bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synaptic Transistor Based on In‐Ga‐Zn‐O Channel and Trap Layers with Highly Linear Conductance Modulation for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Park Junhyeong , Jang Yuseong , Lee Jinkyu , An Soobin , Mok Jinsung , Lee Soo‐Yeon
Published: April 2023

Brain‐inspired neuromorphic computing has drawn significant attraction as a promising technology beyond von Neumann architecture by using the parallel structure of synapses and neurons. Various artificial synapse configurations and materials have been proposed to emulate synaptic behaviors for human brain functions such as memorizing, learning, and visual processing. Especially, the memory type indium‐gallium‐zinc‐oxide (IGZO) synaptic transistor adopting a charge trapping layer (CTL) has the advantages of high stability and a low leakage current of the IGZO channel. However, the CTL material should be carefully selected and optimized to overcome the low de‐trapping efficiency, resulting from difficulty in inducing holes in the IGZO channel. In this paper, IGZO is adopted as a CTL and found out that making it degenerated is crucial to improving de‐trapping efficiency. The degenerate CTL, where electrons remain as free electrons, induces Fowler‐Nordheim tunneling by increasing the electric field across the tunneling layer. As a result, the synaptic transistor represents a high linearity of potentiation (αp: −0.03) and depression (αd: −0.47) with 64 conductance levels, which enables the spiking neural network simulation to achieve high accuracy of 98.08%. These experimental results indicate that the synapse transistor can be one of the promising candidates for neuromorphic applications.
Microscopic Quantum Transport Processes of Out‐of‐Plane Charge Flow in 2D Semiconductors Analyzed by a Fowler–Nordheim Tunneling Probe
Authors: Shin Dong Hoon , Lee Duk Hyun , Choi Sang‐Jun , Kim Seonyeong , Kim Hakseong , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Campbell Eleanor E. B. , Lee Sang Wook , Jung Suyong
Published: April 2023

Weak interlayer couplings at 2D van der Waals (vdW) interfaces fundamentally distinguish out‐of‐plane charge flow, the information carrier in vdW‐assembled vertical electronic and optical devices, from the in‐plane band transport processes. Here, the out‐of‐plane charge transport behavior in 2D vdW semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (SCTMD) is reported. The measurements demonstrate that, in the high electric field regime, especially at low temperatures, either electron or hole carrier Fowler–Nordheim (FN) tunneling becomes the dominant quantum transport process in ultrathin SCTMDs, down to monolayers. For few‐layer SCTMDs, sequential layer‐by‐layer FN tunneling is observed to dominate the charge flow, thus serving as a material characterization probe for addressing the Fermi level positions and the layer numbers of the SCTMD films. Furthermore, it is shown that the physical confinement of the electron or hole carrier wave packets inside the sub‐nm thick semiconducting layers reduces the vertical quantum tunneling probability, leading to an enhanced effective mass of tunneling carriers.
Common population characteristics of direct‐seeded hybrid indica rice for high yield
Authors: Guo Changchun , Yuan Xiaojuan , Wen Yanfang , Yang Yonggang , Ma Yangming , Yan Fengjun , Li Bo , Wang Zhonglin , Xing Mengwen , Zhang Rongping , Yang Zhiyuan , Ma Jun , Sun Yongjian
Published: April 2023

Direct seeding of rice has attracted attention because of its simplicity and rapidity compared with traditional cultivation methods. However, the geographical location of the rice region in Southwest China is complex, and the common characteristics of high yield of direct seeding hybrid indica rice and the law of nutrient absorption and accumulation are still unclear. This study results demonstrated that the mean yield of high‐yield varieties (HYV) in the two ecological points increased by 17.68%–19.98% and 17.37%–27.06%, respectively, compared with low‐yield varieties (LYV). The high tillering ability and effective tillering rate of HYV promoted a large leaf area index (LAI) and a strong photosynthetic capacity and stimulated the accumulation of aboveground biomass and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients in rice plants, which were finally transported and allocated to the grains to maintain high yields. Correlation analysis indicated that yield and its components were closely related to spatial population structure and nutrient accumulation and allocation. In particular, LAI at the full heading stage, net photosynthetic rate, aboveground biomass from jointing to maturity stage, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium accumulation and distribution from jointing to full heading stage have the strongest correlation with yield and its components. Therefore, improving the effective tillering rate and LAI, as well as the accumulation and distribution of aboveground biomass, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium of rice plants from jointing to full heading stage, are the common laws for the formation of high yield of direct seeding hybrid rice in different ecological areas.
The impact of maritime shipping disruptions on US tree nut exports and inventories
Authors: Steinbach Sandro , Zhuang Xiting
Published: April 2023

