bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wave-number estimation in an ocean waveguide
Authors: Krasny Leonid G. , Antonyuk Sergey P.
Published: July 2002

The optimal (by the criterion of maximum likelihood function) algorithm is applied to the problem of estimating the wave numbers of normal modes in an ocean waveguide. This algorithm has a high-resolution property, takes into account availability of correlated spatial noise, does not require prior modal decorrelation, is suitable for a horizontal array of any shape, and permits one to attain the potential wave-number estimation accuracy limit (Cramer–Rao bound). Numerical simulations for the Pekeris model of an ocean waveguide are presented, demonstrating that the optimal algorithm can essentially (more than ten times) improve the wave-number estimation performance relative to those one for the MUSIC algorithm. Wave-number estimation by the optimal algorithm requires searching for the global extremum of some goal function. It is connected, in common, with known computing difficulties and the absence of sufficiently well-developed computing algorithms. Algorithms based on the signal eigenvectors property of the spectral correlation matrix measured on the array elements are free from listed drawbacks. The synthesis of such algorithms and an asymptotic analysis of their performance are accomplished under conditions of arbitrary correlated spatial noise. Among these algorithms there is one that permits the estimation of the wave numbers as accurately as the optimal algorithm. Experimental verification of this result has been received for the most cases of practical interest.
Depolarizing the perceptual magnet effect
Authors: Lotto Andrew J. , Kluender Keith R. , Holt Lori L.
Published: July 2002

In recent years there has been a great deal of interest in demonstrations of the so-called “Perceptual-Magnet Effect” (PME). In these studies, AX-discrimination tasks purportedly reveal that discriminability of speech sounds from a single category varies with judged phonetic “goodness” of the sounds. However, one possible confound is that category membership is determined by identification of sounds in isolation, whereas, discrimination tasks include pairs of stimuli. In the first experiment of the current study, identifications and goodness judgments were obtained for vowels (/i/–/e/) presented in pairs. A substantial shift in phonetic identity was evidenced with changes in the context vowel. In a second experiment, listeners participated in an AX-discrimination task with the vowel pairs from the first experiment. Using the contextual identification functions from the first experiment, predictions of discriminability were calculated using the classic tenets of Categorical Perception. Obtained discriminability functions were well accounted for by predictions from identification. There was no additional unexplained variance that required the proposal of “perceptual magnets.” These results suggest that PME may be nothing more than further demonstration that general discriminability is greater for cross-category stimulus pairs than for within-category pairs.
The soft and the hard coated sphere within a point source wave field
Authors: Arnaoudov Yani , Dassios George , Kostopoulos Vassilis
Published: July 2002

An acoustically soft or hard sphere which is covered by a penetrable concentric spherical shell disturbs the propagation of an incident wave field emanating from a point source. The source is located in the exterior of the coated sphere. The medium, occupying the shell, is considered to be lossy while the dimensions of the coated sphere are much smaller than the wavelength of the incident field. For the case of a soft sphere covered with a penetrable lossy shell, the exact low frequency coefficients of the zeroth and the first order for the near field as well as the first and second order coefficients for the normalized scattering amplitude are obtained. In the case of the coated hard sphere, the zeroth and the first order coefficients of the near field, as well as the leading nonvanishing coefficient of the normalized scattering amplitude, which is of the second order, are obtained. For both cases of the soft and the hard sphere, the scattering and the absorption cross sections are calculated. The effect of the coating is expressed in terms of specific constants. A detailed discussion of the results and their physical meaning is included. For a sphere with a soft core and a point source located more than five radii away from the scatterer, or for a sphere with a hard core and a point source located more than two radii away from the scatterer, the results obtained are almost the same as if the scatterer was excited by a plane wave.
Solution of the inverse problem for a linear cochlear model: A tonotopic cochlear amplifier
Authors: Dimitriadis Emilios K. , Chadwick Richard S.
Published: July 2002

The extraordinary fine-tuning characteristic of normal mammalian hearing is attributed to physiological mechanisms collectively known as the cochlear amplifier (CA), which amplifies and sharpens the basilar membrane (BM) vibration response to incoming acoustic pressure oscillations. Electromechanical properties of outer hair cells (OHCs) are believed to be the critical component of the CA, but its “circuitry” as yet remains unknown. Here, the required frequency-space response characteristics of the CA are computationally determined when typical in vivo tuning data are introduced as input to a linear hydroelastic cochlear model whose cross-sectional dynamics are represented by two coupled vibrational degrees of freedom. It is assumed that the CA senses motion at the tectorial membrane (TM) reticular lamina (RL) and applies proportional, equal, and opposite forces to the BM and the RL. The results show the CA to be tonotopically tuned, meaning it conforms to a space-frequency similarity principle like other cochlear dynamical responses. This requires that the active mechanism use information distributed along the cochlear partition. The physiological mechanism responsible for such behavior remains unknown, but here the computed CA characteristics can be qualitatively reproduced by a circuit spanning the length of the cochlea. This does not preclude other mechanisms, but is intended to motivate closer experimental investigation of extracellular and intercellular ionic flow pathways.
The time-frequency characteristics of violin vibrato: Modal distribution analysis and synthesis
Authors: Mellody Maureen , Wakefield Gregory H.
Published: July 2002

