bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water and Endangered Fish in the Klamath River Basin: Do Upper Klamath Lake Surface Elevation and Water Quality Affect Adult Lost River and Shortnose Sucker Survival?
Authors: Krause Jacob R. , Janney Eric C. , Burdick Summer M. , Harris Alta C. , Hayes Brian S.
Published: January 2023

In the western United States, water allocation decisions often incorporate the needs of endangered fish. In the Klamath River basin, an understanding of temporal variation in annual survival rates of Shortnose Suckers Chasmistes brevirostris and Lost River Suckers Deltistes luxatus and their relation to environmental drivers is critical to water management and sucker recovery. Extinction risk is high for these fish because most individuals in the populations are approaching their maximum life span and recruitment of new fish into the adult populations has never exceeded mortality losses in the past 22 years. We used a time series of mark–recapture data from the years 1999–2021 to analyze the relationship between lake level, water quality covariates, and survival of adult Shortnose Suckers and two spawning populations of Lost River Suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. We compared competing model hypotheses in a maximum likelihood framework using Akaike's information criterion and then ran the top environmental covariates in a Bayesian framework to estimate how much of the variation in survival was explained by these covariates as compared to random variation. The complementary analyses found almost unequivocal support for our base model without environmental covariates. Estimated adult sucker survival was high across the time series and consistent with sucker life history (mean annual survival = 0.82–0.91). This suggests that adult suckers were generally robust to interannual variation in lake levels as well as consistently poor water quality within the years of our data set. Recovery time is limited, as a declining survival trend for adult suckers in recent years may be due to the onset of senescence. The successful recovery of suckers in Upper Klamath Lake may rely on shifting research from the causes of adult mortality and its relationship with lake surface elevation to the causes of poor recruitment into adult populations.
Numerical investigation on the effect of intergranular contact bonding strength on the mechanical properties of granite using PFC3D‐GBM
Authors: Peng Yuxuan , Zhang Tao , Yu Liyuan , Li Jie , Gao Yanan , Tian Wenling
Published: January 2023

In rock materials, the intergranular structure is more affected by various external conditions than the transgranular structure, and then dominates the macroscopic mechanical properties of rocks. In this paper, an innovative three‐dimensional grain‐based model based on Particle Flow Code (PFC3D‐GBM) for reproducing granite crystalline structures was developed. Based on this model, the Brazilian splitting test was conducted to investigate the effects of intergranular contact (IC) bonding strength on the mechanical properties and micro‐cracking behavior of the granite. Additionally, in this paper, the force chains and the orientation distribution of the force chains are shown in the form of three‐dimensional rose diagrams. The results are compared to the numerical results obtained by an initial particle‐based model to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed PFC3D‐GBM. The results indicate that the stress–strain curve of the sample in the Brazilian splitting test can be classified into four distinct stages: initial compaction, linear elasticity, damage, and splitting failure. ICs fracture at a higher rate than transgranular contacts (TCs) under static loading, as evidenced by experimental results of laboratory tests; during the entire loading process, all force chains uniformly distribute in all directions of a sample. As the external load increases, the number of total force chains decreases and the number of cracks increases. The main orientation of the high‐strength force chains is consistent with the external loading direction and is vertical with respect to the main orientation of the cracks. Furthermore, the number of high‐strength force chains increases with the level of external load. The sample's failure mechanism in the Brazilian splitting test is always a tensile failure, and this characteristic is unaffected by the modeling method or the IC bonding strength. Both the tensile strength and peak strain increase as the IC bonding strength increases. In this process, the number of total cracks in PFC3D‐GBM decreases, the proportion of transgranular cracks (Tcs) increases, and the proportion of intergranular cracks (Ics) decreases. The micro‐cracking behavior described above based on the PFC3D‐GBM can be explained more rationally. As the bonding strength of the IC increases, the particles involved in sample deformation are subjected to a greater stress concentration prior to the sample experiencing macro‐fracture, leading to an increase in the number of high‐strength force chains, which is the fundamental reason for the increase of the sample's tensile strength.
Concerted voltage frequency control and superconducting magnetic energy storage operation using optimal adaptive model predictive control for improved frequency response of power system
Authors: Syed Asima , Ahsan Hailiya , Mufti Mairaj‐Ud Din , Kumar Abdul Waheed
Published: January 2023

Active power equilibrium is analogous to frequency control. A hypothesis of maintaining this balance with voltage regulation is slightly less instinctive, notwithstanding the contribution it can make to the overall stability of the power system. This idea in synergism with the utilization of superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) technology in a colossal multi‐machine power network, is exercised in this paper. The main focus of this work is to make a small‐rated SMES more providential in large power systems with the aid of voltage frequency control (VFC). This study proposes an adaptive model predictive control (AMPC) equipped small capacity SMES as well as VFC operation, to ensure load frequency control of a wind power penetrated system. While assuming the plant as an autoregressive discrete mode system with exogenous input, the determination of both the plant model and controller parameters are effectuated online using a recursive least squares (RLS) identification algorithm. Detailed mathematical modeling of SMES is presented in addition to the discrete mode automatic generation control (d‐AGC) and governor dead band non‐linearity at the synchronous power source ends. A compact doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) model architecture harmonizing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mode using the standard two‐dimensional look‐up table with turbine characteristics is also discussed. Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink domain reveals a percentage improvement of 82.6% in the frequency nadir under load disturbance with the proposed VFC‐SMES scheme. Furthermore, an average percentage improvement of 82% in peak frequency deviations under turbulent wind scenario is attained. These results are validated in real‐time, employing the real‐time digital simulator OPAL‐RT (OP4510).
Intraindividual pain variability metrics for youth with sickle cell disease: Relations to health outcomes
Authors: Pascale Angela , Sisler India , Smith Wally , Valrie Cecelia
Published: January 2023