This paper assesses the impact of the 2021/22 maritime shipping disruptions on US tree nut exports and domestic inventories. Using detailed trade data for almonds, pistachios, and walnuts and counterfactual empirical methods that account for treatment dynamics, we estimate the trade response to maritime shipping disruptions at the US port and commodity level. We find that tree nut shipments were 457 million pounds or $943 million below the counterfactual between May 2021 and July 2022. Almonds experienced the brunt of those trade losses, while pistachio and walnut exports recorded smaller losses and recovered faster. Our estimates imply that maritime shipping disruptions are a primary driver of surging tree nut inventories. Without the trade destruction caused by maritime shipping disruptions, the almond inventory could have been 38.7% lower and close to the long‐run average in the 2021/22 marketing year. [EconLit Citations: F14, Q17].
Closing the equity deficit: Sustainability justice in municipal climate action planning in Waterloo region
Authors: Dobai Jennifer , Riemer Manuel
Published: April 2023

There is growing recognition that often well‐intended climate action solutions perpetuate and exacerbate manifestations of colonialism and racism due to the lack of equity and justice considerations in designing and implementing these solutions. There is limited research exploring why the integration of these considerations are lacking in municipal climate action planning. This exploratory descriptive qualitative study explored how municipal actors perceive and understand equity and justice in municipal climate action planning as a step toward addressing this issue. Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven members of the core management group from ClimateAction Waterloo region, and a template analysis of the interview data resulted in six themes. Findings suggested that those involved in municipal climate action planning understand and perceive justice and equity considerations as important to their work, however, translating this understanding to practice is a challenge due to structural (governmental and societal) and capacity (limited time, funding, resources, and knowledge) barriers. By better understanding how key actors consider justice and equity, we identify shifting colonial mental models as a potential pathway for transformative change given the central role of these actors.
Association of primary lifetime occupational cognitive complexity and cognitive decline in a diverse cohort: Results from the KHANDLE study
Authors: Soh Yenee , Eng Chloe W. , Mayeda Elizabeth Rose , Whitmer Rachel A. , Lee Catherine , Peterson Rachel L. , Mungas Dan M. , Glymour M. Maria , Gilsanz Paola
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Higher occupational complexity has been linked to favorable cognitive outcomes, but rarely examined in racially and ethnically diverse populations.

Methods

In a diverse cohort (n = 1536), linear mixed‐effects models estimated associations between main lifetime occupational complexity and domain‐specific cognitive decline (z‐standardized). Occupational complexity with data, people, and things were classified using the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Results

For occupational complexity with data, highest tertile (vs. lowest) was associated with higher baseline executive function (β = 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00–0.22) and slower annual rate of decline (β = 0.03; 95% CI 0.01–0.06), and higher baseline semantic memory (β = 0.14; 95% CI 0.04–0.25). Highest tertile of occupational complexity with people was associated with higher baseline executive function (β = 0.29; 95% CI 0.18–0.40), verbal episodic memory (β = 0.12; 95% CI 0.00–0.24), and semantic memory (β = 0.23; 95% CI 0.12–0.34).

Discussion

In a diverse cohort, higher occupational complexity is associated with better cognition. Findings should be verified in larger cohorts.

Highlight

Few studies have examined associations of occupational complexity with cognition in diverse populations.

Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately exposed to lower occupational complexity.

Occupational complexity with data and people are associated with better cognition.
Copper‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric P−C Coupling of Secondary Phosphine Oxides and Aryl Iodides
Authors: Kang Jie , Ding Kang , Ren Si‐Mu , Su Bo
Published: April 2023

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed enantioselective P−C cross‐coupling of secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) is an attractive method for synthesizing P‐stereogenic phosphorus compounds, but the development of such a dynamic kinetic asymmetric process remains a considerable challenge. Here we report an unprecedented highly enantioselective dynamic kinetic intermolecular P−C coupling of SPOs and aryl iodides catalyzed by copper complexes ligated by a finely modified chiral 1,2‐diamine ligand. The reaction tolerates a wide range of SPOs and aryl iodides, affording P‐stereogenic tertiary phosphine oxides (TPOs) in high yields and with good enantioselectivity (average 89.2 % ee). The resulting enantioenriched TPOs were transformed into structurally diverse P‐chiral scaffolds, which are highly valuable as ligands and catalysts in asymmetric synthesis.
Aqueous Processable Two‐Dimensional Triazine Polymers with Superior Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Sun Tian , Li Shuo , Zhang Lei , Xu Yuxi
Published: April 2023

Efficient and scalable production of high‐quality and processable two‐dimensional (2D) polymers are highly desired but have not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrate a convenient noncovalent functionalization strategy for producing highly uniform, aqueous processable and semiconducting 2D triazine polymers. Experimental and theoretical analysis reveal that the aromatic amphiphilic 1‐pyrenebutyrate can adsorb and intercalate into the interlayer of bulk crystalline covalent triazine framework (CTF) through noncovalent π‐π stacking interaction between the pyrene moiety and the porous basal plane of 2D triazine polymer layer, which greatly facilitate the exfoliation of CTF in water in large scale. The as‐prepared highly water‐dispersible single‐layer/few‐layer 2D triazine polymer nanosheets can be easily processed into ultralight aerogels with a density of 5–15 mg cm−3, which can be further shaped into mechanically strong films upon simple compression. This noncovalent functionalization not only improve the dispersibility and processability of 2D triazine polymer, but also optimize its band structure and promote the photogenerated carrier separation via an interesting surface molecule doping effect, thus resulting in a remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 1249 μmol h−1 (24980 μmol g−1 h−1) and apparent quantum efficiency up to 27.2 % at 420 nm for the 2D triazine polymer, outperforming most metal‐free photocatalysts ever reported.
In‐situ formation of macromolecule P/N/Si flame retardant for epoxy resin with low smoke toxicity and excellent flame‐retardancy
Authors: Liu Huaiyin , Zheng Penglun , Li Junwei , Sun Jichang , Wang Rui , Zhao Haihan , Wu Jing , Zheng Yun , Liu Quanyi
Published: April 2023

