bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning for the quality control of thermoforming food packages
Authors: Banús Núria , Boada Imma , Xiberta Pau , Toldrà Pol , Bustins Narcís
Published: November 2021

Quality control is a key process designed to ensure that only products satisfying the defined quality requirements reach the end consumer or the next step in a production line. In the food industry, in the packaging step, there are many products that are still evaluated by human operators. To automate the process and improve efficiency and effectiveness, computer vision and artificial intelligence techniques can be applied. This automation is challenging since specific strategies designed according to the application scenario are required. Focusing on the quality control of the sealing and closure of matrix-shaped thermoforming food packages, the aim of the article is to propose a deep-learning-based solution designed to automatically perform the quality control while satisfying production cadence and ensuring 100% inline inspection of the products. Particularly, the designed computer vision system and the image-based criteria defined to determine when a product has to be accepted or rejected are presented. In addition, the vision control software is described with special emphasis on the different convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures that have been considered (ResNet18, ResNet50, Vgg19 and DenseNet161, non-pre-trained and pre-trained on ImageNet) and on the specifically designed dataset. To test the solution, different experiments are carried out in the laboratory and also in a real scenario, concluding that the proposed CNN-based approach improves the efficiency and security of the quality control process. Optimal results are obtained with the pre-trained DenseNet161, achieving false positive rates that range from 0.03 to 0.30% and false negative rates that range from 0 to 0.07%, with a rejection rate between 0.64 and 5.09% of production, and being able to detect at least 99.93% of the sealing defects that occur in any production. The modular design of our solution as well as the provided description allow it to adapt to similar scenarios and to new deep-learning models to prevent the arrival of faulty products to end consumers by removing them from the automated production line.
Catching the Main Ethiopian Rift evolving towards plate divergence
Authors: Nicotra Eugenio , Viccaro Marco , Donato Paola , Acocella Valerio , De Rosa Rosanna
Published: November 2021

Magmatism accompanies rifting along divergent plate boundaries, although its role before continental breakup remains poorly understood. For example, the magma-assisted Northern Main Ethiopian Rift (NMER) lacks current volcanism and clear tectono-magmatic relationships with its contiguous rift portions. Here we define its magmatic behaviour, identifying the most recent eruptive fissures (EF) whose aphyric basalts have a higher Ti content than those of older monogenetic scoria cones (MSC), which are porphyritic and plagioclase-dominated. Despite these differences, calculations highlight a similar parental melt for EF and MSC products, suggesting only a different evolutionary history after melt generation. While MSC magmas underwent a further step of storage at intermediate crustal levels, EF magmas rose directly from the base of the crust without contamination, even below older polygenetic volcanoes, suggesting rapid propagation of transcrustal dikes across solidified magma chambers. Whether this recent condition in the NMER is stable or transient, it indicates a transition from central polygenetic to linear fissure volcanism, indicative of increased tensile conditions and volcanism directly fed from the base of the crust, suggesting transition towards mature rifting.
Symmetric resonator based tunable epsilon negative near zero index metamaterial with high effective medium ratio for multiband wireless applications
Authors: Moniruzzaman Md. , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Hossain Ismail , Soliman Mohamed S. , Samsuzzaman Md , Almalki Sami H. A.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a tuned metamaterial (MTM) consisting of a symmetric split ring resonator is presented that exhibits epsilon negative (ENG), near zero permeability and refractive index properties for multiband microwave applications. The proposed metamaterial is constituted on a Rogers (RT-5880) substrate with 1.57 mm thickness and the electrical dimension of 0.14λ × 0.14λ, where wavelength, λ is calculated at 4.2 GHz. The symmetric resonating patch is subdivided into four equal and similar quartiles with two interconnecting split rings in each quartile. The quartiles are connected at the center of the substrate with a square metal strip with which four tuning metal strips are attached. These tuning metal strips are acted as spacers between four quartiles of the resonator patch. Numerical simulation of the proposed design is executed in CST microwave studio. The proposed MTM provides four resonances of transmission coefficient (S21) at 4.20 GHz, 10.14 GHz, 13.15 GHz, and 17.1 GHz covering C, X and Ku bands with negative permittivity, near zero permeability and refractive index. The calculated effective medium ratio (EMR) is 7.14 at 4.2 GHz indicates its compactness. The resonance frequencies are selective in nature which can be easily tuned by varying the length of the tuning metal stubs. The equivalent circuit of the proposed MTM is modelled in Advanced Design Software (ADS) that exhibits a similar S21compared with CST simulation. Surface current, electric and magnetic fields are analyzed to explain the frequency tuning property and other performances of the MTM. Compact size, ENG with near zero permeability and refractive index along with frequency selectivity through tuning provides flexibility for frequency selective applications of this MTM in wireless communications.
Turn taking is not restricted by task specialisation but does not facilitate equality in offspring provisioning
Authors: Griffioen Maaike , Iserbyt Arne , Müller Wendt
Published: November 2021

