bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating lignin degradation under limited oxygen conditions by bacterial isolates from forest soil
Authors: Sumranwanich Thitinun , Amosu Esther , Chankhamhaengdecha Surang , Phetruen Tanaporn , Loktumraks Wethaka , Ounjai Puey , Harnvoravongchai Phurt
Published: June 2024

Lignin, a heterogeneous aromatic polymer present in plant biomass, is intertwined with cellulose and hemicellulose fibrils, posing challenges to its effective utilization due to its phenolic nature and recalcitrance to degradation. In this study, three lignin utilizing bacteria, Klebsiella sp. LEA1, Pseudomonas sp. LEA2, and Burkholderia sp. LEA3, were isolated from deciduous forest soil samples in Nan province, Thailand. These isolates were capable of growing on alkali lignin and various lignin-associated monomers at 40 °C under microaerobic conditions. The presence of Cu2+ significantly enhanced guaiacol oxidation in Klebsiella sp. LEA1 and Pseudomonas sp. LEA2. Lignin-related monomers and intermediates such as 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 4-vinyl guaiacol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, catechol, and succinic acid were detected mostly during the late stage of incubation of Klebsiella sp. LEA1 and Pseudomonas sp. LEA2 in lignin minimal salt media via GC–MS analysis. The intermediates identified from Klebsiella sp. LEA1 degradation suggested that conversion and utilization occurred through the β-ketoadipate (ortho-cleavage) pathway under limited oxygen conditions. The ability of these bacteria to thrive on alkaline lignin and produce various lignin-related intermediates under limited oxygen conditions suggests their potential utility in oxygen-limited processes and the production of renewable chemicals from plant biomass.
Coral-seeding devices with fish-exclusion features reduce mortality on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Whitman T. N. , Hoogenboom M. O. , Negri A. P. , Randall C. J.
Published: June 2024

Restoration methods that seed juvenile corals show promise as scalable interventions to promote population persistence through anthropogenic warming. However, challenges including predation by fishes can threaten coral survival. Coral-seeding devices with refugia from fishes offer potential solutions to limit predation-driven mortality. In an 8-month field study, we assessed the efficacy of such devices for increasing the survival of captive-reared Acropora digitifera (spat and microfragments) over control devices (featureless and caged). Devices with fish-exclusion features demonstrated a twofold increase in coral survival, while most corals seeded without protection suffered mortality within 48 h. Overall, spat faced more grazing and higher mortality compared to microfragments, and upward-facing corals were more vulnerable than side-facing corals. Grazing-induced mortality varied by site, with lower activity in locations abundant in mat-forming cyanobacteria or Scleractinian corals. Many scraping parrotfish were found feeding on or near the seeded corals; however, bites by Scarus globiceps explained the most site-related variation in grazing. Cyanobacteria may be preferred over corals as a nutritional resource for scraping parrotfish—advancing our understanding of their foraging ecology. Incorporating side-facing refugia in seeding devices and deploying to sites with nutrient-rich food sources for fish are potential strategies to enhance coral survival in restoration programs.
Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid-mediated different fate of nickel phytoremediation in two populations of Alyssum inflatum Nyár.
Authors: Modarresi Masoud , Karimi Naser , Chaichi Mehrdad , Chahardoli Azam , Najafi-Kakavand Shiva
Published: June 2024

This study investigates Ni phytoremediation and accumulation potential in the presence of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 50 and 200 μM) and jasmonic acid (JA) (0, 5 and 10 μM) in two populations of Alyssum inflatum under various nickel (Ni) doses (0, 100 and 400 μM). By measuring Ni levels in the shoots and roots, values of bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC), biological concentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were calculated to quantify Ni accumulation and translocation between plant organs. Additionally, the amounts of histidine (His), citric acid (CA) and malic acid (MA) were explored. The results showed that plant dry weight (DW) [in shoot (29.8%, 8.74%) and in root (21.6%, 24.4%)] and chlorophyll [a (17.1%, 32.5%), b (10.1%, 30.9%)] declined in M and NM populations respectively, when exposed to Ni (400 μM). Conversely, the levels of MA [in shoot (37.0%, 32.0%) and in root (25.5%, 21.2%)], CA [in shoot (17.0%, 10.0%) and in root (47.9%, 37.2%)] and His [in shoot (by 1.59- and 1.34-fold) and in root (by 1.24- and 1.18-fold)] increased. Also, in the presence 400 μM Ni, the highest accumulation of Ni was observed in shoots of M (1392 μg/g DW) and NM (1382 μg/g DW). However, the application of SA and JA (especially in Ni 400 μM + SA 200 μM + JA 5 and 10 μM treatments) mitigated the harmful impact of Ni on physiological parameters. Also, a decreasing trend was observed in the contents of MA, CA, and His. The reduction of these compounds as important chelators of Ni caused a decrease in root-to-shoot Ni transfer and reducing accumulation in the shoots of both populations. The values of phytoremediation indices in both populations exposed to Ni (400 μM) were above one. In presence of the SA and JA, these indices showed a decreasing trend, although the values remained above one (BAC, BCF and TF > 1). Overall, the results indicated that SA and JA can reduce phytoremediation potential of the two populations through different mechanisms.
Extreme Tibetan Plateau cooling caused by tropical volcanism
Authors: Zhu Xian , Ji Zhenming , Liu Fei , Dong Wenjie , Gao Chaochao
Published: June 2024

