bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of chitosan-epoxy ratio in bio-based adhesive on physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboards from mixed hardwood fibers
Authors: Ashori Alireza , Kuzmin Anton
Published: March 2024

Chitosan and bio-based epoxy resins have emerged as promising formaldehyde-free replacements for traditional urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesives in engineered wood products. This study evaluated five chitosan-to-epoxy weight ratios (3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) as adhesives for hot-pressing medium density fiberboards (MDF) using mixed hardwood fibers. Increasing the epoxy ratio reduced viscosity and gel time, facilitating spraying and fast curing. The density of the formulated MDFs increased with higher epoxy ratios, ranging from 679 kg/m3 for the 3:1 ratio to 701 kg/m3 for the 1:3 formulation, meeting the 500–900 kg/m3 density range specified in EN 323. The 1:3 epoxy-rich formulation enhanced modulus of rupture (MOR) to 31 MPa and modulus of elasticity (MOE) to 2392 MPa, exceeding the minimum requirements of 16 MPa and 1500 MPa set out in EN 310 and EN 316, respectively. Dimensional stability peaked at 5% thickness swelling for the 1:3 formulation after 24 h water soaking, fulfilling the < 25% requirement per EN 316. Internal bond strength reached a maximum of 0.98 MPa for the 3:1 chitosan-rich formulation, satisfying the 0.40 MPa minimum per EN 319. One-way ANOVA tests showed the adhesive ratio had a significant effect on mechanical properties and dimensional stability at 95–99% confidence levels. Duncan's multiple range test revealed the 1:3 ratio boards exhibited statistically significant improvements compared to untreated group. Overall, tailoring the ratios achieved well-balanced properties for MOR, MOE, and dimensional stability, demonstrating potential to replace UF resins.
A novel multi-scale CNN and Bi-LSTM arbitration dense network model for low-rate DDoS attack detection
Authors: Yin Xiaochun , Fang Wei , Liu Zengguang , Liu Deyong
Published: March 2024

Low-rate distributed denial of service attacks, as known as LDDoS attacks, pose the notorious security risks in cloud computing network. They overload the cloud servers and degrade network service quality with the stealthy strategy. Furthermore, this kind of small ratio and pulse-like abnormal traffic leads to a serious data scale problem. As a result, the existing models for detecting minority and adversary LDDoS attacks are insufficient in both detection accuracy and time consumption. This paper proposes a novel multi-scale Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and bidirectional Long-short Term Memory (bi-LSTM) arbitration dense network model (called MSCBL-ADN) for learning and detecting LDDoS attack behaviors under the condition of limited dataset and time consumption. The MSCBL-ADN incorporates CNN for preliminary spatial feature extraction and embedding-based bi-LSTM for time relationship extraction. And then, it employs arbitration network to re-weigh feature importance for higher accuracy. At last, it uses 2-block dense connection network to perform final classification. The experimental results conducted on popular ISCX-2016-SlowDos dataset have demonstrated that the proposed MSCBL-ADN model has a significant improvement with high detection accuracy and superior time performance over the state-of-the-art models.
Vertical optical complexity shaped by submerged macrophytes
Authors: Tóth Viktor R.
Published: March 2024

The influence of macrophytes on the optical environment of the littoral zone was assessed by studying the effect of monospecific Potamogeton perfoliatus on the quantitative and qualitative properties of light and the response of plants to this altered environment. P. perfoliatus was shown to alter the optical environment and consequently its own architecture: in high-density pondweed patches, 67 percent of incident light was absorbed in the top 10 cm, while spectral properties of light was significantly altered. Leaf morphology and photophysiology adapted to these changes, with photosynthetically active biomass concentrated in the upper water layer and stem biomass increasing in the basal parts due to self-shading. This study highlights the importance of submerged macrophytes in shaping the optical environment and ecological dynamics of littoral zones. Not only do pondweed plants from different sites show very similar vertical patterns of morphological and physiological parameters, but they also contribute to similar vertical spatial variability in water optics, thus increasing habitat complexity. This added optical heterogeneity not only increases the diversity of the littoral zone, but also enriches the entire aquatic ecosystem of shallow lakes by providing additional optical ecological niches.
Nanoscale imaging of Fe-rich inclusions in single-crystal zircon using X-ray ptycho-tomography
Authors: Kuppili Venkata S. C. , Ball Matthew , Batey Darren , Dodds Kathryn , Cipiccia Silvia , Wanelik Kaz , Fu Roger , Rau Christoph , Harrison Richard J.
Published: March 2024

