bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-avian theropod phalanges from the marine Fox Hills Formation (Maastrichtian), western South Dakota, USA
Authors: Chamberlain, Jr John A. , Knoll Katja , J. W. Sertich Joseph
Published: February 2023

We report here the first dinosaur skeletal material described from the marine Fox Hills Formation (Maastrichtian) of western South Dakota. The find consists of two theropod pedal phalanges: one recovered from the middle part of the Fairpoint Member in Meade County, South Dakota; and the other from the Iron Lightning Member in Ziebach County, South Dakota. Comparison with pedal phalanges of other theropods suggests strongly that the Fairpoint specimen is a right pedal phalanx, possibly III-2, from a large ornithomimid. The Iron Lightning specimen we cautiously identify as an ornithomimid left pedal phalanx II-2. The Fairpoint bone comes from thinly bedded and cross-bedded marine sandstones containing large hematitic concretions and concretionary horizons. Associated fossils include osteichthyan teeth, fin spines and otoliths, and abundant teeth of common Cretaceous nearshore and pelagic chondrichthyans. Leaf impressions and other plant debris, blocks of fossilized wood, and Ophiomorpha burrows are also common. The Iron Lightning bone comes from a channel deposit composed of fine to coarse sandstone beds, some of which contain bivalves, and a disseminated assemblage of mammal teeth, chondrichthyan teeth, and fragmentary dinosaur teeth and claws. We interpret the depositional environment of the two specimens as marginal marine. The Fairpoint bone derives from a nearshore foreset setting, above wave base subject to tidal flux and storm activity. The Iron Lightning specimen comes from a topset channel infill probably related to deposition on a tidal flat or associated coastal setting. The taphonomic history and ages of the two bones differ. Orthogonal cracks in the cortical bone of the Fairpoint specimen suggest post-mortem desiccation in a dryland coastal setting prior to transport and preservation in the nearby nearshore setting described above. The pristine surface of the Iron Lightning specimen indicates little transport before incorporation into the channel deposit in which it was found. The Fairpoint bone bed most probably lies within the Hoploscaphites nicolletii Ammonite Zone of the early late Maastrichtian, and would therefore have an approximate age of 69 Ma. The Iron Lightning bone is from the overlying H. nebrascensis Ammonite Zone, and is thus about one million years younger.
Bioinformatic prediction of the molecular links between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Castillo-Velázquez Ricardo , Martínez-Morales Flavio , Castañeda-Delgado Julio E. , García-Hernández Mariana H. , Herrera-Mayorga Verónica , Paredes-Sánchez Francisco A. , Rivera Gildardo , Rivas-Santiago Bruno , Lara-Ramírez Edgar E.
Published: February 2023

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are chronic degenerative diseases with complex molecular processes that are potentially interconnected. The aim of this work was to predict the potential molecular links between AD and DM2 from different sources of biological information.

Materials and Methods

In this work, data mining of nine databases (DisGeNET, Ensembl, OMIM, Protein Data Bank, The Human Protein Atlas, UniProt, Gene Expression Omnibus, Human Cell Atlas, and PubMed) was performed to identify gene and protein information that was shared in AD and DM2. Next, the information was mapped to human protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks based on experimental data using the STRING web platform. Then, gene ontology biological process (GOBP) and pathway analyses with EnrichR showed its specific and shared biological process and pathway deregulations. Finally, potential biomarkers and drug targets were predicted with the Metascape platform.

Results

A total of 1,551 genes shared in AD and DM2 were identified. The highest average degree of nodes within the PPI was for DM2 (average = 2.97), followed by AD (average degree = 2.35). GOBP for AD was related to specific transcriptional and translation genetic terms occurring in neurons cells. The GOBP and pathway information for the association AD-DM2 were linked mainly to bioenergetics and cytokine signaling. Within the AD-DM2 association, 10 hub proteins were identified, seven of which were predicted to be present in plasma and exhibit pharmacological interaction with monoclonal antibodies in use, anticancer drugs, and flavonoid derivatives.

Conclusion

Our data mining and analysis strategy showed that there are a plenty of biological information based on experiments that links AD and DM2, which could provide a rational guide to design further diagnosis and treatment for AD and DM2.
Effect of sulfur on pollen germination of Clemenules mandarin and Nova tangelo
Authors: Beltrán Roberto , Cebrián Nuria , Zornoza Carlos , García Breijo Francisco , Reig Armiñana José , Garmendia Alfonso , Merle Hugo
Published: February 2023

This study aims to elucidate whether sulfur can inhibit citrus pollination by affecting pollen grains. For this, four sulfur-based products (inorganic sulfur, water dispersible granular sulfur, ammonium sulfate, copper sulfate) were tested to evaluate their effect on pollen germination and pollen tube growth of two citrus varieties: Clemenules mandarin (Citrus clementina) and Nova tangelo (Citrus clementina x [Citrus paradisi x Citrus reticulata]). Pollen grains were extracted from the flowers of these two varieties and subsequently placed in Petri dishes with modified BK (boron and potassium) germination medium with six concentrations of the sulfur-based products (0.2, 2, 20, 200, 2,000, 20,000 mg l−1). All the dishes were incubated and the pollen germination rate was calculated. All the sulfur products showed progressive pollen germination inhibition with a rising sulfur concentration. CTC50 (50% cytotoxicity inhibition) was around 20 mg l−1, with significant differences among treatments. Total pollen germination inhibition took place at 20,000 mg l−1. These results demonstrate that sulfur application can affect citrus pollination.
The imbalance of liver resident macrophages polarization promotes chronic autoimmune hepatitis development in mice
Authors: Chi Gang , Pei Jinhong , Li Xueqing
Published: February 2023

Background

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory liver disease. At present, it is largely unknown how the innate immune cells influence AIH development.

Objective

To inquiry about mechanism of liver resident macrophages in AIH development, thus offering a new direction for AIH targeted treatment.

Methods

The liver resident macrophages were eliminated by clodronate liposomes in AIH liver tissues, followed by HE and Picrosirius assay to detect liver fibrosis and lymphocyte infiltration. The liver resident macrophages polarization was detected by Immunohistochemistry and qPCR. The collagenase digestion was used to isolate Kupffer cells from AIH mice liver tissues and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines were determined by qPCR.

Results

M2 macrophages were the dominant phenotype at early immune response stage and hepatic inflammation was progressively aggravated after depletion of liver resident macrophages. M2 macrophages could effectively delay the development of AIH and could be polarized to M1 macrophages at the disease progresses. TLR2 ligands could promote M2 macrophages producing anti-inflammatory cytokines, whereas TLR4 ligands could promote M1 macrophages producing proinflammatory cytokines. The change of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands could lead to continuous high expression of TLR4 and decreased expression of TLR2 in macrophages to further affect liver resident macrophages polarization state.

Conclusion

TLR2 and TLR4 ligands mediated liver resident macrophages polarization to favor chronic autoimmune hepatitis development.
Aplicações de previsão de demanda por meio de séries temporais
Authors: Cambuí Caio Matheus Comar , Piratelli Claudio Luís , Achcar Jorge Alberto , Pinto Rafael Henrique Faia , Pacheco Bruna Cristine Scarduelli
Published: February 2023

A previsão de demanda por series temporais colabora com o planejamento e tomada de decisão, assumindo papel estratégico no processo de gestão organizacional. O objetivo deste estudo é realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre trabalhos que fizeram uso de séries temporais para previsão de demanda, identificando as áreas de aplicações, origem e principais resultados encontrados. A pesquisa é de caráter descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa. Verificou-se a disseminação do assunto havendo destaque para os anos de 2019 e 2020, também se observou a grande importância da previsão de demanda no meio empresarial, em que diversos trabalhos foram aplicados. Conclui-se que os artigos evidenciam fatores positivos à utilização da previsão de demanda por meio de series temporais, sugerindo a aplicação destes em estudos correlatos.
Brand Valuation: Recognizing the brands as strategical assets in the balance sheet of the companies
Authors: Araujo Francisco Clairton , Lucas Fernando José Ferreira , Yanaze Mitsuru Higuchi
Published: February 2023

The brand continues representing an important and strategic asset for companies. After adoptation of norms (IFRS/FASB), the brand was approved to be recognized as intangible assets in the balance sheet of the companies.  The purpose of this paper was investigating how the big multinationals companies recognized the brand valuation in the financial statements and respective consequences. This paper discusses about several aspects involving the brand valuation process and relationship with EMH Theory focusing to have more communication and transparency with stakeholders. The results showed that all companies recognized substantial intangible assets in the balance sheet, but only Google, Coca-Cola, Samsung and Facebook recognized trademarks, although it is more associated with intellectual properties, copyrights and not exactly brands. Amazon and Microsoft bought several companies in 2018, but the brands were not duly recognized or disclosure in the financial statements.
Clutch size, incubation and nestling periods, and age estimation of nestling Red-tailed Black Cockatoos Calyptorhynchus banksii escondidus in the Western Australian wheatbelt
Authors: Saunders Denis A , Cunningham Ross B
Published: February 2023

The breeding ecology of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii escondidus was studied in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia from the austral spring of 1974 to the end of 1981. The usual clutch was one egg, but 8 of 465 clutches were of two eggs, none of which produced two fledglings. The incubation period was 29 days, similar to that of other species of black cockatoo with similar body mass. The nestling period was 80-84 days, nearly 17% longer than the similarly-sized Carnaby's Cockatoo C. latirostris. The ages of nestling Red-tailed Black Cockatoos may be estimated by comparison with photographs taken of nestlings of known age or estimated more precisely from the length of the nestling's folded wing. Aging nestlings enables the calculation of laying and hatching dates.
Building WOM from Hedonic Experience of Social Media in the Field of Gastronomy
Authors: Yuan Lu , Cai Ping , (TF) Yen Tsaifa
Published: February 2023

With the popularization of mobile phones and the Internet, users of social media platforms have formed the habit of surfing the Internet. Watching food programs has become one of the most important leisure activities. Food platforms on social media have low barriers to entry, and it is not easy to maintain high popularity, high performance, and high profits. In this context, it is extremely important to continue to gain word-of-mouth from fans. The objective of this study aims at investigating the relationships among hedonic experience, attachment, and word-of-mouth of social media in the field of gastronomy. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. Through the analysis, this paper finds several ways to obtain the word-of-mouth of food programs, namely, hedonic experience - platform attachment - word-of-mouth. This study suggests that platform operators should provide relaxed and pleasant program content and atmosphere to meet users' needs of leisure and learning. For future researchers, future studies can try to add the comparison between utilitarianism and hedonism.
Gray Hair
Authors: Seehusen Dean A.
Published: February 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, a chair of a family medicine department views the wide generation gap between him and his medical students as an unexpected turn from what he had imagined he would feel upon becoming a senior physician.
CeO2‐Nanorods‐Catalyzed Protoboration of Alkenes and Alkynes with Bis(pinacolato)diboron
Authors: Bhawar Ramesh , Saini Suresh , Nagaraju D. H. , Bose Shubhankar Kumar
Published: February 2023

The protoboration of alkenes and alkynes with B2pin2 (pin=OCMe2CMe2O) using a heterogeneous CeO2 nanorods catalyst has been developed to afford the corresponding alkyl and vinyl boronate esters in 41–99% yield under mild reaction conditions. A series of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes and alkynes with synthetically important functional groups were well tolerated. In both the systems, the catalyst could be reused for up to six runs without significant loss in activity. Stoichiometric reactions revealed that the protoboration may proceed through the in situ formed catalytically active boryl species.

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Maximizing Electric Power through Spectral‐Splitting Photovoltaic‐Thermoelectric Hybrid System Integrated with Radiative Cooling
Authors: Guo Jiangfeng , Huai Xiulan
Published: February 2023

As zero‐emission technologies, a daytime radiative cooling (RC) strategy developed recently, and photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) technologies have aroused great interest to reduce fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. How to integrate these state‐of‐the‐art technologies to maximise clean electricity from the sun and space remains a huge challenge, and the limit efficiency is still unclear. In this study, a spectral‐splitting PV‐TE hybrid system integrated with RC is proposed to maximise clean electricity from the sun and space without any emissions. For the sun acting as a typical constant heat‐flux heat source, the current thermoelectric theory overestimates the thermoelectric efficiency highly since the theory is based on constant temperature‐difference conditions. A new theory based on heat‐flux conditions is employed to achieve maximum thermoelectric efficiency. The PV‐TE hybrid system with RC is superior to the conventional hybrid system, not only in terms of higher efficiency but also in its 24‐h operation capacity. In a system with a single‐junction cell, the total efficiency with 30 suns (39.4%) is higher than the theoretical PV efficiency at 500 suns (38.2%). In a hybrid system with four‐junction cells, total efficiency is over 65% which is superior to most current photoelectric and thermal power systems.
Thermochromic Halide Perovskite Windows with Ideal Transition Temperatures
Authors: Rosales Bryan A. , Kim Janghyun , Wheeler Vincent M. , Crowe Laura E. , Prince Kevin J. , Mirzokarimov Mirzo , Daligault Tom , Duell Adam , Wolden Colin A. , Schelhas Laura T. , Wheeler Lance M.
Published: February 2023

Urban centers across the globe are responsible for a significant fraction of energy consumption and CO2 emission. As urban centers continue to grow, the popularity of glass as cladding material in urban buildings is an alarming trend. Dynamic windows reduce heating and cooling loads in buildings by passive heating in cold seasons and mitigating solar heat gain in hot seasons. Here, reduced energy consumption in highly glazed buildings in a mesoscopic building energy model is demonstrated when thermochromic windows are employed. Savings are realized across eight disparate climate zones of the United States. The model is used to determine ideal critical transition temperatures of 20–27.5 °C for thermochromic windows based on metal halide perovskite materials. Ideal transition temperatures are realized experimentally in composite metal halide perovskite films composed of perovskite crystals and an adjacent reservoir phase. The transition temperature is controlled by cointercalating methanol, instead of water, with methylammonium iodide and tailoring the hydrogen‐bonding chemistry of the reservoir phase. Thermochromic windows based on metal halide perovskites represent a clear opportunity to mitigate the effects of energy‐hungry buildings.
The protective effect of SNAP during economic downturns: Evidence from the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Restrepo Brandon J.
Published: February 2023

This paper estimates the intra‐pandemic effects of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation on the risk of food insecurity over a period when the majority of SNAP beneficiaries received emergency allotments. Within‐person estimations using longitudinal data from the 2019–2020 National Health Interview Survey reveal that, relative to income‐eligible SNAP nonparticipants, the likelihood of food insecurity was 37% lower over August–December 2020 among SNAP participants. A heterogeneity analysis indicates that this was mainly driven by higher income SNAP participants who received larger SNAP benefits through movements from below the maximum benefit for their household size to the maximum. Indeed, compared to income‐eligible SNAP nonparticipants, the risk of food insecurity was 78% (6%) lower over August–December 2020 among SNAP participants with above‐median (below‐median) family income to poverty ratios.
Disparities in job characteristics by race and sex in a Southern aluminum smelting facility
Authors: McClure Elizabeth S. , Robinson Whitney R. , Vasudevan Pavithra , Cullen Mark R. , Marshall Stephen W. , Noth Elizabeth , Richardson David
Published: February 2023

Background

Former workers at a Southern aluminum smelting facility raised concerns that the most hazardous jobs were assigned to Black workers, but the role of workplace segregation had not been quantified or examined in the company town. Prior studies discuss race and gender disparities in working conditions, but few have documented them in the aluminum industry.

Methods

We obtained workers' company records for 1985–2007 and characterized four job metrics: prestige (sociologic rankings), worker‐defined danger (worker assessments), annual wage (1985 dollars), and estimated total particulate matter (TPM) exposure (job exposure matrix). Characteristics of job at hire and trajectories were compared by race and sex using linear binomial models.

Results

Non‐White males had the highest percentage of workers in low prestige and high danger jobs at hire and up to 20 years after. After 20 years tenure, 100% of White workers were in higher prestige and lower danger jobs. Most female workers, regardless of race, entered and remained in low‐wage jobs, while 50% of all male workers maintained their initial higher‐wage jobs. Non‐White females had the highest prevalence of workers in low‐wage jobs at hire and after 20 years—increasing from 63% (95% CI: 59–67) to 100% (95% CI: 78–100). All female workers were less likely to be in high TPM exposure jobs. Non‐White males were most likely to be hired into high TPM exposure jobs, and this exposure prevalence increased as time accrued, while staying constant for other race–sex groups.

Conclusions

There is evidence of job segregation by race and sex in this cohort of aluminum smelting workers. Documentation of disparities in occupational hazards is important for informing health interventions and research.
Disaggregating the dementia monolith: An analysis of variation in Medicare costs and use by dementia subtype
Authors: Parasrampuria Sonal , Bijelic Elvedin , Bott David M. , Driessen Julia , Lipp Michael J. , Ling Shari M.
Published: February 2023

IMPORTANCE

With an aging population, it is necessary to systematically examine variation in costs and use of Medicare services by dementia subtype. We provide the first national estimates for dementia by subtype, and the respective Medicare costs and use.

METHODS

We analyzed Medicare fee‐for‐service (FFS) claims from 2017 through 2019. The sample included 41 million beneficiaries: 727,700 beneficiaries with a new dementia diagnosis in 2017. We calculated descriptive statistics and conducted generalized linear regression models by subtype of dementia.

RESULTS

Annual Medicare costs for beneficiaries with dementia ranged from $22,840 for frontotemporal dementia to $44,896 for vascular dementia compared to $9,034 for beneficiaries without dementia. Comparing beneficiaries across dementia subtypes, the greatest differences were in the use of home health and hospice care.

CONCLUSIONS

These analyses demonstrate substantial heterogeneity across dementia subtypes, which will be important in developing models of care that improve value for people with dementia.
Frustration in Super‐Ionic Conductors Unraveled by the Density of Atomistic States
Authors: Wang Shuo , Liu Yunsheng , Mo Yifei
Published: February 2023

The frustration in super‐ionic conductors enables their exceptionally high ionic conductivities, which are desired for many technological applications including batteries and fuel cells. A key challenge in the study of frustration is the difficulties in analyzing a large number of disordered atomistic configurations. Using lithium super‐ionic conductors as model systems, we propose and demonstrate the density of atomistic states (DOAS) analytics to quantitatively characterize the onset and degree of disordering, reveal the energetics of local disorder, and elucidate how the frustration enhances diffusion through the broadening and overlapping of the energy levels of atomistic states. Furthermore, material design strategies aided by the DOAS are devised and demonstrated for new super‐ionic conductors. The DOAS is generally applicable analytics for unraveling fundamental mechanisms in complex atomistic systems and guiding material design.
Das COVID19‐NMR‐Konsortium: Ein öffentlicher Bericht über den Einfluss dieser neuen globalen Kollaboration
Authors: Duchardt‐Ferner Elke , Ferner Jan , Fürtig Boris , Hengesbach Martin , Richter Christian , Schlundt Andreas , Sreeramulu Sridhar , Wacker Anna , Weigand Julia E. , Wirmer‐Bartoschek Julia , Schwalbe Harald
Published: February 2023

Der Ausbruch von COVID‐19 im Dezember 2019 erforderte eine Koordination wissenschaftlicher Beiträge zum Verständnis und zur Bekämpfung des Virus und führte so zur Bildung internationaler Forschungskonsortien. In diesem Viewpoint Article erläutern wir, wie sich die NMR‐Community versammelt hat, um sowohl das Genom als auch das Proteom von SARS‐CoV‐2 strukturell zu untersuchen und für beide die Bindung an niedermolekulare Verbindungen zu testen. Externe Faktoren, einschließlich längerfristiger Lockdowns aufgrund der Pandemie, begünstigten den Übergang von lokaler, auf einzelne Forschungsgruppen ausgerichteter Verbundforschung hin zu hochkoordinierter Forschung mit über 50 Gruppen aus 18 Ländern, die durch digitale Austauschformate unmittelbar gemeinsam Daten analysierten und unveröffentlichte Ergebnisse diskutierten und darüber hinaus Proben untereinander teilten. Wir diskutieren hier einige wichtige Lehren, die nach dem Ende der Pandemie gezogen werden sollten, und Herausforderungen, die es anzugehen gilt.
pH‐getriggerte Rückgewinnung von photokatalytischen Partikeln aus organischen Polymeren zur Herstellung hochwertiger Verbindungen und verbesserter Recyclingfähigkeit
Authors: Li Rong , Heuer Julian , Kuckhoff Thomas , Landfester Katharina , Ferguson Calum T. J.
Published: February 2023

Pseudohomogene polymere Photokatalysatoren sind eine neue Klasse hocheffizienter und einstellbarer photokatalytischer Materialien, bei denen die photokatalytischen Zentren leicht zugänglich sind. Die Schaffung hocheffizienter photokatalytischer Materialien, die schnell abgetrennt und zurückgewonnen werden können, ist eine der entscheidenden Herausforderungen in der photokatalytischen Chemie. Hier beschreiben wir auf den pH‐Wert reagierende photokatalytische Nanopartikel, die unter sauren Bedingungen aktiv und gut dispergiert sind, aber bei Erhöhung des pH‐Werts sofort aggregieren und so eine einfache Rückgewinnung ermöglichen. Diese auf den pH‐Wert reagierenden photokatalytischen Polymere können für verschiedene photokatalytische Umwandlungen verwendet werden, darunter die Reduktion von CrVI und die Photoredoxalkylierung von Indolderivaten. Insbesondere beschleunigt die kationische Natur des Photokatalysators die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit eines anionischen Substrats im Vergleich zu ungeladenen Spezies. Diese photokatalytischen Partikel können leicht recycelt werden und ermöglichen mehrere aufeinanderfolgende photokatalytische Reaktionen ohne deutlichen Aktivitätsverlust.
The COVID19‐NMR Consortium: A Public Report on the Impact of this New Global Collaboration
Authors: Duchardt‐Ferner Elke , Ferner Jan , Fürtig Boris , Hengesbach Martin , Richter Christian , Schlundt Andreas , Sreeramulu Sridhar , Wacker Anna , Weigand Julia E. , Wirmer‐Bartoschek Julia , Schwalbe Harald
Published: February 2023

The outbreak of COVID‐19 in December 2019 required the formation of international consortia for a coordinated scientific effort to understand and combat the virus. In this Viewpoint Article, we discuss how the NMR community has gathered to investigate the genome and proteome of SARS‐CoV‐2 and tested them for binding to low‐molecular‐weight binders. External factors including extended lockdowns due to the global pandemic character of the viral infection triggered the transition from locally focused collaborative research conducted within individual research groups to digital exchange formats for immediate discussion of unpublished results and data analysis, sample sharing, and coordinated research between more than 50 groups from 18 countries simultaneously. We discuss key lessons that might pertain after the end of the pandemic and challenges that we need to address.
New Oxyhalide Solid Electrolytes with High Lithium Ionic Conductivity >10 mS cm−1for All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Tanaka Yoshiaki , Ueno Koki , Mizuno Keita , Takeuchi Kaori , Asano Tetsuya , Sakai Akihiro
Published: February 2023

All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) with inorganic solid electrolytes (SEs) have attracted significant interest as next‐generation energy storage. Halides such as Li3YCl6are promising candidates for SE because they combine high oxidation stability and deformability. However, the ionic conductivities of halide SEs are not as high as those of other SEs, especially sulfides. Here, we discover new lithium‐metal‐oxy‐halide materials, LiMOCl4(M=Nb, Ta). They exhibit extremely high ionic conductivities of 10.4 mS cm−1forM=Nb and 12.4 mS cm−1forM=Ta, respectively, even in cold‐pressed powder forms at room temperature, which are comparable to or surpass those of organic liquid electrolytes used in lithium‐ion batteries. Bulk‐type ASSB cells using the oxyhalides as the cathode SE demonstrate an outstanding rate capability with a capacity retention of 80 % at 5 C/0.1 C. We believe that the proposed oxyhalides are promising SE candidates for the practical applications of ASSBs.
Fabrication of new proton conducting membrane for fuel cell applications based on porous polyimide Matrimid® and hydrophobic protic ionic liquid
Authors: Rogalsky Sergiy , Tarasyuk Oksana , Babkina Natalia , Makhno Stanislav , Pertko Olexandra , Povazhnyi Volodymyr , Cherniavska Tetiana , Fatyeyeva Kateryna
Published: February 2023

A new proton conducting membrane has been developed by impregnation of porous polyimide Matrimid® (PI) with hydrophobic protic ionic liquid triethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TEA‐TFSI). According to the results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), PI/TEA‐TFSI membrane has satisfactory viscoelastic properties in the temperature range 25–100°C. However, the sharp drop in storage modulus (E') occurs at higher temperatures that is probably caused by the plasticizing effect of ionic liquid. To improve the mechanical properties of PI matrix, it was impregnated with the solution of polyetheramine Jeffamine® D‐400 in the TEA‐TFSI. This approach allowed to obtain a partially cross‐linked PI which is more resistant to deformation at elevated temperatures. Thus, DMA study revealed a storage modulus around 400 MPa for PI/Jeffamine/TEA‐TFSI membrane up to 150°C, like neat porous Matrimid®. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicate high thermal stability of PI/Jeffamine/TEA‐TFSI composite with thermal degradation point of 343°C. The ionic conductivity of the composite membrane is 4·10−3 S/cm at room temperature and reaches the level of 10−2 S/cm above 100°C. Overall, the results of this study indicate that partially cross‐linked porous PI impregnated with hydrophobic protic ionic liquid is a promising polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells operating at elevated temperatures in water‐free conditions.
Bauphysikalische Untersuchungen an Myzel‐basierten Materialien für den Einsatz als Wärmedämmmaterial
Authors: Kotan Engin , Ibuk Attila , Dehn Frank
Published: February 2023

Um die Verwendbarkeit von Materialien auf Pilzmyzel‐Basis als Baustoff bewerten zu können, wurden Versuche zu deren Eignung als Wärmedämmstoff durchgeführt. Hierzu wurden im Rahmen erster Tastversuche einem Basissubstrat verschiedene Zusätze (Buchenholz, Reisspelzen, Kaffee‐Silberhäutchen, Perlitgestein) beigemischt, um deren Einfluss auf bauphysikalische Materialeigenschaften zu ermitteln. Im Hinblick auf die Einsatzmöglichkeiten im Bauwesen hat sich gezeigt, dass Materialien auf Pilzmyzel‐Basis durchaus vielversprechende Eigenschaften aufweisen. Die erzielten Wärmeleitfähigkeiten sind mit denen von marktüblichen ökologischen Dämmstoffen konkurrenzfähig. Allerdings sind weitere, systematische Untersuchungen erforderlich, um die Möglichkeiten zur Optimierung der wesentlichen Materialeigenschaften zu erforschen und die Reproduzierbarkeit von Myzel‐Materialien mit möglichst homogenen Eigenschaften sicherstellen zu können.
Luminescence properties of Ce‐doped ZrO2 phosphors synthesized by combustion method
Authors: Lokesha H. S. , Nagabhushana K. R. , Tatumi S. H. , Rocca R. R. , Singh Fouran
Published: February 2023

Zr1−xCexO2 with x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 samples were synthesized using a combustion technique. The X‐ray diffraction results revealed that Ce‐doped ZrO2 nanoparticles were in a monoclinic structure up to 1 mol% Ce concentration. The increase in the Ce concentration caused more distortion in the monoclinic structure of zirconia. The samples showed a mixed phase (monoclinic + tetragonal) beyond 1 mol% Ce content. The crystallite size (D) and strain (ε) were calculated from the Williamson–Hall equation. The D decreased from 25 ± 1 to 20 ± 1 nm and ε increased from 0.03 to 0.28% with an increase in Ce concentration. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Zr1−xCexO2 showed emission in the blue region under an excitation wavelength of 290 nm. Zr0.995Ce0.005O2 showed the highest PL intensity with an average lifetime of 0.93 μs, and the PL intensity decreased with the increase in the Ce concentration. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves of Zr1−xCexO2 were measured after gamma irradiation (500 Gy) with a heating rate of 5 K s−1. The TL curve of Zr0.995Ce0.005O2 showed two prominent peaks at 412 K (peak 1) and 600 K (peak 2). The first TL glow peak was shifted towards a higher temperature at 440 K above 1 mol% Ce concentration. Repetitive TL measurements on the same aliquot exhibited excellent repeatability. Kinetic parameters associated with the TL peaks were calculated using the curve fitting method. Peak 1 followed non‐first‐order kinetics. The value of the activation energy of the 440 K peak was found to be 0.95 ± 0.01 eV for Zr0.99Ce0.01O2. These findings showed that Zr1−xCexO2 might be used in lighting and radiation dosimeter applications.
“That is just your stuff”: The potential use and abuse of congruence in counselling and psychotherapy practice and training
Authors: Jones Callum
Published: February 2023

This piece discusses the potential use and misuse of congruence within counselling training and practice. A definition of congruence is provided, and how deliberate misuse of congruence could result from two separate emotional communications (bullying and gaslighting) is discussed. Current representations and misrepresentations of congruence in counselling and psychotherapy have been highlighted. A new term of “Intentional Congruence Misuse” was coined to explain this position (not to be confused with incongruence). “Intentional Congruence Misuse” is the deliberate bullying of another individual using terms related to congruence. A discussion has been provided to emphasise the evident implications for counselling, psychotherapy practice and training. The author acknowledges that this opinion piece will be from a biased perspective. Still, it does not aim to detract from others who have found their therapy and counselling training beneficial.
SCAI stage reclassification at 24 h predicts outcome of cardiogenic shock: Insights from the Altshock‐2 Registry
Authors: Serrao Gregory , Dangas George
Published: February 2023

Key points

SCAI Shock staging is dynamic and reclassification is expected to occur over time.

SCAI Shock classification at 24 hours is an independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality.

Further studies investigating the role of early invasive hemodynamic monitoring and mechanical circulatory support are still needed.
Utilization of TandemHeart in cardiogenic shock: Insights from the THEME registry
Authors: Megaly Michael , Gandolfo Chaun , Zakhour Samer , Jiang Mei , Burgess Kristie , Chetcuti Stanley , Ragosta Michael , Adler Eric , Coletti Andrew , O'Neill Brian , Alaswad Khaldoon , Basir Mir B.
Published: February 2023

Background

TandemHeart has been demonstrated to improve hemodynamic and metabolic complications in cardiogenic shock (CS). Contemporary outcomes have not been reported.

Objectives

To evaluate the outcomes of the TandemHeart (LivaNova) in contemporary real‐world use.

Methods

We analyzed baseline characteristics, hemodynamic changes, and outcomes of all patients treated with TandemHeart who were enrolled in the THEME registry, a multicenter, prospective, observational study.

Results

Between May 2015 and June 2019, 50 patients underwent implantation of the TandemHeart device. 22% of patients had TandemHeart implanted within 12 h, 32% within 24 h, and 52% within 48 h of CS diagnosis. Cardiac index (CI) was significantly improved 24 h after implantation (median change 1.0, interquartile range (IQR) (0.5−1.4 L/min/m2). In survivors, there was a significant improvement in CI (1.0, IQR (0.5−2.25 L/min/m2) and lactate clearance −2.3 (−5.0 to −0.7 mmol/L). The 30‐day and 180‐day survival were 74% (95% confidence interval: 60%−85%) and 66% (95% confidence interval: 51%−79%), respectively. Survival was similarly high in those in whom TandemHeart has been used as a bridge to surgery (85% 180‐day survival).

Conclusion

In a contemporary cohort of patients presenting in CS, the use of TandemHeart is associated with a 74% 30‐day survival and a 66% 180‐day survival.
Synthesis and Densification of Mo/Mg Co‐Doped Apatite‐type Lanthanum Silicate Electrolytes with Enhanced Ionic Conductivity
Authors: Li Jing , Cai Qiong , Horri Bahman Amini
Published: February 2023

Apatite‐type lanthanum silicate (LSO) electrolyte is one of the most promising candidates for developing intermediate‐temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells and solid oxide full cells (IT‐SOECs and SOFCs) due to its stability and low activation energy. However, the LSO electrolyte still suffers from unsatisfied ionic conductivity and low relative density. Herein, a new co‐doped method is reported to prepare highly purified polycrystalline powders of Mg−Mo co‐doped LSO (Mg/Mo‐LSO) electrolytes with high excellent densification properties and improved ionic conductivity. Introducing the Mo6+ and Mg2+ ions into the LSO structure can increase the number of interstitial oxide ions and improve the degree of densification at lower sintering temperatures, more importantly, expand the migration channel of oxide ions to enhance the ionic conductivity. As a result, the relative density of the fabricated Mo/Mg‐LSO electrolytes pellets could achieve more than 98 % of the theoretical density after sintering at 1500 °C for 4 h with a grain size of about 1–3 μm and the EIS results showed the ionic conductivity increased from 0.782 mS ⋅ cm−1 for the pristine LSO to 33.94 mS ⋅ cm−1 for the doped sample La9.5Si5.45Mg0.3Mo0.25O26+δ at 800 °C. In addition, the effect of different Mo6+ doping contents was investigated systematically, in which La9.5Si5.45Mg0.3Mo0.25O26+δ possessed the highest ionic conductivity and relative density. The proposed Mo/Mg co‐doped method in this work is one step forward in developing apatite‐structured electrolytes offering excellent potential to address the common issues associated with the fabrication of dense, highly conductive, and thermochemically stable electrolytes for solid oxide electrolysers and fuel cells.
Artificial neural network to predict the power number of agitated tanks fed by CFD simulations
Authors: Bibeau Valérie , Barbeau Lucka , Boffito Daria Camilla , Blais Bruno
Published: February 2023

The power consumption of the agitator is a critical variable to consider in the design of a mixing system. It is generally evaluated through a dimensionless number known as the power number . Multiple empirical equations exist to calculate the power number based on the Reynolds number and dimensionless geometrical variables that characterize the tank, the impeller, and the height of the fluid. However, correlations perform poorly outside of the conditions in which they were established. We create a rich database of 100 k computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. We simulate paddle and pitched blade turbines in unbaffled tanks from 1 to 100 and use an artificial neural network (ANN) to create a robust and accurate predictor of the power number. We perform a mesh sensitivity analysis to verify the precision of the values given by the CFD simulations. To sample the 100 k mixers by their geometrical and physical properties, we use the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) method. We then normalize the data with a MinMax transformation to put all features in the same scale and thus avoid bias during the ANN's training. Using a grid search cross‐validation, we find the best architecture of the ANN that prevents overfitting and underfitting. Finally, we quantify the performance of the ANN by extracting 30% of the database, predicting the using the ANN, and evaluating the mean absolute percentage error. The mean absolute error in the ANN prediction is 0.5%, and its accuracy surpasses correlations even for untrained geometries.
Hetero‐Polar Sextuple Bond: A Relativistic Quantum Chemical Study**
Authors: Kalita Amlan J. , Gohain Namrata , Bordoloi Abhik , Bania Kusum K. , Guha Ankur K.
Published: February 2023

Number of bonds formed by sharing an electron pair between two atoms is not restricted to one, it can go beyond four and six is the maximum. While homopolar sextuple bond in Mo2and W2has been reported, such a high bond order in heteropolar diatomics has remained elusive. In the pursuit of the sextuple bond in polar diatomics, the present study depicts the existence of such multiple bonds in Rhodium‐Scandium hetero‐diatom based on relativistic quantum chemical calculations. The bonding comprises of three normal electron sharing covalent bonds and three dative covalent bonds.
Comparative anticonvulsant activity of the GABAkine KRM‐II‐81 and a deuterated analog
Authors: Ping Xingjie , Meyer Michelle J. , Zahn Nicolas M. , Golani Lalit K. , Sharmin Dishary , Pandey Kamal P. , Revanian Sepideh , Mondal Prithu , Jin Xiaoming , Arnold Leggy A. , Cerne Rok , Cook James M. , Divović Branka , Savić Miroslav M. , Lippa Arnold , Smith Jodi L. , Witkin Jeffrey M.
Published: February 2023

A series of imidazodiazepines has been developed that possess reduced sedative liabilities but retain efficacy in anticonvulsant screening models. The latest of these compounds, (5‐(8‐ethynyl‐6‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐benzo[f]imidazole[1,5‐α][1,4]diazepin‐3‐yl) oxazole known as KRM‐II‐81) is currently awaiting advancement into the clinic. A deuterated structural analog (D5‐KRM‐II‐81) was made as a potential backup compound and studied here in comparison to KRM‐II‐81. In the present study, both compounds significantly prevented seizures in mice induced by 6 Hz (44 mA) electrical stimulation without significantly altering motoric function on a rotarod after intraperitoneal administration. Both compounds also significantly prevented clonic seizures, tonic seizures, and lethality induced by pentylenetetrazol in mice when given orally. D5‐KRM‐II‐81 had a slightly longer duration of action against clonic and tonic seizures than KRM‐II‐81. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of either KRM‐II‐81 or D5‐KRM‐II‐81 was significantly less disruptive of sensorimotor function in mice than diazepam (5 mg/kg, p.o.). The present report documents that D5‐KRM‐II‐81 represents another in this series of imidazodiazepines with anticonvulsant activity at doses that do not impair sensorimotor function.
Mobilising change in cities: A capacity framework for understanding urban energy transition pathways
Authors: Cheung Ting Ting Tracy , Fuller Sara , Oßenbrügge Jürgen
Published: February 2023

The role of cities in mobilising transformative change has gained increasing attention in global discourses on climate change and sustainability. Through the lens of urban energy transitions, this paper focuses on how this form of change within the urban energy system can be mobilised. Capacity is an emergent concept and has been adopted to identify areas for change and assess the transformative potential of cities. Connecting three dimensions of capacity: capacity for what, capacity of whom and the process of capacity building, we present a new conceptual framework to understand diverse transition pathways. To interrogate the capacity framework in practice, we explore the illustrative cases of Hamburg and Hong Kong. The paper demonstrates that capacity is connected to specific changes in political, material, institutional and other energy‐related societal contexts.  Understanding the variety of dependencies and underlying challenges within urban energy systems , as well as the kinds of actor coalitions that are capable of addressing such complexity and mobilising change, enables  the development of specific socio‐technical solutions for urban energy transition pathways. Our focus on local capacity to act and how such capacity can be expanded or diminished contributes to a deeper understanding of the power relations embedded in urban energy systems and the role local actors can play in enabling and hindering processes for change. Such examination of how complex trajectories for change are defined and shaped allows significant insights into plausible futures of urban development.
Signaling mechanisms in red blood cells: A view through the protein phosphorylation and deformability
Authors: Cilek Neslihan , Ugurel Elif , Goksel Evrim , Yalcin Ozlem
Published: February 2023

Intracellular signaling mechanisms in red blood cells (RBCs) involve various protein kinases and phosphatases and enable rapid adaptive responses to hypoxia, metabolic requirements, oxidative stress, or shear stress by regulating the physiological properties of the cell. Protein phosphorylation is a ubiquitous mechanism for intracellular signal transduction, volume regulation, and cytoskeletal organization in RBCs. Spectrin‐based cytoskeleton connects integral membrane proteins, band 3 and glycophorin C to junctional proteins, ankyrin and Protein 4.1. Phosphorylation leads to a conformational change in the protein structure, weakening the interactions between proteins in the cytoskeletal network that confers a more flexible nature for the RBC membrane. The structural organization of the membrane and the cytoskeleton determines RBC deformability that allows cells to change their ability to deform under shear stress to pass through narrow capillaries. The shear stress sensing mechanisms and oxygenation‐deoxygenation transitions regulate cell volume and mechanical properties of the membrane through the activation of ion transporters and specific phosphorylation events mediated by signal transduction. In this review, we summarize the roles of Protein kinase C, cAMP‐Protein kinase A, cGMP‐nitric oxide, RhoGTPase, and MAP/ERK pathways in the modulation of RBC deformability in both healthy and disease states. We emphasize that targeting signaling elements may be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies or channelopathies. We expect the present review will provide additional insights into RBC responses to shear stress and hypoxia via signaling mechanisms and shed light on the current and novel treatment options for pathophysiological conditions.
The area‐reconstruction h‐dome technique and its efficient Python implementation for improved particle size image analysis
Authors: Geng Xiang , Liu Andong , Chen Yan'an , Meyers Greg
Published: February 2023

The traditional watershed segmentation methods usually suffer from over segmentation for irregularly shaped particles. This is because the distance map of an irregularly shaped particle contains multiple local maxima, and over segmentation would happen if these local maxima were used as seeds for watershed segmentation. In this work, several methods based on morphological reconstruction, including h‐dome transform, h‐maxima, and area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform, are introduced to merge, or erase redundant local maxima, and the performance of these methods in avoiding over segmentation is compared. The results show that the area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform is the most effective method in controlling over segmentation among the evaluated methods. However, the area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform is achieved by superposition of binary reconstructions at each grayscale level, which is extremely time‐consuming and impractical for batch processing. A hybrid pixel‐queue algorithm is applied to accelerate the area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform, and the algorithm is implemented in Cython to further improve the computational efficiency. For a 2592 × 1944 pixel image, on a PC with an Intel Core i5 2.4GHz processor and 8 GB RAM, the processing time of the area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform after acceleration is about 549 ms, which is 249 times faster than the unaccelerated algorithm and 4 times faster than the reconstruction function in the Scikit‐image library (an open‐source image processing library for the Python programming language) which performs reconstruction by dilation. The accelerated area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform algorithm was successfully applied to the segmentation of rubber particles in a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) compound.

Research Highlights

Techniques for segmenting particles with irregular shapes based on morphological reconstruction are reviewed.

A fast algorithm for area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform is introduced based on Vincent's first approach combined with the pixel queue algorithm and Cython acceleration. The accelerated reconstruction algorithm is 249 times faster than the unaccelerated algorithm.

The fast area‐reconstruction h‐dome transform algorithm is successfully applied to rubber particle segmentation of a thermal plastic polyolefin.