Sexual conflict arises when two individuals invest in their common offspring because both individuals benefit when their partner invests more. Conditional cooperation is a theoretical concept that could resolve this conflict. Here, parents are thought to motivate each other to contribute to provisioning visits by following the rules of turn taking, which results in equal and efficient investment. However, parents have other tasks besides provisioning, which might hinder taking turns. To investigate restrictions by other care tasks and whether turn taking can be used to match investment, we manipulated brooding duration in female blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)during the early nestling phase by changing nest box temperature. As expected, females subjected to cold conditions brooded longer than females under warm conditions. Yet, contrary to our prediction, females had similar visit rates in both treatments, which suggests that females in the cold treatment invested more overall. In addition, the females’ turn taking level was higher in the more demanding cold condition (and the calculated randomised turn taking levels of females did not differ), hence females don’t seem to be restricted in their turn taking strategy by other care tasks. However, males did not seem to match the females’ turn taking levels because they did not adjust their visit rates. Thus, level of turn taking was not restricted by an other sex-specific task in females and did not facilitate a greater investment by their male partners.
Systematic quantitative evaluation of Plan-IQ for intensity-modulated radiation therapy after modified radical mastectomy
Authors: Chen Kunzhi , Zheng Zhuangzhuang , Ding Lijuan , Tao Na , Wang Libo , Xia Wenming , Wang Huidong , Jiang Xin
Published: November 2021

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the main treatment strategies of breast cancer. It is challenging to design RT plans that can completely cover the target area while protecting organs at risk (OAR). The Plan-IQ feasibility tool can estimate the best sparing dose of OAR before optimizing the Plan. A systematic quantitative evaluation of the quality change of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using the Plan-IQ feasibility tool was performed for modified radical mastectomy in this study. We selected 50 patients with breast cancer treated with IMRT. All patients received the same dose in the planning target volume (PTV). The plans are categorized into two groups, with each patient having one plan in each group: the clinically accepted normal plan group (NP group) and the repeat plan group (RP group). An automated planning strategy was generated using a Plan-IQ feasibility dose volume histogram (FDVH) in RP group. These plans were assessed according to the dosimetry parameters. A detailed scoring strategy was based on the RTOG9804 report and 2018 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, combined with clinical experience. PTV coverage in both groups was achieved at 100% of the prescribed dose. Except for the thyroid coverage, the dose limit of organs at risk (OAR) in RP group was significantly better than that in NP group. In the scoring analysis, the total scores of RP group decreased compared to that of NP group (P < 0.05), and the individual scores of PTV and OAR significantly changed. PTV scores in RP group decreased (P < 0.01); however, OAR scores improved (P < 0.01). The Plan-IQ FDVH was useful for evaluating a class solution for IMRT planning. Plan-IQ can automatically help physicians design the best OAR protection plan, which sacrifices part of PTV, but still meets clinical requirements.
GAN inversion method of an initial in situ stress field based on the lateral stress coefficient
Authors: Qian Li , Yao Tianzhi , Mo Zuguo , Zhang Jianhai , Li Yonghong , Zhang Ru , Xu Nuwen , Li Zhiguo
Published: November 2021

The initial in situ stress field influences underground engineering design and construction. Since the limited measured data, it is necessary to obtain an optimized stress field. Although the present stress field can be obtained by valley evolution simulation, the accuracy of the ancient stress field has a remarkable influence. This paper proposed a method using the generative adversarial network (GAN) to obtain optimized lateral stress coefficients of the ancient stress field. A numerical model with flat ancient terrain surfaces is established. Utilizing the nonlinear relationship between measured stress components and present burial depth, lateral stress coefficients of ancient times are estimated to obtain the approximate ancient stress field. Uniform designed numerical tests are carried out to simulate the valley evolution by excavation. Coordinates, present burial depth, present lateral stress coefficients and ancient regression factors of lateral stress coefficients are input to GAN as real samples for training, and optimized ancient regression factors can be predicted. The present stress field is obtained by excavating strata layers. Numerical results show the magnitude and distribution law of the present stress field match well with measured points, thus the proposed method for the stress field inversion is effective.
Mindfulness intervention improves cognitive function in older adults by enhancing the level of miRNA-29c in neuron-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Hashizume Shin , Nakano Masako , Kubota Kenta , Sato Seiichi , Himuro Nobuaki , Kobayashi Eiji , Takaoka Akinori , Fujimiya Mineko
Published: November 2021

Although mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improves cognitive function, the mechanism is not clear. In this study, people aged 65 years and older were recruited from elderly communities in Chitose City, Japan, and assigned to a non-MBSR group or a MBSR group. Before and after the intervention, the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) was administered, and blood samples were collected. Then, neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEVs) were isolated from blood samples, and microRNAs, as well as the target mRNAs, were evaluated in NDEVs. A linear mixed model analysis showed significant effects of the MBSR x time interaction on the MoCA-J scores, the expression of miRNA(miR)-29c, DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A), and DNMT3B in NDEVs. These results indicate that MBSR can improve cognitive function by increasing the expression of miR-29c and decreasing the expression of DNMT3A, as well as DNMT3B, in neurons. It was also found that intracerebroventricular injection of miR-29c mimic into 5xFAD mice prevented cognitive decline, as well as neuronal loss in the subiculum area, by down-regulating Dnmt3a  and Dnmt3b  in the hippocampus. The present study suggests that MBSR can prevent neuronal loss and cognitive impairment by increasing the neuronal expression of miR-29c.
Intrinsic network activity reflects the ongoing experience of chronic pain
Authors: Jahn Pauline , Deak Bettina , Mayr Astrid , Stankewitz Anne , Keeser Daniel , Griffanti Ludovica , Witkovsky Viktor , Irving Stephanie , Schulz Enrico
Published: November 2021

