bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The “De−Re Polymerization” Strategy: From Nondegradable Pet to Degradable Peat
Authors: Xu Zhe , Yin Wang , Guan Yong , Lang Meidong
Published: November 2023

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic, but its short service life and non‐degradable features make it a major source of white pollution. In this context, the efficient recycling and rational reuse of PET have become a global research priority. In this paper, a deep eutectic solvent（DES）is prepared using methylurea and zinc chloride to catalyze the efficient PET glycolysis, which produces a high purity product bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), in 83.75% of yield. The product is condensed with diethyl adipate to produce Poly (ethyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PEAT). The relationships between the structural, thermal, mechanical, and degradation properties of PEAT with different intrinsic viscosities and composition ratios are studied. The addition of benzene ring improves the thermal properties and tensile strength of PEAT, but also makes them stiffer and less degradable. An increase in intrinsic viscosity can improve the thermal and mechanical properties to some extent but has little effect on the degradation. In general, the PEAT produced by the above process has good thermal properties, controllable degradation properties, and better mechanical properties than Poly (butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT). This work achieves the conversion of waste PET to high value‐added PEAT and has potential development prospects in recycling of PET.
Widening the Application Range of PLA‐Based Thermoplastic Materials through the Synthesis of PLA‐Polyether Block Copolymers: Thermal, Tensile, and Rheological Properties
Authors: Rodríguez Hernández Benjamín , Lieske Antje
Published: November 2023

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), and poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐propylene glycol) (PEPG) of number average molar masses (Mn) of 6–20 kDa are used as macroinitiators in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) ofl‐lactide to synthesize high molar mass (50 kDa <MnCopo< 120 kDa) PLLA‐b‐polyether‐b‐PLLA linear triblock and starblock copolymers. At the studied block lengths, PEG and PEPG blocks exhibit miscibility with the PLLA blocks in the amorphous domains leading to a plasticization effect. As the PEG or PEPG block content is increased to 18 %wt, theTg(Tg≈ 24 °C) and the elastic modulus (E≈ 500 MPa) are reduced, while the elongation at break (εb≈ 280%) and crystallization rate are increased. At the same time, small angle oscillatory shear (SAOS) rheometric measurements show that the plasticized copolymers have a reduced melt viscosity. In contrast, SAOS and DSC measurements of the PPG‐containing block copolymers reveal phase separation of the PPG and PLA blocks leading to microstructures in the melt. Tensile tests show that the phase‐separated PPG‐containing block copolymers are more ductile than PLA homopolymers, but more brittle than the PEG‐ or PEPG‐plasticized block copolymers.
Cerebellar, Not Nigrostriatal Degeneration Impairs Dexterity in Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Rau Alexander , Hosp Jonas A. , Rijntjes Michel , Weiller Cornelius , Kellner Elias , Berberovic Emir , Oikonomou Panteleimon , Jost Wolfgang H. , Reisert Marco , Urbach Horst , Schröter Nils
Published: November 2023

Background

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) clinically manifests with either predominant nigrostriatal or cerebellopontine degeneration. This corresponds to two different phenotypes, one with predominant Parkinson's symptoms (MSA‐P [multiple system atrophy‐parkinsonian subtype]) and one with predominant cerebellar deficits (MSA‐C [multiple system atrophy‐cerebellar subtype]). Both nigrostriatal and cerebellar degeneration can lead to impaired dexterity, which is a frequent cause of disability in MSA.

Objective

The aim was to disentangle the contribution of nigrostriatal and cerebellar degeneration to impaired dexterity in both subtypes of MSA.

Methods

We thus investigated nigrostriatal and cerebellopontine integrity using diffusion microstructure imaging in 47 patients with MSA‐P and 17 patients with MSA‐C compared to 31 healthy controls (HC). Dexterity was assessed using the 9‐Hole Peg Board (9HPB) performance.

Results

Nigrostriatal degeneration, represented by the loss of cells and neurites, leading to a larger free‐fluid compartment, was present in MSA‐P and MSA‐C when compared to HCs. Whereas no intergroup differences were observed between the MSAs in the substantia nigra, MSA‐P showed more pronounced putaminal degeneration than MSA‐C. In contrast, a cerebellopontine axonal degeneration was observed in MSA‐P and MSA‐C, with stronger effects in MSA‐C. Interestingly, the degeneration of cerebellopontine fibers is associated with impaired dexterity in both subtypes, whereas no association was observed with nigrostriatal degeneration.

Conclusion

Cerebellar dysfunction contributes to impaired dexterity not only in MSA‐C but also in MSA‐P and may be a promising biomarker for disease staging. In contrast, no significant association was observed with nigrostriatal dysfunction. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
The miRNA variants MIR196A2 (rs11614913) and MIR423 (rs6505162) contribute to an increase in the risk of myocardial infarction
Authors: Uzair Muhammad , Haq Taqweem Ul , Ali Sajjad , Hussain Manzar , Jalil Fazal , Ali Yasir , Shah Aftab Ali
Published: November 2023

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single‐stranded RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression and play a key role in the pathogenesis of human diseases. Recent studies have suggested that miRNAs contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the association between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs and myocardial infarction (MI) remains in infancy.

Aim

The current study was designed to find out the association of SNPs in MIR196A2 and MIR423 (rs11614913 and rs6505162, respectively).

