bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid, label‐free antibiotic susceptibility determined directly from positive blood culture
Authors: Filbrun Alexandra B. , Richardson Joseph C. , Khanal Prakash C. , Tzeng Yih‐Ling , Dickson Robert M.
Published: April 2022

Bacterial bloodstream infections are a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. Constrained by low bacterial burdens of 1–100 colony‐forming‐units per ml blood (CFU/ml), clinical diagnosis relies on lengthy culture amplification and isolation steps prior to identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). The resulting >60‐h time to actionable treatment not only negatively impacts patient outcomes, but also increases the misuse and overuse of broad‐spectrum antibiotics that accelerates the rise in multidrug resistant infections. Consequently, the development of novel technologies capable of rapidly recovering bacteria from blood‐derived samples is crucial to human health. To address this need, we report a novel bacterial recovery technology from positive blood cultures that couples selective hemolysis with centrifugation through a sucrose cushion to perform rapid, background‐free cytometric ASTs without long subculturing steps. Demonstrated on the most common bloodstream infection‐causing bacteria: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, near‐pure bacteria are rapidly recovered (≤15 min) with minimal user intervention. Susceptibilities of recovered bacteria are readily performed via high throughput flow cytometry with excellent agreement with much slower, standard microbroth dilution assays. Altogether, this novel direct‐from‐positive blood culture AST technology enables susceptibility determinations within as little as 5 h, post blood culture positivity.
ATG16L2 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation through promoting ATG5‐12‐16L1 complex assembly and autophagy
Authors: Wang Dongyang , Yuan Tianli , Liu Jiamin , Wen Zhoujin , Shen Yuguang , Tang Jian , Wang Zheng , Wu Xuefeng
Published: April 2022

NLRP3 inflammasome activation is regulated by autophagy, a process tightly controlled by the ATG16L family proteins. However, the inside mechanisms remain elusive. Although the autophagy‐related protein ATG16L1 has been well characterized, regulation and biological functions of its close homolog ATG16L2 still remain elusive. Here we report that ATG16L2 deficiency attenuates LPS‐induced autophagy flux in macrophages through mediating ATG5‐12‐16L1 complex assembly. Importantly, NLRP3 inflammasome activation is elevated in ATG16L2‐deficient macrophages, which also have defects in mitochondrial integrity and respiration. Finally, ATG16l2 knockout mice are more susceptible to DSS‐induced intestinal damage, which can be ameliorated by inhibition of NLRP3. Collectively, our data demonstrate that ATG16L2 positively regulates autophagy and ATG16L2 could be a potential target for manipulating aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced inflammatory diseases.
Synthesis, Characterization and Bioactivity of Three Tetrazole Carboxylate Based Co(II) Complexes
Authors: Shi Xin‐Ya , Tan Li‐Tao , Zhong Yu‐Jie , Shen Ting‐Xiao , Wang Yan‐Hong , Qiu Zi‐Han , Zheng Zu‐Hui , Zhu Xiao‐Ge , Gu Yu‐Lan , Jiang Xin , Yang Jie
Published: April 2022

As a kind of multifunctional materials with high porosity, tunable pore structure and easy functionalization, coordination complexes have been widely used in various fields. Here, three complexes were prepared by self‐assembly with Co(II) ions using tetrazolylacetic acids as ligands, 2,2′,2′′‐(benzene‐1,3,5‐triyltris(2H‐tetrazole‐5,2‐diyl)) triacetic acid (H3tzpha), 2‐(5‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐2H‐tetrazol‐2‐yl) propanoic acid (Hpztzma) and 2‐(5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2H‐tetrazol‐2‐yl) acetic acid (Hpytza), and were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. These complexes can also self‐assemble into nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous solution by nanocoprecipitation. In vitro CCK‐8 assay on three kind of human cancer cells (HeLa, HepG2 and Huh7) cells showed these Co(II) complexes have the best cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. And complex 1 had a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) of 14.8 μg mL−1, which was superior to 16.5 μg mL−1 and 15.2 μg mL−1 of complex 2 and 3. In addition, the effect of different ligands on cancer cell ablation was explored. The results showed the three NPs can effectively inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and provided a strategy on designing highly efficient anticancer materials based on coordination complexes.
Artificial microbial consortia for bioproduction processes
Authors: Mittermeier Fabian , Bäumler Miriam , Arulrajah Prasika , García Lima José de Jesús , Hauke Sebastian , Stock Anna , Weuster‐Botz Dirk
Published: April 2022

The application of artificial microbial consortia for biotechnological production processes is an emerging field in research as it offers great potential for the improvement of established as well as the development of novel processes. In this review, we summarize recent highlights in the usage of various microbial consortia for the production of, for example, platform chemicals, biofuels, or pharmaceutical compounds. It aims to demonstrate the great potential of co‐cultures by employing different organisms and interaction mechanisms and exploiting their respective advantages. Bacteria and yeasts often offer a broad spectrum of possible products, fungi enable the utilization of complex lignocellulosic substrates via enzyme secretion and hydrolysis, and microalgae can feature their abilities to fixate CO2 through photosynthesis for other organisms as well as to form lipids as potential fuelstocks. However, the complexity of interactions between microbes require methods for observing population dynamics within the process and modern approaches such as modeling or automation for process development. After shortly discussing these interaction mechanisms, we aim to present a broad variety of successfully established co‐culture processes to display the potential of artificial microbial consortia for the production of biotechnological products.
Cytokeratin 13 promotes radiotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating the MEK/ERK pathway
Authors: Shi Ming , Wan Jia , Wang Huan , Yu Hong
Published: April 2022

Background

Radiation therapy is the first treatment choice for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), while radiation resistance and recurrence have become the primary factors and are associated with poor prognosis in the clinical treatment of NPC patients. The purpose of the present study was to explore the sensitivity and molecular basis of cytokeratin 13 (CK13) that regulates NPC radiotherapy.

