bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gliotoxin-mediated bacterial growth inhibition is caused by specific metal ion depletion
Authors: Downes Shane G. , Owens Rebecca A. , Walshe Kieran , Fitzpatrick David A. , Dorey Amber , Jones Gary W. , Doyle Sean
Published: September 2023

Overcoming antimicrobial resistance represents a formidable challenge and investigating bacterial growth inhibition by fungal metabolites may yield new strategies. Although the fungal non-ribosomal peptide gliotoxin (GT) is known to exhibit antibacterial activity, the mechanism(s) of action are unknown, although reduced gliotoxin (dithiol gliotoxin; DTG) is a zinc chelator. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that GT synergises with vancomycin to inhibit growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Here we demonstrate, without precedent, that GT-mediated growth inhibition of both Gram positive and negative bacterial species is reversed by Zn2+ or Cu2+ addition. Both GT, and the known zinc chelator TPEN, mediate growth inhibition of Enterococcus faecalis which is reversed by zinc addition. Moreover, zinc also reverses the synergistic growth inhibition of E. faecalis observed in the presence of both GT and vancomycin (4 µg/ml). As well as zinc chelation, DTG also appears to chelate Cu2+, but not Mn2+ using a 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol assay system and Zn2+ as a positive control. DTG also specifically reacts in Fe3+-containing Siderotec™ assays, most likely by Fe3+ chelation from test reagents. GSH or DTT show no activity in these assays. Confirmatory high resolution mass spectrometry, in negative ion mode, confirmed, for the first time, the presence of both Cu[DTG] and Fe[DTG]2 chelates. Label free quantitative proteomic analysis further revealed major intracellular proteomic remodelling within E. faecalis in response to GT exposure for 30–180 min. Globally, 4.2–7.2% of detectable proteins exhibited evidence of either unique presence/increased abundance or unique absence/decreased abundance (n = 994–1160 total proteins detected), which is the first demonstration that GT affects the bacterial proteome in general, and E. faecalis, specifically. Unique detection of components of the AdcABC and AdcA-II zinc uptake systems was observed, along with apparent ribosomal reprofiling to zinc-free paralogs in the presence of GT. Overall, we hypothesise that GT-mediated bacterial growth inhibition appears to involve intracellular zinc depletion or reduced bioavailability, and based on in vitro chelate formation, may also involve dysregulation of Cu2+ homeostasis.
Sliding mode control with an adaptive switching power reaching law
Authors: Wang Shijiao , Jiang Chengming , Tu Qunzhang , Zhu Changlin
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a adaptive reaching law-based sliding mode control (SMC) method for maintaining favorable velocity control performance of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) under internal and external perturbations. An adaptive switching power reaching law (ASPRL) is designed, which contains adaptive terms and state variables of the sliding mode surface function. This augmented reaching law decreases the chatter of the control system and increases the rate at which the state variables of the system reach the sliding mode surface. Additionally, a Luenberger observer load torque (LOLT) is designed to observe the external load and provide feedback to the velocity controller, reducing the impact of load disturbances and improving the jamming performance of the controller. Simulation experiments confirm that ASPRL reduces buffeting, decreases overshoot, and shortens response time, demonstrating its advantages in PMSM control.
Ceramide synthase CERS4 gene downregulation is associated with KRAS mutation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hayama Tamuro , Hama Kotaro , Ozawa Tsuyoshi , Fujiwara Yuko , Nozawa Keijiro , Matsuda Keiji , Yokoyama Kazuaki , Hashiguchi Yojiro , Ochiai Hiroki , Misawa Takeyuki , Fukagawa Takeo
Published: September 2023

Ceramide, the central molecule in sphingolipid synthesis, is a bioactive lipid that serves as a regulatory molecule in the anti-inflammatory responses, apoptosis, programmed necrosis, autophagy, and cell motility of cancer cells. In particular, the authors have reported differences in sphingolipid content in colorectal cancer tissues. The associations among genetic mutations, clinicopathological factors, and sphingolipid metabolism in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been investigated. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between genes associated with sphingolipid metabolism, genetic variations in colorectal cancer (CRC), and clinicopathological factors in CRC patients. We enrolled 82 consecutive patients with stage I–IV CRC who underwent tumor resection at a single institution in 2019–2021. We measured the expression levels of genes related to sphingolipid metabolism and examined the relationships between CRC gene mutations and the clinicopathological data of each individual patient. The relationship between CRC gene mutations and expression levels of ceramide synthase (CERS), N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase (ASAH), and alkaline ceramidase (ACER) genes involved in sphingolipid metabolism was examined CRES4 expression was significantly lower in the CRC KRAS gene mutation group (p = 0.004); vascular invasion was more common in colorectal cancer patients with high CERS4 expression (p = 0.0057). By examining the correlation between sphingolipid gene expression and clinical factors, we were able to identify cancer types in which sphingolipid metabolism is particularly relevant. CERS4 expression was significantly reduced in KRAS mutant CRC. Moreover, CRC with decreased CERS4 showed significantly more frequent venous invasion.
Fundamentals of catalytic activities, recent progress, and perspectives in the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: de Souza Felipe M. , Gupta Ram K.
Published: September 2023