A high-resolution time-frequency distribution, the modal distribution, is applied to the study of violin vibrato. The analysis indicates that the frequency modulation induced by the motion of the stopped finger on the string is accompanied by a significant amplitude variation in each partial of that note. Amplitude and frequency estimates for each partial are extracted from the modal distribution of ten pitches that span the range of the violin instrument. The frequency modulation is well-represented by a single sinusoid with a mean rate of 5.9 Hz and a mean excursion of ±15.2 cents. A spectral decomposition of the amplitude envelopes of the partials shows that the peaks lie primarily at integer multiples of the vibrato rate. These amplitude and frequency estimates are used in an additive synthesis model to generate synthetic replicates of violin vibrato. Simple approximations to these estimates are created, and synthesized sounds using these are evaluated perceptually by seven subjects using discrimination, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS), and sound quality scoring tasks. It is found that the absence of frequency modulation has little effect on the perceptual response to violin vibrato, while the absence of amplitude modulation causes marked changes in both sound quality and MDS results. Low-order spectral decompositions of the amplitude and frequency estimates also occupy the same perceptual space as the original recording for a subset of the pitches studied.
Plane harmonic waves in orthorhombic thermoelastic materials
Authors: Sharma J. N. , Kumar Vinod , Sud S. P.
Published: July 2002

Keeping in view the increased usage of orthorhombic materials in the development of advanced engineering materials such as fibers and composites and other multilayered media, the aim of the present paper is to give a detailed account of the plane harmonic generalized thermoelastic waves in orthorhombic materials. According to the frequency equation, the four waves, a quasi-longitudinal, two quasi-transverse, and a quasi-thermal wave, can propagate in an orthorhombic crystal. When plane waves propagate along the axis of an orthorhombic solid, then only the longitudinal and thermal waves are coupled, whereas the transverse waves get decoupled from the rest of the motion. For plane waves propagating in one plane of the solid, only the SH wave in that plane remains purely transverse and gets decoupled from the rest of the motion and vice versa. The other three waves are coupled and get modified due to thermal variations and relaxation time. The particle paths and stability of the waves have been discussed and the results verified numerically. These have been represented graphically for single crystals of solid helium and cobalt material.
Excitotoxic effect of kainic acid on chicken otoacoustic emissions and cochlear potentials
Authors: Sun H. , Salvi R. J. , Ding D.-L. , Hashino E. , Shero M. , Zheng X.-Y.
Published: July 2002

Kainic acid (KA) is a potent glutamate analog that can temporarily or permanently damage glutamatergic neurons. The purpose of the present study was to determine the short- and long-term effects of KA on chicken otoacoustic emissions and cochlear potentials. A chronic electrode was used to record the compound action potential (CAP), cochlear microphonic (CM), and the slow, positive neural potential (SPNP), a predominantly dc response. The CM, CAP, SPNP, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded before and after infusing 10 μl of a low dose (KA-L, 0.3 mM) or high dose (KA-H, 5 mM) of KA into scala tympani. KA caused a rapid and large reduction in CAP and SPNP amplitude in both the KA-H and KA-L groups; however, the CM and DPOAEs were largely unchanged. The amplitude of the CAP and SPNP in the KA-L group began to recover around 1 week post-KA, but was approximately 50% below normal at 4 weeks post-KA. In contrast, the CAP and SPNP showed no signs of recovery in the KA-H group. The results suggest that KA has no effect on the CM and DPOAEs generated by the hair cells, but selectively damages the CAP generated by the cochlear ganglion neurons. The reduction in the avian SPNP suggests that the response originates in the cochlear afferent neurons, unlike the summating potential (SP) in mammals that is generated in hair cells.
Effect of membrane motor on the axial stiffness of the cochlear outer hair cell
Authors: Iwasa K. H.
Published: July 2002

Voltage-dependent motility of the cell body of the cochlear outer hair cell has been successfully explained by an “area motor” model, which is based on tight coupling between charge transfer across the membrane and changes in the membrane area. The model might appear to contradict a recent report that the axial stiffness of the outer hair cell is dependent on the membrane potential. Here, it is shown that the area motor model indeed predicts a considerable voltage dependence of the axial stiffness of the outer hair cell. The predicted changes resemble those observed experimentally, although the predicted changes are smaller at the two extremes of the membrane potential.
Shear-thickening and flow-induced structure in a system of DMSO containing waxy maize starcha)
Authors: Dintzis F. R. , Bagley E. B. , Felker F. C.
Published: July 2002

Waxy maize starch in the solvent 90%DMSO–H2O exhibited the phenomena of shear-thickening, quasihysteresis loops of shear stress versus strain rate that were anticlockwise and flow-induced structure that was observed with phase contrast microscopy. These phenomena were not seen with normal maize starch and an enriched fraction of normal maize amylopectin. The ability of a waxy maize starch sample to have these properties could be destroyed by severe treatment. We consider the flow properties of shear-thickening and anticlockwise shear stress/strain rate loops to be indicative of a flow-induced structure that occurs with waxy maize starch amylopectin. Because these effects do not occur with normal maize starch we infer that there is a significant structural difference between the amylopectins of waxy maize starch versus normal maize starch.
Flow of RX-08-FK high-energy paste in a capillary rheometer
Authors: Carley J. F. , von Holtz E. , Flowers G. L.
Published: July 2002