Methods

HNE‐3 or C666‐1 cell line was used for overexpression and knockdown tests. Under radiotherapy conditions, CCK‐8 assay, clone formation assay, and flow cytometry analyzed the effects of CK13 overexpression on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle, respectively. In addition, Western blotting detected CK13‐mediated downregulation of cell cycle‐related genes. The mouse subcutaneous tumor‐bearing experiment identified the effects of CK13 overexpression on the treatment of NPC in vivo. Further, Western blotting, CCK‐8 assay, and flow cytometry investigated whether the CK13‐mediated cell apoptosis involves the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Results

Overexpression of CK13 significantly inhibited the survival of HNE‐3 cells under radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo, and there was a substantial decrease in cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) levels promoting the cell percentage number in the G2/M phase and, subsequently, the ratio of the apoptotic cells. In contrast, the knockdown of CK13 showed the opposite partial regulatory effect. Interestingly, CK13 overexpression also showed a reduction in the survival of C666‐1 cells and an increased ratio of the apoptotic cells under radiotherapy treatment. Furthermore, higher levels of CK13 downregulated the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, resulting in decreased HNE‐3 cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. However, ERK activators were able to rescue the process partially.

Conclusions

Together, these results showed that CK13 promoted the radiosensitivity of NPC cells by downregulating the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, targeting CK13 provided insights into the treatment of NPC radiotherapy.
Investigation of the factors affecting foamability and foam stability of cold brew coffee
Authors: Yu Dongning , Wang Xiuju , Lim Loong‐Tak
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

In this study, the foamability and foam stability of nitrogen‐infused cold brew coffee, as affected by coffee variety (Arabica and Robusta), degree of roast (light, medium, dark), brewing temperature (4, 20, 35 °C), brew ratio (1:5–1:15 w/w; coffee/water), ground particle size (712, 647 and 437 μm volume mean diameter) and beverage temperature (4, 20 and 35 °C), were investigated.

RESULTS

Dynamic surface tension of cold brew, as determined from bubble tensiometry, decreased from 65–70 mN m−1 to about 60 mN m−1 as the bubble lifetime increased from 0.1 s to 1 s. Infusing the cold brew coffee (70 mL) with nitrogen gas for 30 s at 50 mL min−1 generated 30–40 mL of foam head. At the same degree of roast, brews prepared from Arabica beans had more stable foam than those from Robusta. Foam stability increased with increasing degree of roast, increasing brewing temperature, decreasing particle size, and decreasing the beverage temperature. By contrast, brew ratio had relatively less effect on foaming properties. Nitrogen‐containing constituents present in the 80% (v/v) ethanol‐soluble fraction (55.9% of total dissolved solids) of the brew samples were important contributors to foaming, while the 80% (v/v) ethanol‐insoluble fraction (42.3% of total dissolved solids) that contained polysaccharides was important in stabilizing the foam.

CONCLUSION

The foamability and foam stability of cold brew coffee are significantly affected by coffee variety, degree of roast, brewing temperature, ground particle size, and beverage temperatures. The foam properties are dictated by the low‐molecular‐weight nitrogen‐containing compounds and high‐molecular‐weight polysaccharides present in the cold brew coffee. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Subacute toxicity studies of meals prepared from genetically modified potato overexpressing the StDREB1 or the VvWRKY2 transcription factor in rats
Authors: Chiab Nour , Aoiadni Nissaf , Nouri‐Ellouz Oumèma , Ghorbel‐Koubaa Fatma , Mellouli Manel , Sellami‐Boudawara Tahya , Kallel Chomous , Makni‐Ayadi Fatma , Gargouri‐Bouzid Radhia
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Potato tubers from genetically modified plants overexpressing the StDREB1 or the VvWRKY2 transcription factors that exhibited improved tolerance to salt and resistance to Fusarium solani infection were characterized and evaluated for safety in a 30 day rat feeding study. Male Wistar rats were split into four groups and provided with a diet composed of 33% (w/w) of either one of the two genetically modified potatoes (GMPs), 33% of the commercial Spunta variety (Sp), or a control group fed with the basal rats' diet. The influence of the GMPs on rat behavior and overall health parameters was evaluated and compared with that of commercial potato (i.e. the Sp group) and control diet.

RESULTS

Small differences were noticed in the chemical composition of the different tubers, but all the diets were adjusted to an identical caloric level. Results showed no sign of toxic or detrimental effects on the rats' overall health as a result of these diets. The rats fed with the GMPs meal showed hematological and biochemical compositions of the plasma comparable to the control groups. No histopathological damage nor any structural disorganization, severe congestion, or acute inflammation were noticed in the rats' tissues.