The development of sustainable ways to generate energy through zero-carbon emissions has become one of the worldwide goals. Under this perspective, enabling the efficient and viable use of H2/O2 fuel cells is gaining ground as a feasible technology for sustainability. This chapter discusses the main aspects surrounding the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), starting with its electrochemical principles, reaction mechanisms, and kinetics in the first section of the chapter. The section covers the main progress in ORR catalysis using noble metal-based materials. The next section covers the use of carbon-based catalysts aiming at the factors that lead to their improvement in performance, along with some synthesis approaches. Under the same scope, the next section describes the various types of transition metal-based materials, such as oxides, nitrides, oxynitrides, carbonitrides, chalcogenides, and phosphides, for ORR electrocatalysis. Finally, the last section provides some insights into the future of this area and the main targets that the scientific community should pursue to further develop this technology.
Engineering metal/metal oxide nanoparticles for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Razzaque Shumaila , Razzaq Humaira
Published: September 2023

The reduction and conversion of CO2 into valuable products has been an interesting research arena since the 1970s. To date, academia has made tremendous progress in dealing with the global warming caused by the excessive emissions of CO2 due to anthropogenic activities. The main issue concerning the conversion of CO2 is the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness. Therefore, a variety of methods and strategies have already been documented in numerous review articles and book chapters. The present chapter contributes to the progress in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 on metal/metal oxide nanoparticles and their composite materials. Moreover, the basic photocatalytic principles, requirements of the photocatalyst and further exploration of the different catalysts are provided in detail.
Nanomaterials for dye degradation
Authors: Hussain Raja Azadar
Published: September 2023

This chapter presents the modern research outcomes of photocatalytic degradation of hazardous dyes using various nanomaterials. Treatment of hazardous industrial waste is needed to control the pollution of the environment. In this chapter, nanomaterials in general and chalcogenide-based (sulfides, selenides and tellurides) nanomaterials, in particular, have been discussed for photocatalytic dye degradation. The degradation capabilities of pristine metal chalcogenides, and their composites with inorganic (metals, metal oxides, sulfides, selenides, and tellurides) and organic (carbon quantum dots, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and carbon nitride) nanomaterials have been discussed and compared with each other.
TEnvR: MATLAB-based toolbox for environmental research
Authors: Goranov Aleksandar I. , Sleighter Rachel L. , Yordanov Dobromir A. , Hatcher Patrick G.
Published: September 2023

The MATLAB-based Toolbox for Environmental Research "TEnvR" has codes for data from ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, and for performing multivariate statistics.
A COD measurement method with turbidity compensation based on a variable radial basis function neural network
Authors: Fan Renhao , Wang Senlin , Chen Hao
Published: September 2023

A new COD measurement method using UV-vis spectroscopy is proposed that includes a new turbidity compensation algorithm and an algorithm for COD measurement using a variable radial basis function (VRBF) neural network.
Stormwater applications of zeolite-coated biofilm carriers for ammonium removal with possible applications to PFAS biotransformation
Authors: Huff Chester Anndee L. , Gallagher Noah , Huang Shan , Jaffé Peter R. , Novak Paige J.
Published: September 2023

Microporous, zeolite-coated biofilm carriers deployed in stormwater systems for retention of targeted microorganisms and removal of nitrogen and PFAS.
Dairy intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results of a large prospective cohort
Authors: Zhang Shunming , Meng Ge , Zhang Qing , Liu Li , Wu Hongmei , Gu Yeqing , Wang Xuena , Zhang Juanjuan , Sun Shaomei , Wang Xing , Zhou Ming , Jia Qiyu , Song Kun , Borné Yan , Sonestedt Emily , Ma Le , Qi Lu , Niu Kaijun
Published: September 2023

Previous studies of primarily Western populations have consistently documented a lower risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among people with a higher yogurt intake, but an inconsistent association with milk intake.
Correction: Rapid single step atmospheric pressure plasma jet deposition of a SERS active surface
Authors: Hagger Oliver S. J. , Sener M. Emre , Khan Imran , Estrin Francis Lockwood , Agrotis Stefanos , Handoko Albertus D. , Parkin Ivan P. , Caruana Daren J.
Published: September 2023

Correction for ‘Rapid single step atmospheric pressure plasma jet deposition of a SERS active surface’ by Oliver S. J. Hagger et al., Mater. Adv., 2023, 4, 3239–3245, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MA00249G.
Hybrid Tamm and quasi-BIC microcavity modes
Authors: Buzin D. S. , Pankin P. S. , Maksimov D. N. , Romanenko G. A. , Sutormin V. S. , Nabol S. V. , Zelenov F. V. , Masyugin A. N. , Volochaev M. N. , Vetrov S. Ya. , Timofeev I. V.
Published: September 2023

It is demonstrated that coupling between a Tamm plasmon polariton and the microcavity mode in the vicinity of a bound state in the continuum results in hybrid Tamm-microcavity modes with a tunableQfactor.
A 1T-WS2 “electron pump” regulates charge transfer over ZnCdS/NiV-LDH p–n heterostructures for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Jingzhi , Li Mei , Jin Zhiliang
Published: September 2023

Dynamics and morphology play a crucial role in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production.
A facile approach to phenothiazinones via catalytic aerobic oxidation: discovery of an antiproliferative agent
Authors: Ji Su-Hui , Wang Qian , Cai Yun-Rui
Published: September 2023

