bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engagement of the speech motor system in challenging speech perception: Activation likelihood estimation meta‐analyses
Authors: Perron Maxime , Vuong Veronica , Grassi Madison W. , Imran Ashna , Alain Claude
Published: September 2024

The relationship between speech production and perception is a topic of ongoing debate. Some argue that there is little interaction between the two, while others claim they share representations and processes. One perspective suggests increased recruitment of the speech motor system in demanding listening situations to facilitate perception. However, uncertainties persist regarding the specific regions involved and the listening conditions influencing its engagement. This study used activation likelihood estimation in coordinate‐based meta‐analyses to investigate the neural overlap between speech production and three speech perception conditions: speech‐in‐noise, spectrally degraded speech and linguistically complex speech. Neural overlap was observed in the left frontal, insular and temporal regions. Key nodes included the left frontal operculum (FOC), left posterior lateral part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), left planum temporale (PT), and left pre‐supplementary motor area (pre‐SMA). The left IFG activation was consistently observed during linguistic processing, suggesting sensitivity to the linguistic content of speech. In comparison, the left pre‐SMA activation was observed when processing degraded and noisy signals, indicating sensitivity to signal quality. Activations of the left PT and FOC activation were noted in all conditions, with the posterior FOC area overlapping in all conditions. Our meta‐analysis reveals context‐independent (FOC, PT) and context‐dependent (pre‐SMA, posterior lateral IFG) regions within the speech motor system during challenging speech perception. These regions could contribute to sensorimotor integration and executive cognitive control for perception and production.
Evaluation of hydraulic thermal flow and heat performance augmentation in a 3D tube fitted with varying concavity dimple turbulator configurations
Authors: Al‐Haidari Saad Raad , Al‐Obaidi Ahmed Ramadhan
Published: September 2024

Enhanced pipe surfaces offer greater heat transfer enhancement due to increased turbulence levels, leading to improved heat exchange performance. This study combines numerical simulations and experimental work to identify the best geometric design of enhanced tubes for thermal–hydraulic performance, flow structure, and pressure drop, and the simulations are validated with experimental data. Water is a working fluid with Reynolds numbers ranging from 4000 to 15,000, q = 25,500 W/m2, and an inlet temperature of 298 K with constant fluid property, steady state, and no‐slip condition. The three‐dimensional steady incompressible turbulent flow in the concavity dimpled shape‐enhanced tubes is numerically studied. This research found that pipes with a concave shape transfer heat most effectively. The overall heat transfer is significantly influenced by the shape of the dimples, their arrangement in rings, the size of these rings, and the number of rings. However, the number of cylindrical dimples does not seem to impact heat transfer much. The increase in heat transfer performance was by 9.8%–61% for dimple rings = 2ring performed best compared with a smooth pipe and by 8.21%–38.49% at the effect of ring numbers as grouping, also the dimple ring diameters by 5%–38% and by 7%–39% at dimple numbers. The performance evaluation factor (PEF) assesses overall performance by considering both the pressure drop penalty and improved heat transfer. The optimal configuration achieving the highest performance (PEF = 1.295) at a flow rate (Re) of 4000 involves a single dimple ring with a 2‐mm diameter, spaced 10‐mm apart, containing four dimples. Furthermore, discussing the different parameters of thermal and hydraulic performances to obtain the best thermal performance, and increasing the number and size of dimples gives a better guide for engineering to obtain better thermohydraulic performances for heat exchangers.
Vitamin D treatment distinctly modulates cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells among patients with chronic cardiac and indeterminate clinical forms of Chagas disease
Authors: Oliveira Kamila Kássia dos Santos , Torres Diego José Lira , Barros Michelle da Silva , Rafael Moreira Leyllane , Junior Claudeir Dias da Silva , Soares Ana Karine de Araújo , de Albuquerque Maria da Piedade Costa Reis , Cavalcante Maria da Glória Aureliano Melo , Junior Wilson Alves de Oliveira , Rabello Michelle Christiane da Silva , de Lorena Virginia Maria Barros
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and is clinically divided into acute and chronic phases. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most studied manifestation of the disease. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. No studies demonstrate the action of this hormone in the cells of patients with chronic Chagas heart disease.

Objective

To evaluate the in vitro immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with the different chronic clinical forms of Chagas disease. Evaluating vitamin D's in vitro effect on blood cells by producing cytokines.

Methods

Thirteen patients of the undetermined form (IND), 13 of the mild cardiac form (CARD1) and 14 of the severe cardiac form (CARD2) of Chagas disease, and 12 with idiopathic heart disease (CARDid) were included. The cells obtained from peripheral blood were treated in vitro with vitamin D (1 × 10−7 M) for 24 h and cytokines were dosed in the culture supernatant.

Results

Although it was not possible to demonstrate statistically significant differences between the groups studied, our data showed that the cells treated with vitamin D modify (p < .05) the production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) (decrease in IND), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) (decreased in CARD1 and CARDid), interleukin (IL)‐6 (increased in all groups), and IL‐10 (decreased in CARD1, CARD2, and CARDid) when compared to untreated cells.