The flow of RX-08-FK, a mostly organic, high-energy, paste-extrudable explosive containing about 75% suspended solids, was experimentally studied. The paste was forced through long capillary tubes in a specially designed, double-piston rheometer at temperatures ranging from −54 to +74 °C, and at nominal shear rates at the tube walls from 50 to 40 000 s−1. Paste was preconditioned for many hours to achieve the desired experimental temperature and the rheometer itself was enclosed in a preconditioned temperature-controlled chamber. We found the paste to be pseudoplastic with significant yield stress and entrance effects. The results of 176 runs at temperatures of −35 °C and higher were fitted by an empirical model much like the original model suggested by Herschel and Bulkley, modified to include a factor correcting the stress for the substantial entrance loss experienced with this paste. The observed stresses at −54 °C were substantially higher and less shear dependent than those extrapolated from the above model; these differences may relate to the fact that the glass-transition temperature of RX-08-FK is approximately −60 °C.
EZH2 modulates retinoic acid signaling to ensure myotube formation during development
Authors: Thulabandu Venkata , Ferguson James W. , Phung Melissa , Atit Radhika P.
Published: March 2022

Sequential differentiation of presomitic progenitors into myocytes and subsequently into myotubes and myofibers is essential for the myogenic differentiation program (MDP) crucial for muscle development. Signaling factors involved in MDP are polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) targets in various developmental contexts. PRC2 is active in the developing myotomes during MDP, but how it regulates MDP is unclear. Here, we found that myocyte differentiation to myotubes requires Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2), the catalytic component of PRC2. We observed elevated retinoic acid (RA) signaling in the prospective myocytes in the Ezh2 mutants (E8.5‐MusEzh2), and its inhibition can partially rescue the myocyte differentiation defect. Together, our data demonstrate a new role for PRC2–EZH2 during myocyte differentiation into myotubes by modulating RA signaling.
Adipocyte‐specific CDK7 ablation leads to progressive loss of adipose tissue and metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Chen Yizhe , Fernandez Eric Aria , Roger Catherine , Lopez‐Mejia Isabel C. , Fajas Coll Lluis , Ji Honglei
Published: March 2022

Adipose tissue regulates whole‐body energy homeostasis. Both lipodystrophy and obesity, the extreme and opposite aspects of adipose tissue dysfunction, result in metabolic disorders: insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) have been reported to be involved in adipose tissue development and functions. Using adipose tissue‐specific knockout mice, here we demonstrate that the deletion of CDK7 in adipose tissue results in progressive lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, impaired adipokine secretion and downregulation of fat‐specific genes, which are aggravated on high‐fat diet and during ageing. Our studies suggest that CDK7 is a key regulatory component of adipose tissue maintenance and systemic energy homeostasis.
Development of a bionic interactive interface for Owl robot using stereo vision algorithms
Authors: Rogers James , Culverhouse Philip , Wickenden Benjamin , Li Chunxu
Published: March 2022

With the requirements for improving life quality, companion robots have gradually become hotspot of application for healthy home living. In this article, a novel bionic human‐robot interaction (HRI) strategy using stereo vision algorithms has been developed to imitate the animal vision system on the Owl robot. Depth information of a target is found via two methods, vergence and disparity. Vergence requires physical tracking of the target, moving each camera to align with a chosen object, and through successive camera movements (saccades) a sparse depth map of the scene can be built up. Disparity however requires the cameras to be fixed and parallel, using the position of the target within the field of view, of a stereo pair of cameras, to calculate distance. As disparity does not require the cameras to move, multiple targets can be chosen to build up a disparity map, providing depth information for the whole scene. In addition, a salience model is implemented imitating how people explore a scene. This is achieved with feature maps, which apply filtering to the scene to highlight areas of interest, for example color and edges, which is purely a bottom‐up approach based on Itti and Koch's saliency model. A series of experiments have been conducted on Plymouth Owl robot to validate the proposed interface.
Thermal Camouflaging MXene Robotic Skin with Bio‐Inspired Stimulus Sensation and Wireless Communication
Authors: Li Kerui , Li Zhipeng , Xiong Ze , Wang Yingxi , Yang Haitao , Xu Wenxin , Jing Lin , Ding Meng , Zhu Jian , Ho John S. , Chen Po‐Yen
Published: March 2022