Analyses of intrinsic network activity have been instrumental in revealing cortical processes that are altered in chronic pain patients. In a novel approach, we aimed to elucidate how intrinsic functional networks evolve in regard to the fluctuating intensity of the experience of chronic pain. In a longitudinal study with 156 fMRI sessions, 20 chronic back pain patients and 20 chronic migraine patients were asked to continuously rate the intensity of their endogenous pain. We investigated the relationship between the fluctuation of intrinsic network activity with the time course of subjective pain ratings. For chronic back pain, we found increased cortical network activity for the salience network and a local pontine network, as well as decreased network activity in the anterior and posterior default mode network for higher pain intensities. Higher pain intensities in chronic migraine were accompanied with lower activity in a prefrontal cortical network. By taking the perspective of the individual, we focused on the variability of the subjective perception of pain, which include phases of relatively low pain and phases of relatively high pain. The present design of the assessment of ongoing endogenous pain can be a powerful and promising tool to assess the signature of a patient’s endogenous pain encoding.
Advance of soy commodity in the southern Amazonia with deforestation via PRODES and ImazonGeo: a moratorium-based approach
Authors: Lourençoni Thais , da Silva Junior Carlos Antonio , Lima Mendelson , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Pelissari Tatiane Deoti , dos Santos Regimar Garcia , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Luz Iago Manuelson , Rossi Fernando Saragosa
Published: November 2021

The guidance on decision-making regarding deforestation in Amazonia has been efficient as a result of monitoring programs using remote sensing techniques. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the expansion of soybean farming in disagreement with the Soy Moratorium (SoyM) in the Amazonia biome of Mato Grosso from 2008 to 2019. Deforestation data provided by two Amazonia monitoring programs were used: PRODES (Program for Calculating Deforestation in Amazonia) and ImazonGeo (Geoinformation Program on Amazonia). For the identification of soybean areas, the Perpendicular Crop Enhancement Index (PCEI) spectral model was calculated using a cloud platform. To verify areas (polygons) of largest converted forest-soybean occurrences, the Kernel Density (KD) estimator was applied. Mann–Kendall and Pettitt tests were used to identify trends over the time series. Our findings reveal that 1,387,288 ha were deforested from August 2008 to October 2019 according to PRODES data, of which 108,411 ha (7.81%) were converted into soybean. The ImazonGeo data showed 729,204 hectares deforested and 46,182 hectares (6.33%) converted into soybean areas. Based on the deforestation polygons of the two databases, the KD estimator indicated that the municipalities of Feliz Natal, Tabaporã, Nova Ubiratã, and União do Sul presented higher occurrences of soybean fields in disagreement with the SoyM. The results indicate that the PRODES system presents higher data variability and means statistically superior to ImazonGeo.
A separation-of-function ZIP4 wheat mutant allows crossover between related chromosomes and is meiotically stable
Authors: Martín Azahara C. , Alabdullah Abdul Kader , Moore Graham
Published: November 2021

Many species, including most flowering plants, are polyploid, possessing multiple genomes. During polyploidisation, fertility is preserved via the evolution of mechanisms to control the behaviour of these multiple genomes during meiosis. On the polyploidisation of wheat, the major meiotic gene ZIP4 duplicated and diverged, with the resulting new gene TaZIP4-B2 being inserted into chromosome 5B. Previous studies showed that this TaZIP4-B2 promotes pairing and synapsis between wheat homologous chromosomes, whilst suppressing crossover between related (homoeologous) chromosomes. Moreover, in wheat, the presence of TaZIP4-B2 preserves up to 50% of grain number. The present study exploits a ‘separation-of-function’ wheat Tazip4-B2 mutant named zip4-ph1d, in which the Tazip4-B2 copy still promotes correct pairing and synapsis between homologues (resulting in the same pollen profile and fertility normally found in wild type wheat), but which also allows crossover between the related chromosomes in wheat haploids of this mutant. This suggests an improved utility for the new zip4-ph1d mutant line during wheat breeding, compared to the previously described CRISPR Tazip4-B2 and ph1 mutant lines. The results also reveal that loss of suppression of homoeologous crossover between wheat chromosomes does not in itself reduce wheat fertility when promotion of homologous pairing and synapsis by TaZIP4-B2 is preserved.
Drug repurposing for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on gene co-expression network analysis
Authors: MotieGhader Habib , Safavi Esmaeil , Rezapour Ali , Amoodizaj Fatemeh Firouzi , Iranifam Roya asl
Published: November 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious viral respiratory illness. This illness is spurred on by a coronavirus known as SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS was first detected in Asia in late February 2003. The genome of this virus is very similar to the SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the study of SARS-CoV disease and the identification of effective drugs to treat this disease can be new clues for the treatment of SARS-Cov-2. This study aimed to discover novel potential drugs for SARS-CoV disease in order to treating SARS-Cov-2 disease based on a novel systems biology approach. To this end, gene co-expression network analysis was applied. First, the gene co-expression network was reconstructed for 1441 genes, and then two gene modules were discovered as significant modules. Next, a list of miRNAs and transcription factors that target gene co-expression modules' genes were gathered from the valid databases, and two sub-networks formed of transcription factors and miRNAs were established. Afterward, the list of the drugs targeting obtained sub-networks' genes was retrieved from the DGIDb database, and two drug-gene and drug-TF interaction networks were reconstructed. Finally, after conducting different network analyses, we proposed five drugs, including FLUOROURACIL, CISPLATIN, SIROLIMUS, CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, and METHYLDOPA, as candidate drugs for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus treatment. Moreover, ten miRNAs including miR-193b, miR-192, miR-215, miR-34a, miR-16, miR-16, miR-92a, miR-30a, miR-7, and miR-26b were found to be significant miRNAs in treating SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
Incorporation of apolipoprotein E into HBV–HCV subviral envelope particles to improve the hepatitis vaccine strategy
Authors: Gomez-Escobar Elsa , Burlaud-Gaillard Julien , Visdeloup Clara , Ribeiro E Silva Adeline , Coutant Pauline , Roingeard Philippe , Beaumont Elodie
Published: November 2021