A facile and robust synthesis of phenothiazinones with TEMPO-based catalytic system under an ambient atmosphere is presented.
Corner-opened cage-silsesquioxane as a directional template for tripodal poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Tanaka Ryota , Igarashi Amato , Hayashi Taihei , Masunaga Hiroyasu , Takagi Hideaki , Shimizu Nobutaka , Igarashi Noriyuki , Sakurai Shinichi , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: September 2023

A directional tripodal poly(methyl methacrylate) was synthesized based on a corner-opened cage silsesquioxane with three silanol groups. The mechanical properties were remarkably changed compared with those of a linear polymer.
Mo-doped cobaltous sulfide nanosheet arrays as efficient catalysts for the sulfion oxidation reaction promoting hydrogen production with ultra-low electric energy consumption
Authors: Tang Xiangmin , Zhang Yang , Wu Fangfang , Li Bing , Wang Jiexue , Li Xiaoqin , Rao Ruihua , Hu Jiapeng , Xiao Dan , Gao Taotao
Published: September 2023

The doped Mo improves the SOR intrinsic activity of Co-based active sites in Mo–Co–S/NF; meanwhile, an advanced dissymmetrical acid-base-coupled electrolyzer is constructed to realize H2 and S8 production with low energy consumption.
Surface engineering in CsPbX3 quantum dots: from materials to solar cells
Authors: Xu Yinyan , Lyu Mei , Zhu Jun
Published: September 2023

Summarized CsPbX3 QD surface engineering strategies to achieve high-efficiency and high-stability PQD solar cells.
Spontaneous and site-specific immobilization of PNGase F via spy chemistry
Authors: Zhang Liang , Wang Wenhui , Yang Yueqin , Liu Xiang , Zhu Wenjie , Pi Lingrui , Liu Xin , Wang Song
Published: September 2023

Recombinant PNGase F was spontaneously, site-specifically, and covalently immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles based on Spy chemistry. The immobilized PNGasae F exhibited excellent deglycosylation activity, thermostability, and reusability.
Room temperature synthesis of CdSe/CdS triangular nanoemitters and their stabilization in colloidal state and sol–gel glass
Authors: Lesiak Anna , Wagnon Benoit , Chateau Denis , Abécassis Benjamin , Parola Stephane
Published: September 2023

Heterostructured cadmium-based core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) are the subject of research because of not only fundamental scientific advances but also a range of technological applications.
Cu-doped SnO2 nanoparticles: size and antibacterial activity investigations
Authors: Aragón F. F. H. , Villegas-Lelovsky L. , Castillo-Llanos J. I. , Soncco C. M. , Solis J. L. , Peralta-Alarcón G. H. , Pacheco-Salazar D. G. , Morais P. C.
Published: September 2023

Tuning the physical properties of Cu-doped SnO2 NPs to potential use as self-cleaning surfaces.
Tailoring the pore size of expanded porphyrinoids for lanthanide selectivity
Authors: Malcomson Thomas , Edwards-Yates Lewis , Kerridge Andrew
Published: September 2023

Selective tailoring of the pore in expanded porphyrinoids is presented as a novel approach for the separation of lanthanide ions.
Stereo/regio-selective access to substituted 3-hydroxy-oxindoles with anti-proliferative assessment and in silico validation
Authors: Preeti  , Raza Asif , Anand Amit , Henry Natacha , Sharma Arun K. , Roussel Pascal , Kumar Vipan
Published: September 2023

Anti-proliferative evaluation and in silico validation of synthesized substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles.
Perceptions of Racism Among Graduate Students of Color in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Authors: Ebert Kerry Danahy , Williams Liliana
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

Audiology (AUD) and speech-language pathology (SLP) are White-dominated fields that operate within racist systems. Systemic racism has profoundly negative impacts on students and professionals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). This study explored the perceptions and experiences of systemic racism in BIPOC AUD and SLP graduate students as a means to promote antiracism efforts in the fields.

Method:

A national web-based survey was used to collect information from 46 graduate students. The survey included quantitative questions about systemic racism in the AUD and SLP fields as well as open-ended questions regarding the personal, professional, and client-related impacts of racism. Analyses aimed to characterize patterns first within the overall BIPOC sample and then within three disaggregated racial–ethnic groups (Asian, Black, and Latino/a) to characterize potential differences within the heterogeneous BIPOC category.

Results:

On quantitative questions, a substantial majority of BIPOC students selected options consistent with perceptions of systemic racism and White privilege. Qualitative questions yielded several themes related to the personal, professional, and client-related impacts of systemic racism from the perspective of BIPOC students, including reduced access to educational opportunities as well as clinical services, experiences with appearance-based discrimination as well as overt racism, and persistent underrepresentation with accompanying feelings of otherness. Disaggregation of responses suggested some differences in response patterns across racial–ethnic groups, which may warrant further investigation.