Methods

Using Tetra‐Primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System‐Polymerase Chain Reaction (T‐ARMS PCR) in 400 cases (MI patients) and 336 healthy controls. Using different inheritance models (co‐dominant, homozygous dominant, homozygous recessive, and additive models), the association of these SNPs was genotyped with MI risk.

Results

For variant rs11614913, significant distribution of the genotypes among the cases and controls was determined by co‐dominant [χ2 = 29.19, 2; p value < 0.0001], dominant (C/C vs. C/T + T/T) [OR = 0.45 (0.34 to 0.61); p < 0.0001], recessive (T/T vs. C/T + C/C) [OR = 1.009 (0.63 to 1.63); p‐value p value > 0.999], and additive models [OR = 0.65 (0.52 to 0.80); p value = 0.0001]. Similarly, a significant association of rs6505162 was determined by co‐dominant [χ2 = 24.29, 2; p value < 0.0001], dominant (C/C vs. A/C+ A/A) [OR = 0.44 (0.32 to 0.61); p value < 0.0001], recessive (A/A vs. A/C + C/C) [OR = 1.29 (0.85 to 1.98); p value = 0.28], and additive models [OR = 0.65 (0.52 to 0.81); p value = 0.0001].

Conclusion

Therefore, the current study showed that both variants rs11614913 and rs6505162 are significantly associated with MI in the Pakistani population.
Clinical and ocular abnormalities in DEGCAGS syndrome—Developmental delay with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and skeletal abnormalities
Authors: Ali Syed M. , AlMasri Dua A. , Prada Carlos E. , Lin Doris , Bosley Thomas M. , Kozak Igor
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To describe clinical and ocular abnormalities in a case of Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS syndrome).

Methods

A clinical report.

Case description

An infant born to a consanguineous Middle Eastern family who was delivered by cesarean section because of in utero growth restriction, premature labor, and breech presentation. Post‐partum medical problems included hypotension, generalized hypotonia, bradycardia, apnea requiring resuscitation and positive pressure ventilation, facial dysmorphia, skeletal malformations, and disorders of the gastrointestinal, immune, urinary, respiratory, cardiac, and visual systems. The family reported that a previous child had severe hypotonia at birth and was given the diagnosis of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; that child remains on a ventilator in a chronic care facility. Our patient was found to be homozygous for a novel pathogenic missense variant in theZNF699 zinc finger gene on chromosome 19p13 causing a syndrome known as Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS syndrome). We review this variable syndrome, including abnormalities of the visual system not described previously.

Conclusions

We describe the 15th child to be presumably identified with the DEGCAGS syndrome and the first individual with homozygous missense variants in the ZNF699 gene who had complete clinical examination and detailed retinal imaging.
Exploration of interactional phenomena and multi‐wave solutions of the fractional‐order dual‐mode nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Kopçasız Bahadır , Yaşar Emrullah
Published: November 2023

This work concerns the fractional‐order dual‐mode nonlinear Schrödinger equation (FDMNLSE), which portrays the augmentation or absorption of dual waves. This model dissects the concurrent generation of two characteristic waves dealing with dual modes and introduces three physical parameters: nonlinearity, phase velocity, and dispersive factor. In the context of photonics, NLSE models the propagation of soliton pulses over intercontinental distances. Throughout this work, the fractional derivative is given in terms of time and space conformable sense. We analyze the multi‐waves method, homoclinic breather approach, and interactional solution with the double
‐functions procedure, and their applications for this equation are obtained using logarithmic transformation. The multi‐wave method is a well‐known phenomenon in nonlinear science that describes the interaction of three waves that satisfy certain resonance conditions. A breather wave is a localized and oscillatory solution that maintains its shape over time. Finally, we will discuss the dynamics of our newly obtained solutions with the help of graphs by assigning appropriate values to the parameters. The proposed methods are straight and aggressive, so the approved form can be extended for more nonlinear models. The findings are exceptional in comparison to previous findings in the literature. These outcomes may have significance for additional investigation of such frameworks to handle the nonlinear issues in applied sciences. The obtained results help us understand fluid propagation and incompressible fluids.
PLU‐Net: Extraction of multiscale feature fusion
Authors: Song Weihu , Yu Heng , Wu Jianhua
Published: November 2023

In recent years, deep learning algorithms have achieved remarkable results in medical image segmentation. These networks with an enormous number of parameters often encounter challenges in handling image boundaries and details, which may result in suboptimal segmentation results. To solve the problem, we develop atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) and combine it with the squeeze‐and‐excitation block (SE block), as well as present the PS module, which employs a broader and multiscale receptive field at the network's bottom to obtain more detailed semantic information. We also propose the local guided block (LG block) and also its combination with the SE block to form the LS block, which can obtain more abundant local features in the feature map, so that more edge information can be retained in each down sampling process, thereby improving the performance of boundary segmentation. We propose PLU‐Net and integrate our PS module and LS block into U‐Net. We put our PLU‐Net to the test on three benchmark datasets, and the results show that by fewer parameters and FLOPs, it outperforms on medical semantic segmentation tasks.
Synthetic CT generation from MRI using 3D transformer‐based denoising diffusion model
Authors: Pan Shaoyan , Abouei Elham , Wynne Jacob , Chang Chih‐Wei , Wang Tonghe , Qiu Richard L. J. , Li Yuheng , Peng Junbo , Roper Justin , Patel Pretesh , Yu David S. , Mao Hui , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: November 2023

Background and purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based synthetic computed tomography (sCT) simplifies radiation therapy treatment planning by eliminating the need for CT simulation and error‐prone image registration, ultimately reducing patient radiation dose and setup uncertainty. In this work, we propose a MRI‐to‐CT transformer‐based improved denoising diffusion probabilistic model (MC‐IDDPM) to translate MRI into high‐quality sCT to facilitate radiation treatment planning.

