bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beam commissioning of the first clinical biology‐guided radiotherapy system
Authors: Han Bin , Capaldi Dante , Kovalchuk Nataliya , Simiele Eric , White John , Zaks Daniel , Xing Lei , Surucu Murat
Published: April 2022

This study reports the beam commissioning results for the first clinical RefleXion Linac.

Methods: The X1 produces a 6 MV photon beam and the maximum clinical field size is 40 × 2 cm2 at source‐to‐axis distance of 85 cm. Treatment fields are collimated by a binary multileaf collimator (MLC) system with 64 leaves with width of 0.625 cm and y‐jaw pairs to provide either a 1 or 2 cm opening. The mechanical alignment of the radiation source, the y‐jaw, and MLC were checked with film and ion chambers. The beam parameters were characterized using a diode detector in a compact water tank. In‐air lateral profiles and in‐water percentage depth dose (PDD) were measured for beam modeling of the treatment planning system (TPS). The lateral profiles, PDDs, and output factors were acquired for field sizes from 1.25 × 1 to 40 × 2 cm2 field to verify the beam modeling. The rotational output variation and synchronicity were tested to check the gantry angle, couch motion, and gantry rotation.

Results: The source misalignments were 0.049 mm in y‐direction, 0.66% out‐of‐focus in x‐direction. The divergence of the beam axis was 0.36 mm with a y‐jaw twist of 0.03°. Clinical off‐axis treatment fields shared a common center in y‐direction were within 0.03 mm. The MLC misalignment and twist were 0.57 mm and 0.15°. For all measured fields ranging from the size from 1.25 × 1 to 40 × 2 cm2, the mean difference between measured and TPS modeled PDD at 10 cm depth was −0.3%. The mean transverse profile difference in the field core was −0.3% ± 1.1%. The full‐width half maximum (FWHM) modeling was within 0.5 mm. The measured output factors agreed with TPS within 0.8%.

Conclusions: This study summarizes our specific experience commissioning the first novel RefleXion linac, which may assist future users of this technology when implementing it into their own clinics.
Characterization of positioning uncertainties in PET‐CT‐MR trimodality solutions for radiotherapy
Authors: Hinault Pauline , Gardin Isabelle , Gouel Pierrick , Decazes Pierre , Thureau Sebastien , Veresezan Ovidiu , Souchay Henri , Vera Pierre , Gensanne David
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positioning uncertainties of two PET/CT‐MR imaging setups, C1 and C2. Because the PET/CT data were acquired on the same hybrid device with automatic image registration, experiments were conducted using CT‐MRI data. In C1, a transfer table was used, which allowed the patient to move from one imager to another while maintaining the same position. In C2, the patient stood up and was positioned in the same radiotherapy treatment position on each imager. The two setups provided a set of PET/CT and MR images. The accuracy of the registration software was evaluated on the CT‐MRI data of one patient using known translations and rotations of MRI data. The uncertainties on the two setups were estimated using a phantom and a cohort of 30 patients. The accuracy of the positioning uncertainties was evaluated using descriptive statistics and a t‐test to determine whether the mean shift significantly deviated from zero (p < 0.05) for each setup. The maximum registration errors were less than 0.97 mm and 0.6° for CT‐MRI registration. On the phantom, the mean total uncertainties were less than 2.74 mm and 1.68° for C1 and 1.53 mm and 0.33° for C2. For C1, the t‐test showed that the displacements along the z‐axis did not significantly deviate from zero (p = 0.093). For C2, significant deviations from zero were present for anterior‐posterior and superior‐inferior displacements. The mean total uncertainties were less than 4 mm and 0.42° for C1 and less than 1.39 mm and 0.27° for C2 in the patients. Furthermore, the t‐test showed significant deviations from zero for C1 on the anterior‐posterior and roll sides. For C2, there was a significant deviation from zero for the left‐right displacements.This study shows that transfer tables require careful evaluation before use in radiotherapy.
Benchmarking of Cph1 Mutants and DrBphP for Light‐Responsive Phytochrome‐Based Hydrogels with Reversibly Adjustable Mechanical Properties
Authors: Emig Ramona , Hoess Philipp , Cai Hanyang , Kohl Peter , Peyronnet Rémi , Weber Wilfried , Hörner Maximilian
Published: April 2022

In the rapidly expanding field of molecular optogenetics, the performance of the engineered systems relies on the switching properties of the underlying genetically encoded photoreceptors. In this study, the bacterial phytochromes Cph1 and DrBphP are engineered, recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli, and characterized regarding their switching properties in order to synthesize biohybrid hydrogels with increased light‐responsive stiffness modulations. The R472A mutant of the cyanobacterial phytochrome 1 (Cph1) is identified to confer the phytochrome‐based hydrogels with an increased dynamic range for the storage modulus but a different light‐response for the loss modulus compared to the original Cph1‐based hydrogel. Stiffness measurements of human atrial fibroblasts grown on these hydrogels suggest that differences in the loss modulus at comparable changes in the storage modulus affect cell stiffness and thus underline the importance of matrix viscoelasticity on cellular mechanotransduction. The hydrogels presented here are of interest for analyzing how mammalian cells respond to dynamic viscoelastic cues. Moreover, the Cph1‐R472A mutant, as well as the benchmarking of the other phytochrome variants, are expected to foster the development and performance of future optogenetic systems.
Modulation of the Crosstalk between Schwann Cells and Macrophages for Nerve Regeneration: A Therapeutic Strategy Based on a Multifunctional Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids System
Authors: Li Jiajie , Yao Yangxue , Wang Yun , Xu Jiangshan , Zhao Dan , Liu Mengting , Shi Sirong , Lin Yunfeng
Published: April 2022

