bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiro[Azetidine‐3,3′‐Indoline]‐2,2′‐Diones via Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Kinugasa/C−C Coupling Cascade Reaction
Authors: Zhong Xianqiang , Huang Meirong , Xiong Huilan , Liang Yuzhen , Zhou Wei , Cai Qian
Published: September 2022

Spiro[azetidine‐indolines] are important scaffolds in diverse bioactive compounds. Current efforts to synthesize spiro[azetidine‐indolines] are limited to chiral spiro[azetidine‐2,3′‐indolines]. Asymmetric synthesis of structurally similar chiral spiro[azetidine‐3,3′‐indolines] remains unexplored. In this work, the first copper(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric Kinugasa/aryl C−C coupling cascade reaction is described. This provides a straightforward access to densely functionalized chiral spiro[azetidine‐3,3′‐indoline]‐2,2′‐diones in good yields and with high enantioselectivity.
Moisture‐Accelerated Precursor Crystallisation in Ambient Air for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells toward Mass Production
Authors: Fan Weili , Deng Kaimo , Shen Ying , Bai Yang , Li Liang
Published: September 2022

Phase‐pure crystallised perovskite is considered an excellent precursor for fabricating high‐stability perovskite films with minimal defects. However, currently available protocols for synthesising crystallised perovskites must be conducted in an inert atmosphere or in the presence of an organic solvent as the reaction medium, which hinders mass production. Here, we report the fast synthesis of α‐phase‐crystallised perovskite powder assisted by moisture in ambient air. Moisture can promote the reaction between PbI2 and organic salts and facilitate complete phase transition, as demonstrated in a joint experimental and theoretical study. Perovskite solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 24.07 % were achieved using phase‐pure crystallised perovskite powder as the precursor. This ambient‐air‐compatible method opens new vistas to reproducible high‐quality precursors for large‐scale photovoltaic applications.
Regioisomer‐Free Difluoro‐Monochloro Terminal‐based Hexa‐Halogenated Acceptor with Optimized Crystal Packing for Efficient Binary Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Yan Lu , Zhang Heng , An Qiaoshi , Jiang Mengyun , Mahmood Asif , Jee Min Hun , Bai Hai‐Rui , Zhi Hong‐Fu , Zhang Shaowen , Woo Han Young , Wang Jin‐Liang
Published: September 2022

Herein, we synthesized new hetero‐halogenated end groups with well‐determined fluorinated and chlorinated substitutions (o‐FCl‐IC and FClF‐IC), and synthesized regioisomer‐free small molecular acceptors (SMAs) Y‐Cl, Y‐FCl, and Y‐FClF with distinct hetero‐halogenated terminals, respectively. The single‐crystal structures and theoretical calculations indicate that Y‐FClF exhibits more compact three‐dimensional network packing and more significant π‐π electronic coupling compared to Y‐FCl. From Y‐Cl to Y‐FCl to Y‐FClF, the neat films exhibit a narrower optical band gap and gradually enhanced electron mobility and crystallinity. The PM6 : Y‐FClF blend film exhibits the strongest crystallinity with preferential face‐on molecular packing, desirable fibrous morphology with suitable phase segregation, and the highest and balanced charge mobilities among three blend films. Overall, the PM6 : Y‐FClF organic solar cells (OSCs) deliver a remarkable efficiency of 17.65 %, outperforming the PM6 : Y‐FCl and PM6 : Y‐Cl, which is the best PCE for reported hetero‐halogens‐based SMAs in binary OSCs. Our results demonstrate that difluoro‐monochloro hetero‐terminal is a superior regio‐regular unit for enhancing the intermolecular crystal packing and photovoltaic performance of hetero‐halogenated SMAs.
Fluorination Treatment of Conjugated Protonated Polyanilines for High‐Performance Sodium Dual‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Zhiqin , Zhu Kunjie , Liu Pei , Chen Xuchun , Li Haixia , Jiao Lifang
Published: September 2022

The overall performance of dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) is strongly linked to anions storage properties of cathodes. Whereas high energy/power densities and stabilities for DIBs are limited by cathodes. To overcome these barriers, we have designed a novel fluoridized‐polyaniline‐H+/carbon nanotubes (FPHC) as cathode for high‐efficiency PF6− storage. F− in PF6− is easy to form covalent bond with H on −NH− in FPHC, so that PF6− can stably coordinate with FPHC, showing a symmetrical structure. FPHC cathode shows a highly reversible capacity of 73 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 2000 cycles, which provides a solid base for the advanced sodium dual‐ion batteries (SDIBs) (310 Wh kg−1/7720 W kg−1). Besides, the relative pouch‐type SDIB can drive a vacuum cleaner model with an electric machine. This work may shed light on an up‐and‐coming strategy of robust cathodes for SDIBs.
Sensory processing in 16p11.2 deletion and 16p11.2 duplication
Authors: Smith Harriet , Lane Chloe , Al‐Jawahiri Reem , Freeth Megan
Published: September 2022

