bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurements and efficient simulations of bowed bars
Authors: Essl Georg , Cook Perry R.
Published: July 2002

Bowing bar percussion instruments is an increasing part of the repertoire of modern composition and performance. Yet the system has not been studied systematically. In this paper experimental measurements of bars of bar percussion instruments bowed by a double bass bow and by a bowing machine are presented. They examine the relationships between performance parameters and perceptional parameters which are relevant for musical performance. In addition, a new efficient simulation method using a time-domain approach has been developed and the measured results are compared to the simulation. Most measurement results are in good qualitative agreement with the known results of the bowed string. The spectrum of the bowed bar is observed to be harmonic, independent of the harmonicity or inharmonicity of the eigenfrequencies of the bar. Important distinctions from the known results of the bowed string are the weakness or independence of bowing force and velocity on the fundamental frequency and the spectral content of the produced sound. Simulations show qualitative agreement with the measurements.
Deformation and breakup mechanisms of single drops during shear
Authors: Tsakalos Vassilios T. , Navard Patrick , Peuvrel-Disdier Edith
Published: July 2002

The behavior of single drops of isotropic hydroxypropylcellulose solutions immersed in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix subjected to a constant shear rate was investigated using a rheo-optical technique. Our main results concern the nonstationary deformation and breakup mechanisms of drops characterized by large capillary numbers. The deformation of threads follows a pseudoaffine deformation for Ca/Cacrit larger than 2.5 and above a certain strain. The end pinching mechanism occurs at a specific scaled strain, which includes the initial drop size and the applied shear rate. Capillary instabilities develop when the thread diameter reaches a critical value, dr, inversely proportional to the applied shear rate and independent of the initial drop diameter. The time necessary for the total rupture of a thread depends on the initial drop diameter, the applied shear rate, and the critical thread diameter dr. The droplet size resulting from the final rupture of a thread is found to be half that of the critical size, below which a drop deforms into a stable ellipsoid.
Separability criteria for entangled polymer liquids
Authors: Archer Lynden A.
Published: July 2002

Requirements for factorable nonlinear shear relaxation moduli were investigated using a series of entangled polystyrene/diethylphthalate solutions. Polymer solutions were formulated to maintain fixed entanglement spacing over a broad range of polymer molecular weights, 7 <N/Ne <90, 1.3×105 <φMw <1.6×106. For all polymers studied, a separability time λk was identified beyond which step shear relaxation moduli could be factorized into separate strain and time-dependent functions. In every case, λk exceeded the most optimistic estimates for the longest Rouse relaxation time τRouse, in some cases by as much as 2 orders of magnitude. λk was also found to scale nearly as strongly with polymer molecular weight as the terminal relaxation time and limiting shear viscosity. These results provide convincing evidence against a Rouse origin for the separability criterion in entangled polymer liquids, and could help explain previous experimental observations of “delayed” factorability and/or nonfactorable relaxation moduli in well entangled polymer liquids. The experimental findings are discussed in the context of a modified tube model that takes into account tube deformation in flow.
Congenital Cystic Neck Mass in a 2-Month-Old Infant
Authors: Tunkel Alexandra , Vezina Gilbert , Espinel Alexandra G.
Published: June 2022

A 2-month-old, full-term female presents with a left upper neck mass. What is your diagnosis?
Efficient In Vitro Full‐Sense‐Codons Protein Synthesis
Authors: Wu Yang , Tang Mengtong , Wang Zhaoguan , Yang Youhui , Li Zhong , Liang Shurui , Yin Peng , Qi Hao
Published: June 2022

Termination of translation is essential but hinders applications of genetic code engineering, e.g., unnatural amino acids incorporation and codon randomization mediated saturation mutagenesis. Here, for the first time, it is demonstrated that E. coli Pth and ArfB together play an efficient translation termination without codon preference in the absence of class‐I release factors. By degradation of the targeted protein, both essential and alternative termination types of machinery are completely removed to disable codon‐dependent termination in cell extract. Moreover, a total of 153 engineered tRNAs are screened for efficient all stop‐codons decoding to construct a codon‐dependent termination defect in vitro protein synthesis with all 64 sense‐codons, iPSSC. Finally, this full sense genetic code achieves significant improvement in the incorporation of distinct unnatural amino acids at up to 12 positions and synthesis of protein encoding consecutive NNN codons. By decoding all information in nucleotides to amino acids, iPSSC may hold great potential in building artificial protein synthesis beyond the cell.
TNIK Inhibition Has Dual Synergistic Effects on Tumor and Associated Immune Cells
Authors: Kim Jaehee , Oh Juhyun , Peterson Hannah M. , Carlson Jonathan C.T. , Pittet Mikael J. , Weissleder Ralph
Published: June 2022