Hepatitis C is a major threat to public health for which an effective treatment is available, but a prophylactic vaccine is still needed to control this disease. We designed a vaccine based on chimeric HBV–HCV envelope proteins forming subviral particles (SVPs) that induce neutralizing antibodies against HCV in vitro. Here, we aimed to increase the neutralizing potential of those antibodies, by using HBV–HCV SVPs bearing apolipoprotein E (apoE). These particles were produced by cultured stable mammalian cell clones, purified and characterized. We found that apoE was able to interact with both chimeric HBV–HCV (E1-S and E2-S) proteins, and with the wild-type HBV S protein. ApoE was also detected on the surface of purified SVPs and improved the folding of HCV envelope proteins, but its presence lowered the incorporation of E2-S protein. Immunization of New Zealand rabbits resulted in similar anti-S responses for all rabbits, whereas anti-E1/-E2 antibody titers varied according to the presence or absence of apoE. Regarding the neutralizing potential of these anti-E1/-E2 antibodies, it was higher in rabbits immunized with apoE-bearing particles. In conclusion, the association of apoE with HCV envelope proteins may be a good strategy for improving HCV vaccines based on viral envelope proteins.
Trueness of digital implant impressions based on implant angulation and scan body materials
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyun , Bae Jae-Hwi , Lee Su Young
Published: November 2021

Effects of implant angulation on digital implant impression accuracy remain controversial. Therefore, this in vitro study aimed to compare the digital implant impression trueness among models with different implant angulations and scan body materials. Six partially edentulous mandibular models with dental implants on the right second premolar and second molar areas were categorized according to the implant angulation of the distal implant (parallel, or 15° mesially or lingually tilted compared to the mesial implant) and scan body materials (polyetheretherketone or titanium). After scanning each model with intraoral scanners, the root mean square and within-tolerance values were calculated with respect to the reference, and nonparametric statistical tests were performed (α = .05). Scan data from models with the mesially tilted distal implant showed better trueness than the corresponding parallel and lingually tilted groups in terms of root mean square values (p < .017). The root mean square value in the titanium scan body group was lower than that in the polyetheretherketone scan body group (p < .001). However, the percentage within a tolerance of ± .1 mm was higher in the polyetheretherketone scan body group than in the titanium scan body group (p = .001). Intraoral scan data of models where the terminal implant was mesially tilted showed better trueness.
Low triiodothyronine levels correlate with high B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with heart failure
Authors: Takahashi Hirotake , Kashiwagi Yusuke , Nagoshi Tomohisa , Tanaka Yoshiro , Oi Yuhei , Kimura Haruka , Minai Kousuke , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: November 2021

Thyroid hormone metabolism can be closely associated with cardiovascular disorders. We examined the relationship between low triiodothyronine (T3) levels and heart failure status, including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, in 625 patients with cardiovascular disorders who underwent cardiac catheterization. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hemoglobin (Hb) levels, sex (male), free T3 (FT3) levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly negatively associated with the log BNP value, while age was significantly positively associated with the log BNP value (P < 0.001 each). Furthermore, the log BNP and age were significantly negatively associated with the FT3 levels, while the Hb and body mass index (BMI) were significantly positively associated with the FT3 levels (P < 0.001 each). Theoretically constructed structure equation modeling (SEM) revealed an inverse association between FT3 and BNP (β = −0.125, P = 0.002), and the same relationship remained in the patient group with normal-range BNP values (β = −0.198, P = 0.008). We demonstrated a significant relationship between high BNP and low serum FT3 levels, and this relationship remained significant in patients with normal BNP levels. These results indicate that low T3 is associated with high plasma BNP levels rather than worsening of hemodynamics.
D-dimer, disease severity, and deaths (3D-study) in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 100 studies
Authors: Varikasuvu Seshadri Reddy , Varshney Saurabh , Dutt Naveen , Munikumar Manne , Asfahan Shahir , Kulkarni Paresh P. , Gupta Pratima
Published: November 2021

Hypercoagulability and the need for prioritizing coagulation markers for prognostic abilities have been highlighted in COVID-19. We aimed to quantify the associations of D-dimer with disease progression in patients with COVID-19. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020186661.We included 113 studies in our systematic review, of which 100 records (n = 38,310) with D-dimer data) were considered for meta-analysis. Across 68 unadjusted (n = 26,960) and 39 adjusted studies (n = 15,653) reporting initial D-dimer, a significant association was found in patients with higher D-dimer for the risk of overall disease progression (unadjusted odds ratio (uOR) 3.15; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.64). The time-to-event outcomes were pooled across 19 unadjusted (n = 9743) and 21 adjusted studies (n = 13,287); a strong association was found in patients with higher D-dimers for the risk of overall disease progression (unadjusted hazard ratio (uHR) 1.41; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.10). The prognostic use of higher D-dimer was found to be promising for predicting overall disease progression (studies 68, area under curve 0.75) in COVID-19. Our study showed that higher D-dimer levels provide prognostic information useful for clinicians to early assess COVID-19 patients at risk for disease progression and mortality outcomes. This study, recommends rapid assessment of D-dimer for predicting adverse outcomes in COVID-19.
Sensitive and selective “signal-off” electrochemiluminescence sensing of prostate-specific antigen based on an aptamer and molecularly imprinted polymer
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Kan Xianwen
Published: November 2021