Conclusions:

The perspectives of AUD and SLP graduate students reinforce other reports of systemic racism in the fields. Multiple actions are warranted to instigate systemic change that supports graduate students, professionals, and clients of color.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24171513
Dynamic speed harmonization for mixed traffic flow on the freeway using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Hua Chengying , Fan Wei (David)
Published: September 2023

In the vicinity of weaving areas, freeway congestion is nearly unavoidable due to their negative effects on the continuous freeway mainline flow. The adverse impacts include increased collision risks, extended travel time, and excessive emissions and fuel consumption. Dynamic Speed Harmonization (DSH) has the potential to dampen traffic oscillation during congestion. However, its effectiveness is typically limited by the low compliance rates of drivers and delays in information access. The integration of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) into intelligent transportation systems aims to enhance various measures of effectiveness. This research investigates the effects of DSH in mixed traffic flow involving human‐driven vehicles and CAVs on the freeway. A deep reinforcement learning‐based strategy is developed to better understand how CAVs can improve operational performance. A holistic evaluation is conducted to quantify the impacts under different penetration rates of CAVs in multiple simulated scenarios. The results reveal that the proposed method can enhance mobility and achieve co‐benefits with safety, and environmental sustainability could be improved under higher penetration rates. Spatiotemporal features of bottleneck speed demonstrate that DSH powered by CAVs can smooth speed variations for partial areas. Sensitivity analysis of headways indicates that high‐level CAVs can further improve performance.
RXCJ1111.6+4050 galaxy cluster: Observational evidence of a transitional fossil group
Authors: Barrena R. , Chon G. , Böhringer H. , Méndez-Abreu J. , Ferragamo A.
Published: September 2023

We present a detailed kinematical and dynamical study of the galaxy cluster RXCJ1111.6+4050 (RXCJ1111), at z = 0.0756 using 104 new spectroscopic redshifts of galaxies observed at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and SDSS DR16 public archive. Our analysis is performed in a multiwavelength context in order to study and compare mainly optical and X-ray properties using XMM-Newton data. We find that RXCJ1111 is a galaxy cluster showing a velocity distribution with clear deviations from Gaussianity, that we are able to explain by the presence of a substructure within the cluster. The two cluster components show velocity dispersions of 644 ± 56 km s−1 and 410 ± 123 km s−1, which yield dynamical masses of M200 = 1.9 ± 0.4 × 1014 M⊙ and 0.6 ± 0.4 × 1014 M⊙ for the main system and substructure, respectively. The 2D spatial distribution of galaxies and X-ray surface brightness of RXCJ1111 presents an elongation in the North–South direction. These observational facts, together with a gradient of 250−350 km s−1 Mpc−1 in the velocity field, following the NNE–SSE direction, suggest that the merger axis between the main system and substructure is slightly tilted with respect to the line-of-sight. The substructure is characterized by a magnitude gap Δm12 ≥ 1.8, so it fits the “fossil-like” definition of a galaxy group. From the X-ray observations, we estimate a M500, X = 1.68 ± 0.25 × 1014 M⊙, which is in good agreement with the dynamical masses when two galaxy components are considered separately. This suggests that the mass estimates obtained from X-ray and velocity dispersion are compatible even for non-relaxed clusters, at least when we are able to identify and separate galaxy clumps and derive masses by considering the virialized regions. We propose a 3D merging model and find that the fossil group is in an early phase of collision with the RXCJ1111 main cluster and placed at ∼8° ( ± 3° ) from line-of-sight. This merging model would explain the slight increase found in the TX with respect to what we would expect for relaxed clusters. Due to the presence of several brightest galaxies, after this collision, the substructure would presumably lose its fossil condition. Therefore, RXCJ1111 represents the observational evidence that the fossil stage of a system can be temporary and transitional.
Effects of coronal mass ejection orientation on its propagation in the heliosphere
Authors: Martinić K. , Dumbović M. , Čalogović J. , Vršnak B. , Al-Haddad N. , Temmer M.
Published: September 2023

Context. In the scope of space weather forecasting, it is crucial to be able to more reliably predict the arrival time, speed, and magnetic field configuration of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). From the time a CME is launched, the dominant factor influencing all of the above is the interaction of the interplanetary CME (ICME) with the ambient plasma and interplanetary magnetic field.

Aims. Due to a generally anisotropic heliosphere, differently oriented ICMEs may interact differently with the ambient plasma and interplanetary magnetic field, even when the initial eruption conditions are similar. For this, we examined the possible link between the orientation of an ICME and its propagation in the heliosphere (up to 1 AU).

Methods. We investigated 31 CME-ICME associations in the period from 1997 to 2018. The CME orientation in the near-Sun environment was determined using an ellipse-fitting technique applied to single-spacecraft data from SOHO/LASCO C2 and C3 coronagraphs. In the near-Earth environment, we obtained the orientation of the corresponding ICME using in situ plasma and magnetic field data. The shock orientation and nonradial flows in the sheath region for differently oriented ICMEs were investigated. In addition, we calculated the ICME transit time to Earth and drag parameter to probe the overall drag force for differently oriented ICMEs. The drag parameter was calculated using the reverse modeling procedure with the drag-based model.

Results. We found a significant difference in nonradial flows for differently oriented ICMEs, whereas a significant difference in drag for differently oriented ICMEs was not found.
Influence of the optical Fe II quasi-continuum on measuring the spectral parameters of active galactic nuclei
Authors: Popović Luka Č. , Kovačević-Dojčinović Jelena , Dojčinović Ivan , Lakićević Maša
Published: September 2023

Aims. We explore the influence of optical Fe II quasi-continuum on the measured spectral parameters in the λλ4150−5500 Å range for the spectra of Type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs).

