bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design Optimisation Analysis of Isolating Wall for Separated Widening Embankment on Soft Ground
Authors: Jiang Xin , Fu Yongguo , Li Linyu , Gu Hanyan , Qiu Yanjun
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the typical cases of subgrade separated widening project in China are summarised. The research progress of subgrade separated widening and isolating wall applications are reviewed in highway reconstruction and extension. A numerical model is established based on the PLAXIS finite element software, considering both material nonlinearity and geometric nonlinearity. The effect mechanism of the isolating wall is discussed on the settlement control of the new and existing embankment on soft ground. The effect rule of the core design parameters of the isolating wall is revealed on the settlement disturbance of the existing embankment, such as location, depth, thickness and elastic modulus, and the weight rank of the influence is analysed. The results indicate that the isolating wall effectively reduces the lateral displacement and vertical settlement of the existing embankment, and there is an optimal design location for the isolating wall. In addition, with the increase of design parameters of the isolating wall, including depth, thickness and elastic modulus, the overall settlement of the existing embankment tends to be uniform, and there are optimal values. Furthermore, the depth of isolating wall is given priority, compared to location, thickness and elastic modulus during the isolating wall design process. The research results lay a theoretical foundation for the design optimisation of the isolating wall in the separated widening project of soft ground.
Restoration of the Bearing Capacity of Damaged Transport Constructions Made of Corrugated Metal Structures
Authors: Kovalchuk Vitalii , Sysyn Mykola , Hnativ Yuriy , Onyshchenko Artur , Koval Maksym , Tiutkin Oleksii , Parneta Mariana
Published: June 2021

The paper deals with damages of transport constructions made of corrugated metal structures in the body of a railway track or a road during their operation. A constructive variant to restore the bearing capacity of structures was developed, which consists of installing an annular stiffening rib into the concave part of the corrugated metal profile. The main advantage of this method compared to the double corrugating method is the possibility of performing the reinforcement works during structure operation without interrupting the movement of transport vesicles. The study has proved that the reinforcement method significantly increases the carrying capacity of corrugated metal structures. A numerical finite element model was developed to determine the stress-strain state of structures made of corrugated metal structures reinforced with round stiffening ribs. The soil pressure on the corrugated shell in the model is taken into account with the application of radial and axial forces on the outer surface of the shell. It was determined that the most appropriate location of the ribs is in the centre of the building, where the reinforcement area corresponds to the width of the road or railway line. The advantage of this approach is the ability to more efficiently distribute the reinforcement material by selecting the ribs in the most loaded sections of corrugated metal structures.
Grab what you can—an evaluation of spatial replication to decrease heterogeneity in sediment eDNA metabarcoding
Authors: Hestetun Jon T. , Lanzén Anders , Dahlgren Thomas G.
Published: June 2021

Environmental DNA methods such as metabarcoding have been suggested as possible alternatives or complements to the current practice of morphology-based diversity assessment for characterizing benthic communities in marine sediment. However, the source volume used in sediment eDNA studies is several magnitudes lower than that used in morphological identification. Here, we used data from a North Sea benthic sampling station to investigate to what extent metabarcoding data is affected by sampling bias and spatial heterogeneity. Using three grab parallels, we sampled five separate sediment samples from each grab. We then made five DNA extraction replicates from each sediment sample. Each extract was amplified targeting both the 18S SSU rRNA V1–V2 region for total eukaryotic composition, and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for metazoans only. In both datasets, extract replicates from the same sediment sample were significantly more similar than different samples from the same grab. Further, samples from different grabs were less similar than those from the same grab for 18S. Interestingly, this was not true for COI metabarcoding, where the differences within the same grab were similar to the differences between grabs. We also investigated how much of the total identified richness could be covered by extract replicates, individual sediment samples and all sediment samples from a single grab, as well as the variability of Shannon diversity and, for COI, macrofaunal biotic indices indicating environmental status. These results were largely consistent with the beta diversity findings, and show that total eukaryotic diversity can be well represented using 18S metabarcoding with a manageable number of biological replicates. Based on these results, we strongly recommend the combination of different parts of the surface of single grabs for eDNA extraction as well as several grab replicates, or alternatively box cores or similar. This will dilute the effects of dominating species and increase the coverage of alpha diversity. COI-based metabarcoding consistency was found to be lower compared to 18S, but COI macrofauna-based indices were more consistent than direct COI alpha diversity measures.
Inhibitory Perspective of New Synthesized Compounds against Angiotensin Receptor: Schrodinger-based Induced-Fit Molecular Docking
Authors: Silky Sethy , Neerupma Dhiman , Arun Garg
Published: June 2021

