bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An open dataset with electrohysterogram records of pregnancies ending in induced and cesarean section delivery
Authors: Jager Franc
Published: October 2023

The existing non-invasive automated preterm birth prediction methods rely on the use of uterine electrohysterogram (EHG) records coming from spontaneous preterm and term deliveries, and are indifferent to term induced and cesarean section deliveries. In order to enhance current publicly available pool of term EHG records, we developed a new EHG dataset, Induced Cesarean EHG DataSet (ICEHG DS), containing 126 30-minute EHG records, recorded early (23rd week), and/or later (31st week) during pregnancy, of those pregnancies that were expected to end in spontaneous term delivery, but ended in induced or cesarean section delivery. The records were collected at the University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. The dataset includes 38 and 43, early and later, induced; 11 and 8, early and later, cesarean; and 13 and 13, early and later, induced and cesarean EHG records. This dataset enables better understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms involved during pregnancies ending in induced and cesarean deliveries, and provides a robust and more realistic assessment of the performance of automated preterm birth prediction methods.
Examinations of effects of socio-demographic features and disease-related data of patients with hemodialysis on the quality of life
Authors: Togay Elif , Akyüz Hatice Öntürk
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to detect the effects of demographic features and disease-related data of individuals with hemodialysis treatment on quality of life. The research universe consisted of 113 patients who received dialysis treatment in three state hospitals. Sampling was not used in this research with 97 volunteer patients who complied with the study criteria. The data collection process was performed face-to-face between 15 March and 15 April 2021. Data was collected using the Participant Information Form and the Quality of Life Scale (Short From-36). In our research, 50.5% of participants were male and 49.5% were female. The age of 61.9% of participants was ≥ 51 years and 78.4% were married. Most participants (67%) had ≥ 3 children, 35.1% received dialysis treatment for 3–10 years, 90.7% had dialysis three times a week, and 64.9% had an arterio-venous fistula vascular access line. In addition, 24% had another family member who received dialysis treatment, with hypertension as the etiology in 35.6% of chronic renal failure (CRF). The findings showed that 93.8% patients had no previous transplantation, and 62.9% considered future transplantation.Within the scope of this research, the findings suggest that the quality of life of dialysis patients was poor. Demographic features and disease data affected the quality of life at different levels.
Moisture mitigation using a vented liner and a vented socket system for individuals with transfemoral amputation
Authors: Gnyawali Surya C. , Denune Jeffrey A. , Hockman Bryce , Kristjánsdóttir Jóna Valgerður , Ragnarsdóttir Margrét Sól , Timsina Lava R. , Ghatak Subhadip , Lechler Knut , Sen Chandan K. , Roy Sashwati
Published: October 2023

Sweating and heat buildup at the skin-liner interface is a major challenge for persons with limb loss. Liners made of heat-non-conducting materials may cause sweating of the residual limb and may result in liners slipping off the skin surface especially on a warm day or during high activity, causing skin breakdown and affecting limb health. To address this, we evaluated the efficacy of the vented liner-socket system (VS, Össur) compared to Seal-In silicone liner and non-vented socket (nVS, Össur) in reducing relative humidity (RH) during increased sweat. Nine individuals with limb loss using nVS were randomized to VS or nVS and asked for activity in a 20-min treadmill walk. RH was significantly attenuated (p = 0.0002) and perceived sweating, as reported by prosthesis users, improved (p = 0.028) with VS, patient-reported comprehensive lower limb amputee socket survey (CLASS) outcomes to determine the suspension, stability, and comfort were not significantly different between VS and nVS. There are limited rigorous scientific studies that clearly provide evidence-based guidelines to the prosthetist in the selection of liners from numerous available options. The present study is innovative in clearly establishing objective measures for assessing humidity and temperatures at the skin-liner interface while performing activity. As shown by the measured data and perceived sweat scores provided by the subjects based on their daily experience, this study provided clear evidence establishing relative humidity at the skin-liner interface is reduced with the use of a vented liner-socket system when compared to a similar non-vented system.
Prediction of lithium-ion battery SOC based on the fusion of MHA and ConvolGRU
Authors: Tang Pei , Hua Jusen , Wang Pengchen , QU Zhonghui , Jiang Minnan
Published: October 2023

If the charging state of the lithium-ion battery can be accurately predicted, overcharge and overdischarge of the battery can be avoided, and the service life of the battery can be improved. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of SOC, a prediction method combined with convolutional layer, multi-head attention mechanism and gated cycle unit is proposed to extract data feature information from different dimensions of space and time. Using the data set of the University of Maryland, we simulated the battery in real vehicle operating conditions at different temperatures (0 °C, 25 °C, 45 °C). The test results showed that the mean absolute error, root mean square error and maximum prediction error of the model were 0.53%, 0.67% and 0.4% respectively. The results show that the model can predict SOC accurately. At the same time, the comparison with other prediction models shows that the prediction accuracy of this model is the highest.
Coupled catalytic states and the role of metal coordination in Cas9
Authors: Das Anuska , Rai Jay , Roth Mitchell O. , Shu Yuerong , Medina Megan L. , Barakat Mackenzie R. , Li Hong
Published: October 2023