We apply X-ray ptycho-tomography to perform high-resolution, non-destructive, three-dimensional (3D) imaging of Fe-rich inclusions in paleomagnetically relevant materials (zircon single crystals from the Bishop Tuff ignimbrite). Correlative imaging using quantum diamond magnetic microscopy combined with X-ray fluorescence mapping was used to locate regions containing potential ferromagnetic remanence carriers. Ptycho-tomographic reconstructions with voxel sizes 85 nm and 21 nm were achievable across a field-of-view > 80 µm; voxel sizes as small as 5 nm were achievable over a limited field-of-view using local ptycho-tomography. Fe-rich inclusions 300 nm in size were clearly resolved. We estimate that particles as small as 100 nm—approaching single-domain threshold for magnetite—could be resolvable using this “dual-mode” methodology. Fe-rich inclusions (likely magnetite) are closely associated with apatite inclusions that have no visible connection to the exterior surface of the zircon (e.g., via intersecting cracks). There is no evidence of radiation damage, alteration, recrystallisation or deformation in the host zircon or apatite that could provide alternative pathways for Fe infiltration, indicating that magnetite and apatite grew separately as primary phases in the magma, that magnetite adhered to the surfaces of the apatite, and that the magnetite-coated apatite was then encapsulated as primary inclusions within the growing zircon. Rarer examples of Fe-rich inclusions entirely encapsulated by zircon are also observed. These observations support the presence of primary inclusions in relatively young and pristine zircon crystals. Combining magnetic and tomography results we deduce the presence of magnetic carriers that are in the optimal size range for carrying strong and stable paleomagnetic signals but that remain below the detection limits of even the highest-resolution X-ray tomography reconstructions. We recommend the use of focused ion beam nanotomography and/or correlative transmission electron microscopy to directly confirm the presence of primary magnetite in the sub 300 nm range as a necessary step in targeted paleomagnetic workflows.
Type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Guangyi , Xu Yanhong , Zheng Taohua , Liu Ting
Published: March 2024

To investigate the association between T2DM and IBD by bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to clarify the casual relationship. Independent genetic variants for T2DM and IBD were selected as instruments from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS), mainly in European ancestry. Instrumental variables (IVs) associated with T2DM and IBD were extracted separately from the largest GWAS meta-analysis. MR analyses included inverse variance weighting, weighted median estimator, MR Egger regression, and sensitivity analyses with Steiger filtering and MR PRESSO. In the data samples for Ulcerative colitis (UC) (6968 cases, 20,464 controls) and Crohn's disease (CD) (5956 cases, 14,927 controls), there was a negative causal relationship between T2DM and UC [IVW, OR/95%CI: 0.882/(0.826,0.942), p < 0.001]. However, the causal relationships between T2DM and CD, UC and T2DM, CD and T2DM were not significant, and the p value measured by the IVW method was ≥ 0.05. All SNPs showed no significant horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). The results of the bidirectional MR Study suggest that T2DM has a negative causal effect on UC, which provides implications for clinical treatment decisions in IBD patients with T2DM. The findings do not support a causal relationship between T2DM and CD, UC and T2DM, or CD and T2DM, and the impact of IBD on T2DM needs further investigation.
One-third of global population at cancer risk due to elevated volatile organic compounds levels
Authors: Xiong Ying , Du Ke , Huang Yaoxian
Published: March 2024

Outdoor air pollution, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), significantly contributes to the global health burden. Previous analyses of VOC exposure have typically focused on regional and national scales, thereby limiting global health burden assessments. In this study, we utilized a global chemistry-climate model to simulate VOC distributions and estimate related cancer risks from 2000 to 2019. Our findings indicated a 10.2% rise in global VOC emissions during this period, with substantial increases in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Rest of Asia, and China, but decreases in the U.S. and Europe due to reductions in the transportation and residential sectors. Carcinogenic VOCs such as benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde contributed to a lifetime cancer burden affecting 0.60 [95% confidence interval (95CI): 0.40–0.81] to 0.85 [95CI: 0.56–1.14] million individuals globally. We projected that between 36.4% and 39.7% of the global population was exposed to harmful VOC levels, with the highest exposure rates found in China (82.8–84.3%) and considerably lower exposure in Europe (1.7–5.8%). Open agricultural burning in less-developed regions amplified VOC-induced cancer burdens. Significant disparities in cancer burdens between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries were identified throughout the study period, primarily due to unequal population growth and VOC emissions. These findings underscore health disparities among different income nations and emphasize the persistent need to address the environmental injustice related to air pollution exposure.
Patient derived tumoroids of high grade neuroendocrine neoplasms for more personalized therapies
Authors: April-Monn Simon L. , Kirchner Philipp , Detjen Katharina , Bräutigam Konstantin , Trippel Mafalda A. , Grob Tobias , Statzer Cyril , Maire Renaud S. , Kollàr Attila , Chouchane Aziz , Kunze Catarina A. , Horst David , Sadowski Martin C. , Schrader Jörg , Marinoni Ilaria , Wiedenmann Bertram , Perren Aurel
Published: March 2024

There are no therapeutic predictive biomarkers or representative preclinical models for high-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN), a highly aggressive, fatal, and heterogeneous malignancy. We established patient-derived (PD) tumoroids from biobanked tissue samples of advanced high-grade GEP-NEN patients and applied this model for targeted rapid ex vivo pharmacotyping, next-generation sequencing, and perturbational profiling. We used tissue-matched PD tumoroids to profile individual patients, compared ex vivo drug response to patients’ clinical response to chemotherapy, and investigated treatment-induced adaptive stress responses.