The extreme cooling of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) during the boreal winter typically poses threats to the local environment and people’s safety, and it is usually attributed to internal climate variability. Here we demonstrate that the five recent large tropical volcanic eruptions since 1880 have caused an average extreme cooling of up to −0.80 K on the TP in observations during the first boreal winter following the eruptions. This cooling effect is much larger than the global average terrestrial cooling of −0.30 K after the eruptions. The multi-model ensemble mean (MME) of the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) runs from Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), in which realistic sea surface temperatures (SST) were specified, can simulate an extreme TP cooling response of up to −0.79 K, which is much larger than the direct aerosol cooling of −0.36 K simulated by the historical runs. The positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) anomaly during the post-eruption winter after the eruptions plays a key role in amplifying the TP cooling through atmospheric teleconnection, which overwhelms the warming response associated with the frequently occurring El Niños. The results from this study provide a perspective on the potential contribution of volcanic activity or stratospheric sulfur injection scenarios to specific TP cooling.
Lessons from Ethiopian coffee landscapes for global conservation in a post-wild world
Authors: Hylander Kristoffer , Nemomissa Sileshi , Fischer Joern , Zewdie Beyene , Ayalew Biruk , Tack Ayco J. M.
Published: June 2024

The reality for conservation of biodiversity across our planet is that all ecosystems are modified by humans in some way or another. Thus, biodiversity conservation needs to be implemented in multifunctional landscapes. In this paper we use a fascinating coffee-dominated landscape in southwest Ethiopia as our lens to derive general lessons for biodiversity conservation in a post-wild world. Considering a hierarchy of scales from genes to multi-species interactions and social-ecological system contexts, we focus on (i) threats to the genetic diversity of crop wild relatives, (ii) the mechanisms behind trade-offs between biodiversity and agricultural yields, (iii) underexplored species interactions suppressing pest and disease levels, (iv) how the interactions of climate change and land-use change sometimes provide opportunities for restoration, and finally, (v) how to work closely with stakeholders to identify scenarios for sustainable development. The story on how the ecology and evolution of coffee within its indigenous distribution shape biodiversity conservation from genes to social-ecological systems can inspire us to view other landscapes with fresh eyes. The ubiquitous presence of human-nature interactions demands proactive, creative solutions to foster biodiversity conservation not only in remote protected areas but across entire landscapes inhabited by people.
An immobilized antibody-based affinity grid strategy for on-grid purification of target proteins enables high-resolution cryo-EM
Authors: Zhao Qiaoyu , Hong Xiaoyu , Wang Yanxing , Zhang Shaoning , Ding Zhanyu , Meng Xueming , Song Qianqian , Hong Qin , Jiang Wanying , Shi Xiangyi , Cai Tianxun , Cong Yao
Published: June 2024

In cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), sample preparation poses a critical bottleneck, particularly for rare or fragile macromolecular assemblies and those suffering from denaturation and particle orientation distribution issues related to air-water interface. In this study, we develop and characterize an immobilized antibody-based affinity grid (IAAG) strategy based on the high-affinity PA tag/NZ-1 antibody epitope tag system. We employ Pyr-NHS as a linker to immobilize NZ-1 Fab on the graphene oxide or carbon-covered grid surface. Our results demonstrate that the IAAG grid effectively enriches PA-tagged target proteins and overcomes preferred orientation issues. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of our IAAG strategy for on-grid purification of low-abundance target complexes from cell lysates, enabling atomic resolution cryo-EM. This approach greatly streamlines the purification process, reduces the need for large quantities of biological samples, and addresses common challenges encountered in cryo-EM sample preparation. Collectively, our IAAG strategy provides an efficient and robust means for combined sample purification and vitrification, feasible for high-resolution cryo-EM. This approach holds potential for broader applicability in both cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).
Design, modeling, and manufacturing of high strain composites for space deployable structures
Authors: Ma Xiaofei , An Ning , Cong Qiang , Bai Jiang-Bo , Wu Minger , Xu Yan , Zhou Jinxiong , Zhang Dayu , Zhang Taotao , Guo Ruiwen , Li Huanxiao , Wang Yizhe , Zhou Xiaotao , Zhu Jialong , Jin Xin , Feng Yuqing , Wu Di , Liu Tian-Wei , Yan Zhongxi , Wu Tong , Xi Haotian , Jia Qilong
Published: June 2024

The demand for larger and lighter mechanisms for next-generation space missions necessitates using deployable structures. High-strain fiber polymer composites show considerable promise for such applications due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, manufacturing versatility, packaging efficiency, and capacity for self-deployment using stored strain energy. However, a significant challenge in using composite deployable structures for space applications arises from the unavoidable extended stowage periods before they are deployed into their operational configuration in orbit. During the stowage period, the polymers within the composites experience material degradation due to their inherent viscoelastic and/or plastic properties, causing stress relaxation and accumulation of plastic strains, thereby reducing the deployment capability and resulting in issues related to recovery accuracy. This paper aims to give a state-of-the-art review of recent advances in the design, modeling, and manufacturing of high-strain composites for deployable structures in space applications, emphasizing the long-term stowage effects. This review is intended to initiate discussion of future research to enable efficient, robust, and accurate design of composite deployable structures that account for the enduring challenges posed by long-term stowage effects.
Seawater electrolysis for fuels and chemicals production: fundamentals, achievements, and perspectives
Authors: Chen Lin , Yu Chang , Dong Junting , Han Yingnan , Huang Hongling , Li Wenbin , Zhang Yafang , Tan Xinyi , Qiu Jieshan
Published: June 2024

The production of value-added fuels and chemicals via seawater electrolysis is a promising step or support towards sustainable energy development and carbon neutrality.
Real-space model for activated processes in rejuvenation and memory behavior of glassy systems
Authors: Rahman Mahajabin , Boettcher Stefan
Published: June 2024