Conclusion

In vitro treatment with vitamin D distinctly modulated the production of cytokines by mononuclear cells of peripheral blood among patients with chronic and indeterminate cardiac clinical forms of Chagas disease.
B7‐H3 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by regulating CD8+ T cell exhaustion
Authors: Ma Zhaoen , Chen Gui , Li Hao , Yang Saixuan , Xu Yali , Pan Bolin , Lai Wuping , Chen Guangui , Liao Wenjing , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: September 2024

Background

B7‐H3 protein is an important regulator of the adaptive immune response in human tumorigenesis. 4‐1BB is a co‐stimulatory receptor expressed on activated CD8+ T cells, and regulates T cell immunity. Here, we investigated the role of B7‐H3 in the growth and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the effect of its interaction with 4‐1BB on tumor immunity.

Methods

Short hairpin (sh) RNA was designed to knock down B7‐H3 expression in NPC cells. NPC cells with stable knockdown of B7‐H3 were established and injected into nude mice. The effects of B7‐H3 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) were detected by the CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, and western blot analysis. The migration and invasion abilities were determined using the Transwell assay and scratch assay. Co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) assays were performed to study the interaction between B7‐H3 and 4‐1BB. Anti‐4‐1BB antibody was used in a co‐culture system and xenograft mice to study the effect of 4‐1BB on NPC development.

Results

NPC cells transfected with sh‐B7‐H3 showed a higher rate of apoptosis, slower growth rate, impaired migration, and less EMT in vitro. Xenograft mice with stable knockout of B7‐H3 had lower tumor burdens, and the stripped tumors had lower rates of cell proliferation, higher rates of apoptosis, and less EMT in vivo. Additionally, decreased B7‐H3 expression was positively correlated with interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and 4‐1BB+CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes. Co‐IP studies showed that B7‐H3 interacts with 4‐1BB. Also, the inhibitory effects of sh‐B7‐H3 on NPC tumor growth, invasion, and tumor immunity could be alleviated by the anti‐4‐1BB antibody both in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that B7‐H3 may accelerate tumor growth, tumor cell invasion, and EMT, and interact with 4‐1BB to produce CD8+ T cell exhaustion that inhibits tumor immunity. B7‐H3 might serve as a novel target for treating NPC.
CircSLC4A7 in resistant‐cells‐derived exosomes promotes docetaxel resistance via the miR‐1205/MAPT axis in prostate cancer
Authors: Lin Anhua , Li Junhe , He Wenjing
Published: September 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a high‐mortality cancer. Docetaxel (DCT) combined with second‐generation anti‐androgens is considered the golden standard therapy for PCa, whose application is limited for DCT resistance (DR). Therefore, exploring the mechanism of DR is of great importance. In this study, PCa cell lines of PC3 and DU145 were employed, and DR cells were constructed by treatment with graded DCT. CircSLC4A7, miR‐1205, and microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) transfections were established. Cell counting kit‐8 assay was performed to evaluate the cell activity and IC50 of DCT. After being treated with DCT, DR was assessed by colony formation assay, flow cytometry analysis, and terminal transferase‐mediated UTP nick end‐labeling assay. Real‐time quantitative PCR and western blotting analysis evaluated the expression levels of genes. The dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay verified the miR‐1205 binding sites with circSLC4A7 and MAPT. An animal experiment was performed to assess the tumor growth influenced by circSLC4A7. After conducting DR cells and isolated exosomes, we found that not only co‐culture with DR cells but also treatment with DR cells' exosomes would promote the DR of normal cells. Moreover, circSLC4A7 was highly expressed in DR cells and their exosomes. CircSLC4A7 overexpression enhanced DR, represented as raised IC50 of DCT, increased colony formation, and decreased cell apoptosis after DCT treatment, while circSLC4A7 knockdown had the opposite effect. MiR‐1205 was confirmed as a circSLC4A7‐sponged miRNA and miR‐1205 inhibitor reversed the effect of sh‐circSLC4A7. MAPT was further identified as a target of miR‐1205 and had a similar effect with circSLC4A7. The effect of circSLC4A7 on DR was also confirmed by xenograft experiments. Collectively, circSLC4A7 in resistant‐cells‐derived exosomes promotes DCT resistance of PCa via miR‐1205/MAPT axis, which may provide a new treatment strategy for DR of PCa.
Development of multilayered artificial urethra graft for urethroplasty
Authors: Barasa Povilas , Simoliunas Egidijus , Grybas Aivaras , Zilinskaite‐Tamasauske Ramune , Dasevicius Darius , Alksne Milda , Rinkunaite Ieva , Buivydas Andrius , Baltrukonyte Emilija , Tamulyte Rimgaile , Megur Ashwinipriyadarshini , Verkauskas Gilvydas , Baltriukiene Daiva , Bukelskiene Virginija
Published: September 2024