CONCLUSION

Under these study conditions, the GMP diets did not induce any apparent or significant adverse effects on rats after 30 days of dietary administration in comparison with rats fed diets with the corresponding non‐transgenic diet and the standard diet group. These two GMPs were therefore considered to be as safe as their commercial comparator. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Crosslinked Polymer Binder via Phthalic Acid for Stabilizing SiOx Anodes
Authors: Di Shenghan , Zhang Daxu , Weng Zheng , Chen Long , Zhang Ying , Zhang Ning , Ma Renzhi , Chen Gen , Liu Xiaohe
Published: April 2022

It is widely recognized that SiOx is a feasible anode material for the next generation lithium‐ion batteries because of its high capacity, low cost, environmental friendliness, and abundant available storage. However, the enormous volume expansion and irreversible by‐products during lithiation can result in the rapid capacity degradation and low coulombic efficiency. The commercial binders of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyvinylidene difluoride cannot afford the volume change. Herein, a rational crosslinked binder is synthesized through an in situ condensation reaction between CMC and phthalic acid (PA). With rich hydroxyl groups bonded to the homogeneous SiO2 nanodomain, the enormous volume expansion of the SiOx anode can be restricted efficaciously. Therefore, the SiOx@CMC‐PA electrode delivers a reversible specific capacity of 671 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 200 cycles and a high average coulombic efficiency of 99.2%, much higher than 226.3 mAh g−1 of SiOx@CMC electrode. It demonstrates that this work offers a cost effective and available strategy to achieve high performance binder for Si‐based anode materials.
Enhanced Gene Delivery Triggered by Dual pH/Redox Responsive Host‐Guest Dimerization of Cyclooligosaccharide Star Polycations
Authors: Carbajo‐Gordillo Ana I. , López‐Fernández José , Benito Juan M. , Jiménez Blanco José L. , Santana‐Armas María L. , Marcelo Gema , Di Giorgio Christophe , Przybylski Cédric , Ortiz Mellet Carmen , Tros de Ilarduya Conchita , Mendicuti Francisco , García Fernández José M.
Published: April 2022

A robust strategy is reported to build perfectly monodisperse star polycations combining a trehalose‐based cyclooligosaccharide (cyclotrehalan, CT) central core onto which oligoethyleneimine radial arms are installed. The architectural perfection of the compounds is demonstrated by a variety of physicochemical techniques, including NMR, MS, DLS, TEM, and GPC. Key to the strategy is the possibility of customizing the cavity size of the macrocyclic platform to enable/prevent the inclusion of adamantane motifs. These properties can be taken into advantage to implement sequential levels of stimuli responsiveness by combining computational design, precision chemistry and programmed host‐guest interactions. Specifically, it is shown that supramolecular dimers implying a trimeric CT‐tetraethyleneimine star polycation and purposely designed bis‐adamantane guests are preorganized to efficiently complex plasmid DNA (pDNA) into transfection‐competent nanocomplexes. The stability of the dimer species is responsive to the protonation state of the cationic clusters, resulting in dissociation at acidic pH. This process facilitates endosomal escape, but reassembling can take place in the cytosol then handicapping pDNA nuclear import. By equipping the ditopic guest with a redox‐sensitive disulfide group, recapturing phenomena are prevented, resulting in drastically improved transfection efficiencies both in vivo and in vitro.
USB Digital Microscope Endoscope Camera – An Effective Tool for Quick Morphological Characterization of Laser‐induced Microstructures
Authors: Singh P. Chandrakanta , Das Susanta Kumar
Published: April 2022

In this work, the authors have reported the investigation on the use of USB camera for morphological characterization to optimize the processing parameters in laser microstructuring of Si surface. For this, microstructures are generated on a monocrystalline silicon (Si) surface using nitrogen nanosecond laser. The wavelength, pulse energy, and pulse duration of the laser are of 337 nm, 170 µJ, and ∼3.5 ns, respectively. The USB Digital Microscope Endoscope (UDME) Camera is used to capture the images of microstructures generated on the Si surface. It is a compact, portable, easy to handle, and inexpensive camera calibrated by ImageJ software. It has been used for two purposes, first, for conforming whether the microstructures are formed on the surface of Si or not in given laser processing parameters and determining the dimensions of the laser textured region. The second information is used for deciding the overlapping condition. This overlapping is mostly essential for growth of microstructures in large area surface of Si through raster scanning mode. Field emission scanning electron microscopy is done to cross verify the results obtained in UDME Camera.
Flow Field Study of Effect of Canard Location on Aircraft Aerodynamic Performance
Authors: Dwivedi Yagya Dutta , Anitha Duru , Sastry Y. B. Sudhir
Published: April 2022