Methods

MC‐IDDPM implements diffusion processes with a shifted‐window transformer network to generate sCT from MRI. The proposed model consists of two processes: a forward process, which involves adding Gaussian noise to real CT scans to create noisy images, and a reverse process, in which a shifted‐window transformer V‐net (Swin‐Vnet) denoises the noisy CT scans conditioned on the MRI from the same patient to produce noise‐free CT scans. With an optimally trained Swin‐Vnet, the reverse diffusion process was used to generate noise‐free sCT scans matching MRI anatomy. We evaluated the proposed method by generating sCT from MRI on an institutional brain dataset and an institutional prostate dataset. Quantitative evaluations were conducted using several metrics, including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Peak Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (PSNR), Multi‐scale Structure Similarity Index (SSIM), and Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC). Dosimetry analyses were also performed, including comparisons of mean dose and target dose coverages for 95% and 99%.

Results

MC‐IDDPM generated brain sCTs with state‐of‐the‐art quantitative results with MAE 48.825 ± 21.491 HU, PSNR 26.491 ± 2.814 dB, SSIM 0.947 ± 0.032, and NCC 0.976 ± 0.019. For the prostate dataset: MAE 55.124 ± 9.414 HU, PSNR 28.708 ± 2.112 dB, SSIM 0.878 ± 0.040, and NCC 0.940 ± 0.039. MC‐IDDPM demonstrates a statistically significant improvement (with p < 0.05) in most metrics when compared to competing networks, for both brain and prostate synthetic CT. Dosimetry analyses indicated that the target dose coverage differences by using CT and sCT were within ± 0.34%.

Conclusions

We have developed and validated a novel approach for generating CT images from routine MRIs using a transformer‐based improved DDPM. This model effectively captures the complex relationship between CT and MRI images, allowing for robust and high‐quality synthetic CT images to be generated in a matter of minutes. This approach has the potential to greatly simplify the treatment planning process for radiation therapy by eliminating the need for additional CT scans, reducing the amount of time patients spend in treatment planning, and enhancing the accuracy of treatment delivery.
Minimization of eddy power loss in the cryostat for a z‐gradient array coil driven by an arbitrary pulse sequence: An electromagnetic approach
Authors: Takrimi Manouchehr , Atalar Ergin
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a novel computational approach to optimize gradient array performance for a given pulse sequence. Specifically, we propose an electromagnetic (EM) approach that minimizes eddy losses within the cryostat while maintaining key performance parameters such as field linearity, gradient strength, and imaging region's dimension and position.

Methods

High‐resolution EM simulations on the cryostat's surface are deployed to compute the net EM fields generated by each element of a gradient array coil at different frequencies. The computed fields are stored and combined for each frequency to form a quadratic vector–matrix–vector computation. The overall time‐average eddy power loss within the cryostat assembly for arbitrary pulse sequences is computed using frequency domain superposition.

Results

The proposed approach estimates and regulates eddy power losses within the cryostat assembly. When compared to the stray field minimization approach, it can achieve over twice the reduction in eddy power loss. The proposed approach eliminates the need to sample the stray fields on the cryostat surface, which the number and position of the samples would be challenging when designing tunable array coils with capabilities that disrupt field symmetries. Additionally, the loss calculation considers the entire cryostat assembly rather than just the inner cylindrical surface of the warm shield.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the efficacy of an on‐the‐fly tuning method for the development of high‐performance whole‐body gradient array coils, effectively mitigating eddy losses within the cryostat and minimizing stray fields outside the coil assembly. This approach proves particularly advantageous for array coils with variable feeding currents.
Optimization of the flip angles of narrow‐band editing pulses in J‐difference edited MRS of lactate at 3T
Authors: Moore Jason E. , Robison Ryan K. , Hu Jie , Sengupta Saikat T. , Mahdi Olaimatu S. , Anderson Adam W. , Luo Leo Y. , Mohler Alexander C. , Merrell Ryan T. , Choi Changho
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Application of highly selective editing RF pulses provides a means of minimizing co‐editing of contaminants in J‐difference MRS (MEGA), but it causes reduction in editing yield. We examined the flip angles (FAs) of narrow‐band editing pulses to maximize the lactate edited signal with minimal co‐editing of threonine.

Methods

The effect of editing‐pulse FA on the editing performance was examined, with numerical and phantom analyses, for bandwidths of 17.6–300 Hz in MEGA‐PRESS editing of lactate at 3T. The FA and envelope of 46 ms Gaussian editing pulses were tailored to maximize the lactate edited signal at 1.3 ppm and minimize co‐editing of threonine. The optimized editing‐pulse FA MEGA scheme was tested in brain tumor patients.