Deletions and duplications at the chromosomal region of 16p11.2 have a broad range of phenotypic effects including increased likelihood of intellectual disability, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, and language and motor delays. However, whether and how sensory processing is affected has not yet been considered in detail. Parents/caregivers of 38 children with a 16p11.2 deletion and 31 children with a 16p11.2 duplication completed the Sensory Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) and the Child Sensory Profile 2 (CSP‐2) along with other standardized questionnaires assessing autistic traits (SRS‐2), ADHD traits (Conners 3), anxiety (SCAS‐P) and adaptive behavior (VABS‐3). SBQ and CSP‐2 responses found that sensory processing differences were clearly evident in both 16p11.2 deletion and 16p11.2 duplication, though there was significant variation in both cohorts. SBQ data indicated the frequency and impact of sensory behavior were more severe when compared to neurotypical children, with levels being similar to autistic children. CSP‐2 data indicated over 70% of children displayed clear differences in sensory registration (missing sensory input). Seventy‐one percent with 16p11.2 duplications were also unusually sensitive to sensory information and 57% with 16p11.2 duplications were unusually avoidant of sensory stimuli. This first detailed assessment of sensory processing, alongside other clinical features, in relatively large cohorts of children with a 16p11.2 deletion and 16p11.2 duplication demonstrates that sensory processing differences have a profound impact on their lives.
Firm‐level energy and carbon performance: Does sustainable investment matter?
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Alam Md Samsul , Islam Md Shahidul
Published: September 2022

Pollution reduction is one of the important challenges confronting contemporary business and society. Firms are largely responsible for undertaking sustainable business practices and initiatives as they are major contributors to global pollution. This study empirically examines how sustainable investment influences firm energy and carbon performance. Using a sample of 23,501 firm‐year observations from 2440 unique firms over the period of 2002 to 2018 in G‐6 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), we demonstrate that sustainable investment leads to better energy and carbon performance without compromising financial return. Our findings are robust to alternative variables, sub‐samples, and different estimation techniques. This study contributes to the global discussion on sustainability and a low‐carbon economy.
Handling customer green pressures: The mediating role of process innovation among export‐oriented manufacturing industries
Authors: Nguyen Hung , Onofrei George , Yang Ying , Pham Hiep , Wiengarten Frank , Nkhoma Mathews
Published: September 2022

Meeting customers' green requirements for manufacturing firms has been a continuing debate but with mixed results. Based on the innovation diffusion theory, this study argues that process innovation can be an important conduit to absorb customers' green pressures to enhance sustainable measures. The empirical results from 680 manufacturers in 10 different countries confirmed the relationship between the customer green pressures and sustainability performance. Initially, manufacturers might find themselves less motivated in investing environmental initiatives due to limited business performance improvements; however, process innovation can fully absorb external pressures and enhance business measures such as growth and market share. Furthermore, as firms engage more in exports, environmental customer pressures intensify and in turn influence process innovation. Export developments led to proactive approach in handling customer green pressures and leading to better sustainable measures, mainly in environmental measures, but not financial performance. The findings highlight the importance of process innovation in sustainability development and offer managerial guidelines for export‐oriented industries in aligning customer environmental demands to accommodate resources for development of sustainable strategies.
Development of nintedanib nanosuspension for inhaled treatment of experimental silicosis
Authors: Andrade da Silva Luisa Helena , Vieira Juliana Borges , Cabral Marianna Ribeiro , Antunes Mariana Alves , Lee Daiheon , Cruz Fernanda Ferreira , Hanes Justin , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macedo , Morales Marcelo Marcos , Suk Jung Soo
Published: September 2022

Silicosis is an irreversible and progressive fibrotic lung disease caused by massive inhalation of crystalline silica dust at workplaces, affecting millions of industrial workers worldwide. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor, nintedanib (NTB), has emerged as a potential silicosis treatment due to its inhibitory effects on key signaling pathways that promote silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, chronic and frequent use of the oral NTB formulation clinically approved for treating other fibrotic lung diseases often results in significant side effects. To this end, we engineered a nanocrystal‐based suspension formulation of NTB (NTB‐NS) possessing specific physicochemical properties to enhance drug retention in the lung for localized treatment of silicosis via inhalation. Our NTB‐NS formulation was prepared using a wet‐milling procedure in presence of Pluronic F127 to endow the formulation with nonadhesive surface coatings to minimize interactions with therapy‐inactivating delivery barriers in the lung. We found that NTB‐NS, following intratracheal administration, provided robust anti‐fibrotic effects and mechanical lung function recovery in a mouse model of silicosis, whereas a 100‐fold greater oral NTB dose given with a triple dosing frequency failed to do so. Importantly, several key pathological phenotypes were fully normalized by NTB‐NS without displaying notable local or systemic adverse effects. Overall, NTB‐NS may open a new avenue for localized treatment of silicosis and potentially other fibrotic lung diseases.
Environmental conditions during glycerol bioconversion affect 3‐hydroxypropionic acid bioproduction byLimosilactobacillus reuteriDSM17938
Authors: Nguyen Thi‐Lan‐Phuong , Béal Catherine , Ghorbal Sarrah , Saulou‐Bérion Claire
Published: September 2022