Methods. We assume that the broad line region is composed of two sub-regions: the very broad line region (VBLR) and the intermediate line region (ILR). We constructed a large set of synthetic AGN spectra by taking different portions of the VBLR and ILR contributions, where initially the VBLR and ILR model spectra were constructed on the basis of prototypes of two observed spectra with dominant VBLR (i.e. ILR) emission. To investigate the influence of the optical Fe II quasi-continuum on the AGN measured spectral parameters, we fit the power-law continuum and emission lines in a set of model spectra, as commonly done for observed AGN spectra. We then compared the spectral parameters obtained after the fitting procedure with those of the model.

Results. We find that the optical Fe II quasi-continuum can be very strong in the case of spectra with strong and very broad Fe II lines and it is difficult to fully separate it from the power-law continuum. This gives the effect of a slightly underestimated Hβ width and underestimated fluxes of the Hβ and Fe II lines, while the continuum flux is then slightly overestimated. The most affected spectral parameters are the line equivalent widths (EWs), especially EW Fe II, which may be strongly underestimated. We discuss the possible underlying physics in the quasar main sequence, as implied by the results of our spectral modelling. We find that the set of AGN model spectra assuming different ILR and VBLR contributions can aptly reproduce the quasar main sequence, that is, the full width at half maximum Hβ versus Fe II/Hβ anti-correlation, where both parameters in this anti-correlation are strongly dependent on the ILR and VBLR contribution rate.
Editorial
Authors: Reuβ-Borst Monika
Published: September 2023

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen,

für die Ihnen heute vorliegende Ausgabe der „Aktuellen
Rheumatologie“ haben wir den Schwerpunkt:
„Komplementärmedizin“ gewählt und würden uns
freuen, wenn Sie sich ein wenig mit diesem Thema beschäftigen
würden.
Die deutsche Mate
Authors: Vigl Sebastian
Published: September 2023

Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der heimischen STECHPALME (Ilex aquifolium)
Rheumatoide Arthritis und das intestinale Mikrobiom – Ein
potentieller Faktor in der Pathogenese der RA
Authors: Heidt Christina , Reuss-Borst Monika
Published: September 2023

Die rheumatoide Arthritis (RA) ist eine chronische, entzündliche,
systemische Autoimmunerkrankung, die chronisch progredient verläuft und
zu schweren strukturellen Schäden und Funktionseinschränkungen
führen kann. Ihre Pathogenese ist komplex und nicht abschließend
verstanden. Neben genetischen, scheinen vor allem Umweltfaktoren eine wichtige
Rolle zu spielen. Der Darm bildet die „innere Grenze“ zur Umwelt
und kommt mit vielen Umweltfaktoren in Kontakt. Daher rückt der Darm in
den letzten Jahren und mit ihm das Mikrobiom zunehmend (wieder) in den Fokus der
Wissenschaft. Immer mehr evidente Befunde zeigen, dass die
Mikrobiom-Darm-Gelenk-Achse eine wichtige Rolle bei der RA darstellt.
Mikrobielle Dysbiose sowie eine intakte Darmbarriere („leaky
gut“) und daraus resultierende bakterielle Translokation stellen
potentielle Faktoren in der RA-Pathogenese dar. Hier fassen wir die derzeit
bekannte Rolle der intestinalen Mikrobiota für Entstehung und Verlauf
der RA zusammen. Wir betrachten dabei die neuesten Erkenntnisse auf dem Gebiet
der Mikrobiomforschung und beschreiben den Zusammenhang zwischen intestinaler
Dysbiose, intakte Barrierefunktion, bakterielle Translokation, adaptive
Immunantwort sowie einen möglichen diätetischen
Therapieansatz.
Optimization of Tissue Handling and Processing in the Era of Precision Medicine: A Practical Recommendation from a Multidisciplinary Panel of Indian Experts
Authors: Kaushal Rajiv Kumar , Menon Santosh , Shetty Omshree , Shet Tanuja , Desai Sangeeta , Mehta Anurag , Choughule Anuradha , Biswas Bivas , Midha Divya , Gupta Gurudutt , Ghosh Jaya , Mehta Jay , Prabhash Kumar , Nadeem Sayed Mahmood , Somashekhar S P. , Joshi Ujwala , Ramaswamy Veena , Koppula Veeraiah , Gupta Sudeep
Published: September 2023