Controlling the activity of the CRISPR–Cas9 system is essential to its safe adoption for clinical and research applications. Although the conformational dynamics of Cas9 are known to control its enzymatic activity, details of how Cas9 influences the catalytic processes at both nuclease domains remain elusive. Here we report five cryo-electron microscopy structures of the active Acidothermus cellulolyticus Cas9 complex along the reaction path at 2.2–2.9 Å resolution. We observed that a large movement in one nuclease domain, triggered by the cognate DNA, results in noticeable changes in the active site of the other domain that is required for metal coordination and catalysis. Furthermore, the conformations synchronize the reaction intermediates, enabling coupled cutting of the two DNA strands. Consistent with the roles of conformations in organizing the active sites, adjustments to the metal-coordination residues lead to altered metal specificity of A. cellulolyticus Cas9 and commonly used Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 in cells.
Myeloid cell deficiency of the inflammatory transcription factor Stat4 protects long-term synaptic plasticity from the effects of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet
Authors: Zhang Xiao-lei , Hollander Callie M. , Khan Mohammad Yasir , D’silva Melinee , Ma Haoqin , Yang Xinyuan , Bai Robin , Keeter Coles K. , Galkina Elena V. , Nadler Jerry L. , Stanton Patric K.
Published: October 2023

Neuroinflammation is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The cytokine interleukin-12 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4), and consumption of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFD-C) and Stat4 activity are associated with inflammation, atherosclerosis, and a diabetic metabolic phenotype. In studies of in vitro hippocampal slices from control Stat4fl/flLdlr−/− mice fed a HFD-C diabetogenic diet, we show that Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses exhibited larger reductions in activity-dependent, long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission, compared to mice fed a standard diet. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity shifts produced by HFD-C diet were reduced in Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice compared to Stat4fl/flLdlr−/− controls. Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice, which lack Stat4 under control of the LysMCre promoter, were resistant to HFD-C induced impairments in LTP. In contrast, Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice fed the HFD-C diet showed larger LTP than control Stat4fl/flLdlr−/− mice. Expression of a number of neuroinflammatory and synaptic plasticity genes was reduced by HFD-C diet in control mice, and less affected by HFD-C diet in Stat4ΔLysMLdlr−/− mice. These data suggest that suppression of Stat4 activation may protect against effects of Western diet on cognition, type 2 diabetes, and reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders associated with neuroinflammation.
Fast functional mapping of ligand-gated ion channels
Authors: Schmauder Ralf , Eick Thomas , Schulz Eckhard , Sammler Günther , Voigt Elmar , Mayer Günter , Ginter Holger , Ditze Günter , Benndorf Klaus
Published: October 2023

Ligand-gated ion channels are formed by three to five subunits that control the opening of the pore in a cooperative fashion. We developed a microfluidic chip-based technique for studying ion currents and fluorescence signals in either excised membrane patches or whole cells to measure activation and deactivation kinetics of the channels as well as ligand binding and unbinding when using confocal patch-clamp fluorometry. We show how this approach produces in a few seconds either unidirectional concentration-activation relationships at or near equilibrium and, moreover, respective time courses of activation and deactivation for a large number of freely designed steps of the ligand concentration. The short measuring period strongly minimizes the contribution of disturbing superimposing effects such as run-down phenomena and desensitization effects. To validate gating mechanisms, complex kinetic schemes are quantified without the requirement to have data at equilibrium. The new method has potential for functionally analyzing any ligand-gated ion channel and, beyond, also for other receptors.
Multi-omics reveal neuroprotection of Acer truncatum Bunge Seed extract on hypoxic-ischemia encephalopathy rats under high-altitude
Authors: Chen Xianyang , Song Yige , Song Wangting , Han Jiarui , Cao Hongli , Xu Xiao , Li Shujia , Fu Yanmin , Ding Chunguang , Lin Feng , Shi Yuan , Li Jiujun
Published: October 2023

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) at high-altitudes leads to neonatal mortality and long-term neurological complications without effective treatment. Acer truncatum Bunge Seed extract (ASO) is reported to have effect on cognitive improvement, but its molecular mechanisms on HIE are unclear. In this study, ASO administration contributed to reduced neuronal cell edema and improved motor ability in HIE rats at a simulated 4500-meter altitude. Transcriptomics and WGCNA analysis showed genes associated with lipid biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, neuronal growth, and synaptic plasticity regulated in the ASO group. Targeted and untargeted-lipidomics revealed decreased free fatty acids and increased phospholipids with favorable ω-3/ω-6/ω-9 fatty acid ratios, as well as reduced oxidized glycerophospholipids (OxGPs) in the ASO group. Combining multi-omics analysis demonstrated FA to FA-CoA, phospholipids metabolism, and lipid peroxidation were regulated by ASO treatment. Our results illuminated preliminary metabolism mechanism of ASO ingesting in rats, implying ASO administration as potential intervention strategy for HIE under high-altitude.
Harnessing triaryloxonium ions for aryne generation
Authors: Smith Owen , Hindson Madeleine J. , Sreenithya A. , Tataru Viorel , Paton Robert S. , Burton Jonathan W. , Smith Martin D.
Published: October 2023

Arynes are highly reactive and versatile intermediates for the functionalization of aromatic rings that are often generated using strong bases or fluoride sources, which, in some cases, can limit functional group tolerance. Here we demonstrate that triaryloxonium ions can be transformed into arynes through treatment with solid potassium phosphate at room temperature. A substantial range of functional group-bearing arynes, including 4,5-pyrimidynes, may be generated and trapped using cycloaddition reactions with high yields. Other arynophiles including nitrones, alkenes and azides are compatible with these conditions. Quantum computation in conjunction with an intramolecular kinetic isotope study is consistent with an elimination, unimolecular, conjugate base-like mechanism of elimination to form the aryne. These investigations demonstrate that the oxonium ion is a powerful electron-withdrawing group and a particularly effective leaving group. We anticipate that this study will stimulate further investigations into the synthetic utility of aryl oxonium ions.
Infant cries convey both stable and dynamic information about age and identity
Authors: Lockhart-Bouron Marguerite , Anikin Andrey , Pisanski Katarzyna , Corvin Siloé , Cornec Clément , Papet Léo , Levréro Florence , Fauchon Camille , Patural Hugues , Reby David , Mathevon Nicolas
Published: October 2023