Treatment with checkpoint inhibitors can be extraordinarily effective in a fraction of patients, particularly those whose tumors are pre‐infiltrated by T cells. In others, efficacy is considerably lower, which has led to interest in developing strategies for sensitization to immunotherapy. Using various colorectal cancer mouse models, it is shown that the use of Traf2 and Nck‐interacting protein kinase inhibitors (TNIKi) unexpectedly increases tumor infiltration by PD‐1+ CD8+ T cells, thus contributing to tumor control. This appears to happen by two independent mechanisms, by inducing immunogenic cell death and separately by directly activating CD8. The use of TNIKi achieves complete tumor control in 50% of mice when combined with checkpoint inhibitor targeting PD‐1. These findings reveal immunogenic properties of TNIKi and indicate that the proportion of colorectal cancers responding to checkpoint therapy can be increased by combining it with immunogenic kinase inhibitors.
Study on Microstructure and Properties of Single‐Pass Online Heating Rolling of Mn‐Containing Magnesium Alloy Sheets
Authors: Wu Liangyin , Xiao Biquan , Song Jiangfeng , Liu Qiang , Jiang Bin , Li Jianbo , Pan Fusheng
Published: June 2022

Mg–2.0Zn–1.5Mn (ZM21) alloy and Mg–1.0Mn–0.5Al (MA10) alloy extruded bars have excellent mechanical properties and low processing cost. Herein, these two alloys sheets are rolled at different temperatures and reductions by online heating rolling. In addition, their mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics are also studied through electron backscattered diffraction. The results show that the yield strength of rolled ZM21 sheets is gradually improved with increasing rolling strain and temperature and further exhibits good comprehensive mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of ZM21 rolled sheets are slightly lower than that of AZ31 rolled sheet and have the potential to substitute the AZ31 sheet. However, MA10 alloy rolled sheet herein exhibits poor mechanical properties, indicating that the mechanical properties of MA10 alloy highly depend on the microstructures resulting from the processing parameters. The mechanism of poor mechanical properties and different mechanical behaviors of extruded bars and extruded sheets are discussed.
Exploring Interfaces Through Synchrotron Radiation Characterization Techniques: A Graphene Case
Authors: Ding Yiran , Shi Haiwen , Zeng Mengqi , Fu Lei
Published: June 2022

Recently, many breakthroughs have been made in graphene research, allowing scientists to explore and understand the material world from a two‐dimensional (2D) perspective. The interface issue of graphene is the most important, because all of its atoms are exposed to the interface for this atomically thin material. The 2D nature necessitates a sensitive and non‐destructive interface probe to detect the structure and properties. Synchrotron radiation (SR) characterization techniques, with the ultra‐high resolution and extremely wide energy range, have been utilized with increasing frequency to explore the challenging interface sciences. In this review, these interface characterization techniques based on SR and how they monitor the structure evolution of graphene in different interfaces such as graphene–substrate and graphene–graphene interface are first introduced. Graphene's layer number, interlayer spacing, and stacking order are governed by these interfaces, determining the final properties. Then, the property detection and modulation in different interfaces of graphene are also discussed. Finally, the current challenges and outlook on the future development for SR techniques to characterize graphene interface are presented.
Approach to Determine the Density‐of‐States Effective Mass with Carrier Concentration‐Dependent Seebeck Coefficient
Authors: Lee Kyu Hyoung , Kim Sang‐il , Lim Jong‐Chan , Cho Jung Young , Yang Heesun , Kim Hyun‐Sik
Published: June 2022

Band engineering is an effective strategy to improve the electronic transport properties of semiconductors. In thermoelectric materials research, density‐of‐states effective mass is an undoubted key factor in verifying the band engineering effect and establishing a strategy for enhancing thermoelectric performance. However, estimation of the effective mass is demanding or inaccurate depending on the methods taken. A simple equation is proposed, valid for all degeneracy: Log10 (md*T/300) = (2/3) Log10 (n) − (2/3) [20.3 − (0.00508 × |S|) + (1.58 × 0.967|S|)] that utilizes experimentally determined Seebeck coefficient (S) and carrier concentration (n) to determine the effective mass (md*) at a temperature (T). This straightforward equation, which gives an accurate analysis of the band modulation in terms of md*, is indispensable in designing thermoelectric materials of maximized performance.
Super Stretchable, Self‐Healing, Adhesive Ionic Conductive Hydrogels Based on Tailor‐Made Ionic Liquid for High‐Performance Strain Sensors
Authors: Yao Xue , Zhang Sufeng , Qian Liwei , Wei Ning , Nica Valentin , Coseri Sergiu , Han Fei
Published: June 2022

Ionic conductive hydrogels (ICHs) integrate the conductive performance and soft nature of tissue‐like materials to imitate the features of human skin with mechanical and sensory traits; thus, they are considered promising substitutes for conventional rigid metallic conductors when fabricating human‐motion sensors. However, the simultaneous incorporation of excellent stretchability, toughness, ionic conductivity, self‐healing, and adhesion via a simple method remains a grand challenge. Herein, a novel ICH platform is proposed by designing a phenylboronic acid‐ionic liquid (PBA‐IL) with multiple roles that simultaneously realize the highly mechanical, electrical, and versatile properties. This elaborately designed semi‐interpenetrating network ICH is fabricated via a facile one‐step approach by introducing cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) into the PBA‐IL/acrylamide cross‐linked network. Ingeniously, the dynamic boronic ester bonds and physical interactions (hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions) of the cross‐linked network endow these hydrogels with remarkable stretchability (1810 ± 38%), toughness (2.65 ± 0.03 MJ m−3), self‐healing property (92 ± 2% efficiency), adhesiveness, and transparency. Moreover, the construction of this material shows that CNFs can synergistically enhance mechanical performance and conductivity. The wide working strain range (≈1000%) and high sensitivity (GF = 8.36) make this ICH a promising candidate for constructing the next generation of gel‐based strain sensor platforms.
Non‐PCR Ultrasensitive Detection of Viral RNA by a Nanoprobe‐Coupling Strategy: SARS‐CoV‐2 as an Example
Authors: Yu Zhiguo , Fang Wenming , Yang Yannan , Yao Heliang , Hu Ping , Shi Jianlin
Published: June 2022