To enhance the treatment of patients' urethral defects, such as strictures and hypospadias, we investigated the potential of using artificial urethral tissue. Our study aimed to generate this tissue and assess its effectiveness in a rabbit model. Two types of bioprinted grafts, based on methacrylated gelatin‐silk fibroin (GelMA‐SF) hydrogels, were produced: acellular, as well as loaded with autologous rabbit stem cells. Rabbit adipose stem cells (RASC) were differentiated toward smooth muscle in the GelMA‐SF hydrogel, while rabbit buccal mucosa stem cells (RBMC), differentiated toward the epithelium, were seeded on its surface, forming two layers of the cell‐laden tissue. The constructs were then reinforced with polycaprolactone‐polylactic acid meshes to create implantable multilayered artificial urethral grafts. In vivo experiments showed that the cell‐laden tissue integrated into the urethra with less fibrosis and inflammation compared to its acellular counterpart. Staining to trace the implanted cells confirmed integration into the host organism 3 months postsurgery.
Alginate as a Sustainable and Biodegradable Material for Medical and Environmental Applications—The Case Studies
Authors: Wawszczak Alicja , Kocki Janusz , Kołodyńska Dorota
Published: September 2024

Alginates are salts of alginic acid derived mainly from sea algae of the genus brown algae. They are also synthesized by some bacteria. They belong to negatively charged polysaccharides exhibiting some rheological properties. High plasticity and the ability to modify the structure are the reasons for their application in numerous industries. Moreover, when in contact with the living tissue, they do not trigger an immune response, and for this reason they are the most often tested materials for medical applications. The paper discusses the latest applications, including 3D bioprinting, drug delivery systems, and sorptive properties. Recognizing alginates as biomaterials, it emphasizes the necessity for precise processing and modification to industrialize them for specific uses. This review aims to provide a thorough understanding of the advancements in alginate research, underscoring their potential for innovative applications.
METTL3‐mediated TIM1 promotes macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation through IGF2BP2‐dependent manner
Authors: Du Xianrong , Guo Yinguang , Zhao Xiaoqin , Zhang Lijuan , Fan Ru , Li Yafeng
Published: September 2024

Macrophage polarization and inflammation may play an important role in the development of sepsis. T‐cell immunoglobulin mucin 1 (TIM1) has been demonstrated to promote macrophage inflammatory responses. However, whether TIM1 regulates macrophage polarization and inflammation to affect sepsis development remains unclear. Human monocytic leukemia cell line was induced into macrophages, followed by stimulated with LPS and IL‐4 to induce M1 polarization and M2 polarization. The expression levels of TIM1, methyltransferase 3 (METTL3), and insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) were examined by qRT‐PCR and western blot. IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α levels were tested by ELISA. CD86+cell rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The m6A methylation level of TIM1 was assessed by MeRIP assay. The interaction of between TIM1 and METTL3 or IGF2BP2 was assessed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. TIM1 knockdown repressed LPS‐induced macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation. In terms of mechanism, METTL3 promoted TIM1 expression through m6A modification, and this modification could be recognized by IGF2BP2. Besides, knockdown of METTL3/IGF2BP2 suppressed LPS‐induced macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation, while this effect could be eliminated by TIM1 overexpression. METTL3/IGF2BP2/TIM1 axis promoted macrophage M1 polarization and inflammation, which might provide potential target for sepsis treatment.
Influence of autumn soil moisture over Kalimantan Island on following winter precipitation over southern China
Authors: Qiao Zehua , Zhu Siguang , He Jiarong
Published: September 2024

The atmospheric activity on Kalimantan Island (KI) is important for regulating regional weather and climate. This study investigates the effect of autumn soil moisture over KI on following winter precipitation over southern China (SC) during 1968–2014. The results show that the autumn soil moisture over the KI has a significant negative correlation with subsequent winter precipitation over SC. The correlation remains statistically significant when using partial correlation to filter out the concurrent influences of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) signals. The soil moisture anomalies over KI, which initiate in the autumn and persist into the winter, lead to changes in local thermal conditions and atmospheric temperature. Negative soil moisture anomalies over KI will result in positive heating anomalies of the atmosphere above the land surface. This atmospheric heating causes ascending motion, which creates a semi‐closed vertical circulation from KI to the tropical northwest Pacific. This vertical circulation would strengthen the northwest Pacific anticyclone and weaken the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). Consequently, southwesterly water vapour flux prevails in the SC as well as the South China Sea (SCS), facilitating the transportation of more water vapour into the SC. Simultaneously, water vapour convergence in the SC. Collectively, these contribute to an addition of precipitation over SC.
China's Yangtze River basin is becoming the super heatwave centre in the East Asian monsoon regions
Authors: Wei Jiang , Ting Ding , Hui Gao , Zhuozhuo Lv
Published: September 2024