PD tumoroids recapitulated biological key features of high-grade GEP-NEN and mimicked clinical response to cisplatin and temozolomide ex vivo. When we investigated treatment-induced adaptive stress responses in PD tumoroids in silico, we discovered and functionally validated Lysine demethylase 5 A and interferon-beta, which act synergistically in combination with cisplatin. Since ex vivo drug response in PD tumoroids matched clinical patient responses to standard-of-care chemotherapeutics for GEP-NEN, our rapid and functional precision oncology approach could expand personalized therapeutic options for patients with advanced high-grade GEP-NEN.
The prospect of artificial intelligence to personalize assisted reproductive technology
Authors: Hanassab Simon , Abbara Ali , Yeung Arthur C. , Voliotis Margaritis , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira , Kelsey Tom W. , Trew Geoffrey H. , Nelson Scott M. , Heinis Thomas , Dhillo Waljit S.
Published: March 2024

Infertility affects 1-in-6 couples, with repeated intensive cycles of assisted reproductive technology (ART) required by many to achieve a desired live birth. In ART, typically, clinicians and laboratory staff consider patient characteristics, previous treatment responses, and ongoing monitoring to determine treatment decisions. However, the reproducibility, weighting, and interpretation of these characteristics are contentious, and highly operator-dependent, resulting in considerable reliance on clinical experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) is ideally suited to handle, process, and analyze large, dynamic, temporal datasets with multiple intermediary outcomes that are generated during an ART cycle. Here, we review how AI has demonstrated potential for optimization and personalization of key steps in a reproducible manner, including: drug selection and dosing, cycle monitoring, induction of oocyte maturation, and selection of the most competent gametes and embryos, to improve the overall efficacy and safety of ART.
Smartphone keyboard dynamics predict affect in suicidal ideation
Authors: Knol Loran , Nagpal Anisha , Leaning Imogen E. , Idda Elena , Hussain Faraz , Ning Emma , Eisenlohr-Moul Tory A. , Beckmann Christian F. , Marquand Andre F. , Leow Alex
Published: March 2024

While digital phenotyping provides opportunities for unobtrusive, real-time mental health assessments, the integration of its modalities is not trivial due to high dimensionalities and discrepancies in sampling frequencies. We provide an integrated pipeline that solves these issues by transforming all modalities to the same time unit, applying temporal independent component analysis (ICA) to high-dimensional modalities, and fusing the modalities with linear mixed-effects models. We applied our approach to integrate high-quality, daily self-report data with BiAffect keyboard dynamics derived from a clinical suicidality sample of mental health outpatients. Applying the ICA to the self-report data (104 participants, 5712 days of data) revealed components related to well-being, anhedonia, and irritability and social dysfunction. Mixed-effects models (55 participants, 1794 days) showed that less phone movement while typing was associated with more anhedonia (β = −0.12, p = 0.00030). We consider this method to be widely applicable to dense, longitudinal digital phenotyping data.
Soluble Frizzled-related proteins promote exosome-mediated Wnt re-secretion
Authors: Tran Thi Hong Nguyen , Takada Ritsuko , Krayukhina Elena , Maruno Takahiro , Mii Yusuke , Uchiyama Susumu , Takada Shinji
Published: March 2024

Wnt proteins are thought to be transported in several ways in the extracellular space. For instance, they are known to be carried by exosomes and by Wnt-carrier proteins, such as sFRP proteins. However, little is known about whether and/or how these two transport systems are related. Here, we show that adding sFRP1 or sFRP2, but not sFRP3 or sFRP4, to culture medium containing Wnt3a or Wnt5a increases re-secretion of exosome-loaded Wnt proteins from cells. This effect of sFRP2 is counteracted by heparinase, which removes sugar chains on heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), but is independent of LRP5/6, Wnt co-receptors essential for Wnt signaling. Wnt3a and Wnt5a specifically dimerize with sFRP2 in culture supernatant. Furthermore, a Wnt3a mutant defective in heterodimerization with sFRP2 impairs the ability to increase exosome-mediated Wnt3a re-secretion. Based on these results, we propose that Wnt heterodimerization with its carrier protein, sFRP2, enhances Wnt accumulation at sugar chains on HSPGs on the cell surface, leading to increased endocytosis and exosome-mediated Wnt re-secretion. Our results suggest that the range of action of Wnt ligands is controlled by coordination of different transport systems.
Maple samara flight is robust to morphological perturbation and united by a classic drag model
Authors: Schaeffer Breanna M. , Truman Spencer S. , Truscott Tadd T. , Dickerson Andrew K.
Published: March 2024

Winged, autorotating seeds from the genus Acer, have been the subject of study for botanists and aerodynamicists for decades. Despite this attention and the relative simplicity of these winged seeds, there are still considerable gaps in our understanding of how samara dynamics are informed by morphological features. Additionally, questions remain regarding the robustness of their dynamics to morphological alterations such as mass change by moisture or area change by damage. We here challenge the conventional approach of using wing-loading correlations and instead demonstrate the superiority of a classical aerodynamic model. Using allometry, we determine why some species deviate from interspecific aerodynamic behavior. We alter samara mass and wing area and measure corresponding changes to descent velocity, rotation rate, and coning angle, thereby demonstrating their remarkable ability to autorotate despite significant morphological alteration. Samaras endure mass changes greater than 100% while maintaining descent velocity changes of less than 15%, and are thus robust to changes in mass by moisture or damage. Additionally, samaras withstand up to a 40% reduction in wing area before losing their ability to autorotate, with the largest wings more robust to ablation. Thus, samaras are also robust to wing damage in their environment, a fact children joyfully exploit.
Structural insights into Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris NAD+ biosynthesis via the NAM salvage pathway
Authors: Xu Guolyu , Ma Jinxue , Fang Qi , Peng Qiong , Jiao Xi , Hu Wei , Zhao Qiaoqiao , Kong Yanqiong , Liu Fenmei , Shi Xueqi , Tang Dong-Jie , Tang Ji-Liang , Ming Zhenhua
Published: March 2024