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is currently recognized as one of the most significant public health issues and affects the general well‐being of millions of individuals worldwide. Despite advances in nerve tissue engineering, nerve repair still cannot guarantee complete functional recovery. In the present study, an innovative approach is adopted to establish a multifunctional tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) system, denoted as MiDs, which can integrate the powerful programmability, permeability, and structural stability of tFNAs, with the nerve regeneration potential of microRNA‐22 to enhance the communication between Schwann cells (SCs) and macrophages for more effective functional rehabilitation of peripheral nerves. Relevant results demonstrate that MiDs can amplify the ability of SCs to recruit macrophages and facilitate their polarization into the pro‐healing M2 phenotype to reconstruct the post‐injury microenvironment. Furthermore, MiDs can initiate the adaptive intracellular reprogramming of SCs within a short period to further promote axon regeneration and remyelination. MiDs represent a new possibility for enhancing nerve repair and may have critical clinical applications in the future.
Activating the Basal Planes in 2H‐MoTe2 Monolayers by Incorporating Single‐Atom Dispersed N or P for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Xiao Zihao , Gan Xiaorong , Zhu Tianhao , Lei Dangyuan , Zhao Huimin , Wang Peifang
Published: April 2022

Designing stable, low‐cost yet highly active electrocatalysts is crucial for overall water splitting, representing a promising approach for clean energy generation. In this work, periodic density functional theory calculations are applied to investigate, for the first time, the possibility of activating the inert basal surfaces of 2H‐MoTe2 monolayers by N‐ or P‐doping for overall electrocatalytic water splitting. The results show that both N‐ and P‐doping significantly change the surface charge distribution and electronic band structure of 2H‐MoTe2. In addition, the doping‐induced structural disorder generates more active sites, leading to improved electrochemical activities for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Especially, N‐doped 2H‐MoTe2 (4 × 4 × 1) exhibits a better OER catalytic performance with a small overpotential of 1.82 eV (vs normal hydrogen electrode), while both N‐ and P‐doped MoTe2 monolayers exhibit outstanding HER catalytic performance with a Gibbs free energy of the hydrogen adsorption ( for N‐doped MoTe2 and for P‐doped MoTe2) smaller than that of pristine 2H‐MoTe2 (). The study provides an effective strategy for regulating the electroactivity of layered transition metal dichalcogenides for enhanced overall water splitting.
Recent Advances in Layered Metal‐Oxide Cathodes for Application in Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Nathan Muthu Gnana Theresa , Yu Hakgyoon , Kim Guk‐Tae , Kim Jin‐Hee , Cho Jung Sang , Kim Jeha , Kim Jae‐Kwang
Published: April 2022

To meet future energy demands, currently, dominant lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) must be supported by abundant and cost‐effective alternative battery materials. Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are promising alternatives to LIBs because KIB materials are abundant and because KIBs exhibit intercalation chemistry like LIBs and comparable energy densities. In pursuit of superior batteries, designing and developing highly efficient electrode materials are indispensable for meeting the requirements of large‐scale energy storage applications. Despite using graphite anodes in KIBs instead of in sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs), developing suitable KIB cathodes is extremely challenging and has attracted considerable research attention. Among the various cathode materials, layered metal oxides have attracted considerable interest owing to their tunable stoichiometry, high specific capacity, and structural stability. Therefore, the recent progress in layered metal‐oxide cathodes is comprehensively reviewed for application to KIBs and the fundamental material design, classification, phase transitions, preparation techniques, and corresponding electrochemical performance of KIBs are presented. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities associated with developing layered oxide cathode materials are presented for practical application to KIBs.
Tailoring Intermolecular Interactions Towards High‐Performance Thermoelectric Ionogels at Low Humidity
Authors: Zhao Wei , Sun Tingting , Zheng Yiwei , Zhang Qihao , Huang Aibin , Wang Lianjun , Jiang Wan
Published: April 2022