The present study investigates the flow behavior due to three different vertical canard locations on the scaled‐down model aircraft by using tuft flow visualization and boundary layer measurements. The aircraft is fabricated with wing airfoil S1223 modified and canard with N22 airfoil using laser cutting technique. Three different color tufts are pasted in wing and canard at 30%, 60%, and 90%. The assembled model is placed inside the subsonic wind tunnel with flow chord Reynolds number 3.8*106, which corresponds to 35 m s−1 of the flow velocity and zero‐degree angle of attack. The boundary layers are measured at 70% of the wing chord with 00 incidence angle at three different span locations, i.e., 30%, 60%, and 90% of the wingspan with varying vertical canard positions. The results are compared with wing alone and it is found that the high wing and high canard configuration are outperformed by providing minimum velocity gradient and hence minimum skin friction drag. The tuft flow visualization also shows the identical results as the boundary layer measurements results. The aerodynamic performance of the high wing high canard configuration is found to be promising, as the skin friction drag coefficient is found to be minimum.
Perlite Supported Cobalt Oxide Catalyst for a Series of Liquid‐Phase Esterification Reactions
Authors: Goyal Deepti , Saikia Himakshi , Hada Renu , Katara Stuti , Bhatia Anita , Malpani Sakshi Kabra
Published: April 2022

Thermally activated perlite‐supported cobalt oxide (Co‐TAP) catalyst has been synthesized via the deposition‐precipitation method. FTIR peaks at around 663 and 565 cm–1 and XRD peaks arise from diffraction of FCC planes of CoO crystals confirm the presence of Co3O4 crystallites on Co‐TAP surface. UV–Vis DRS studies reveal the presence of octahedrally coordinated Co3+ and tetrahedrally coordinated Co2+ ions. EDX analysis of Co‐TAP clearly shows the enhanced percentage of silica and cobalt oxide. All characterization studies suggest the presence of Lewis acidic sites on Co‐TAP which have been utilized in a series of liquid‐phase esterification reactions of benzoic acid with various alcohols over three different reaction media (conventional, microwave, and sonication). The reactions are carried out in one‐pot, single‐step, solvent‐free reaction conditions, and the catalyst is filtered easily, regenerated, and reused up to five reaction cycles with analogous efficiency suggesting that acidic sites of the catalyst remain stable in all reaction mediums. The stability of regenerated Co‐TAP catalyst after the fifth reaction cycle is confirmed by FTIR spectrum which resembles the FTIR of fresh catalyst.
Micromagnetic Simulations of Nanoparticles with Varying Amount of Agglomeration
Authors: Blachowicz Tomasz , Grzybowski Jacek , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: April 2022

Magnetic nanoparticles can be used for medical and other purposes, but can also be integrated in polymeric or other nonmagnetic matrices of diverse shapes, for example, thin‐films or fibers. In the latter case, it may be important how the magnetic nanoparticles are distributed in the matrix, a topic which is often not taken into account when such composites are investigated experimentally or theoretically. Especially for small magnetic nanoparticles of dimensions allowing coherent reversal, the magnetic properties of such polymer/magnet composites can change drastically in the case of agglomerations. Here, a method is suggested to quantify the influence of nanoparticle distributions inside nonmagnetic matrices. By changing the average distance between nanoparticles of varying diameters between highly distributed particles and perfectly packed clusters, different magnetization dynamics can be modeled by micromagnetic simulations. Here, this process is shown for various magnetic materials and diameter distributions of magnetic nano‐spheres and present corresponding micromagnetic simulation results, which underline the importance of taking into account possible magnetic agglomerations in nonmagnetic space.
Optimization of through‐time radial GRAPPA with coil compression and weight sharing
Authors: Ahad James , Cummings Evan , Franson Dominique , Hamilton Jesse , Seiberlich Nicole
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This work proposes principal component analysis (PCA) coil compression and weight sharing to reduce acquisition and reconstruction time of through‐time radial GRAPPA.

Methods

Through‐time radial GRAPPA enables ungated free‐breathing motion‐resolved cardiac imaging but requires a long calibration acquisition and GRAPPA weight calculation time. PCA coil compression reduces calibration data requirements and associated acquisition time, and weight sharing reduces the number of unique GRAPPA weight sets and associated weight computation time. In vivo cardiac data reconstructed with coil compression and weight sharing are compared to a gold standard to demonstrate improvement in calibration acquisition and reconstruction performance with minimal loss of image quality.

Results

Coil compression from 30 physical to 12 virtual coils (90% of signal variance) decreases requisite calibration data by 60%, reducing calibration acquisition time to 6.7 s/slice from 31.5 s/slice reported in original through‐time radial GRAPPA work. Resulting images have small increase in RMS error (RMSE). Reconstruction with a weight sharing factor of 8 results in eight‐fold reduction in GRAPPA weight calculation time with a comparable RMSE to reconstructions with no weight sharing. Optimized parameters for coil compression and weight sharing applied to reconstructions enables images to be collected with a temporal resolution of 66 ms/frame and spatial resolution of 2.34 × 2.34 mm while reducing calibration acquisition time from 34 to 6.7 s, weight calculation time from 200 to 3 s, and weight application time 18 to 5 s.