Different from the general heatwaves that mainly occur in southeastern China, the super heatwaves in China are concentrated mostly in the mid–lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. Daily maximum temperature data over land from CPC/NOAA revealed that the basin has become the centre with the highest frequency increase of super heatwaves in the East Asian monsoon regions in the 21st century. Further analyses also indicted that the extent of super heatwaves in the basin has a much higher increasing rate than that of general heatwaves by using running thresholds. The westward extension of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) plays the most dominant role. Statistical results suggested that a 10‐gpm increment of the geopotential height (GPH) over the basin leads to a 0.43°C increase in the regionally averaged maximum temperature. Additionally, spatial extent of the super heatwave may expand by approximately 4%. In contrast to the stable eastern boundary of the North Africa high, the western boundary of the WPSH has significantly expanded westward in the 21st century. This expansion has led to the enhancement of the GPH over the Yangtze River basin, resulting in the super heatwave centre due to the heat‐dome effect. Projections from 29 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models under moderate greenhouse gas emission scenario (SSP2‐4.5) suggest that the GPH over the Yangtze River basin will continue to strengthen throughout the 21st century. This implies that the Yangtze River basin will continue to be the centre of super heatwaves in East Asia monsoon region.
Linking The Cancer Imaging Archive and GenBank to the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative
Authors: Baghal Ahmad , Saltz Joel , Kurc Tahsin , Prasanna Prateek , Baghal Samantha , Hajagos Janos , Bremer Erich , Al‐Shukri Shaymaa , Kennedy Joshua L. , Rutherford Michael , Nolan Tracy , Smith Kirk , Chute Christopher G. , Prior Fred
Published: September 2024

Objective

This project demonstrates the feasibility of connecting medical imaging data and features, SARS‐CoV‐2 genome variants, with clinical data in the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative (N3C) repository to accelerate integrative research on detection, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID‐19‐related morbidities. The N3C curated a rich collection of aggregated and de‐identified electronic health records (EHR) data of over 18 million patients, including 7.5 million COVID‐positive patients, seen at hospitals across the United States. Medical imaging data and variant samples are important data modalities used in the study of COVID‐19.

Materials and Methods

Imaging data and features are hosted on the Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA), and sequenced variant samples are analyzed and stored at the NIH GenBank. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) published the first COVID‐19 data set of 105 patients on TCIA and 37 patients on GenBank. We developed a process to link imaging and genomic variants and N3C EHR data through Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) using de‐identified cryptographic hashes to match records associated with the same individuals without using patient identifiers.

Results

The PPRL techniques were piloted using clinical and imaging data sets provided by UAMS. Developed software components and processes executed properly, and linked data were returned and processed for visualization.

Conclusion

Linking across clinical data sources at the patient level provides opportunities to gain insights from data that may not be known otherwise. The PPRL prototype and the pilot serve as a model to link disparate and diverse data repositories to enhance clinical research.
Properties of Bi2S3 Coatings Deposited on the Bionic Leaf Vein Textured Surfaces With Different Surface Densities
Authors: Wang Junyan , Deng Jianxin , Bao Yichen , Ma Kexin , Wang Mingyuan , Tian Runzhou
Published: September 2024

In order to investigate the impact of micro‐textured surfaces with varying surface density on coating properties, the bionic leaf vein micro‐texture with different surface densities were prepared on the substrate surface by laser processing. Bi2S3 soft coatings were deposited on the textured surfaces by electrohydrodynamic atomization. The influence of textured surface density on the adhesion and tribological properties of the coatings was analysed and discussed by scratch tests and friction wear tests. The results showed a significant increase in the friction coefficient as the surface density increased. However, after reaching a certain point, the friction coefficient tended to decrease. The coatings deposited on the lower surface density (13.9%, 14.5%) have better tribological performance compared with the higher surface density (35.6%, 36.2%). Meanwhile, the adhesion of coatings on the textured substrate enhanced compared with coatings deposited on the polished substrate. A reasonable textured surface density can effectively improve the adhesion and tribological properties of the coating.
A new representation for the solution of the Richards‐type fractional differential equation
Authors: EL‐Fassi Iz‐iddine , Nieto Juan J. , Onitsuka Masakazu
Published: September 2024

Richards in [35] proposed a modification of the logistic model to model growth of biological populations. In this paper, we give a new representation (or characterization) of the solution to the Richards‐type fractional differential equation
for
, where
is a continuously differentiable function on
and
is a positive real constant. The obtained representation of the solution can be used effectively for computational and analytic purposes. This study improves and generalizes the results obtained on fractional logistic ordinary differential equation.
A 0.01–50 GHz power detector with temperature compensation and wideband DC‐blocking capacitor
Authors: Yang Yongmu , Hao Peng , Yu Yang , Xu Xin , Peng Cheng , You Fei
Published: September 2024

This letter presents a 0.01–50‐GHz resistive matching power detector implemented in a commercial 0.15‐ GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor technology. An analytical expression is derived for the voltage responsivity of the detector as a function of temperature. To compensate for the temperature dependence of the detector, bias diode topology and mesa resistor load are employed. For an input power of −20 dBm at 1 GHz, the maximum variation of the detector output voltage is less than 0.5 dB over the temperature from C to C. The detector's S11 is less than −8 dB, the dynamic range (DR) is 55 dB, and the maximum voltage responsivity is 700 V/W. An on‐chip wideband capacitor with a bent‐strip shape is designed for direct current blocking. The detector can be used for wideband power monitoring and power amplifier control loop for its high DR and temperature stability.
Accelerated CEST imaging through deep learning quantification from reduced frequency offsets
Authors: Cheema Karandeep , Han Pei , Lee Hsu‐Lei , Xie Yibin , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Li Debiao
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To shorten CEST acquisition time by leveraging Z‐spectrum undersampling combined with deep learning for CEST map construction from undersampled Z‐spectra.