3‐Hydroxypropionic acid (3‐HP) is a platform molecule whose biological production was carried out by the bacteriumLimosilactobacillus reuteriaccording to a two‐step process: first, a growth phase in batch mode on glucose, then a glycerol bioconversion into 3‐HP in fed‐batch mode. With the objective of improving 3‐HP bioproduction, this study aimed at defining the operating conditions during the bioconversion phase that increases the bioproduction performance. A central composite rotatable design allowed testing various pH levels and specific glycerol feeding rates. By establishing response surfaces, optimal conditions have been identified that were different depending on the considered output variable (final 3‐HP quantity, 3‐HP production yield and production rate). Of them, 3‐HP final quantity and 3‐HP production yield were maximized at pH 6.0 and at specific glycerol feeding rates of 60 and 55 mggly gCDW−1 h−1, respectively. The specific 3‐HP production rate was the highest at the upper limit of the specific substrate feeding rate (80 mggly gCDW−1 h−1) but was not affected by the pH. An additional experiment was carried out at pH 6.0 and a specific glycerol feeding rate of 80 mggly gCDW−1 h−1to validate the previous observations. In conclusion, the results showed a significant improvement of 3‐HP concentration by 13%, of specific production rate by 34% and of 3‐HP volumetric productivity by 39%, as compared to the initial values.
Results from the IMpower132 China cohort: Atezolizumab plus platinum‐based chemotherapy in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lu Shun , Fang Jian , Wang Ziping , Fan Yun , Liu Yunpeng , He Jianxing , Zhou Jianying , Hu Jie , Xia Jinjing , Liu Wenxin , Shi Jane , Yi Jing , Cao Lejie
Published: September 2022

Background

The global Phase III IMpower132 study evaluating atezolizumab plus pemetrexed and carboplatin or cisplatin (APP) versus pemetrexed plus carboplatin or cisplatin (PP) for first‐line treatment of non‐squamous advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) met its co‐primary progression‐free survival (PFS) endpoint at the primary analysis in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) population. Although the co‐primary overall survival (OS) endpoint was not met, numerical OS improvement favoring APP over PP was observed at the final analysis. We report primary results for Chinese patients in IMpower132.

Methods

Treatment‐naive Chinese patients with non‐squamous stage IV EGFR/ALK mutation‐negative NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to receive 4 or 6 cycles of APP or PP, followed by maintenance atezolizumab plus pemetrexed or pemetrexed. Co‐primary endpoints were investigator‐assessed PFS and OS.

Results

The ITT population included 163 Chinese patients (82 in the APP arm and 81 in the PP arm). At data cutoff (median follow‐up, 11.7 months), the median PFS in the APP and PP arms was 8.3 and 5.8 months, respectively; the unstratified hazard ratio (HR) was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.50, 1.08). At the interim OS analysis, median OS was not estimable in either arm; the unstratified HR was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.40, 1.24). No new safety signals were observed.

Conclusion

Among Chinese patients in IMpower132, PFS benefit was seen with APP versus PP. Though interim OS data were immature, there was a trend toward OS benefit favoring APP versus PP. The safety profile of the APP was consistent with the known risks of the individual treatment components. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02657434.
Japanese subgroup analysis of EV‐301: An open‐label, randomized phase 3 study to evaluate enfortumab vedotin versus chemotherapy in subjects with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Matsubara Nobuaki , Yonese Junji , Kojima Takahiro , Azuma Haruhito , Matsumoto Hiroaki , Powles Thomas , Rosenberg Jonathan E. , Petrylak Daniel P. , Matsangou Maria , Wu Chunzhang , Campbell Mary , Yamashiro Mayumi
Published: September 2022

Background

Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is an antibody‐drug conjugate showing significant overall survival (OS) benefit versus chemotherapy for patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) in EV‐301. This subgroup analysis was conducted to further analyze the efficacy and safety in a Japanese population.

Methods

In the open‐label, phase 3 EV‐301 trial, patients with la/mUC were randomized 1:1 to EV 1.25 mg/kg on Days 1, 8, and 15 for 28‐day cycles or investigator‐preselected standard chemotherapy (SC; docetaxel or paclitaxel for patients in Japan) on Day 1 of each 21‐day cycle. Primary endpoint was OS and secondary efficacy endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR). Safety/tolerability was also evaluated.

Results

As of the July 15, 2020 cut‐off date for the interim analysis, the Japanese subgroup included 86 patients (EV: n = 36; SC: n = 50). Median OS was 15.18 months for EV and 10.55 months for SC (HR: 0.437 [95% CI: 0.209, 0.914]). Median PFS was 6.47 months for EV and 5.39 months for SC (HR: 0.464 [95% CI: 0.258, 0.835]). Confirmed ORR was 34.4% for EV and 21.3% for SC. A higher proportion of patients receiving SC versus EV had treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs; 97.9% vs. 91.7%, respectively), including grade ≥ 3 TRAEs (75.0% vs. 63.9%).

Conclusions

This subgroup analysis confirmed that EV, with consistent efficacy and safety/tolerability in the EV‐301 Japanese subgroup and overall study population, represents an important treatment option for previously treated patients with la/mUC.
Ixazomib combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone chemotherapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in China—Compared with bortezomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone
Authors: Huo Zhongjun , Chen Fang , Liu Ping , Luo Zimian
Published: September 2022

Background

To compare the response and safety of Ixazomib/Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone (IRd) and Bortezomib/Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone (VRd) treatment in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective analysis in Xiangtan Central Hospital. A total of 52 newly diagnosed MM patients from June 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled and divided into the IRd (n = 21) and VRd (n = 31) groups. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, the best response and adverse events were recorded. Moreover, the progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.