Angiotensin is a hormone that plays a key role in the development of hypertension. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are now the most often prescribed drugs to treat hypertension. The present in silico study involves exploring the antihypertensive potentials of substituted benzimidazoles and indazole compounds ARC 36, ARC 38, ARC 45, ARC 76, and ARC 77 against the most prominent molecular target Angiotensin Receptor (PDB ID: 4YAY, XFEL structure of Human Angiotensin Receptor)using the software Schrodinger Maestro .Based on glide score, ARC 45, ARC 76 and ARC77 were having the docking score of -7.461 Kcal/mol, -7.947 Kcal/mol and -6.683 Kcal/mol which is comparable to the standard drug (Telmisartan) -5.036.The compounds were further screened for Lipinski’s rule for drug-likeliness, and ADME properties. In this study we reported compounds ARC 76 and ARC38had comparable in silico parameters to the standard dug Telmisartan and hence necessitating further in vitro and in vivo studies.
Evaluation of 4‐Hz log files and secondary Monte Carlo dose calculation as patient‐specific quality assurance for VMAT prostate plans
Authors: Szeverinski Philipp , Kowatsch Matthias , Künzler Thomas , Meinschad Marco , Clemens Patrick , DeVries Alexander F.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In this study, 4‐Hz log files were evaluated with an independent secondary Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm to reduce the workload for patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) in clinical routine.

Materials and Methods

A total of 30 randomly selected clinical prostate VMAT plans were included. The used treatment planning system (TPS) was Monaco (Elekta, Crawley), and the secondary dose calculation software was SciMoCa (Scientific‐RT, Munich). Monaco and SciMoCa work with a Monte Carlo algorithm. A plausibility check of Monaco and SciMoCa was performed using an ionization chamber in the BodyPhantom (BP). First, the original Monaco RT plans were verified with SciMoCa (pretreatment QA). Second, the corresponding 4‐Hz log files were converted into RT log file plans and sent to SciMoCa as on‐treatment QA. MLC shift errors were introduced for one prostate plan to determine the sensitivity of on‐treatment QA. For pretreatment and on‐treatment QA, a gamma analysis (2%/1mm/20%) was performed and dosimetric values of PTV and OARs were ascertained in SciMoCa.

Results

Plausibility check of TPS Monaco vs. BP measurement and SciMoCa vs. BP measurement showed valid accuracy for clinical VMAT QA. Using SciMoCa, there was no significant difference in PTV Dmean between RT plan and RT log file plan. Between pretreatment and on‐treatment QA, PTV metrics, femur right and left showed no significant dosimetric differences as opposed to OARs rectum and bladder. The overall gamma passing rate (GPR) ranged from 96.10% to 100% in pretreatment QA and from 93.50% to 99.80% in on‐treatment QA. MLC shift errors were identified for deviations larger than −0.50 mm and +0.75 mm using overall gamma criterion and PTV Dmean.

Conclusion

SciMoCa calculations of Monaco RT plans and RT log file plans are in excellent agreement to each other. Therefore, 4‐Hz log files and SciMoCa can replace labor‐intensive phantom‐based measurements as patient‐specific QA.
Experimental Verification of Shape‐Independent Surface Cloak Enabled by Nihility Transformation Optics
Authors: Fakheri Mohammad Hosein , Ashrafian Atefeh , Barati Sedeh Hooman , Abdolali Ali
Published: June 2021

The manipulation of electromagnetic surface waves on interfaces that have arbitrary shape geometrical disorders has gained a lot of interest owing to its wealth of advantages in modern photonics and plasmonics devices. In this paper, based on the well‐established method of transformation optics, a reconfigurable cloak that is competent in guiding the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at a distorted metal‐dielectric interface is introduced. The presented cloak consists of a homogeneous anisotropic material, dubbed as optic null medium (ONM) that is independent of the cloak geometrical shape. Whilst the homogeneity property of ONMs leads to the feasibility in fabrication, the shape independency feature yields an on‐demand control over the flow of SPPs, simply by changing the shape of the cloak while leaving its constituent material unchanged. In order to authenticate the idea, a triangular‐shape SPP cloak is designed and fabricated experimentally at microwave frequency. It is observed that by utilizing the designed cloak almost total transmission can be obtained from the distorted interface. The unique designing approach introduced here may open a new horizon to nano‐optics and downscaling of photonic circuits.
Design and Synthesis of Quick Setting Nonswelling Hydrogels via Brush Polymers
Authors: Jia Fei , Kubiak Joshua M. , Onoda Michika , Wang Yuping , Macfarlane Robert J.
Published: June 2021