Methods

Fisher information gain analysis identified optimal frequency offsets (termed “Fisher offsets”) for the multi‐pool fitting model, maximizing information gain for the amplitude and the FWHM parameters. These offsets guided initial subsampling levels. A U‐NET, trained on undersampled brain CEST images from 18 volunteers, produced CEST maps at 3 T with varied undersampling levels. Feasibility was first tested using retrospective undersampling at three levels, followed by prospective in vivo undersampling (15 of 53 offsets), reducing scan time significantly. Additionally, glioblastoma grade IV pathology was simulated to evaluate network performance in patient‐like cases.

Results

Traditional multi‐pool models failed to quantify CEST maps from undersampled images (structural similarity index [SSIM] <0.2, peak SNR <20, Pearson r <0.1). Conversely, U‐NET fitting successfully addressed undersampled data challenges. The study suggests CEST scan time reduction is feasible by undersampling 15, 25, or 35 of 53 Z‐spectrum offsets. Prospective undersampling cut scan time by 3.5 times, with a maximum mean squared error of 4.4e–4, r = 0.82, and SSIM = 0.84, compared to the ground truth. The network also reliably predicted CEST values for simulated glioblastoma pathology.

Conclusion

The U‐NET architecture effectively quantifies CEST maps from undersampled Z‐spectra at various undersampling levels.
4D flow MRI velocity uncertainty quantification
Authors: Rothenberger Sean M. , Zhang Jiacheng , Markl Michael , Craig Bruce A. , Vlachos Pavlos P. , Rayz Vitaliy L.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

An automatic method is presented for estimating 4D flow MRI velocity measurement uncertainty in each voxel. The velocity distance (VD) metric, a statistical distance between the measured velocity and local error distribution, is introduced as a novel measure of 4D flow MRI velocity measurement quality.

Methods

The method uses mass conservation to assess the local velocity error variance and the standardized difference of means (SDM) velocity to estimate the velocity error correlations. VD is evaluated as the Mahalanobis distance between the local velocity measurement and the local error distribution. The uncertainty model is validated synthetically and tested in vitro under different flow resolutions and noise levels. The VD's application is demonstrated on two in vivo thoracic vasculature 4D flow datasets.

Results

Synthetic results show the proposed uncertainty quantification method is sensitive to aliased regions across various velocity‐to‐noise ratios and assesses velocity error correlations in four‐ and six‐point acquisitions with correlation errors at or under 3.2%. In vitro results demonstrate the method's sensitivity to spatial resolution, venc settings, partial volume effects, and phase wrapping error sources. Applying VD to assess in vivo 4D flow MRI in the aorta demonstrates the expected increase in measured velocity quality with contrast administration and systolic flow.

Conclusion

The proposed 4D flow MRI uncertainty quantification method assesses velocity measurement error owing to sources including noise, intravoxel phase dispersion, and velocity aliasing. This method enables rigorous comparison of 4D flow MRI datasets obtained in longitudinal studies, across patient populations, and with different MRI systems.
DCEM: A deep complementary energy method for linear elasticity
Authors: Wang Yizheng , Sun Jia , Rabczuk Timon , Liu Yinghua
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the rapid advancement of deep learning has significantly impacted various fields, particularly in solving partial differential equations (PDEs) in the realm of solid mechanics, benefiting greatly from the remarkable approximation capabilities of neural networks. In solving PDEs, physics‐informed neural networks (PINNs) and the deep energy method (DEM) have garnered substantial attention. The principle of minimum potential energy and complementary energy are two important variational principles in solid mechanics. However, the well‐known DEM is based on the principle of minimum potential energy, but it lacks the important form of minimum complementary energy. To bridge this gap, we propose the deep complementary energy method (DCEM) based on the principle of minimum complementary energy. The output function of DCEM is the stress function, which inherently satisfies the equilibrium equation. We present numerical results of classical linear elasticity using the Prandtl and Airy stress functions, and compare DCEM with existing PINNs and DEM algorithms when modeling representative mechanical problems. The results demonstrate that DCEM outperforms DEM in terms of stress accuracy and efficiency and has an advantage in dealing with complex displacement boundary conditions, which is supported by theoretical analyses and numerical simulations. We extend DCEM to DCEM‐Plus (DCEM‐P), adding terms that satisfy PDEs. Furthermore, we propose a deep complementary energy operator method (DCEM‐O) by combining operator learning with physical equations. Initially, we train DCEM‐O using high‐fidelity numerical results and then incorporate complementary energy. DCEM‐P and DCEM‐O further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of DCEM.
A comparative study on the thermomechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposites incorporating single, mixed, and hybrid nanofillers
Authors: Fatolahi Amir Reza , Ghanbari Yousef , Khoramishad Hadi , da Silva L. F. M.
Published: September 2024

A comparative analysis was conducted among nanocomposites fabricated using pristine multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4), MWCNT/Fe3O4 hybrid nanofillers, and a mixture of MWCNTs and Fe3O4 nanoparticles with varying nanofiller contents. MWCNT/Fe3O4 hybrid nanofillers with significant magnetic properties were synthesized using a chemical coating method to reinforce the epoxy polymer. Characterization techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, confirmed the successful attachment of Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto MWCNTs. Various solvents and sonication parameters were employed to improve the dispersion quality of nanofillers within the epoxy matrix, and their collective impact on the thermomechanical properties of nanocomposites was investigated. The results showed that nanocomposites containing MWCNT/Fe3O4 hybrid nanofillers dispersed using chloroform and optimized sonication parameters exhibited 5%, 9%, 32%, and 46% improvements in tensile strength and 11%, 20%, 38%, and 50% improvements in elastic modulus compared to those fabricated with mixed nanofillers, pristine MWCNTs, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and the neat epoxy, respectively. These nanocomposites also experienced considerable enhancements in thermal stability parameters. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy was also used to evaluate the dispersion quality and failure mechanisms. The results of this study can be applied in industries that require controllable magnetic properties.