Conclusion

Coil compression and weight sharing applied to through‐time radial GRAPPA enables fast free‐breathing ungated cardiac cine without compromising image quality.
Genetic diagnosis of immune dysregulation can lead to targeted therapy for interstitial lung disease: A case series and single center approach
Authors: Wobma Holly , Perkins Ryan , Bartnikas Lisa , Dedeoğlu Fatma , Chou Janet , Vleugels Ruth Ann , Lo Mindy S. , Janssen Erin , Henderson Lauren A. , Whangbo Jennifer , Vargas Sara O. , Fishman Martha , Krone Katie A. , Casey Alicia
Published: April 2022

In recent years, a growing number of monogenic disorders have been described that are characterized by immune dysregulation. A subset of these “primary immune regulatory disorders” can cause severe interstitial lung disease, often recognized in late childhood or adolescence. Patients presenting to pulmonary clinic may have long and complex medical histories, but lack a unifying genetic diagnosis. It is crucial for pulmonologists to recognize features suggestive of multisystem immune dysregulation and to initiate genetic workup, since targeted therapies based on underlying genetics may halt or even reverse pulmonary disease progression. Through such an approach, our center has been able to diagnose and treat a cohort of patients with interstitial lung disease from gene defects that affect immune regulation. Here we present representative cases related to pathogenic variants in three distinct pathways and summarize disease manifestations and treatment approaches. We conclude with a discussion of our perspective on the outstanding challenges for diagnosing and managing these complex life‐threatening and chronic disorders.
Dissipative behavior, residual pattern, and risk assessment of four pesticides and their metabolites during tea cultivation, processing and infusion
Authors: Wu Yangliu , An Quanshun , Hao Xianghong , Li Dong , Zhou Chunran , Zhang Jingbang , Wei Xinlin , Pan Canping
Published: April 2022

Background

In recent years, metabolic products of pesticides have gained much attention due to their substantial characteristics as organic pollutants. So far, the behavior and metabolite levels of pesticide metabolites in crops have not been characterized well. In the present study, four registered pesticides (imidacloprid, diafenthiuron, malathion and chlorothalonil) were applied on tea plants in Fujian and Sichuan to characterize their metabolites residue pattern and dietary risk.

Results

Four pesticides dissipated first‐order kinetics in the fresh tea leaves with the half‐lives of 1.4–3.8 days. Nine metabolites were detected in the fresh tea leaves and green tea after processing. The metabolites residues showed an increasing trend first and then declined after treatment, and reached the maximum near the half‐lives of pesticide. Compared with the parent pesticide, the total residue and acute risk (included the metabolites) increased by 1.7–105.2 times. Some metabolites, especially those whose parent pesticides have high water solubility and low Log Kow, will be more easily transferred to tea infusion.

Conclusion

Pesticides were metabolized rapidly on tea plants after application, but the production of metabolites increased the health risk of tea consumption. These results could provide insights to use the pesticides in tea gardens and risk monitoring after application. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) capture in vineyards in relation to climatic factors
Authors: Rodríguez‐González Álvaro , Malvar Rosa Ana , Guerra Marcos , Sanchez‐Maillo Esteban , Peláez Horacio José , Carro‐Huerga Guzmán , Casquero Pedro Antonio
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Captures and seasonal abundance of Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in relation to climatic factors were studied in vineyards between the years 2013 and 2020. Insects captures from vine wood in two Vitis vinifera varieties were evaluated every year by counting the number of insects captured with CROSSTRAP®. The captured insects were grouped (by sex and total) into ranges of 10 days and compared to climatic data (daily average, temperature and rainfall) for each cultivar and year.

RESULTS

The capture periods spanned from 1 June and 31 July, with the period from 1 to 30 June having the greatest number of insect captures, as long as weather conditions were favourable, i.e. temperature above 20.00 °C and accumulated rainfall in 10 days lower than 0.40 mm, verified through the analysis of parameter estimates, in which, only the temperature parameter was significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provided useful information for the integrated pest management of X. arvicola through mass trapping in vineyards when temperature exceeds 20.00 °C and the accumulated rainfall is less than 0.40 mm in 10 days to obtain peak captures. This is the first quantitative study of X. arvicola control associated with temperature and rainfall in Vitis vinifera. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Influence of Thickness of Active Silicon Nanoparticle Films in Heterojunction Photodetectors
Authors: Charumathi Nataraj , Dey Sukumar , Mohanta Kallol
Published: April 2022

Indirect bandgap in Si‐based semiconductor limits its widespread usage as the main component for effective sunlight harvesting and led to the development of new silicon structures with small direct bandgaps and desired optical properties. Herein, the synthesis of quasi‐direct bandgap silicon nanoparticles (SiNP) by a one‐pot hydrothermal process and their application as an active layer of photodetectors are reported. The result shows that these photodetectors are operable over a long range of wavelengths and can respond in just 0.4 ms. Systematic characterizations of multiple devices led to determining the critical thickness of the silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) active layer in photodetectors for its optimum response. The reliability, repeatability, and range of operation of an optimized device have been evaluated. This work suggests the usability of SiNP for the development of photodetectors and the significance of the thickness of the SiNP active layer in the further fabrication of optoelectronic devices.
Synthesis and Electronic Characterization of Weyl Semimetal TaSb2Polycrystalline Material
Authors: Masuda Izumi , Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Yoshimura Masato , Ishii Hirofumi , Nishino Yoichi
Published: April 2022