Development of ionic thermoelectric (iTE) materials is of immense interest for efficient heat‐to‐electricity conversion due to their giant ionic Seebeck coefficient (Si), but challenges remain in terms of relatively small Si at low humidity, poor stretchability, and ambiguous interaction mechanism in ionogels. Herein, a novel ionogel is reported consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethylene oxide‐polypropylene oxide‐polyethylene oxide (P123), and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate (Emim:OAC). By delicately designing the interactions between ions and polymers, the migration of anions is restricted due to their strong binding with the hydroxyl groups of polymers, while the transport of cations is facilitated through segmental motions due to the increased amorphous regions, thereby leading to enlarged diffusion difference between the cations and anions. Moreover, the plasticizing effect of P123 and Emim:OAC can increase the elongation at break. As a consequence, the ionogel exhibits excellent properties including high Si (18 mV K−1 at relative humidity of 60%), good ionic conductivity (1.1 mS cm−1), superior stretchability (787%), and high stability (over 80% retention after 600 h). These findings show a promising strategy to obtain multifunctional iTE materials by engineering the intermolecular interactions and demonstrate the great potential of ionogels for harvesting low‐grade heat in human‐comfortable humidity environments.
A Review on the Conventional Capacitors, Supercapacitors, and Emerging Hybrid Ion Capacitors: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Sun Jiale , Luo Bingcheng , Li Huanxin
Published: April 2022

Electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices with high‐power density such as capacitors, supercapacitors, and hybrid ion capacitors arouse intensive research passion. Recently, there are many review articles reporting the materials and structural design of the electrode and electrolyte for supercapacitors and hybrid capacitors (HCs), though these reviews always focus on individual supercapacitors or single HCs. Herein, the conventional capacitor, supercapacitor, and hybrid ion capacitor are incorporated, as the detailed description of conventional capacitors is very fundamental and necessary for the better understanding and development of supercapacitors and hybrid ion capacitors, which are often ignored. Therefore, herein, the fundamentals and recent advances of conventional capacitors, supercapacitors, and emerging hybrid ion capacitors are comprehensively and systematically summarized in terms of history, mechanisms, electrode materials, existing challenges, and perspectives. At the same time, it is believed that a comprehensive and fundamental understanding for capacitor‐related EES devices is provided in the review and has a great guiding role for future development.
Advancement of Electroadhesion Technology for Intelligent and Self‐Reliant Robotic Applications
Authors: Rajagopalan Pandey , Muthu Manikandan , Liu Yulu , Luo Jikui , Wang Xiaozhi , Wan Chaoying
Published: April 2022

The growing need for automation in industries has foreseen drastic advancements in the development of soft robotics in the areas of navigation systems, textiles, healthcare, and biometric monitoring. Electroadhesion (EA)‐based robotic applications benefit from ultralow power consumption, low maintenance, choices in versatile surfaces, sustainable life cycles, applicability in harsh and vacuum environments, and exteroceptive/proprioceptive abilities. It is of scientific and technological importance to comprehend the sequence of developments in working mechanisms, modeling, and materials to explore its full potential for future intelligent robotics systems. This review provides an all‐inclusive roadmap of EA technology from its inception to unprecedented developments and complex relationships across multidisciplines, viz., robotics, solid and fluid mechanics, electrostatics, haptics, space technologies, nanotechnology, and IoT.
Patterns of community violence exposure among urban adolescents and their associations with adjustment
Authors: Pittman Sarah K. , Farrell Albert D.
Published: April 2022

Community violence exposure is prevalent among urban and marginalized adolescents. Although there is strong evidence that community violence exposure is associated with negative consequences, prior studies and theories suggest that these associations may differ as a function of specific characteristics of exposure. This study identified patterns of community violence exposure that differed in form (witnessing vs. victimization), familiarity with the victim, and severity, and in their associations with adolescents' frequency of physical aggression and anxiety symptoms. Participants were 681 eighth‐grade adolescents (58% female, 95% African American). Latent class analysis identified five subgroups who reported distinct patterns of violence exposure: limited exposure; witnessed less severe violence, not victimized; witnessed severe violence, not victimized; witnessed less severe violence, some victimization; and high violence exposure. The witnessed less severe, some victimization, and high violence exposure subgroups reported the highest frequency of physical aggression and levels of anxiety compared with all other subgroups. The limited exposure subgroup reported the lowest frequencies of physical aggression. The findings suggest that the form of exposure (witnessing or victimization) is an important distinction in examining associations with adolescent adjustment. Limited support was found for differences related to familiarity with the victim and severity of violence.
Lipid Membrane‐Based Antigen Presentation to B Cells Using a Fully Synthetic Ex Vivo Germinal Center Model
Authors: Kramer Liana , Song Hannah W. , Mitchell Kaiya , Kartik Mythili , Jain Ritika , Escarra Victoria Lozano , Quiros Enrique , Fu Harrison , Singh Ankur , Roy Krishnendu
Published: April 2022

High‐affinity antigen‐specific B cells are generated within specialized structures, germinal centers (GCs), inside lymphoid organs. In GCs, follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) present antigens on their membrane surface to cognate B cells, inducing rapid proliferation and differentiation of the B cells toward antibody‐secreting cells. The FDC's fluid membrane surface allows B cells to “pull” the antigens into clusters and internalize them, a process that frequently involves tearing off and internalizing FDC membrane fragments. To study this process ex vivo, liposomal membranes are used as the antigen‐presenting FDC‐like fluid lipid surface to activate B cells. In a fully synthetic in vitro GC model (sGC), which uses the microbead‐based presentation of the CD40 Ligand and a cytokine cocktail to mimic T follicular helper cell signals to B cells, liposomes presenting a model antigen mimic effectively engage B cell receptors (BCRs) and induce greater BCR clustering compared to soluble antigens, resulting in rapid antigen internalization and proliferation of the B cells. B cells showed GC‐like reactions and undergo efficient IgG1 class‐switching. Taken together, the results suggest that fluid membrane‐bound antigen induces a strong GC response and provides a novel synthetic in vitro system for studying GC biology in health and diseases, and for expanding therapeutic B cells ex vivo.
Safe and selective anticancer agents from tetrafluorinated azobenzene‐imidazolium ionic liquids: Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxic effects
Authors: Babamale Halimah F. , Khor Boon‐Keat , Chear Nelson Jeng‐Yeou , Yam Wan Sinn
Published: April 2022