Results

Simulation and phantom data indicated that the optimum FA of MEGA editing pulses is progressively larger than 180° as the editing‐pulse bandwidth decreases. For 46 ms long 17.6 Hz bandwidth Gaussian pulses and other given sequence parameters, the lactate edited signal was maximum at the first and second editing‐pulse FAs of 241° and 249°, respectively. The edit‐on and difference‐edited lactate peak areas of the optimized FA MEGA were greater by 43% and 25% compared to the 180°‐FA MEGA, respectively. In‐vivo data confirmed the simulation and phantom results. The lesions of the brain tumor patients showed elevated lactate and physiological levels of threonine.

Conclusion

The lactate MEGA editing yield is significantly increased with editing‐pulse FA much larger than 180° when the editing‐pulse bandwidth is comparable to the lactate quartet frequency width.
Implementing a campus food pantry in the US: Strategies for operations and marketing communications
Authors: Hamerman Eric J. , Martins Chrissy M.
Published: November 2023

About 10% of the US population faces food insecurity, defined as “limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” On college and university campuses, food insecurity among students is often reported as three times higher than the population at large. Food insecurity on campus has been shown to reduce academic performance, and by extension, student retention. In response to this issue, many colleges and universities have implemented campus food pantries. This practice paper is a potential blueprint for higher education institutions to implement a campus food pantry, and to market the food pantry to students who experience food insecurity without stigmatizing them. The paper synthesizes lessons from implementation and insights from existing literature to promote the inclusion of food pantries as a tool for boosting student success and student retention.
Investigating the impact of deformation on foam permeability through CT scans and the Lattice‐Boltzmann method
Authors: Phu Nguyen Thien , Navrath Uwe , Heider Yousef , Carmai Julaluk , Markert Bernd
Published: November 2023

Foam has a wide range of applications, where the study of its properties and mechanical response has gained a lot of attention in recent years. To deepen the understanding of foam's behavior, the underlying research proposes a new study to determine the deformation‐dependent permeability of foam using a combination of CT scans and the Lattice‐Boltzmann method (LBM). Specifically, the three‐dimensional mesoscopic structure of the foam is reconstructed using nano‐CT images at different compression levels including uncompressed, 15, 25, 35, and 50 percentages of compression. After processing the data from the CT scans, the LBM is applied to simulate single‐phase fluid flow in the deformed porous domain. The permeability at each corresponding deformation stage is characterized and determined by the LBM using the open‐access Palabos software. In this work, the deformation‐dependent intrinsic permeability tensor is considered by applying a meso‐macro hierarchic upscaling scheme. According to the CT scan outcomes, the compression level is inversely proportional to the porosity. The physical phenomenon is discussed in detail and the effect of image resolution on the permeability computation accuracy is investigated.
Stretchable polydimethylsiloxane/aligned electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers composites with high transparency and fracture resistance
Authors: Liu Fangfang , Feng Fuqi , Ji Yujie , Peng Jinda , He Lei , Cui Juqing
Published: November 2023

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is recognized as an excellent stretchable substrate in wearable electronics, due to its desirable properties such as tensile properties, transparency, thermal stability, non‐toxicity, and good biocompatibility. However, its limited fracture toughness and susceptibility to cracking significantly reduce the material's overall durability. In this study, the solution casting method was applied to prepare the nanofibers composites combined stretchable PDMS and aligned electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) to improve its mechanical properties and keep its transparency. The results showed that composites containing 3 wt% loadings of electrospun CA nanofibers exhibited a light transmittance exceeding 85% within the visible light range. Specifically, the PDMS/CA‐400 composites exhibited maximum improvements in comparison to pure PDMS. Notably, the tensile strength increased significantly from 2.1 to 3.0 MPa, while the toughness increased from 0.93 to 2.49 MJ/m3. In addition, the tensile strength of PDMS/CA‐400 composites with pre‐cut cracks increased from 0.2 to 1.4 MPa, and the fracture toughness increased from 14.78 to 174.42 kJ/m3, which were respectively 7 and 12 times compared to pure PDMS. Scanning electron microscope images showed that PDMS formed good interfacial interaction with CA nanofibers. This study introduces a novel method utilizing electrospun nanofibers to create transparent and fracture‐resistant stretchable composites, offering promising enhancements for the durability of wearable electronic devices.

Highlights

Explore the impact of the speed of receiving rollers on the degree of fiber arrangement.

PDMS/CA‐400 composite material shows good light transmittance and high fracture resistance.

The tight interface between the fiber and the matrix improves the optical transmission and mechanical properties of the composite materials.
Acclimation of subarctic vegetation to warming and increased cloudiness
Authors: Ndah Flobert A. , Maljanen Marja , Kasurinen Anne , Rinnan Riikka , Michelsen Anders , Kotilainen Titta , Kivimäenpää Minna
Published: November 2023