Epoxy resins (EP) have great chemical and physical properties, but their poor flame retardant properties have prevented their widespread use. To improve the flame retardancy properties of EP, an active P/N/Si flame retardant (KDC) containing a double bond was successfully synthesized in this work by using a typical aldehyde amine condensation reaction. This flame retardant not only can form a large molecule flame retardant in situ by double bond reaction and increase the tightness with EP matrix, but also has the advantage of P/N/Si three elements synergistic flame retardant, and at the same time play the flame retardant performance of each element, can achieve excellent flame retardant performance and low smoke and toxicity with low addition amount. Subsequently, the performance of the flame retardants was tested. When 7 wt% of KDC was added, the pHRR and TSR of the EP composites were reduced by 51.7% and 29.8%, respectively. More importantly, the addition of KDC inhibited the release of toxic fuels and smoke from EP, where the TSP values of EP/3‐KDC were 18.14% below those of neat EP and increased the residual amount of charcoal, while the inhibition of CO and CO2 release was particularly pronounced with the presence of KDC.
Study on the dispersion performance and mechanism of polycarboxylate superplasticizer by the long side‐chain dicarboxyl terminated
Authors: Li Zhenzhong , Zhou Tianfeng , Liu Hai , Jin Yu , Pang Yuxia , Lou Hongming , Yang Dongjie , Qiu Xueqing
Published: April 2023

The steric hindrance formed by polyether side chains is the key factor determining the dispersion performance of polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE). While with the increase of the side chain length, the coiled conformation of side chain will prevent the dispersion ability of PCE from being further improved. In this work, the methallyl polyoxyethylene ether (HPEG) was esterified with tricarballylic acid (TA) to obtain dicarboxyl terminated macromonomer, and further used to synthesize polycarboxylate (PCETA). The fluidity tests show that compared with ordinary PCE‐B2400 with short side chain, the dispersion performance of PCETA‐2400 was slightly improved. While for the PCEs with long side chain, the dispersion ability of PCETA‐4000 was significantly improved than that of ordinary PCE‐B4000. The adsorption layer thickness of PCETA‐4000 adsorbed on the surface of SiO2 sphere measured by dynamic light scattering is 7.93 nm, which is 1.3 times that of PCE‐B4000. Due to electrostatic repulsion between the carboxylic groups, the stretching of long side‐chain forms stronger steric hindrance and enhancing the dispersion of cement particles. In addition, PCETA also shows good slump retention and clay resistance properties, and it is an excellent multi‐functional concrete admixture with great application potential.
Microbubble on fiber method to determine the contact angle between steel substrates and highly viscous molten PEKK and PA 6
Authors: Chen Kuan , Chu Liangyong , Grouve Wouter J. B. , de Vries Erik G. , Akkerman Remko , Bao Ningzhong , de Rooij Matthijn B.
Published: April 2023

Determining the contact angle between a molten thermoplastic and a solid is important for the processing of thermoplastics and their composites. The well‐known sessile drop method can be used to determine the contact angle of thermoplastics. However, complex instrumental systems are needed due to the high viscosity and high melting point of thermoplastics. Inspired by the captive bubble method, a simple method based on the system of an air bubble on a substrate in the molten thermoplastic was proposed. This system is prepared by melting fibers and thermoplastic powder materials mixtures in between two glass plates using a hot stage. The contact angle of a microbubble in contact with fiber in molten thermoplastic is measured using an optical microscope. The system of a microbubble in molten thermoplastic can easily reach the equilibrium state. Two types of highly viscous thermoplastics in contact with stainless steel fibers are studied and the contact angle is sensitive to both the physicochemical properties of the fiber surface and the type of polymer matrix materials, which demonstrates the applicability of this method. Our proposed method is promising to be further developed into a general method to determine the contact angle between thermoplastics and solid surfaces.
A thermoresponsive hydrogel with a wide‐range tunable phase transition temperature triggered by small molecules
Authors: Wang Jian , Sun Wen , He Ming
Published: April 2023