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) plays an important role in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) via the nicotinamide (NAM) salvage pathway. While the structural biochemistry of eukaryote NAMPT has been well studied, the catalysis mechanism of prokaryote NAMPT at the molecular level remains largely unclear. Here, we demonstrated the NAMPT-mediated salvage pathway is functional in the Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) for the synthesis of NAD+, and the enzyme activity of NAMPT in this bacterium is significantly higher than that of human NAMPT in vitro. Our structural analyses of Xcc NAMPT, both in isolation and in complex with either the substrate NAM or the product nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), uncovered significant details of substrate recognition. Specifically, we revealed the presence of a NAM binding tunnel that connects the active site, and this tunnel is essential for both catalysis and inhibitor binding. We further demonstrated that NAM binding in the tunnel has a positive cooperative effect with NAM binding in the catalytic site. Additionally, we discovered that phosphorylation of the His residue at position 229 enhances the substrate binding affinity of Xcc NAMPT and is important for its catalytic activity. This work reveals the importance of NAMPT in bacterial NAD+ synthesis and provides insights into the substrate recognition and the catalytic mechanism of bacterial type II phosphoribosyltransferases.
Deep learning the hierarchy of steering measurement settings of qubit-pair states
Authors: Wang Hong-Ming , Ku Huan-Yu , Lin Jie-Yien , Chen Hong-Bin
Published: March 2024

Quantum steering has attracted increasing research attention because of its fundamental importance, as well as its applications in quantum information science. Here we leverage the power of the deep learning model to infer the steerability of quantum states with specific numbers of measurement settings, which form a hierarchical structure. A computational protocol consisting of iterative tests is constructed to overcome the optimization, meanwhile, generating the necessary training data. According to the responses of the well-trained models to the different physics-driven features encoding the states to be recognized, we can numerically conclude that the most compact characterization of the Alice-to-Bob steerability is Alice’s regularly aligned steering ellipsoid; whereas Bob’s ellipsoid is irrelevant. We have also provided an explanation to this result with the one-way stochastic local operations and classical communication. Additionally, our approach is versatile in revealing further insights into the hierarchical structure of quantum steering and detecting the hidden steerability.
PHF6-mediated transcriptional control of NSC via Ephrin receptors is impaired in the intellectual disability syndrome BFLS
Authors: Rasool Dilan , Burban Audrey , Sharanek Ahmad , Madrigal Ariel , Hu Jinghua , Yan Keqin , Qu Dianbo , Voss Anne K , Slack Ruth S , Thomas Tim , Bonni Azad , Picketts David J , Soleimani Vahab D , Najafabadi Hamed S , Jahani-Asl Arezu
Published: March 2024

The plant homeodomain zinc-finger protein, PHF6, is a transcriptional regulator, and PHF6 germline mutations cause the X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS). The mechanisms by which PHF6 regulates transcription and how its mutations cause BFLS remain poorly characterized. Here, we show genome-wide binding of PHF6 in the developing cortex in the vicinity of genes involved in central nervous system development and neurogenesis. Characterization of BFLS mice harbouring PHF6 patient mutations reveals an increase in embryonic neural stem cell (eNSC) self-renewal and a reduction of neural progenitors. We identify a panel of Ephrin receptors (EphRs) as direct transcriptional targets of PHF6. Mechanistically, we show that PHF6 regulation of EphR is impaired in BFLS mice and in conditional Phf6 knock-out mice. Knockdown of EphR-A phenocopies the PHF6 loss-of-function defects in altering eNSCs, and its forced expression rescues defects of BFLS mice-derived eNSCs. Our data indicate that PHF6 directly promotes Ephrin receptor expression to control eNSC behaviour in the developing brain, and that this pathway is impaired in BFLS.
A Fe(iii) intercalated clay nanoplatform for combined chemo/chemodynamic therapy
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhai Jing , Wei Shiqi , Tang Aidong , Yang Huaming
Published: March 2024

A nanoclay-based therapeutic system, Fe-MMT/DOX, was constructed to amplify the oxidation stress in tumor cells through the Fenton reaction, and further enhance the efficacy of DOX by interfering with DNA damage repair.
Thermally activated structural phase transitions and processes in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Castillo-Blas Celia , Chester Ashleigh M. , Keen David A. , Bennett Thomas D.
Published: March 2024

The structural knowledge of metal–organic frameworks is crucial for understanding and developing new efficient materials for industrial implementation.
A transaminase-mediated aldol reaction and applications in cascades to styryl pyridines
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Yiwen , Ni Yeke , Bučar Dejan-Krešimir , Dalby Paul A. , Ward John M. , Jeffries Jack W. E. , Hailes Helen C.
Published: March 2024

A transaminase mediated aldolase reactivity has been discovered and used to construct styryl pyridines via the use of enzyme cascades.
Olefins from alcohols via catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation coupling reactions
Authors: Roy Triptesh Kumar , Babu Reshma , Sivakumar Ganesan , Gupta Virendrakumar , Balaraman Ekambaram
Published: March 2024