Subarctic ecosystems are exposed to elevated temperatures and increased cloudiness in a changing climate with potentially important effects on vegetation structure, composition, and ecosystem functioning. We investigated the individual and combined effects of warming and increased cloudiness on vegetation greenness and cover in mesocosms from two tundra and one palsa mire ecosystems kept under strict environmental control in climate chambers. We also investigated leaf anatomical and biochemical traits of four dominant vascular plant species (Empetrum hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea, and Rubus chamaemorus). Vegetation greenness increased in response to warming in all sites and in response to increased cloudiness in the tundra sites but without associated increases in vegetation cover or biomass, except that E. hermaphroditum biomass increased under warming. The combined warming and increased cloudiness treatment had an additive effect on vegetation greenness in all sites. It also increased the cover of graminoids and forbs in one of the tundra sites. Warming increased leaf dry mass per area of V. myrtillus and R. chamaemorus, and glandular trichome density of V. myrtillus and decreased spongy intercellular space of E. hermaphroditum and V. vitis‐idaea. Increased cloudiness decreased leaf dry mass per area of V. myrtillus, palisade thickness of E. hermaphroditum, and stomata density of E. hermaphroditum and V. vitis‐idaea, and increased leaf area and epidermis thickness of V. myrtillus, leaf shape index and nitrogen of E. hermaphroditum, and palisade intercellular space of V. vitis‐idaea. The combined treatment caused thinner leaves and decreased leaf carbon for V. myrtillus, and increased leaf chlorophyll of E. hermaphroditum. We show that under future warmer increased cloudiness conditions in the Subarctic (as simulated in our experiment), vegetation composition and distribution will change, mostly dominated by graminoids and forbs. These changes will depend on the responses of leaf anatomical and biochemical traits and will likely impact carbon gain and primary productivity and abiotic and biotic stress tolerance.
Safety and feasibility of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients hospitalized with post‐COVID‐19 fibrosis: A feasibility study
Authors: Nair Shruti P. , Augustine Anulucia , Panchabhai Chaitrali , Patil Sarika , Parmar Kinjal , Panhale Vrushali P.
Published: November 2023

Background

Emerging data suggest a spectrum of pulmonary complications from COVID‐19, ranging from dyspnea to difficult ventilator weaning and fibrotic lung damage. Prolonged hospitalization is known to significantly affect activity levels, impair muscle strength and reduce cardiopulmonary endurance.

Objective

To assess the feasibility and safety of inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and to explore effects on functional capacity, physical performance, fatigue levels, and functional status.

Design

A prospective feasibility study.

Setting

Inpatient unit of a tertiary care hospital.

Participants

Twenty‐five hospitalized patients diagnosed with post‐COVID‐19 fibrosis referred for PR.

Intervention

Individualized PR intervention including breathing exercises, positioning, strengthening, functional training, and ambulation twice a day for 6 days a week.

Outcome Measures

One‐minute sit‐to‐stand test (STST), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and Post‐COVID‐19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS).

Results

Twenty‐five participants (19 males, 6 females) with a mean age of 54.2 ± 13.4 years were enrolled. Sixteen completed the two‐point assessment after undergoing in‐patient PR of mean duration 14.8 ± 9 days. PR led to a significant improvement in all functional outcomes that is, STST (from 7.1 ± 4.3 repetitions to 14.2 ± 2.1 repetitions, SPPB (from 5 ± 2.8 to 9.4 ± 1.5), FAS (from 33.3 ± 10.8 to 25.8 ± 4.7) at the p ≤ .001, and PCFS (from 3.6 ± 0.9 to 2.9 ± 1.2, p ≤ .05).

Conclusion

Early initiation of PR for hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 fibrosis was safe, well tolerated, and feasible and may improve functional status.
Mixed colors by combustion of mixed homogeneous pyrotechnics and heterogeneous charges
Authors: Bouma Richard H. B. , Kotter Lance N. , Smit Wouter J. L. , Zebregs Martijn , Groven Lori J.
Published: November 2023

The combustion of mixed homogeneous pyrotechnic compositions and heterogeneous charges is studied experimentally with the aim of producing a selectable wavelength signal flare. The heterogeneous charge was perceived as a mixed color by a distant observer. A model for color chromaticity coordinates of homogeneous mixtures was derived that includes the mass, mass‐based burn rate and luminous intensity ratios of the constituting color compositions. This model can predict the expected dominant wavelength of a mixed composition. It can also handle the spacing of chromaticity coordinates of mixed compositions on a straight line in the CIE diagram between chromaticity coordinates of constituting colors. With two series of color composition mixtures, it was demonstrated that the chromaticity coordinates of the mixtures could be at, or slightly deviate, from the straight line connecting the chromaticity coordinates of the constituting compositions. It indicates there is little to no influence of flame temperature and mutual pyrotechnic reactions.
AlphaFold2 captures the conformational landscape of the HAMP signaling domain
Authors: Winski Aleksander , Ludwiczak Jan , Orlowska Malgorzata , Madaj Rafal , Kaminski Kamil , Dunin‐Horkawicz Stanislaw
Published: November 2023