What information is encoded in the cries of human babies? While it is widely recognized that cries can encode distress levels, whether cries reliably encode the cause of crying remains disputed. Here, we collected 39201 cries from 24 babies recorded in their homes longitudinally, from 15 days to 3.5 months of age, a database we share publicly for reuse. Based on the parental action that stopped the crying, which matched the parental evaluation of cry cause in 75% of cases, each cry was classified as caused by discomfort, hunger, or isolation. Our analyses show that baby cries provide reliable information about age and identity. Baby voices become more tonal and less shrill with age, while individual acoustic signatures drift throughout the first months of life. In contrast, neither machine learning algorithms nor trained adult listeners can reliably recognize the causes of crying.
Cu single-atom catalyst-based flexible hydrogen peroxide electrochemical sensor with oxygen resistance for monitoring ROS bursts
Authors: Peng Meihong , Jiang Jing , Chen Shutong , Li Kai , Lin Yuqing
Published: October 2023

Cu SACs-based flexible H2O2 electrochemical sensor with O2 resistance for real-time in situ monitoring of H2O2 released from cells.
Discretized butterfly optimization algorithm for variable selection in the rapid determination of cholesterol by near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Bian Xihui , Zhao Zizhen , Liu Jianwen , Liu Peng , Shi Huibing , Tan Xiaoyao
Published: October 2023

The discretized butterfly optimization algorithm is proposed as a variable selection tool combined with near-infrared spectroscopy for measuring the cholesterol concentration in blood samples.
Stimuli-responsive release of active anionophore from RGD-peptide-linked proanionophore
Authors: Srimayee Soumya , Badajena Saumya Ranjan , Akhtar Nasim , Kar Mrinal Kanti , Dey Subhasis , Mohapatra Purusottam , Manna Debasis
Published: October 2023

Integrin-mediated cellular delivery was attempted to optimize practical applications of hydrophobic ionophores.
αβ,α′β′-Diepoxyketones are mechanism-based inhibitors of nucleophilic cysteine enzymes
Authors: de Munnik Mariska , Lithgow Jasper , Brewitz Lennart , Christensen Kirsten E. , Bates Robert H. , Rodriguez-Miquel Beatriz , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: October 2023

αβ,α′β′-Diepoxyketones (DEKs) inhibit nucleophilic cysteine enzymes. DEKs react with a transpeptidase and the SARS-CoV-2 main protease via epoxide opening; retro-aldol and other reactions can then occur, enabling irreversible alkylation.
Tandem Kumada–Tamao catalyst-transfer condensation polymerization and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling for the synthesis of end-functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene)
Authors: Tokita Yu , Uchida Tatsuya , Kamigawara Takeru , Hoka Kenta , Nitto Reo , Ohta Yoshihiro , Yokozawa Tsutomu
Published: October 2023

A variety of functional groups are introduced at both ends of poly(3-hexylhiophene) by means of successive Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation and Suzuki coupling reaction in one pot.
Comment on “Applicability of perturbed matrix method for charge transfer studies at bio/metallic interfaces: a case of azurin” by O. Kontkanen, D. Biriukov and Z. Futera, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 12479
Authors: Sarhangi Setare Mostajabi , Matyushov Dmitry V.
Published: October 2023

Cofactors of biological energy chains are highly polarizable posing the question of the effect of polarizability on enzymatic activity. Hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations should satisfy restrictions on polarizabilities of quantum sites.
Strong carbon – noble gas covalent bond and fluxionality in hypercoordinate compounds
Authors: Vásquez-Espinal Alejandro , Pino-Rios Ricardo
Published: October 2023

Thermodynamic, kinetic, and chemical bond analysis at the coupled cluster level has been carried out for a series of hypercoordinated carbon compounds with formula CH4Ng2+ (Ng = He–Rn).
Comparative urine metabolomics of mice treated with non-toxic and toxic oral doses of (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate
Authors: Hwang Soomee , Koo Imhoi , Patterson Andrew D. , Lambert Joshua D.
Published: October 2023

The urine metabolite profiles of mice after oral dosing with non-toxic and toxic EGCG doses were compared. The observed change in EGCG biotransformation across doses may provide a better understanding of EGCG-mediated hepatotoxicity.
Bioavailability and systemic transport of oleanolic acid in humans, formulated as a functional olive oil
Authors: García-González Aída , Espinosa-Cabello Juan Manuel , Cerrillo Isabel , Montero-Romero Emilio , Rivas-Melo Juan José , Romero-Báez Andrea , Jiménez-Andreu María Dolores , Ruíz-Trillo Carmen Amelia , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Ana , Martínez-Ortega Antonio Jesús , Del Carmen Roque-Cuellar María , García-Rey Silvia , Jiménez-Sánchez Andrés , Mangas-Cruz Miguel Ángel , Pereira-Cunill José Luis , Perona Javier S. , García-Luna Pedro Pablo , Castellano José María
Published: October 2023