Background

While the majority of pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) research has used mean pain intensity as the only pain metric, recent evidence suggests this metric alone is inadequate in describing the intraindividual variability in SCD pain experiences and subsequent impact. There is limited information on other intraindividual pain metrics in youth with SCD, or how they relate to health outcomes in this population. The aims of this study were to describe differing patterns of intraindividual pain metrics derived from ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of youth with SCD and to characterize the unique relationships between these metrics and health outcomes.

Methods

Eighty‐eight youth with SCD, aged 8–17 (mean age = 11.6), were recruited from three regional pediatric SCD clinics in the United States. At baseline, youth and their guardians reported on demographic and disease information. Then youth completed twice daily EMAs for up to 4 weeks. Pain metrics derived from EMA data were calculated including mean daily pain intensity (DP), SD‐DP (standard deviation of DP), proportion of pain days (PPD), and 90th percentile of DP (p90). Pearson correlations were calculated between pain metrics and health outcomes.

Results

High DP and SD‐DP were correlated with more anxiety symptoms, while high SD‐DP and p90 were correlated with more depression symptoms. High SD‐DP was correlated with low self‐esteem, and high DP and PPD were correlated with low sickle cell self‐efficacy. For healthcare utilization due to pain, high p90 was correlated with more emergency department visits, while high DP, p90, and PPD were correlated with more healthcare contacts.

Conclusion

There are distinct associations between pain variability metrics beyond DP and health outcomes. Collectively, the patterns of associations suggest the utility of these pain metrics for determining risk in relation to specific health outcomes for youth with SCD.
Assessment of nanoclay impact on buckling response of carbon/Kevlar hybrid composites
Authors: Özbek Özkan , Doğan Nurettin Furkan , Bozkurt Ömer Yavuz , Erkliğ Ahmet
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the effects of nanoclay (NC) particles on the buckling behavior of carbon/Kevlar intraply hybrid composites. The laminates containing various amounts of NC particles (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 3% by weight) were manufactured using hand layup stacking followed by vacuum bag molding process. The prepared samples were subjected to axial and lateral compressive loads under fixed‐fixed and fixed‐free boundary conditions, respectively, and the relevant critical buckling loads were determined. Furthermore, the failure modes were examined via microscopic views taken from the damaged areas on the samples to fully understand the influences of NC particles on buckling characteristics. The findings demonstrated that the buckling behaviors of the samples were significantly affected by the introduction of NC particles. Compared with the composite samples without any NC particles, the composite samples with 1 wt% NC particles showed an increase of 21.12% and 25.33% in the axial and lateral critical buckling loads, respectively. However, the inclusion of NC particles with an amount that higher than 1 wt% showed a decreasing trend in terms of critical loads for both buckling loadings, which can be viewed as a measure of load‐bearing capability. Moreover, the samples filled with 3 wt% NC particles exhibited a decrement on critical loads compared with those of samples without any NC particle filler. With the help of microscopic views, the failure modes were detected as matrix fragmentation and delamination for both buckling loadings.
Mechanical characterization of multifunctional highly porous carbon nanotube‐reinforced foams
Authors: Ghahramani Pardis , Moradi‐Dastjerdi Rasool , Behdinan Kamran , Naguib Hani E.
Published: January 2023

In recent years, novel features of ultra‐flexible nanocomposite foams have drawn tremendous attention toward these materials to be utilized in a variety of engineering applications. Since Young's modulus of nanocomposite foams is related to their mechanical strength and directly affects their applications, in this study, this property was evaluated experimentally and theoretically. In this regard, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite foams with different filler contents (e.g., 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%) and different porosities (e.g., 60%, 70%, and 80%) were fabricated by solvent casting and particulate leaching methods. The results suggested that the optimum value for foam porosity and MWCNT content is required to elevate Young's modulus of nanocomposite foams. The experimental data indicated that in the samples with 60% porosity increasing MWCNT content improved Young's modulus of the samples; however, in the samples with 70% porosity Young's modulus was elevated when the filler content was up to 0.25 wt%. Moreover, using the experimental data, a theoretical approach was successfully extended to predict Young's modulus of nanocomposite foams with the combination of different void fractions and CNT contents.
Scaffold fabrication from drug loaded HNT reinforced polylactic acid by FDM for biomedical applications
Authors: Kökcü İlknur , Eryildiz Meltem , Altan Mirigül , Ertuğrul Melek İpek , Odabaş Sedat
Published: January 2023

