bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of High Radiation Efficiency Dielectric Resonator Antenna Array Using Temperature Stable 0.8Zn2SiO4‐0.2TiO2 Microwave Dielectric Ceramic
Authors: Du Chao , Li Xiang‐Kun , Zhou Di , Wang Shao‐Fei , Li Rui‐Tao , Yao Xiao‐Gang , Lin Hui‐Xing , Peng Hai‐Yi , Zhou Tao , Sun Shi‐Kuan , Xia Song , Xu Zhuo
Published: February 2023

Array antenna is of great significance in realizing the Sub‐6 GHz fifth‐generation (5G) mobile communication systems, however, its utilization in the base station systems implementation is limited due to high power consumption. In this paper, a high radiation efficiency 4 × 4 cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (CDRA) array fabricated using the temperature stable 0.8Zn2SiO4‐0.2TiO2 composite ceramic is proposed. TiO2‐doped Zn2SiO4 composite ceramics are synthesized by the conventional solid‐state method. Notably, 0.8Zn2SiO4‐0.2TiO2 composite ceramic sintered at 1250 °C demonstrates excellent microwave dielectric properties with dielectric constant (εr ≈ 8.24), high‐quality factor (Q × f ≈ 35 000@8.08GHz), and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF ≈ +4.6 ppm °C−1). Moreover, the composite ceramic CDRA array is designed by exciting fundamental HE11δ mode using the aperture coupling microstrip feeding network. The fabricated composite ceramic based 4 × 4 CDRA array has enhanced measured radiation efficiency of up to 87%, high gain of 17.85 dBi and is a promising candidate for utilization in Sub‐6 GHz 5G Base Station communications systems.
Achieving High‐Power and Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Anodes via Interfacial Ion‐Transport‐Rectifying Pump
Authors: Feng Yang , Zhong Beidou , Zhang Ruochen , Peng Maoyu , Hu Zhe , Wu Zhonghan , Deng Nanping , Zhang Wang , Zhang Kai
Published: February 2023

Metallic lithium is a fascinating anode for the next‐generation energy‐dense rechargeable batteries owing to the highest theoretical specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential. Nevertheless, sluggish desolvation kinetics and notorious dendritic growth hinder its electrochemical performance and safe operation. Herein, an interlamellar Li+ conductor of Ag‐montmorillonite (AMMT) is proposed as an interfacial ion‐transport‐rectifying pump to induce the rapid and reversible plating/stripping of Li metal. Joint experimental and computational analyses reveal that the AMMT pump with negative charge layers and inherent channels can lower the desolvation energy and boost Li+ transport. The resultant Li anode is endowed with a low nucleation barrier (22.2 mV) and dendrite‐free features, leading to high plating/stripping density (8 mA cm‐2) and long lifespan (2500 h). Moreover, the corresponding Li||LiFePO4 batteries achieve a steady circulation (500 cycles@82%, 1 C) with a low N/P ratio. This strategy offers a fresh insight into constructing robust multifunctional electrolyte/Li anode interface for Li metal batteries.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Substituted Benzimidazoles and Quinazolinones via Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling Using Ferrocene‐Hydrazone‐Based Ru(II)‐p–cymene Catalysts
Authors: Ravindran N E Aswathi , Yadav Maheepal , Tamizh Manoharan Muthu , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Sarkar Sunandan , Karvembu Ramasamy
Published: February 2023

A series of ferrocene‐hydrazone based Ru(II)‐p‐cymene complexes were investigated for their catalytic activity towards acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) reactions. Ru(II)‐p‐cymene isonicotinic Fc‐hyrazone complex performed better in the solvent‐free synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazoles (up to 88%) and quinazolinones (up to 95%). The catalysis was extended to a wide range of benzylic alcohols. The synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazoles was accomplished with electron‐donating/‐withdrawing o‐phenylenediamines as well. A catalytic structure‐activity relationship was established by varying the steric and electronic parameters on the substrates. All the catalytic experiments exhibited good to moderate yields, with hydrogen and water as the only by‐products. The prepared complexes were well characterized using analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of the ligands and complex were resolved using single crystal X‐ray crystallographic studies.
Structural, Morphological and Interfacial Investigation of H2V3O8 upon Mg2+ Intercalation
Authors: Surace Yuri , Romio Martina , Amores Marco , Hamid Raad , Cupid Damian , Sauer Markus , Foelske Annette , Jahn Marcus
Published: February 2023

Magnesium‐ion batteries (MIBs) are a promising alternative to lithium‐ion batteries due to their higher theoretical energy densities and lower cost. However, fundamental limitations such as the sluggish diffusion of Mg2+ ions into cathode materials have hindered their practical implementation. In this work, the structural, morphological and interfacial changes of H2V3O8, a promising cathode material for MIBs, are elucidated upon Mg2+ intercalation in TFSI‐based electrolytes. Post‐mortem analysis revealed a shrinkage of the interlayer distance, an increase in cell volume, and a decrease of the surface V5+/V4+ ratio during discharge. These changes were only partially reversible upon subsequent charge due to Mg trapping. A cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) formed mainly of TFSI− anions, its decomposition products, and MgF2 was detected on the surface of H2V3O8. The CEI thickness and chemical composition vary upon charge and discharge as well as during prolonged cycling, and its presence correlates with the additional capacity recorded during discharge. Our study aims to contribute to a better understanding of Mg2+ intercalation and cathode‐electrolyte interaction in high voltage cathode materials for MIBs.
Synthesis of Polycarbonates from CO2 Promoted by Immobilized Ionic Liquid Functionalized di‐Mg Complex Catalyst
Authors: Pappuru Sreenath , Shpasser Dina , Gazit Oz M.
Published: February 2023