Thermoresponsive polymer hydrogels have great potential in the fields of smart window and information encryption due to the drastic changes in transmittance caused by the phase transition at specific temperatures. The synthesis of thermoresponsive hydrogels with a wide range and sensitive temperature response is current research goal. Here, we demonstrate a polymethacrylamide (PMAAm) hydrogel with the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) ranging from 62 to −1°C by simply polymerizing the monomer in different concentrations of acetic acid (Ac) solutions. The hydrogel exhibits sensitive temperature response with a temperature hysteresis within 2°C and can maintain stable transmittance changes after 200 cycles of testing. The phase transition mechanism is revealed by combining ultraviolet visible spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscope measurements. This thermoresponsive hydrogel can be applied in smart window and information encryption. The smart window prepared with the hydrogel had a very high ΔTlum (The luminous transmittance modulation, 94.4%), ensuring daytime illumination and privacy protection at night. Meanwhile, the smart window exhibits an excellent thermal insulation capability for energy‐saving buildings. The hydrogels with different UCST are flexibly combined to display designed patterns at different temperatures, demonstrating the ability of the hydrogels to be used for information encryption.
Optimizing the dielectric and mechanical properties of melamine based‐benzoxazine resin by copolymerizing with epoxy resin
Authors: Ye Jiajia , Fan Zilin , Zhang Shuai , Liu Xiaobo
Published: April 2023

Benzoxazine resins are suffering from high curing temperature, low crosslinking density, and poor toughness, which hampers their broad applications. The introduction of melamine during synthesis has been shown useful in improving these properties, but the dielectric property was deteriorated heavily. Epoxy resins show higher crosslinking density and better toughness but the thermal properties are relatively poor. Herein, the melamine based‐benzoxazine MBF was copolymerized with epoxy resin E51 in this work in order to improve the dielectric properties. The curing reactivity, polymerization mechanism and the comprehensive properties such as thermal, dielectric and mechanical properties were systematically verified. It is found that the abundant active functional groups such as amino and phenolic groups in MBF could catalyze and copolymerize with E51 and form uniform copolymers poly(MBF‐E) at various proportions. With the increasing of epoxy resins, more polar amino groups was consumed, thus the polarity and the water absorption of the copolymers decreased. Additionally, the dielectric constant decreased from 3.67 for poly(MBF) to 2.94 for poly(MBF‐60E). Meanwhile, the highest increasement of tensile strength and elongation at break value reached 130% and 70%, respectively, which may be caused by the higher crosslinking density and more flexible ether bond formed.
In Situ Synthesis of Amorphous GeSe/CNT Composite via Defective‐carbon‐mediated Chemical Bonding for Ultrastable Na Ion Storage
Authors: Lee Geon‐Woo , Kim Young Hwan , Choi Song‐Gue , Choi Hun Seok , Kim Kwang‐Bum
Published: April 2023

Herein, we report the in‐situ synthesis of amorphous GeSe/CNT composite via defective‐carbon‐mediated chemical bonding for ultrastable Na‐ion storage. Structural defects in CNTs play a crucial role in the chemical bonding and bonding strength in GeSe/CNTs composites. Specifically, the bonding strength tends to increase with increasing defect concentrations of CNTs. Remarkably, the strong chemical bonding between GeSe and CNTs significantly weakens Ge−Se bonds and promotes amorphization of GeSe, thus facilitating a reversible conversion reaction and enhancing Na‐ion diffusion. Consequently, GeSe/CNTs composite exhibits outstanding cyclability of 87.9% even after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1and a high‐rate capability of 288.3 mA h g−1at 10 A g−1. Our work presents a promising approach for the amorphization of electrode materials enabled by the defective‐carbon‐mediated strong chemical bonding for Li‐, Na‐, and K‐ion batteries.
Shaping Public Perception: Polish Illustrated Press and the Image of Polish Naturalists Working in Latin America, 1844–1885
Authors: Kaye Aleksandra
Published: April 2023

This article will investigate the ways in which Polish illustrated press contributed to communicating and reporting the work of Polish émigré naturalists working in Latin America to the Polish general public living in the Prussian, Russian and Austrian partitions of the Polish‐Lithuanian Commonwealth 1844–1885. It examines the ways in which illustrations were used to shape the public's opinion about the significance of these migrants’ scientific achievements. The Polish illustrated press, its authors and editors were instrumental in shaping the public's perceptions of the reach of Polish scientists, and exploring their impact on broader scientific debates, thereby situating Polish people and their work in a global context. The didactic and opinion‐making role of the illustrated press was highly influential among Polish audiences during this period, at a time when the survival of Polish identity, culture, language, and education was uncertain. Illustrated weeklies were one of the vectors through which high science was made accessible to the Polish public. A study of pictures in Polish illustrated press will help to explain how they contributed towards shaping the images in the public eye of naturalists’ scientific work, and discourses about science and its actors more broadly.
White light emission and energy transfer of LaMgAl11O19:Eu3+, Tb3+ phosphors
Authors: Li Tingting , Pang Jiali , Xue Chaolumen , Sha Ren
Published: April 2023