In this study, multifunctional polymer nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated by the fused deposition method (FDM) for biomedical applications. First, halloysite nanotube reinforced (1–5 wt%) polylactic acid filaments were prepared by melt mixing process. For the selected compositions, HNT was loaded with metformin (MET) by electrostatic interactions. The characterization of the scaffolds was observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology of the nanocomposite scaffolds was investigated by scanning electron microscope. Mechanical behavior of the scaffolds was determined by tensile, compression, and three‐point flexural tests. It has been seen that 3%wt of HNT loading showed 124%, 145%, and 41% increments in tensile, compression, and three‐point flexural strength of the scaffolds, respectively. In‐vitro drug release and cell viability of the scaffolds were also examined. According to the cell viability result, a better cell proliferation regimen was achieved in all HNT‐containing groups without any cytotoxicity effect. Also, approximately 50% of the total drug was released from the scaffolds at the end of 120 h. Finally, it has been seen that the developed scaffolds show promise for bone regeneration and replacement of bone.
Solid‐phase adsorption methodologies of naturally occurring anthraquinones: A review
Authors: Palumbo Lucia , Fiorito Serena , Epifano Francesco , Sharifi‐Rad Majid , Genovese Salvatore , Collevecchio Chiara
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Solid‐phase extraction applied to plant matrices is nowadays a well‐validated technique allowing to concentrate and purify different secondary metabolites. Several classes of phytochemicals have been selectively extracted by this methodology. During the last decade attention has been focused on biologically active anthraquinones from numerous sources like edible, healthy, and medicinal plants.

Objectives

The aim of this review is to provide a detailed literature survey of the solid‐phase adsorption methodologies for the extraction of natural anthraquinones reported so far and to discuss and propose future directions in this field of research.

Materials and Methods

Substructure search was performed in the SciFinder Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and Scopus databases.

Results

The first report about application of solid‐phase adsorption for the purification of anthraquinones appeared in the literature in 2002. From this date, and in particular during recent years, the most notable examples included the use of chitin‐ and chitosan‐based polymers, of molecularly imprinted polymers, of coated magnetic nanoparticles, of miniaturized matrix solid‐phase dispersion, of functionalized resins, of differently structured lamellar solids, and finally of vortex‐synchronized matrix solid‐phase dispersion.

Conclusions

The herein detailed solid‐phase adsorption methodologies are powerful tools to selectively extract natural anthraquinones and/or provide anthraquinone‐enriched phytopreparations. Nevertheless, many other important methods have been applied to synthetic anthraquinones (e.g., azo dyes). These could be conveniently employed also for natural anthranoids. Studies in this field are discussed in this review article.
Computational studies on the interaction of Omicron subvariants (BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3) with ACE2 and polyphenols
Authors: Vardhan Seshu , Sahoo Suban K.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant BA.2 is spreading widely across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated BA.2 as a variant of concern due to its high transmission rate and pathogenicity. To elucidate the structural changes caused by mutations, we conducted a comparative analysis of BA.2 with variants BA.1 and BA.3.

Objective

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the interactions of the spike glycoprotein receptor‐binding domain (SGp RBD) of Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 with the human receptor hACE2. Further, a library of 233 polyphenols was screened by molecular docking with the SGp RBDs of Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3.

Methods

Protein–protein and protein–ligand molecular docking simulations were performed with AutoDock Vina and the ClusPro 2.0 server, respectively. The protein–ligand interactions were evaluated by BIOVIA Discovery Studio and ChimeraX 1.4. The molecular dynamics simulations for 100 ns were performed using GROMACS 2021.

Results

Compared to other variants of concern, the structural changes in Omicron caused by mutations at key positions improved its ability to cause infection. Despite multiple mutations, many important polyphenols bind effectively at the RBDs of Omicron variants, with the required pharmacokinetic and ADME features and obeying the Lipinski rule.

Conclusion

Even though Omicron variants have multiple mutations and their transmission rate is relatively high, the computed binding affinities of lead polyphenols like epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (EGCG) and luteolin‐7‐O‐glucuronide (L7G) indicate that traditional medicines and proper immunity booster diets may be useful in the long‐term fight against SARS‐CoV‐2.
Effect of polymer molecular structure on the quality of thin‐walled hollow microspheres for inertial confinement fusion
Authors: Xu Wenting , Gu Qianqian , Zhu Fanghua , Chen Qiang , Liu Yiyang , Li Jie , Liu Meifang , Yi Yong
Published: January 2023

Polymer microspheres can be used as fuel containers for laser inertial confinement fusion (ICF) due to their low atomic number, low density, and high thermal stability. The thin‐walled polymer microspheres are prone to cracking due to an increase in the diameter to thickness ratio (diameter/wall thickness). The effect of polystyrene (PS) and Poly (α‐methyl styrene) (PAMS) materials commonly used in ICF experiments on the quality of thin‐walled microspheres is investigated. PS hollow microspheres show better sphericity, smoother surface, and lower cracking rate than PAMS microspheres. Moreover, the heat treatment of solidified PS microspheres can improve the strength so that the cracking rate of the microspheres decreases. The relative mechanism of how the molecular structure affect the quality is also discussed. This study provides some guidance for the preparation of thin‐walled polymer microspheres with high quality for ICF experiments.
Levetiracetam‐associated behavioral adverse events in neurocritical care patients
Authors: Strein Micheal , Holton‐Burke John P. , Stilianoudakis Spiro , Moses Carley , Almohaish Sulaiman , Brophy Gretchen M.
Published: January 2023

Study Objectives

The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of levetiracetam‐associated BAEs in NCC patients.