Results

Patients in IRd group and VRd group showed similar PFS (Log‐rank p = 0.70), OS (Log‐rank p = 0.61) and overall response rate (83.87% vs 90.48%, p = 0.803). In addition, patients in VRd group showed lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores (p = 0.047), and higher incidence of peripheral sensory neuropathy (0.00% vs 19.35%, p = 0.032) than that of patients in IRd group.

Conclusion

Compared to VRd regimen, IRd had the similar efficacy, better safety, and may be more convenient for patients with poor basic condition for newly diagnosed MM. This study provides an insight for physicians to use IRd as first‐line treatment in MM.
Classifying Refugee Status Using Common Features in EMR**
Authors: Morrison Malia , Nobles Vanessa , Johnson‐Agbakwu Crista E. , Bailey Celeste , Liu Li
Published: September 2022

Automated and accurate identification of refugees in healthcare databases is a critical first step to investigate healthcare needs of this vulnerable population and improve health disparities. In this study, we developed a machine‐learning method, named refugee identification system (RIS) to address this need. We curated a data set consisting of 103 refugees and 930 non‐refugees in Arizona. We compiled de‐identified individual‐level information including age, primary language, and noise‐masked home address, state‐level refugee resettlement statistics, and world language statistics. We then performed feature engineering to convert language and masked address into quantitative features. Finally, we built a random forest model to classify refugee and non‐refugees. RIS achieved high classification accuracy (overall accuracy=0.97, specificity=0.99, sensitivity=0.85, positive predictive value=0.88, negative predictive value=0.98, and area under receiver operating characteristic curve=0.98). RIS is customizable for refugee identification outside Arizona. Its application enables large‐scale investigation of refugee healthcare needs and improvement of health disparities.
Effects of Structured 3D Electrodes on the Performance of Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: De Wolf Renée , De Rop Michiel , Hereijgers Jonas
Published: September 2022

In recent years, the interest in redox flow batteries as stationary energy storage devices is growing, for which disordered three‐dimensional electrodes such as felts have been the state‐of‐the‐art due to their large surface area and improved mass transfer properties. However, such electrodes present a high pressure drop and operating cost. In this work, the performance of structured three‐dimensional electrodes in a redox flow battery was studied. Compared to the carbon felt electrode similar electrochemical behaviour was demonstrated with these structured electrodes, which were based on the most common static mixer designs, but at a power consumption that was two to three orders of magnitude lower. Moreover, due to its ordered electrode design unwanted side reactions were suppressed. Consequently, these results demonstrate the influence of structured static mixer based three‐dimensional electrodes in redox flow batteries and the opportunities they hold to surpass the current state‐of‐the‐art.
Regulating the interfacial charge transfer and constructing symmetry‐breaking sites for the enhanced N2 electroreduction activity
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxue , Cao Yuehan , Huang Zhen‐Feng , Zhang Shishi , Liu Chengguang , Pan Lun , Shi Chengxiang , Zhang Xiangwen , Zhou Ying , Yang Guidong , Zou Ji‐Jun
Published: September 2022

The Haber–Bosch process for industrial NH3 production is energy‐intensive with heavy CO2 emissions. Electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) is an attractive carbon‐neutral alternative for NH3 synthesis, while the challenge associated with N2 activation highlights the demand for efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we demonstrate that PdCu nanoparticles with different Pd/Cu ratios anchored on boron nanosheet (PdCu/B) behave as efficient NRR electrocatalysts toward NH3 synthesis. Theoretical and experimental results confirm that the highly efficient NH3 synthesis can be achieved by regulating the charge transfer between interfaces and forming a symmetry‐breaking site, which not only alleviates the hydrogen evolution but also changes the adsorption configuration of N2 and thus optimizes the reaction pathway of NRR over the separated Pd sites. Compared with monometallic Pd/B and Cu/B, the PdCu/B with the optimized Pd/Cu ratio of 1 exhibits superior activity and selectivity for NH3 synthesis. This study provides new insight into developing efficient catalysts for small energy molecule catalytic conversion via regulating the charge transfer between interfaces and constructing symmetry‐breaking sites.
Adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions using ion exchange resins with different functional groups
Authors: Elfeghe Salem , Anwar Shams , James Lesley , Zhang Yahui
Published: September 2022

The extraction of heavy metals from industrial effluents using efficient adsorbents is crucial for wastewater treatment and beneficial for metal recycling. In this study, the removal of Cu(II) from an acidic solution by commercial resins Dowex G‐26 and Puromet™ MTS9570 was investigated. The influences of contact time, solution concentration, pH, temperature, and a resin dosage on the adsorption process were studied with batch technique. The optimum adsorption conditions were obtained at a concentration of 1100 mg/L Cu, contact time of 30 min, pH 3.5, and resin dosage of 0.025 g/ml for the removal of 99.9% and 90% of copper ions by G‐26 and MTS9570, respectively. The experimental data of copper adsorption were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models. The highest metal uptakes of 41.67 and 37.70 mg/g were observed for Dowex G‐26 and MTS9570, respectively. It was found that both resins had higher adsorption capacities than the substances reported in the literature. The adsorption kinetic studies showed that the copper adsorption process could be better described by the pseudo‐second order model. Adsorption occurs spontaneously under endothermic conditions, which indicates the endothermic nature of the process.
A capillary bundle model for the forced imbibition in the shale matrix with dual‐wettability
Authors: Wang Fuyong , Fu Jiong
Published: September 2022