We offer an alternative real-space description, based purely on activated processes, for the understanding of relaxation dynamics in hierarchical landscapes.
Structural changes in HfSe2and ZrSe2thin films with various oxidation methods
Authors: Foucher Alexandre C. , Mortelmans Wouter , Bing Wu , Sofer Zdeněk , Jaramillo Rafael , Ross Frances M.
Published: June 2024

Plasma oxidation is the most efficient method to form defect-free oxide layers on top of HfSe2and ZrSe2transition metal dichalcogenides, whereas thermal oxidation causes the formation of defects and cavities in the oxide.
Synthesis and electronic properties of nitrogen-rich nanographene
Authors: Heim Gavin P. , Hirahara Masanari , Dev Vidhya M. , Agapie Theodor
Published: June 2024

A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon displaying twelve edge nitrogen centers for a 42 π-electron system is reported.
Synthesis of 18F-labelled aryl trifluoromethyl ketones with improved molar activity
Authors: Veth Lukas , Windhorst Albert D. , Vugts Danielle J.
Published: June 2024

A method for the radiosynthesis of 18F-labelled aryl trifluoromethyl ketones starting from widely available Weinreb amides using [18F]fluoroform is presented.
Self-degradable photosensitizer exhibiting bacterial agglutination and membrane insertion toward safe photodynamic ablation
Authors: Zhou Chengcheng , Li Yimei , Shen Yihui , Lv Ze , Feng Jianguo , Jiang Meijuan , Du Jian , Guan Weijiang
Published: June 2024

Self-oxidative degradation photosensitizers were fabricated by a co-assembly strategy, for effectively eliminating P. aeruginosa and rapidly deactivating their function post-treatment.
Effect of halide solid solution on the structure, phase transition behaviour and dielectric properties of dabcoH+ chains
Authors: Ohishi Yuki , Sambe Kohei , Dekura Shun , Akutagawa Tomoyuki , Masuya-Suzuki Atsuko , Tsunashima Ryo
Published: June 2024

The crystal structure and phase transition behaviour of dabcoHBr, which has a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chain structure, were investigated by mixing Cl− or I−.
Adsorption of 5-fluorouracil, an anticancer drug, in faujasite-type zeolites: understanding storage and release with density functional theory calculations
Authors: Fischer Michael
Published: June 2024

The adsorption of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in zeolites is investigated with dispersion-corrected DFT calculations, with emphasis on the stabilising role of “multi-site” interactions and the behaviour of adsorbed 5-FU in the presence of water.
A lanthanide metal–organic framework containing a hydrazine group for highly sensitive luminescent sensing of formaldehyde gas
Authors: Cao Wenqian , Teng Fangying , Cui Yuanjing , Qian Guodong
Published: June 2024

A hydrazine-functionalized LnMOF was developed for highly sensitive formaldehyde gas detection with a low detection limit of 41.7 ppb.
Retraction: l-Phenylalanine l-phenylalaninium bromide – a new nonlinear optical material
Authors: Surekha R. , Gunaseelan R. , Sagayaraj P. , Ambujam K.
Published: June 2024

Retraction of ‘l-Phenylalanine l-phenylalaninium bromide – a new nonlinear optical material’ by R. Surekha et al., CrystEngComm, 2014, 16, 7979–7989, https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CE00718B
Exploring conformational landscapes and binding mechanisms of convergent evolution for the SARS-CoV-2 spike Omicron variant complexes with the ACE2 receptor using AlphaFold2-based structural ensembles and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Raisinghani Nishank , Alshahrani Mohammed , Gupta Grace , Xiao Sian , Tao Peng , Verkhivker Gennady
Published: June 2024

. AlphaFold-based approaches for prediction of protein states and molecular dynamics simulations are integrated to characterize conformational ensembles and binding mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike Omicron variants with the host receptor ACE2.
Small but bright: origin of the enhanced luminescence of ultrasmall ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ in mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Shiu Wai-Tung , Yoo Vania , Liu Yihong , Chang Lo-Yueh , Azizivahed Tahereh , Huang Yining , Ragogna Paul J. , Liu Lijia
Published: June 2024

Mesoporous silica plays an active role in improving the persistence luminescence properties of sub-5 nm ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ nanoparticles.
Non-coordinating counteranion as a powerful tool to tune the activity of copper water oxidation catalysts
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Lijuan , Shao Mengjiao , Song Xueling , Wang Lei
Published: June 2024

Counter-anions-assisted water oxidation process.
A half sandwich Ru(ii)-p-cymene nitrite complex selectively induces cell death in cisplatin-resistant malignant melanoma cells
Authors: Sun Yin-Hsuan , You Huey-Ling , Narwane Manmath , Koi Ru Xin , Kao Chai-Lin , Yuan Shyng-Shiou F. , Liao Wei-Ting , Lu Tsai-Te , Hsu Sodio C. N.
Published: June 2024

A Ru(ii)-nitrite complex is explored to release NO and selectively induce a cytotoxic effect towards SK-MEL-28 cisplatin-resistant malignant melanoma cells.
Smart synthesis of highly porous metal oxide powders with the self-assembly of amphiphilic organic compounds
Authors: Kimura Tatsuo
Published: June 2024

High-quality porous metal oxides are synthesized using amphiphilic organic compounds by utilizing a general-purpose spray-dryer, resulting in the smart optimization of synthetic conditions by combining several EISA processes.
Effects of Faraday cup deterioration on Sr and Cr isotope analyses by thermal ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Schneider Jonas M. , Kleine Thorsten
Published: June 2024