Brush polymers have emerged as components of novel materials that show huge potential in multiple disciplines and applications, including self‐assembling photonic crystals, drug delivery vectors, biomimetic lubricants, and ultrasoft elastomers. However, an understanding of how this unique topology can affect the properties of highly solvated materials like hydrogels remain under investigated. Here, it is investigated how the high functionality and large overall size of brush polymers enhances the gelation kinetics of low polymer weight percent gels, enabling 100‐fold faster gelation rates and 15‐fold higher stiffness values than gels crosslinked by traditional star polymers of the same composition and polymer chain length. This work demonstrates that brush polymer topology provides a useful means to control gelation kinetics without the need to manipulate polymer composition or crosslinking chemistry. The unique architecture of brush polymers also results in restrained or even nonswelling behavior at different temperatures, regardless of the polymer concentration. Brush polymers therefore are an interesting tool for examining how high‐functionality polymer building blocks can affect structure–property relationships and chemical kinetics in hydrogel materials, and also provide a useful rapidly‐setting hydrogel platform with tunable properties and great potential for multiple material applications.
Preparation of lignin‐based filling antioxidant and its application in styrene‐butadiene rubber
Authors: Zhao Shengqin , Li Jianxing , Yan Zepei , Lu Tianyun , Liu Ruiyin , Han Xiaokun , Cai Chencan , Zhao Shugao , Wang He
Published: June 2021

A novel filling antioxidant (Lig‐g‐RT) to improve the mechanical properties and antiaging performance of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) composites was prepared by grafting antioxidant intermediate p‐aminodiphenylamine (RT) on the surface of lignin via the linkage of silane coupling agent. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements confirmed that RT was successfully grafted on the surface of lignin to produce the functionalized Lig‐g‐RT which shows a better thermal stability than lignin. Compared with SBR/lignin composite, the SBR/Lig‐g‐RT composite using latex co‐precipitation method exhibits a much better filler dispersion, which contributes to the maintain of the physical mechanical properties of SBR vulcanizates. Moreover, the SBR/Lig‐g‐RT vulcanizate exhibits less chemical crosslink concentration and higher entanglement density than SBR/lignin vulcanizate according to the Mooney–Rivlin model analysis. In addition, the stabilizing effect of lignin/Lig‐g‐RT on the carbon‐black filled SBR vulcanizates is comparable with that of commercial antioxidant N‐1,3‐dimethylbutyl‐N′‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (4020), especially the SBR vulcanizate filled with 10 phr Lig‐g‐RT obtains the optimum thermo‐oxidative aging properties. This functionalized Lig‐g‐RT not only provides an intramolecular synergistic antiaging effect for SBR vulcanizates and an improvement of filler dispersion, but greatly extends the comprehensive utilization of industrial lignin.
Thermal stability of polymers based on acrylamide and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid in different temperature and salinity conditions
Authors: Vieira Hélida V. P. , Oliveira Priscila F. , Costa Josane A. , de Oliveira Leonardo A. , Mota Letícia S. , Mansur Claudia R. E.
Published: June 2021

Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) is the most widely used polymer in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. However, under conditions of high temperature and salinity, the PHPA molecules become hydrolyzed, causing a drastic reduction of the viscosity of the polymer solution due to the presence of negative charges, making the molecules more susceptible to interactions with cations. In this sense, in order to increase the stability of these polymers, an anionic monomer more resistant to cations such as 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) has been incorporated into the HPAM molecules. This work evaluated the thermal stability of a copolymer (acrylamide and AMPS ‐ AN125) and a terpolymer (acrylamide, acrylate, and AMPS‐FP5115) in the time course of 360 days. The tests were carried out in typical conditions of Brazilian offshore reservoirs, such as absence of oxygen, high temperature, and high salt concentration. The test method involved measurements of intrinsic viscosity in function of time and determination of the hydrolysis degree of the polymers by elemental analysis. The copolymer AN125 was more stable under the test conditions than the terpolymer FP 5115 due to the presence of a higher concentration of AMPS in the copolymer. The AMPS group was hydrolyzed to AA at a temperature of 100 °C, however, the increase in salt concentration delayed the onset of this degradation. The tests indicated that the presence of a higher AMPS content in the copolymer does not prevent the polymer from undergoing hydrolysis, but delays the polymer precipitation step in the solution.
Longitudinal changes in fasting plasma glucose are associated with risk of cancer mortality: A Chinese cohort study
Authors: Wu Mengyin , Lu Jieming , Yang Zongming , Shen Peng , Yu Zhebin , Tang Mengling , Jin Mingjuan , Lin Hongbo , Chen Kun , Wang Jianbing
Published: June 2021

Background

Numerous studies have suggested that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was associated with the risk of mortality. However, relationship on longitudinal changes of FPG with the risk of mortality remained inconsistent.

Methods

We examined the association of FPG at baseline and its longitudinal changes with risk of mortality based on a cohort study in Yinzhou, China, during 2010–2018. Cox regression models and competing risk models were separately used to examine the association of FPG levels and long‐term fluctuation with risk of total and cause‐specific mortality.

Results

Subjects who had an impaired fasting glucose or diabetes suffered a higher risk of total mortality than subjects who had a normal fasting glucose (HRs and 95% CIs: 1.17 [1.01–1.35], 1.30 [1.10–1.53], respectively). The HR for total mortality was 1.54 (95% CI: 1.29–1.84) and for cancer mortality was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.04–1.92) in the highest quartile of coefficient of variation of FPG. Trajectory analysis indicated that subjects with a significantly changed FPG suffered a higher risk of total mortality.