White‐light‐tunable LaMgAl11O19:x%Tb3+, y%Eu3+ series phosphors were prepared using the gel‐combustion method. The structure and luminescence properties were studied, and the energy transfer of Eu3+ and Tb3+ in the LaMgAl11O19 system was also discussed. The results showed that the LaMgAl11O19 matrix exhibited strong emission in the blue‐light region under the excitation of ultraviolet light, which resulted in conditions suitable for the preparation of white‐light‐tunable phosphors. The emission spectra of LaMgAl11O19:2%Tb3+, y%Eu3+ (y = 2%–9%) series phosphors were obtained through optimization experiments. It could be seen from the CIE diagram that by adjusting the doping quantities of Eu3+ and Tb3+ in the LaMgAl11O19 host, multicolor luminescence and white light emission in a single host could be achieved. By calculating the energy transfer efficiency and critical distance between Eu3+ and Tb3+ series phosphors, the mechanism of energy transfer between Tb3+ and Eu3+ was found to be the interaction between electric quadruples.
Mimotope discovery as a tool to design a vaccine against Zika and dengue viruses
Authors: Cuevas‐Juárez Esmeralda , Liñan‐Torres Arturo , Hernández Carolina , Kopylov Mykhailo , Potter Clint S. , Carragher Bridget , Ramírez Octavio T. , Palomares Laura A.
Published: April 2023

Vaccine development against dengue virus is challenging because of the antibody‐dependent enhancement of infection (ADE), which causes severe disease. Consecutive infections by Zika (ZIKV) and/or dengue viruses (DENV), or vaccination can predispose to ADE. Current vaccines and vaccine candidates contain the complete envelope viral protein, with epitopes that can raise antibodies causing ADE. We used the envelope dimer epitope (EDE), which induces neutralizing antibodies that do not elicit ADE, to design a vaccine against both flaviviruses. However, EDE is a discontinuous quaternary epitope that cannot be isolated from the E protein without other epitopes. Utilizing phage display, we selected three peptides that mimic the EDE. Free mimotopes were disordered and did not elicit an immune response. After their display on adeno‐associated virus (AAV) capsids (VLP), they recovered their structure and were recognized by an EDE‐specific antibody. Characterization by cryo‐EM and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay confirmed the correct display of a mimotope on the surface of the AAV VLP and its recognition by the specific antibody. Immunization with the AAV VLP displaying one of the mimotopes induced antibodies that recognized ZIKV and DENV. This work provides the basis for developing a Zika and dengue virus vaccine candidate that will not induce ADE.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Studies of Br‐Substituted Salphen Organic Compounds
Authors: Zelada‐Guillén Gustavo A. , Ríos‐Arce Jesús A. , Leyva‐Peralta Mario A. , Flores‐Álamo Marcos , Gálvez‐Ruíz Juan Carlos , Calderón Kadiya , Escárcega‐Bobadilla Martha V.
Published: April 2023

We present the synthesis and characterization of organic Salphen compounds containing bromine substituents at the para/ortho‐para positions, in their symmetric and non‐symmetric versions, and describe the X‐ray structure and full characterization for the new unsymmetrical varieties. We report for the first time antiproliferative activity in metal‐free brominated Salphen compounds, by evaluations in four human cancer cell lines, cervix (HeLa), prostate (PC‐3), lung (A549) and colon (LS 180) and one non‐cancerous counterpart (ARPE‐19). We assessed in vitro cell viability against controls using the MTT assay ((3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide)) and determined the concentration required for 50 % growth inhibition (IC50), together with their selectivity vs. non‐cancerous cells. We found promising results against prostate (9.6 μM) and colon (13.5 μM) adenocarcinoma cells. We also found a tradeoff between selectivity (up to 3‐fold vs. ARPE‐19) and inhibition, depending upon the symmetry and bromine‐substitution of the molecules, showing up to 20‐fold higher selectivity vs. doxorubicin controls.
Comparison of Protective Effect of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Propolis against Gastric Ulceration in Rats
Authors: Sahin Huseyin , Kaltalioglu Kaan , Erisgin Zuleyha , Coskun‐Cevher Sule , Kolayli Sevgi
Published: April 2023

This study focused on the protective effects of different types of propolis extracts on gastric mucosa in indomethacin‐induced rats. The animals were divided into nine groups: control, negative control (ulcer), positive control (omeprazole), and experimental groups, which were summarized by 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg, bw for aqueous‐based and ethanol, respectively. According to the histopathological evaluation, more than others, the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of aqueous‐based propolis extracts had different degrees of positive effects on the gastric mucosa. Generally, the biochemical analyses of the gastric tissue showed a correlation with microscopic evaluations. According to the phenolic profile analysis, while pinocembrin (684.34±1.70 μg/ml) and chrysin (540.54±9.06 μg/ml) were the most abundant phenolics in the ethanolic extract, ferulic acid (53.77±0.07 μg/ml) and p‐coumaric acid (52.61±0.42 μg/ml) dominated the aqueous‐based extract. Also, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract showed almost nine‐fold superiority compared to the aqueous‐based extracts. Based on data from preclinical data, it was decided that the best doses for the main goal of the study were 200 mg and 400 mg/kg, bw for aqueous‐based propolis extract.
Catalytic and Sustainable Amide Bond Formation using a DABCO/Dichlorotriazine System
Authors: Adler Pauline , Gras Marion , Smietana Michael
Published: April 2023