Design

Single‐center retrospective cohort analysis.

Data Source

Patient charts.

Patients

965 adult ICU patients with a neurological injury receiving levetiracetam that were admitted to an intensive care unit.

Measurements and Main Results

There were 965 patients included; 52% males with a median GCS of 13. Injury types included TBI (43.1%), ICH (21.8%), SAH (20.5%), and CI (14.6%). BAEs were identified in 46% of patients. Of these, 60% had documentation of agitation/restlessness, delirium, or anxiety while receiving levetiracetam, only 25% had a positive CAM‐ICU, 13% had restraints ordered, and 42% received antipsychotics. Patients with TBI had the highest incidence of BAEs (52.4%). The median time to initiation of levetiracetam after hospital admission was 6.4 hours and BAEs occurred after 1.3 days of levetiracetam initiation.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that almost half of our NCC population experienced levetiracetam associated BAEs which were mostly hyperactive in nature. We believe that the incidence of BAEs in our specific patient population cannot solely be attributed to ICU delirium given the lower risk of developing hyperactive delirium in ICU patients as compared to other subtypes. Therefore, monitoring and determination of the benefit versus risk in those experiencing BAEs is highly encouraged.
CancerSupportSourceTM‐Caregiver: Development of a distress screening measure for cancer caregivers
Authors: Zaleta Alexandra K. , Miller Melissa F. , Fortune Erica E. , Olson Julie S. , Rogers Kimberly Papay , Hendershot Kelly , Ash‐Lee Susan
Published: January 2023

Objective

Given the substantial demands of cancer caregiving, practical and psychometrically sound tools to evaluate distress among cancer caregivers are needed. CancerSupportSourceTM‐Caregiver is a distress screening, referral, and support program designed to identify the unmet needs of cancer caregivers and link caregivers to desired resources and support. This study refined and finalized the CancerSupportSource‐Caregiver screening measure and examined its psychometric properties.

Methods

Using an analytic sample of 400 caregivers to people with cancer, we first performed item reduction by assessing exploratory factor analysis, external/internal item quality, and judging theoretical and practical implications of items. Confirmatory factor analysis along with reliability and validity analyses were then conducted to corroborate dimensionality and psychometric properties of the final measure. Nonparametric receiver operating characteristic curve analyses determined scoring thresholds for depression and anxiety risk subscales.

Results

Scale refinement resulted in an 18‐item measure plus one screening item assessing tobacco and substance use. Items represented five domains of caregiver concerns: emotional well‐being, patient well‐being, caregiving tasks, finances, and healthy lifestyle. Our analyses showed strong internal consistency and test‐retest reliability, a replicable factor structure, and adequate convergent, discriminant, and known groups validity. Sensitivity of 2‐item depression and 2‐item anxiety risk subscales were 0.95 and 0.87, respectively.

Conclusions

CancerSupportSource‐Caregiver is a reliable and valid multidimensional measure of caregiver distress that also screens for risk for clinically significant depression and anxiety. It can be implemented within a distress screening, referral, and follow‐up program to rapidly assess caregivers' unmet needs and enhance caregiver well‐being across the care continuum.
Distinct conformational changes occur within the intrinsically unstructured pro‐domain of pro‐Nerve Growth Factor in the presence of ATP and Mg2+
Authors: Paoletti Francesca , Covaceuszach Sonia , Cassetta Alberto , Calabrese Antonio N. , Novak Urban , Konarev Petr , Grdadolnik Jože , Lamba Doriano , Golič Grdadolnik Simona
Published: January 2023

Nerve growth factor (NGF), the prototypical neurotrophic factor, is involved in the maintenance and growth of specific neuronal populations, whereas its precursor, proNGF, is involved in neuronal apoptosis. Binding of NGF or proNGF to TrkA, p75NTR, and VP10p receptors triggers complex intracellular signaling pathways that can be modulated by endogenous small‐molecule ligands. Here, we show by isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR that ATP binds to the intrinsically disordered pro‐peptide of proNGF with a micromolar dissociation constant. We demonstrate that Mg2+, known to play a physiological role in neurons, modulates the ATP/proNGF interaction. An integrative structural biophysics analysis by small angle X‐ray scattering and hydrogen‐deuterium exchange mass spectrometry unveils that ATP binding induces a conformational rearrangement of the flexible pro‐peptide domain of proNGF. This suggests that ATP may act as an allosteric modulator of the overall proNGF conformation, whose likely distinct biological activity may ultimately affect its physiological homeostasis.
A Theoretical Study of Negative Capacitance Field‐Effect Transistors Using Ferroelectrics Having First‐ and Second‐Order Phase Transitions
Authors: Pahariya Anuj , Dutta Aloke K.
Published: January 2023