Highlights

Confirmed successful attachment of Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto MWCNTs.

Sonication parameters considerably affected thermomechanical properties.

Chloroform showed the highest improvement in thermomechanical properties.

The improvements were due to the high dispersion quality assessed by FESEM.

Hybrid nanofillers showed superior properties than single and mixed fillers.
Effect of coupling agent 2,3,4,5‐tetrafluorobenzoic acid modification on dielectric energy storage properties of PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films
Authors: Li Weiji , Yan Xinrui , Ye Lu , Ran Changning , Zhang Yue , He Ruiqi , Zhu Bixuan , He Yu , Guo Jiacheng , Li Hongwei , Zhang Jianjun , Ma Sude
Published: September 2024

In this paper, the carboxylic acid modifier 2,3,4,5‐tetrafluorobenzoic acid (F4C) was used to modify the BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticles, which acted as a coupling agent. The modified BT(F4CBT) nanoparticles, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were used to make the modified nanocomposite films: PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films. The unmodified BT nanoparticles were used to make the unmodified nanocomposite films: PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films. The modification effect of the F4C resulted in an increase in the amount of β‐phase and γ‐phase, a decrease in the amount of α‐phase, and a decrease in the overall crystallinity of the PVDF‐based nanocomposite films. The dielectric constant of the PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films reached a maximum value of 16.7 at a frequency of 100 Hz at 4 wt% F4C, which was 40.3% higher than that of the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. The F4C content of 2 wt% PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films showed the lowest dielectric loss of 0.055, which was 56.7% lower than the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. The breakdown strength of the PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films increased and then decreased with the increase of the F4C content, and the highest breakdown strength was 2800 kV/cm at 4 wt% F4C, which was 55.6% higher than the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. The charging density of the PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films reached a maximum value of 20.65 J/cm3 at 4 wt% F4C content, which was 394% higher than the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films.

Highlights

Modification of ceramic nanoparticles with carboxylic acid coupling agent.

The dielectric properties of the modified nanocomposite film were significantly improved.

Maximum polarization and charge/discharge density were greatly improved by coupling agent modification.
Blow molding of mechanically recycled post‐consumer rigid polyethylene packaging waste
Authors: Boz Noyan Ezgi Ceren , Boldizar Antal
Published: September 2024

Recycled post‐consumer rigid polyethylene (PE) packaging waste was washed and compounded on a pilot scale using different processing conditions and the processability of recycled materials with blow molding was assessed. Compared to virgin grade high‐density PE, the recycled materials showed a lower crystallinity, a lower thermo‐oxidative stability, a higher ash content, a lower viscosity and melt elasticity, and a lower melt strength and drawability. The thermo‐oxidative stability varied due to the different washing media. Rheological characterization by frequency‐sweep measurements indicated that the virgin grade PE had as expected more linear‐polymer‐like characteristics whereas the recycled materials showed chain branching or crosslinking related to the processing condition during compounding. The recycled materials were successfully blow molded into 4 L‐containers where they showed less resistance to flow than the virgin grade PE. The recycled materials differed in color when different washing media were used. There were no significant differences in the mechanical properties of the 4 L‐containers made of virgin grade and recycled PE.

Highlights

Washing, compounding, and blow molding of rigid polyethylene packaging waste were studied.

The degradation varied depending on the washing and compounding conditions.

Rheological results indicated chain branching or crosslinking due to degradation.
Bibliometric and visualized analysis of the correlation between sarcopenia and chronic liver diseases from 2000 to 2023
Authors: Lan Jiaming , Guo Haozhuo , Zou Jingyu , Xue Jian , Ni Hongbo , Wang Liuchun , Ren Tianhang , Chai Sijie , Jiang Haoyang , Gou Chan , Wang Fan , Wang Shuai , Xu Xiaohe , Wang Yue , Niu Meng
Published: September 2024

Aims

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is increasingly recognized as a significant global public health threat, with morbidity and mortality rates remaining high. Evidence suggests that sarcopenia independently increases the risk of CLD and negatively impacts various clinical outcomes, including survival, quality of life, and the emergence of additional complications in patients with CLD. This study aimed to give a bibliometric analysis to examine the correlation between sarcopenia and CLD from a literature perspective.

Methods

To understand the structure of this research field, we employed VOSviewer. The research on the correlation between long‐term liver disease and sarcopenia was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer 1.6.19.0 was utilized to examine and illustrate these publications, encompassing yearly patterns in the domain, focal points of research, significant articles, authors, journals, and organizations. Moreover, according to the results of the cluster analysis of keywords, we further searched and classified related studies to discuss.