A new series of tetrafluorinated azobenzene‐imidazolium salts is reported. The azobenzene and imidazolium moieties were functionalized with long alkyl chains and connected via a methylene spacer of varying lengths (n = 3–12). They were characterized using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, and elemental microanalysis. The cytotoxic potential of these ionic dimers against neuroblastoma (SHSY‐5Y), estrogen‐positive breast cancer cells (MCF‐7), triple‐negative breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231), cervical cancer cells (HeLa), and human skin fibroblasts (Hs27) was evaluated using the MTT assay. The cytotoxicity of these ionic liquids (ILs) was dependent on the spacer length. A cut‐off effect was observed, wherein the cytotoxicity of the ILs was enhanced by increasing the nonpolar, hydrophobic spacer length up to a threshold and the potency was leveled off upon chain elongation. All ILs exhibited selective and remarkable inhibition potentials against HeLa cells in a dose‐dependent manner, which was 2–22 times stronger than that of etoposide, a clinical anticancer drug. These ILs were less toxic toward skin fibroblasts as implied by much higher IC50 values. The long‐spacer ILs (n = 7–10) were very selective toward HeLa cells. They had a broad safety window with selectivity indices ranging between 5.6 and 11.0. The selectivity of these compounds toward HeLa cells may serve as a new strategy for the design and development of safe and effective chemotherapeutics.
Leveraging risk and data analytics for sustainable management of buried water infrastructure
Authors: Ganjidoost Amin , Vladeanu Greta , Daly Craig Michael
Published: April 2022

A proactive and sustainable asset management program is vital for utilities to maintain their capital assets at the required level of service, while ensuring that adequate funds are available for intervening when needed on their riskiest assets. One of the most popular methods for building such programs is by prioritizing capital investments based on the asset's risk of failure, which evaluates its likelihood or probability of failure and impact, or consequence of failure. This paper presents the application of a financial planning analysis using system dynamics to provide insights into quantifying more practical risk avoidance. This is exemplified through a 5‐year budgetary planning scenario analysis for a large‐sized US water utility to help the utility best plan for short and long‐term capital operations and show the value of a data‐driven and risk‐based decision‐making.
Levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells inversely correlate with manic and positive symptom severity in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Liou Ying‐Jay , Chen Mu‐Hong , Hsu Ju‐Wei , Huang Kai‐Lin , Huang Po‐Hsun , Bai Ya‐Mei
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) that are attributed to endothelial dysfunction. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) are proposed as indicators of endothelial dysfunction. This study examined the relationship of cEPC numbers with BPD diagnosis and its clinical symptoms in patients with BPD.

Methods

We recruited 48 patients with BPD and 50 healthy controls (HCs). All the patients had scores of <13 on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). In addition to the YMRS and Clinical Global Impression for BPD (CGI‐BP), bipolar patients were assessed using relevant measurements for their depression, anxiety, general psychopathology, cognitive dysfunction and deficit, somatic symptoms, quality of life, and level of disability. cEPC counts were measured using flow cytometry.

Results

The numbers of immature and mature cEPCs in the bipolar patients did not significantly differ from those in the HCs. After correction for multiple comparisons and controlling for body mass index and smokers, the number of immature cEPCs was observed to be inversely correlated with CGI‐BP (corrected p [pcorr] = .00018) and positive scores in the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS‐P; pcorr = .0049). The number of mature cEPCs was inversely correlated with YMRS (pcorr = .014), CGI‐BP (pcorr = .00022), and PANSS‐P (pcorr = .0049) scores. In multivariate stepwise analysis, numbers of both types of cEPCs were associated with CGI‐BP.

Conclusions

cEPC levels, an indicator of endothelial dysfunction and risk of CVDs, may be associated manic and positive symptom severities in patients with BPD.
An interval‐valued composite indicator for energy efficiency and green entrepreneurship
Authors: Drago Carlo , Gatto Andrea
Published: April 2022