Cephalopod skin, which is capable of dynamic optical camouflage, environmental perceptions, and herd communication, has long been a source of bio‐inspiration for developing soft robots with incredible optoelectronic functions. Yet, challenges still exist in designing a stretchable and compliant robotic skin with high‐level functional integration for soft robots with infinite degrees of freedom. Herein, an emerging 2D material, Ti3C2Tx MXene, and an interfacial engineering strategy are adopted to fabricate the soft robotic skin with cephalopod skin‐inspired multifunctionality. By harnessing interfacial instability, the MXene robotic skin with reconfigurable microtextures demonstrates tunable infrared emission (0.30–0.80), enabling dynamic thermal camouflage for soft robots. Benefiting from the intrinsic Seebeck effect, crack propagation behaviors as well as high electrical conductivity, the MXene robotic skins are tightly integrated with thermal/strain sensation capabilities and can serve as a deformable antenna for wireless communication. Without additional electronics installed, the soft robots wearing the conformal MXene skins perform adaptive thermal camouflage based on the thermoelectric feedback in response to environmental temperature changes. With built‐in strain sensing and wireless communication capabilities, the soft robot can record its locomotion routes and wirelessly transmit the key information to the following soft robot to keep both in disguise under thermographic cameras.
Anti‐Fatigue and Highly Conductive Thermocells for Continuous Electricity Generation
Authors: Lei Zhouyue , Gao Wei , Zhu Weiyan , Wu Peiyi
Published: March 2022

The integration of wearable technologies with the human body requires power supplies that are mechanically compatible and able to continuously generate electricity like biological systems. Distinct from existing batteries relying on periodic recharging, thermocells added with thermogalvanic ions are a promising candidate because they enable continuous electricity generation through redox reactions driven by ubiquitous waste heat. However, challenges remain in mechanical adaptability, fatigue resistance, and ion conduction, severely limiting thermocells’ sustainability and lifespan in practical applications. Herein, bionic mechanical training is applied to develop anti‐fatigue and highly conductive thermocells with hierarchical fibrils and aligned nanochannels. It achieves simultaneous enhancements in mechanical performance and output power density. Compared with existing quasi‐solid thermocells with disordered nano‐networks, there are ≈1790‐fold and 5‐fold increases in the mechanical toughness and ionic conductivity, respectively. The stretchability can accommodate the human body's deformation, and the power density is comparable to that of state‐of‐the‐art quasi‐solid thermocells. Moreover, this is the first demonstration of an anti‐fatigue thermocell with a threshold of 2500 J m−2, which is comparable to that of natural muscles and enables it to take full advantage of the continuous energy conversion mode.
Structural Modularization of Cu2Te Leading to High Thermoelectric Performance near the Mott–Ioffe–Regel Limit
Authors: Zhao Kunpeng , Zhu Chenxi , Zhu Min , Chen Hongyi , Lei Jingdan , Ren Qingyong , Wei Tian‐Ran , Qiu Pengfei , Xu Fangfang , Chen Lidong , He Jian , Shi Xun
Published: March 2022

To date, thermoelectric materials research stays focused on optimizing the material's band edge details and disfavors low mobility. Here, the paradigm is shifted from the band edge to the mobility edge, exploring high thermoelectricity near the border of band conduction and hopping. Through coalloying iodine and sulfur, the plain crystal structure is modularized of liquid‐like thermoelectric material Cu2Te with mosaic nanograins and the highly size mismatched S/Te sublattice that chemically quenches the Cu sublattice and drives the electronic states from itinerant to localized. A state‐of‐the‐art figure of merit of 1.4 is obtained at 850 K for Cu2(S0.4I0.1Te0.5); and remarkably, it is achieved near the Mott–Ioffe–Regel limit unlike mainstream thermoelectric materials that are band conductors. Broadly, pairing structural modularization with the high performance near the Mott–Ioffe–Regel limit paves an important new path towards the rational design of high‐performance thermoelectric materials.
Combining Perovskites and Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in Solar Cells, LEDs, and Photodetectors
Authors: Rakshit Soumyadipta , Piatkowski Piotr , Mora‐Seró Iván , Douhal Abderrazzak
Published: March 2022

Metal halide perovskites having high defect tolerance, high absorption characteristics, and high carrier mobility demonstrate great promise as potential light harvesters in photovoltaics and optoelectronics and have experienced an unprecedented development since their occurrence in 2009. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), on the other hand, have also been proved to be very flexible toward shape, dimension, bandgap, and optical properties for constructing optoelectronic devices. Of late, a strategic combination of both materials has demonstrated extraordinary promise in photovoltaic applications and optoelectronic devices. Combining QDs and perovskites has proved to be quite an effective strategy toward the formation of pinhole‐free and more stable perovskite crystals along with tunability of other properties. To boost this exciting research field, it is imperative to summarize the work done so far in recent years to provide an intriguing insight. This review is a critical account of the advanced strategy toward combining these two fascinating materials, including their different synthetic approaches regarding heteroepitaxial growth of perovskite crystals on QDs, carrier dynamics at the interface and potential application in the field of solar cells, light emitting diodes, and photodetectors.
MolNet‐3D: Deep Learning of Molecular Representations and Properties from 3D Topography
Authors: Liu Yuanbin , Hong Weixiang , Cao Bingyang
Published: March 2022