Conclusion

According to this cohort study, we found that long‐term fluctuation of FPG was significantly associated with the risk of total and cancer mortality. Our findings suggest that long‐term fluctuation of FPG could be used as an efficient indicator for predicting the subsequent risk of mortality.
The First Mixed Calcium Zinc Borate with a Flexible [B8O17] Fundamental Building Block and Short UV Cutoff Edge
Authors: Zhang Wenbin , Guo Siru , Han Shujuan , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie
Published: June 2021

The first mixed calcium zinc borate with a new fundamental building block (FBB) [B8O17], Ca1.13Zn0.87B8O14 has been successfully synthesized. It exhibits two independent interpenetrating three‐dimensional B−O anion networks constructed by [B8O17] groups, enriching the structural diversity of B−O configurations. In particular, the UV‐Vis‐NIR diffuse‐reflectance spectrum shows that it has a short UV cutoff edge (<195 nm).
Computational modelling of mixing tanks for bioprocesses: Developing a comprehensive workflow
Authors: Sadino‐Riquelme M. Constanza , Rivas José , Jeison David , Donoso‐Bravo Andrés , Hayes Robert E.
Published: June 2021

This paper reports a computational modelling study of a mixing tank for bioprocess applications. A dual impeller mixer containing several probes is used with a mixing speed of 400 rpm. The single‐phase transient model is validated against experimental measurements using torque and velocity profiles as the validation variables. A complete workflow is illustrated that addresses all the relevant steps in the modelling of mixing. Many assumptions that are commonly made are explored and their importance is demonstrated. The necessity of including the probes in the computational domain is illustrated. The grid and time‐step size are examined, and the relationship between the two is explained. Two turbulence models for RANS equation closure are compared, and the efficacy of the appropriate solution methodology for each is described. The importance of using the correct near‐wall treatment is shown. Overall, this paper presents a standardized framework for the modelling of mixing tanks with turbulent flow.
Electron Donor‐Acceptor Complex Enabled Photocyanation of Tertiary Amines with a Stable and User‐Friendly Cyanobenziodoxolone Reagent
Authors: Chen Zimin , Zheng Songlin , Wang Zijie , Liao Zixuan , Yuan Weiming
Published: June 2021

A visible light‐induced photocyanation of tertiary amines by a stable, less‐toxic and user‐friendly CN reagent cyanobenziodoxolone (CBX) was developed. This cyanation process does not require any photocatalyst, oxidant, base or additives, representing a set of extremely mild and succinct reaction conditions and a broad substrate scope. In addition to the frequently used N‐aryl amine derivatives, more challenging tertiary aliphatic amines (modified by a α‐silyl substituent) can also be photocyanated smoothly. Mechanistic studies reveal that the cyanation reaction is enabled by an electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex formed by the interaction between the amine and the cyanobenziodoxolone reagent.
Preparation and Properties of Polystyrene Nanospheres Incorporated Cs3Bi2Br9 Halide Perovskite Disks
Authors: Wang Yue , Dai Yitao , Tüysüz Harun
Published: June 2021

Halide perovskites are being in the focus of diverse research fields due to their attractive physicochemical properties. Herein, we present a strategy to prepare highly crystalline bismuth‐based halide perovskite disk, polystyrene nanospheres incorporated hybrid material and porous halide perovskite. After a proper surface modification of polystyrene, the halide perovskite was grown and crystallized around the sulfonated polystyrene via a facile solution processed synthesis and rapid solidification. By tuning the particle size of sulfonated polystyrene, a range of lead‐free hybrid materials was prepared. All the hybrid materials have good visible light absorption with an optical band gap of around 2.6 eV and variable photoluminescence properties. The incorporated sulfonated polystyrene could enhance the stability of halide perovskite in high humidity environments. Additional porous functionality could be brought to the halide perovskite materials through selective leaching of sulfonated polystyrene.
NHC‐Stabilized Inverse Crown Ethers Featuring the μ4‐Oxo [Mg4O] Core
Authors: Zhuang Yichao , Qian Yuansheng , Tu Danyu , Li Yan , Liu Jiyong , Shen Liang , Wu Di
Published: June 2021

Compared to crown ethers with functions to capture metal cation, inverse crown ethers (ICEs) with a similar cavity architecture have the alternating polarity of cationic metal ring and encapsulated ion to construct the skeleton. Here we introduce a new tridentate aryloxide‐N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand to stabilize μ4‐oxo [Mg4O] cores in ICEs, which open up a path towards synthetic methodology for ICEs. The reaction of N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) lithium complex (L)Li2(L1) (1; L={1‐C(NDippCH2CH2N)}2(CH2)2PhO−, Dipp=2,6‐iPr2‐C6H3; L1=(SiMe3)2N−) with MgBr2 afforded a mixture of (L)Mg2Br3 (2), (L)2Mg4OBr4 (3) and (L)Mg4OBr5(THF)2 (4), via the salt metathesis. Symmetric 3 and unsymmetric 4 including the same μ4‐Oxo [Mg4O] unit possess ICEs character, where O2− atoms lie in the centroid binding to all four Mg2+ centers.
Repair options for PV modules with cracked backsheets
Authors: Voronko Yuliya , Eder Gabriele C. , Breitwieser Christian , Mühleisen Wolfgang , Neumaier Lukas , Feldbacher Sonja , Oreski Gernot , Lenck Norbert
Published: June 2021