The forced imbibition during hydraulic fracturing is one of the main mechanisms of oil production in shale oil reservoirs. However, the shale matrix has complex structures of nanopores and is rich in organic matters. The wettability of nanopores in organics matters is different from the nanopores in inorganic matters, and the characteristic of dual‐wettability leads to complex mechanisms of forced imbibition. This paper proposes a model for describing the imbibition in a dual‐wettability shale oil reservoir based on the capillary tube model. The external displacement pressure gradient is also considered to study the forced and spontaneous imbibition of hydraulic fracturing liquid into oil‐wet organic nanopores and water‐wet inorganic nanopores. The slip effect in organic nanopores and the boundary‐layer effect in inorganic nanopores are considered in this model. The analytical expressions for describing the location of the oil–water imbibition front in an oil‐wet organic nanopore and a water‐wet inorganic nanopore are derived, respectively. The semi‐analytical solution for predicting flow rate in a shale core with an external pressure gradient is given and demonstrated with a case study.
Computational biomechanics of human knee joint in stair ascent: Muscle‐ligament‐contact forces and comparison with level walking
Authors: Makani Amirhossein , Shirazi‐Adl Saeed A. , Ghezelbash Farshid
Published: September 2022

About a third of knee joint disorders originate from the patellofemoral (PF) site that makes stair ascent a difficult activity for patients. A detailed finite element model of the knee joint is coupled to a lower extremity musculoskeletal model to simulate the stance phase of stair ascent. It is driven by the mean of measurements on the hip‐knee‐ankle moments‐angles as well as ground reaction forces reported in healthy individuals. Predicted muscle activities compare well to the recorded electromyography data. Peak forces in quadriceps (3.87 BW, body weight, at 20% instance in our 607 N subject), medial hamstrings (0.77 BW at 20%), and gastrocnemii (1.21 BW at 80%) are estimated. Due to much greater flexion angles‐moments in the first half of stance, large PF contact forces (peak of 3.1 BW at 20% stance) and stresses (peak of 4.83 MPa at 20% stance) are estimated that exceed their peaks in level walking by fourfold and twofold, respectively. Compared with level walking, ACL forces diminish in the first half of stance but substantially increase later in the second half (peak of 0.76 BW at 75% stance). Under nearly similar contact forces at 20% of stance, the contact stress on the tibiofemoral (TF) medial plateau reaches a peak (9.68 MPa) twice that on the PF joint suggesting the vulnerability of both joints. Compared with walking, stair ascent increases peak ACL force and both peak TF and PF contact stresses. Reductions in the knee flexion moment and/or angle appear as a viable strategy to mitigate internal loads and pain.
A model to predict visual comfort for mobile displays
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhu Yuechen , Luo Ming Ronnier
Published: September 2022

A psychophysical experiment was carried out to investigate visual comfort when reading on three mobile displays at three luminance levels (100, 250 and 500 cd/m2) at five illuminance levels (0, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 lx). Sixty observers including 20 children, 20 young people and 20 elderly people evaluated visual comfort of 42 text‐background combinations using a six‐category point's method. Various effects of lightness contrast, lightness of background, display luminance, and ambient illuminance on visual comfort for the three age groups were revealed. Most interesting, visual comfort is strongly affected by lightness contrast and different ages. A second‐order polynomial regression model is developed to predict visual comfort based on the display settings and ambient illumination at different ages. It could be a valuable tool to design or evaluate display interfaces.
Intervals of color mismatch in chromaticity coordinates and in cone‐fundamental‐based (LMS) space
Authors: Carreño Fernando
Published: September 2022

We discuss the uncertainties in chromaticity coordinates in the color matching experiment reported by MacAdam (Journal of the Optical Society of America, 1942). We also derive the uncertainties in cone‐pigments based excitation space. The observer made color matchings by tuning the angle of a Rochon prism. The intervals of color mismatch were obtained using the average value and the SD of the angle settings. We use in this work a rigorous statistical method to derive the probability density functions (PDFs) of chromaticity coordinates assuming a Gaussian distribution for the Rochon prism angle. We also derive the PDFs of the L‐, M‐, and S‐ tristimulus values. We analyze how much the actual PDFs deviate from the Gaussian. Finally, we determine the bounds of the intervals of color mismatch assuming that the areas of the tails of each PDF are equal. The so derived intervals are compared to those reported in the original investigation due to MacAdam. We show that color‐differences for a certain confidence level cannot be obtained as a simple common scaling factor of the color differences computed for a lower confidence level. The results obtained in LMS space at corneal level exhibit asymmetries between increment and decrement thresholds.
Construction of Beyond Born‐Oppenheimer Based Diabatic Surfaces and Generation of Photoabsorption Spectra: The Touchstone Pyrazine (C4N2H4)
Authors: Hazra Saikat , Mukherjee Soumya , Ravi Satyam , Sardar Subhankar , Adhikari Satrajit
Published: September 2022