An aptamer-MIP based dual-recognition “signal-off” electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was fabricated for specific and sensitive determination of PSA.
An experimental and numerical modelling investigation of the optical properties of Intralipid using deep Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Moran Laura J. , Wordingham Freddy , Gardner Benjamin , Stone Nicholas , Harries Tim J.
Published: November 2021

Monte Carlo modelling of Raman spectroscopy in tissue phantoms to validate code and provide insight into the optical properties of Intralipid.
Developing potent LC3-targeting AUTAC tools for protein degradation with selective autophagy
Authors: Pei Junping , Pan Xiaoli , Wang Aoxue , Shuai Wen , Bu Faqian , Tang Pan , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Yiwen , Wang Guan , Ouyang Liang
Published: November 2021

Autophagy-based protein degradation is emerging as a promising technology for anti-diseases and innovative drug discovery.
Harnessing SeN to develop novel fluorescent probes for visualizing the variation of endogenous hypobromous acid (HOBr) during the administration of an immunotherapeutic agent
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liu Kaiqiang , Li Jingwen , Xie Yingying , Li Yong , Wang Xu , Xie Xilei , Jiao Xiaoyun , Tang Bo
Published: November 2021

By means of the formation of SeN, the ABT-Se and NDI-Se were developed to detect HOBr. The variation of endogenous HOBr in HeLa cells was visualized. In particular, the upregulation of HOBr was also monitored during the course of immunotherapy as the times of the BEC administration increased.
Opposite effects of cations in enhancing and suppressing nucleation in the pathological crystallization of gout
Authors: Da Anqi , Ren Aijun , Cheng Rong , Zhang Xingde , Pan Yonglan , Ou Chunyan , Fu Tingming , Liu Yonghai
Published: November 2021

“Opposite effects” were shown by cations, enhancing nucleation followed by suppressing nucleation at physiological pH and ionic strength.
Hexahalorhenate(iv) salts of protonated ciprofloxacin: antibiotic-based single-ion magnets
Authors: Sanchis-Perucho Adrián , Orts-Arroyo Marta , Camús-Hernández Javier , Rojas-Dotti Carlos , Escrivà Emilio , Lloret Francesc , Martínez-Lillo José
Published: November 2021

In the crystal lattice of two novel ReIV compounds, the paramagnetic [ReCl6]2− and [ReBr6]2− anions are well separated from each other through two protonated forms of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. These compounds behave as single-ion magnets (SIMs).
The role of excited-state character, structural relaxation, and symmetry breaking in enabling delayed fluorescence activity in push–pull chromophores
Authors: Kimber Patrick , Goddard Pooja , Wright Iain A. , Plasser Felix
Published: November 2021

The electronic structure properties of four related push–pull systems are studied using time-dependent density functional theory in connection with detailed wavefunction analysis protocols.
A DFT-design of single component bifunctional organocatalysts for the carbon dioxide/propylene oxide coupling reaction
Authors: El-Hendawy Morad M. , Desoky Ibtesam M. , Mohamed Mahmoud M. A.
Published: November 2021

The DFT findings indicate that the proposed ammonium based ionic liquids serve as effective single-component bifunctional organocatalysts for the CO2/PO coupling reaction under mild conditions. The catalysts could significantly reduce the barrier of the reaction by more than 30 kcal mol−1.
Selective hydrogenation of succinic acid to gamma-butyrolactone with PVP-capped CuPd catalysts
Authors: Le Son Dinh , Nishimura Shun
Published: November 2021

A reusable catalyst with a low metal loading amount of PVP-capped Pd rich CuPd nanoparticles was explored for highly selective production of γ-butyrolactone via hydrogenation of succinic acid at mild hydrogen pressure.
Engineering regioselectivity in the hydrosilylation of alkynes using heterobimetallic dual-functional hybrid catalysts
Authors: Roemer Max , Keaveney Sinead T. , Gonçales Vinicius R. , Lian Jiaxin , Downes James E. , Gautam Shreedhar , Gooding J. Justin , Messerle Barbara A.
Published: November 2021

The synthesis and characterization of carbon black supported rhodium and iridium heterobimetallic hybrid catalysts and their application in the hydrosilylation of alkynes is described.
The degradation of phenol via in situ H2O2 production over supported Pd-based catalysts
Authors: Santos Alba , Lewis Richard J. , Morgan David J. , Davies Thomas E. , Hampton Euan , Gaskin Paul , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: November 2021

The oxidative degradation of phenol via in situ H2O2 production offers an attractive route to the destruction of organic contaminants in water streams, overcoming the significant concerns associated with traditional water remediation technologies.
The role of the metal center on charge transport rate in MOF-525: cobalt and nickel porphyrin
Authors: Herrera-Herrera Pedro Arturo , Rodríguez-Sevilla Erika , Varela Ana Sofía
Published: November 2021

The nature of the metal center can be used to tune the charge transfer rate in MOFs.
The evolving role of geothermal energy for decarbonizing the United States
Authors: Tester Jefferson W. , Beckers Koenraad F. , Hawkins Adam J. , Lukawski Maciej Z.
Published: November 2021