TaSb2, a candidate material for thermoelectric conversion, is studied to establish a method for the synthesis of polycrystalline bulk materials with a diameter greater than 10 mm. Polycrystalline TaSb2materials with relative densities exceeding 97% are successfully prepared by combining the solid‐state reaction method with the spark plasma‐sintering process. The prepared TaSb2sample is identified to be a semimetal with a pseudogap‐like electronic structure near the Fermi level using hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and band structure calculation.
Mössbauer Spectrometry of Model Binary Fe100−xCrx (1 ≤ x ≤ 50) Alloys
Authors: Košovský Dávid , Miglierini Marcel , Pavúk Milan , Sedlačková Katarína , Kmječ Tomáš , Kopeček Jaromír
Published: April 2022

Herein, several ways to evaluate Mössbauer spectra of model binary Fe100−xCrx alloys with chromium content varying in the range from 1 to 50 at% (x = 0.94, 2.2, 4.9, 10.4, 15.4, 22.1, and 52.9) are discussed. For low chromium concentrations (up to 15 at%), the method of binomial distribution of individual sextets is suitable. Depending upon the Cr content, the number of sextets used can be, however, as high as 20. The specific number of sextets is determined according to probabilities of individual atomic sites calculated from binomial distribution. Mössbauer spectra of samples with Cr concentrations higher than 20 at% are evaluated by distributions of hyperfine magnetic fields. The composition of model alloys is verified using X‐ray fluorescence. Their surface is analyzed by two different surface‐sensitive methods: scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The main technique used to analyze the materials’ subsurface layers is conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy. The applied fitting models and results are useful in studies of the microstructure of real types of construction and stainless steels.
Classical estimator based modified control charts for phase‐II monitoring in real life
Authors: Jabeen Riffat , Zaka Azam , Khan Kanwal Iqbal
Published: April 2022

We discuss some classical estimator based modified control charts for phase‐II monitoring in real life. The modification of some existing control charts such as exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and extended exponentially weighted moving average (EEWMA) is proposed and compared for the situation when the assumption of normality is not fulfilled due to some unavoidable factors. We first estimate the shape parameter of power function distribution using percentile estimator and maximum likelihood estimator and then propose EWMA and EEWMA based on these estimators. Monte Carlo simulation studies are used to compare the introduced control charts. The findings will be helpful for the practitioners and statisticians to devise the real‐life solution to the problems.
Gate‐Controlled Quantum Dots Based on 2D Materials
Authors: Jing Fang‐Ming , Zhang Zhuo‐Zhi , Qin Guo‐Quan , Luo Gang , Cao Gang , Li Hai‐Ou , Song Xiang‐Xiang , Guo Guo‐Ping
Published: April 2022

2D materials are a family of layered materials exhibiting rich exotic phenomena, such as valley‐contrasting physics. Down to single‐particle level, unraveling fundamental physics and potential applications including quantum information processing in these materials attracts significant research interests. To unlock these great potentials, gate‐controlled quantum dot architectures have been applied in 2D materials and their heterostructures. Such systems provide the possibility of electrical confinement, control, and manipulation of single carriers in these materials. In this review, efforts in gate‐controlled quantum dots in 2D materials are presented. Following basic introductions to valley degree of freedom and gate‐controlled quantum dot systems, the up‐to‐date progress in etched and gate‐defined quantum dots in 2D materials, especially in graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, is provided. The challenges and opportunities for future developments in this field, from views of device design, fabrication scheme, and control technology, are discussed. The rapid progress in this field not only sheds light on the understanding of spin–valley physics but also provides an ideal platform for investigating diverse condensed matter physics phenomena and realizing quantum computation in the 2D limit.
Haemothorax due to intercostal artery injury after thoracentesis
Authors: Chou Chien‐Hong , Hsieh Hong‐Jen
Published: April 2022

Key message

Haemothorax is a rare complication after thoracentesis. The diagnosis of haemothorax should be considered if there is deterioration in vital signs post‐procedure. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography is a useful diagnostic tool for bleeding source location. Transarterial embolization is a potential method to control bleeding.
A Confinement‐Driven Nucleation Mechanism of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Obtained via Thermal Decomposition in Organic Media
Authors: Cotin Geoffrey , Heinrich Benoît , Perton Francis , Kiefer Céline , Francius Gregory , Mertz Damien , Freis Barbara , Pichon Benoit , Strub Jean‐Marc , Cianférani Sarah , Ortiz Peña Nathalie , Ihiawakrim Dris , Portehault David , Ersen Ovidiu , Khammari Amir , Picher Matthieu , Banhart Florian , Sanchez Clement , Begin‐Colin Sylvie
Published: April 2022

Thermal decomposition is a very efficient synthesis strategy to obtain nanosized metal oxides with controlled structures and properties. For the iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis, it allows an easy tuning of the nanoparticle's size, shape, and composition, which is often explained by the LaMer theory involving a clear separation between nucleation and growth steps. Here, the events before the nucleation of iron oxide nanocrystals are investigated by combining different complementary in situ characterization techniques. These characterizations are carried out not only on powdered iron stearate precursors but also on a preheated liquid reaction mixture. They reveal a new nucleation mechanism for the thermal decomposition method: instead of a homogeneous nucleation, the nucleation occurs within vesicle‐like‐nanoreactors confining the reactants. The different steps are: 1) the melting and coalescence of iron stearate particles, leading to “droplet‐shaped nanostructures” acting as nanoreactors; 2) the formation of a hitherto unobserved iron stearate crystalline phase within the nucleation temperature range, simultaneously with stearate chains loss and Fe(III) to Fe(II) reduction; 3) the formation of iron oxide nuclei inside the nanoreactors, which are then ejected from them. This mechanism paves the way toward a better mastering of the metal oxide nanoparticles synthesis and the control of their properties.
Scaling Considerations for Organic Photovoltaics for Indoor Applications
Authors: Burwell Gregory , Sandberg Oskar J. , Li Wei , Meredith Paul , Carnie Matt , Armin Ardalan
Published: April 2022