Results

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of current research trends, international collaboration models, fundamental understandings, key focus areas, and future research areas in the field of sarcopenia and CLD by reviewing publications from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2023. Over the past 24 years, research in the field of sarcopenia and CLD has deepened, with a gradual increase in publications and citations from various countries, institutions, and authors. Keyword analysis of sarcopenia and CLD indicates that current research predominantly focuses on several key areas, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, inflammation, and nutrition therapy.

Conclusion

This study provided a visual representation of the current research on the correlation between CLD and sarcopenia, including publication trends, global collaboration patterns, and research hotspots. This research contributes significantly by summarizing and discussing current research trends in sarcopenia and CLD, offering valuable insights into the complex relationship, and highlighting research trends, collaborations, and future directions in clinical treatment.
Photoactive hyperbranched poly(azo‐ester) urethanes as fluorescent staining agent for plant cells
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Arumugam , Nandhagopal Manivannan , Narayanasamy Mathivanan , Sivakumar Chickiyan , Vanjinathan Mahalingam , Nasar A. Sultan
Published: September 2024

A new AB2‐type blocked isocyanate monomer containing azo‐ester linkages and N,N′‐diethanol amine groups was successfully synthesized. Deblocking of this monomer in DMF resulted corresponding hyperbranched poly(azo‐ester)urethanes (HBPAEUs). These polymers were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, GPC, TGA, and DSC methods. The molecular weights (Mw) of the polymers were in the range of 5500–25,500 g/mol. The effect of reaction temperature on Mw was found significant. The polymers were found thermally stable up to 240 °C and showed Tg between 150 and 153 °C. These polymers absorbed UV light at 407 nm in THF solvent and also exhibited high absorption coefficients. The photo induced trans to cis isomerization of HBPAEU in THF was also studied and found λmax of cis form of the polymer was shifted to 526 nm, which suggested that the stability of this isomer was good. And, the polymer showed aggregation induced enhanced emission. In addition, the monomer and HBPAEU were found to exhibit maximal antibacterial activity against various Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. In‐vitro bio‐imaging studies of this monomer and polymer were carried out in onion epidermal and fungal cells and the results revealed that the polymer was more efficient for staining and imaging plant cells.
The impact of PEEP on mechanical power and driving pressure in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Ferraz Isabel de Siqueira , Carioca Fernando de Lima , Junqueira Fernanda Monteiro Diniz , Oliveira Marina Simões , Duarte Gregory Lui , Foronda Flávia Krepel , Matsumoto Toshio , Brandão Marcelo Barciela , De Souza Tiago Henrique
Published: September 2024

Background

Positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) is widely used to improve oxygenation and avoid alveolar collapse in mechanically ventilated patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). However, its improper use can be harmful, impacting variables associated with ventilation‐induced lung injury, such as mechanical power (MP) and driving pressure (∆P). Our main objective was to assess the impact of increasing PEEP on MP and ∆P in children with PARDS.

Interventions

Mechanically ventilated children on pressure‐controlled volume‐guaranteed mode were prospectively assessed for inclusion. PEEP was sequentially changed to 5, 12, 10, 8, and again to 5 cm H2O. After 10 min at each PEEP level, ventilatory data were collected and then variables of interest were determined. Respiratory system mechanics were measured using the least squares fitting method.

Results

Thirty‐one patients were included, with median age and weight of 6 months and 6.3 kg. Most subjects were admitted for acute viral bronchiolitis (45%) or community‐acquired pneumonia (32%) and were diagnosed with mild (45%) or moderate (42%) PARDS. There was a significant increase in MP and ∆P at PEEP levels of 10 and 12 cm H2O. When PEEP was increased from 5 to 12 cm H2O, there was a relative increase in MP of 60.7% (IQR 49.3–82.9) and in ΔP of 33.3% (IQR 17.8–65.8). A positive correlation was observed between MP and ΔP (ρ = 0.59).

Conclusions

Children with mild or moderate PARDS may experience a significant increase in MP and ∆P with increased PEEP. Therefore, respiratory system mechanics and lung recruitability must be carefully evaluated during PEEP titration.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of zastaprazan (JP‐1366), a novel potassium‐competitive acid blocker, in patients and healthy volunteers
Authors: Yang Eunsol , Hwang Inyoung , Ji Sang Chun , Kim John , Lee SeungHwan
Published: September 2024