A high bioavailability formulation for oleanolic acid (OA) suggests its potential therapeutic application in humans.
Proof-of-concept optimization of a copper-mediated 18F-radiosynthesis of a novel MAGL PET tracer on a high-throughput microdroplet platform and its macroscale translation
Authors: Lu Yingqing , He Yingfang , Schibli Roger , Mu Linjing , van Dam R. Michael
Published: October 2023

Arrays of parallel droplet reactions enable high-speed optimization, and discovered conditions can be immediately scaled for use on conventional instruments.
A unified understanding of magnetorheological elastomers for rapid and extreme stiffness tuning
Authors: Barron III Edward J. , Williams Ella T. , Tutika Ravi , Lazarus Nathan , Bartlett Michael D.
Published: October 2023

A unified design approach and predictive model are presented to create magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) materials for extreme stiffness tuning, up to 70×, with rapid (∼20 ms) and reversible shape change.
Electro-spun poly(lactic acid)/poly(triarylamine)(PLA/PTAA) composite nanofibers with low PLA content for fiber-based electronic applications
Authors: Cruz-Arzón Alejandro J. , Falcón-Cruz Nitza V. , Serrano-García William , Pinto Nicholas J. , Oyola Rolando
Published: October 2023

This work explored the fabrication of poly(lactic acid) and poly(triarylamine) nanofibers at concentrations <10 wt% suitable for electronic applications. A diode with a p–n junction shows a half-wave rectification efficiency of 15%.
Stability analysis for heat transfer flow in micropolar hybrid nanofluids
Authors: Adilla Norzawary Nur Hazirah , Soid Siti Khuzaimah , Ishak Anuar , Anuar Mohamed Muhammad Khairul , Khan Umair , Sherif El-Sayed M. , Pop Ioan
Published: October 2023

Hybrid nanofluids have superior thermal efficiency and physical durability in contrast to regular nanofluids.
The dual behaviour of β-vinylporphyrins in the presence of α,α′-dioxothiones
Authors: Dias Cristina J. , Papi Francesco , Denis Maxime , Nativi Cristina , Neves M. Graça P. M. S. , Faustino M. Amparo F.
Published: October 2023

α,α′-Dioxothione react with meso-tetraarylporphyrins bearing vinyl functionalities as a heterodienophiles or as a heterodienes. The dual behaviour is dependent on the absence or on the presence of a metal ion on the porphyrin inner core.
Symmetric 4,6-dialkyl/arylamino-5-nitropyrimidines: theoretical explanation of why aminolysis of alkoxy groups is favoured over chlorine aminolysis in nitro-activated pyrimidines
Authors: Gómez Laura Córdoba , Lorente-Macias Alvaro , Pineda de las Infantas y Villatoro María José , Garzón-Ruiz Andrés , Diaz-Mochon Juan J.
Published: October 2023

Unexpected reactivity of 6-alkoxy-4-chloro-5-nitropyrimidine. Computational Insights into the reaction mechanism: pre-reactive and meisenheimer complexes.
Terminal substituent-induced differential aggregation and sensing properties: A case study of neutral benzimidazole-based urea receptors
Authors: Moral Rubi , Pegu Oiyao Appun , Das Gopal
Published: October 2023

Two neutral benzimidazole-based urea receptors (R1 and R2) with modulation in the terminal substituent have been reported and a comparative study regarding their aggregation as well as sensing potential was performed.
MoS2/Cu as a peptide/nucleotide-matrix-free laccase mimetic nanozyme for robust catalytic oxidation of phenolic pollutants
Authors: Ankala Biniyam Abera , Achamyeleh Afomiya Animaw , Abda Ebrahim M. , Workie Yitayal Admassu , Su Wei-Nien , Wotango Aselefech Sorsa , Mekonnen Menbere Leul
Published: October 2023

Laccase is an effective biocatalyst for the degradation of persistent phenolic pollutants.
Enhancement of MXene optical properties towards medical applications via metal oxide incorporation
Authors: Enoch Karolinekersin , Sundaram Aravindkumar , Ponraj Stephen Selvamani , Palaniyappan Sathya , George Sahaya Dennis Babu , Manavalan Rajesh Kumar
Published: October 2023

The integration of metal oxides into MXene structures has been instrumental in boosting high surface area, electrical conductivity, stability, and sensitivity. This points to a promising future for biomedical applications.
Anticancer and antibacterial properties of carbon nanotubes are governed by their functional groups
Authors: Benko Aleksandra , Medina-Cruz David , Wilk Sebastian , Ziąbka Magdalena , Zagrajczuk Barbara , Menaszek Elżbieta , Barczyk-Woźnicka Olga , Guisbiers Grégory , Webster Thomas J.
Published: October 2023

Carbon nanotubes with carbon atoms at a +3 oxidation number easily translocate through the cell membrane. With cytotoxicity towards macrophages at 10%, cancer cell number is reduced by up to 59% and bacterial colonization – by up to 99%.
A ligand strategy retarding monovalent copper oxidation toward achieving Cs3Cu2I5 perovskite emitters with enhanced stability for lighting
Authors: Fan Wenxuan , Zhang Kaishuai , Wang Shalong , Xu Leimeng , Liu Yingliang , Song Jizhong
Published: October 2023

A novel organic ligand (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA) was proposed to improve the stability of Cs3Cu2I5, which can inhibit the oxidation of Cu+ in Cs3Cu2I5. The air-, photo- and thermal stability of EDTA-Cs3Cu2I5 powder was greatly improved.
Encapsulation in cooling-induced coacervates augments DNA enzyme activity
Authors: Komachi Takuya , Kawai Shunya , Hirayama Yuki , Maruyama Atsushi , Shimada Naohiko
Published: October 2023