Organic semiconductor‐based photovoltaic (OPV) devices have many properties that make them attractive for indoor applications, such as tailorable light absorption, low embodied energy manufacturing and cost, structural conformality, and low material toxicity. Compared to their use as organic solar cells (OSCs) for standard outdoor solar harvesting, indoor OPV (IOPV) devices operate at low light intensities, and thus demonstrate different area‐scaling behavior. In particular, it appears as though the performance of large‐area IOPV devices is much less affected by the sheet resistances of the transparent conductive electrodes (a major limit in OSCs), but instead by factors such as their shunt resistance at low light intensities. Herein, the key parameters for improving the efficiency of large‐area IOPV using drift–diffusion and finite element modeling (FEM) are examined. The scaling behavior at low‐light intensities is theoretically and experimentally probed and demonstrated using the model PM6:Y6 system. The implications for the fabrication of large‐area devices and the requirements for high shunt resistances for low‐light performance are examined. These new insights present a clear route toward realizing monolithic large‐area organic photovoltaic cells for indoor applications – which is a necessary technical step to practical implementation.
Synthesis of MXene and its application for zinc‐ion storage
Authors: Chen Jie , Ding Yubin , Yan De , Huang Juanjuan , Peng Shanglong
Published: April 2022

Since 2020, some new breakthroughs in the field of MXene synthesis scheme such as water‐free etching, HCl‐based hydrothermal etching, halogen etching, and other novel synthesis methods have been proposed. Not only that, the application of MXene in zinc‐ion storage devices has also made great progress in the past 2 years. The understanding of zinc‐ion storage mechanism of MXene has undergone profound changes, and its applications have also become diversified, demonstrating the great potential of MXene for high performance zinc‐ion storage devices. In this review, we have summarized the preparation and synthesis of MXene materials and systematically investigated the progress of MXene in aqueous zinc‐ion storage devices. In particular, for the synthesis of MXene, we added recent reports of conventional synthesis schemes that have been widely reported to help understand their development and combined with recent novel synthesis schemes to provide a distinct partition framework. In addition, for the application of MXene, we discussed the cognitive change of zinc‐ion storage mechanism of MXene and conducted an in‐depth discussion about the design philosophy of MXene and their characteristics. Finally, a comprehensive perspective on the future development of MXene in the synthetic strategy and aqueous zinc‐ion storage applications have been outlined.
Structural changes in Ba‐compounds of different hardness induced by high‐energy ball milling – evidenced by 137Ba NMR and X‐ray powder diffraction
Authors: Zänker Steffen , Scholz Gudrun , Marquardt Julien , Emmerling Franziska
Published: April 2022

Changes in the global bulk and local structures, of three different barium compounds (BaZrO3, BaF2, and BaFCl),were induced by mechanical milling and followed using X‐ray powder diffraction (PXRD), subsequent microstructure analysis, and 137Ba solid state NMR spectroscopy. Harder materials like BaZrO3 experience significantly higher structural changes upon milling than softer materials like BaF2. Moreover, soft materials with layered structures, like BaFCl, show a pronounced structural change during the milling process. By combining PXRD and solid state NMR, detailed information on the changes to the global and local structures were obtained, which are of interest for mechanochemical synthesis, mechanically treated catalysts or ionic conductors.
Nonlinear post‐buckling analysis of viscoelastic nano‐scaled beams by nonlocal integral finite element method
Authors: Naghinejad Maysam , Ovesy Hamid Reza
Published: April 2022

The viscoelastic buckling and nonlinear post‐buckling behavior of nano‐scaled beams are analyzed using the nonlocal integral elasticity theory. Eringen's nonlocal theory is one of the well‐known and popular size‐dependent theories, which has been used by several researchers to study the mechanical behavior of, mostly, the elastic nanostructures. A finite element method is developed using Hamilton's principle based on the two‐phase nonlocal integral theory and taking into account the buckling related terms and viscoelastic effects. The corresponding formulations are derived by implementing the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and Kelvin–Voigt viscoelastic model. Furthermore, for analyzing the post‐buckling and viscoelastic buckling behavior, the nonlinear strains, and initial displacement (imperfection) have been considered. By employing the variational relations, the governing equations are obtained and then solved numerically using the finite difference and Newton–Raphson methods. Because of the finite element nature of the current method, various boundary conditions can be properly implemented. The results of the current study are compared with those available in the literature and the effects of nonlocal parameter, viscoelastic parameter, axial compressive load and boundary conditions on the viscoelastic buckling, and postbuckling behavior have been investigated.
Revising inelastic dark matter direct detection by including the cosmic ray acceleration
Authors: Feng Jie-Cheng , Kang Xian-Wei , Lu Chih-Ting , Tsai Yue-Lin Sming , Zhang Feng-Shou
Published: April 2022