Recent advances in efficient catalytic routes to olefins from alcohols (A2O) are highlighted.
Green synthesis of MOF-based textile composites for the degradation of a chemical warfare agent simulant
Authors: Couzon Nelly , Hardy Pauline , Ferreira Manuela , Hammi Nisrine , Dhainaut Jérémy , Pourpoint Frédérique , Royer Sébastien , Loiseau Thierry , Campagne Christine , Volkringer Christophe
Published: March 2024

A green synthesis of UiO-66-NH2 embedded in chitosan and deposited on textiles has been investigated for the degradation of chemical warfare agents.
Designing dithieno-benzodithiophene-based small molecule donors for thickness-tolerant and large-scale polymer solar cells
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Xu Lin-Yong , Xiao Bo , Chen Mingxia , Zhang Meimei , Gao Wei , Xiao Biao , Jen Alex K.-Y. , Yang Renqiang , Min Jie , Sun Rui
Published: March 2024

The small molecule donor SD62-doping strategy with an excellent universality is beneficial to fabricating thickness-tolerant and large-scale high-performance polymer solar cells and solar modules.
SARS-CoV-2 inactivation: assessing the efficacy of GO-anchored filters versus various commercial masks
Authors: Islam Md. Saidul , Rabin Nurun Nahar , Begum Mst Monira , Goto Nonoka , Tagawa Ryuta , Nagashima Mami , Sadamasu Kenji , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Matsuda Junko , Sekine Yoshihiro , Ikeda Terumasa , Hayami Shinya
Published: March 2024

GO-anchored filter shows enhanced anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties compared to commercially available face masks. The current findings imply the potential of GO in the field of virus inactivation and personal protective equipment such as face masks.
Eco-friendly repurposing of by-pass waste for optics and radiation protection: addressing hazardous material challenges
Authors: Zakaly Hesham M. H. , Hashim H. , Issa Shams A. M. , Darwish Moustafa A. , Obiedallah Fatma M. , Koubisy M. S. I. , Saudi H. A.
Published: March 2024

This study delves into the investigation of optical and gamma radiation shielding properties of glasses formulated with varying concentrations of By-pass combined with Na2O, Fe2O3, Bi2O3, and P2O5.
Photoluminescence and antibacterial performance of sol–gel synthesized ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Rathore Mahendra Singh , Verma Harshita , Akhani Sonal B. , Pathak Jaivik , Joshi Unnati , Joshi Anand , Prakash Chander , Kaur Kirtanjot , Oza Ankit
Published: March 2024

The hexagonal phase of ZnO NPs was synthesized using sol gel methods and structural properties and correlation with the optical, photoluminescence and antibacterial properties have been investigated.
Ultrawide linear range, high sensitivity, and large-area pressure sensor arrays enabled by pneumatic spraying broccoli-like microstructures
Authors: Li Zonglin , Li Kun , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Tong , Yang Xiaoniu
Published: March 2024

This work proposes a one-step method to construct large-area, high performance microstructure films with a unique morphology. The prepared large-area sensor array is sufficient in both low pressure and high pressure scenarios.
Detailed discussion on the structure of alloy nanoparticles synthesized via magnetron sputter deposition onto liquid poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Nguyen Mai Thanh , Pattanasattayavong Pichaya , Yonezawa Tetsu
Published: March 2024

This paper reviews a decade of the development of vacuum sputter deposition onto liquid poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to prepare metal and alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with detailed discussion on the fine structure of the obtained alloy NPs.
A simple strategy for the construction of bi-supported triazine-based covalent organic frameworks as high-performance capacitive materials
Authors: Yao Chan , Hu Yue , Cui Di , Xu Mengyue , Xu Yanhong
Published: March 2024

A series of hybrid materials with different carbon nanotube contents TD-COF@CNTx (x = 0.05, 0.25, 0.45, and 0.65) were successfully prepared by using a one-pot method, where x represents the mass of carbon nanotubes added during the preparation process.
Application of the intramolecular Diels–Alder vinylarene (IMDAV) reaction for the synthesis of benzo-, carbocyclo-, thienothiopheneisoindolecarboxylic acids and its limitations
Authors: Yakovleva Elizaveta D. , Shelukho Evgeniya R. , Nadirova Maryana A. , Erokhin Pavel P. , Simakova Daria N. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Grigoriev Mikhail S. , Novikov Anton P. , Romanycheva Anna A. , Shetnev Anton A. , Bychkova Olga P. , Trenin Alexey S. , Zubkov Fedor I. , Zaytsev Vladimir P.
Published: March 2024

A concise preparative IMDAV strategy for the synthesis of benzo-, carbocyclo-, and thienothiopheneisoindolecarboxylic acids, which display antifungal and antibacterial activity, starting from readily available materials is proposed.
Surfactant modified coconut husk fiber as a green alternative sorbent for micro-solid phase extraction of triazole fungicides at trace level in environmental water, soybean milk, fruit juice and alcoholic beverage samples
Authors: Kachangoon Rawikan , Vichapong Jitlada , Santaladchaiyakit Yanawath
Published: March 2024