A new paradigm combining quantum‐mechanical calculations with machine learning (ML) to rationally design compounds with specific properties from extremely large chemical space is emerging and developing at a rapid pace. In this context, appropriately describing molecules and efficiently extracting patterns from electronic‐structure calculations are the core challenges for the success of the quantum‐mechanics‐based ML approaches. Here, MolNet‐3D is introduced, a strong deep learning architecture capable of mapping from a flexible and universal 3D topography descriptor to quantum‐mechanical observables of molecules of arbitrary shape. The model can learn an invariant representation without the need for the transformation of atom coordinates into interatomic distances, thus preserving the intrinsic 3D topography information of molecules. The capabilities of MolNet‐3D are shown by accurately predicting the various density functional theory calculated properties for molecules, including energetic, electronic, and thermodynamic properties. Compared with the previously proposed ML methods in the MoleculeNet benchmarks, our model generally offers the best performance in those quantum‐mechanical tasks, elucidating the importance of intrinsic topography information in molecular representation learning. This work may provide new insight into the construction of molecular ML models from 3D topography recognition perspectives.
MYPT1/PP1‐Mediated EZH2 Dephosphorylation at S21 Promotes Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Fibrosis through Control of Multiple Families of Genes
Authors: Zhang Lan , Wang Ling , Hu Xue‐Bin , Hou Min , Xiao Yuan , Xiang Jia‐Wen , Xie Jie , Chen Zhi‐Gang , Yang Tian‐Heng , Nie Qian , Fu Jia‐Ling , Wang Yan , Zheng Shu‐Yu , Liu Yun‐Fei , Gan Yu‐Wen , Gao Qian , Bai Yue‐Yue , Wang Jing‐Miao , Qi Rui‐Li , Zou Ming , Ke Qin , Zhu Xing‐Fei , Gong Lili , Liu Yizhi , Li David Wan‐Cheng
Published: March 2022

The methyltransferase EZH2 plays an important role in regulating chromatin conformation and gene transcription. Phosphorylation of EZH2 at S21 by AKT kinase suppresses its function. However, protein phosphatases responsible for the dephosphorylation of EZH2‐S21 remain elusive. Here, it is demonstrated that EZH2 is highly expressed in the ocular lens, and AKT‐EZH2 axis is important in TGFβ‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). More importantly, it is identified that MYPT1/PP1 dephosphorylates EZH2‐S21 and thus modulates its functions. MYPT1 knockout accelerates EMT, but expression of the EZH2‐S21A mutant suppresses EMT through control of multiple families of genes. Furthermore, the phosphorylation status and gene expression modulation of EZH2 are implicated in control of anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASC) in human and mouse eyes. Together, the results identify the specific phosphatase for EZH2‐S21 and reveal EZH2 dephosphorylation control of several families of genes implicated in lens EMT and ASC pathogenesis. These results provide important novel information in EZH2 function and regulation.
Recent Advances in Structure Separation of Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes and Their Application in Optics, Electronics, and Optoelectronics
Authors: Wei Xiaojun , Li Shilong , Wang Wenke , Zhang Xiao , Zhou Weiya , Xie Sishen , Liu Huaping
Published: March 2022

Structural control of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with uniform properties is critical not only for their property modulation and functional design but also for applications in electronics, optics, and optoelectronics. To achieve this goal, various separation techniques have been developed in the past 20 years through which separation of high‐purity semiconducting/metallic SWCNTs, single‐chirality species, and even their enantiomers have been achieved. This progress has promoted the property modulation of SWCNTs and the development of SWCNT‐based optoelectronic devices. Here, the recent advances in the structure separation of SWCNTs are reviewed, from metallic/semiconducting SWCNTs, to single‐chirality species, and to enantiomers by several typical separation techniques and the application of the corresponding sorted SWCNTs. Based on the separation procedure, efficiency, and scalability, as well as, the separable SWCNT species, purity, and quantity, the advantages and disadvantages of various separation techniques are compared. Combined with the requirements of SWCNT application, the challenges, prospects, and development direction of structure separation are further discussed.
Manipulating Electrocatalytic Polysulfide Redox Kinetics by 1D Core–Shell Like Composite for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Li Chuanchuan , Ge Weini , Qi Siyun , Zhu Lin , Huang Renzhi , Zhao Mingwen , Qian Yitai , Xu Liqiang
Published: March 2022

Although lithium–sulfur batteries have high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg−1, the sluggish redox kinetics of soluble liquid polysulfide intermediates during discharge and charge is one of the main reasons for their limited battery performance. Designing highly efficient electrocatalysts with a core–shell like structure for accelerating polysulfide conversion is vital for the development of Li–S batteries. Herein, core–shell MoSe2@C nanorods are proposed to manipulate electrocatalytic polysulfide redox kinetics, thereby improving the Li–S battery performance. The 1D MoSe2@C is synthesized via a facile hydrothermal and subsequent selenization reaction. The electrocatalysis of MoSe2 is confirmed by the analysis of symmetric batteries, Tafel curves, changes of activation energy, and lithium‐ion diffusion. Density functional theory calculations also prove the low Gibbs free energy of the reaction pathway and the lithium‐ion diffusion barrier. Therefore, the Li–S batteries using MoSe2 electrocatalyst exhibit an excellent rate performance of 560 mAh g−1 at 1 C with a high sulfur loading of 3.4 mg cm−2 and an areal capacity of 4.7 mAh cm−2 at a high sulfur loading of 4.7 mg cm−2 under lean electrolyte conditions. This work provides a deeper insight into regulation of polysulfide redox kinetics in electrocatalysts for Li–S batteries.
Ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane emissions from excreta of cattle receiving rumen undegradable protein
Authors: Carvalho Geovany Macêdo , Brito Liziane de Figueiredo , Coelho Larissa de Melo , Cardoso Abmael da Silva , Messana Juliana Duarte , Colovate Paulo Henrique Detogni , Ganga Maria Júlia Generoso , Cruz Mara Cristina Pessôa da , Malheiros Euclides Braga , Berchielli Telma Teresinha
Published: March 2022