We construct theoretically “exact“ and numerically “accurate” Beyond Born‐Oppenheimer (BBO) based diabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs) of pyrazine (C4N2H4) molecule involving lowest four excited adiabatic PESs (S1 to S4) and nonadiabatic coupling terms (NACTs) among those surfaces as functions of nonadiabatically active normal modes (Q1, Q6a, Q9a and Q10a) to compute its photoabsorption (PA) spectra. Those adiabatic PESs are calculated using CASSCF as well as MRCI based methodologies, where NACTs are obtained from CP‐MCSCF approach. Employing ab initio quantities (adiabatic PESs and NACTs), it is possible to depict the conical intersections (CIs) and develop matrices of diabatic PESs over six normal mode planes. Once single‐valued, smooth, symmetric and continuous 2×2 and 4×4 diabatic surface matrices are in hand for the first time, such matrices are used to perform multi‐state multi‐mode nuclear dynamics with the aid of Time‐Dependent Discrete Variable Representation (TDDVR) methodology initializing the product type wavefunction on
(S1) and
(S2) states to obtain the corresponding PA spectra. TDDVR calculated spectra for those states (S1 and S2) obtained from BBO based 2×2 and 4×4 diabatic surface matrices show good and better agreement with the experimental results, respectively. Both of these calculated results depict better peak progression over the existing profiles of Multi‐Configuration Time‐Dependent Hartree (MCTDH) dynamics over 2×2 Vibronic Coupling Model (VCM) Hamiltonian.
Self‐Assembly of Chiro‐Optical Materials from Nonchiral Oligothiophene‐Porphyrin Derivatives and Random Coil Synthetic Peptides
Authors: Arja Katriann , Selegård Robert , Paloncýová Markéta , Linares Mathieu , Lindgren Mikael , Norman Patrick , Aili Daniel , Nilsson K. Peter R.
Published: September 2022

Biomimetic chiral optoelectronic materials can be utilized in electronic devices, biosensors and artificial enzymes. Herein, this work reports the chiro‐optical properties and architectural arrangement of optoelectronic materials generated from self‐assembly of initially nonchiral oligothiophene−porphyrin derivatives and random coil synthetic peptides. The photo‐physical‐ and structural properties of the materials were assessed by absorption‐, fluorescence‐ and circular dichroism spectroscopy, as well as dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and theoretical calculations. The materials display a three‐dimensional ordered helical structure and optical activity that are observed due to an induced chirality of the optoelectronic element upon interaction with the peptide. Both these properties are influenced by the chemical composition of the oligothiophene−porphyrin derivative, as well as the peptide sequence. We foresee that our findings will aid in developing self‐assembled optoelectronic materials with dynamic architectonical accuracies, as well as offer the possibility to generate the next generation of materials for a variety of bioelectronic applications.
Development of anxiety‐like behaviors during adolescence: Persistent effects of adolescent morphine exposure in male rats
Authors: Khani Fatemeh , Pourmotabbed Ali , Hosseinmardi Narges , Nedaei Seyed Ershad , Fathollahi Yaghoub , Azizi Hossein
Published: September 2022

Epidemiological studies show the prevalence of opioid use, misuse and abuse in adolescents, which imposes social and economic accountability worldwide. Chronic opioid exposure, especially in adolescents, may have lasting effects on emotional behaviors that persist into adulthood. The current experiments were therefore designed to study the effects of sustained opioid exposure during adolescence on anxiety‐like behaviors. Adolescent male Wistar rats underwent increasing doses of morphine for 10 days (PNDs 31–40). After that the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) test were performed over a 4‐week postmorphine treatment from adolescence to adulthood. Moreover, the weight of the animals was measured at these time points. We found that chronic adolescent morphine exposure reduces the weight gain during the period of morphine treatment and 4 weeks after that. It had no significant effect on the locomotor activity in the animals. Moreover, anxiolytic‐like behavior was observed in the rats exposed to morphine during adolescence evaluated by OFT and EPM test. Thus, long‐term exposure to morphine during adolescence has the profound potential of altering the anxiety‐like behavior profile in the period from adolescence to adulthood. The maturation of the nervous system can be affected by drug abuse during the developmental window of adolescence and these effects may lead to behaviorally stable alterations.
Experimental investigation of 3D flow properties around emergent rigid vegetation
Authors: Kumar Pritam , Sharma Anurag
Published: September 2022

The condition of emergent or submerged vegetation plays a vital role in affecting the flow behaviour in open channels. To understand the flow processes in free surface flows under emergent rigid vegetation condition, an extensive experimental investigation is performed in a laboratory channel with staggered combination of emergent rigid vegetation. Three‐dimensional velocities data are collected by ADV at various section and position of vegetated channel. The three‐dimensional flow properties such as velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, turbulent kinetic energy, Reynolds shear stress in vegetation, and non‐disturbed region are analysed and compared with the longitudinal and transverse length of vegetated zone. In the vegetation region, the longitudinal velocity in free stream region decreases as compared with non‐disturbed region. However, the vertical velocity also decreases in free stream region except at the centre line of channel cross‐section. Variations in velocity in the vegetation section were observed because of the local effect induced by the vegetation stems. Three‐dimensional Reynolds shear stress and turbulent intensity were weaker in magnitude at vegetation region. The presence of vegetation reduces the longitudinal profile of flow velocity, Reynolds shear stress and turbulence intensities, which means that vegetation can be used as an effective tool to reduce the flow resistance. The turbulent kinetic energy, skewness and kurtosis are also evaluated and compared between the vegetated and non‐vegetated zone. The outcomes of the results provide an important view to understand flow behaviour at immediately front and immediately behind of vegetation stem.
Characteristics of electrical field of high‐current air arc in restricted slit‐like space by polymer plates
Authors: Watanabe Shinya , Uchino Sosuke , Mori Mitsugi
Published: September 2022