Amides are one of the most important functional groups in organic chemistry and play essential roles in both the pharmaceutical industry and life sciences. However, due to the natural reactivity of carboxylic acids and amines, their direct coupling is challenging and often leads to reactions that are not atom‐economic and produce large amounts of non‐recoverable by‐products. Despite the impressive number of coupling reagents available, sustainable methods for amide bond formation are still needed. To address this challenge, a new catalytic approach for the direct preparation of amides from carboxylic acids and amines is reported here. This method combines organocatalysis with a substoichiometric amount of activating agent under mild conditions (open air, room temperature, green solvents). This method was applied with good efficiency on a wide range of substrates, without epimerization of chiral stereocenters and on SPPS.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Derived from Erianin and Its Derivatives
Authors: Yang Yawen , Liu Qingqing , Wang Xinyi , Gou Shaohua
Published: April 2023

Multi‐target histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can be designed by introducing dominant structures of natural products to enhance activity and efficacy while avoiding the toxicity from other targets. In this study, we reported a series of novel HDAC inhibitors based on erianin and amino erianin upon pharmacophore fusion strategy. Two representative compounds, N‐hydroxy‐2‐(2‐methoxy‐5‐ (3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenethyl)phenoxy)acetamide and N‐Hydroxy‐8‐((2‐methoxy‐5‐ (3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenethyl)phenyl)amino)octanamide, possessed good inhibitory effect against five cancer cells tested (IC50=0.30–1.29 μΜ, 0.29–1.70 μΜ) with strong HDAC inhibition, and low toxicity toward L02 cells, which were selected for subsequent biological studies in PANC‐1 cells. They were also found to promote the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species, cause DNA damage, block the cell cycle at G2/M phase, and activate the mitochondria‐related apoptotic pathway to induce cell apoptosis, which are significant for the discovery of new HDAC inhibitors.
An adaptive link training based hybrid circuit topology for full‐duplex on‐chip interconnects
Authors: Govindaswamy Prema Kumar , Kammari Raviteja , Pasupureddi Vijaya Sankara Rao
Published: April 2023

This work proposes a link training based half‐rate dynamic current‐steering echo‐cancellation hybrid circuit topology for full‐duplex signaling that performs echo cancellation by deploying a bit error detection unit and backchannel adaptation. In addition, this work proposes a power‐efficient half‐rate dynamic current‐steering logic hybrid circuit for full‐duplex signaling over on‐chip interconnects for simultaneous transmission and reception. The half‐rate dynamic current‐steering hybrid circuit topology has low static power consumption compared with traditional current‐mode circuit topology implementations, thanks to the discrete nature of the current‐steering hybrid topology. The proposed scheme is implemented in 1.2 V, 65‐nm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The performance results show that the link training scheme sets the control bits for both the transmitter driver and hybrid circuit topology when the backchannel adaptation loop gets locked for 1‐ and 3‐mm interconnects for process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. The proposed hybrid circuit topology is able to receive the required far‐end transmitted data with the link training scheme and has the differential recovered received signal voltage swing of 1.2 V for both 1‐ and 3‐mm interconnect at the 10‐Gb/s data rate. The total power consumption of the hybrid is 3 and 3.5 mW for 1‐ and 3‐mm interconnect with an energy efficiency of 0.6 and 0.7 pJ/bit, respectively, at 10‐Gb/s full‐duplex operation.
Sensory impairment and algorithmic classification of early cognitive impairment
Authors: Cai Yurun , Schrack Jennifer A. , Gross Alden L. , Armstrong Nicole M. , Swenor Bonnielin K. , Deal Jennifer A. , Lin Frank R. , Wang Hang , Tian Qu , An Yang , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M. , Agrawal Yuri
Published: April 2023

INTRODUCTION

Sensory impairment (SI) is linked to cognitive decline, but its association with early cognitive impairment (ECI) is unclear.

METHODS

Sensory functions (vision, hearing, vestibular function, proprioception, and olfaction) were measured between 2012 and 2018 in 414 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) participants (age 74 ± 9 years; 55% women). ECI was defined as 1 standard deviation below age‐, sex‐, race‐, and education‐specific mean performance in Card Rotations or California Verbal Learning Test immediate recall. Log binomial models (cross‐sectional analysis) and Cox regression models (time‐to‐event analysis) were used to examine the association between SI and ECI.

RESULTS

Cross‐sectionally, participants with ≥3 SI had twice the prevalence of ECI (prevalence ratio = 2.10, p = 0.02). Longitudinally, there was no significant association between SI and incident ECI over up to 6 years of follow‐up.

DISCUSSION

SI is associated with higher prevalence, but not incident ECI. Future studies with large sample sizes need to further elucidate the relationship between SI and ECI.