More than 20% of U.S. primary energy demand is used for heating in residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Low-temperature geothermal energy, which is widely available, can be developed to supply affordable, low-carbon heating across the U.S.
Disinfection applications of ozone micro- and nanobubbles
Authors: Seridou Petroula , Kalogerakis Nicolas
Published: November 2021

Micro- and nanobubbles (MNBs) are microscopic gas bodies sized at micro (<100 μm) and nanoscale (<1 μm), that have a long lifetime in aqueous solutions and large specific surface area due to their small size.
Photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation activity of TiO2 improved by the modification of persistent free radicals
Authors: Liu Jianli , Dong Guohui , Jing Jun , Zhang Shuyun , Huang Yu , Ho Wingkei
Published: November 2021

EPFRs can improve ˙OH generation via the h+ oxidation. This is because EPFRs construct a built-in electric field to help the migration of h+ from anatase to EPFRs. Meanwhile, EPFRs help anatase adsorb more H2O molecules, which are the source of ˙OH.
Structural modification and dynamicin vitrofermentation profiles of precooked pea starch as affected by different drying methods
Authors: Chang Danni , Ma Zhen , Li Xiaoping , Hu Xinzhong
Published: November 2021

Pea starch was pre-cooked before being subjected to different drying treatments including oven-drying, infrared-drying, microwave-drying and freeze-drying.
Ionic liquids for renewable thermal energy storage – a perspective
Authors: Piper Samantha L. , Kar Mega , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Matuszek Karolina , Pringle Jennifer M.
Published: November 2021

This Perspective discusses the evolution and promise of the emerging application of ionic liquids for renewable thermal energy storage.
The sensitivity determination of energetic materials from laser spark spectrometry based on physical-parameter-corrected statistical methods
Authors: Wang Xianshuang , Wang Junfeng , Fu Ying , Liu Ruibin , He Yage , Li An , Kong Denan , Guo Wei , Shu Qinghai , Yao Yugui
Published: November 2021

A simple method combining the impact of various factors on sensitivity is developed to determine various sensitivities via laser spark spectrometry with the consumption of only several milligrams of EM, rather than via macro-detonation testing.
Urchin-like NiCo2O4 hollow microspheres with oxygen vacancies synthesized by self-template for supercapacitor
Authors: Luo Zhongwei , Shu Dong , Yi Fenyun , Ling Jingzhou , Wang Mengyi , Huang Chen , Gao Aimei
Published: November 2021

The designed urchin-like NiCo2O4 material exhibits excellent supercapacitive performance due to the hollow porous structure and oxygen vacancies.
Theoretical insight into the on-water catalytic effect in the biogenesis of triterpene dimers: from one-step to two-step hetero Diels–Alder reactions
Authors: Quesadas-Rojas Mariana , Mena-Rejon Gonzalo J. , Castro-Segura Carolina S. , Cáceres-Castillo David R. , Quijano-Quiñones Ramiro F.
Published: November 2021

An alternative pathway to the hetero Diels–Alder reaction for the biogenic origin of triterpene dimers is presented here. In this new pathway, the explicit water molecules take a fundamental role.
Probing the emissive behaviour of the lead-free Cs2AgBiCl6 double perovskite with Cu(ii) doping
Authors: Ghosh Sukanya , Nim Gaurav Kumar , Shankar Hari , Kar Prasenjit
Published: November 2021

Cu ion induced change in photoluminescence behaviour of Cs2AgBiCl6 double perovskite.
Magnetic mesoporous CoFe2O4 labels reacted with TMB for use in a sandwiched photothermal immunoassay for thyroglobulin
Authors: Peng Lin , Lin Chi Jui , Shi Lei , Cai Fan
Published: November 2021

An innovative photothermal immunoassay with a sandwich-type immunoreaction mode was designed for the sensitive screening of thyroglobulin on capture antibody-coated microtiter plates using a handheld digital thermometer as the readout device.
Perspectives for CdSe/CdS spherical quantum wells as rapid-response nano-scintillators
Authors: Meng Zhu , Mahler Benoit , Houel Julien , Kulzer Florian , Ledoux Gilles , Vasil'ev Andrey , Dujardin Christophe
Published: November 2021

We explore the effect of shell thickness on the scintillation dynamics of CdS/CdSe/CdS spherical-quantum-well nanoscintillators under X-ray excitation, as compared to optical excitation at low and high powers.
Observation of a bcc-like framework in polyhydrido copper nanoclusters
Authors: Guo Qi-Lin , Han Bao-Liang , Sun Cun-Fa , Wang Zhi , Tao Yunwen , Lin Jin-Qing , Luo Geng-Geng , Tung Chen-Ho , Sun Di
Published: November 2021

Atomically precise polyhydrido 28-Cu nanoclusters were reported. Their metal framework is arranged as a sandwich structure with a Cu18 unit regarded as an incomplete and distorted version of 3 × 2 × 2 “cutout” of the bcc bulk phase.
Molecular modeling of interfacial layer-by-layer assembly towards functionalized capsule materials
Authors: Ruttinger Andrew W. , Clancy Paulette
Published: November 2021

Encapsulated nanomaterials, such as polymer-coated nanoemulsions, have highly tunable properties leading to versatile applications.
A buried glutamate in the cross-β core renders β-endorphin fibrils reversible
Authors: Liu Yuying , Zhang Yu , Sun Yunxiang , Ding Feng
Published: November 2021