The capture and conversion of anthropogenic CO2 is a paramount challenge for our global ecosystem. An optimal way of to cope with the emitted CO2 is to efficiently convert it to value‐added materials. Whereas nature sequesters CO2 by making sugar‐based polymers, utilizing CO2 to make highly demanded synthetic polymers such as polycarbonates is of great value. The present work reports the synthesis of a new supported ionic liquid (IL) functionalized organic ligand that is able to accept metal sites. After incorporating di‐nuclear magnesium, it was utilized as a single‐component solid catalyst for the copolymerization of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide. The obtained solid catalyst was found to be active under mild CO2 pressures of (1–15 atm) giving a turnover number of up to 283 and turnover frequency up to 11.8 h−1. To the authors knowledge, these rates are the highest obtained using a heterogeneous catalyst, maintaining 96–99 % polycarbonates selectivity and 97–99 % carbonate repeat units. In addition, the obtained polymers showed high molecular weights (16.7 to 11.7 kg/mol) with 1.05 to 1.6 dispersity (Đ). The catalyst was recycled 4 times, under regular laboratory conditions and without any intermediate reactivation steps, which provided ∼3 g of polycarbonate for ∼0.03 g catalyst (100 : 1) at 80 °C in neat cyclohexene oxide and 15 atm CO2.
Synthesis of Highly Active and Stable Carbon by a Soft‐Template Hydrothermal Route as Pt Substrate for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Antony Jithin , Sakthivel Mariappan , Drillet Jean‐Francois
Published: February 2023

N‐doped mesoporous carbon spheres were synthesized by a microwave‐assisted ammonia‐catalyzed hydrothermal route (CFAHM) by using Pluronic® F127 as a soft‐template and m‐Aminophenol as both carbon and nitrogen source. Their physical and electrochemical properties were compared with those of carbon samples obtained by a conventional hydrothermal method (CFAH). The best results in terms of particle size, surface area, pore size distribution, conductivity and N‐content of the as‐prepared CFAHM samples were obtained in 17 M NH4OH at 120 °C for 5 min. After 1100 °C pyrolysis step, conductivity of CFAHM increased to 5.64 S cm−1 compared to 8.64 S cm−1 for CFAH sample. Remarkably, GDE experiments with xylene‐swelled CFAHM‐supported platinum exhibited an excellent activity for ORR (181 mA cm−2 @ 0.7 V) and ECSA retention (80 % after 10,000 ADT) under half‐cell conditions in 1 M H2SO4 at room temperature compared to only 57 mA cm−2 and 13 % for GDE with Pt/CVulcan reference material.
Plasma sheath in the presence of warm ions
Authors: Din Alif , Adnan M. , Khan Majid
Published: February 2023

The numerical solution of a warm ion sheath for an electrode/wall in contact with a low‐density isotropic plasma is analysed for sonic and supersonic flow of ions at the sheath entrance. For this, we consider half Maxwellian electron and water bag ion velocity distribution functions at the sheath edge. The generalized kinetic Bohm criterion is used to calculate the average ion velocity at the sheath edge. A relation between electrode/wall floating potential, sheath edge potential, and ion temperature is derived from the floating electrode/wall condition. The numerical solution of potential profiles for sonic and supersonic ions is calculated with varying ion temperature at different values of sheath edge potential. The results show that for sonic ions, the sheath solution merges smoothly into presehath solution, but for supersonic ions, we have density gradients, which increase with increasing ion temperature.
US FDA Postmarketing Requirements and Commitments: A Systematic Assessment of Clinical Pharmacology Studies and Their Impact on US FDA Prescribing Information
Authors: Ridge Sarah , Guinn Daphne , Pfuma Fletcher Elimika , Zineh Issam , Madabushi Rajanikanth , Ramamoorthy Anuradha
Published: February 2023

Many of the conditions for the safe and effective use of new molecular entities (NMEs) are understood at the time of initial drug approval. However, some remaining knowledge gaps can be addressed after drug approval through postmarketing requirements (PMRs) or commitments (PMCs) established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our objective was to conduct an assessment of clinical pharmacology–related PMRs and PMCs established at the time of approval and evaluate the impact of fulfilled PMRs and PMCs on prescription information (PI). This analysis included clinical pharmacology–related PMRs and PMCs established for NMEs approved between 2009 and 2020. Of the 1171 PMRs and PMCs, over one‐third were clinical pharmacology–related. Of these, 46% were to evaluate drug interactions, 16% were to evaluate drug dosing in patients with hepatic impairment, and 10% were related to dose. The majority (57%) of PMRs and PMCs were fulfilled at the time of analysis, with a median time to fulfillment of approximately 2.3 years. The majority (94%) of the fulfilled PMRs and PMCs, either with or without a PI revision, resulted in new or modified instructions for use or supported existing instructions for use. This is the first time that clinical pharmacology–related PMRs and PMCs have been catalogued and analyzed to understand their impact on PI. An understanding of the knowledge gaps that exist at the time of drug approval could inform the most effective and efficient methods for evidence generation prior to and after new drug approval.
A stall diagnosis method based on entropy feature identification in axial compressors
Authors: Liu Yang , Du Juan , Li Jichao , Xu Yang , Zhu Junqiang , Nie Chaoqun
Published: February 2023