The activity of a DNAzyme is enhanced by entrapment in cooling-inducible liquid droplets of UCST-type ureido polymers.
Photoinduced catalyst-free borylation of alkenyl triflates with Lewis base complexes of boranes
Authors: Ye Zhi-Peng , Yang Si-Jia , Liu Zhi-Lin , Gao Jie , Ye Yong-Qing , Chen Hong-Bin , Xia Peng-Ju , Chen Kai , Xiang Hao-Yue , Yang Hua
Published: October 2023

Herein, a direct radical borylation of alkenyl triflates with Lewis base-ligated boranes (LB-BH3) was accomplished, affording a series of α-boryl carbonyl compounds.
Annealing-assisted optimization for persistency of afterglow of SrAl2O4:Eu2+/Dy3+ microparticles for forensic detection
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Crista Diana M. A. , Núñez-Montenegro Ara , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C. G. , Verma Santosh Kumar
Published: October 2023

In the present work, Eu2+/Dy3+ ions doped/co-doped into persistent SrAl2O4 microparticles have been developed and utilized for fingermarks detections.
Natural defense against multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Cassia occidentalis L. in vitro and in silico antibacterial activity
Authors: Imon Raihan Rahman , Kabir Talukder Md. Enamul , Akhter Shahina , Islam Md. Saidul , Ahammad Foysal , Anis-Ul-Haque K. M. , Moniruzzaman Md. , Afroze Mirola , Khan Mala , Hena Mostofa Jamal Mohammad Abu , Wani Tanveer A. , Uddin Mohammad Jashim , Rahman Md. Mashiar
Published: October 2023

Cassia occidentalis L. is widely used in indigenous and traditional medicine, but its impact on multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections mostly remains unknown.
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) along with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) utilized to enhance the capacitance of conducting polymers (PANI and PPy)
Authors: Nawaz Saima , Khan Yaqoob , Khalid Sadia , Malik Mohammad Azad , Siddiq Muhammad
Published: October 2023

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), along with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), is utilized to enhance the capacitance of conducting polymers (PANI and PPy) to produce cost-effective composite electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Synergistic effect of coordinating interface and promoter for enhancing ammonia synthesis activity of Ru@N–C catalyst
Authors: Wang Dongwei , Ma Zhanwei , Gou Farong , Hu Bin
Published: October 2023

Ru3(CO)12, as a guest metal source, was incorporated into the pores of ZIF-8 to form the Ru@N–C catalysts. The Ba promoter acted as an electronic and structural promoter; it can also promote NH3 desorption from Ru nanoparticles.
Porous acid–base hybrid polymers for enhanced NH3 uptake with assistance from cooperative hydrogen bonds
Authors: Luo Xiaoyan , Liu Yibang , Li Mingxing , Ling Renhui , Ye Ling , Cao Xuegong , Wang Congmin
Published: October 2023

Porous acid–base hybrid polymers present improved properties of NH3 uptake and desorption compared with the pure acid polymer owing to the reversible cooperative hydrogen bonding interactions between carboxylate acid and Lewis base moieties.
Effect of urea and ammonium fluoride ratio on CuCo2S4/NF as a highly efficient HER catalyst
Authors: Di Yifei , Zhao Rongda , Xiang Jun , Meng Xiangsen , Wu Fufa , Li Jing
Published: October 2023

This research is to use hydrothermal method to synthesize several CuCo2S4/NF and CuCo2O4/NF catalysts. The influence of urea and NH4F ratio on the microstructure and HER catalytic activity of CuCo2S4/NF catalyst has been discussed in detail.
First-principles insights into the C6N7 monolayer as a highly efficient sensor and scavenger for the detection of selective volatile organic compounds
Authors: Zhang Ruishan , Wang Zihao , Hou Qihua , Yuan Xiaobo , Yong Yongliang , Cui Hongling , Li Xinli
Published: October 2023

The design of new gas sensors and scavengers of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is desirable for VOC enriching, separation and utilization.
Isoacridone dyes with parallel reactivity from both singlet and triplet excited states for biphotonic catalysis and upconversion
Authors: Pfund Björn , Hutskalova Valeriia , Sparr Christof , Wenger Oliver S.
Published: October 2023

New isoacridone photosensitizers with long-lived triplet excited states (up to 43.7 μs), triplet energies of ca. 1.9 eV and ISC efficiencies up to 52% were used for multiphoton-based catalysis and sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion.
Multiexciton quintet state populations in a rigid pyrene-bridged parallel tetracene dimer
Authors: Lin Liang-Chun , Smith Tanner , Ai Qianxiang , Rugg Brandon K. , Risko Chad , Anthony John E. , Damrauer Niels H. , Johnson Justin C.
Published: October 2023

The multiexciton quintet state, 5TT, generated as a singlet fission intermediate in pairs of molecular chromophores, is a promising candidate as a qubit or qudit in future quantum information science schemes.
Nonribosomal peptides protect Pseudomonas nunensis 4A2e from amoebal and nematodal predation
Authors: Pflanze Sebastian , Mukherji Ruchira , Ibrahim Anan , Günther Markus , Götze Sebastian , Chowdhury Somak , Reimer Lisa , Regestein Lars , Stallforth Pierre
Published: October 2023

Genome mining of the environmental bacterial isolate Pseudomonas nunensis 4A2e led to the discovery of three novel lipopeptides. Ecology-inspired bioassays highlight their importance in protecting the producing organism against various predators.
Unlimiting ionic conduction: manipulating hydration dynamics through vibrational strong coupling of water
Authors: Fukushima Tomohiro , Yoshimitsu Soushi , Murakoshi Kei
Published: October 2023