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of possible strategies for the repair of cracked polyamide‐based backsheets. A repair process has been developed that comprises the following steps: (i) cleaning, (ii) pretreatment, and (iii) repair process (crack filling and sealing). The important topic of long‐term reliability is still under investigation. Two different repair strategies have been addressed in this article: (i) repairing damage by restoring electrical insulation properties and (ii) preventing further growth of the surface near microcracks. From a technical point of view, several of the repair solutions examined met the defined requirements for compatibility and applicability. On the one hand, repair tapes/films sealed the surface and only covered the cracks. The adhesive did not penetrate into the cavities that had opened through the cracks in the backsheet material. Therefore, adhesive tapes/films are not suitable for the repair of large‐scale damage and the permanent restoration of the electrical insulation properties. On the other hand, several repair coatings based on polyurethane, epoxy, silicone and synthetic rubber were identified which, after a two‐step application process, showed complete crack filling and sealing of the surface. The required insulation resistance of the aged modules could be restored. Since the new and artificial reliability tests are still running, no final conclusions on the long‐term behavior of the repair and its life‐extending effect of PV modules can be drawn at the moment.
Energy storage sizing and enhanced dispatch strategy with temperature and safety considerations: A techno‐economic analysis
Authors: Faruhaan Abdulla , Go Yun Ii
Published: June 2021

Malaysia signed Paris agreement in 2015 as global response to climate change and committed to lower the greenhouse gases emissions by 45% by 2030. Under this national initiative, Malaysia government planned a series of large scale solar (LSS) projects and regulated by Energy Commission. It is aimed to achieve installed capacity of 1 GW by 2020. One of the main drawbacks for using solar energy is the intermittent issue in solar power generation. This will affect the power quality and reliability of the power grid especially in the LSS systems. This article aims to identify and optimize the most technically and economically viable energy storage system (ESS) for selected locations among the ongoing mega projects. The location selection for this study is based on the largest solar capacity planned for Peninsular Malaysia. This project involved development of hybrid scheme including Flywheel and nine different types of battery at six locations in Malaysia using Energy Commission Malaysia's data. Comprehensive power systems have been developed with different storage options applied to selected locations. This is followed by extensive techno‐economic evaluation using net present cost, levelized cost of electricity including costs of ESS, operation & maintenance, initial capital investment, replacement cost, revenue from ESS, annual throughput, and so on. Comparative studies under two different dispatch strategies with local contextualized data for LSS projects in Malaysia have been carried out. The optimal ESS type both technical and economically has been identified. In addition to this, performance of battery ESS with and without temperature consideration has been evaluated. Last, data from a net metering scheme is used to analyze the ESS types that exhibit best performance. Safety concerns related to these ESS types have been provided. Last, this article also presents the adaptability and replicability of the proposed methodology in countries that planned for LSS with local contextualized data.
Sociotechnical view of electric bike issues in China: Structured review and analysis of electric bike collisions using Rasmussen's risk management framework
Authors: Wang Linyang , Wu Jianping , Liu Mingyu , Hu Kezhen , Plant Katherine L. , McIlroy Rich C. , Stanton Neville A.
Published: June 2021

Following a thriving delivery business and constantly improving road infrastructure and vehicle technologies, electric bicycles (e‐bikes) are becoming one of the most popular modes of road transport in China. Although e‐bikes are flexible and cost efficient, they contribute significantly to on‐road collisions in China. Therefore, this study focuses on the traffic safety of e‐bikes in China. Rather than following conventional engineering approaches, this study applies a sociotechnical analysis of the system, while focusing on the entities that significantly influence e‐bike safety. Applying Rasmussen's risk management framework (RMF) and its associated Accimap methodology shapes the systematic analysis of e‐bike collisions in China. This study identifies and discusses a general pattern of the contribution of social entities to e‐bike collisions. As such, the authors developed a generic model of e‐bike collisions in China. Couriers were considered important in this domain, and their status in the system was discussed. Moreover, recommendations have been proposed to improve e‐bike traffic safety in China.
Laser irradiation construction of nanomaterials toward electrochemical energy storage and conversion: Ongoing progresses and challenges
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Jinyang , Wang Yuyan , Zaman Fakhr Uz , Zhang Yaming , Hou Linrui , Yuan Changzhou
Published: June 2021

The emerging use of laser irradiation in synthesis smartly bridges “nanotechnology” and “light”, and has attracted enormous attention as an efficient synthetic methodology for versatile nanomaterials toward electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices (ESCDs). In this review, recent contributions and progress regarding the laser‐induced nanomaterials for ESCDs are comprehensively summarized, with a special focus on their practical utilization in rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and electrocatalysis. The laser‐induced synthesis strategies and corresponding mechanisms involved in nanoarchitecture generation/regulation, including pulsed laser deposition and laser irradiation in liquid, are also discussed in detail. With the in‐depth insights into the mechanisms and revolutionary advancements of laser irradiation technology, the comprehensive performances of ESCDs have been strikingly optimized. Finally, the existing challenges and future directions in this booming research field are outlined. This review will exert the significant guidance for future design and purposeful fabrication of advanced laser‐induced nanomaterials with appealing properties for advanced ESCDs and beyond.