We hypothesized that supplementation with rumen undegradable protein (RUP) during the rearing phase mitigates nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and ammonia (NH3) emissions from excreta of Nellore animals in Urochloa brizantha ‘Xaraés’ pasture. The treatments applied to soil were urine and dung of animals supplemented without RUP or with RUP in the middle and end of the rearing phase. We assessed N2O and CH4 emissions using a static closed chamber and NH3 emissions using the semi‐open static chamber method. No effects were observed for supplement, excreta type, period, or interaction on N2O emissions. The mean emission factor was 0.03% of N in the excreta lost as N2O. Higher NH3 losses were observed for the urine treatments in the end period, regardless of the supplement type. The mean NH3 emission factor for urine was 2.96 and 13.8% for the middle and end periods, respectively, while the mean value for dung was 3.9%. The type of supplement did not affect CH4 emissions, and the mean dung emission factor was 0.12 kg CH4 head–1 year–1. In summary, the supplementation of beef cattle in pastures with RUP did not mitigate NH3, N2O, and CH4 emissions from excreta. The excreta emission factors for the GHGs measured, regardless of differences in the type of excreta, type of supplement, and period, were lower than the default value of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change revised guidelines. Further studies will be needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of RUP on greenhouse gas emissions.
Medication use problems among older adults at a primary care: A narrative of literature review
Authors: Christopher Christina , KC Bhuvan , Shrestha Sunil , Blebil Ali Qais , Alex Deepa , Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Izham , Ismail Norhasimah
Published: March 2022

Appropriate medication use is one of the most significant challenges among the older population. Although medication use problems are well documented at the secondary and tertiary health care level, the evidence at the primary care level of OECD region is limited. A narrative review of existing literature was conducted through a nonsystematic search for original articles through electronic search databases, Ovid Medline, Google Scholar from 2001 to 2021, and a combination of citation references. Medication use problems are prevalent in older adults at the primary care level. The main issues of medication use identified were as follows; nonadherence, adverse drug events, accessibility, polypharmacy, inappropriate medications, belief about medications, lack of knowledge and awareness, and lack of deprescribing. In addition, the current review has identified the possibilities of the problems: many medications, forgetfulness, lack of deprescribing, lack of communication, poor understanding, and limited awareness of inappropriate medications. This review found that various medication use problems subclusters were identified to impact the health care need among older adults. Therefore, effective interventions targeting these issues need to be developed to reduce medication use problems among older adults at a primary care level.
Asymmetric Direct Vinylogous Conjugate Addition of Substituted Furanone Derivatives to (E)‐ and (Z)‐Benzoyl Acrylonitriles Using Organocatalysts
Authors: Ishii Daiki , Hirashima Shin‐ichi , Akutsu Hiroshi , Nakashima Kosuke , Matsushima Yasuyuki , Sakai Takaaki , Miura Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2022

Diaminomethylenemalononitrile organocatalysts efficiently promoted the asymmetric direct vinylogous conjugate addition of α‐angelica lactone to (E)‐ and (Z)‐benzoyl acrylonitrile derivatives. The synthesized products bear vicinal tertiary and quaternary stereogenic centers with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). This report is the first successful example of the stereoselective conjugate addition using (Z)‐benzoyl acrylonitriles as Michael acceptor.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C−H Heteroarylation to Access Fused Tricyclic Oxazolo[4,5‐c]Quinolines
Authors: Kajol Km , Kumar Sujeet , Kumar Amit , Kant Ruchir , Ramesh Chintakunta
Published: March 2022

Synthesis of fused tricyclic oxazolo[4,5‐c]quinolines from 2‐iodo‐N‐((2‐phenyloxazol‐4‐yl)methyl)anilines via intramolecular C−H heteroarylation in the presence of palladium catalyst under ligand free conditions has been disclosed. Various substituted 2‐iodo‐N‐((2‐phenyloxazol‐4‐yl)methyl)anilines are well tolerated and furnished the products in good yields. The synthetic utility of the resulting molecules has been demonstrated. This method features broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, good functional group tolerance, and scalability.
Evaluation of major national dementia policies and health‐care system preparedness for early medical action and implementation
Authors: Hampel Harald , Vergallo Andrea , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Cho Min , Kurokawa Kiyoshi , Wang Huali , Kurzman H. Ricky , Chen Christopher
Published: March 2022