A stall diagnosis method based on the entropy feature extraction algorithm is developed in axial compressors. The reliability of the proposed method is determined and a parametric sensitivity analysis is experimentally conducted for two different types of compressor stall diagnoses. A collection of time‐resolved pressure sensors is mounted circumferentially and along the chord direction to measure the dynamic pressure on the casing. Results show that the stall and prestall precursor embedded in the dynamic pressures are identified through nonlinear feature perturbation extraction using the entropy feature extraction algorithm. Further analysis demonstrates that the prestall precursor with the peak entropy value is related to the unsteady tip leakage flow for the spike‐type stall diagnosis. The modal wave inception with increasing amplitude is identified by the considerable increase of the entropy value. The flow field in the tip region indicates that the modal wave corresponds to the flow separation in the suction side of the rotor blade. The warning time is 100–300 rotor revolutions for both types of stall diagnoses, which is beneficial for stall control in different axial compressors. Moreover, a parametric study of the embedding dimension m, similar tolerance n, similar radius r, and data length N in the fuzzy entropy method is conducted to determine the optimal parameter setting for stall diagnosis. The stall warning based on the entropy feature extraction algorithm provides a new stall diagnosis approach in the axial compressor with different stall types. This stall warning can also be adopted as an online stability monitoring index when using the concept of active stall control.
Causality Constraint on Circuit Complexity from COSMOEFT
Authors: Choudhury Sayantan , Mukherjee Arghya , Pandey Nilesh , Roy Abhishek
Published: February 2023

In this article, we investigate the physical implications of the causality constraint via the effective speed of sound on Quantum Circuit Complexity (QCC) in the framework of Cosmological Effective Field Theory (COSMOEFT) using the two‐mode squeezed quantum states. This COSMOEFT setup is constructed using the Stckelberg trick with the help of the lowest dimensional operators, which are broken under time diffeomorphism. In this setup, we consider only the contributions from the two derivative terms in the background quasi‐de Sitter metric. Next, we compute the relevant measures of the circuit complexity and their cosmological evolution for different values of by following two different approaches, the Nielsen's approach and the Covariance matrix approach. Using this setup, we also compute the Von‐Neumann and the Rényi entropy, which finally establishes an underlying relationship between the entanglement entropy and the circuit complexity. Considering the scale factor and as parameters, our analysis of the circuit complexity measures and the entanglement entropy suggests several interesting unexplored features within the window, , which is supported by both causality and cosmological observation. Finally, we comment on the connection between the circuit complexity, the entanglement entropy and the equilibrium temperature for different values lying within the mentioned window.
Structure and content of the EU-IVDR
Authors: Kahles Andy , Goldschmid Hannah , Volckmar Anna-Lena , Ploeger Carolin , Kazdal Daniel , Penzel Roland , Budczies Jan , Kempny Gisela , Kazmierczak Marlon , Flechtenmacher Christa , Baretton Gustavo , Weichert Wilko , Horst David , Klauschen Frederick , Gassner Ulrich M. , Brüggemann Monika , Vogeser Michael , Schirmacher Peter , Stenzinger Albrecht
Published: February 2023

Background

Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) was passed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on 5 April 2017 and came into force on 26 May 2017. A new amending regulation, which introduces a phased implementation of the IVDR with new transitional provisions for certain in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) and a later date of application of some requirements for in-house devices for healthcare facilities, was adopted on 15 December 2021.

The combined use of CE-certified IVDs (CE-IVDs), in-house IVDs (IH-IVDs), and research use only (RUO) devices are a cornerstone of diagnostics in pathology departments and crucial for optimal patient care. The IVDR not only regulates the manufacture and placement on the market of industrially manufactured IVDs, but also imposes conditions on the manufacture and use of IH-IVDs for internal use by healthcare facilities.

Objectives

Our work provides an overview of the background and structure of the IVDR and identifies core areas that need to be interpreted and fleshed out in the context of the legal framework as well as expert knowledge.