Highlights

Sensory impairment is associated with high prevalence of early cognitive impairment

Multisensory impairment may pose a strong risk of early changes in cognitive function

Identifying multisensory impairment may help early detection of dementia
Determination of the Time since Deposition of blood‐traces in a forensic context: Application of untargeted LC‐HR‐MS/MS metabolomics profiling
Authors: Schneider Tom Dario , Kraemer Thomas , Steuer Andrea Eva
Published: April 2023

Being able to attest when a bloodstain was deposited at a crime scene can be invaluable to a prosecution process, and methods to provide that information have long been desired. Determining the Time since Deposition (TsD) of a trace would allow placing a subject both in space and time to the crime scene—or prove that a trace left by that person was unrelated to it because it was deposited before or after the time the crime had occurred. To this day, no method for TsD determination has made its way into routine forensic casework, mainly because of the numerous challenges that await when trying to understand and account for all the influencing and confounding factors that affect the aging process (such as, e.g., temperature, UV‐light exposure, or humidity). Here, we present an untargeted metabolomics‐based study using liquid chromatography high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS) and data‐dependent acquisition to analyze blood samples aged under two distinctly different storage conditions over 48 weeks. Global differences in age‐ and storage‐dependent changes in blood metabolomes were described, and TsD‐classification strategies based on qualitative and quantitative assessment of molecular features (MFs) have been proposed. Based on the selected criteria to best predict the TsD, the dipeptide Phenylalanylalanine (PheAla) can be considered as a promising candidate for TsD prediction. In essence, changes in the blood metabolome dynamics showed a strong association with increasing TsD, but significant differences depending on storage conditioning were observed, facilitating the need to study further the influence of individual influencing factors on TsD determination.
Investigation of the Thermal Properties of Alkali Metal Thorium Phosphates and Their Application for the Sorption of Uranyl Ion from Acidic Medium
Authors: Patkare Geeta , Shafeeq Muhammed , Sengupta Arijit , Keskar Meera , Phatak Rohan , Kannan Shanmugaperumal
Published: April 2023

Thermo physical properties of potassium, rubidium and cesium thorium phosphate compounds were investigated. All compounds were synthesized by conventional solid state method. Formation of orthorhombic AMThP3O10, tetragonal AM2Th(PO4)2 and monoclinic AMTh2(PO4)3; [AM=K, Rb and Cs] was confirmed using Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Structural study of CsThP3O10 was carried out for the first time from Rietveld refinement of XRD data. Thermal stability of all compounds was established using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. When heated at 1673 K for 30 h in air, all the compounds decompose to ThO2. High temperature X‐ray diffraction (HT‐XRD) data of the compounds, synthesized during present study, were collected in an inert atmosphere from ambient to 973 K and their thermal expansion coefficients were calculated. These compounds show positive thermal expansion up to 973 K. Molar heat capacities for all phosphates were measured between 300–863 K using Differential Scanning Calorimeter. Alkali metal thorium phosphates, AMThP3O10 and AMTh2(PO4)3, showed efficient uptake of uranyl ion from aqueous acidic medium predominantly following Langmuir isotherm and Webber Morris intra particle diffusion kinetics.
Application of Artificial Neural Network for predicting biomass growth during domestic wastewater treatment through a biological process
Authors: Muloiwa Mpho , Dinka Megersa , Nyende‐Byakika Stephen
Published: April 2023

The biological treatment process is responsible for removing organic and inorganic matter in wastewater. This process relies heavily on microorganisms to successfully remove organic and inorganic matter. The aim of the study was to model biomass growth in the biological treatment process. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm was used to model biomass growth. Three metrics: coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), and mean squared error (MSE) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Sensitivity analysis was applied to confirm variables that have a strong influence on biomass growth. The results of the study showed that MLP ANN algorithm was able to model biomass growth successfully. R2 values were 0.844, 0.853, and 0.823 during training, validation, and testing phases, respectively. RMSE values were 0.7476, 1.1641, and 0.7798 during training, validation, and testing phases respectively. MSE values were 0.5589, 1.3551, and 0.6081 during training, validation, and testing phases, respectively. Sensitivity analysis results showed that temperature (47.2%) and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration (40.2%) were the biggest drivers of biomass growth. Aeration period (4.3%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration (3.2%), and oxygen uptake rate (OUR) (5.1%) contributed minimally. The biomass growth model can be applied at different wastewater treatment plants by different plant managers/operators in order to achieve optimum biomass growth. The optimum biomass growth will improve the removal of organic and inorganic matter in the biological treatment process.
Pyrolysis kinetics and conversion of pomegranate peels into porous carbon
Authors: Zaman Fakhar , Du Zhen , Munawar Aisha , Ishaq Muhammad Waqas , Guan Yuepeng
Published: April 2023

Pyrolysis is one of the most common, sustainable, and excellent environmental‐friendly method to evaluate the bio‐energy potential of different types of biomass wastes. Pomegranate peel is a well‐known low‐cost industrial waste. Thus, pomegranate peel's physicochemical properties were explored in detail, and a pyrolysis kinetic study and thermal behavior analysis were performed. Thermal degradation of biomass was investigated on different heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min) by using TG‐DSC. To calculate the kinetic parameters (Ea, A), three different kinetic models were used, including the Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose (KAS), and Starink methods. The average Ea values for FWO, KAS, and Starink methods are 85.2141, 80.37217, and 80.74315 kJ mol−1, respectively. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS) were simulated and calculated to further comprehend the pyrolysis process. The residual carbon (char) obtained after the pyrolysis process was further characterized by SEM‐EDX and BET to quantify the morphology, surface area, and porosity. SEM results revealed that the residual carbon has a honey‐comb like porous structure, whereas BET analysis reflects that PP800 possesses the highest specific surface area (SSA) ~ 1288.97 m2 g−1 with an average pore diameter of 8.85 nm. Thus, it has enormous potential to be used as adsorbent and active electrode material in energy storage devices.
A comprehensive survey onQoSfor video transmission in heterogeneous mobile ad hoc network
Authors: Goyal Prachi , Rishiwal Vinay , Negi Ashish
Published: April 2023