Promoting energy‐efficient technologies can support green entrepreneurship via innovation creation. Energy efficiency policies and practices can promote cleaner productions and consumptions and environmental‐friendly lifestyles in light of green growth goals. The foreseen strategy is twofold: it entails fostering energy‐efficient technologies and supporting sustainable entrepreneurship. The work aims to measure energy efficiency by consistently constructing a new interval‐based composite indicator using the World Bank's RISE database. The methodological approach employed is based on a Monte‐Carlo simulation and offers the advantage of internalizing the variation of its outputs. Examining the sorting ranking, we find a positive relationship between energy efficiency and entrepreneurship by identifying some countries exhibiting high density in these two variables—e.g. Australia and the United Kingdom. We scrutinize innovative perspectives and propose policy recommendations projecting speculative scenarios based on different governance strategies to support sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. The prospects are worthy for depicting key industrial environmental strategies.
Primary and mental health service use in community health center patients before and after cancer diagnosis
Authors: Larson Annie E. , Angier Heather , Suchocki Andrew , Voss Robert W. , Marino Miguel , Warren Nathaniel , Huguet Nathalie
Published: April 2022

Background

Cancer survivors face increased risk for chronic diseases resulting from cancer, preexisting conditions, and cancer treatment. Having an established primary care clinic or health insurance may influence patients’ receipt of recommended preventive care necessary to manage, treat, or diagnose new conditions. This study sought to understand receipt of healthcare in community health centers (CHCs) before and after cancer diagnosis among cancer survivors. We also examined the type of care received and assessed whether being established with a CHC or the type of health insurance affected the use of services.

Methods

Using electronic health record data and linked cancer registries from 5,649 CHC patients in three states from 2012 through 2018, we obtained monthly rates of primary care and mental health/behavioral health (MHBH) visits and the probability of receipt of care before and after a cancer diagnosis.

Results

Seventy‐five percent of CHC patients diagnosed with cancer returned to their primary CHC for care within 2‐years of their diagnosis. Among those who returned, there was a sharp increase in primary and MHBH care shortly before their diagnosis. Significantly more primary care (pre: 19.6%, post: 21.9%, p < 0.001) and MHBH care (pre: 1.2%, post: 1.6%, p < 0.001) was received after diagnosis than before. However, uninsured patients had fewer visits after their diagnosis than before.

Conclusion

Use of preventive care for cancer survivors is particularly important. Having an established primary care clinic may help to ensure survivors receive recommended screening and care.
Modulating AgIn@In2O3 Core–Shell Catalysts for Amplified Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Formate
Authors: Wu Guangqing , Chen Wu , Pang Yongyu , Xie Ruikuan , Xia Dong , Chai Guoliang
Published: April 2022

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECO2RR) is a promising way to convert CO2 into valuable products, while requiring highly active and selective electrocatalysts. Herein, we synthesize a series of AgIn/In2O3 catalysts with AgIn bimetallic core and In2O3 shell structure for ECO2RR to produce formate. The AgIn bimetallic core improved the conductivity of the catalysts and the In2O3 shell was reduced to In that served as active sites during the electrochemical reduction process. The activity and selectivity of formate production is related to the indium content in the AgIn/In2O3 catalyst. The optimized Ag50In50@In2O3 catalyst exhibited a high faradaic efficiency of 83 % at −0.9 V and −1.0 V vs. RHE for formate and the corresponding H2 selectivity was largely suppressed to below 10 % of the applied potentials. There was no significant decay in current density and faraday efficiency of formate after 12 hours of stability testing. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the adsorption energy of *OCHO intermediate on the In shell was reduced due to the Ag−In interface interaction and enhanced charge transfer compared with pure In surface, which lead to the increased selectivity of formate.
Alkali resistance testing methodology and development: Focus on mullite based castables
Authors: Haines Katherine , Byrd Kasandralee , Lankard David
Published: April 2022

Aluminosilicate refractories, which are widely used in alkali‐rich environments, typically have a matrix that is close to mullite in composition. It is the matrix component that is most vulnerable to attack in service.

In this study, the “matrix” is identified as including the mixed water and the solid constituents with a particle size less than 0.5 mm. The formulation of experimental compositions was done on a volume percent basis to account for differences in the specific gravity of the components. This approach fixes the volume percent of water and provides the means to replace any of the solid constituents with an equal volume of other refractory materials. Aided by using polished thin sections, characterization procedures provide for the generation of information on microstructural, chemical, and mineralogical changes of the matrix after exposure to a corrosive environment.
Revisiting the Environment Effect on Mass Transfer for Heterogenized Pd6Ru8 Metal‐Organic Cage Photocatalyst Confined within 3D Matrix
Authors: Wu Dong‐Jun , Luo Yucheng , Li Xuan , Su Zhi‐Fang , Shi Jian‐Ying , Su Cheng‐Yong
Published: April 2022