Conclusions

The gaps and ambiguities in the IVDR crucially require the expertise of professional societies, alliances, and individual stakeholders to successfully facilitate the implementation and use of the IVDR in pathology departments and to avoid aberrant developments.
Masculinity Matters for Meat Consumption: An Examination of Self-Rated Gender Typicality, Meat Consumption, and Veg*nism in Australian Men and Women
Authors: Stanley Samantha K. , Day Cameron , Brown Patricia M.
Published: February 2023

Previous research shows that men eat more meat than women. We explore the extent to which self-rated gender typicality explains differences in meat consumption intentions and behaviour. We recruited a large sample (N = 4897) of Australian men and women to complete an online survey about their attitudes and intentions regarding meat consumption and abstention and measured their self-rated gender typicality (the extent men view themselves as masculine, and women view themselves as feminine). We used moderated regression analyses to investigate self-rated gender typicality as a moderator of the relationship between gender and meat-related variables. We demonstrated that for men, identifying as more masculine was associated with a lower likelihood of reducing meat consumption or considering veg*nism, and a greater belief that eating meat is normal. We also found that men, and those with more gender-typical self-ratings (regardless of gender), viewed meat as more natural, necessary, and nice. These findings suggest that self-rated gender typicality may be relevant for understanding gender differences in meat consumption behaviours. Appeals to adopt low- or no-meat diets may be more effective if they consider the ways Australian diets are interconnected with genders and identities. Increasing acceptance of alternative masculinities, and developing masculinity-friendly advertising of plant-based foods, could be useful in promoting meat reduction.
Does Certifying Foreign Qualifications Lead to Better Immigrant Skills Utilization?
Authors: Pecoraro Marco , Tani Massimiliano
Published: February 2023

Using a novel panel dataset on recent immigrants in Switzerland, we study the relationship between the degree of skills utilization, the foreign-acquired education and its certification in the host country. We find that the relationship with foreign education is negative, especially when acquired in a non-EU country, in line with the literature documenting the imperfect international transferability of human capital. Obtaining a “Certificate of Equivalence” in Switzerland makes this relationship statistically non-significant: in other words, the certification enables immigrants to enjoy the same degree of skills utilization in the Swiss labour market as those with Swiss education. Additional results suggest that immigrants with a foreign but not Swiss-certified education keep the degree of skill utilization as high as it would be if they were Swiss educated when they obtain a job contract or job offer before migrating to Switzerland. These findings are robust to controlling for self-selection on unobserved characteristics.
Analysis of Water Pricing Policy Effects in a Mediterranean Basin Through a Hydroeconomic Model
Authors: Martínez-Dalmau Javier , Gutiérrez-Martín Carlos , Expósito Alfonso , Berbel Julio
Published: February 2023

This paper explores the impacts of water pricing as a demand management policy, at a regional level (or basin-sector). To this aim, a hydro-economic model for the Guadalquivir River basin (southern Spain) is proposed here. This basin constitutes a perfect example of a Mediterranean basin subject to frequent and long drought periods, where challenges related to water scarcity are increasing, leading to social conflicts among water users. Moreover, this basin is characterised by a closure state meaning that all available water resources are already allocated among users. In this context, water pricing policy may act as an effective tool to reduce water demand by encouraging changes of behaviour in water users. In particular, those who perform irrigation practices in the agricultural sector. This paper focuses on the irrigation sector since it is the main water user in the basin (87%). Additionally, alternative water-availability scenarios have been used to test the effect of water pricing under drought conditions. The hydro-economic model presented here has been sectorized into four basin sectors with common characteristics (hydro and economic). This enables the analysis of alternative price scenarios in the agricultural sector, in terms of water used, crop patterns and gross margin. Results show that water pricing policy should consider the regional characteristics at the basin-sector scale to gain effectiveness and equity at the river basin scale. Moreover, it has been found that both water availability and the crop pattern at the basin-sector scale have an effect on the reduction of water used (and therefore in gross margin.
Extracellular volume fraction determined by equilibrium contrast-enhanced computed tomography: correlation with histopathological findings in gastric cancer
Authors: Nishimuta Yusuke , Tsurumaru Daisuke , Kai Satohiro , Maehara Junki , Asayama Yoshiki , Oki Eiji , Ishigami Kousei
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To assess the relationship between histopathological features of gastric cancer and the extracellular volume fraction (ECV) measured by preoperative equilibrium contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

Materials and methods

The study group consisted of 66 patients with surgically resected gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent preoperative multiphasic CECT. Tumor ECVs were calculated using region-of-interest measurements within the gastric cancer and aorta of each case on unenhanced and equilibrium-phase images. The relationship between the mean ECV values and clinicopathological parameters was examined by univariate analysis. Parameters showing a significant difference in the former test were further tested by linear regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses.

Results

In the univariate analysis, the values of venous invasion (p = 0.0487) and tumor infiltration (INF) pattern (p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with the tumor ECV. INF was significantly correlated (β = 0.57, p < 0.0001) in the linear regression analysis. The tumor ECV showed better diagnostic accuracy for predicting INF (INFa/b vs INFc), and the area under the ROC curve value was 0.89.