Herein, a theoretical study of negative capacitance field‐effect transistors (NCFETs) using ferroelectrics (FEs), having first‐ and second‐order phase transitions (FPT and SPT, respectively), applying the Landau–Devonshire (LD) theory, is presented. The expressions for the Landau parameters for FPT FEs are derived from the basic relations, and subsequently, these are used in the numerical models for the surface potential, gate charge, and drain current for NCFETs with FPT FEs, developed in this work. The results show an excellent match with those obtained from technology computer‐aided design (TCAD) simulations. Next, the Landau parameters and the numerical models for the charge and drain current for NCFETs with SPT FEs are developed, following a similar procedure, and then the results of these two structures are compared, along with those obtained from TCAD simulations, which shows an excellent match. The results bring out some interesting observations—notable among them is a higher Ion/Ioff ratio for FPT structures, as compared to that for SPT ones, caused by a reduction in the subthreshold current, with a marginal increase in the strong inversion current in the former. This feature, by itself, may make NCFETs with FPT FEs more suitable than those with SPT FEs for low‐power applications.
Application of biodegradable film as modified atmosphere packaging for red chili (Capsicum annuum cv. Jinda)
Authors: Balanon Dane Archibald G. , Sane Amporn , Jariyasakoolroj Piyawanee , Leelaphiwat Pattarin
Published: January 2023

Biodegradable blend films containing thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) were assessed for red chili storage under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at 10°C. Performances of biodegradable blend films were compared to polypropylene (PP) film and the control (unpacked). Gas permeabilities and permeability ratios were determined to measure the ability of the films to create an optimal atmosphere for red chili storage. PP film attained values close to the recommended MAP gas concentrations and maintained desirable chili quality parameters up to the 15th day. Biodegradable films did not achieve the recommended MAP gas concentrations, but high water vapor permeability prevented moisture loss and maintained firmness and overall quality. No discoloration was recorded in all MAP treatments, while biochemical parameters showed a decreasing trend, with measured levels significantly higher in MAP samples than unpacked samples. MAP for red chili was achieved using a packaging system, with similar gas permeabilities to PP film but with significantly higher water vapor permeability.
Oral Liushen pill for patients with COVID‐19: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Jianping , Liu Yian , Lei Wei , Shen Junheng , Lu Jing , Tao Tao , Cao Xu , Yang Zhong , Huang Jianan , Shi Cuilin
Published: January 2023

We examined the efficacy and safety of Liushen pill combined with basic treatment for patients with COVID‐19. In total, 181 patients hospitalized with COVID‐19, classified as asymptomatic mild type, were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 91) and control (n = 90) groups and were administered placebo (Maizao decoction) and Maizao decoction and Liushen pill, in addition to standard care, respectively. The negative conversion rate of nucleic acid (Day 7), hospital discharge rate (Days 8, 10, and 14), symptom disappearance rate (Days 3, 5, and 7), inflammatory cytokine levels, and adverse events were compared between the groups. The negative viral conversion rate was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (48.35 vs. 31.11%, p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed a similar significant trend when the Ct value was ≤30 at baseline. After 10 days, the hospital discharge rate was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (69.23 vs. 53.33%, p < 0.05). After 3‐day medication, the headache symptoms significantly disappeared in the experimental (88.57%) compared to the control group (63.33%) (p < 0.05). After 5 days, the symptom disappearance rates of headache and cough were significantly higher in the experimental (97.14%) than in the control group (97.14 vs. 80.00, p < 0.05; 82.65 vs. 58.93%, p < 0.01, respectively). Posttreatment, the procalcitonin level was significantly lower in the experimental than in the control group (0.09 ± 0.00 vs. 0.14 ± 0.05 ng/L; p < 0.05). There were no significant between‐group differences in clinical safety test indices. Early intervention with Liushen pill improved cough and headache and increased negative viral conversion and discharge rate.
Benchmarking general neural network potential ANI‐2x on aerosol nucleation molecular clusters
Authors: Jiang Shuai , Liu Yi‐Rong , Wang Chun‐Yu , Huang Teng
Published: January 2023