Artificial light‐driven splitting of water into hydrogen involves multiple links to emulate natural photosynthesis, including light absorption, electron or energy transfer, surface catalysis et al., in which, the mass transportation of sacrificial reagent and reactant is always ignored. Metal‐organic cage (MOC) of Pd6Ru8 (MOC‐16), assembling multiple photosensitive Ru and catalytic Pd concomitant with directional electron transfer between them, provides an opportunity to explore the environmental effects from the view point of mass transportation without disturbance of other links. Zr‐MOF of UiO‐66 is used as a matrix to heterogenize MOC‐16 and a series of characterizations are carried out to unravel the composition, structure and optical properties. The intact MOC‐16 remains with long‐term photo‐stability and the outstanding photocatalytic activity is obtained by virtue of a long‐lived triplet state. Three matrixes of ZIF‐8, ZIF‐8 derived carbonate CZIF, and UiO‐66 are intercompared for mass transfer based on wettability and porous structure. Water molecule directly takes part in the formation of H2 catalyzed by MOC‐16@UiO‐66, evidenced by a kinetic isotope effect, in addition to the proton delivery thanks to the hydrophilic nature of UiO‐66. The porous structure of UiO‐66 is essential for the permeation of sacrificial reagent to serve as two‐electron donor, in sharp contrast as one‐electron donor in nonporous CZIF matrix. These results highlight the importance of microenviroment surrounding molecular catalysts in view of the heterogenization of molecular catalysts, meanwhile, providing a prominent guidance on how to choose 3D support to bridge the homogenous and heterogenous system.
Pathologist‐performed ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirations of the thyroid: A single institution observational study
Authors: McKenzie David R. , Kliassov Evelyna G. , Dash Rajesh C. , Foo Wen‐Chi , Jones Claudia K. , Jiang Xiaoyin
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsies (USFNAs) are increasingly performed by pathologists. This study was designed to assess the diagnostic yield and characterization of thyroid nodules biopsied at a teaching hospital setting in which both attending physicians and trainees are involved in the performance of USFNAs.

METHODS

A retrospective study of pathologist‐performed USFNAs of thyroid cases was performed over a period of 9 years at a tertiary medical center. Data collected included patient characteristics and The Bethesda System diagnostic categories.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 1531 USFNAs of thyroid nodules were performed in the pathology‐based clinic, with 1209 lesions in females and 322 in males. Ninety‐three percent of samples were sufficient for diagnosis (n = 1420). The majority of nodules biopsied were benign (65.4%, n = 1002). Overall, 3.1% of nodules biopsied were diagnostic of malignancy (n = 47). The number of USFNAs over the years showed a rapid increase initially, with a coronavirus disease 2019‐related decrease in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors report their experience with thyroid USFNA over nearly a decade. The most common diagnosis was benign and the second most common was Bethesda category III. Lesions that were diagnostic of malignancy were relatively uncommon. Over the study period, the results showed that at a large tertiary care center in which USFNAs were performed by trainees as well as attending physicians, the diagnostic yield was good with a majority of thyroid nodules biopsied associated with a definitive diagnosis.;
CoFe‐P/Ti3C2Tx Nanosheets as Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Xia Minglong , Yang Mengjie , Guo Yuchao , Sun Xi , Wang Shuo , Feng Yi , Ding Huili
Published: April 2022

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial step in many sustainable energy technologies. Exploring cost‐effetive electrocatalysts with high efficiency is one of the most critical but challenging problems to overcome the slow reaction rate and high overpotential in OER. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) has excellent OER performance. However, their poor electrical conductivity and easy agglomeration limit their use. Currently, further phosphorizaton or incorporating with conductive substrates is an effective method to improve the OER performance. In this study, a hybrid product denoted as CoFe−P/Ti3C2Tx were successfully prepared by facile reflux hydrothermal and phosphorization. The optimized CoFe−P/Ti3C2Tx possesses a low overpotential of 270 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope (57.7 mV dec−1). In addition, an overpotential of 337 mV was needed for affording 50 mA cm−2 in the 1 M KOH.
Applying stochastic network calculus to logical link control layer in underwater wireless communication: Underwater fish farming perspective
Authors: M Saravanan , Sukumaran Rajeev
Published: April 2022

In recent days, research in underwater fish farming has been seen as a sustainable method to land‐based fish farming due to the increasing global population and limitations in land‐based farming areas worldwide.The fish farming cage installations are usually operated in the depth area of seawater and are ideal circumstances for fish farming. Monitoring sensor‐based data collection from fish farming is highly efficient and more innovative. Due to the unique properties of seawater, the substantial challenge of an Underwater Wireless Sensor Network (UWSN) is guaranteeing reliable data communication between the underwater sensor nodes and surface nodes. To ensure reliable communication, the mathematical approach Stochastic Network Calculus (SNC) is considered for modeling the reliable data flow control in the logical link control layer to satisfy the requirements of the underwater fish farming application. This paper presents the SNC mathematical model construction of stochastic bounds for frame flow, window size, service element analysis, feedback loop analysis, delay, and backlog bounds derived in the proposed model. The proposed model produces the better frame delivery and throughput in an incremental order with respect to the simulation model. There is significant difference (4 to 12 percentage) between the stochastic and simulation model. Thus, the reliable frame flow can be adopted with the dynamic changes in the feedback loop to avoid the overflow by repeated requests.
Assessment of ecosystem services knowledge, attitudes, and practices of coffee farmers using legume cover crops
Authors: Ndiritu J. M. , Kinama J. M. , Muthama J. N.
Published: April 2022