In this study, we present a conformational landscape of 5000 AlphaFold2 models of the Histidine kinases, Adenyl cyclases, Methyl‐accepting proteins and Phosphatases (HAMP) domain, a short helical bundle that transduces signals from sensors to effectors in two‐component signaling proteins such as sensory histidine kinases and chemoreceptors. The landscape reveals the conformational variability of the HAMP domain, including rotations, shifts, displacements, and tilts of helices, many combinations of which have not been observed in experimental structures. HAMP domains belonging to a single family tend to occupy a defined region of the landscape, even when their sequence similarity is low, suggesting that individual HAMP families have evolved to operate in a specific conformational range. The functional importance of this structural conservation is illustrated by poly‐HAMP arrays, in which HAMP domains from families with opposite conformational preferences alternate, consistent with the rotational model of signal transduction. The only poly‐HAMP arrays that violate this rule are predicted to be of recent evolutionary origin and structurally unstable. Finally, we identify a family of HAMP domains that are likely to be dynamic due to the presence of a conserved pi‐helical bulge. All code associated with this work, including a tool for rapid sequence‐based prediction of the rotational state in HAMP domains, is deposited at https://github.com/labstructbioinf/HAMPpred.
Pyramiding BPH genes in rice maintains resistance against the brown planthopper under climate change
Authors: Wang Chih‐Lu , Luo Pei‐Qi , Hu Fang‐Yu , Li Yi , Sung Chang‐Lin , Kuang Yun‐Hung , Lin Shau‐Ching , Yang Zhi‐Wei , Li Charng‐Pei , Huang Shou‐Horng , Hechanova Sherry Lou , Jena Kshirod K. , Hsieh Chia‐Hung , Chuang Wen‐Po
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Nilaparvata lugens (brown planthopper; BPH) is a significant rice pest in Asia, causing substantial yield losses. Pyramiding BPH resistance genes with diverse resistance traits into rice cultivars is an effective strategy for pest management. However, the response of pyramiding combinations to environmental changes remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated three pyramiding rice lines (BPH2 + 32, BPH9 + 32, and BPH18 + 32) in the context of varying climate change conditions, ensuring sufficient N. lugens–rice interactions. Thus, we set three environmental conditions [30/25 °C (day/night) with 500 ppm CO2 concentration, 32/27 °C (day/night) with 600 ppm CO2 concentration, and 35/30 °C (day/night) with 1000 ppm CO2 concentration].

RESULTS

All three pyramiding rice lines maintained the insect resistant ability under the three environmental settings. In particular, the BPH18 + 32 rice line exhibited stronger antibiotic and antixenosis effects against N. lugens. In addition, BPH18 + 32 rice line had better shoot resilience under N. lugens infestation, whereas the performance of the other two selected pyramiding rice lines varied. Thus, although BPH2, BPH9, and BPH18 represent three alleles at the same locus, their resistance levels against N. lugens may vary under distinct climate change scenarios, as evidenced by the performance of N. lugens on the three pyramiding rice lines.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that all three tested pyramiding rice lines maintained their insect resistance in the face of diverse climate change scenarios. However, these lines exhibited varied repellent responses and resilience capacities in response to climate change. Thus, the combination of pyramiding genes needs to be considered for future breeding programs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Computational drug discovery on human immunodeficiency virus with a customized long short‐term memory variational autoencoder deep‐learning architecture
Authors: Kutsal Mucahit , Ucar Ferhat , Kati Nida
Published: November 2023

Despite attempts to control the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through the use of anti‐HIV medications, the absence of an effective vaccine continues to present a significant obstacle. In addition, the development of drug resistance by HIV underscores the necessity for computational drug discovery methods to identify novel therapies. This investigation specifically focused on employing a long short‐term memory (LSTM) variational autoencoder deep‐learning architecture for computational drug discovery in relation to HIV. Our data set comprised simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILES)–encoded compounds, which were used to train the LSTM autoencoder. Remarkably, our model achieved a training accuracy of 91%, with a data set containing 1377 compounds. Leveraging the generative model derived from the training phase, we generated potential new drugs for combating HIV and assessed their interaction with the virus using a previously developed artificial intelligence model. Lastly, we verified the drug likeliness of our computationally generated compounds in accordance with Lipinski's rule of five. Overall, our study presents a promising approach to computational drug discovery in the ongoing battle against HIV.
On random irregular subgraphs
Authors: Fox Jacob , Luo Sammy , Tuan Pham Huy
Published: November 2023

Let be a ‐regular graph on vertices. Frieze, Gould, Karoński, and Pfender began the study of the following random spanning subgraph model . Assign independently to each vertex of a uniform random number , and an edge of is an edge of if and only if . Addressing a problem of Alon and Wei, we prove that if , then with high probability, for each nonnegative integer , there are vertices of degree in .
How does digital transformation affect sustainable innovation performance? The pivotal roles of digital technology‐business alignment and environmental uncertainty
Authors: Lin Jiabao , Mao Minyi
Published: November 2023

Despite the importance of digital transformation in improving sustainable innovation performance, the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which digital transformation affects sustainable innovation performance is unclear. Using the lens of information technology‐enabled organizational capabilities, this study develops a moderated mediation model based on new economic growth theory and information asymmetry theory to examine the impact of digital transformation on sustainable innovation performance. Using a sample of Chinese agriculture firms, our findings reveal that digital transformation positively affects sustainable innovation performance through digital technology‐business alignment, and this indirect effect is stronger when environmental uncertainty is lower. Moreover, environmental uncertainty negatively moderates the relationship between digital transformation and digital technology‐business alignment. Our theoretical explanations and empirical evidence provide insights into how digital transformation initiatives can be leveraged to improve sustainable innovation performance, thus making an important contribution to the related literature.
Developing theoretical insights in entrepreneurship research
Authors: Zahra Shaker A. , Li Yong , Agarwal Rajshree , Barney Jay B. , Dushnitsky Gary , Graebner Melissa E. , Klein Peter G. , Sarasvathy Saras
Published: November 2023