In restricted slit‐like space by two polymer plates, the effects of the space width, current and atmospheric pressure on arc electrical field were investigated experimentally for high‐current air arc above several kA. As a result of the evaluations, it was found that the electrical field increases significantly with the pressure rise under condition near 0 MPa‐g, and it increases with current in the restricted space at the width less than 10 mm. Comparing the electrical field in using polymer with glass for the restricted material, it revealed that the electrical field has current dependence caused by the space width in addition to increasing effect to above 1.5–2 times by the ablation or spallation effects of the polymer.
Development of calculation method for melting amount mass of contact wire caused by melting and evaporation of molten metal bridge and arc generation
Authors: Morishita Honoka , Maeda Yoshifumi , Ren Zhenwei , Nemoto Yusuke , Hayasaka Takamasa , Iwao Toru
Published: September 2022

As the mileage of the electric railway increases, the unevenness of the contact wire may separate the contact wire and the contact strip. Simultaneously, a disconnection arc discharge is generated by the molten metal bridge. This causes the contact wire to melt and evaporate causing it to break. A few studies have conducted experiments to prevent the contact wire from disconnecting. Based on the results thus obtained, they presented their hypotheses considering conditions sch as the current and time required for melting and evaporation of molten metal bridge and arc generation. In this study, a calculation method for the melting and disconnection phenomenon of the contact wire. Its mass increased when the currents from both sides of the contact wire were taken into consideration. Therefore, we obtained that the convection and radiation play an improtant role for calculation of the melting amount mass of contact wire.
Prevalence and predictors of sleep‐disordered breathing in chronic heart failure: the SchlaHF‐XT registry
Authors: Arzt Michael , Oldenburg Olaf , Graml Andrea , Schnepf Jürgen , Erdmann Erland , Teschler Helmut , Schoebel Christoph , Woehrle Holger ,   the SchlaHF‐XT investigators
Published: September 2022

Aims

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a condition with increasing prevalence. Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) is an important co‐morbidity in HFpEF. The SchlaHF‐XT registry evaluated the sex‐specific prevalence and predictors of SDB, including obstructive (OSA) and central sleep apnoea, in patients with HFpEF compared with heart failure with mildly reduced (HFmrEF) or reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction.

Methods and results

Consecutive adults with chronic heart failure treated according to current guidelines were enrolled. The presence of moderate‐to‐severe SDB (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥15/h) was determined using Type 3 polygraphic devices. Of 3289 patients included, 2032 had HFpEF, 559 had HFmrEF, and 698 had HFrEF, of whom 34, 21, 23, and 42%, respectively, were female. Prevalence of SDB in HFpEF was high, but significantly lower than in HFmrEF or HFrEF (36% vs. 41 and 48%, respectively). Rates of SDB in males and females were 41 and 28% in HFpEF, 44 and 30% in HFmrEF, and 50 and 40% in HFrEF. The proportion of males and females with SDB who had OSA was significantly greater in those with HFpEF vs. HFrEF. Male sex, older age, higher body mass index, and New York Heart Association functional Class III/IV were significant predictors of moderate‐to‐severe SDB in HFpEF patients.

Conclusions

Prevalence of SDB in HFpEF was high, but lower than in patients with HFmrEF or HFrEF. Moderate‐to‐severe SDB occurred more frequently in males than in females across the whole spectrum of heart failure. In both sexes, the proportion of OSA in SDB patients with HFpEF was higher than in those with HFrEF.
Dielectrophoretic characterization of macrophage phenotypes
Authors: Soe Mi Thant Mon , Spiller Kara L. , Noh Moses
Published: September 2022

Different macrophage phenotypes play important roles in diverse biological processes and diseases. In this study, we have characterized the dielectrophoretic responses of human monocytes and macrophage phenotypes: nonactivated (M0), pro‐inflammatory (M1), and pro‐healing (M2a). Dielectrophoretic responses of cells change as a function of frequency of the applied electric field. We measured the crossover frequency at which cells transition from negative to positive dielectrophoresis (DEP) or vice versa using interdigitated electrodes. For these characterization experiments, we also developed a new low‐conductivity media formulation that retained 100% of the initial viability for 1 h. Human THP1 monocytes showed a distinguishable DEP response from mature macrophages. M1 macrophages also showed a distinct DEP response compared to M0 and M2a macrophages. No clear distinction could be drawn between M0 and M2a. The median values of the crossover frequencies of monocytes, M0, M1, and M2a were 38, 21, 11, and 23 kHz, respectively. Membrane capacitances of these cells were calculated consequently, and the values were 0.0111, 0.0128, 0.0244, and 0.0117 F/m2 for monocytes, M0, M1, and M2a, respectively. These results show how bioelectric properties are influenced by changes in macrophage phenotype.
Developing scaling laws to predict compressive mechanical properties and determine geometrical parameters of modified BCC lattice structures
Authors: Abdulhadi Hasanain S. , Fadeel Abdalsalam , Alwattar Tahseen A. , Mian Ahsan
Published: September 2022