Developing efficient and highly sensitive diagnostic techniques for early detections of pathogenic viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is vitally important for preventing its widespread. However, the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based detection features high complexity, excessive time‐consumption, and labor‐intensiveness, while viral protein‐based detections suffer from moderate sensitivity and specificity. Here, a non‐PCR but ultrasensitive viral RNA detection strategy is reported based on a facile nanoprobe‐coupling strategy without enzymatic amplification, wherein PCR‐induced bias and other shortcomings are successfully circumvented. This approach endows the viral RNA detection with ultra‐low background to maximum signal ratio in the linear signal amplification by using Au nanoparticles as reporters. The present strategy exhibits 100% specificity toward SARS‐CoV‐2 N gene, and ultrasensitive detection of as low as 52 cp mL−1 of SARS‐CoV‐2 N gene without pre‐PCR amplification. This approach presents a novel ultrasensitive tool for viral RNA detections for fighting against COVID‐19 and other types of pathogenic virus‐caused diseases.
Magnetic Alignment for Plasmonic Control of Gold Nanorods Coated with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Rizvi Mehedi H. , Wang Ruosong , Schubert Jonas , Crumpler William D. , Rossner Christian , Oldenburg Amy L. , Fery Andreas , Tracy Joseph B.
Published: June 2022

Plasmonic nanoparticles that can be manipulated with magnetic fields are of interest for advanced optical applications, diagnostics, imaging, and therapy. Alignment of gold nanorods yields strong polarization‐dependent extinction, and use of magnetic fields is appealing because they act through space and can be quickly switched. In this work, cationic polyethyleneimine‐functionalized superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are deposited on the surface of anionic gold nanorods coated with bovine serum albumin. The magnetic gold nanorods (MagGNRs) obtained through mixing maintain the distinct optical properties of plasmonic gold nanorods that are minimally perturbed by the magnetic overcoating. Magnetic alignment of the MagGNRs arising from magnetic dipolar interactions on the anisotropic gold nanorod core is comprehensively characterized, including structural characterization and enhancement (suppression) of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance and suppression (enhancement) of the transverse surface plasmon resonance for light polarized parallel (orthogonal) to the magnetic field. The MagGNRs can also be driven in rotating magnetic fields to rotate at frequencies of at least 17 Hz. For suitably large gold nanorods (148 nm long) and Fe3O4 NPs (13.4 nm diameter), significant alignment is possible even in modest (<500 Oe) magnetic fields. An analytical model provides a unified understanding of the magnetic alignment of MagGNRs.
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Luminescent Solar Concentrators
Authors: Zhang Bolong , Lyu Guanpeng , Kelly Elaine A. , Evans Rachel C.
Published: June 2022

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are an emerging technology to collect and channel light from a large absorption area into a smaller one. They are a complementary technology for traditional solar photovoltaics (PV), particularly suitable for application in urban or indoor environments where their custom colors and form factors, and performance under diffuse light conditions may be advantageous. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) has emerged as a valuable approach to overcome some of the intrinsic limitations of conventional single lumophore LSCs, such as reabsorption or reduced quantum efficiency. This review outlines the potential of FRET to boost LSC performance, using highlights from the literature to illustrate the key criteria that must be considered when designing an FRET‐LSC, including both the photophysical requirements of the FRET lumophores and their interaction with the host material. Based on these criteria, a list of design guidelines intended to aid researchers when they approach the design of a new FRET‐LSC system is presented. By highlighting the unanswered questions in this field, the authors aim to demonstrate the potential of FRET‐LSCs for both conventional solar‐harvesting and emerging LSC‐inspired technologies and hope to encourage participation from a diverse researcher base to address this exciting challenge.
Laminated Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics
Authors: Roger Julie , Schorn Luisa K. , Heydarian Minasadat , Farag Ahmed , Feeney Thomas , Baumann Daniel , Hu Hang , Laufer Felix , Duan Weiyuan , Ding Kaining , Lambertz Andreas , Fassl Paul , Worgull Matthias , Paetzold Ulrich W.
Published: June 2022

Perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics have attracted enormous attention in science and technology over recent years. In order to improve the performance and stability of the technology, new materials and processes need to be investigated. However, the established sequential layer deposition methods severely limit the choice of materials and accessible device architectures. In response, a novel lamination process that increases the degree of freedom in processing the top perovskite solar cell (PSC) is proposed. The very first prototypes of laminated monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells with stable power output efficiencies of up to 20.0% are presented. Moreover, laminated single‐junction PSCs are on par with standard sequential layer deposition processed devices in the same architecture. The numerous advantages of the lamination process are highlighted, in particular the opportunities to engineer the perovskite morphology, which leads to a reduction of non‐radiative recombination losses and and an enhancement in open‐circuit voltage (Voc). Laminated PSCs exhibit improved stability by retaining their initial efficiency after 1‐year aging and show good thermal stability under prolonged illumination at 80 °C. This lamination approach enables the research of new architectures for perovskite‐based photovoltaics and paves a new route for processing monolithic tandem solar cells even with a scalable lamination process.
A unique cardiovascular presentation of Marfan syndrome
Authors: Otero Luna Andrea , Park Kaylee B. , Schauer Jenna , Castera Mark , Quintana Grijalba Carolina , Chikkabyrappa Sathish Mallenahalli , Tjoeng Yuen Lie , Romberg Erin K. , Olson Aaron , Glass Ian A. , Young Luciana
Published: June 2022

We report a neonate with severe Marfan syndrome (MS), prenatally identified to have persistent atrial tachycardia, biventricular dysfunction, and an unusual structure within the atria. Detailed postnatal echocardiographic evaluation and cross‐sectional imaging confirmed congenital pseudoaneurysm of the mitral‐aortic intervalvular fibrosa. Emergent testing by next‐generation sequencing identified a FBN1 pathological variant, key to establishing goals of care. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a congenital pseudoaneurysm of the mitral‐aortic intervalvular fibrosa in MS.
New transition metal complexes of 1‐phenyl‐2‐((quinolin‐2‐ylmethylene)amino)ethan‐1‐ol Schiff base: Spectroscopic, X‐ray, DFT, Hirshfeld surface analysis, biological, and molecular docking studies
Authors: Elantabli Fatma M. , El‐Medani Samir M. , Kozakiewicz‐Piekarz Anna , Ramadan Ramadan M.
Published: June 2022

A novel Schiff base ligand (HL), derived from the condensation of phenylethanolamine and quinoline‐2‐carboxaldehyde, and its coordination complexes with some transition metal ions, Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pd(II), were synthesized. The reported new compounds were characterized using different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The structure ofHLand its cobalt complex was also solved by conventional X‐ray diffraction technique. Hirshfeld surface analysis of the ligand and cobalt complexes was investigated. Interesting structural features with unique hydrogen bonding formation were observed. Molecular geometries ofHLand the reported complexes were investigated using the DFT‐B3LYP level of theory. The quantum global reactivity descriptors were also calculated. Biological screening and molecular docking studies of the ligand and complexes are reported to explore their potential application as therapeutic drugs. The biological studies and molecular docking were correlated to each other and with the quantum reactivity descriptors. The studies supported that the complexes could bind to DNA via intercalative mode and showed various DNA binding potency.
A novel pH‐responsive nanoniosomal emulsion for sustained release of curcumin from a chitosan‐based nanocarrier: Emphasis on the concurrent improvement of loading, sustained release, and apoptosis induction
Authors: Haseli Shabnam , Pourmadadi Mehrab , Samadi Amirmasoud , Yazdian Fatemeh , Abdouss Majid , Rashedi Hamid , Navaei‐Nigjeh Mona
Published: June 2022

Curcumin application as an anti‐cancer drug is faced with several impediments. This study has developed a platform that facilitates the sustained release of curcumin, improves loading efficiency, and anti‐cancer activity. Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles were added to chitosan (CS)‐agarose (Aga) hydrogel and then loaded with curcumin (Cur) to prepare a curcumin‐loaded nanocomposite hydrogel. The loading capacity increased from 63% to 76% by adding MMT nanoparticles to a chitosan‐agarose hydrogel. Loading the fabricated nanocomposite in the nanoniosomal emulsion resulted in sustained release of curcumin under acidic conditions. Release kinetics analysis showed diffusion and erosion are the dominant release mechanisms, indicating non‐fickian (or anomalous) transport based on the Korsmeyer‐Peppas model. FTIR spectra confirmed that all nanocomposite components were present in the fabricated nanocomposite. Besides, XRD results corroborated the amorphous structure of the prepared nanocomposite. Zeta potential results corroborated the stability of the fabricated nanocarrier. Cytotoxicity of the prepared CS‐Aga‐MMT‐Cur on MCF‐7 cells was comparable with that of curcumin‐treated cells (p < 0.001). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased due to the enhanced release profile resulting from the addition of MMT to the hydrogel and the incorporation of the fabricated nanocomposite into the nanoniosomal emulsion. To recapitulate, the current delivery platform improved loading, sustained release, and curcumin anti‐cancer effect. Hence, this platform could be a potential candidate to mitigate cancer therapy restrictions with curcumin.
Annonaceous Acetogenin Mimic AA005 Inhibits the Growth of TNBC MDA‐MB‐468 Cells by Altering Cell Energy Metabolism
Authors: Yu Bao‐Bao , Yuan Hao , Chen Yun‐Cong , Zhou Dan‐Xia , Gan Zhen‐Ji , Wang Jie , Li Jian‐Xin , Yao Zhu‐Jun
Published: June 2022

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a serious health issue for women worldwide and there is still no suitable treatment option. AA005, a structurally simplified mimic of natural Annonaceous acetogenins, presents outstanding properties with impressive cytotoxicity and cell‐type selective actions. The present study was aimed at evaluating the potential of AA005 as a therapeutic agent for TNBC. AA005 potently inhibited the growth of TNBC cells at 50 nM level. Inspired by the finding of the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) tumor suppressor, the effect of AA005 on aerobic glycolysis was investigated in TNBC MDA‐MB‐468 cells. A short‐term AA005 exposure markedly suppressed mitochondrial function in MDA‐MB‐468 cells, thus activating the aerobic glycolysis to lessen the risk of decreased ATP generation in mitochondria. Prolonging the incubation time of AA005 clearly weakened the aerobic glycolysis in the cells. This was in part attributed to the PI3K‐AKT pathway inactivation and subsequent declined glucose uptake. As a consequence, the energy supply was completely cut from the two major energy‐producing pathways. Further experiments showed that AA005 resulted in irreversible damage on cell activity including cell cycle and growth, inducing mitochondrial oxidative stress and ultimately leading to cell death. In addition, the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of AA005 was proved on 4T1 xenograft tumor mice model. Our data demonstrate that AA005 exhibited a great potential for future clinical applications in TNBC therapy.
Large myoma receiving multiple collateral primary parasitic blood supply
Authors: Kathopoulis Nikolaos , Kypriotis Konstantinos , Diakosavvas Michail , Chatzipapas Ioannis , Zacharakis Dimitrios , Grigoriadis Themistoklis , Protopapas Athanasios
Published: June 2022

We describe a rare case of a pedunculated myoma receiving multiple de‐novo developed parasitic collateral blood supply from the adjacent organs. The main feeding vessels arise from the omentum and the bladder.
Clinicoradiologic diagnosis of a rare type of congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A case report from Nepal
Authors: Khadka Hensan , Bhandari Siddhartha , Dhakal Prakash , Sharma Suraj
Published: June 2022

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia includes defects in the synthesis of steroid hormones in the adrenal cortex. The implications of this disorder manifest in other genitourinary organs, including ovaries and uterus. The diagnosis may be suspected based on the clinical and radiologic features.
An autopsy case of COVID‐19 with a sudden death: Clinico‐pathological comparison
Authors: Shishido‐Hara Yukiko , Furukawa Keizo , Nishio Manabu , Honda Kohei , Tando So , Yaoi Takeshi , Kawamoto Masataka , Maehara Yosuke , Nakaya Takaaki , Itoh Kyoko
Published: June 2022

Autopsy was performed on a COVID‐19 patient, who suddenly died despite the extensive anti‐viral and anti‐inflammatory therapies. Although moderate subpleural fibrosis was seen, pathology of DAD, a well‐known cause for pulmonary failure, was minimum. Instead, severe hemorrhage was observed. Therapeutic effects were indicated; however, why severe hemorrhage occurred was unclear.
Foam in Absorption Columns with Structured Packings – Part 1: Characterization
Authors: Leuner Hannes , Gerke Sören Jakob , Illner Markus , Repke Jens-Uwe
Published: June 2022

Foam in absorption and distillation processes is one of the main reasons for malfunctions in columns including higher pressure loss, lower throughput, and lower mass transfer rates leading to a reduction in separation efficiency. Detailed investigations on the foam formation and its behavior in structured packings are conducted using two different scales: a transparent rectangular measurement cell and a DN300 column. The influence of maldistributions in structured packing is discussed along with a first‐time identified foam‐related hysteresis effect. Ad‐ and disadvantages of fully wetted film flow and partially wetted rivulet flow on foam formation are discussed in detail. Overall, structured packings without a microstructure show a reduced foam formation compared to structured packings with a microstructure.
A high‐performance transition‐metal phosphide electrocatalyst for converting solar energy into hydrogen at 19.6% STH efficiency
Authors: Zhang Hua , Aierke Abuduwayiti , Zhou Yingtang , Ni Zitao , Feng Ligang , Chen Anran , Wågberg Thomas , Hu Guangzhi
Published: June 2022

The construction of high‐efficiency and low‐cost non‐noble metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for water electrolysis is crucial for commercial large‐scale application of hydrogen energy. Here, we report a novel strategy with erbium‐doped NiCoP nanowire arrays in situ grown on conductive nickel foam (Er‐NiCoP/NF). Significantly, the developed electrode shows exceptional bifunctional catalytic activity, which only requires overpotentials of 46 and 225 mV to afford a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the appropriate Er incorporation into the NiCoP lattice can significantly modulate the electronic structure with the d‐band centers of Ni and Co atoms by shifting to lower energies with respect to the Fermi level, and optimize the Gibbs free energies of HER/OER intermediates, thereby accelerating water‐splitting kinetics. When assembled as a solar‐driven overall water‐splitting electrolyzer, the as‐prepared electrode shows a high and stable solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 19.6%, indicating its potential for practical storage of intermittent energy.
Advances and applications of chiral resolution in pharmaceutical field
Authors: Teng Yan , Gu Chenglu , Chen Zhuhui , Jiang Hui , Xiong Yue , Liu Dong , Xiao Deli
Published: June 2022

The attention to chiral drugs has been raised to an unprecedented level as drug discovery and development strategies grow rapidly. However, separation of enantiomers is still a huge task, which leads to an increasing significance to equip a wider range of expertise in chiral separation science to meet the current and future challenges. In the last few decades, remarkable progress of chiral resolution has been achieved. This review summarizes and classifies chiral resolution methods in analytical scale and preparative scale systematically and comprehensively, including crystallization‐based method, inclusion complexation, chromatographic separation, capillary electrophoresis, kinetic resolution, liquid–liquid extraction, membrane‐based separation, and especially one bold new progress based on chiral‐induced spin selectivity theory. The advances and recent applications will be presented in detail, in which the contents may bring more thinking to wide‐ranging readers in various professional fields, from analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, natural medicinal chemistry, to manufacturing of drug production.
Survey on recursive statistical process monitoring methods
Authors: Wang Youqing , Qin Yihao , Lou Zhijiang , Ma Xin
Published: June 2022

Recursive statistical process monitoring (RSPM) methods have superior monitoring performance for industrial processes, especially those with time‐varying characteristics, and have recently been studied by many researchers. However, there is no survey paper yet that summarizes and analyzes the existing RSPM methods. In this survey, approximately 60 papers related to RSPM methods are reviewed and categorized from different aspects. Existing RSPM methods are categorized using the classification criteria proposed in this study based on the ways of recursively collecting data and the stages of recursive updating. Three core algorithms that are most commonly used in RSPM methods are uniformly summarized and analyzed specifically for studying recursive computation problems in RSPM methods. Furthermore, different types of multivariate statistical process monitoring (MSPM) methods that combine recursive computation are reviewed.
Anticancer Activity of Mannich Bases: A Review of Recent Literature
Authors: Roman Gheorghe
Published: June 2022

This report summarizes the latest published data on the antiproliferative action and cytotoxic activity of Mannich bases, a structurally heterogeneous category of chemical entities that includes compounds which are synthesized via the grafting of an aminomethyl function onto diverse substrates by means of the Mannich reaction. The present overview of the topic is an update to the information assembled in a previously published review that covered the literature up to 2014.
Enhanced Selectivity of the Propylene Epoxidation Reaction on a Cu Monolayer Surface via Eley‐Rideal Mechanism
Authors: Sangolkar Akanksha Ashok , Pawar Ravinder
Published: June 2022

The aerobic oxidation of propylene to selectively achieve propylene oxide (PO) is a challenging reaction in catalysis. Therefore, an active catalyst which shows enhanced PO selectivity is extremely desired. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to explore the catalytic activity of a mono‐atomically thin two‐dimensional (2D) hexagonal (HX) Cu layer for selective propylene epoxidation using molecular O2 with the aid of density functional theory calculations. The results reveal that the conversion of propylene to PO via Eley‐Rideal mechanism is an exoergic and barrierless reaction on the O2 pre‐adsorbed Cu monolayer. The Pauli energy component plays a decisive role for barrierless reaction whereas the electrostatic and orbital contribution governs the energetic stability of PO. Car‐Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulation reinforces the outcomes of climbing image nudged elastic band (CI‐NEB) calculation. Further, the formation of oxametallacycle OMC‐2 (0.47 eV) is kinetically favourable over OMC‐1 (0.87 eV) and AHS (0.50 eV) on O pre‐adsorbed 2D HX Cu. Interestingly, the energy barrier for the conversion of OMC‐2 to PO (0.70 eV) is considerably low in comparison with the acetone formation (0.90 eV). Therefore, it is worth to mention that the 2D HX Cu surface provides a promising platform for selective propylene epoxidation.
Extrapolation of Efficacy from Adults to Pediatric Patients of Drugs for Treatment of Partial Onset Seizures: A Regulatory Perspective
Authors: Mehrotra Shailly , Bhattaram Atul , Krudys Kevin , Bewernitz Michael , Uppoor Ramana , Mehta Mehul , Liu Tao , Sheridan Philip , Hershkowitz Norman , Kozauer Nicholas , Bastings Eric , Dunn Billy , Men Angela Yuxin
Published: June 2022

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that the efficacy of drugs approved for the treatment of partial onset seizures (POS) in adults can be extrapolated to pediatric patients 1 month of age and above and that independent efficacy trials in this pediatric population are no longer needed. This paper focuses on the dosing, pharmacokinetic (PK), exposure‐response, and clinical information that were leveraged from the approved drugs for the treatment of POS to conduct analyses that supported extrapolation of efficacy in pediatric patients. Clinical data from trials for eight drugs (levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, lamotrigine, gabapentin, perampanel, tiagabine, and vigabatrin) approved in both adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of POS were analyzed. Comparisons of exposures at approved doses, placebo response, and model‐based exposure‐response relationships were performed. Based on disease similarity, similar response to intervention, and similar exposure‐response relationships in adults and pediatric patients, it was concluded that extrapolation of efficacy in pediatric patients aged 1 month and above is acceptable. PK analysis to determine pediatric dose and regimens that provide drug exposure similar to that known to be effective in adult patients with POS will be required, along with long‐term open‐label safety data in pediatric patients.
ZNF677 suppresses renal cell carcinoma progression through N6‐methyladenosine and transcriptional repression of CDKN3
Authors: Li Aolin , Cao Congcong , Gan Ying , Wang Xiaofei , Wu Tianyu , Zhang Quan , Liu Yuchen , Yao Lin , Zhang Qian
Published: June 2022

Background

Studies on biological functions of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification in mRNA have sprung up in recent years. Previous studies have reported m6A can determine mRNA fate and play a pivotal role in tumour development and progression. The zinc finger protein 677 (ZNF677) belongs to the zinc finger protein family and possesses transcription factor activity by binding sequence‐specific DNA.

Methods

The expression of ZNF677 and its clinicopathological impact were evaluated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. The m6A level of ZNF677 was determined by m6A methylated RNA immunoprecipitation‐sequencing (MeRIP‐seq) and MeRIP‐qPCR in RCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. RNA immunoprecipitation‐qPCR (RIP‐qPCR) and luciferase assays were performed to identify the targeted effect of IGF2BP2 and YTHDF1 on ZNF677. RCC cells and subcutaneous models uncovered the role of ZNF677 methylated by CRISPR/dCas13b‐METTL3 in tumour growth. ZNF677‐binding sites in the CDKN3 promoter were investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase assays.

Results

ZNF677 is frequently downregulated in RCC tissues and its low expression is associated with unfavourable prognosis and decreased m6A modification level. Further, we find the m6A‐modified coding sequence (CDS) of ZNF677 positively regulates its translation and mRNA stability via binding with YTHDF1 and IGF2BP2, respectively. Targeted specific methylation of ZNF677 m6A by CRISPR/dCas13b‐METLL3 system can significantly increase the m6A and expression level of ZNF677, and dramatically inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis of RCC cells. In addition, ZNF677 exerted its tumour suppressor functions in RCC cells through transcriptional repression of CDKN3 via binding to its promoter. In vitro and clinical data confirm the negative roles of ZNF677/CDKN3 in tumour growth and progression of RCC.

Conclusion

ZNF677 functions as a tumour suppressor and is frequently silenced via m6A modification in RCC, which may highlight m6A methylation‐based approach for RCC diagnosis and therapy.
Characteristic mode analysis of two port semi‐circular arc‐shaped multiple‐input‐multiple‐output antenna with high isolation for 5G sub‐6 GHz and wireless local area network applications
Authors: Addepalli Tathababu , Babu Kamili Jagadeesh , Beno A. , Potti Bala Murali Krishna , R Nageswara Rao , Sundari D. Thiripura , Devana V. N. Koteswara Rao
Published: June 2022

The work presents the design of a novel semi‐circular arc‐shaped two‐element multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna with improved isolation. The antenna is obtained by cutting and subtracting a circular disk from another circular disk, forming the shape of a semi‐circular arc. The antenna is replicated to form a two element MIMO antenna system on a FR4 substrate of size 36 × 26 mm2 with edge‐to‐edge separation of 12.4 mm. The developed MIMO antenna resonates in the frequency range 3.26 to 6.97 GHz giving a maximum element‐to‐element isolation around 26 dB in the operating bandwidth. Also, the antenna gives a maximum radiation efficiency of 98% with a peak gain of 5.3 dBi in the operating band. The proposed compact MMO antenna covers wide variety of wireless applications like 5G sub‐6 GHz and wireless local area network (WLAN) applications, which includes n77/n78/n79, WiFi‐5, V2X/DSRC, WiFi‐6, and INSAT‐C bands. Characteristic mode analysis (CMA) is performed in characterizing the performance of the antenna over the specified operating bands by studying and analyzing the parameters like modal significance (MS), characteristic angle (CA), modal current, and modal patterns. The obtained MIMO parameters like envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), mean effective gain (MEG), and total active reflection coefficient (TARC) reveal that the proposed antenna is a suitable choice in MIMO environment.
Energy storage for photovoltaic power plants: Economic analysis for different ion‐lithium batteries
Authors: Morais Rafael C. , Lopes Mariana Padilha C. , Bellido Marlon Max H. , Pereira Amaro Olímpio , Castelo Branco David A.
Published: June 2022

Energy storage has been identified as a strategic solution to the operation management of the electric power system to guarantee the reliability, economic feasibility, and a low carbon footprint. In this sense, this article analyzes the economic feasibility of a storage system using different Li‐ion batteries applied to a real case of the photovoltaic power plant at Alto Rodrigues, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The System Advisor Model software was used to simulate the systems which allowed showing the difference between the revenue obtained from energy sales and the total generation cost. According to the results, the viability of the energy storage system can be achieved in different ways. The first way would be to reduce current investment costs in storage systems. In the second way, the energy sale price is higher than the current sale price. The third and fourth ways are a combination of cost storage reduction and the increase of energy sale price in different annual proportions.
Forgetting approaches to improve forecasting
Authors: Hill Robert A. , Rodrigues Paulo M. M.
Published: June 2022

There is widespread evidence of parameter instability in the literature. One way to account for this feature is through the use of time‐varying parameter (TVP) models that discount older data in favor of more recent data. This practice is often known as forgetting and can be applied in several different ways. This paper introduces and examines the performance of different (flexible) forgetting methodologies in the context of the Kalman filter. We review and develop the theoretical background and investigate the performance of each methodology in simulations as well as in two empirical forecast exercises using dynamic model averaging (DMA). Specifically, out‐of‐sample DMA forecasts of Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation and S&P500 returns obtained using different forgetting approaches are compared. Results show that basing the amount of forgetting on the forecast error does not perform as well as avoiding instability by placing bounds on the parameter covariance matrix.
Improvement of soil fertility in historical ridge and furrow cultivation
Authors: Langewitz Theresa , Wiedner Katja , Fritzsch Dagmar , Eckmeier Eileen
Published: June 2022