Molecular analysis of biospecimens is the key to diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in clinical practice. However, there is a lack of consolidated guidelines for biospecimen collection, tissue handling, and storage in India. Therefore, this study aims to generate expert recommendations for the optimization of tissue handling and processing practices in India in the era of precision medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical gaps related to tissue handling for molecular analysis and develop expert recommendations to mitigate preanalytical issues associated with biospecimen processing. These expert recommendations will help in increasing the diagnostic yield and accuracy of biomarker testing in clinical practice. A virtual advisory board meeting was convened with 19 experts, including pathologists, molecular biologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, interventional radiologists, and a senior histology technician from 10 hospitals in India, along with an accreditation officer for testing and calibration of laboratory procedures. The scientific coordinators developed specific questions to address the salient issues associated with the preanalytic phase of tissue specimen preparation. The experts discussed each question until a complete set of recommendations was obtained. The expert panel provided recommendations for tissue collection, processing, fixation, and block preparation to ensure high-quality biospecimens. As per the expert panel recommendations, tissue sampling can be performed from any easily accessible site, regardless of the primary or metastatic locations. In addition, the cold ischemia time should be <1 hour, 10% neutral-buffered formalin should be used as the fixative, isopropyl alcohol should be used as the dehydrating agent, the volume of tissue to fixative ratio should be 1:10, and all the paraffin blocks should be archived in dry, pest-free conditions at room temperature. The experts suggested that the formalin used for fixation should be freshly prepared and its pH should be checked daily; moreover, the pH and date of formalin preparation should be mentioned on the containers. The experts highlighted the need to educate multidisciplinary teams on the optimization of tissue handling practices and emphasized that a pathologist should always check the tissue for adequate quality and quantity for biomarker testing. The existing routine clinical procedures for collecting and handling biospecimens adversely affect their quality. The expert recommendations for preanalytical quality control would ensure high-quality biospecimens for molecular analysis and precision medicine.
Emerging applications of metal-oxide thin films for flexible and stretchable electronic devices
Authors: Dong Dashen , Dhanabalan Shanmuga Sundar , Elango Peter Francis Mathew , Yang Mingjie , Walia Sumeet , Sriram Sharath , Bhaskaran Madhu
Published: September 2023

The increasing need for intimate contact between electronics and the human skin requires the development of devices that can conform and adapt to the skin. Compared to metallic/carbon/polymeric materials, metal-oxide devices show multi-stimuli sensory capabilities and advanced performance. Combining the performance and versatility of metal-oxide devices with flexible and stretchable polymeric substrates could create an array of next-generation devices, which are highly functional for various applications. This review covers design principles and fabrication techniques for achieving metal-oxide thin films including thin films based on nanowires, nanoparticles, and nanofibers on flexible and stretchable substrates, in terms of the materials, process, and structural engineering methods. Various multifunctional and emerging applications of metal oxides for flexible and stretchable devices are introduced and discussed. Finally, the current challenges, possible solutions, outlook, and the research gaps to be addressed are discussed.
Suppression of high order mode oscillation in a C-band long pulse high efficiency relativistic backward wave oscillator
Authors: Wu Yang
Published: September 2023

In order to realize mode control and long pulse operation of the proposed C-band high efficiency relativistic backward wave oscillator, the asymmetric high order mode oscillation and its influences on the working mode operation are investigated in the 3D particle-in-cell simulation. The simulation shows that the quasi-TM21 mode is the dominant competing mode, which is mainly located in the two-period extraction cavity of the device. Accordingly, a simplified model of a two-period extraction cavity is established to investigate the mechanism of the high order mode excitation. It is indicated that the distance between two gaps of the two-period extraction cavity has great impact on the startup time of the competing mode. By optimizing the gap distance to delay the startup of the competing mode, as well as shortening the rising time of the input pulsed power pulse, the competing quasi-TM21 mode can be suppressed sufficiently.
Electro-momentum coupling tailored in piezoelectric metamaterials with resonant shunts
Authors: Danawe Hrishikesh , Tol Serife
Published: September 2023

Local microstructural heterogeneities of elastic metamaterials give rise to non-local macroscopic cross coupling between stress–strain and momentum–velocity, known as Willis coupling. Recent advances have revealed that symmetry breaking in piezoelectric metamaterials introduces an additional macroscopic cross coupling effect, termed electro-momentum coupling, linking electrical stimulus and momentum and enabling the emergence of exotic wave phenomena characteristic of Willis materials. The electro-momentum coupling provides an extra degree of freedom for controlling elastic wave propagation in piezoelectric composites through external electrical stimuli. In this study, we present how to tune the electro-momentum coupling arising in 1D periodic piezoelectric metamaterials with broken inversion symmetry through shunting the inherent capacitance of the individual piezoelectric layers with a resistor and an inductor in series forming a resistor–inductor–capacitor circuit. Guided by the effective elastodynamic theory and homogenization method for piezoelectric metamaterials, we derived a closed-form expression of the electro-momentum coupling in shunted piezoelectric metamaterials. Moreover, we demonstrate the ability to tailor the electro-momentum coupling coefficient and control the amplitudes and phases of the forward and backward propagating waves, yielding tunable asymmetric wave responses. The results of our study hold promising implications for applications involving asymmetric wave phenomena and programmable metamaterials.
Sequential directional deposition of one-sided (In,Ga)N shells on GaN nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: van Treeck David , Lähnemann Jonas , Gao Guanhui , Garrido Sergio Fernández , Brandt Oliver , Geelhaar Lutz
Published: September 2023

Capitalizing on the directed nature of the atomic fluxes in molecular beam epitaxy, we propose and demonstrate the sequential directional deposition of lateral (In,Ga)N shells on GaN nanowires. In this approach, a sub-monolayer thickness of each constituent atomic species, i.e., Ga, In, and N, is deposited subsequently from the same direction by rotating the sample and operating the shutters accordingly. Using multiple iterations of this process, we achieve the growth of homogeneous shells on a single side facet of the nanowires. For higher In content and thus lattice mismatch, we observe a strain-induced bending of the nanowire heterostructures. The incorporation of In and the resulting emission spectra are systematically investigated as a function of both the growth temperature and the In/Ga flux ratio.
First-principles calculation of phase stability and elastic properties of CrxMoNbTiV refractory high-entropy alloys
Authors: Shi Weihe , Chen Lin , Liang Liuqing , Gu Bin , Yang Tucai , Cao Alin , Li Degui , Zhao Jinhe , Liu Hongxi
Published: September 2023