The pH-responsive disaggregation of β-endorphin amyloids. The experimentally determined β-endorphin fibril structure is stable at pH 5.5 or lower. At neutral pH, the fibril structure is destabilized by the progressive deprotonation of buried Glu8.
Janus silver/ternary silver halide nanostructures as plasmonic photocatalysts boost the conversion of CO2 to acetaldehyde
Authors: Jia Henglei , Dou Yanrong , Yang Yuanyuan , Li Fan , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: November 2021

Janus Ag/AgClBr nanostructures were constructed using a facile method for the boosting conversion of CO2 to 10-electron reduction product CH3CHO.
Tuning magnetism at the two-dimensional limit: a theoretical perspective
Authors: Li Dongzhe , Li Shuo , Zhong Chengyong , He Junjie
Published: November 2021

Tuning magnetism in 2D magnets via external stimuli is reviewed, such as by the electric field, magnetic field, strain, optics, chemical functionalization, and spin–orbit engineering.
Correction: Designing 3D-nanosubstrates mimicking biological cell growth: pitfalls of using 2D substrates in the evaluation of anticancer efficiency
Authors: Patil Ashwini , Nandi Semonti , Kale Narendra , Bobade Chandrashekhar , Banerjee Shashwat , Patil Yuvraj , Khandare Jayant
Published: November 2021

Correction for ‘Designing 3D-nanosubstrates mimicking biological cell growth: pitfalls of using 2D substrates in the evaluation of anticancer efficiency’ by Ashwini Patil et al., Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 17473–17485, DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03816h.
Construction of brown mesoporous carbon nitride with a wide spectral response for high performance photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Chen Jinzhou , Zhu Xianglin , Jiang Zhifeng , Zhang Wei , Ji Haiyan , Zhu Xingwang , Song Yanhua , Mo Zhao , Li Huaming , Xu Hui
Published: November 2021

A novel brown mesoporous carbon nitride photocatalyst is synthesized by a doping strategy. The excellent visible light response and stable mesoporous structure lead to an efficient hydrogen evolution activity.
La(OH)3 nanoparticles immobilized on Fe3O4@chitosan composites as novel magnetic nanocatalysts for sonochemical oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde
Authors: Javidfar Fereshteh , Fadaeian Manoochehr , Ghomi Javad Safaei
Published: November 2021

A sustainable synthesis of novel Fe3O4@CS/La(OH)3 as a nanocatalyst for oxidation of benzyl alcohols to benzaldehydes has been developed.
Substrate induced generation of transient self-assembled catalytic systems
Authors: Afrose Syed Pavel , Ghosh Chandranath , Das Dibyendu
Published: November 2021

This review highlights the studies which show substrate induced generation of transient catalytic moieties. Examples have been discussed with keeping an eye on the design strategies for development of non-equilibrium high energy assemblies as seen in Nature.
DC field coupled evaporation of a sessile gold nanofluid droplet
Authors: Zaibudeen A. W. , Bandyopadhyay Ranjini
Published: November 2021

The evaporation of a gold nanorod dispersion droplet on a silica substrate and the coffee ring deposition patterns formed by the nanorods both in the absence and presence of a DC electric field are studied.
Influence of the Pt size and CeO2 morphology at the Pt–CeO2 interface in CO oxidation
Authors: Yoon Sinmyung , Ha Hyunwoo , Kim Jihun , Nam Eonu , Yoo Mi , Jeong Beomgyun , Kim Hyun You , An Kwangjin
Published: November 2021

The catalytic activity derived from the metal–support interaction at the Pt–CeO2 interface can be demonstrated by the two descriptors of Pt particle size and CeO2 morphology.
Carbon fibre surface chemistry and its role in fibre-to-matrix adhesion
Authors: Eyckens Daniel J. , Stojcevski Filip , Hendlmeier Andreas , Randall James D. , Hayne David J. , Stanfield Melissa K. , Newman Ben , Vukovic Filip , Walsh Tiffany R. , Henderson Luke C.
Published: November 2021

A key determinant for carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) performance is their fibre-matrix interactions at the interface and interphase. These allow for stress transfer from the relatively weak and ductile resin to the strong reinforcing fibres.
In situ TEM visualization of single atom catalysis in solid-state Na–O2 nanobatteries
Authors: Sun Haiming , Liu Qiunan , Gao Zhiying , Geng Lin , Li Yanshuai , Zhang Fengyu , Yan Jitong , Gao Yufei , Suenaga Kazu , Zhang Liqiang , Tang Yongfu , Huang Jianyu
Published: November 2021

In situ TEM observation and DFT calculation provide an atomic-scale understanding of the electrocatalysis mechanism of single-atom catalysts in an Na–O2 nanobattery, where single-atomic Co sites facilitate the formation/decomposition of Na2O2.
A flexible and fully integrated wearable pressure sensing chip system for multi-scenario applications
Authors: Peng Bo , Wu Xinyue , Zhang Chao , Zhang Chi , Lan Lingyi , Zhang Chuanfang (John) , Ying Yibin , Ping Jianfeng
Published: November 2021