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Uptake and outcomes of a novel community‐based HIV post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) programme in rural Kenya and Uganda
Authors: Ayieko James , Petersen Maya L , Kabami Jane , Mwangwa Florence , Opel Fred , Nyabuti Marilyn , Charlebois Edwin D , Peng James , Koss Catherine A , Balzer Laura B , Chamie Gabriel , Bukusi Elizabeth A , Kamya Moses R , Havlir Diane V
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Antiretroviral‐based HIV prevention, including pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is expanding in generalized epidemic settings, but additional prevention options are needed for individuals with periodic, high‐risk sexual exposures. Non‐occupational post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended in global guidelines. However, in Africa, awareness of and access to PEP for sexual exposures are limited. We assessed feasibility, acceptability, uptake and adherence in a pilot study of a patient‐centred PEP programme with options for facility‐ or community‐based service delivery.

Methods

After population‐level HIV testing with universal access to PrEP for persons at elevated HIV risk (SEARCH Trial:NCT01864603), we conducted a pilot PEP study in five rural communities in Kenya and Uganda between December 2018 and May 2019. We assessed barriers to PEP in the population and implemented an intervention to address these barriers, building on existing in‐country PEP protocols. We used community leaders for sensitization. Test kits and medications were acquired through the Ministry of Health supply chain and healthcare providers based at the Ministry of Health clinics were trained on PEP delivery. Additional intervention components were (a)PEP availability seven days/week, (b)PEP hotline staffed by providers and (c)option for out‐of‐facility medication delivery. We assessed implementation using the Proctor framework and measured seroconversions via repeat HIV testing. Successful “PEP completion” was defined as self‐reported adherence over four weeks of therapy with post‐PEP HIV testing.

Results

Community leaders were able to sensitize and mobilize for PEP. The Ministry of Health supplied test kits and PEP medications; after training, healthcare providers delivered the 28‐day regimen with high completion rates. Among 124 persons who sought PEP, 66% were female, 24% were ≤25 years and 42% were fisherfolk. Of these, 20% reported exposure with a serodifferent partner, 72% with a new or existing relationship and 7% from transactional sex. 12% of all visits were conducted at out‐of‐facility community‐based sites; 35% of participants had ≥1 out‐of‐facility visit. No serious adverse events were reported. Overall, 85% met the definition of PEP completion. There were no HIV seroconversions.

Conclusions

Among individuals with elevated‐risk exposures in rural East African communities, patient‐centred PEP was feasible, acceptable and provides a promising addition to the current prevention toolkit.
Future drought changes and associated uncertainty over the homogenous regions of India: A multimodel approach
Authors: Saharwardi Md Saquib , Kumar Pankaj
Published: June 2021

Drought frequency and intensity have increased in recent decades and are expected to escalate in future under the changing climate scenario. However, a wide range of uncertainty exists regarding the risk, variability and severity of the drought. This study evaluates the future drought and associated uncertainty over homogeneous regions of India using the suites of CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs) and CORDEX‐SA regional climate models (RCMs). The drought characteristics and its projected future changes are analysed using probability density functions derived from hydroclimatic parameters, including the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the standardized precipitation‐evapotranspiration index (SPEI). Besides, uncertainties from various sources such as inter‐model variability, indices type, timescale, adapted methods, and time‐slices are explored under the RCP8.5 emission scenario to the end of the 21st century. Our study reveals large biases in the individual model; however, both the multi model ensembles (GCM and RCM) generally demonstrate better performance with respect to observation. In particular, the RCM ensemble showed limitations in capturing the regional precipitation pattern while temperature and potential evapotranspiration (PET) showed considerable enhancement concerning GCMs. SPI (SPEI) generally exhibited enhanced wetness (dryness) derived from increased precipitation (PET), although a few discrepancies were noticed. The regional heterogeneity was also found to exist, although some robust changes were noticed in drought frequency and severity with different return periods. Our finding underscores a wide range of uncertainties in drought projection, with maximum contribution from indices selection followed by model variability whereas other sources have the least contribution. The primary drivers for all these uncertainty sources arise due to variations among models simulated hydroclimatic variables that need to be parameterized more precisely for sustainable drought management.
Antecedent lake conditions shape resistance and resilience of a shallow lake ecosystem following extreme wind storms
Authors: Thayne Michael W. , Kraemer Benjamin M. , Mesman Jorrit P. , Ibelings Bastiaan W. , Adrian Rita
Published: June 2021