New particle formation including atmospheric aerosol nucleation and subsequent growth, contributes to about half of cloud condensation nuclei and can grow to form haze under certain conditions, so its role in climate change and air quality is indispensable. However, various kinds of nucleation precursors create vast combinations of molecular clustering, hindering the understanding the detailed picture of nucleation mechanism. The recently appeared general neural network potential, ANI‐2x, covering most of elements composing nucleation clusters, looks promising to be embedded into the nucleation theoretical workflows to improve the nucleation simulation accuracy. Here we benchmarked ANI‐2x's performance on both low and high energy isomers based workflows through comparing it with semi‐empirical (PM7) and DFT (ωB97XD/6‐31++G(d,p)) methods. Results show that ANI‐2x is superior to PM7 in single point energy and geometry optimization calculations when compared against DFT. However, generally ANI‐2x's accuracy on high energy isomers is still far less than that on low energy isomers. Besides, force comparison indicates that PM7's accuracy is better than that of ANI‐2x. After all, accuracy of the workflow that focuses on low energy isomers can be benefitted from ANI‐2x while for high energy isomers based workflow, PM7 is still the better choice than ANI‐2x due to the more important role of force labels than that of energy labels in preparing machine learning dataset. However, due to the linear relation between the ANI‐2x force and DFT force, a scale factor of approximately 0.50 is expected to greatly improve the ANI‐2x force performance.
Event‐driven fault‐tolerant attitude control of spacecraft with finite‐time disturbance observer under input saturation
Authors: Amrr Syed Muhammad , Saidi Abdelaziz Salah , Nabi M.
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates the attitude stabilization problem for a bandwidth‐constrained spacecraft subjected to model uncertainty, external disturbances, actuator faults, and saturated input. The proposed attitude controller is developed by combining the disturbance observer with an event‐trigger technique to provide disturbance attenuation meanwhile respecting the constraint on the wireless control network. The proposed disturbance observer estimates the lumped disturbance within a finite time, and its output is then fed to the composite control law. The presented control scheme relaxes the use of a priori upper bound knowledge of disturbance and resolves the unwinding problem in the quaternion‐based attitude representation. The closed‐loop stability analysis under the proposed algorithm shows the uniformly ultimately bounded convergence of state trajectories. Moreover, the designed event trigger approach avoids the Zeno behavior. The numerical simulation with comparative analysis illustrates the efficacy of the proposed controller in terms of convergence time, steady‐state bound, rate of control update, and energy consumption.
Memory‐event‐trigger‐based output tracking control for networked switched interval type‐2 fuzzy systems against deception attacks
Authors: Gao Hui , Shi Kaibo , Zhou Kun , Wang Yueying , Zheng Qunxian
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates the problem of event‐triggered output tracking control for networked switched interval type‐2 (IT2) fuzzy systems under deception attacks. Different from the existing event‐triggered method, a new type of event‐triggered scheme which called the memory event‐triggered scheme (METS) is proposed to save the network resources, under which some past released triggering events are used to generate the new events. Also, the network communication may be corrupted by deception attacks and the tracking control is meaningful. We give some conditions to guarantee the output tracking performance of the closed loop memory event‐triggered networked switched IT2 fuzzy systems under deception attacks in secure sense. Finally, a simulation example validates the proposed technique.
Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya‐Interaction‐Like Behavior in Confined Permalloy Nanostructures via Coupled Magnetic Vortices
Authors: Hu Chenglong , Shen Xiaochen , Bo Lan , Zhao Rongzhi , Zhu Dapeng , Ji Lianze , Bai Guohua , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: January 2023

Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI), one of antisymmetric exchanges, originates from the combination of low structural symmetry and large spin‐orbit coupling and favors magnetization rotations with fixed chirality. Herein, this work reports a DMI‐like behavior in permalloy via coupled vortices in confined structures. Under the in‐plane magnetic fields, continuous reversals of different coupled vortices are directly observed by in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, and reproduced by complementary micromagnetic simulations. The statistical results show that coupled vortices with opposite chirality appear more frequently with the frequency up to about 60%. Such an asymmetric phenomenon mainly arises from a DMI‐like behavior, associated with the increased total energy difference between different ground‐state coupled vortices. Moreover, in the reversal process, the junction between disks accelerates the annihilation of vortices moving toward it and is also the starting point of vortex nucleation. These results provide an effective method to generate a DMI‐like behavior in magnetic systems with symmetry breaking surface and benefit the future development of vortex‐based spintronic devices.
Endowing Covalent Organic Frameworks with Photoresponsive Active Sites for Controllable Propylene Adsorption
Authors: Zheng Long , Song Qian , Tan Peng , Wang Sheng‐Tao , Liu Xiao‐Qin , Sun Lin‐Bing
Published: January 2023

Photoresponsive covalent organic frameworks (PCOFs) have emerged as attractive candidates for adsorption, but it is challenging to construct PCOF adsorbents due to structural order loss of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) after introducing photoresponsive motifs and/or tedious steps of postmodification. Here, a facile strategy is developed, by dispersing photoresponsive metal‐organic polyhedra (PMOP) into COFs, to endow COFs with photoresponsive adsorption sites. As a proof‐of‐concept study, a COF with pore size of 4.5 nm and PMOP with suitable molecular size (4.0 and 3.1 nm for trans and cis configuration, respectively) are selected to meet the requirements of proper accommodation space, good guest dispersion, and free isomerization. The structure of COF is well preserved after introducing PMOPs. Interestingly, the obtained photoresponsive host–guest composite (PHGC) adsorbents exhibit photomodulated adsorption capacity on propylene (C3H6) and the change in adsorption capacity can reach up to 43.3% and is stable during multiple cycles. Density functional theory calculations reveal that visible‐light irradiation drives the azobenzene motifs in PHGCs to the trans configuration and the adsorption sites are fully open and interact with C3H6. UV‐light irradiation makes the azobenzene motifs transform to the cis configuration, leading to the shield of the adsorption sites and the consequent release of C3H6.
High‐Performance and Polarization‐Sensitive Imaging Photodetector Based on WS2/Te Tunneling Heterostructure
Authors: Luo Zhongtong , Xu Huakai , Gao Wei , Yang Mengmeng , He Yan , Huang Zihao , Yao Jiandong , Zhang Menglong , Dong Huafeng , Zhao Yu , Zheng Zhaoqiang , Li Jingbo
Published: January 2023