We use measurements performed on two thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS), and using three sets of Faraday cups, to assess the effects of Faraday cup deterioration on high-precision Cr and Sr isotope measurements by TIMS.
Salicylhydroxamic acid containing structural adhesive
Authors: Bhuiyan Md Saleh Akram , Wang Kan , Razaviamri Fatemeh , Lee Bruce P.
Published: June 2024

An SHAM-containing adhesive was combined with PVDF to form a novel structural adhesive. SHAM provides interfacial bonding capability while PVDF increases cohesion through hydrogen bonding with the adhesive polymer backbone.
Adsorptive and photo-Fenton properties of bimetallic MIL-100(Fe,Sn) and MIL-100(Fe,Ir) MOFs toward removal of tetracycline from aqueous solutions
Authors: Mirbagheri Naghmeh Sadat , Heizmann Philipp A. , Trouillet Vanessa , Büttner Jan , Fischer Anna , Vierrath Severin
Published: June 2024

Novel bimetallic MIL-100(Fe,Sn) MOFs and MIL-100(Fe,Ir) MOFs were synthesized and then utilized for efficient treatment of tetracycline-contaminated wastewater.
Improving the colloidal stability of protein@ZIF-8 nanoparticles in biologically relevant buffers
Authors: Van Houten Justin , Barberi Ruben Castillo , King Jared , Ogata Alana F.
Published: June 2024

ZIF-8 is a metal–organic framework frequently used for biomedical and analytical applications. Colloidal stability of ZIF-8 biocomposites in biologically relevant buffers is a challenge. We present strategies to improve colloidal stability of protein@ZIF-8 nanoparticles in buffers and cell media.
Realizing long-term cycling stability of O3-type layered oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Guohua , Gao Yuheng , Zhang Ping , Gao Yuheng , Hou Jingrong , Shi Xuemin , Ma Jiwei , Zhang Renyuan , Huang Yunhui
Published: June 2024

The synergistic regulation of the electronic structure based on Li/Sn co-substitution effectively activates more Ni2+/3+ and Fe3+/4+ redox reactions in the high-voltage area and suppresses the redox reactivity of Mn3+/4+ below 2.5 V.
A hydrogen radical pathway for efficacious electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia over an Fe-polyoxometalate/Cu electrocatalyst
Authors: Lee Heebin , Kim Keon-Han , Rao Reshma R. , Park Dong Gyu , Choi Won Ho , Choi Jong Hui , Kim Dong Won , Jung Do Hwan , Stephens Ifan E. L. , Durrant James R. , Kang Jeung Ku
Published: June 2024

We report a hydrogen radical (H*) pathway over Fe-POM/Cu, observed via operando Fe (H* generation) and Cu (NO3− binding) redoxes giving high faradaic efficiency (up to ~97.09%) for NO3− reduction to NH3 with a ~36-fold higher yield than pristine Cu.
Agglomeration compaction promotes corrosion of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Snopok Borys A. , Nizamov Shavkat N. , Snopok Tetiana V. , Mirsky Vladimir M.
Published: June 2024

Corrosion of gold nanoparticles in Cl-containing acidic solutions is a consecutive reaction, including erosion of the organic coating, agglomeration and metal dissolution in a confined space between bodies bound by Casimir and van der Waals forces.
Kinetics of the binodal decomposition of the metastable Ni0.5Ru0.5 solid solution
Authors: Filatov Evgeny , Kostin Genady , Borodin Alexander , Pishchur Denis
Published: June 2024

For the first time, the kinetics of decomposition of a metastable Ni0.50Ru0.50 solid solution was studied under isothermal conditions using in situ powder XRD.
PPy@h-MoO3 nanorods as the cathode material for high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Nadimicherla Reddeppa , Chen Luyi , Raut Siddheshwar Dadarao , Cho Won Chul
Published: June 2024

Achieving high-energy density and ensuring cycling stability in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) pose significant challenges in the context of both environmentally friendly and commercial applications.
New heteroleptic bis-(diphenylphosphino)ethane appended dialkyldithiophosphate cobalt(iii) cations: apt electrocatalysts for the heterogeneous oxygen evolution reaction and homogeneous hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Srivastava Devyani , Daniel Omoding , Kushwaha Aparna , Kociok-Köhn Gabriele , Gosavi Suresh W. , Chauhan Ratna , Muddassir Mohd. , Kumar Abhinav
Published: June 2024

New heteroleptic dppe-appended dialkyldithiophosphate cobalt(iii) cations as electrocatalysts for the heterogeneous OER and homogeneous HER.
Broad -band nonlinear optical response in Bi2Te0.6S2.4 alloys based on alloy engineering
Authors: Zhu Haixia , Chen Zhaozhe , Dai Rui , Yang Bojun , Zhong Mianzeng , Xiao Si , He Jun
Published: June 2024

Te alloying at S sites can narrow the band gap, as proved by density functional theory calculations, leading to a broadband saturable absorption response ranging from ultraviolet to near infrared wavelength.
Recent advances in synthesis and properties of silver nanoclusters
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Ki Taeyoung , Deng Guocheng , Yoo Seungwoo , Lee Kangjae , Lee Byoung-Hoon , Hyeon Taeghwan , Bootharaju Megalamane S.
Published: June 2024