Schematic diagram of the micro solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) procedure prior to HPLC analysis.
Surface modification strategies for improved hemocompatibility of polymeric materials: a comprehensive review
Authors: Bhattacharjee Abhishek , Savargaonkar Aniruddha Vijay , Tahir Muhammad , Sionkowska Alina , Popat Ketul C.
Published: March 2024

Polymeric biomaterials are a widely used class of materials due to their versatile properties.
Nanoscale solvent organization in metal–organic framework ZIF-8 probed by EPR of flexible β-phosphorylated nitroxides
Authors: Poryvaev Artem S. , Efremov Aleksandr A. , Alimov Dmitry V. , Smirnova Kristina A. , Polyukhov Daniil M. , Sagdeev Renad Z. , Jacoutot Samuel , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Fedin Matvey V.
Published: March 2024

Molecules of alcohols exhibit specific nanoordering inside cavities of metal–organic frameworks, thus creating unique environments with anomalous apparent polarity sensed by solutes.
Chemo-selective Stille-type coupling of acyl-chlorides upon phosphine-borane Au(i) catalysis
Authors: Hidalgo Nereida , Le Gac Arnaud , Mallet-Ladeira Sonia , Bouhadir Ghenwa , Bourissou Didier
Published: March 2024

Phosphine-boranes do not promote oxidative addition of acyl chlorides to gold, but the phosphine-borane gold triflimide complex [iPr2P(o-C6H4)BCy2]AuNTf2 was found to catalyze the coupling of acyl chlorides and aryl stannanes.
Pyridinic-N exclusively enriched CNT-encapsulated NiFe interfacial alloy nanoparticles on knitted carbon fiber cloth as bifunctional oxygen catalysts for biaxially flexible zinc–air batteries
Authors: Poudel Milan Babu , Vijayapradeep Subramanian , Sekar Karthikeyan , Kim Jong Seok , Yoo Dong Jin
Published: March 2024

A highly reversible bifunctional electrocatalyst for flexible Zn air batteries was fabricated featuring pyridinic-N exclusively enriched CNT encased NiFe interfacial alloy nanoparticles derived from an LDH template on knitted carbon fiber cloth.
MOF-mediated dual energy transfer nanoprobe integrated with exonuclease III amplification strategy for highly sensitive detection of DNA
Authors: Xing Xiaojing , Gao Mengying , Lei Minglin , Cheng Kunqi , Zhao Yifan , Du Xianchao , Zong Luyi , Qiu Dongfang , Liu Xueguo
Published: March 2024

A high-sensitive DNA detection platform named MOF-ERA was successfully constructed by integrating a metal–organic framework (MOF)-mediated double energy transfer nanoprobe with exonuclease III (Exo III)-based amplification strategy.
Investigating the anticancer potential of 4-phenylthiazole derived Ru(ii) and Os(ii) metalacycles
Authors: Getreuer Paul , Marretta Laura , Toyoglu Emine , Dömötör Orsolya , Hejl Michaela , Prado-Roller Alexander , Cseh Klaudia , Legin Anton A. , Jakupec Michael A. , Barone Giampaolo , Terenzi Alessio , Keppler Bernhard K. , Kandioller Wolfgang
Published: March 2024

4-Phenylthiazole-based metalacycles were synthesized, characterized and examined for their anticancer potential. Preliminary mode of action studies to reveal the cellular target of these complexes were performed.
Programming heterometallic 4f–4f′ helicates under thermodynamic control: the circle is complete
Authors: Egger Charlotte , Guénée Laure , Deorukhkar Neel , Piguet Claude
Published: March 2024

The use of pair interactions and specific site affinities provides 63% of the heterotrimetallic HHH-[(L43Zn)LaEu]8+ helicate in solution where statistics predicts only 25% of this isomer under thermodynamic control for a stoichiometric ratio of 1 : 1 : 1.
Developing tuneable viscoelastic silicone gel-based inks for precise 3D printing of clinical phantoms
Authors: Nieva-Esteve Gloria , Agulló Núria , Grande-Molina Miguel , Adell Núria , Tarrado Xavier , Calvo-Duarte Laura , Valls-Esteve Arnau , Krauel Lucas , Fenollosa-Artés Felip , Bartes Robert Texidó , Borrós Salvador
Published: March 2024

This article describes the development of silicone gel-based inks for direct ink writing (DIW) with tunable viscoelastic properties that mimic the mechanical behavior of a wide range of soft tissues.
Proceeding of catalytic water splitting on Cu/Ce@g-C3N4 photocatalysts: an exceptional approach for sunlight-driven hydrogen generation
Authors: Abid Muhammad Zeeshan , Tanveer Aysha , Rafiq Khezina , Rauf Abdul , Jin Rongchao , Hussain Ejaz
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution on Cu/Ce supported g-C3N4 catalyst.
Identification and quantification of N6-methyladenosine by chemical derivatization coupled with 19F NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Jiang Ting , Zhou Qian , Yu Kang-Kang , Chen Shan-Yong , Li Kun
Published: March 2024

A simple method was established for the determination of 6mdA in combination with 19F NMR analysis and the Chan–Lam coupling reaction.
Degradable bispiperidone derivative amine networks with monomer recovery
Authors: Godermajer Patricia , Achazi Andreas J. , Mollenhauer Doreen , Seifert Andreas , Sommer Michael
Published: March 2024