Research Summary

As the study of entrepreneurship advances, our appreciation for the role of theory in the development of the field has grown. In this paper, we build on our collective experiences to offer a peek into the inner workings of entrepreneurship theorizing, using specific examples to highlight ways of developing theoretical insights for advancing entrepreneurship research. Our journeys suggest an iterative process centered on asking an important and interesting question, challenging prevailing assumptions, understanding context and phenomenon, and developing conceptual models and analyses. We focus on the uniqueness of entrepreneurial phenomena, contexts, and actors as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Managerial Summary

Entrepreneurship as a scholarly field has reached a stage of maturity where we need to think more carefully about our contribution to theory. Theory enriches managerial parctice. We offer helpful and actionable suggestions to develop and share rich theoerical insights that inform schaolrship and practice.
In Vitro Detection of S100B and Severity Evaluation of Traumatic Brain Injury Based on Biomimetic Peptide‐Modified Nanochannels
Authors: Zhang Wenyuan , Zhang Jianrui , Wang Yijun , Wang Senyao , Wu Yitian , Zhang Wenchang , Wu Minghui , Wang Li , Xu Guoheng , Deng Fuan , Liu Wenchao , Liu Zhengwei , Chen Lu , Xiao Kai , Zhang Lu
Published: November 2023

The diagnosis and evaluation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are crucial steps toward the treatment and prognosis of patients. A common question remains as to whether it is possible to introduce an ideal device for signal detection and evaluation that can directly connect digital signals with TBI, thereby enabling prompt response of the evaluation signal and sensitive and specific functioning of the detection process. Herein, a method is presented utilizing polymetric porous membranes with TRTK‐12 peptide‐modified nanochannels for the detection of S100B (a TBI biomarker) and assessment of TBI severity. The method leverages the specific bonding force between TRTK‐12 peptide and S100B protein, along with the nanoconfinement effect of nanochannels, to achieve high sensitivity (LOD: 0.002 ng mL−1) and specificity (∆I/I0: 44.7%), utilizing ionic current change as an indicator. The proposed method, which is both sensitive and specific, offers a simple yet responsive approach for real‐time evaluation of TBI severity. This innovative technique provides valuable scientific insights into the advancement of future diagnostic and therapeutic integration devices.
Synthetic Tailoring of Ionic Conductivity in Multicationic Substituted, High‐Entropy Lithium Argyrodite Solid Electrolytes
Authors: Lin Jing , Schaller Mareen , Cherkashinin Gennady , Indris Sylvio , Du Jianxuan , Ritter Clemens , Kondrakov Aleksandr , Janek Jürgen , Brezesinski Torsten , Strauss Florian
Published: November 2023

Superionic conductors are key components of solid‐state batteries (SSBs). Multicomponent or high‐entropy materials, offering a vast compositional space for tailoring properties, have recently attracted attention as novel solid electrolytes (SEs). However, the influence of synthetic parameters on ionic conductivity in compositionally complex SEs has not yet been investigated. Herein, the effect of cooling rate after high‐temperature annealing on charge transport in the multicationic substituted lithium argyrodite Li6.5[P0.25Si0.25Ge0.25Sb0.25]S5I is reported. It is demonstrated that a room‐temperature ionic conductivity of ∼12 mS cm−1 can be achieved upon cooling at a moderate rate, superior to that of fast‐ and slow‐cooled samples. To rationalize the findings, the material is probed using powder diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy combined with electrochemical methods. In the case of moderate cooling rate, favorable structural (bulk) and compositional (surface) characteristics for lithium diffusion evolve. Li6.5[P0.25Si0.25Ge0.25Sb0.25]S5I is also electrochemically tested in pellet‐type SSBs with a layered Ni‐rich oxide cathode. Although delivering larger specific capacities than Li6PS5Cl‐based cells at high current rates, the lower (electro)chemical stability of the high‐entropy Li‐ion conductor led to pronounced capacity fading. The research data indicate that subtle changes in bulk structure and surface composition strongly affect the electrical conductivity of high‐entropy lithium argyrodites.
Mitigating Surface Defects in Tin‐Based Perovskite Films with α‐Tocopherol for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance
Authors: Ma Xue , Zhang Yu , Zhou Jianheng , Liu Lang , Ju Minggang , Wang Ning
Published: November 2023