The vibrational strong coupling of water molecules can induce the promotion of the charge transport of hydrated ions.
Synthesis, supramolecular aggregation, and NIR-II phosphorescence of isocyanorhodium(i) zwitterions
Authors: Wei Wenxuan , Wang Jun , Kang Xiaomei , Li Haoquan , He Qun , Chang Guanjun , Bu Weifeng
Published: October 2023

The designed arylisocyanidorhodium(i) zwitterions 2 and 5 exhibit intense NIR-II phosphorescence, and their polymer nanoparticles were applied as bioimaging agents.
A supramolecular nanoplatform for imaging-guided phototherapies via hypoxia tumour microenvironment remodeling
Authors: Zhou Weijie , Chen Suwen , Ouyang Yingjie , Huang Baoxuan , Zhang Hongman , Zhang Weian , Tian Jia
Published: October 2023

A supramolecular platform was constructed for imaging-guided photodynamic and photothermal therapies by hypoxia tumour microenvironment remodeling via the inhibition of mitochondria-associated oxidative phosphorylation and combined therapeutic effects.
Alternating styrene–propylene and styrene–ethylene copolymers prepared by photocatalytic decarboxylation
Authors: Schué Emmanuelle , Rickertsen Dillon R. L. , Korpusik Angie B. , Adili Alafate , Seidel Daniel , Sumerlin Brent S.
Published: October 2023

We developed a straightforward approach to alternating styrene–propylene and styrene–ethylene copolymers by combining radical polymerizations and powerful post-polymerization modification reactions.
Thickness dependence of telephone cord blister formation in solvent swollen films of polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Sharp James S. , Roberts Nathaniel M.
Published: October 2023

The thickness dependence of telephone cord blister formation in thin films of solvent swollen PDMS was studied using a simple imaging setup. Results were interpreted using theories of thin film buckling and dynamic fracture mechanics.
Hemodynamics in the Extracorporeal Aortic Cannula: Review of Factors Affecting Choice of the Appropriate Size
Authors: Pfaender Lynn M.
Published: October 2023

To minimize hemolysis rate and damage to blood due to characteristics of aortic cannulae, critical blood velocity, blood cannula interactions and shear stress ranges for extracorporeal circulation (ECC) must be determined.

At blood flow rates and viscosity levels typically experienced during ECC mean blood velocity, critical blood velocity, shear stress, and kinetic energy are determined in several aortic cannulae, 3-8 mm. Twenty-five percent glycerol is the priming solution.

In ten Fr and twenty-four Fr aortic cannulae at 25°C, the velocity above which flow becomes turbulent occurs at flow rates of 975 ccjmin and 2750 ccjmin respectively. Turbulence within these cannulae occurs at flow rates above 650 ccjmin and 2000 ccjmin at 37°C.

The recommended flow rate for the cannula sizes tested, determined by the average flow rate at each limit studied, resulted in maximum recommended flows of 883, 1283,2134,2899,3840, and 4954 ccjmin for cannulae sizes 3-8 mm respectively.

Blood velocity and shear stress at typical ECC flow rates caused significant turbulence and hemolysis, which must be minimized by the choice of cannulae of the correct size.
The Use of Skin Plethysmography to Monitor Counter-Pulsation by the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Authors: Williams T. G. , Bartoli A. , Woollard K. V. , Makey A. R.
Published: October 2023

Skin plethysmography was used to monitor counter-pulsation by the intra-aortic balloon pump in 30 patients, 19 of whom came to coronary artery bypass grafting for pre-infarction angina.

Skin plethysmography provided a reliable display of the arterial waveform and permitted correct adjustment of the timing and rate of balloon inflation and exhaust to produce maximum augmentation of the systolic peak pressure and a controlled drop in the end-diastolic pressure. The technique proved simple, safe and without the risks that may be associated with long-term arterial cannulation.
The Necessity for Arterial Extra-Corporeal Line Pressure Monitoring for Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Hope Alastair F. , Meyer Johannes M. , Verwoerd Christiaan A.
Published: October 2023

The measurement and monitoring of the pressure generated by the arterial pump in the tubing proximal to the arterial cannula of the extra-corporeal circuit is important, as malposition of the arterial cannula can be avoided or corrected in many instances. This paper reviews the technique of arterial line pressure monitoring for cardiopulmonary bypass.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Organoselenium Compounds: A Graphical Review
Authors: Ruan Zhixiong , Hasimujiang Balati
Published: October 2023

Electrochemical synthesis, due to its environmentally benign, sustainable, and practical nature, has become an appealing and powerful substitute for traditional methods for oxidizing and reducing organic compounds. Thus, numerous valuable changes have been established in the field of organic synthesis through the utilization of electrochemistry. Among these electrochemical transformations, the formation of C–Se bonds stands out as an exceptionally noteworthy reaction type. In this graphical review, we present a succinct summary of the progress in utilizing electrochemical strategies for synthesizing organoselenium compounds.
The insecurity of doing research and the ‘so what question’ in political science: how to develop more compelling research problems by facing anxiety
Authors: Gustafsson Karl , Hagström Linus
Published: October 2023