Compared with traditional alloys, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have been widely studied because of their unique phase formation rules and excellent physical properties. This work used the first-principle calculation method to study the effect of Cr content on the phase formation, stability, and mechanical properties of MoNbTiV refractory HEAs (RHEAs). The structural model of CrxMoNbTiV (x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, …, 2.00) RHEAs was constructed by the virtual crystal approximation method. The structural model was geometrically optimized using the Cambridge Sequential Total Energy Package code, and the structures’ binding energy, enthalpy of formation, and elastic constants were calculated. The results show that the CrxMoNbTiV RHEAs can form a stable body-centered cubic structure, and the addition of Cr significantly impacts the lattice constant, elastic constant, plastic toughness, and elastic anisotropy of the alloy. At the same time, the three-dimensional surface map of Young’s modulus anisotropy is also drawn.
Exact novel formulas and fast algorithm of potential for a hammock resistor network
Authors: Zhou Yufan , Jiang Xiaoyu , Zheng Yanpeng , Jiang Zhaolin
Published: September 2023

The establishment of a resistor network model has become a sharp edge to solve complex scientific problems. In this paper, we introduce Chebyshev polynomials to express the potential formula of the hammock resistor network and improve the general solution of the hammock resistor network. Moreover, through the change in different parameters, special potential formulas are proposed and displayed in 3D dynamic view. A fast algorithm of the calculating potential is given by using the matrix equation model, discrete cosine transform-II, and the fast matrix-vector multiplication. Finally, we show the advantages of our improved potential formula and fast algorithm by the calculation efficiency of the three methods. The modified potential formula and the presented fast algorithm provide a new tool for the field of science and engineering.
Electronic and optical properties of boron-containing GaN alloys: The role of boron atom clustering
Authors: Nies Cara-Lena , Sheerin Thomas P. , Schulz Stefan
Published: September 2023

Boron (B) containing III-nitride materials, such as wurtzite (wz) (B, Ga)N alloys, have recently attracted significant interest due to their ability to tailor the electronic and optical properties of optoelectronic devices operating in the visible and ultraviolet spectral range. However, the growth of high quality samples is challenging and B atom clustering is often observed in (B, Ga)N alloys. To date, a fundamental understanding of the impact of such clustering on the electronic and optical properties of these alloys is sparse. In this work, we employ density functional theory (DFT) in the framework of the meta-generalized gradient approximation [modified Becke Johnson (mBJ) functional] to provide insight into this question. We use mBJ DFT calculations, benchmarked against state-of-the-art hybrid functional DFT, on (B, Ga)N alloys in the experimentally relevant B content range of up to 7.4%. Our results reveal that B atom clustering can lead to a strong reduction in the bandgap of such an alloy, in contrast to alloy configurations where B atoms are not forming clusters, thus not sharing nitrogen (N) atoms. We find that the reduction in bandgap is linked mainly to carrier localization effects in the valence band, which stem from local strain and polarization field effects. However, our study also reveals that the alloy microstructure of a B atom cluster plays an important role: B atom chains along the wz c axis impact the electronic structure far less strongly when compared to a chain formed within the c-plane. This effect is again linked to local polarization field effects and the orbital character of the involved valence states in wz BN and GaN. Overall, our calculations show that controlling the alloy microstructure of (B, Ga)N alloys is of central importance when it comes to utilizing these systems in future optoelectronic devices with improved efficiencies.
Reconstruction of gravitational waveforms of coalescing spinless binaries in EOB theory based on PM approximation
Authors: Long Sheng , Zou Yanxun , Jing Jiliang
Published: September 2023

We present a study of improving the gravitational waveforms of the coalescing spinless binaries in effective-one-body theory based on the post-Minkowskian approximation. The original ‘plus’ and ‘cross’ waveform modes of the gravitational wave generated by coalescing spinless black-hole binaries are extracted from the solution of the null tetrad component of the gravitational perturbed Weyl tensorψ4Bin the effective spacetime. To enhance the accuracy of the gravitational waveforms, after Damouret al, the waveforms are factored into five components which are the Minkowskian leading factorhℓmM,ϵ, the sourceSˆeff ϵ, the tail effectTℓm, the phase factoreiδℓm, and the residual termfℓm. In the equal mass ratio case, we find that the reconstructed waveform is closer to the five post-Newtonian result than the original waveform, while theρℓmfresummation method gives the better results.
Minority-spin conducting states in Fe substituted pyrite CoS2
Authors: Mukherjee Anustup , Subedi Alaska
Published: September 2023

There has been a longstanding debate whether the pyrite CoS2 or its alloys with FeS2 are half metallic. We argue using first principles calculations that there is a finite occupation of minority-spin states at the Fermi level throughout the series Co