Extreme wind storms can strongly influence short‐term variation in lake ecosystem functioning. Climate change is affecting storms by altering their frequency, duration, and intensity, which may have consequences for lake ecosystem resistance and resilience. However, catchment and lake processes are simultaneously affecting antecedent lake conditions which may shape the resistance and resilience landscape prior to storm exposure. To determine whether storm characteristics or antecedent lake conditions are more important for explaining variation in lake ecosystem resistance and resilience, we analyzed the effects of 25 extreme wind storms on various biological and physiochemical variables in a shallow lake. Using boosted regression trees to model observed variation in resistance and resilience, we found that antecedent lake conditions were more important (relative importance = 67%) than storm characteristics (relative importance = 33%) in explaining variation in lake ecosystem resistance and resilience. The most important antecedent lake conditions were turbidity, Schmidt stability, %O2 saturation, light conditions, and soluble reactive silica concentrations. We found that storm characteristics were all similar in their relative importance and results suggest that resistance and resilience decrease with increasing duration, mean precipitation, shear stress intensity, and time between storms. In addition, we found that antagonistic or opposing effects between the biological and physiochemical variables influence the overall resistance and resilience of the lake ecosystem under specific lake and storm conditions. The extent to which these results apply to the resistance and resilience of different lake ecosystems remains an important area for inquiry.
Immune cell landscape and immunotherapy of medulloblastoma
Authors: Zhang Jin , Wang Tianyou
Published: June 2021

Medulloblastoma is the most common primary pediatric malignancy of the central nervous system. Recurrent and refractory patients account for approximately 30% of them. Immune cells are an important component of the brain tumor microenvironment, including tumor‐associated macrophages, T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils and B lymphocytes. Understanding how they behave and interact is important in the investigation of the onset and progression of medulloblastoma. Here, we overview the features and recent advances of each component of immune cells in medulloblastoma. Meanwhile, immunotherapy is a promising but also challenging treatment strategy for medulloblastoma. At present, there are a growing number of immunotherapeutic approaches under investigation including immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, cancer vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, and natural killer cells in recurrent and refractory medulloblastoma patients.
Plant developmental stage influences responses of Pinus strobiformis seedlings to experimental warming
Authors: Moler Ehren Reid Von , Kolb Thomas , Brady Anne , Palmiero Briana Nicole , Wallace Taylor Robert , Waring Kristen Marie , Whipple Amy Vaughn
Published: June 2021

Seedling emergence, survival, morphological and physiological traits, and oxidative stress resistance of southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis Engelm.) were studied in response to warming treatments applied during embryogenesis, germination, and early seedling growth. Daytime air temperature surrounding cones in tree canopies was warmed by +2.1°C during embryo development. Resulting seeds and seedlings were assigned to three thermal regimes in growth chambers, with each regime separated by 4°C to encompass the wide range of temperatures observed over space and time across the species’ range, plus the effect of heat waves coupled with a high carbon emissions scenario of climate warming. The embryo warming treatment reduced percent seedling emergence in all germination and growth environments and reduced mortality of seedlings grown in the warmest environment. Warm thermal regimes during early seedling growth increased subsequent seedling resistance to oxidative stress and transpirational water use. Experimental warming during seed development, germination, and seedling growth affected seedling emergence and survival. Oxidative stress resistance, morphology, and water relations were affected only by warming imposed during germination and seedling growth. This work explores potential outcomes of climate warming on multiple dimensions of seedling performance and uniquely illustrates that plant responses to heat vary with plant developmental stage in addition to the magnitude of temperature change.
Fighting the future: The politics of climate policy failure in Australia (2015–2020)
Authors: Crowley Kate
Published: June 2021

This Focus review provides an overview of climate politics and policy under the Turnbull (2015–2018) and Morrison (2018) conservative Coalition governments following the dismantling of carbon pricing in 2014. Without effective policies to reduce emissions in place, Australia will fail to meet its 2030 Paris emissions reduction target. Climate policy failure is framed in these terms. The paper outlines Australia's climate policy challenge and the macroconstraints upon action, before detailing commentary and analysis of climate politics and policies post 2015. In reviewing accounts of the Turnbull and Morrison government's climate policy efforts, the paper draws attention to the handbrake of conservative politics upon decisive action. It finds that Australia's climate policy is not only structurally constrained by its reliance upon fossil fuels, but has been politically constrained by conservatives within the Coalition government since 2015.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Governance > National Climate Change Policy
Wind turbine robust disturbance accommodating control using non‐smooth H∞ optimization
Authors: Do M. Hung , Söffker Dirk
Published: June 2021