Conclusion

Tumor ECV determined by equilibrium CECT is significantly correlated with the pathological INF of gastric cancer.
Genome sequence and genomic analysis of liver abscess caused by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Pei Na , Liu Xin , Jian Zijuan , Yan Qun , Liu Qingxia , Kristiansen Karsten , Li Junhua , Liu Wenen
Published: February 2023

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is an important pathotype with enhanced virulence features compared with classical K. pneumoniae (cKp). hvKp usually causes life-threatening infections in the community, often affecting young and healthy individuals. During the past few decades, hvKp-induced liver abscess has been increasingly reported in Asia and is emerging as a global disease. To better comprehend the molecular characteristics of hvKp-induced liver abscess and recognize the global dissemination of hypervirulent strains with resistance determinants, we sequenced the whole genome of 26 K. pneumoniae strains from patients with liver abscess (KLA) and investigated the clinical factors related to different phenotype groups. The epidemiology, virulence-related factors, and antimicrobial resistance determinants were also discussed. The age, gender, and whether being hospitalized showed no differences among the string-positive and -negative groups were also studied. The assembly and annotation suggested that most of the 26 new liver abscess-causing hvKp strains were ST23-K1 or ST86-K2, and only one of the strains exhibited multidrug resistance. Compared with the existing 36 global liver abscess genome sequences, higher sequence type and virulence gene diversity were found in the new genomes. The clinical characteristics and genomic data of the isolated strains will enrich our knowledge for comparative genomic studies, allowing the better understanding of hvKp characteristics and evolution.
Acromegalia: differenze di sesso e genere
Authors: Gagliardi Irene , Aliberti Ludovica , Medici Margherita , Zatelli Maria Chiara , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria
Published: February 2023

Sommario

La differente modulazione dell’asse GH/IGF-1 da parte degli steroidi sessuali suggerisce una diversa presentazione clinica dell’acromegalia nei due sessi. Tra le donne acromegaliche è stato registrato un maggiore ritardo diagnostico, un’età più avanzata alla diagnosi, un rapporto IGF-1/GH più basso, maggiori complicanze metaboliche, cefalea, dolore muscolo-scheletrico e comorbidità psichiatriche. Ulteriori studi sono necessari al fine di sensibilizzare la comunità medica a una medicina di genere applicabile anche al campo dell’acromegalia.
Negative Word of Mouth On Social Media: A Case Study of Deutsche Bahn’s Accountability Management
Authors: Mirbabaie Milad , Stieglitz Stefan , Marx Julian
Published: February 2023

The advent of social media and its commodification have created a never-ending feedback loop between businesses and their customers. In this context, constant negative Word-of-Mouth (NWOM) may jeopardize a corporate image and cause defensiveness in corporate communication. This paper presents a case study of several customer service accounts of the railway company Deutsche Bahn on Twitter to investigate the management and control of constant NWOM and the impact of accountability strategies on customers’ perception of the firm. To this end, a sample of 36,757 Twitter postings was drawn and analyzed by means of sentiment and content analysis techniques. The findings suggest that the perceived accountability towards the firm declined in case of an attitude shift towards the user. In contrast, the firm was being held accountable more insistently after expressed defensiveness, regardless of the firm’s actual accountableness. With this paper, we introduce the notion of accountability management and an accompanying theoretical framework to the literature. This provides a novel perspective on constant NWOM countermeasures for organizations that are part of ‘toxic’ industries or face unrightfully claimed accusations, i.e., when being held accountable for outer circumstances beyond their control.
Half-Power Prediction and Its Application on the Energy Management Strategy for Fuel Cell City Bus
Authors: Zhang Longhai , Ning Lina , Yang Xueqing , Zeng Sheng , Yuan Tian , Li Gaopeng , Ke Changchun , Zhang Junliang
Published: February 2023

The fuel cell hybrid powertrain is a potential power supply system for fuel cell vehicles. The underlying problem is that the fuel cell vehicles encounter exhaustive hydrogen consumption. To effectively manage hydrogen consumption, the aim is to propose fuel cell city bus power and control system. The underlying idea is to determine the target power of fuel cell through simulation study on fuel cell and battery energy management strategy and road test verifications. A half-power prediction energy management strategy is implemented to predict the target power of the fuel cell in the current time step based on the demand power of the vehicle and the state of charge (SOC) of the battery in the previous time steps. This offers better understanding of the correlation between fuel cell power and vehicle drive cycle for enabling effective power supply management. The research results show that the half-power prediction energy management strategy effectively reduces the hydrogen consumption of the vehicle by 7.1% and the number of battery cycle by 6.0%, compared to the stepped management strategy of battery SOC. When applied to a 12-m fuel cell city bus—F12, specially designed and manufactured for the Winter Olympic Games in 2022—the fuel economy of 3.7 kg/100 km is achieved in urban road conditions. This study lays a foundation for providing the powertrain configuration and energy management strategy of fuel cell city bus.
Netherton Syndrome, a Rare Genetic Disorder—Case Report
Authors: Almalki Yahya , Khan Faisal , Naeem Ammara , Alabdulghany Muhammad Hasan
Published: February 2023

Netherton syndrome is a rare genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) gene are responsible for this disorder. Netherton syndrome can have multisystemic effects primarily involving the hair, skin and immune system. Currently, no definitive treatment has been reported beyond supportive care. Herein, we report the case of a newborn delivered in our facility with erythematous skin with peeling rash, respiratory distress and suspected early onset sepsis. In the neonatal intensive care unit, the newborn was managed with continuous positive airway pressure support, initial antibiotics and supportive treatment. Diagnosis was established after a skin biopsy, hair sample showing a characteristic bamboo stick appearance and elevated immunoglobulin E levels.
Preventing monkeypox outbreaks: Focus on diagnosis, care, treatment, and vaccination
Authors: Ghaseminia Moslem
Published: February 2023