Next‐generation imaging systems require photodetectors with high sensitivity, polarization sensitivity, miniaturization, and integration. By virtue of their intriguing attributes, emerging 2D materials offer innovative avenues to meet these requirements. However, the current performance of 2D photodetectors is still below the requirements for practical application owing to the severe interfacial recombination, the lack of photoconductive gain, and insufficient photocarrier collection. Here, a tunneling dominant imaging photodetector based on WS2/Te heterostructure is reported. This device demonstrates competitive performance, including a remarkable responsivity of 402 A W−1, an outstanding detectivity of 9.28 × 1013 Jones, a fast rise/decay time of 1.7/3.2 ms, and a high photocurrent anisotropic ratio of 2.5. These outstanding performances can be attributed to the type‐I band alignment with carrier transmission barriers and photoinduced tunneling mechanism, allowing reduced interfacial trapping effect, effective photoconductive gains, and anisotropic collection of photocarriers. Significantly, the constructed photodetector is successfully integrated into a polarized light imaging system and an ultra‐weak light imaging system to illustrate the imaging capability. These results suggest the promising application prospect of the device in future imaging systems.
Engineered Cell Membrane Vesicles Expressing CD40 Alleviate System Lupus Nephritis by Intervening B Cell Activation
Authors: Fang Tianliang , Li Baoqi , Li Meng , Zhang Yuli , Jing Zhangyan , Li Yuan , Xue Tianyuan , Zhang Zhirang , Fang Wenli , Lin Zhongda , Meng Fanqiang , Li Liyan , Yang Yang , Zhang Xingding , Liang Xin , Chen Shu‐Na , Chen Jun , Zhang Xudong
Published: January 2023

Immune intervention of B cell activation to blockade the production of autoantibodies provokes intense interest in the field of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) therapy development. Although the survival rate for SLE is improved, many patients die untimely. Engineered cell membrane vesicles manifest remarkable capacity of targeted drug delivery and immunomodulation of immune cells such as B cells. Herein, this work engineered cellular nanovesicles (NVs) presenting CD40 (CD40 NVs) that can blunt B cells and thus alleviate SLE. CD40 NVs disrupt the CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) costimulatory signal axis through the blockade of CD40L on CD4+ T cells. Therefore, the CD40 NVs restrain the generation of the germinal center structure and production of antibodies from B cells. Furthermore, immunosuppressive drug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is also encapsulated in the vesicles (MMF‐CD40 NVs), which is employed to deplete immunocytes including B cells, T cells, and dendritic cells. Together, CD40 NVs are promising formulations for relieving autoimmunity and lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice.
Interface Engineering of Zinc Electrode for Rechargeable Alkaline Zinc‐Based Batteries
Authors: Zhang Quanchao , Liu Xiaorui , Zhu Xiangbo , Wan Yizao , Zhong Cheng
Published: January 2023

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐based batteries have gained considerable interest because of their advantages of high theoretical capacity, being eco‐friendly, and cost effectiveness. In particular, zinc‐based batteries with alkaline electrolyte show great promise due to their high working voltage. However, there remain great challenges for the commercialization of the rechargeable alkaline zinc‐based batteries, which are mainly impeded by the limited reversibility of the zinc electrode. The critical problems refer to the dendrites growth, electrode passivation, shape change, and side reactions, affecting discharge capacity, columbic efficiency, and cycling stability of the battery. All the issues are highly associated with the interfacial properties, including both electrons and ions transport behavior at the electrode interface. Herein, this work concentrates on the fundamental electrochemistry of the challenges in the zinc electrode and the design strategies for developing high‐performance zinc electrodes with regard to optimizing the interfaces between host and active materials as well as electrode and electrolyte. In addition, potential directions for the investigation of electrodes and electrolytes for high‐performance zinc‐based batteries are presented, aiming at promoting the development of rechargeable alkaline zinc‐based batteries.
Adjusting Crystal Orientation to Promote Sodium‐Ion Transport in V5S8@Graphene Anode Materials for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Tang Lin‐bo , Li Pei‐yao , Cui Ru‐de , Peng Tao , Wei Han‐Xin , Wang Zhen‐yu , Wang Hai‐yan , Yan Cheng , Mao Jing , Dai Ke‐hua , Chen He‐zhang , Zhang Xia‐hui , Zheng Jun‐chao
Published: January 2023

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have inspired the potential for widespread use in energy storage owing to the advantages of abundant resources and low cost. Benefiting from the layered structure, 2D‐layered materials enable fast interlayer transport of sodium ions and thus are considered promising candidates as anodes for SIBs. Herein, a strategy of adjusting crystal orientation is proposed via a solvothermal method to improve sodium‐ion transport at the edge of the interlayers in 2D‐layered materials. By introducing surfactants and templates, the 2D‐layered V5S8 nanosheets are controlled to align the interlayer diffusion channels vertically to the surface, which promotes the fast transport of Na+ at the edge of the interlayers as revealed by experimental methods and ab initio calculations. Benefiting from the aligned crystal orientation and rGO coating, the vertical‐V5S8@rGO hybrid delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 350.6 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 15 A g−1. This work provides a strategy for the structural design of 2D‐layered anode materials by adjusting crystal orientation, which demonstrates the promise for applications in fast‐charging alkaline‐ion batteries.
Nanoarchitectonics of Metal Atom Cluster‐Based Building Blocks Applied to the Engineering of Photoelectrodes for Solar Cells
Authors: Lappi Tatiana , Cordier Stéphane , Gayfulin Yakov , Ababou-Girard Soraya , Grasset Fabien , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Naumov Nikolay G. , Renaud Adèle
Published: January 2023