Bispiperidones with tunable electrophilicities and high reactivities are reported and used as monomers in degradable bispiperidone derivative amine polymer networks.
Carbon/ZrO2 aerogel composite microtube superfoam
Authors: Han Ding , Sun Xiankai , Zhang Shichao , Wu Linghao , Ai Bing , Sun Haoran , Chen Yufeng
Published: March 2024

Carbon/ZrO2 aerogel composite microtube superfoam exhibits excellent thermal insulation and ablative resistance.
Explainable machine-learning predictions for catalysts in CO2-assisted propane oxidative dehydrogenation
Authors: Liu Hongyu , Liu Kangyu , Zhu Hairuo , Guo Weiqing , Li Yuming
Published: March 2024

Data-driven machine learning is a valuable perspective on light alkane conversion, which can advise on catalyst development.
Clicking in harmony: exploring the bio-orthogonal overlap in click chemistry
Authors: Mehak  , Singh Gurleen , Singh Riddima , Singh Gurjaspreet , Stanzin Jigmat , Singh Harminder , Kaur Gurpreet , Singh Jandeep
Published: March 2024

The fundamentals of bio-orthogonal click chemistry are investigated, while exploring mechanistic intricacies, demonstrating the adaptability and promise of this methodology.
Non-fused ring electron acceptors employing diphenylamine substituted 2,2′-bithiazole cores for organic solar cell applications
Authors: Wang Shuo-Jun , Lin Yi , Dong Fangliang , Ma Zaifei , Tang Zheng , Wang Ming
Published: March 2024

The impact of side chains on the performance of 2,2′-bithiazole based non-fused ring electron acceptors is investigated.
Mapping the Role of Therapeutic Alliance in Speech and Language Therapy to the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System
Authors: McGrath Shana , Schultz Katlin R.
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this clinical focus article is to highlight the significance of the therapeutic alliance (TA) and how it relates to speech and language therapy practice. We define the components of the TA through the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) framework in an effort to increase clinician understanding and implementation of the components of TA.

Method:

With the introduction of the RTSS, there have been ongoing efforts to increase specificity in describing and outlining rehabilitation treatments to better understand, research, and translate knowledge across the field. However, the inclusion of representations and volitional ingredients is often missing from current literature or limited to certain patient populations. We map the ingredients of the TA as intentional clinician actions to provide increased specification of volition components, with the goal of shaping and enhancing the patients' mental representations and offer insights for direct application in clinical practice.

Conclusions:

Ongoing efforts to educate and train speech-language pathologists on the invaluable contribution of mental representations and TA are imperative. Embedding this education within the RTSS framework may serve to underscore its equal contribution to the patient experience and associated outcomes. Ongoing research and efforts to further delineate volitional ingredients into therapeutic practice is essential to maximize patient engagement and outcomes.
Robust beamforming design for passive RIS‐assisted NOMA systems
Authors: Yang Fengming , Guo Weiran , Dai Jianxin
Published: March 2024

A transmission power minimization problem for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) aided non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) network has been studied here, which has assumed the channel state information is imperfect. The channel error in this paper has been modeled as two different error models, that is, bounded error model and statistical error model. First, a two‐step algorithm is proposed to decouple the decoding order and optimization variables under bounded error model. Then, for the statistical error model, the alternating optimization method is adopted to decouple optimization variables. Finally, the performance difference is compared between the proposed beamforming scheme and the non‐RIS scheme from two key parameters, the number of reflected elements and the error factor. Simulation results verify that passive RIS has the advantage on the system performance compared with the scheme without RIS.
A 3D printed low‐profile wideband circularly polarised elliptical integrated lens antenna
Authors: Xu Bin , Zhang Bing , An Xiao
Published: March 2024

The authors presents a low‐profile wideband circularly polarised (CP) millimetre‐wave (mmWave) elliptical integrated lens antenna (ILA) fabricated by dielectric 3D printing technology. The proposed lens is integrated with a dielectric polariser and an air cavity for phase compensation, which can transfer incident waves from linearly polarised (LP) to planar CP waves over a wide bandwidth. Compared to the classic bifocal ILA, the proposed lens has a low profile. The phase compensation is performed by introducing a specifically shaped air cavity, which greatly reduces the length and weight of the lens. The polariser causes the two electric field components Ex and Ey to degenerate with an orthogonal phase difference, which results in the wideband characteristics of the antenna. The polariser, air cavity and lens can be conveniently and precisely fabricated by low‐cost 3D printing technology. Measurements show that the proposed ILA has a wide axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 21.9–32.6 GHz, while the gain reaches 22.54 dBic with a 38% size reduction and a 60.7% weight reduction. Benefiting from the low profile, high gain, wide bandwidth and low cost, the proposed ILA has great potential to be the candidate antenna for 5G applications and satellite communications.
Interval prediction of PV power based on double sample entropy framework and integrated bidomain decomposition deep learning
Authors: Fang Houkang , Wu Qinmu , Zhang Yihui
Published: March 2024

A method for photovoltaic (PV) power interval prediction based on double sample entropy framework and integrated bidomain decomposition deep learning is proposed to address the volatility, randomness, intermittency and timeliness of PV power prediction. By using the integrated bidomain decomposition method under the framework of double sample entropy, the PV power time series is decomposed into several components with similar complexity and the deep learning network is used to learn and predict the results of each component reconstruction to obtain point predictions. The quantile regression method is then used based on the point prediction to obtain interval predictions. The actual calculation examples show that the RMSE and CPRS of the proposed method are reduced by an average of 45.56% and 31.42%, respectively, compared with other integrated bidomain decomposition deep learning methods that are not in the double sample entropy framework and single decomposition deep learning methods.
Metal enrichment: The apex accretor perspective
Authors: Molendi S. , Ghizzardi S. , De Grandi S. , Balboni M. , Bartalucci I. , Eckert D. , Gastaldello F. , Lovisari L. , Riva G. , Rossetti M.
Published: March 2024

Aims. The goal of this work is to devise a description of the enrichment process in large-scale structure that explains the available observations and makes predictions for future measurements.