Abstract

The null signal from collider and dark matter (DM) direct detector experiments makes the interaction between DM and visible matter too small to reproduce the correct relic density for many thermal DM models. The remaining parameter space indicates that two almost degenerated states in the dark sector, the inelastic DM scenario, can co-annihilate in the early universe to produce the correct relic density. Regarding the direct detection of the inelastic DM scenario, the virialized DM component from the nearby halo is nonrelativistic and not able to excite the DM ground state, even if the relevant couplings can be considerable. Thus, a DM with a large mass splitting can evade traditional virialized DM direct detection. In this study, we connect the concept of cosmic-ray accelerated DM in our Milky Way and the direct detection of inelastic scattering in underground detectors to explore spectra that result from several interaction types of the inelastic DM. We find that the mass splitting $$ \delta <\mathcal{O}\left(1\ \mathrm{GeV}\right) $$
δ
<
O

1

GeV

can still be reachable for cosmic ray accelerated DM with mass range 1 MeV <$$ {m}_{\chi_1} $$

m

χ
1

< 100 GeV and sub-GeV light mediator using the latest PandaX-4T data, even though we conservatively use the astrophysical parameter (effective length) Deff = 1 kpc.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: Die Lotsenfunktion des Dermatologen
Authors: Burghaus Jana , Schneiderbauer Roland , Toberer Ferdinand
Published: April 2022

Charakteristische Hautveränderungen führen zu der Diagnose eines Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). Das PXE repräsentiert eine ektope Mineralisationsstörung, welche primär die Haut, die Augen und das arterielle Gefäßsystem betrifft. Eine frühzeitige Diagnosestellung ist entscheidend für die rechtzeitige Behandlung von extrakutanen Komplikationen. Wir verdeutlichen die Lotsenfunktion der Dermatologen und Dermatologinnen anhand einer Serie von vier unabhängigen Fällen eines PXE mit pathognomonischen Hautveränderungen und einem weiten Spektrum an systemischen Komplikationen.
A study on beam-to-column moment-resisting timber connections under service load, comparing full-scale connection testing and mock-up frame assembly
Authors: Vilguts Aivars , Nesheim Sveinung Ørjan , Stamatopoulos Haris , Malo Kjell Arne
Published: April 2022

A new timber frame structural system consisting of continuous columns, prefabricated hollow box timber decks and beam-to-column moment-resisting connections is investigated. The hollow box timber decks allow long spans with competitive floor height and efficient material consumption. To achieve long spans, semi-rigid connections at the corners of deck elements are used to join the columns to the deck elements. In the present paper, experimental investigations of a semi-rigid moment-resisting connection and a mock-up frame assembly are presented. The semi-rigid connection consists of inclined screwed-in threaded rods and steel coupling parts, connected with friction bolts. Full-scale moment-resisting timber connections were tested under monotonic and cyclic loading to quantify rotational stiffness, energy dissipation and moment resistance. The mock-up frame assembly was tested under cyclic lateral loading and with experimental modal analysis. The lateral stiffness, energy dissipation, rotational stiffness of the connections and the eigen frequencies of the mock-up frame assembly were quantified based on the experimental tests in combination with a Finite Element model, i.e., the model was validated with experimental results from the rotational stiffness tests of the beam-to-column connections. Finally, the structural damping measured with experimental modal analysis was evaluated and compared with FE model using the material damping of timber parts and equivalent viscous damping of the moment-resisting connections.
Psychopathological symptoms as precursors of depressive symptoms in adolescence: a prospective analysis of the GINIplus and LISA birth cohort studies
Authors: Greimel Ellen , Adams Lena , Zsigo Carolin , Berdel Dietrich , von Berg Andrea , Koletzko Sibylle , Bauer Carl-Peter , Schikowski Tamara , Herberth Gunda , Heinrich Joachim , Schulte-Körne Gerd , Standl Marie
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in adolescence, highlighting the need for early identification of precursors. Research into psychopathological symptoms predicting depressive psychopathology in adolescents is therefore of great relevance. Moreover, given that the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in adolescence shows marked differences between girls and boys, insight into potential sex-specific differences in precursors is important.

Methods

This study examined the relationships between emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, and difficulties in prosocial behaviour at age 10 (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and the presence of depressive symptoms at age 15 (Depression Screener for Teenagers). Using data from 2824 participants of the GINIplus and LISA birth cohorts, the association of each SDQ subscale at age 10 years with the presence of depressive symptoms at age 15 years was analyzed using sex-specific logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Emotional problems [odds ratio (OR) 1.99, p = 0.002 for boys and OR 1.77, p < 0.001 for girls] and peer problems (OR 2.62, p < 0.001 for boys, OR 1.91, p = 0.001 for girls) at age 10 showed an increased risk for the presence of depressive symptoms at age 15. Additionally, boys with conduct problems at age 10 were at greater risk of showing depressive symptoms in adolescence (OR 2.50, p < 0.001).

Discussion

Based on the identified prospective relationships in our study, it might be of particular importance to tailor prevention approaches during childhood to peer and emotional problems to reduce the risk of depressive psychopathology in adolescence. Moreover, particularly in boys, it seems important to also target conduct problems in childhood as a precursor of depressive symptoms in the adolescent period.