The objective of this study is to develop generalized empirical closed‐form equations to predict the compressive mechanical properties and determine geometrical parameters. To achieve that, 117 models are built and analyzed using ABAQUS/CAE 2016 to provide two types of reliable data: one for lattice mechanical properties based on finite element method and the other for geometrical parameters using the measurements of ABAQUS diagnostic tool. All the models are created by modifying the basic feature of body‐centered cubic lattice structure based on a range of strut angles, a set of relative densities, and two design sets. Also, the influence of lattice cell tessellations and material distribution at strut intersections are considered within these models to provide accurate results. The first data set is fitted with the scaling laws, relating relative elastic modulus and stress with the relative density, to determine Gibson and Ashby's coefficients. The second type of data regarding lattice geometries is correlated with the relative density to estimate actual lattice volume, strut radius, aspect ratio, and overall lattice volume. By this way, these equations can be used to predict directly the lattice characteristics and geometrical parameters without the need for ABAQUS. The results show that the generalized empirical closed‐form equations can predict well both the lattice characteristics and geometries. In addition, the relative stresses and elastic modulus increase with increasing the strut angles since the main deformation mechanisms move toward stretch‐dominated rather than bending. Besides, Gibson and Ashby's coefficients along with the geometrical factors of aspect ratios are found to be approximately similar for both generations. This study contributes to developing efficient equations to provide the researchers with a preliminary insight about the best lattice design and its compatibility in a certain application before starting the fabrication process.
Power production forecast for distributed wind energy systems using support vector regression
Authors: Yakoub Ghali , Mathew Sathyajith , Leal Joao
Published: September 2022

Due to the inherent intermittency in wind power production, reliable short‐term wind power production forecasting has become essential for the efficient grid and market integration of wind energy. The current wind power production forecasting schemes are predominantly developed for wind farms. With the rapid growth in the microgrid sector and the increasing number of wind turbines integrated with these local grids, power production forecasting schemes are becoming essential for distributed wind energy systems as well. This paper proposes a power production forecasting scheme developed explicitly for distributed wind energy projects. The proposed system integrates two submodels based on support vector regression: one for downscaling the wind speed predictions to the hub coordinates of the turbine and the other for predicting the site‐specific performance of the turbine under this wind condition. The forecasting horizons considered are the hour ahead (t + 1) and the day ahead (t + 36), which align with the Nord pool's energy market requirements. For the day‐ahead scheme, a multistep recursive approach is adopted. The accuracy and adaptability of the proposed forecasting scheme are demonstrated in the case of a distributed wind turbine.
Thermoelectric cooler performance enhancement using thermoelectric generators and their use as a single model to improve the performance of thermal battery management systems for electric vehicles
Authors: Hameed Majid M. , Mansor Muhamad , Azrin Mohd Azau Mohd , Muhsin Sadiq
Published: September 2022

Conventional automobiles that operate on fossil fuels have recently been recognized as one of the significant contributors to environmental pollution, particularly given their increasing numbers in relation to the global population. Electric vehicle (EV) is considered as an excellent solution to this problem. The most difficult challenge is increasing the production of EVs using efficient and affordable batteries. All types of batteries used in EV have a power loss occurs in the form of temperature. The development of a battery thermal management system (BTMS) is a formidable obstacle. The new concept aims to improve the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) efficiency by integrating it with a thermoelectric generator (TEG), which is accomplished by fabricating a TEC‐TEG model. The goal of combining a TEG and a TEC is to utilize waste heat generated on the TEC hot side and convert it into a stream that can be used to feed the TEC and increase its efficiency. Finally, the objectives of this paper are:

To investigate the working principle of TEC‐TEG model to regulate EV battery's temperature.

To design a hybrid air‐forced TEC‐TEG model for EV batteries.

To assess and verify the efficiency of a hybrid TEC‐TEG model in regulating an EV battery temperature.
Neural efficiency and proficiency adaptation of effective connectivity corresponding to early and advanced skill levels in athletes of racket sports
Authors: Gao Qing , Luo Ning , Sun Mengli , Zhou Weiqi , Li Yan , Liang Minfeng , Yang Chengbo , Zhang Mu , Li Rong , Gong Lisha , Yu Jiali , Leng Jinsong , Chen Huafu
Published: September 2022

This study explored how the neural efficiency and proficiency worked in athletes with different skill levels from the perspective of effective connectivity brain network in resting state. The deconvolved conditioned Granger causality (GC) analysis was applied to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of 35 elite athletes (EAs) and 42 student‐athletes (SAs) of racket sports as well as 39 normal controls (NCs), to obtain the voxel‐wised hemodynamic response function (HRF) parameters representing the functional segregation and effective connectivity representing the functional integration. The results showed decreased time‐to‐peak of HRF in the visual attention brain regions in the two athlete groups compared with NC and decreased response height in the advanced motor control brain regions in EA comparing to the nonelite groups, suggesting the neural efficiency represented by the regional HRF was different in early and advanced skill levels. GC analysis demonstrated that the GC values within the middle occipital gyrus had a linear trend from negative to positive, suggesting a stepwise “neural proficiency” of the effective connectivity from NC to SA then to EA. The GC values of the inter‐lobe circuits in EA had the trend to regress to NC levels, in agreement with the neural efficiency of these circuits in EA. Further feature selection approach suggested the important role of the cerebral‐brainstem GC circuit for discriminating EA. Our findings gave new insight into the complementary neural mechanisms in brain functional segregation and integration, which was associated with early and advanced skill levels in athletes of racket sports.