Ridge and furrow cultivation is the most widely used agricultural technique in medieval and postmedieval Europe, but the fertilization of soils during their use is not yet fully understood. Pedological analyses of this cultivation technique provided information, which led to the assumption that some of the investigated sites in Northern and Central Germany were manured with livestock excrements during cultivation. The objective of this study is to determine whether and how the soils have been fertilized and which materials were applied for this purpose. We investigated soils at five sites using phosphate and steroid analyses (stanols and bile acids), black carbon analyses, and a micromorphology study. The results showed that livestock waste was likely used as fertilizer at four of the five studied sites at low intensities, with pigs and herbivores being the probable sources of the excrement. But also the application of human feces to the soil might be possible at least at one site. Often used agricultural methods such as plaggen cultivation and an intentional charcoal input to enhance soil fertility could not be clearly verified for our study sites.
Perceived risk of contracting COVID‐19 among healthcare workers in Ghana: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Aram Simon Appah , Saalidong Benjamin M. , Opoku Erica Odwira , Sam Hayford Isaac
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims

The COVID‐19 pandemic has stretched many healthcare systems, and it is having detrimental impacts on healthcare workers at the forefront, fighting to save lives. This study sought to assess the relationship between job factors and the perceived risk of contracting COVID‐19 at the workplace among healthcare workers and how the relationships are augmented when sociodemographic characteristics are taken into consideration in a limited resource setting (Ghana).

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of 455 respondents was conducted.

Results

Overall, 5.93% of the respondents perceived low risk of contracting COVID‐19 while 69.45% and 24.62% perceived medium and high risks of contracting COVID‐19 at the workplace, respectively. The odds of a high perceived risk versus the combined medium and low perceived risk of contracting COVID‐19 at the workplace was 0.461 times lower for healthcare workers who rated their workplace safety systems as good and 0.515 and 0.170 times lower for healthcare workers who indicated occasional and frequent work environment situational assessment (situational awareness), respectively. The odds of high perceived risk were 2.239 times higher for workers who are always emotionally fatigued and 1.829 times higher for healthcare workers who frequently contribute personally to workplace decision‐making. The perceived risk of contracting COVID‐19 at the workplace was also 1.780 times higher for healthcare workers with tertiary education.

Conclusion

In terms of health and safety at work, this study recommends that there should be an improvement in implementing safety protocols at health facilities to increase the confidence of healthcare workers. Furthermore, social and psychological support and work environment situational assessment, which can reduce stress and anxiety levels among the healthcare workers, should be implemented if contributing factors such as working outside their area of expertise or job scope cannot be eliminated.
Prediction of hybrid nanofluids behavior and entropy generation during the cooling of an electronic chip using the Lagrangian–Eulerian approach
Authors: Korei Zakaria , Louali Khaoula
Published: June 2022

A numerical study is performed to predict the behavior of hybrid nanofluids and entropy generation in a cooling application problem using the Lagrangian–Eulerian approach. The equations governing the continuous phase (base fluid) were solved using the finite volume technique, while the discrete phase (nanoparticles) was tracked using the force balance equation of particles. The interaction between the base fluid and the nanoparticles was considered. Brownian motion and the thermophoresis effect have been included in the solver specifications. In the first step, the numerical procedure using the discrete phase model (DPM) has been thoroughly validated with previous published numerical data, and a good agreement has been achieved. After that, various parameters are adopted by varying nanoparticles' diameter (dp), volume fraction (ϕ), and Reynolds number (Re). Their imprints have been highlighted on isotherms, streamlines, Nusselt numbers, entropy generations (Sg), and Bejan numbers (Be). It is found that the entropy generation is more pronounced at the electronic chip corners. Heat transfer is enhanced, and entropy generation increases when the solid volume fraction and Reynolds number grow. However, the Nusselt number and irreversibility decrease when increasing the nanoparticle diameter. In addition, the results substantiate that the thermal entropy generation prevails over the friction entropy generation, resulting in high values of the Bejan number. Finally, variations in the distribution of isotherms, streamlines, and local entropy generation are noted between the DPM and single‐phase model (SPM) approaches. Also, the average Nusselt number is higher in SPM than in the DPM approach, but the opposite is observed for the entropy generation and the Bejan number.
Interpretable ensemble deep learning model for early detection of Alzheimer's disease using local interpretable model‐agnostic explanations
Authors: Aghaei Atefe , Ebrahimi Moghaddam Mohsen , Malek Hamed
Published: June 2022

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's is crucial to slow the progression of the disease. In this regard, there are many attempts to detect this disease at the early stages using AI techniques such as deep learning. We have proposed an explainable method to solve the early‐stage detection of Alzheimer's using transfer learning as a well‐known approach when there is not enough data. The employed transfer learning method is a combination of fine‐tuned ResNet‐50 and Inception‐V3 with Soft‐max and SVM classifiers using averaging. Moreover, local interpretable model‐agnostic explanations (LIME) are used to show the explainability of the proposed method. The AUC, accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity on structural MRI data of 100 MCI patients were 0.94, 87%, 92%, and 82%, respectively. Also, the LIME results were subjectively evaluated. The results showed the proposed method outperformed some related works. In addition, LIME technique make model more reliable to identify the parts involved in the patient's brain.