This study deals with the nanoarchitectonic concept applied to the design of photoelectrodes built on two types of cluster core building blocks, namely, {Re6Si
8} and {Re6Sei
8}. The effect of the nature of the metal/ligand on photoinduced conductivity properties is thus investigated through an in‐depth photoelectrochemical study and it is rationalized by the establishment of an energy diagram using a set of complementary optical (ultraviolet–vis–near infrared), electrochemical and spectroscopic (X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterization techniques. The optical and electronic properties of {Re6Qi
8}‐based films (Q = S or Se) are drastically dependent on the composition. The sulfide‐based photoelectrodes exhibit ambipolar behavior with an n‐type domination whereas the selenide‐based photoelectrodes have a p‐type semiconducting behavior. Such electronic properties can be exalted by increasing the interactions between the cluster building blocks by heating. The design of mixed {Re6Qi
8}‐based photoelectrodes combining the two n‐{Re6Si
8} and p‐{Re6Sei
8} cluster core‐based building blocks is explored. The physical properties of the heterostructures can be tuned by controlling the {Re6Si
8}:{Re6Sei
8} ratio and the interaction between the clusters. The creation of such nanoarchitectonic p–n junctions allows the optimization of the photocurrents generated by increasing the separated charge state lifetime that turns out to be attractive for solar cell applications.
Bifunctional Dimethyldichlorosilane Assisted Air‐Processed Perovskite Solar Cell with Enhanced Stability and Low Voltage Loss
Authors: Zhou Peng , Lu Shaojuan , Mo Yanping , Cheng Jiahao , Jiao Chuanjia , Zhang Xiao-Li , Li Wangnan , Liang Guijie , Wang Jingyang , Huang Fuzhi , Cheng Yi-Bing
Published: January 2023

As perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are sensitive to moisture, they cannot be prepared in the open air, which increases manufacturing costs. To address this issue, bifunctional dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS) is employed as both an additive and capping layer to passivate the grain boundaries and surfaces of MAPbI3 perovskite films, thus inhibiting water erosion. Accordingly, the preparation of highly efficient PSCs in an air atmosphere is realized. Herein, the passivation mechanism of DMDCS on the perovskite film and the interface is analyzed by investigating photoexcited carrier mobility and ultrafast transient adsorption spectroscopy (TAS). An improvement of charge‐carrier diffusion, featuring an enhanced lifetime from 7.62 to 11.22 ps by the precursor doping, is exhibited in the results of TAS. The charge‐carrier extraction at the interface is also greatly promoted, with the decreased decay time from 0.29 to 0.16 ns by surface passivation, consistent with the carrier mobility via space charge‐limited current. Finally, the modified devices achieve an exceptional efficiency of 20.69%, and demonstrate long‐term environmental stability, maintaining more than 80% of the initial efficiency after 1000 h in ambient at a relative humidity of 40% without encapsulation.
Effective Inhibition of Phase Segregation in Wide‐Bandgap Perovskites with Alkali Halides Additives to Improve the Stability of Solar Cells
Authors: Meng Xin , Wang Jianan , Wang Haixin , Li Mengjie , Sun Derun , Hu Xiaodong , He Jizhou , Yu Peng , Zhou Jing , Chen Rui , Ren Fumeng , Liu Sanwan , Zhang Shasha , Zhang Yiqiang , Zhao Zhiguo , Liu Zonghao , Chen Wei
Published: January 2023

Wide‐bandgap perovskites have attracted much attention due to their potential application in perovskite‐based tandem solar cells, which can surpass the theoretical efficiency up‐limit of single‐junction solar cells. However, photoinduced phase segregation remains one of the most intractable impediments that deteriorate the operational stability of wide‐bandgap perovskites solar cells. Herein, the effect of a series of alkali halides additives on the photoinduced phase segregation of wide‐bandgap perovskites with the composition of FA0.8Cs0.2Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3 (FA is formamidinium) is systematically studied. By coupling in situ time‐dependent photoluminescence technique, potassium chloride (KCl) is demonstrated to be the best in suppressing the photoinduced phase segregation. The reduced iodine vacancy defects owing to supplemented chloride ions and the coupling of potassium ions with the accumulated iodide ions at the grain boundaries lead to effective suppression phase segregation. As a consequence, the KCl‐modified wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells present a champion efficiency of 19.34%, and the devices can maintain 93% of the initial efficiency after light soaking for 500 h with maximum power point tracking under 1 sun equivalent white light‐emitting diode illumination, much superior to the reference device without KCl modification only retaining 72% of its initial efficiency.
Haemonchus contortus: an overview
Authors: Carson Amanda , Reichel Rudolf , Bell Suzie , Collins Rachael , Smith Jasmine , Bartley Dave
Published: January 2023

This focus article was prepared by Amanda Carson, Rudolf Reichel, Suzie Bell, Rachael Collins and Jasmine Smith of the APHA Small Ruminant Species Expert Group, and Dave Bartley from the Moredun Research Institute.
Health and welfare of deer
Authors: Foster Aiden
Published: January 2023

Reviewed by Aiden Foster, president of the British Deer Veterinary Association