A wearable pressure sensor is fabricated by the growth of AgNPs on MXene-coated sponge. Its sensitivity can be tuned by changing AgNPs growing density. A fully integrated sensing chip is developed by integrating the sensor with FPCB on PI film.
The intrinsic thermal transport properties of the biphenylene network and the influence of hydrogenation: a first-principles study
Authors: Zhang Pei , Ouyang Tao , Tang Chao , He Chaoyu , Li Jin , Zhang Chunxiao , Hu Ming , Zhong Jianxin
Published: November 2021

We report and shed light on the intrinsic thermal transport features of the biphenylene network (BPN) and hydrogenated BPN (HBPN). Both four-phonon scattering and hydrogenation can significantly affect the lattice thermal conductivity (κ) of BPN.
Ultrafast photo-driven charge transfer exciton dynamics in mixed-stack pyrene-perylenediimide single co-crystals
Authors: Myong Michele S. , Qi Yue , Stern Charlotte , Wasielewski Michael R.
Published: November 2021

Femtosecond transient absorption microscopy of organic donor–acceptor single co-crystals shows that photo-initiated charge transfer exciton diffusion as well as charge recombination rates depend critically on crystal morphology.
A highly selective gas sensor based on the WO3/WS2 van der Waals heterojunction for the 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) sensing application
Authors: Fan Yong , Li Kun , Ren Xingang , Yan Wenlong , Zhu Cuijie , Zhao Yuanfang , Zeng Wei , Chen Zhiliang , Wang Siliang
Published: November 2021

A highly selective gas sensor based on the WO3/WS2 van der Waals heterojunction for 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) was successfully realized.
Primary cilium-dependent autophagy in the response to shear stress
Authors: Morel Etienne , Dupont Nicolas , Codogno Patrice
Published: November 2021

Mechanical forces, such as compression, shear stress and stretching, play major roles during development, tissue homeostasis and immune processes. These forces are translated into a wide panel of biological responses, ranging from changes in cell morphology, membrane transport, metabolism, energy production and gene expression. Recent studies demonstrate the role of autophagy in the integration of these physical constraints. Here we focus on the role of autophagy in the integration of shear stress induced by blood and urine flows in the circulatory system and the kidney, respectively. Many studies highlight the involvement of the primary cilium, a microtubule-based antenna present at the surface of many cell types, in the integration of extracellular stimuli. The cross-talk between the molecular machinery of autophagy and that of the primary cilium in the context of shear stress is revealed to be an important dialog in cell biology.
Research on scheduling strategy for automated storage and retrieval system
Authors: Geng Sai , Wang Lei , Li Dongdong , Jiang Benchi , Su Xueman
Published: November 2021

With the continuous and rapid growth of transport demand, scheduling strategy of warehouse has become a key issue in the field of logistics transportation. The structural differences of the warehouse, the automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) model and the two‐end dual stackers scheduling model (TDSM) are considered, and a new improved genetic algorithm (NIGA) is proposed. It can adjust the algorithm structure according to the density of population fitness value, and effectively optimize the stacker path. In the TDSM, an improved anti‐collision principle is proposed to avoid collision of two stackers. Besides, combined with the optimal anti‐collision boundary inspection mechanism, the best working area for the two stackers is allocated by using NIGA. Finally, the new improved GA is compared with GA and the adaptive GA on specific storage and retrieval tasks. The simulation results show that the proposed NIGA well outperforms other GAs in most instances, which indicates that it is an effective approach for the AS/RS and the TDSM scheduling optimization problem.
GuidedMix: An on‐the‐fly data augmentation approach for robust speaker recognition system
Authors: Xiao Runqiu , Li Zhuo , Miao Xiaoxiao , Wang Wenchao , Zhang Pengyuan
Published: November 2021

Data augmentation is an essential technique for building a high‐robustness speaker recognition system. this letter proposes a novel on‐the‐fly data augmentation strategy called GuidedMix. It significantly increases augmented data fidelity by mixing the spectrum of different speakers in a guided way, which can not only ensure that the central discriminative regions of the spectrum are always retained after the mixing operation, but also the pasting patches from the different spectrums are effective enough. This replacement strategy allows us to generate more reasonable training samples. At last, we refine the model trained with GuidedMix with un‐augmented data to balance robustness and accuracy. Experiments on VoxCeleb indicate that GuidedMix improves performance under clean, noisy, and short‐duration test scenarios and can be well combined with offline data augmentation.
High‐frequency‐link DC solid state transformer based on voltage self‐balancing control for MVDC power distribution application
Authors: Wang Peng , Chen Xianzhong , Tong Chaonan , Zhang Xiaoguang , Jia Pengyu , Wen Chunxue
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a novel voltage self‐balancing converter (VBC) applied to DC solid‐state transformer (DCSST), analyzes the operating principle of the proposed VBC, and proves the voltage balance performance. Based on this converter, a novel DCSST topology is proposed, which can be used in medium and low voltage DC distribution application, microgrid and medium and low voltage energy storage system. Compared with the previous work, under the same voltage level, it can effectively reduce the number of transformers and switches, reduce the voltage level of switches, and realize the soft switching of the VBC switches, so as to improve the system efficiency and power density, and then improve the system reliability. Meanwhile, the fault handling ability and fault tolerance ability of DCSST are improved, which makes DCSST more reliable when multiple isolated bi‐directional DC/DC Converters (IBDC) are connected in series. In addition, with this topology, the input voltage self‐balancing control strategy of the IBDC is not needed because of the voltage self‐balancing characteristic of VBC, which simplifies the control complexity and greatly improves the control accuracy of the control system. Experimental results agree well with the accuracy and correctness of the proposed topology.