This minireview outlines recent progress in synthetic strategies, photophysical, surface reactivity, and catalytic properties of Ag(0)-containing ligand-protected atomically precise silver nanoclusters.
Regioselective Brønsted acid catalyzed ring opening of aziridines by phenols and thiophenols; a gateway to access functionalized indolines, indoles, benzothiazines, dihydrobenzo-thiazines, benzo-oxazines and benzochromenes
Authors: Roy Arnab , Duari Surajit , Maity Srabani , Biswas Subrata , Mishra Abhishek Kumar , Biswas Srijit
Published: June 2024

A TfOH-catalyzed regioselective ring opening of aziridines by phenols and thiophenols have been reported. Further synthetic transformations lead to access of a range of useful heterocycles.
225Ac/213Bi radionuclide generators for the separation of 213Bi towards clinical demands
Authors: Zhu Hongshan , Heinitz Stephan , Binnemans Koen , Mullens Steven , Cardinaels Thomas
Published: June 2024

Exploring the potential of 225Ac/213Bi generator systems and adsorbents to separate 213Bi for cancer treatment.
Employing a template synthesis to access diastereopure Np(iv) and U(iv) complexes and analysis of their 5f orbitals in bonding
Authors: Carpenter Stephanie H. , Beltrán-Leiva María J. , Sharma Shikha , Tarlton Michael L. , Moore James T. , Gaunt Andrew J. , Batista Enrique R. , Tondreau Aaron M. , Yang Ping
Published: June 2024

A template methodology was employed as an entryway into diastereopure U(iv) and Np(iv) organometallic complexes, and the 5f orbital contributions to bonding were determined.
Designing promising ultraviolet (UV) birefringent crystals with different hydrogen-bonded phosphate frameworks
Authors: Xu Miao-Bin , Chen Jin , Wu Huai-Yu , Li Jia-Jia , Yu Ning , Zhuo Mo-Fan , Mao Fei-Fei , Du Ke-Zhao
Published: June 2024

From (C6H7N2O)+(H2PO4)− to (C6H6NO2)+(H2PO4)−: different preparation methods resulting in tuning the inorganic framework and outstanding birefringence in organic phosphates.
Strategic convergent synthesis en route to Veratrum steroidal alkaloids
Authors: Wang Zhuo
Published: June 2024

In this Highlight, the convergent synthetic approaches that yield the highly functionalized, complex molecular architecture of Veratrum steroidal alkaloids are discussed.
Unleashing the potentiality of metals: synergistic catalysis with light and electricity
Authors: Shen Zhengjia , Tu Jia-Lin , Huang Binbin
Published: June 2024

This review provides a comprehensive overview of metal catalysis in photo-electrochemical systems, discussing reaction mechanisms and offering prospects for this triadic catalytic mode.
Preparation and characterization of Fe–ZnO cellulose-based nanofiber mats with self-sterilizing photocatalytic activity to enhance antibacterial applications under visible light
Authors: Ranathunga Kithmini , Yapa Piumika , Munaweera Imalka , Weerasekera M. M. , Sandaruwan Chanaka
Published: June 2024

The enhanced visible light active photocatalytic sterilizing effect of Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticle incorporated cellulose acetate nanofiber membranes.
β-Enaminonitrile in the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene candidates with DFT simulation, in vitro antiproliferative assessment, molecular docking, and modeling pharmacokinetics
Authors: Elgubbi Amna S. , El-Helw Eman A. E. , Abousiksaka Motaleb S. , Alzahrani Abdullah Y. A. , Ramadan Sayed K.
Published: June 2024

Tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophenes were prepared and supported with in silico analyses. In vitro antiproliferative results displayed the highest potency of imide 5, Schiff base 11, and phthalimido 12 candidates against MCF7 and HePG2 cancer cell lines.
Hsp90α forms condensate engaging client proteins with RG motif repeats
Authors: Hu Jiaojiao , Dong Hui , Li Yichen , Gu Jinge , Yang Liang , Si Chenfang , Zhang Yaoyang , Li Tingting , Li Dan , Liu Cong
Published: June 2024

This study reveals that Hsp90α can undergo condensation, and its client proteins feature a high frequency of RG motif repeats. Client proteins with varying RG motif patterns exhibit different impacts on the dynamics of Hsp90α condensates.
Surface functionalized perovskite nanocrystals: a design strategy for organelle-specific fluorescence lifetime multiplexing
Authors: Dey Anik Kumar , Das Subhadeep , Jose Sharon Mary , Sreedharan Sreejesh , Kandoth Noufal , Barman Surajit , Patra Abhijit , Das Amitava , Pramanik Sumit Kumar
Published: June 2024

Variations in the surface functionalization of perovskite nanocrystals with passivating silica as shell show subtle change in the fluorescence lifetime. This enables multiplexed and simultaneous imaging of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
Heterostructured electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zheng Shao-Lan , Xu Hui-Min , Zhu Hong-Rui , Shuai Ting-Yu , Zhan Qi-Ni , Huang Chen-Jin , Li Gao-Ren
Published: June 2024

This review focuses mainly on the overall facilitating effect of heterostructures on the OER process. The fabrication of heterostructured electrocatalysts and the relationship between their structures and electrocatalytic properties are discussed.
Photo-thermal conversion ability of PEG and H2O-based microfluids of sodium lignosulfonate and its carbonized form
Authors: Seifikar Fatemeh , Azizian Saeid , Jaleh Babak
Published: June 2024

Better performance of the carbonized form of green colloidal sodium lignosulfonate microparticles dispersed in polyethylene glycol in harvesting solar energy.
Sum‐rate maximization for downlink multiuser MISO URLLC system aided by IRS with discrete phase shifters
Authors: Ye Chang‐Qing , Jiang Hong , Zeng Chen‐Ping , Shi Hao‐Xin , Tang Zhan‐Peng
Published: June 2024

Intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) has recently been considered as a potential technology for realizing ultra‐reliable and low‐latency (URLLC) in wireless networks. This paper proposes a resource optimization scheme to maximize the sum‐rate for an IRS‐assisted downlink multiuser multi‐input single‐output (MISO) URLLC system. For the perfect CSI scenario, we jointly optimize each user's block‐length and packet‐error probability, the precoding vectors at the base station (BS), and the passive beamforming with discrete phase shifts at the IRS. Given the problem's complexity, we design a computationally efficient iterative algorithm using successive convex approximation (SCA) and semidefinite relaxation (SDR) techniques to obtain a locally optimal solution. Specifically, for the imperfect CSI scenario, we construct a robust resource optimization problem model and incorporate the S‐procedure to address the impact of channel uncertainty, proposing an iterative algorithm based on the alternating optimization (AO) method to achieve a locally optimal solution. Simulation results demonstrate that: 1) An IRS equipped with a 2‐bit quantized resolution phase shifter is sufficient to achieve a system sum‐rate comparable to that of an ideal phase shifter; 2) Compared to other Baseline schemes, Algorithm 2 exhibits better robustness and superior performance gains under imperfect CSI.
An accelerated zeroing neural network for solving continuous coupled Lyapunov matrix equations
Authors: Wang Yurui , Zhang Ying
Published: June 2024

In this paper, an improved zeroing neural network (ZNN) model is proposed to obtain the positive definite solutions of the continuous coupled Lyapunov matrix equations (CLMEs) associated with continuous‐time Markovian jump (CMJ) systems. To achieve this, a general ZNN model is established by constructing a matrix‐valued error function. Then, to accelerate the convergence rate of the proposed ZNN model, the latest estimation is introduced to obtain an improved ZNN model. Some convergence conditions have been derived for the presented improved ZNN model through Lyapunov theory. Comparisons among the improved ZNN model and the existing results are conducted to illustrate the advantages of the proposed improved ZNN model in numerical examples.
Smart line planning method for power transmission based on D3QN‐PER algorithm
Authors: Nan Guojun , Shen Zixiang , Du Haibo , Yu Lanlin , Zhu Wenwu
Published: June 2024

The planning of power transmission line projects encompasses vast and complex geographical terrains. To address the complexity of transmission line planning and achieve lower line costs, this study proposes a novel intelligent line planning method. For the first time, it combines the Dueling Double Deep Q Network (D3QN) with the prioritized experience replay (PER) mechanism. First, correlate the reward function with metrics such as line length, number of corner points, and geographical environmental data, which are pertinent to the construction costs of power transmission line. Second, the D3QN algorithm is formulated by integrating Double DQN and Dueling DQN. The network's input information is divided into two components during training, aligning with the characteristics of power transmission line planning projects. Finally, the convergence efficiency of the algorithm is improved by using the PER mechanism for the problem of cost difference due to the different number of corner points in the planning path. In order to test the feasibility of the algorithm, we conducted experiments using real maps. Compared with the traditional ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm, the D3QN‐PER deep reinforcement learning algorithm reduces the line length by more than 4% and the number of corner points by more than 60%.
Guest Editorial: Identification, stability analysis, control, and situation awareness of power systems with high penetrations of renewable energy resources
Authors: Lie Tek Tjing , Luan Wenpeng
Published: June 2024

It is with great pleasure that the authors introduce this special issue, commemorating the 8th Asia Conference on Power and Electrical Engineering held in Tianjin in 2023. This conference served as a nexus for researchers, practitioners, and industry experts from around the globe to convene and exchange cutting‐edge insights, innovative ideas, and transformative advancements in the field of power and electrical engineering. The contributions featured in this special issue represent a diverse array of research endeavours, spanning from fundamental theories to practical applications, all aimed at addressing the myriad challenges and opportunities facing the power and electrical engineering domain. From novel methodologies in renewable energy integration to advancements in smart grid technologies, each article encapsulates the spirit of innovation and collaboration that characterised the conference. This special issue includes scientific investigations on topology modelling and virtual stability analysis methods for distribution networks with high penetration of renewable energy resources, monitoring and situation awareness on grid inertia and power‐frequency evolution, novel voltage source converter control schemes, and reviews of low‐carbon planning and operation of electricity, hydrogen fuel, and transportation networks.
A customised artificial neural network for power distribution system fault detection
Authors: Bhagwat Arnav , Dutta Soham , Jadoun Vinay Kumar , Veerendra Arigela Satya , Sahu Sourav Kumar
Published: June 2024

Machine learned fault detection approaches are being increasingly used for fault detection in distribution grid. However, the performance of the models can be improved by customizing the models. In this regard, a customised artificial neural network (CANN) for fault detection in a distribution grid is proposed in this paper. The proposed work develops a CANN that combines the “up‐pyramid” and “down‐pyramid” model of ANN into a “custom‐pyramid” model. As a result, the same model can be used both for determining the types of fault as well as its location. The data needed to train the model has been taken from a reconfigured IEEE‐33 bus distribution system developed in Typhoon HIL real‐time simulator. Spectral‐kurtosis is utilized for extraction of features of the faulted transient signals which are used as input data to develop the CANN. The result showcases that the reduction of input features reduces computational complexity without compromising its accuracy. The proposed model classifies fault location with an accuracy of 95.43%. The proposed method also identifies fault type with an accuracy of 96.08%. Several test cases have been developed to test the method. The method proved to be able to perform in most of the cases.
Flexible thin parts multi‐target positioning method of multi‐level feature fusion
Authors: Deng Yaohua , Liu Xiali , Yang Kenan , Li Zehang
Published: June 2024