Surface defects in tin‐based perovskite films disrupt the periodic arrangement of atoms in crystals, making surface atoms more susceptible to interactions with water and oxygen molecules in the surrounding environment. The diffusion of oxygen ions into the perovskite interior leads to the formation of severe bulk defects, which compromises the performance of tin‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). As a result, surface defects are recognized as the primary source of degradation and require special attention. In this study, α‐Tocopherol (also known as vitamin E) into tin‐based perovskite films is introduced. Experimental results show that because of its larger volume, α‐Tocopherol does not enter the perovskite lattice. Instead, it forms van der Waals and hydrogen bond interactions with the formamidine ion (FA+) and the [SnI6]4− octahedron at the perovskite terminals. Through α‐Tocopherol passivation, both surface and interior oxidation of the perovskite are significantly suppressed as α‐Tocopherol firmly embeds itself on the perovskite surface. Density functional theory analysis confirms the inhibition of I─Sn antisite defects (ISn) and Sn interstitial defects (Sni), which possess deep trap states within the bandgap. Ultimately, it is demonstrated that α‐Tocopherol enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 9.19% to 13.14% and prolongs the lifetime of tin‐based PSCs to over 50 days.
Boosted Oxygen Kinetics of Hierarchically Mesoporous Mo2C/C for High‐current‐density Zn–air Battery
Authors: Zhang Jun‐Ye , Xia Chenfeng , Su Yaqiong , Zu Lianhai , Zhao Zaiwang , Li Peng , Lv Zirui , Wang Jiazheng , Mei Bingbao , Lan Kun , Zhao Tiancong , Zhang Pengfei , Chen Weinan , Zaman Shahid , Liu Yi , Peng Liang , Xia Bao Yu , Elzatahry Ahmed , Li Wei , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: November 2023

The high‐current‐density Zn–air battery shows big prospects in next‐generation energy technologies, while sluggish O2 reaction and diffusion kinetics barricade the applications. Herein, the sequential assembly is innovatively demonstrated for hierarchically mesoporous molybdenum carbides/carbon microspheres with a tunable thickness of mesoporous carbon layers (Meso‐Mo2C/C‐x, where x represents the thickness). The optimum Meso‐Mo2C/C‐14 composites (≈2 µm in diameter) are composed of mesoporous nanosheets (≈38 nm in thickness), which possess bilateral mesoporous carbon layers (≈14 nm in thickness), inner Mo2C/C layers (≈8 nm in thickness) with orthorhombic Mo2C nanoparticles (≈2 nm in diameter), a high surface area of ≈426 m2 g−1, and open mesopores (≈6.9 nm in size). Experiments and calculations corroborate the hierarchically mesoporous Mo2C/C can enhance hydrophilicity for supplying sufficient O2, accelerate oxygen reduction kinetics by highly‐active Mo2C and N‐doped carbon sites, and facilitate O2 diffusion kinetics over hierarchically mesopores. Therefore, Meso‐Mo2C/C‐14 outputs a high half‐wave potential (0.88 V vs RHE) with a low Tafel slope (51 mV dec−1) for oxygen reduction. More significantly, the Zn–air battery delivers an ultrahigh power density (272 mW cm−2), and an unprecedented 100 h stability at a high‐current‐density condition (100 mA cm−2), which is one of the best performances.
Auxiliary Buried‐Interface Passivation Toward Stable and Low‐Recombination‐Loss Perovskite Photovoltaics
Authors: Li Tinghao , Wang Can , Hu Chongzhu , Zhang Ni , Xiong Qiu , Zhang Zilong , Li Feng , Zhang Yingyao , Wu Jihuai , Gao Peng
Published: November 2023

Defects occur in the bulk perovskite and heterojunction interfaces of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). While additive and interface engineering are commonly used to passivate defects within the perovskite phase and at the interface, the interconnections between these two strategies have not been fully explored. This study introduces an auxiliary passivation approach for enhancing the performance of PSCs by passivating both the perovskite phase and the buried interface using succinimide (SID), referred to as the multilayer passivation (MLP) strategy. By adding SID to a lead iodide precursor solution and depositing it on tin oxide film, the remarkable ability of SID to coordinate with Pb2+ through Lewis‐base coordination and bind the iodide ion with hydrogen bonds is demonstrated, thereby reducing defects within the perovskite and suppressing nonradiative recombination. Additionally, SID could passivate oxygen vacancy and hydroxyl defects on the SnO2 surface, facilitating carrier separation and extraction. This MLP strategy enables us to achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.47% based on a two‐step process. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices maintain a PCE of 82% at 20 °C with 30% relative humidity after 7000 h. Overall, this study highlights the unparalleled potential of MLP strategy for enhancing the performance of PSCs.
Enhancing the Stability and Efficiency of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with a Mixed Ammonium Ligands Passivation Strategy
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Jung , Kang Yu‐Jin , Kwon Sung‐Nam , Kim Do‐Hyung , Na Seok‐In
Published: November 2023

The perovskite solar cell (PSC), which has achieved efficiencies of more than 26%, is expected to be a promising technology that can alternate silicon‐based solar cells. However, the performance of PSCs is still limited due to defects and ion migration that occur at the large number of grain boundaries present in perovskite thin films. In this study, the mixed ammonium ligands passivation strategy (MAPS) is demonstrated, which combines n‐octylammonium iodide (OAI) and 1,3‐diaminopropane (DAP) can effectively suppress the grain boundary defects and ion migration through grain boundaries by the synergistic effect of OAI and DAP, resulting in improved efficiency and stability of PSCs. It has also been revealed that MAPS not only enhances crystallinity and reduces grain boundaries but also improves charge transport while suppressing charge recombination. The MAPS‐based opaque PSC shows the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.29% with improved open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF), and retained 84% of its initial PCE after 1900 h at 65 °C in N2 atmosphere. Amazingly, the MAPS‐based semi‐transparent PSC (STP‐PSC) retained 94% of their maximum power (21.00% at around 10% AVT) after 1000 h under 1 sun illumination and MAPS‐based perovskite submodule (PSM) achieved a PCE of 19.59%, which is among the highest values reported recently.