With population growth and aging, the number of people with dementia and related disorders will grow substantially in the years ahead, bringing with it significant societal, health‐care, and economic challenges. Here, we analyze dementia policies of seven major countries in Asia/Pacific, Europe, and North America to identify opportunities for early actions to mitigate disease burden. We find that most countries are addressing this need by including a specific focus on early action in their national dementia strategies (five of seven countries), implementing public health initiatives for risk reduction, prevention, and early detection and diagnosis (six of seven countries); supporting enabling research for early detection and risk reduction (six of seven countries); and enacting a system for early, regular brain health screening (one of seven). We discuss risks and opportunities for integrating early action policies and conducting additional systematic research to understand the potential benefits and impacts of these policies.
Public spending on acute and long‐term care for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Authors: Coe Norma B. , White Lindsay , Oney Melissa , Basu Anirban , Larson Eric B.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

We estimate the spending attributable to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) to the United States government for the first 5 years post‐diagnosis.

Methods

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study matched to Medicare and Medicaid claims, we identify a retrospective cohort of adults with a claims‐based ADRD diagnosis along with matched controls.

Results

The costs attributable to ADRD are $15,632 for traditional Medicare and $8833 for Medicaid per dementia case over the first 5 years after diagnosis. Seventy percent of Medicare costs occur in the first 2 years; Medicaid costs are concentrated among the longer‐lived beneficiaries who are more likely to need long‐term care and become Medicaid eligible.

Discussion

Because the distribution of the incremental costs varies over time and between insurance programs, when interventions occur and the effect on the disease course will have implications for how much and which program reaps the benefits.
The Simultaneous Ground‐State Cooling and Synchronization of Two Mechanical Oscillators by Driving Nonlinear Medium
Authors: Yang Zhen , Zhao Chengsong , Peng Rui , Chao Shi‐Lei , Yang Junya , Zhou Ling
Published: March 2022

The simultaneous ground‐state cooling (SGC) and quantum synchronization of multi‐mode mechanical resonators in the cavity optomechanical system are both attractive research domains and have been developed separately. In this paper, the influence of optical parametric amplifier on improving SGC and quantum synchronization is investigated. It is found that the nonlinear medium can suppress the Stokes heating term because of the destructive interference between the counter‐rotating term and the optical parametric amplification term, thereby improving cooling rate. More importantly, the relation between SGC and quantum synchronization is analyzed, and it is shown that SGC must be accompanied by quantum synchronization, but quantum synchronization does not require SGC. The conclusion connects the two fields and provides a well understanding of the two phenomena.
Non‐aggregated and water soluble axially disubstituted silicon phthalocyanines: Synthesis and inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase enzyme
Authors: Biyiklioglu Zekeriya , Baş Huseyin , Sahin Huseyin
Published: March 2022

In this study, axially pyridine groups substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanines (3PY‐7‐Si and 3PY‐8‐Si) and their water soluble derivatives 3PY‐7a‐SiQ and 3PY‐8a‐SiQ were synthesized and acetylcholinesterase inhibition properties were examined. Axially pyridine groups substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanines (3PY‐7‐Si and 3PY‐8‐Si) and their water soluble derivatives 3PY‐7a‐SiQ and 3PY‐8a‐SiQ showed the various degrees of acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity. Their IC50 values causing 50% inhibition of the enzyme were ranged between 0.598 ± 0.068 and 0.886 ± 0.016 mM which 3PY‐7a‐SiQ was the best. These results demonstrated that the compounds might be effective agents against Alzheimer's disease.
A green and facile method to fabricate multifunctional and highly thermally conductive boron nitride‐based polymer composites
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wang Han , Xu Tao , Wu Liyun , Niu Haoting , He Xuhua , Wang Nanyang , Yao Yagang
Published: March 2022

Boron nitride‐based polymer composites possess high thermal conductivity and are commonly used for thermal management. However, the poor interfacial interaction between the fillers and matrix and the random distribution of fillers restrict further improvement of the thermal conductivity and other properties of these composites. Therefore, we propose a strategy to fabricate highly thermally conductive composites with multifunctionalities by interacting boron nitride as the filler with a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix after a ball milling modification, forming a layered nacre‐like structure through vacuum filtration, and hot pressing. The hot‐pressed functionalized boron nitride nanosheets/PVA (HPF‐BNNSs/PVA) composites exhibit a high in‐plane and out‐of‐plane thermal conductivity of 29.4 W/mK and 2.5 W/mK, respectively, at 70 wt% functionalized boron nitride nanosheets (f‐BNNSs) loading. This extraordinary enhancement in thermal conductivity can be ascribed to the formation of an effective thermally conductive network of fillers inside the polymer matrix. Additionally, the HPF‐BNNSs/PVA composites exhibit a low dielectric constant of 3.5, a low dielectric loss of 0.04, high electrical resistivity of 4 × 109 Ω·m, and outstanding mechanical properties (e.g. a tensile strength of 62 MPa and a Young's modulus of 225 MPa) at 70 wt% f‐BNNSs loading. Overall, this study provides a green and facile method to fabricate multifunctional and highly thermally conductive composites for thermal management applications.
Cotton noil based cellulose microfibers reinforced polylactic acid composite films for improved water vapor and ultraviolet light barrier properties
Authors: Ponnusamy Prabaharan Graceraj , Sharma Suraj , Mani Sudhagar
Published: March 2022