The first human case of monkeypox virus (Mpox) was reported in 1970. In the years after 1970, human infection with Mpox and human-to-human transmission was not widely observed, and more cases were seen in endemic areas. In that year, Mpox spread was confirmed through the export of infected animals to other parts of the world. Every few years, sporadic infections were reported in different parts of the world from human contamination and human-to-human transmission. In recent years, with the slow decline of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outbreak of Mpox was observed in many countries of the world. To deal with the spread of this viral infection, we need to know the ways to diagnose the infection, treat the infection, care for the patients, and implement a wide program of vaccination. Currently, there are no specific drugs available for this virus, but according to previous studies related to smallpox, drugs such as tecovirimat, cidofovir, and brincidofovir, which were used for smallpox and other orthopoxviruses in the past, can be considered to deal with Mpox. Also, some vaccines such as JYNNEOS, IMVAMUNE, and MoVIHvax that have been used against smallpox can be useful to some extent in preventing Mpox.
Acoustofluidic semen analysis for veterinary male bovine infertility assessment
Authors: Castro Jasmine O. , Abdul Halim Melati S. , Ambattu Lizebona A. , Rezk Amgad R. , Prabhakar Ranganathan , Nosrati Reza , Yeo Leslie Y.
Published: February 2023

We demonstrate through the use of a unique acoustically driven microfluidic extensional rheometry platform (ADMiER) that a single measurement – i.e. the time required for a liquid bridge filament comprising a microlitre semen sample to thin and break up under elastocapillary stresses – constitutes an appropriate proxy for quantifying the motile sperm concentration of the sample in place of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and haemocytometer measurements used in conventional semen assessment – without the need to separately resolve for individual dependencies on each sperm parameter. By benchmarking diagnostic test accuracy results of blind random bull semen samples (

$n=35$

) against OpenCASA measurements of these parameters, ADMiER is capable of predicting sperm quality to 93.7 % accuracy, 91.4 % sensitivity and 97.5 % specificity, with respect to commonly adopted veterinary industry minimum values for fertility. These results therefore highlight the potential diagnostic capability of the platform as a conceptual first step towards the development of a rapid, low-cost and portable alternative for veterinary male bovine fertility assessment.
Guided parent-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for Japanese children and parents: a single-arm uncontrolled study
Authors: Okawa Sho , Arai Honami , Nakamura Hideki , Ishikawa Shin-ichi , Creswell Cathy , Shiko Yuki , Ozawa Yoshihito , Kawasaki Yohei , Shimizu Eiji
Published: February 2023

Background:

Guided parent-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (GPD-CBT) is an effective low-intensity treatment for childhood anxiety disorder in Western countries and can increase access to evidence-based psychological therapies.

Aim:

This study aimed to examine its feasibility in a Japanese sample.

Method:

Twelve children with anxiety disorders and their parents participated in the study, and ten children and parents completed the program. Participants were assessed at pre-, post- and one-month follow-up using a diagnostic interview for anxiety disorders, self- and parent-report measures for anxiety, depression, parental behaviour, and parental anxiety.

Results:

Four children (40% of completers) were free from their primary diagnoses immediately following the brief treatment, and seven children (70%) at the one-month follow-up. Changes in disorder severity, child and parent reported anxiety symptoms, and child reported depression symptoms were consistent with those found in Western trials of GPD-CBT and of Japanese trials of more intensive CBT for child anxiety disorders that involves both the child and the parent. Moderate increases were also found in child reported parental autonomy behaviours; however, there were only small changes in parent self-reported anxiety.

Conclusion:

These results support the potential of GPD-CBT to increase access to evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders in Japanese children.
Space and the US–Japan alliance: reflections on Japan's geopolitical and geoeconomic strategy
Authors: Pekkanen Saadia M.
Published: February 2023

Japan, and its alliance with the USA, is central to the unfolding politics of the new space race. This essay draws attention to the ways the Japanese state has positioned its geopolitical and geoeconomic interests related to space in the context of the US–Japan alliance. It probes the material and ideational elements that are driving the Japanese state to closer alignment with its formal ally in the military, civilian, and commercial space domains. But while all these realities bode well for alliance collaboration, there are reasons to be cautious. While the Japanese state has proactively aligned its space policy and postures with the USA, it is not forever caught in the US orbit. Given the uncertain fate of US domestic politics that bears on great power competition, Japan is also prudently positioning for how the status of its ally may evolve. This is what complicates straightforward projections about alliance cooperation and balance of power politics in the unfolding international space order.
Detection of Deep Low‐Frequency Tremors From Continuous Paper Records at a Station in Southwest Japan About 50 Years Ago Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Kaneko Ryosuke , Nagao Hiromichi , Ito Shin‐ichi , Tsuruoka Hiroshi , Obara Kazushige
Published: February 2023

Since deep low‐frequency tremors are considered to be associated with large earthquakes that occur adjacently on the same subducting plate interface, it is important to investigate tremors that occurred before the establishment of modern seismograph networks such as the High Sensitivity Seismograph Network (Hi‐net). We propose a deep‐learning solution to detect evidence of tremors in scanned images of paper seismogram records from over 50 years ago. In this study, we fine‐tuned a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on the Residual Network, which was pre‐trained using images of synthetic waveforms from our previous study, using a data set comprised of images generated from real seismic data recorded digitally by Hi‐net to facilitate a supervised analysis. The fine‐tuned CNN was able to predict the presence or absence of tremors in the Hi‐net images with an accuracy of 98.64%. Gradient‐weighted Class Activation Mapping heatmaps created to visualize model predictions indicated that the CNN's ability to detect tremors is not degraded by the presence of teleseisms. Once validated using the Hi‐net images, the CNN was applied to paper seismograms recorded from 1966 to 1977 at the Kumano observatory in southwest Japan, operated by Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo. The CNN showed potential for detecting tremors in scanned images of paper seismogram records from the past, facilitating downstream tasks such as the creation of new tremor catalogs. However, further training using an augmented data set to control for variables such as inconsistent plotting pen thickness is required to develop a universally applicable model.
Seaports Could Lose $67 Billion Yearly from Natural Disasters
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2023

Small islands and low-income nations face the largest relative monetary losses to their ports and maritime trade.
The role of the farnesoid X receptor in kidney health and disease: a potential therapeutic target in kidney diseases
Authors: Kim Dong-Hyun , Park Jung Sun , Choi Hoon-In , Kim Chang Seong , Bae Eun Hui , Ma Seong Kwon , Kim Soo Wan
Published: February 2023

The prevalence of kidney diseases has been increasing worldwide due to the aging population and has results in an increased socioeconomic burden as well as increased morbidity and mortality. A deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying the physiological regulation of the kidney and the pathogenesis of related diseases can help identify potential therapeutic targets. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) is a primary nuclear bile acid receptor that transcriptionally regulates bile acid homeostasis as well as glucose and lipid metabolism in multiple tissues. The roles of FXR in tissues other than hepatic and intestinal tissues are poorly understood. In studies over the past decade, FXR has been demonstrated to have a protective effect against kidney diseases through its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects; it also plays roles in glucose and lipid metabolism in the kidney. In this review, we discuss the physiological role of FXR in the kidney and its pathophysiological roles in various kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney diseases, diabetic nephropathy, and kidney fibrosis. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms involving nuclear receptors, such as FXR, in the physiology and pathophysiology of the kidney and the development of agonists and antagonists for modulating FXR expression and activation should be elucidated to identify therapeutic targets for the treatment of kidney diseases.
CDKL5 sculpts functional callosal connectivity to promote cognitive flexibility
Authors: Awad Patricia Nora , Zerbi Valerio , Johnson-Venkatesh Erin M. , Damiani Francesca , Pagani Marco , Markicevic Marija , Nickles Sarah , Gozzi Alessandro , Umemori Hisashi , Fagiolini Michela
Published: February 2023

Functional and structural connectivity alterations in short- and long-range projections have been reported across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Interhemispheric callosal projection neurons (CPN) represent one of the major long-range projections in the brain, which are particularly important for higher-order cognitive function and flexibility. However, whether a causal relationship exists between interhemispheric connectivity alterations and cognitive deficits in NDD remains elusive. Here, we focused on CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. We found an increase in homotopic interhemispheric connectivity and functional hyperconnectivity across higher cognitive areas in adult male and female CDKL5-deficient mice by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) analysis. This was accompanied by an increase in the number of callosal synaptic inputs but decrease in local synaptic connectivity in the cingulate cortex of juvenile CDKL5-deficient mice, suggesting an impairment in excitatory synapse development and a differential role of CDKL5 across excitatory neuron subtypes. These deficits were associated with significant cognitive impairments in CDKL5 KO mice. Selective deletion of CDKL5 in the largest subtype of CPN likewise resulted in an increase of functional callosal inputs, without however significantly altering intracortical cingulate networks. Notably, such callosal-specific changes were sufficient to cause cognitive deficits. Finally, when CDKL5 was selectively re-expressed only in this CPN subtype, in otherwise CDKL5-deficient mice, it was sufficient to prevent the cognitive impairments of CDKL5 mutants. Together, these results reveal a novel role of CDKL5 by demonstrating that it is both necessary and sufficient for proper CPN connectivity and cognitive function and flexibility, and further validates a causal relationship between CPN dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a model of NDD.
Plasma proteins related to inflammatory diet predict future cognitive impairment
Authors: Duggan Michael R. , Butler Lauren , Peng Zhongsheng , Daya Gulzar N. , Moghekar Abhay , An Yang , Rapp Stephen R. , Hayden Kathleen M. , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Natale Ginny , Liu Longjian , Snetselaar Linda , Moaddel Ruin , Rebholz Casey M. , Sullivan Kevin , Ballantyne Christie M. , Resnick Susan M. , Ferrucci Luigi , Walker Keenan A.
Published: February 2023

Dysregulation of the immune system and dietary patterns that increase inflammation can increase the risk for cognitive decline, but the mechanisms by which inflammatory nutritional habits may affect the development of cognitive impairment in aging are not well understood. To determine whether plasma proteins linked to inflammatory diet predict future cognitive impairment, we applied high-throughput proteomic assays to plasma samples from a subset (n = 1528) of Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) participants (mean [SD] baseline age, 71.3 [SD 3.8] years). Results provide insights into how inflammatory nutritional patterns are associated with an immune-related proteome and identify a group of proteins (CXCL10, CCL3, HGF, OPG, CDCP1, NFATC3, ITGA11) related to future cognitive impairment over a 14-year follow-up period. Several of these inflammatory diet proteins were also associated with dementia risk across two external cohorts (ARIC, ESTHER), correlated with plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology (Aβ42/40) and/or neurodegeneration (NfL), and related to an MRI-defined index of neurodegenerative brain atrophy in a separate cohort (BLSA). In addition to evaluating their biological relevance, assessing their potential role in AD, and characterizing their immune-tissue/cell-specific expression, we leveraged published RNA-seq results to examine how the in vitro regulation of genes encoding these candidate proteins might be altered in response to an immune challenge. Our findings indicate how dietary patterns with higher inflammatory potential relate to plasma levels of immunologically relevant proteins and highlight the molecular mediators which predict subsequent risk for age-related cognitive impairment.
The E3 ligase RNF5 restricts SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting its envelope protein for degradation
Authors: Li Zhaolong , Hao Pengfei , Zhao Zhilei , Gao Wenying , Huan Chen , Li Letian , Chen Xiang , Wang Hong , Jin Ningyi , Luo Zhao-Qing , Li Chang , Zhang Wenyan
Published: February 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a severe global health crisis; its structural protein envelope (E) is critical for viral entry, budding, production, and induction of pathology which makes it a potential target for therapeutics against COVID-19. Here, we find that the E3 ligase RNF5 interacts with and catalyzes ubiquitination of E on the 63rd lysine, leading to its degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Importantly, RNF5-induced degradation of E inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the RNF5 pharmacological activator Analog-1 alleviates disease development in a mouse infection model. We also found that RNF5 is distinctively expressed in different age groups and in patients displaying different disease severity, which may be exploited as a prognostic marker for COVID-19. Furthermore, RNF5 recognized the E protein from various SARS-CoV-2 strains and SARS-CoV, suggesting that targeting RNF5 is a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of UPS in antagonizing SARS-CoV-2 replication, which opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resetting histone modifications during human prenatal germline development
Authors: Gao Rui , Zeng Shiyang , Yang Dongxu , Li Xiaocui , Liu Wenqiang , Gao Yawei , Bai Dandan , Zhang Linfeng , Chen Chuan , Kang Yunzhe , Wang Beiying , Hong Wei , Wang Mingzhu , Yin Jiqing , Wang Hong , Deng Qiaolin , Gao Shaorong , Zhang Yong , Chen Jiayu
Published: February 2023

Histone modifications play critical roles in regulating gene expression and present dynamic changes during early embryo development. However, how they are reprogrammed during human prenatal germline development has not yet been elucidated. Here, we map the genome-wide profiles of three key histone modifications in human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) from weeks 8 to 23 of gestation for the first time by performing ULI-NChIP-seq. Notably, H3K4me3 exhibits a canonical promoter-enriched pattern, though with relatively lower enrichment, and is positively correlated with gene expression in globally hypomethylated hPGCs. In addition, H3K27me3 presents very low enrichment but plays an important role in not only dynamically governing specific bivalent promoters but also impeding complete X chromosome reactivation in female hPGCs. Given the activation effects of both global DNA demethylation and H3K4me3 signals, repressive H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 marks are jointly responsible for the paradoxical regulation of demethylation-resistant regions in hPGCs. Collectively, our results provide a unique roadmap of three core histone modifications during hPGC development, which helps to elucidate the architecture of germ cell reprogramming in an extremely hypomethylated DNA environment.
Spectroscopic evidence for the superconductivity of elemental metal Y under pressure
Authors: Cao Zi-Yu , Jang Harim , Choi Seokmin , Kim Jihyun , Kim Suyoung , Zhang Jian-Bo , Sharbirin Anir S. , Kim Jeongyong , Park Tuson
Published: February 2023

Very high applied pressure induces superconductivity with the transition temperature (Tc) exceeding 19 K in elemental yttrium, but relatively little is known about the nature of that superconductivity. From point-contact spectroscopy (PCS) measurements in a diamond anvil cell (DAC), a strong enhancement in the differential conductance is revealed near the zero-biased voltage owing to Andreev reflection, a hallmark of the superconducting (SC) phase. Analysis of the PCS spectra based on the extended Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) model indicates two SC gaps at 48.6 GPa, where the large gap ΔL is 3.63 meV and the small gap ΔS is 0.46 meV. When scaled against a reduced temperature, both small and large SC gaps collapse on a single curve that follows the prediction from BCS theory. The SC gap-to-Tc ratio is 8.2 for the larger gap, and the initial slope of the upper critical field is −1.9 T/K, indicating that Y belongs to a family of strongly coupled BCS superconductors. The successful application of PCS to Y in DAC environments demonstrates its utility for future research on other pressure-induced high-Tc superconductors.