Research problems are crucial in the sense that they provide new research with purpose and justification. So why, despite the abundance of guidance available from an extensive methods literature, do graduate students often struggle to develop compelling research problems? This article argues that the process of developing research problems epitomises the insecurity of doing research. We focus in particular on the anxiety that graduate students often seek to avoid or alleviate through a range of counterproductive coping strategies. The existing literature on research problems focuses predominantly on the technical aspects of doing research while neglecting how anxiety might affect the research process. This article seeks to rectify this shortcoming by providing advice on how graduate students can face such anxiety, and how professors can assist them in this endeavour. Drawing on theories about identity and anxiety, the article explains the allure of coping strategies such as gap-filling, while arguing that anxiety is not necessarily a negative emotion to be avoided at all costs, but integral to learning and creativity. It concludes by suggesting that compelling research problems can be constructed through the formulation of narratives that try to embrace anxiety, instead of seeking premature resolutions.
Overview of the Langmuir probe system on the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade
Authors: Ryan P. J. , Elmore S. D. , Harrison J. R. , Lovell J. , Stephen R.
Published: October 2023

A detailed description of the Langmuir probe system on Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak Upgrade is presented. The system features 850 tile-embedded probes and 40 bespoke electronic modules that each have the capability to drive and acquire data from up to 16 probes in a time-multiplexed manner. The system provides spatiotemporal-resolved measurements (1 cm and ∼1 ms, respectively) in the divertor region of ion saturation current, electron temperature, and floating potential. The standard interpretation of current-voltage (IV) characteristics is to apply a four-parameter fit, based on unmagnetized probe theory, which includes a linear model for the ion saturation region. To mitigate the effect of the magnetic field, analysis is restricted to the region of the IV characteristic, which is sensitive to only the tail of the electron energy distribution function.
A two-dimensional optoelectronic material AgBiP2Se6/MoSe2 heterostructure with excellent carrier transport efficiency
Authors: Zhao Pan , Cheng Rui , Zhao Lin , Yang Hui-Juan , Jiang Zhen-Yi
Published: October 2023

The lattice mismatch, defect, and weak interlayer coupling severely constrain the practical application of van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) in the field of optoelectronic devices. Here, we introduced the 2D ferroelectric (FE) material AgBiP2Se6 to construct defect-free, low lattice-mismatched AgBiP2Se6/MoSe2 heterojunctions with different polariton directions (I, II, III). The AgBiP2Se6 layer can provide an excellent FE electric field to enhance the interlayer coupling and stiffness. The larger interlay stiffness reduces the probability of electron–phonon scattering and then results in significant carrier mobility (∼0.5 × 104 cm2 V−1 s−1) for configurations I and II. Phase transition of FE to paraelectric AgBiP2Se6 in the AgBiP2Se6/MoSe2 heterojunctions can be achieved under specific biaxial strain, which can effectively regulate the electronic structure. Applying the strain and electric field can regulate the bandgap and band alignment of configurations I and II. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of configuration I can reach as high as 20.54% under 2% biaxial strain. Furthermore, configuration II holds a nearly free electron state near the Fermi level under an electric field, which can act as a favorable electron transport channel. A design to strengthen interlayer coupling in the FE-based AgBiP2Se6/MoSe2 heterojunction has been proposed, and it can provide a new way to break through the traditional bottleneck in the development of optoelectronic devices.
Computing Barkhausen noise spectra for magnetostrictive thin film composites using efficient magnetization-magnitude preserving simulation techniques
Authors: Dorn Christian , Hörsting Marian , Wulfinghoff Stephan
Published: October 2023

Barkhausen noise is a type of magnetic noise that occurs due to the interaction of domain walls with defects. In magnetic sensor applications, this can be a detrimental phenomenon since it disturbs the signal. We study this noise using coupled micro-magneto-mechanical finite element simulations. To this end, we consider in the first step a thermodynamically consistent material model within the generalized standard material approach. In our material model, we include exchange, anisotropy, demagnetizing, Zeeman, and elastic energy. The coupling between mechanics and micro-magnetics is implemented via a magnetostrictive strain contribution. In the following step, we extend the material model to represent the full Landau–Lifschitz–Gilbert magnetization dynamics. For the model extension, we give a detailed exposition of the finite element implementation. In particular, we use a new modified leapfrog/Crank–Nicolson time integration scheme, which preserves the magnetization magnitude exactly. Furthermore, we showcase in detail the scheme for applying our material model to noise computation (based on ensemble averaging). Finally, we investigate various numerical examples based on the magnetostrictive material FeCoSiB to illustrate the different features of our approach.
Analysis of contact ablation of circuit breaker after short circuit current breaking
Authors: Mao Xiaopo , Ye Jianfeng , Xiong Yu , Tian Ze , Hu Kuan , Wang Jiaqiang , Feng Hongwu
Published: October 2023

During the opening and closing process of the contact, it will undergo repeated arc ablation and wear. After each ablation and wear, the composition, performance, and shape of the contact surface constantly change, leading to cracks, slag drop, melting, evaporation, and other phenomena on the contact surface, ultimately causing the contact to fail, resulting in the switch not being able to open and close normally. In order to study the failure mechanism of arc contacts caused by arc erosion after breaking short-circuit current, a pair of arc contacts for the cumulative breaking short circuit current test was selected as the research object. The metallographic, microscopic morphology, and energy spectrum analysis of the arc contacts were conducted, and the analysis results were compared with the new arc contacts to reveal the evolution and development process of arc contacts from cumulative arc erosion to failure during breaking.
A prediction model for the failure threshold in a CoNiV medium-entropy alloy
Authors: Hao Rong , Liu Guanhao , Wang Zhong , Yang Huijun , Liaw Peter K. , Qiao Junwei
Published: October 2023

Portevin–Le Chatelier effect, associated with dynamic strain aging, is widely found in various alloys, and the maximum serration magnitude from the tensile stress–strain curve can be considered as the point closest to the failure threshold. Due to the difficulty to define solute and solvent atoms in multicomponent alloys, it is a great challenge to explore the serration mechanism. In this study, the atoms that play the role of pinning are defined as solute atoms. Aided by mean-field theory, an in situ pinning model coupled with the twinning effect in a CoNiV alloy with low stacking fault energies is successfully established, which can well predict the failure threshold, i.e., the maximum serration magnitude. The present study paves a new way to correlate the serration dynamics and in situ pinning, and further predicts the failure threshold upon loading for multicomponent high- and medium-entropy alloys.
Plasmonic, photonic, or hybrid? Reviewing waveguide geometries for electro-optic modulators
Authors: Messner Andreas , Moor David , Chelladurai Daniel , Svoboda Roman , Smajic Jasmin , Leuthold Juerg
Published: October 2023

Electro-optic modulators are key elements in high-speed optical telecommunication links and preferably rely on materials with a linear electro-optic effect. Choosing adequate waveguide geometries is a key challenge in the design of electro-optic modulators. While all-dielectric geometries promise high-speed modulation with low propagation loss, their modulation efficiency suffers from low confinement and weak electrical fields, resulting in lengthy devices. Plasmonic geometries, on the other hand, allow for most compact devices featuring highest electro-optical bandwidths, but at the cost of higher losses. Alternatively, hybrid photonic–plasmonic solutions open a sweet spot for high-speed modulators with moderate loss. In this review, we discuss the three waveguide types by analyzing and comparing their performance and their sensitivity to variations in geometry with respect to a choice of the electro-optical Pockels-effect material.
What can we learn from the dynamics of the Covid-19 epidemic ?
Authors: Peyrard M.
Published: October 2023

We investigate the mechanisms behind quasi-periodic outbursts on the Covid-19 epidemics. Data for France and Germany show that the patterns of outbursts exhibit a qualitative change in early 2022, which appears in a change in their average period and which is confirmed by the time–frequency analysis. This provides a signal that can be used to discriminate among several mechanisms. Two main ideas have been proposed to explain periodicity in epidemics. One involves memory effects and another considers exchanges between epidemic clusters and a reservoir of population. We test these two approaches in the particular case of the Covid-19 epidemics and show that the “cluster model” is the only one that appears to be able to explain the observed pattern with realistic parameters. The last section discusses our results in the context of early studies of epidemics, and we stress the importance to work with models with a limited number of parameters, which moreover can be sufficiently well estimated, to draw conclusions on the general mechanisms behind the observations.
Data reduction for spatially resolved reflectance anisotropy spectrometer
Authors: Rodríguez-Salas L. , Lastras-Martínez A. , Núñez-Olvera O. F. , Lastras-Montaño M. A. , Castro-García R. , Balderas-Navarro R. E. , Lastras-Martínez L. F.
Published: October 2023

We show that in spatially resolved reflectance anisotropy (RA) spectrometers, off-axis optical rays introduce a spurious signal component that cannot be addressed by optical alignment. Such a component is associated with the difference between the reflectivities s and p of the sample and depends, in a complex manner, on the incidence position of the incident light on the surface of the sample. We report a data-reduction procedure to easily identify and remove spurious RA signals associated with the off-axis optical rays, based on the singular value decomposition analysis of spatially resolved RA spectra. We validated this approach by developing a spatially resolved RA spectrometer based on an 8 × 8 multi-anode photomultiplier (PMT). The PMT allowed the use of phase-sensitive detection techniques to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, which is essential for the evaluation of the proposed data reduction procedure.
A compact low energy proton source
Authors: Weiser A. , Lanz A. , Hunter E. D. , Simon M. C. , Widmann E. , Murtagh D. J.
Published: October 2023

A low energy proton source for non-neutral plasma experiments was developed. Electrons from a hot filament ionize H2 gas inside a geometrically compensated Penning trap to produce protons via dissociative ionization. A rotating wall electric field destabilizes the unwanted H2+ and H3+ generated in the process while concentrating protons at the center of the trap. The source produces bunches of protons with relatively low ion contamination (5.5% H2+ and 15.5% H3+), with energy tunable from 35 to 300 eV.
Large-area SNSPD with a high count rate enhanced by a discharge acceleration circuit
Authors: Tan Jingrou , Li Haochen , Zhang Labao , Ji Tianhao , Li Hui , Fei Yue , Zhang Biao , Guo Shuya , Guan Yanqiu , Chen Qi , Tu Xuecou , Zhao Qingyuan , Jia Xiaoqing , Chen Jian , Kang Lin , Wu Peiheng
Published: October 2023

A large-area single-photon detector with a high maximum count rate (MCR) is expected by LiDAR application for a large dynamic range and high coupling efficiency. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are very competitive for high quantum efficiency at near infrared wavelengths. However, it is a great challenge to balance the efficiency, area, and MCR of SNSPDs due to the long superconducting nanowire architecture. In this article, we design a large-area SNSPD with a high MCR for LiDAR applications. The SNSPD has four independent channels, and each of them is composed of four parallel nanowires. The photosensitive area has a diameter of 60 μm and can be coupled with a 200-μm multimode fiber through a lens. At the same time, we analyze the origin of the detector latching under high count rates and propose a discharge acceleration circuit to alleviate it. In the experiment, an MCR of 147 Mcps is achieved in this SNSPD. The product of area and MCR for each channel of this SNSPD is twice higher than previously reported results. We highlight that this work is of great significance for the application of SNSPD in LiDAR.