1
−
x

Fe
x
S2. Although the exchange–correlation functional influences the specifics of the electronic structure, we observe a similar trend with increasing Fe concentration in both local density approximation and generalized gradient approximation calculations. Specifically, even as band filling is decreased through Fe substitution, the lowest-lying conduction band in the minority-spin channel broadens such that these states keep getting lowered relative to the Fermi level, which is contrary to the expectations from a rigid band picture. Furthermore, the exchange splitting decreases as more Co atoms are replaced by Fe, and this again brings the minority-spin states closer to the Fermi level. These two mechanisms, in conjunction with the experimental observation that minority-spin bands cross the Fermi level in stoichiometric CoS2, indicate that minority-spin charge carriers will always be present in Co

1
−
x

Fe
x
S2.
Super-resolution biomedical imaging via reference-free statistical implicit neural representation
Authors: Ye Siqi , Shen Liyue , Islam Md Tauhidul , Xing Lei
Published: September 2023

Objective. Supervised deep learning for image super-resolution (SR) has limitations in biomedical imaging due to the lack of large amounts of low- and high-resolution image pairs for model training. In this work, we propose a reference-free statistical implicit neural representation (INR) framework, which needs only a single or a few observed low-resolution (LR) image(s), to generate high-quality SR images. Approach. The framework models the statistics of the observed LR images via maximum likelihood estimation and trains the INR network to represent the latent high-resolution (HR) image as a continuous function in the spatial domain. The INR network is constructed as a coordinate-based multi-layer perceptron, whose inputs are image spatial coordinates and outputs are corresponding pixel intensities. The trained INR not only constrains functional smoothness but also allows an arbitrary scale in SR imaging. Main results. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework on various biomedical images, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorescence microscopy, and ultrasound images, across different SR magnification scales of 2×, 4×, and 8×. A limited number of LR images were used for each of the SR imaging tasks to show the potential of the proposed statistical INR framework. Significance. The proposed method provides an urgently needed unsupervised deep learning framework for numerous biomedical SR applications that lack HR reference images.
Mechanical metamaterials for sports helmets: structural mechanics, design optimisation, and performance
Authors: Haid Daniel , Foster Leon , Hart John , Greenwald Richard , Allen Tom , Sareh Pooya , Duncan Olly
Published: September 2023

Sports concussions are a public health concern. Improving helmet performance to reduce concussion risk is a key part of the research and development community response. Direct and oblique head impacts with compliant surfaces that cause long-duration moderate or high linear and rotational accelerations are associated with a high rate of clinical diagnoses of concussion. As engineered structures with unusual combinations of properties, mechanical metamaterials are being applied to sports helmets, with the goal of improving impact performance and reducing brain injury risk. Replacing established helmet material (i.e. foam) selection with a metamaterial design approach (structuring material to obtain desired properties) allows the development of near-optimal properties. Objective functions based on an up-to-date understanding of concussion, and helmet testing that is representative of actual sporting collisions and falls, could be applied to topology optimisation regimes, when designing mechanical metamaterials for helmets. Such regimes balance computational efficiency with predictive accuracy, both of which could be improved under high strains and strain rates to allow helmet modifications as knowledge of concussion develops. Researchers could also share mechanical metamaterial data, topologies, and computational models in open, homogenised repositories, to improve the efficiency of their development.
Exact soliton solutions and soliton diffusion of two kinds of stochastic KdV equations with variable coefficients
Authors: Wang Yvye , Li Changzhao , Wang Chuanjian , Shi Jianping , Liu Zhangxiang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider the exact solutions and soliton diffusion phenomenon of two kinds of stochastic KdV equations with variable coefficients. Firstly, according to symmetric reduction, stochastic KdV equations with variable coefficients are transformed into a coupled system of a deterministic KdV-type equation with variable coefficients and a solvable stochastic ordinary differential equation. Then, by the generalized wave transformation and the Clarkson-Kruskal direct method, we obtain the exact solutions of the deterministic KdV-type equation with variable coefficients. By coupling with the exact solutions of the stochastic ordinary differential equation, the exact solutions of stochastic KdV equations with variable coefficients are obtained. Compared to Wick-type stochastic KdV equations, our research work does not require additional inverse transformations, but solves stochastic partial differential equations more concisely, systematically, and directly. Secondly, two examples are given to verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis, and the soliton diffusion phenomenon of the system is discussed. Finally, by the Zabusky-Kruskal finite difference scheme, numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the analytic methods. The results indicate that the soliton diffusion phenomenon is subject to noise influence. In particular, the wave speed accelerates the soliton diffusion over time in the multiplicative noise background, and the wave speed slows down the soliton diffusion over time in the additive noise background.
Low-temperature metal–oxide thin-film transistor technologies for implementing flexible electronic circuits and systems
Authors: Shi Runxiao , Lei Tengteng , Xia Zhihe , Wong Man
Published: September 2023

Here we review two 300 °C metal–oxide (MO) thin-film transistor (TFT) technologies for the implementation of flexible electronic circuits and systems. Fluorination-enhanced TFTs for suppressing the variation and shift of turn-on voltage (V
ON), and dual-gate TFTs for acquiring sensor signals and modulating V
ON have been deployed to improve the robustness and performance of the systems in which they are deployed. Digital circuit building blocks based on fluorinated TFTs have been designed, fabricated, and characterized, which demonstrate the utility of the proposed low-temperature TFT technologies for implementing flexible electronic systems. The construction and characterization of an analog front-end system for the acquisition of bio-potential signals and an active-matrix sensor array for the acquisition of tactile images have been reported recently.