Disturbance accommodating control (DAC) has been developed in the last decades for wind turbines to control the rotor/generator speed and to reduce structural loads. The method allows accommodating unknown disturbance effects by using the combination of disturbance observers and disturbance rejection controllers. The actual main problem of DAC is to define suitable disturbance observer and controller gain matrices to achieve the desired overall performance including turbine speed regulation in combination with structural load mitigation. The disturbance rejection controller is often designed and tuned separately for individual applications and operating conditions. The closed‐loop system stability and uncertainties due to the use of the linearized reduced‐order model in controller synthesis procedure are not fully considered. This paper introduces a method to design DAC by optimizing the observer and controller parameters simultaneously to guarantee system performance respecting to structural loads mitigation, power regulation, and robustness. To eliminate the rotor speed control steady‐state error due to model uncertainties, partial integral action is included. Simulation results using NREL reference wind turbine models show that the proposed method successfully regulates the rotor speed without error despite the presence of the model uncertainties. Structural loads are also reduced using proposed method compared to DAC designed by Kronecker product method. The proposed approach is able to define a stable and robust DAC controller by solving a non‐smooth H∞ optimization problem with structure and stability constraints.
GABAergic signaling by cells of the immune system: more the rule than the exception
Authors: Bhandage Amol K. , Barragan Antonio
Published: June 2021

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is best known as an essential neurotransmitter in the evolved central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates. However, GABA antedates the development of the CNS as a bioactive molecule in metabolism and stress-coupled responses of prokaryotes, invertebrates and plants. Here, we focus on the emerging findings of GABA signaling in the mammalian immune system. Recent reports show that mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes, for instance dendritic cells, microglia, T cells and NK cells, express a GABAergic signaling machinery. Mounting evidence shows that GABA receptor signaling impacts central immune functions, such as cell migration, cytokine secretion, immune cell activation and cytotoxic responses. Furthermore, the GABAergic signaling machinery of leukocytes is implicated in responses to microbial infection and is co-opted by protozoan parasites for colonization of the host. Peripheral GABA signaling is also implicated in inflammatory conditions and diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer cell metastasis. Adding to its role in neurotransmission, growing evidence shows that the non-proteinogenic amino acid GABA acts as an intercellular signaling molecule in the immune system and, as an interspecies signaling molecule in host–microbe interactions. Altogether, the data raise the assumption of conserved GABA signaling in a broad range of mammalian cells and diversification of function in the immune system.
Correction to: Cherry-picking the Wrong Patients?
Authors: Fiehler Jens , Thomalla Götz , Bendszus Martin
Published: June 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00062-020-00878-2
The ideal duplication
Authors: Troia Danny
Published: June 2021

In this paper we present and study the ideal duplication, a new construction within the class of the relative ideals of a numerical semigroup S, that, under specific assumptions, produces a relative ideal of the numerical duplication $$S\bowtie ^b E$$

S

⋈
b

E

. We prove that every relative ideal of the numerical duplication can be uniquely written as the ideal duplication of two relative ideals of S; this allows us to better understand how the basic operations of the class of the relative ideals of $$S\bowtie ^b E$$

S

⋈
b

E

work. In particular, we characterize the ideals E such that $$S\bowtie ^b E$$

S

⋈
b

E

is nearly Gorenstein.
Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP‐2) and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases (TIMP‐2) in Male Inguinal Hernia Patients at Different Ages
Authors: Wang Dianchen , Zhang Hongyue , Li Jianhua , Qiu Xinguang , Chen Yake
Published: June 2021

Background

Collagen metabolism, controlled by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), might be related to inguinal hernia formation. It was reported that the incidence of inguinal hernia and the recurrence rate after inguinal hernia repair were higher in the elderly. The objective of the research was to assess the amounts of MMP‐2 and TIMP‐2 in patients at different ages in order to examine the relationship between age and inguinal hernia occurrence.

Methods

The research included 40 primary inguinal hernia male patients, and four groups were created: 50–59 years old (A group); 60–69 years old (B group); 70–79 years old (C group); 80–89 years old (D group). We got the samples from anterior rectus sheath fascia. Real‐time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry were applied to estimate the levels of MMP‐2 and TIMP‐2.

Results

The MMP‐2 amounts in C and D group were statistically higher than control group (P < 0.05), and the TIMP‐2 levels in C and D group were statistically lower than control group (P < 0.05). We found a positive correlation between age and expression levels of MMP‐2 (r = 0.537, P < 0.001; r = 0.569, P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between age and TIMP‐2 in inguinal hernia patients (r = − 0.759, P < 0.001; r = − 0.759, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Increased MMP‐2 and reduced TIMP‐2 may have some relationships with higher inguinal hernia incidence of the elderly.
Correction to: Introducing multiple-choice questions to promote learning for medical students: effect on exam performance in obstetrics and gynecology
Authors: Jud Sebastian M. , Cupisti Susanne , Frobenius Wolfgang , Winkler Andrea , Schultheis Franziska , Antoniadis Sophia , Beckmann Matthias W. , Heindl Felix
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-021-06112-9