In new energy battery manufacturing, machine vision is widely used in automated assembly scenarios for key parts. To improve the accuracy and real‐time multi‐target positioning recognition of flexible thin parts, this paper proposes a multi‐level feature fusion template matching algorithm based on the Gaussian pyramid. Firstly, the algorithm constructs a Gaussian pyramid by multi‐scale image construction. Secondly, considering the image features of each layer of the pyramid, this paper uses the grey‐based Fast Normalized Matching algorithm to obtain coarse positioning coordinates on the upper layer, and the improved Linemod‐2D algorithm is applied to the bottom layer image to get accurate positioning coordinates. Finally, the positioning coordinates returned from each layer are fused to obtain the final positioning coordinate. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves excellent performance in nickel plate positioning and recognition. It exhibits satisfactory performance in nickel sheet localization and recognition. In terms of angular error, repeat accuracy, and matching speed, it competes favourably with Halcon, VisionMaster, and SCISmart. Its positioning error closely approximates that of Halcon, effectively meeting the practical production demands for high‐speed feeding and high‐precision positioning.
Chinese image captioning with fusion encoder and visual keyword search
Authors: Zou Yang , Liao Shiyu , Wang Qifei
Published: June 2024

Automatic generation of image captions is essentially a cross‐modal conversion from image to text. Owing to the differences in linguistic characteristics between Chinese and English, quite a few Chinese image captioning methods have recently been proposed. Nevertheless, the existing Chinese image captioning models usually lack attention to local details of images or tend to produce general descriptions. To address these challenges, a Chinese image captioning method is proposed that incorporates fusion encoder, visual keyword search, and reinforcement learning. The fusion encoder can simultaneously extract local and global features of the input image to enrich the semantic information in the decoding stage, visual keyword search can pursue potential visual words associated with the image content, and the reinforcement learning mechanism can optimize the evaluation metric CIDEr at sentence level to promote the lexical diversity of image description. The results of extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art models and delivers expressive and informative Chinese image captions.
How can we consider multi‐core fibre standard?
Authors: Nakajima Kazuhide , Matsui Takashi
Published: June 2024

The authors provide an example roadmap for realising the space division multiplexing (SDM)‐based ecosystem. The authors investigate whether the new standard for multi‐core fibre can be specified by considering a 125 μm standard cladding diameter and backward compatibility with the existing single‐core single‐mode fibre. The authors propose that well‐planned standardisation activities need to be initiated considering mandatory technologies for realising the terrestrial SDM ecosystem in the near future.
Thermal behaviour of a transformer mineral oil‐tank surface under incipient turn‐to‐turn short‐circuit fault
Authors: Chen Si , Luo Yingting , Sheng Gehao , Jiang Junfei
Published: June 2024

A slight turn‐to‐turn short‐circuit fault in the incipient stage does not trigger fuse protection, and the regular transmission and transformation functions of the transformer within the power grid are not affected very much by the incipient turn‐to‐turn short‐circuit fault. Therefore, the incipient turn‐to‐turn short‐circuit faults are often undetected, resulting in massive accidents. Incipient turn‐to‐turn short‐circuit faults lead to localized overheating in the transformer, which changes the transformer's oil‐tank surface temperature (OTST). A thermal simulation model (TSM) is presented. Based on the TSM, OTST data with different load rates and fault parameters are collected. The steady‐state and transient characteristics of OTST are analysed by extracting the OTST feature vector and the temperature difference of specific regions. The results show that the growth of the heat production value of faulty coils causes a rise in the OTST; higher faulty coils' locations lead to wider OTST differences; the temperature difference's area S can follow the incipient short‐circuit fault in the first 20 min after it occurs, which is faster than the top oil temperature. This study gives insight into the thermal behaviour of OTST, assisting in fault detection and location at the incipient fault stage.
The origin of the soft excess in the luminous quasar HE 1029-1401
Authors: Vaia B. , Ursini F. , Matt G. , Ballantyne D. R. , Bianchi S. , De Rosa A. , Middei R. , Petrucci P. O. , Piconcelli E. , Tortosa A.
Published: June 2024

The enigmatic and intriguing phenomenon of the “soft excess” observed in the X-ray spectra of luminous quasars continues to be a subject of considerable interest and debate in the field of high-energy astrophysics. This study focuses on the quasar HE 1029-1401 (z = 0.086, log(Lbol/[erg s−1]) = 46.0 ± 0.2), with a particular emphasis on investigating the properties of the hot corona and the physical origin of the soft excess. In this study, we present the results of a joint XMM-Newton/NuSTAR monitoring campaign of this quasar conducted in May 2022. The source exhibits a cold and narrow Fe Kα emission line at 6.4 keV, in addition to the detection of a broad component. Our findings suggest that the soft excess observed in HE 1029-1401 can be adequately explained by Comptonized emission originating from a warm corona. Specifically, fitting the spectra with two NTHCOMP component we found that the warm corona is characterized by a photon index (Γw) of 2.75 ± 0.05 and by an electron temperature (kTew) of 0.39−0.04+0.06 keV, while the optical depth (τw) is found to be 23 ± 3. We also test more physical models for the warm corona, corresponding to two scenarios: pure Comptonization and Comptonization plus reflection. Both models provide a good fit to the data, and are in agreement with a radially extended warm corona having a size of a few tens of gravitational radii.
Rotational spectroscopy of CH3OD with a reanalysis of CH3OD toward IRAS 16293–2422
Authors: Ilyushin V. V. , Müller H. S. P. , Drozdovskaya M. N. , Jørgensen J. K. , Bauerecker S. , Maul C. , Porohovoi R. , Alekseev E. A. , Dorovskaya O. , Zakharenko O. , Lewen F. , Schlemmer S. , Xu L.-H. , Lees R. M.
Published: June 2024