The cellulose reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites are one of the most widely explored biopolymer composites in packaging applications. In this study, the cellulose microfibers (CMF) isolated from cotton noil were reinforced with 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% in PLA matrix by solvent casting method. The strong interfacial adhesion and enhanced dispersion of CMF in PLA polymer matrix increased the tensile, water vapor, ultraviolet (UV) light barrier properties of the composites. The ultimate tensile stress and Young's modulus of 1% CMF reinforced composites were increased by 46% and 30% respectively than that of control films. A further increase in percent CMF reinforcement of up to 20% slightly reduced the tensile strength of composites but was comparable to that of low‐density polyethylene polymer. The water vapor permeability was decreased while increasing the CMF reinforcement due to the increased diffusion path by the dispersed CMF. The UV light absorbance of the composite was improved by up to 90% with the increase in CMF reinforcement by up to 20% due to the increased chromophore groups of cellulose. Hence, the PLA‐CMF composites could be used for packaging and storing light and moisture‐sensitive products.
Influence of ultraviolet radiation on structural and uniaxial tensile characteristics of tannic acid/poly (vinyl alcohol) composite films
Authors: Aksakal Baki , Denktaş Cenk , Bozdoğan Altan
Published: March 2022

This study investigated the influence of UV‐radiation on structural and uniaxial tensile properties of tannic acid (TA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films. All the samples were exposed to UV light. It was observed that TA reinforced the structure of PVA and its uniaxial tensile properties, as TA concentration increased thanks to the formation of crosslinking between TA and PVA molecules. From X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, it was seen that TA had a better protective effect on ordered structures such as crystallites against UV irradiation than that of PVA films, because the crystallinity of TA/PVA films did not change much. Major degradation effect of UV‐radiation was seen on the amorphous flexible PVA chains and structure. As a result of photodegradation process leading to possibly breakage in the polymer chains in especially amorphous structure, the extensibility or strain at break values of both pure PVA and TA/PVA composite films was decreased dramatically. However, because decrease in the strain at break values for 5% and 10% TA content is less than that for 15% and 20% TA content, the 5% and 10% TA content can be regarded as optimum values, when the protective role of TA against UV irradiation was considered in the studied films.
Mutants of Helicobacter pylori IMPDH: Kinetics and in silico Studies to Determine the Structural and Functional Role of Key Amino Acids
Authors: Dilip Haritha , Purushothaman Gayathri , Sharma Gaurav , Menon Aishwarya , Thiruvenkatam Vijay , Kirubakaran Sivapriya
Published: March 2022

The emergence of antibiotic‐resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori necessitates the development of novel therapeutic strategies to fight against its infection. Recently, the enzyme inosine‐5′‐monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) has emerged as a promising target to treat bacterial infections due to its crucial role in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway. The differences between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic IMPDHs, in the NAD+ binding domain and flap region, allow the identification of pathogen‐specific inhibitors. In the present study, seven point mutants of wild type Helicobacter pylori IMPDH are constructed by site‐directed mutagenesis, and characterized using in silico and kinetic studies. Point mutations in the NAD+ binding domain and the flap region are shown to impart significant changes in the enzyme's structure and function. In addition, the product inhibition characteristics of the Arg396‐Tyr397 dyad (RY dyad) show that both the residues are important for water activation in the reaction. The results obtained are beneficial for the design and development of small‐molecule inhibitors, capable of species‐specific inhibition.
Relationship between uterine veins, ureter, and hypogastric nerve for uterine transplantation: An anatomic study
Authors: Robin Fabien , Dion Ludivine , Lavoue Vincent , Goujon Anna , Boudjema Karim , Sulpice Laurent , Morandi Xavier , Nyangoh Timoh Krystel
Published: March 2022

Uterine transplantation is on the rise worldwide. In contrast to its arterial anatomy, venous drainage of the uterus is poorly defined in the literature. Our aim was to provide a standardized description of uterine veins through a multimodal approach to establish anatomical landmarks for the uterine transplantation surgeon. Data were obtained from: (1) an anatomical study of eight fresh female cadavers (16 hemipelves) studied separately by an extra fascial dissection from the iliac bifurcation to the uterine pedicle, with analysis of the urinary tract and nerve structures and (2) a virtual anatomical study from the Anatomage® Table comprising a high‐fidelity virtual reconstruction of two deceased female subjects by imaging and anatomical methods. An inconstant duality of uterine veins was identified: a deep uterine vein of larger caliber and a superficial uterine vein observed in 25% of cases. A close relationship of the ureter passing posterior to the superficial uterine vein and anterior to the deep uterine vein was evident in the parametrium. The inferior hypogastric plexus was identified in all cases immediately behind the deep uterine vein. The data obtained from the fresh female cadavers were validated by the Anatomage® Table. We describe the close relationship of the uterine veins with the ureter and the inferior hypogastric plexus. This knowledge represents a surgical landmark to support the success of uterine transplantation by respecting both the graft and the safety of the living donor by limiting the risk of injuries during uterus procurement.