Methods. We took a spartan approach to this study, employing observational results and algebra to connect stellar assembly in star-forming halos with metal enrichment of the intra-cluster and group medium.

Results. On one hand, our construct is the first to provide an explanation for much of the phenomenology of metal enrichment in clusters and groups. It sheds light on the lack of redshift evolution in metal abundance, as well as the small scatter of metal abundance profiles, the entropy versus abundance anti-correlation found in cool core clusters, and the so-called Fe conundrum, along with several other aspects of cluster enrichment. On the other hand, it also allows us to infer the properties of other constituents of large-scale structure. We find that gas that is not bound to halos must have a metal abundance similar to that of the ICM and only about one-seventh to one-third of the Fe in the Universe is locked in stars. A comparable amount is found in gas in groups and clusters and, lastly and most importantly, about three-fifths of the total Fe is contained in a tenuous warm or hot gaseous medium in or between galaxies. We point out that several of our results follow from two critical but well motivated assumptions: 1) the stellar mass in massive halos is currently underestimated and 2) the adopted Fe yield is only marginally consistent with predictions from synthesis models and SN rates.

Conclusions. One of the most appealing features of the work presented here is that it provides an observationally grounded construct where vital questions on chemical enrichment in the large-scale structure can be addressed. We hope that it may serve as a useful baseline for future works.
Thermal processing of primordial pebbles in evolving protoplanetary disks
Authors: Colmenares María José , Lambrechts Michiel , van Kooten Elishevah , Johansen Anders
Published: March 2024

During protoplanetary disk formation, dust grains located in the outer disk retain their pristine icy composition, while solids in the inner stellar-heated disk undergo volatile loss. This process may have left a fossil record in Solar System material, showing different nucleosynthetic imprints that have been attributed to different degrees of thermal processing. However, it remains unclear how a large mass fraction of thermally processed inner-disk pebbles is produced and how these grains are subsequently transported throughout the disk. In this work, we numerically investigate the evolution in time of a two-component pebble disk consisting of both pristine pebbles and those that underwent ice sublimation. We find that stellar outbursts exceeding 1000 times the solar luminosity are efficient in thermally altering, through ice sublimation, a large mass fraction of pebbles (around 80%). After the establishment of this initial radial dust composition gradient throughout the disk, the subsequent mixing and inward drift of pristine outer-disk pebbles alter the inner disk bulk composition from processed to more unprocessed in time. Therefore, if processed pebbles without ice mantles have an isotopic composition similar to ureilite meteorites from the inner Solar System, inner-disk minor bodies forming from the early pebble flux (<1 Myr) will be isotopically ureilite-like, while later-formed bodies will be increasingly admixed with the signature of the lateincoming, CI chondrite-like unprocessed pebbles. This appears to be largely consistent with the trend seen between the accretion age of different meteoric classes and their different stable isotope composition anomalies (in μ54Cr, μ48Ca, μ30Si, and μ58Ni), but further work may be needed to explain the role of isotopically anomalous refractory inclusions and anomaly trends in other elements. Our findings further support an early thermal processing of ice mantles via stellar outbursts that are common around young Sun-like stars.
Le cheval Curly, un cheval aux poils frisés dit « hypoallergénique »
Authors: Dhorne-Pollet Sophie , Barrey Éric
Published: March 2024

L’allergie aux poils de cheval est de plus en plus fréquente avec le développement des sports équestres. On évoque souvent l’allergie « aux poils » de chevaux, cependant ce ne sont pas les poils qui sont responsables de cette allergie, mais des protéines sécrétées par les glandes sudoripares. Ces protéines sont des allergènes retrouvés dans l’urine, sur les squames et enfin sur les poils des chevaux. Une solution pour les cavaliers allergiques « aux poils » des chevaux serait l’utilisation de chevaux Curly. En effet, ces équidés présentent un poil frisé qui retiendraient mieux les squames que les poils raides. Bien qu’aucune étude ne l’ait encore démontré, cette particularité donne aux chevaux Curly la réputation d’être hypoallergéniques. Nous avons identifié une mutation autosomique dominante responsable de ce phénotype « poil frisé ». Cette mutation est localisée au niveau de l’un des gènes codant pour les kératines (ici KRT25). Pour aider les éleveurs à gérer au mieux ce caractère frisé du cheval Curly, un test de génotypage permettant d’identifier les animaux porteurs de cette mutation a été développé. L’utilisation de ces animaux comme reproducteurs permettra une gestion raisonnée des accouplements et le maintien du phénotype frisé.