The objective of our study was to find out the level of adoption of desmodium legume fodder cover crops in coffee cultivation, which is associated with enhancing ecosystem services in coffee cultivation and providing fodder production for livestock. This was evaluated using a structured face to face questionnaire with a sample of 97 farmers on knowledge, attitude and practices, which was conducted in Gewa ward, Githuguri Constituency in Kiambu County by replicating similar conditions of Arabica coffee growing areas in the tropics, where most farmers practice mixed farming. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between commercial feeds and milk production. The results indicated a significant contribution of close to 70% implying that commercial feed contribution to milk production, which was estimated to be US$ 0.2 (KSh 19) per liter of milk produced, was indicative of the impact of the lack of adequate fodder. Despite the possibility of using the desmodium legume fodder production as a coffee cover crop, the attitude varied, and there is still a significant reliance on commercial feeds for the success in milk production. Farmers generally intercrop coffee with various annual crops with a notable lack of knowledge on complementarity and related ecosystem services of desmodium as cover crops. The coffee and livestock farmers reported that weather variability exacerbates feed scarcity, increasing dependence on commercial livestock feed purchases. Milk production, being a major economic focus in many coffee areas, is mainly supported by the purchase of commercial feeds, whose volume increases when rainfall is inadequate or delayed. Our findings indicate that the adoption of legume fodder cover crops in coffee cultivation would reduce farmers' reliance on commercial feeds and increase incomes, while benefiting from ecosystem services, when adopting sustainable agricultural intensification with changing climate remaining a major concern thereby increasing their resilience.
Tree communities in Baltimore differ by land use type, but change little over time
Authors: Jiang Shasha , Sonti Nancy F. , Avolio Meghan L.
Published: April 2022

Across a city, tree communities are spatially heterogenous and vary by land use type. However, it remains unclear how urban tree communities change over time and whether rates of change depend on land use type. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed urban tree composition using long‐term plot data to examine tree diversity changes across six different urban land use types in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. We found that spatial differences in tree species diversity and community composition among land uses were much greater than changes over time. Number of trees increased over time, being driven by gains of non‐native species. There was also a significant interaction between land use and time, with institutional and transportation land uses having greater community changes over time. Our study can inform site‐specific efforts to promote and preserve urban biodiversity across public and private land uses.
The Thermo‐Economic Potential of ORC‐Based Pumped‐Thermal Electricity Storage: Insights from the Integrated Design of Processes and Working Fluids
Authors: Tillmanns Dominik , Pell Dominik , Schilling Johannes , Bardow André
Published: April 2022

Higher shares of renewable energy increase the need for electricity storage. A promising storage technology is Pumped‐Thermal Electricity Storage (PTES): PTES systems transform electricity into heat using a heat pump (HP) and reconvert the heat into electricity using a heat engine. Since both HPs and heat engines require working fluids, maximum performance requires the optimal combination of PTES process and working fluids. Herein this work, the thermo‐economic potential of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)‐based PTES system is analyzed by simultaneously designing both the PTES process and the working fluids used in the HP and the ORC. To rigorously explore the molecular design space, the 1‐stage Continuous‐Molecular Targeting ‐ Computer‐Aided Molecular Design method is employed. Detailed models for costing and sizing of the equipment allow for a thermo‐economic design of the PTES. The computer‐aided molecular design formulation integrates the working fluids as degrees of freedom into the process optimization. For the investigated ORC‐based PTES system with an input power of 60 MW, the optimal process and working fluids minimize the specific investment cost to . The analysis of cost drivers shows that with decreasing compressor cost, the investigated ORC‐based PTES system can become a competitive storage technology.
All Room‐Temperature‐Processed Carbon‐Based Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with TiO2 Electron Collection Layer
Authors: Kartikay Purnendu , Yella Aswani , Mallick Sudhanshu
Published: April 2022

Herein, low‐cost, solution‐based, all room‐temperature‐processed carbon‐based triple‐cation perovskite solar cells (C‐PSC) with TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL) are reported. The hydrothermally synthesized anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) doping results in high‐quality and uniform ETL with improved interparticle connectivity. The room‐temperature crystallization of pure photoactive α‐phase perovskite absorber layer MA0.14FA0.77Cs0.09PbI2.5Br0.5 is achieved with the combination of diethyl ether anti‐solvent treatment and nitrogen gas‐assisted drying. The resultant film is dense and smooth with pinhole‐free uniform grain distribution. The C‐PSCs with TiO2 processed at 500 °C give 12.07% efficiency, whereas the room‐temperature‐processed TiO2 (RT TiO2) ETL‐based device shows 10.57% efficiency. Furthermore, this RT TiO2 and room‐temperature crystallized perovskite layer are employed in all room‐temperature‐processed flexible C‐PSC with ≈8% efficiency. The fabricated C‐PSCs exhibit significant stability for more than 1 month, with a T80 of 335 h.
Prediction and analysis of natural gas consumption in chongqing with a grey prediction model group in the context of COVID‐19
Authors: Zeng Bo , Yang Shuangyi , Mao Cuiwei , Zhang Dehai
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a grey prediction model group is employed to quantitatively study the impact of COVID‐19 on natural gas consumption in Chongqing, China. First, a grey prediction model group suitable for the prediction of Chongqing's natural gas consumption is introduced, which consists of GM(1,1), TWGM(1,1), and the newly‐developed ODGM(1,1). Then, the model group is constructed to predict Chongqing's natural gas consumption in 2020. Finally, compare the predicted results of the model group with the actual consumption and quantitatively analyze the impact of the epidemic on natural gas in Chongqing. It is found that the impact of the epidemic on the consumption of natural gas in the first quarter of the year is very small, but relatively bigger in the second and third quarters. The study is of positive significance to maintain the supply and demand balance of natural gas consumption in Chongqing in the background of COVID‐19; and it enriches and develops the theoretical system of grey prediction models.
Novel fluorescent GLUT1 inhibitor for precision detection and fluorescence image‐guided surgery in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tian Yu , Tang Chu , Shi Guangyuan , Wang Guorong , Du Yang , Tian Jie , Zhang Haizhong
Published: April 2022