We have started a measurement campaign of numerous methanol isotopologs in low-lying torsional states in order to provide extensive line lists for radio astronomical observations from an adequate spectroscopic model and to investigate how the intricate vibrationtorsion-rotation interactions manifest themselves in the spectra of different isotopic species. After CD3OH and CD3OD, we turn our focus to CH3OD, which is an important species for studying deuteration in prestellar cores and envelopes that enshroud protostars. Notably, deuteration is frequently viewed as a diagnostic tool for star formation. The measurements used in this study were obtained in two spectroscopic laboratories and cover large fractions of the 34 GHz-1.35 THz range. As done in previous studies, we employed a torsion-rotation Hamiltonian model for our analysis that is based on the rho-axis method. The resulting model describes the ground and first excited torsional states of CH3OD well up to quantum numbers J ⩽ 51 and Ka ⩽ 18. We derived a line list for radio astronomical observations from this model that is accurate up to at least 1.35 THz and should be sufficient for all types of radio astronomical searches for this methanol isotopolog in these two lowest torsional states. This line list was applied to a reinvestigation of CH3OD in data from the Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey of IRAS 16293–2422 obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. The new accurately determined value for the column density of CH3OD implies that the deuteration in methanol differs in its two functional groups by a factor of ~7.5.
Dossier : « La recherche au défi de la crise des temporalités » : De la crise des temporalités aux conditions de son dépassement. Essai de réflexion interdisciplinaire
Authors: Cornu Pierre , Theys Jacques
Published: June 2024

Jamais pleinement alignées, les temporalités de la nature, des sciences et des sociétés se trouvent aujourd’hui dans un déphasage problématique, qui les place au cœur de la crise du système Terre et de ce que l’on peut appeler la « crise du futur ». Délaissée durant la phase historique de la « grande accélération » de la seconde moitié du XXe siècle, la question de la prise en compte des temporalités intriquées resurgit aujourd’hui sur le mode de l’urgence, quand ce n’est pas de la panique, appelant à un effort inédit pour concevoir, dans une logique à la fois interdisciplinaire et transdisciplinaire, une intelligence du temps susceptible d’être actionnée à toutes les échelles pertinentes pour « embarquer » le système Terre dans une transition vers un modèle à la fois viable et vivable. Inscrit dans la filiation des réflexions et des propositions portées par le collectif Natures Sciences Sociétés depuis sa fondation en 1993, cet article se propose de mener une analyse clinique et critique du « présentisme », avant d’explorer les possibles nouveaux usages de l’histoire d’une part, de la prospective d’autre part, pour fonder une pensée impliquée et responsable des temporalités dans le contexte des fluctuations de plus en plus fortes de l’anthropocène.
Dossier : « La recherche au défi de la crise des temporalités » : Prendre en compte les dimensions temporelles de l’information géographique environnementale dans l’action publique territoriale
Authors: Catteau Suzanne , Lobry Emmeline
Published: June 2024

La multiplication des indicateurs quantitatifs dans les politiques publiques liées à l’environnement engendre le recours croissant aux systèmes d’information géographique et aux données environnementales géoréférencées. L’enjeu est de traduire spatialement les changements globaux pour la planification et le suivi des dynamiques naturelles et anthropiques. L’article questionne le rapport à la temporalité de ces données : leur trajectoire d’évolution, rythmée par les progrès technologiques, et leur difficile adéquation avec les temporalités de l’objet qu’elles cherchent à représenter et celles de leurs utilisations. Il décortique l’incidence des croisements de données aux temporalités multiples. À partir de deux cas d’étude, l’article affirme l’importance de prendre le temps de la discussion durant le traitement des données afin d’en améliorer la compréhension et la comptabilité avec les objectifs attendus.
Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser…
Authors: Jobst Detmar
Published: June 2024

Phytotherapie in Bewegung

Phytotherapie scheint mir in ständiger Bewegung zu sein. Einzelne, vorher nur
summarisch beschriebene Inhaltsstoffe bereits bekannter, aber zwischenzeitlich in
Vergessenheit geratener Arzneipflanzen, wie z.B. der Zistrose und des Kalmegh,
zeigen unerwartete neue Wirkungen. Bekannte Inhaltsstoffe anderer Pflanzen werfen
Fragen nach deren Ungefährlichkeit auf, wie z.B. bei Fenchelfrüchten bzw. Fenchelöl.
Wie gut, dass spezialisierte Analyse- und In-vitro-Testmethoden unser Wissen
erweitern und die Therapie mit Arzneipflanzen dadurch sicherer machen!
Biologikatherapie in der Behandlung der atopischen Dermatitis und des Asthma bronchiale
Authors: Knappe Nora , Vogelberg Christian
Published: June 2024

Biologika, im engeren Sinne molekulare Antikörper, sind ein moderner Ansatz auch bei der Therapie pneumologischer und allergologischer Krankheitsbilder. Durch eine gezielte Auswahl je nach Phäno- und Endotyp, bietet sich die Möglichkeit einer individuellen Behandlung. In diesem Artikel wird insbesondere auf die Therapieoptionen der mittelschweren bis schweren atopischen Dermatitis sowie des schweren Asthma bronchiale fokussiert.