Zastaprazan (JP‐1366) is a novel potassium‐competitive acid blocker for the treatment of acid‐related disorders. We aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of zastaprazan, thereby characterizing the PK of zastaprazan in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as evaluating the impact of various covariates, including CYP2C19 phenotypes, on zastaprazan PK. This population PK analysis included zastaprazan plasma concentration–time data from 92 patients with erosive GERD and 68 healthy volunteers without any gastrointestinal disorders and was performed using nonlinear mixed‐effect modeling. Simulations were conducted to predict zastaprazan PK under various dosing regimens in patients with GERD. The plasma PK of zastaprazan was adequately described by a two‐compartment model with Erlang‐type absorption (six sequential compartments) and first‐order elimination. CYP2C19 phenotypes had no significant effect on zastaprazan PK. The disease status was identified as a significant covariate on apparent clearance of zastaprazan, showing lower values in patients with GERD compared to healthy volunteers. However, the model‐based simulation indicated that the impact of disease status on zastaprazan exposure was not clinically meaningful. Overall, the current population PK model successfully characterized the observed zastaprazan PK in both patients with GERD and healthy volunteers.
Examination of the reliability of X‐ray powder diffraction analysis to determine mineral composition of soils
Authors: Kurokawa Kohei , Azuma Kazuki , Nakao Atsushi , Suzuki Atsuhito , Wakabayashi Shokichi , Fujimura Shigeto , Shinano Takuro , Yanai Junta
Published: September 2024

X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) is an effective technique for identifying and quantifying mineral types in soil. However, few studies have compared quantitative values based on XRPD with those from conventional wet chemical methods (WCMs). Here, we determined the primary mineral content in artificial mineral mixtures and 79 agricultural soils from across Japan using WCMs and two XRPD‐based quantitative methods: the mineral intensity factor (MIF) and the full‐pattern summation (FPS) methods performed with the powdR package for R. For artificial mixtures, the accuracy of mineral content determination (i.e., micas, quartz, K‐feldspar, and plagioclase) followed the order: WCMs > FPS > MIF. For Japanese agricultural soils, the contents of each mineral were highly similar between WCMs and FPS, based on mean absolute differences and correlation coefficients. Alternatively, MIF displayed lower similarities with WCMs, likely due to preferred orientation and peak shift or overlap issues. Using the FPS method, the mica and amorphous phase contents were positively and significantly correlated with nonexchangeable K content and cation exchange capacity, respectively. Additionally, the plagioclase content was negatively and significantly correlated with clay content. Thus, the powdR‐based FPS method is recommended for determining the mineral composition of soils, as it allows for a clearer and more quantitative demonstration of the relationship between individual minerals and soil properties.
Metal‐Free Polymer‐Based Current Collector for High Energy Density Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Wan Mintao , Gilles Ralph , Vacik Jiri , Liu Haowen , Wu Nae‐Lih , Passerini Stefano , Bresser Dominic
Published: September 2024

The energy density of lithium‐metal batteries (LMBs) relies substantially on the thickness of the lithium‐metal anode. However, a bare, thin lithium foil electrode is vulnerable to fragmentation due to the inhomogeneity of the lithium stripping/plating process, disrupting the electron conduction pathway along the electrode. Accordingly, the current collector is an integral part to prevent the resulting loss of electronic conductivity. However, the common use of a heavy and lithiophobic Cu current collector results in a great anode mass increase and unsatisfactory lithium plating behavior, limiting both the achievable specific energy and the cycle life of LMBs. Herein, a metal‐free polymer‐based current collector is reported that allows for a substantial mass reduction, while simultaneously extending the cycle life of the lithium‐metal anode. The specific mass of the ultra‐light, 10 µm thick polymer‐based current collector is only 1.03 mg cm−2, which is ≈11% of a 10 µm thick copper foil (8.96 mg cm−2). As a result, LMB cells employing this novel current collector provide a specific energy of 448 Wh kg−1, which is almost 18% higher than that of LMBs using the copper current collector (378 Wh kg−1), and a greatly enhanced cycle life owing to a more homogeneous lithium deposition.
p/n‐Type Polyimide Covalent Organic Frameworks for High‐Performance Cathodes in Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jindal Swati , Tian Zhengnan , Mallick Arijit , Kandambeth Sharath , Liu Chen , Bhatt Prashant M. , Zhang Xixiang , Shekhah Osama , Alshareef Husam N. , Eddaoudi Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are viewed as promising organic electrode materials for metal‐ion batteries due to their structural diversity and tailoring capabilities. In this work, firstly using the monomers N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(4‐aminophenyl)‐1,4‐phenylenediamine (TPDA) and terephthaldehyde (TA), p‐type phenylenediamine‐based imine‐linked TPDA‐TA‐COF is synthesized. To construct a bipolar redox‐active, porous and highly crystalline polyimide‐linked COF, i.e., TPDA‐NDI‐COF, n‐type 1,4,5,8‐naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NDA) molecules are incorporated into p‐type TPDA‐TA‐COF structure via postsynthetic linker exchange method. This tailored COF demonstrated a wide potential window (1.03.6 V vs Na+/Na) with dual redox‐active centers, positioning it as a favorable cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Owing to the inheritance of multiple redox functionalities, TPDA‐NDI‐COF can deliver a specific capacity of 67 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1, which is double the capacity of TPDA‐TA‐COF (28 mAh g−1). The incorporation of carbon nanotube (CNT) into the TPDA‐NDI‐COF matrix resulted in an enhancement of specific capacity to 120 mAh g−1 at 0.02 A g−1. TPDA‐NDI‐50%CNT demonstrated robust cyclic stability and retained a capacity of 92 mAh g−1 even after 10 000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. Furthermore, the COF cathode exhibited an average discharge voltage of 2.1 V, surpassing the performance of most reported COF as a host material.