Major challenging issue in H‐MANETs (Heterogeneous Mobile Ad hoc Networks) is video transmission because it gets affected due to various factors like dynamic change in topology, interference, node mobility, collusion, and so on. Periodic connection is caused by the topology dynamic change, which leads to significant packet loss. Advancements provide the technical basis for video streaming over H‐MANETs in wireless networking and mobile devices. And efforts to achieve video transmission via H‐MANETs have run into some barriers, which have been overcome in various ways. Nonetheless, H‐MANETs are essential to provide video transmission certainty and quality provisioning. Due to the limited resources, the unreliability of wireless links, node mobility, and heterogeneity, establishing video streaming or enabling real‐time multimedia applications over H‐MANET with acceptable QoS (quality of service) poses several issues. The article's main goal is to survey QoS‐based video transmission in H‐MANETs. This study discusses the video transmission method in H‐MANET and the importance of the QoS that may be used for video transmission in H‐MANET. Various routing protocols and existing methodologies to improve QoS for video transmission in H‐MANET are discussed. In addition, the impact of delay in video transmission over H‐MANET has been discussed. Several obstacles and issues have been highlighted in providing QoS for video transmission in H‐MANET. From 2013 to 2021, a systematic literature review (SLR) is done for QoS‐based video transmission in the H‐MANET. This survey systematically gives the technical direction for research on QoS‐based video transmission and discusses potential future aspects.
Reproducibility of the medical cost estimation from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey: Comparing claims and survey
Authors: Chou Chiahung , McDaniel Cassidi C. , Lai Tim C. , McDonald Courtney P. , Rockwell Devan , Loh Feng‐Hua
Published: April 2023

Background

The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) limited‐access data provides the unique opportunity to utilize administrative claims and adjusted survey data to investigate trends in utilization and medical expenditure across time. The adjusted survey data is a synthesized, matched version of the original survey data and claims. Researchers may choose adjusted survey data or original claims for cost evaluations according to their research purpose. However, limited research has examined methodological issues when estimating medical cost using different MCBS data sources.

Objective

The study objective was to examine the reproducibility of individual‐level medical cost using both MCBS data sources: adjusted survey and claims data.

Methods

This serial cross‐sectional study design analyzed 2006–2012 MCBS data. The sample included noninstitutionalized older Medicare beneficiaries (≥65 years old), with a cancer diagnosis and annually enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, and D. The population was stratified by diabetes diagnosis. The primary outcome was annual medical cost. We investigated the discrepancies of medical cost estimated from the adjusted survey and original claims data. The agreement between cost estimates from the two sources in each year was determined using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

A total of 4918 eligible Medicare beneficiaries were included in this study, and 26% of beneficiaries also had diabetes (N = 1275). Significant disagreements in cost estimates between adjusted survey and claims data were present regardless of disease complexity (with or without diabetes). Significant disagreements in medical cost estimates were present in most years, except in 2010 (p = 0.467) and 2011 (p = 0.098), for beneficiaries with cancer and diabetes (p < 0.001 for all). Significant disagreements in medical cost estimates were present in all years for beneficiaries with cancer without diabetes (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

Based on discrepant cost estimates across data sources, researchers using MCBS to estimate costs should be cautious when using claims or adjusted survey data alone.
Diagnostic value of an increase in central venous pressure during SBT for prediction of weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ghamari Ali Akbar , Amini Keivan , Daei Sorkhabi Amin , Sarkesh Aila , Saghaleini Seyed Hadi , Asghari Roghayeh , Rezayi Mansour , Mahmoodpoor Ata
Published: April 2023

Background

Timely and successful extubation is an essential step forward in clinical practice to minimize complications of mechanical ventilation and unsuccessful weaning processes. Thus, research into predictive factors of weaning outcome to optimize spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) precision before extubation is critical in intensive care practices. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictive factors of the weaning outcome before and during SBT in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 159 mechanically ventilated patients who were eligible for SBT were enrolled. Of these patients, 140 had successful extubation, whereas the remainder failed. Each patient's PaCO2 and PaO2 levels, respiratory rate (RR), SpO2, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and central venous pressure (CVP) values at the start of SBT, 3 min later, and at the end of SBT were measured. These values, along with the patients' clinical characteristics, were then investigated to determine if there was any correlation between these variables and the weaning outcome.

Results

Our analysis revealed that increase in CVP, independent of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, PaO2, SpO2, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and SBT process, as well as underlying disease, was positively correlated with extubation/weaning failure. While age, gender, vital signs (MAP, RR, and HR), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) scores had no significant correlation with patients' extubation outcomes.

Conclusion

According to our findings, integrating CVP assessment into SBT besides routine indices measurement and monitoring can be considered for the prediction of weaning outcome in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients.