as catalysts for CO2 reduction via the reverse water-gas shift reaction
Authors: Zhou Zhihao , Duan Siyuan , Nie Guangze , Sun Zhenkun , Duan Lunbo
Published: December 2024

This study repurposes e-waste retired ternary lithium-ion battery cathodes as catalysts for CO2 reduction to CO via the reverse water–gas shift reaction.
Hydrogen-bonded multi-mode liquid crystal elastomer actuators
Authors: Nasare Roshan , Guo Hongshuang , Priimagi Arri
Published: December 2024

We present multi-mode, supramolecular liquid crystal elastomer actuator that integrates shape memory programming, humidity sensitivity, and photochemical actuation, depending on the pre-activation conditions.
Charge transport of silicon(iv) and zinc(ii) phthalocyanines by molecular junction models
Authors: Zambrano-Angulo Michael , Cárdenas-Jirón Gloria
Published: December 2024

The band gap energy of metal phthalocyanine-TiO2 decreased compared to TiO2. Current values for silicon phthalocyanines reached up to 0.23 μA.
Abnormal electronic transport properties with Hall effect, magneto-resistivity, and phase diagram in CaFeAsF single crystals
Authors: Pan Yongqiang , Zhou Nan , Zhou Wei , Wang Tianyang , Hou Qiang , Lv Run , Cheng Ming , Lan Ruihuan , Deng Yifan , Zhao Yu , Liu Lanxin , Song Wenhai , Sun Yue , Shi Zhixiang , Lu Wenjian , Luo Xuan , Sun Yuping
Published: December 2024

An iron-based superconductor 1111-system exhibits rich physical properties, which can provide a very good material platform for the study of superconducting properties.
Analysis of excessive sheath currents in multiple cable circuits bonded to the same grounding grid
Authors: Li Gen , Zhou Wenjun , Zhou Chengke , Wang Hang , Pan Chen
Published: December 2024

In urban power networks, a common practice is to bond numerous high‐voltage cable circuits to a single grounding grid located in underground tunnels, primarily for reasons of installation convenience. In these situations, excessively high levels of sheath currents were often detected during routine inspections, but no electrical faults were found to be responsible. Previous publications ignored the currents flowing through the shared grounding points into the closed sheath loops of different circuits. In this paper, a mathematical model is established for the current circulating among sheath loops of different circuits, and the factors influencing the circulating current were analysed. The abnormal excessive sheath current is demonstrated to be an increase in the circulating current due to the combined effect of electromagnetic coupling and the shared grounding grid. The circulating current depends on the induced voltages which, in turn, depends on the cable layouts and load currents. The effects of these factors are evaluated in various scenarios. The increase of the circulating current is verified in a field case where four electrically healthy cable circuits sharing the same grounding points were found to have abnormal excessive sheath currents.
A five‐level nested neutral point‐clamped inverter topology
Authors: Obe Desmond O. , Obe Chinedu T. , Odeh Charles I. , Obe Emeka S.
Published: December 2024

Classical five‐level nested neutral point‐clamped (5L NNPC) inverter‐leg is a hybrid of the flying‐capacitor and diode‐clamped 5‐L inverter‐leg configurations. Though uniform reduced voltage stress on the constituting switches is evident in 5L NNPC inverter‐leg, trails of the drawbacks of diode‐clamping concept still exist. Compared with the classical 5L NNPC inverter, the state‐of‐the‐art diode‐free 5L NNPC inverter involves no passive power switches and has low conduction losses. However, in this 5L NNPC inverter, two of the eight active switches have blocking voltage rating of 1/2 of the input voltage. Considering this limiting topological feature, an inverter‐leg for 5L NNPC inverter is presented in this paper. In the proposed 5L NNPC inverter‐leg, only one switch has voltage stress of 1/2 of the input voltage. This reduced voltage stress has inverter cost and loss implications. The performances and competitiveness of the 5L NNPC inverter were analysed in detail and demonstrated with a prototype. The blocking voltages of all the constituting power switches; profiles of the flying‐capacitor voltages; and FFT spectrum of line voltage waveform were experimentally obtained. Experimental deactivation and activation of the inverter's capacitor voltages balancing scheme were typified for varying modulation index values.
Identification of ram pressure stripping features in galaxies using citizen science
Authors: Crossett Jacob P. , Jaffé Yara L. , McGee Sean L. , Smith Rory , Bellhouse Callum , Bettoni Daniela , Vulcani Benedetta , Kelkar Kshitija , Lourenço Ana C. C.
Published: December 2024

Context. Ram pressure stripped galaxies are rare cases of environmental evolution in action. However, our ability to understand these transforming galaxies is limited by the small number of identified galaxies experiencing ram pressure stripping (RPS).

Aims. Our aim is to explore the efficacy of citizen science classifications in identifying ram pressure stripped galaxies, and use this to aid in motivating new potential samples of ram pressure stripped candidates.

Methods. We compiled a sample of over 200 known ram pressure stripped galaxies from the existing literature, with morphological classifications obtained from Galaxy Zoo. We compared these galaxies with magnitude and redshift-matched comparison cluster and field galaxies. Additionally, we created a sample of SDSS cluster galaxies, with morphological classifications similar to known ram pressure stripped galaxies, and compared the fraction of potential new RPS candidates against control samples.

Results. We find that ram pressure stripped galaxies exhibit a higher proportion of ‘odd’ and ‘irregular’ morphological classifications compared to field and cluster comparison samples. This trend is particularly pronounced in galaxies displaying strong optical ram pressure stripping features, but absent from galaxies with only radio tails. We find that SDSS galaxies with Galaxy Zoo classifications consistent with the known RPS galaxies have a higher fraction of visible ram pressure stripping features (19%) compared with other cluster galaxies (12%) when classified by experts. We identify 101 new ram pressure stripping candidate galaxies through these expert classifications.

Conclusions. We demonstrate that indirect morphological classifications from citizen science projects can increase the efficiency with which new stripping candidates are found. Projects such as Galaxy Zoo can aid in the identification of ram pressure stripped galaxies that are key to understanding galaxy evolution in clusters.
Overdensity of Lyman-break galaxy candidates around hot-dust-obscured galaxies
Authors: Zewdie Dejene , Assef Roberto J. , Lambert Trystan , Mazzucchelli Chiara , Ilani Loubser S. , Aravena Manuel , González-López Jorge , Jun Hyunsung D. , Tsai Chao-Wei , Stern Daniel , Li Guodong , Fernández Aranda Román , Díaz-Santos Tanio , Eisenhardt Peter R. M. , Vayner Andrey , Martin Lee R. , Blain Andrew W. , Wu Jingwen
Published: December 2024

Hot dust-obscured galaxies (hot DOGs) are a family of hyper-luminous, heavily obscured quasars. A number of studies based on the identification of companions at optical to far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths have shown that these objects reside in significantly overdense regions of the Universe. Here we present further characterisation of their environments by studying the surface density of Lyman break galaxy (LBG) candidates in the vicinity of three hot DOGs. For two of them, WISE J041010.60–091305.2 (W0410–0913) at z = 3.631 and WISE J083153.25+014010.8 (W0831+0140) at z = 3.912, we identify the candidate LBG companions using deep observations obtained with Baade/IMACS. For the third, WISE J224607.56–052634.9 (W2246–0526) at z = 4.601, we reanalyse previously published data obtained with Gemini-S/GMOS-S. We optimise the LBG photometric selection criteria at the redshift of each target using the COSMOS2020 catalog. When comparing the density of LBG candidates found in the vicinity of these hot DOGs with that in the COSMOS2020 catalog, we find overdensities of δ = 1.83 ± 0.08 (δ′ = 7.49 ± 0.68), δ = 4.67 ± 0.21 (δ′ = 29.17 ± 2.21), and δ = 2.36 ± 0.25 (δ′ = 11.60 ± 1.96) around W0410–0913, W0831+0140, and W2246–0526, respectively, without (with) contamination correction. Additionally, we find that the overdensities are centrally concentrated around each hot DOG. Our analysis also reveals that the overdensity of the fields surrounding W0410–0913 and W0831+0140 declines steeply beyond physical scales of ∼2 Mpc. If these overdensities evolve into clusters by z = 0, the present results suggest that the hot DOG may correspond to the early formation stages of the brightest cluster galaxy. We were unable to determine whether or not this is also the case for W2246–0526 due to the smaller field of view (FOV) of the GMOS-S observations. Our results imply that hot DOGs may be excellent tracers of protoclusters.
Novel position reconstruction methods for highly granular electromagnetic calorimeters
Authors: Madison Brendon , Wilson Graham
Published: December 2024

We present work on design and reconstruction methods for sampling electromagnetic calorimeters with emphasis on highly granular designs. We use the clustered logarithmically weighted center-of-gravity estimator (lwk-means) for initial benchmarking of position resolution. We find that the θ and φ resolution for high energy photons in Si-W designs improves when increasing both sampling frequency and sampling thickness. Augmenting only one is found to have mixed results. We find that lwk-means is unable to effectively use calorimeter transverse cell sizes smaller than 2 mm. New reconstruction methods for highly granular designs are developed. We find that methods that only measure the initial particle shower and disregard the remaining shower can take advantage of cell sizes down to at least 10 µm, significantly outperforming the benchmark method. Of these, the best method and design is the initial particle shower “single hit” method using the calorimeter design with the highest sampling frequency and sampling fraction.
Evaluation of Reproducibility of Measurements of Peripapillary Blood Flow with Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in Healthy and POAG Subjects
Authors: von Vopelius-Feldt Alexander , Hamann Timothy , Mayr Andreas , Töteberg-Harms Marc
Published: December 2024

Background Peripapillary blood flow is of diagnostic value in glaucoma.

Material and Methods We investigated the reproducibility of peripapillary blood flow measurements in healthy individuals and in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients with the Nidek laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG)-NAVI system. Blood flow was calculated as the mean of vascular area (MV), mean of tissue area (MT), and mean of overall flow (MA). Intra-rater, inter-session, and inter-rater reproducibility were assessed by determining the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variance (COV).

Results There were 28 healthy subjects and 16 patients with OAG who participated in this prospective single-center trial. ICC and COV of intra-rater reproducibility were assessed in MV as 0.901; 6.424, MT as 0.909; 4.025, and MA as 0.965; 4.168. Inter-session reproducibility yielded ICC and COV values of MV (0.834; 9.223), MT (0.904; 6.215), MA (0.909; 7.069). Inter-rater reproducibility was computed for MV as 0.78; 9.758, MT as 0.890; 7.210, and MA as 0.888; 6.942. There was a significant difference in MA (p = 0.0184) between the healthy individuals (mean 36.299) and the OAG group (mean 24.944), which was not observed for MV (p = 0.0735) or MT (p = 0.1351).

Conclusion High reproducibility of measurements of peripapillary blood flow with the LSFG system was demonstrated in both groups. There is a difference in peripapillary blood flow between healthy controls and OAG patients.
Palladium-Catalyzed Ortho-Alkylation of Iodoarenes Enabled by a Cooperative Cycloolefin Ligand and a Bulky Trialkylphosphine
Authors: Wang Xiao-XIa , Jiao Lei
Published: December 2024

We recently achieved ortho-alkylation of iodoarenes utilizing a dual-ligand catalytic system that effectively combines palladium/olefin ligand cooperative catalysis with reversible C(sp²)−I reductive elimination enabled by a bulky trialkylphosphine ligand. Through careful mechanistic investigations, we confirmed the compatibility of the crucial steps involved in this process by isolating key organometallic intermediates and studying their stoichiometry transformations. Utilizing this protocol, we successfully achieved the ortho-alkylation of a variety of iodoarene substrates, thereby expanding the scope of applications for Catellani-type reactions. This study showcases the synthetic potential of the Pd/olefin ligand cooperative system as an innovative complement to established Pd/NBE catalysis. In this Synpacts article, we present the conceptual framework underpinning this reaction and detail the key aspects of its development. 1Introduction 2Research Background 2.1The Catellani Reaction: Pd/Norbornene Catalysis 2.2Cooperative Cycloolefin Ligands for the Catellani-Type Reactions 2.3C-X Reductive Elimination on Pd Center 3Development of the Reaction 3.1Proof-of-Concept by Stoichiometric Reactions 3.2Substrate Scope and Synthetic Applications 4Conclusion
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: On the Brink of a New Treatment Era?
Authors: Cerrone Antonio , Buscarini Elisabetta , Berté Roberto , Alicante Saverio , Bertolazzi Stefania , Moreschi Olivia , Griffanti Paola , Manfredi Guido
Published: December 2024

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an inherited vascular disorder with highly variable penetrance, affecting up to 1 in 5,000 individuals. It is characterized by the presence of abnormal blood vessels that can lead to excessive bleeding—most frequently recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis), skin and mucosal telangiectasias (small, dilated blood vessels), as well as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that can form in various organs, particularly the lungs, liver, and brain. HHT is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BMP9–10/ENG/ALK1/SMAD4 signaling pathway, an important mediator of vascular quiescence. HHT possesses significant challenges for affected individuals, as the complications can range from mild to life-threatening events, depending on the severity and location of the vascular abnormalities. Despite this bleeding disorder being not uncommon, nowadays no specific treatment is as yet available for HHT and most current therapies include repurposed drugs. The aim of this review was to show therapeutic advances on the basis of recent promising clinical trials for HHT.
A Comparative Study of Cancer and Blood Sugar Levels Among Adults as Per NFHS- 4 and NFHS- 5 Surveys in India
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Kumar Ranjeet , Garg Sonakshi , Kumar Hardik , Kumar Dharmendra
Published: December 2024

The comparison between the current state of these lifestyle disorders and the prevalence of adult lifestyle diseases including diabetes and cancer in India, as reported by NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. Cancer is still the second greatest cause of death worldwide, despite recent advancements in technology and medicine. Northeast India has a greater cancer burden than the rest of the nation, according to a 2020 study released by the Indian National Cancer Registry. In India, an estimated 77 million individuals had diabetes in 2019, and by 2045, that number is expected to rise to over 134 million Program. In accordance with the 2020 WHO study, India had a 30% higher number of cancer-related fatalities (850,000 versus 610,000 deaths) while only reporting 1.32 million new instances of the disease, compared with 2.28 million in the United States of America. In the globe, cancer of the breast is among the most common carcinomas in women to be diagnosed, and it also ranks top in terms of cancer-related deaths. Around the world, the prevalence of cancer of the breast is steadily rising. The primary focus of this study is the high incidence of lifestyle illnesses in the adult Indian population, as measured by NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, including diabetes and cancer. Based on data from the NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 Survey, we discovered that there are growing trends in the percentage of mouth cancer among males (both urban and rural), whereas there are declining trends in the percentage of cervical, oral, and breast cancer in the case of women.
Size-Up, Size-Down: Accuracy of Component Sizing with Computerized Tomography and Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Henry James P. , Paradis Brienne , Qilleri Aleksandra , Baichoo Nadia , Reinhardt Keith R. , Slover James D. , Danoff Jonathan R. , Germano James A.
Published: December 2024

Templating prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can help to improve surgical efficiency and potentially improve alignment and outcomes. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the ability of computed tomography (CT)-based preoperative templating to accurately predict implant sizes. A total of 724 Stryker MAKO robotic-assisted TKA cases were retrospectively evaluated from a prospectively collected database between January 2020 and October 2023. Cases were performed by one of three adult reconstruction fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons from a health system that includes an academic level one trauma center, an ambulatory surgery center, and a community hospital. Out of the 724 cases, 391 were preoperatively templated independently by the surgeon and the company representative (MAKO Product Specialist [MPS]). The remaining 333 cases were only templated prior to incision by the MPS. Final implant sizes of the tibial and femoral components were compared to preoperative templates. The MPS was able to preoperatively predict the final tibial and femoral implants within one size in 97.2 and 97.8% of cases, respectively. A surgeon and MPS combined preoperative templating increased accuracy to predict the final tibial and femoral implants within one size in 98.9 and 99.5% of cases, respectively. Height and weight were positively correlated with the final implant size (p < 0.001). Non-surgeons can reliably predict implanted components in CT-based preoperative templating in the majority of cases, which is further enhanced by surgeon review and adjustments. In no cases in our series were the final size components implanted greater than two sizes larger or smaller. Our findings suggest that there is opportunity to avoid waste by processing fewer trial implants and transporting fewer components. This would likely decrease overall case cost and improve efficiency in the operating room. Level of evidence: III (retrospective cohort).
Studying evaporating black hole using quantum computation algorithms on IBM quantum processor
Authors: Dhaulakhandi Ritu , Das Raikhik , Behera Bikash K. , Seo Felix J.
Published: December 2024

Analyzing complex quantum systems using quantum computational algorithms is one of the most promising applications of quantum computers. This study focuses on evaluating the performance of a custom variational ansatz in the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm compared to predefined ansatzes. To achieve this, we employ the evaporating black hole model as a test bed for our analysis. Using the VQE approach, which integrates quantum and classical computing techniques, we aim to minimize the energy expectation value of the Hamiltonian. By training the circuit parameters of a trial wave function as a parameterized quantum circuit, we determine the upper bound for the ground state energy and assess the optimal variational form. We define a custom ansatz for the VQE protocol and compare its performance with other predefined ansatzes. Additionally, we test the performance of three different classical optimizers to further understand their impact on the VQE algorithm’s efficiency and accuracy.
Dependencies between effective parameters in coarse-grained models for phase separation of DNA-based fluids
Authors: Karmakar Soumen De , Speck Thomas
Published: December 2024

DNA is now firmly established as a versatile and robust platform for achieving synthetic nanostructures. While the folding of single molecules into complex structures is routinely achieved through engineering basepair sequences, very little is known about the emergence of structure on larger scales in DNA fluids. The fact that polymeric DNA fluids can undergo phase separation into dense fluid and dilute gas opens avenues to design hierachical and multifarious assemblies. Here, we investigate to which extent the phase behavior of single-stranded DNA fluids can be captured by a minimal model of semiflexible charged homopolymers while neglecting specific hybridization interactions. We first characterize the single-polymer behavior and then perform direct coexistence simulations to test the model against experimental data. While low-resolution models show great promise to bridge the gap to relevant length and time scales, obtaining consistent and transferable parameters is challenging. In particular, we conclude that counterions not only determine the effective range of direct electrostatic interactions but also contribute to the effective attractions.
Fast segment anything model applied in a low-cost camera-based system for oyster growth monitoring
Authors: Batista Vinícius , Biazi Vitorino , Rodrigues Andreia C. M. , Soares Amadeu M. V. M. , Marques Carlos
Published: December 2024

The increase in the global population has been accompanied by an increase in demand for animal protein, consequently driving the growth of the aquaculture sector as a sustainable solution to satisfy this demand. Observing the growth of animals in farm environments is vital to assess the efficiency of feeding methods, identify health problems or environmental stressors, and help implement sustainable practices. The application of cameras enables remote monitoring of various environments and activities in real time, providing quick insights, improving security measures, and facilitating decision-making based on the collected data. This paper proposes a low-cost camera system and an image processing-based strategy to monitor and measure the size of Pacific oysters inside a tank. The fast segment anything model algorithm is implemented in the Python programming language to perform image segmentation and generate object masks for subsequent processing. The size of oysters is obtained by measuring the distance between the parallel lines of the bounding box that is generated surrounding them. The largest absolute errors and relative errors for the estimates were 3 mm and 5.13%, respectively, when compared to measurements made manually. Furthermore, the width and height have standard deviations of 0.6 and 0.3 mm, respectively, indicating low data dispersion and good repeatability of the algorithm. Since the accuracy of the human eye in estimating a dimension without the aid of a distance measuring instrument tends to be lower than that obtained by the proposed tool, it is believed that the approach can significantly contribute to the management of oyster farm production, providing strategic insights based on animal growth for producers.
Optical microscopy-based bridging method to quantify roughness-dependent adhesion of ZnS nanobelts on silicon substrates in air
Authors: Akhtar Noman , Song Xiaodong , Liu Ruizhe , Asif Muhammad , Mead James L. , Hou Lizhen , Wang Shiliang
Published: December 2024

Precisely quantifying the adhesion energy of delicate nanobelts on rough substrates remains challenging due to their disparate surface properties and nanoscale dimensions. To overcome these challenges, we propose an optical microscopy-based bridging method to quantify the adhesion energy of ZnS nanobelts on Si substrates in air. Our results revealed that the nanobelt–smooth substrate interfacial system exhibits an enhanced adhesion due to electrostatic interactions between the polar nanobelt surfaces and the polarized Si substrate. While, for the nanobelt–rough substrate system, adhesion energy values decreased from 0.23 to 0.10 J/m2, showing an inverse square root relationship with increasing roughness from 0.17 to 1.12 nm, deviating from the trend predicted by the parallel plate model, due to the real contact separation distance influenced by surface asperities and nanobelt–substrate conformity. Our method offers a simple and accurate approach for characterizing roughness-dependent adhesion of nanobelt–substrate systems in air, providing valuable insights for device fabrication and performance stability.
Elastic properties of rock salt ScN thin films investigated by laser ultrasound
Authors: Pupyrev Pavel D. , Mihalic Saskia , Nair Akash , Straňák Patrik , Mayer Elena , Hörich Florian , Dadgar Armin , Strittmatter André , Ambacher Oliver , Mayer Andreas
Published: December 2024

Elastic moduli of scandium nitride (ScN) films are determined using a laser-based experimental method working with surface acoustic waves (SAWs). ScN, a semiconductor material with promising potential for various applications, crystallizes in the cubic rock salt (rs) structure. We investigate two samples of high-crystallinity ScN(111) films with thicknesses ∼200 and ∼300 nm, grown on Si(111) substrates by pulsed DC-magnetron co-sputtering and a sample with a fiber-textured ScN film (∼800 nm) on Si(001). From the shape evolution of laser-generated acoustic pulses, SAW dispersion curves were obtained in a frequency range of 50–500 MHz. In order to take advantage of the anisotropy of the film and substrate materials, measurements were performed for 10–15 SAW wavevector directions, which could be defined with a precision of 0.2°. Using perturbation theory with respect to the ratio of film thickness and SAW wavelength, two combinations of the three independent elastic constants of the high-crystallinity rs ScN films could be extracted from the measurement data. The surface roughness of the ScN films is accounted for with a simple model. Complete sets of the three elastic moduli were inferred in two different ways: (i) SAW dispersion data for the third sample were included in the extraction procedure; and (ii) the bulk modulus is set equal to a theoretical literature value. The extracted values for the three elastic constants are at variance with published theoretical results for single-crystal ScN. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.
Characteristics of surface signature generated by an underwater sphere with regular free surface waves
Authors: Lao Tietao , Yang Zixuan , Wang Zhiying , Wang Zhan
Published: December 2024

The characteristics of the wake generated by an underwater sphere in the presence of regular free surface waves are investigated. Based on the spectral wave explicit Navier–Stokes equations decomposition strategy, the incident waves are prescribed based on spectral wave models, and the wake characteristics generated by the underwater sphere are determined using a computational fluid dynamics solver. The effects of the wavelength of the surface waves and the Froude number on the wake characteristics are investigated. The results show that the existence of free surface waves can distort the wake patterns, causing them to shift from the classical V-shaped Kelvin wake to an Ω-shape. Analysis of the spectrum indicates that the distortion of wake patterns is mainly determined by the wave–wave interactions.
Numerical investigation of tip vortex cavitation noise with an emphasis on environmental nucleation effect
Authors: Yang Zhongpo , Wang Xincheng , Song Mingtai , Cheng Huaiyu , Ji Bin
Published: December 2024

The multiscale interactions between macroscale cavities and microscale nuclei influence the tip vortex cavitation (TVC) dynamics and its induced noise. To study the underlying mechanisms, we employ a two-way transition and coupling Euler–Lagrange model. Through acoustic analogy analysis, we identify the cavity volume fluctuations as the main vocal mechanism of cavitating tip vortex, highlighting two critical cavity dynamics, i.e., the breathing mode of surface waves and the cavity collapse of downstream end. Multiscale simulation results suggest that the merging of microscale bubbles into macroscale cavities can generate a more continuous tip vortex cavity and enlarge the cavity size. In addition, the high-frequency noise is significantly increased due to the nuclei injection, and the cavity collapse noise is reduced due to a more continuous cavity. Our investigation provides a foundation for understanding multiscale TVC dynamics and noise.
Fermionic mean-field theory as a tool for studying spin Hamiltonians
Authors: Henderson Thomas M. , Harrison Brent , Magoulas Ilias , Necaise Jason , Projansky Andrew M. , Evangelista Francesco A. , Whitfield James D. , Scuseria Gustavo E.
Published: December 2024

The Jordan–Wigner transformation permits one to convert spin 1/2 operators into spinless fermion ones, or vice versa. In some cases, it transforms an interacting spin Hamiltonian into a noninteracting fermionic one, which is exactly solved at the mean-field level. Even when the resulting fermionic Hamiltonian is interacting, its mean-field solution can provide surprisingly accurate energies and correlation functions. Jordan–Wigner is, however, only one possible means of interconverting spin and fermionic degrees of freedom. Here, we apply several such techniques to the XXZ and J1–J2 Heisenberg models, as well as to the pairing or reduced Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer Hamiltonian, with the aim of discovering which of these mappings is most useful in applying fermionic mean-field theory to the study of spin Hamiltonians.
A statistical-mechanical model for surface pressure in hypersonic flows
Authors: Liu Tianshu , Peng Haibing , Chen Tao
Published: December 2024

Based on a statistical-mechanical model of gas molecules, a closed-form formula of the pressure coefficient of a surface is given as a function of the incident angle to the surface (or the surface inclination angle) and the Mach number, which is asymptotically accurate as the Mach number increases to the hypersonic regime. The classical Newtonian flow theory is a limiting case of this formula as the Mach number approaches to infinity. For validation, the lift and drag coefficients of a flat-plate airfoil and a sphere are calculated in a range of the Mach numbers from 2 to 30 in comparison with the shock-expansion-wave theory and the experimental data.
Mathematical model of solute transport in channels with variable geometry and permeable walls
Authors: Merugu Varunkumar
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates solute transport dynamics within a steady, viscous, Newtonian fluid flow through channels of varying geometry (convergent–divergent boundaries) and permeable walls. The significant impact of osmotic pressure on solute concentration is particularly highlighted by modeling osmotic pressure as a cubic function of solute concentration. Approximate solutions to the Navier–Stokes equations and solute transport equations, along with the corresponding boundary conditions, have been derived. The effects of varying geometry and various emerging parameters on hydrostatic and osmotic pressures, solute concentration, and solute clearance are illustrated through graphs. Results indicate a linear decline in hydrostatic pressure and a nonlinear rise in osmotic pressure along the channel length, with divergent channels producing higher solute and wall concentrations than uniform or convergent channels. Increased ultrafiltration and absence of osmotic pressure yield greater wall concentrations. Solute clearance rates increase with the wall slope, transmittance coefficient, permeability, and ultrafiltration parameters, underscoring intricate parameter relationships within filtration. A dataset is used to visually present and analyze the influence of different physiological factors on solute concentration, with graphs corresponding to real physiological conditions. For channels with the uniform width, the findings closely align with previous results, demonstrating its applicability to solute exchange in glomerular capillaries as well as to other blood vessels or capillaries.
Acoustic tone generated by jet impingement on a conical body
Authors: Rathakrishnan E.
Published: December 2024

The effect of jet impingement on a conical body on the edge tone field is studied experimentally, aiming at getting the influence of the distance H/D of the cone from the nozzle exit on the sound level due to the impingement of the jet on the cone, for different Mach numbers of this study. The functional dependence of the noise level at radial locations (R/D), 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25, at specified axial locations (H/D) of wedge placement from 0 to 10, for jet Mach numbers (Mj ), 0.48, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 are assessed. It is found that in Mach 0.48, the edge tone sound decreases for H/D in the range from 0 to 2 and increases for higher values of H/D. The maximum noise for Mach 0.48 jet along the radial distance R/D = 5 is at H/D = 10.0. At H/D = 10.0, the noise level decreases by about 21.8% as the R/D increases from 5 to 25 for Mach 0.48 jet. Whereas, for Mach 0.6 jet, this decrease is only 15%. For the correctly expanded Mach 1.0 jet the sound level at R/D = 5 increases continuously with an increase in H/D. But the rate of increase in sound level for Mach 1.0 jet is larger than that for Mach 0.6 and Mach 0.8 jets.