Early detection and complete resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are crucial to improving patient survival and prognosis. However, specifically targeted imaging probes for OSCC detection are limited. Our study aimed to synthesize a novel near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe for precision detection and fluorescence image‐guided surgery in OSCC. Bioinformatics data indicated that glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is highly expressed in patients with OSCC. We demonstrated high and specific GLUT1 expression upon immunohistochemical staining of samples from 20 patients with OSCC. The specific expression of GLUT1 was further validated in both human OSCC cell lines and OSCC tumor xenografts. Based on these findings, the GLUT1 inhibitor WZB117 was utilized to synthesize a novel NIRF imaging probe, WZB117‐IR820. The fluorescence molecular imaging data revealed that WZB117‐IR820 could specifically bind to the tumor areas in an orthotopic OSCC mouse model after intravenous injection and could be further applied for precision fluorescence image‐guided surgery with no residual tumor in the orthotopic CAL27‐fLUC mouse tumor model. For further clinical translational application in patients with OSCC, precise delineation of OSCC tumor areas was achieved after topical application of the WZB117‐IR820 imaging probe and was validated by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. In conclusion, we synthesized a novel fluorescent imaging probe, WZB117‐IR820, which has potential clinical applications for early detection and fluorescence image‐guided surgery in OSCC with no observable toxicity.
Agreement between visual inspection and objective analysis methods: A replication and extension
Authors: Taylor Tessa , Lanovaz Marc J.
Published: April 2022

Behavior analysts typically rely on visual inspection of single‐case experimental designs to make treatment decisions. However, visual inspection is subjective, which has led to the development of supplemental objective methods such as the conservative dual‐criteria method. To replicate and extend a study conducted by Wolfe et al. (2018) on the topic, we examined agreement between the visual inspection of five raters, the conservative dual‐criteria method, and a machine‐learning algorithm (i.e., the support vector classifier) on 198 AB graphs extracted from clinical data. The results indicated that average agreement between the 3 methods was generally consistent. Mean interrater agreement was 84%, whereas raters agreed with the conservative dual‐criteria method and the support vector classifier on 84% and 85% of graphs, respectively. Our results indicate that both objective methods produce results consistent with visual inspection, which may support their future use.
A transparent transition? An investigation of firm disclosure regarding the expected impact of the new lease standard
Authors: Comiran Fernando H. , Franzen Laurel , Graham Carol M.
Published: April 2022

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires firms to provide disclosures on the expected financial statement impact of newly issued accounting standards that have yet to be adopted. In this study, we explore the extent, nature, and timeliness of disclosures regarding the expected impact of the new lease standard in the transition period (2016–2018). We find that 62% of sample firms provide no firm‐specific disclosure regarding an expected increase in lease liabilities in the first year of the transition, which is unexpected given the clear balance sheet impact of the new lease standard. We investigate the determinants of timely disclosure and find a positive association with operating lease activity. Given concerns that firms will seek alternate vehicles for off‐balance‐sheet (OBS) financing under the new lease standard, we investigate changes in lease activity and disclosures for a sample of firms with extreme decreases in operating lease activity. We find a downward trend in operating lease activity around the passage of the new lease standard, but find few firms disclosing expected changes to their leasing activity. Our evidence suggests that information in early transition period disclosures, or lack thereof, may provide important signals for assessing lease liabilities and overall debt levels under the new lease standard.
Comparison of approximate intermolecular potentials for ab initio fragment calculations on medium sized N‐heterocycles
Authors: Barcza Bónis , Szirmai Ádám B. , Szántó Katalin J. , Tajti Attila , Szalay Péter G.
Published: April 2022

The ground state intermolecular potential of bimolecular complexes of N‐heterocycles is analyzed for the impact of individual terms in the interaction energy as provided by various, conceptually different theories. Novel combinations with several formulations of the electrostatic, Pauli repulsion, and dispersion contributions are tested at both short‐ and long‐distance sides of the potential energy surface, for various alignments of the pyrrole dimer as well as the cytosine–uracil complex. The integration of a DFT/CCSD density embedding scheme, with dispersion terms from the effective fragment potential (EFP) method is found to provide good agreement with a reference CCSD(T) potential overall; simultaneously, a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approach using CHELPG atomic point charges for the electrostatic interaction, augmented by EFP dispersion and Pauli repulsion, comes also close to the reference result. Both schemes have the advantage of not relying on predefined force fields; rather, the interaction parameters can be determined for the system under study, thus being excellent candidates for ab initio modeling.