bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
His bundle pacing guided by automated intrinsic morphology matching is feasible in patients with narrow QRS complexes
Authors: Bastian Dirk , Gregorio Caterina , Buia Veronica , Walaschek Janusch , Rittger Harald , Vitali-Serdoz Laura
Published: March 2022

Pace mapping and visual comparison of the local pacing response with the intrinsic QRS morphology form the mainstay of His bundle pacing (HBP). We evaluated the performance of a surface lead morphology match algorithm for automated classification of the pacing response in patients with narrow intrinsic QRS undergoing electroanatomic mapping (EAM)-guided HBP. HBP was attempted in 43 patients. In 28 cases with narrow QRS, the EnSite AutoMap Module was used for automated assessment of the QRS morphology resulting from pace mapping in the His cloud area with either a diagnostic catheter or the His lead. An intrinsic morphology match score (IMS) was calculated for 1.546 QRS complexes and assessed regarding its accuracy and performance in classifying the individual pacing response as either selective HBP (S-HBP), nonselective HBP (NS-HBP) or right ventricular stimulation. Automated morphology comparison of 354 intrinsic beats with the individual reference determined a test accuracy of 99% (95% CI 98.96–99.04) and a precision of 97.99–99.5%. For His-lead stimulation, an IMS ≥ 89% identified S-HBP with a sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of 1.00 (0.99, 1.00) and a negative predictive value of 0.99 (0.98, 1.00). An IMS between 78 and < 89% indicated NS-HBP with a sensitivity and specificity of 1.00 (0.99, 1.00) and 0.99 (0.98, 1.00), respectively. IMS represents a new automated measure for standardized individual morphology classification in patients with normal QRS undergoing EAM-guided HBP.

Clinical trial registration: NCT04416958.
Rapid remote monitoring reveals spatial and temporal hotspots of carbon loss in Africa’s rainforests
Authors: Csillik Ovidiu , Reiche Johannes , De Sy Veronique , Araza Arnan , Herold Martin
Published: March 2022

Spatially explicit monitoring of tropical forest aboveground carbon is an important prerequisite for better targeting and assessing forest conservation efforts and more transparent reporting of carbon losses. Here, we combine near-real-time forest disturbance alerts based on all-weather radar data with aboveground carbon stocks to provide carbon loss estimates at high spatial and temporal resolution for the rainforests of Africa. We identified spatial and temporal hotspots of carbon loss for 2019 and 2020 for the 23 countries analyzed, led by different drivers of forest disturbance. We found that 75.7% of total annual carbon loss in the Central African Republic happened within the first three months of 2020, while 89% of the annual carbon loss in Madagascar occurred within the last five months of 2020. Our detailed spatiotemporal mapping of carbon loss creates opportunities for much more transparent, timely, and efficient assessments of forest carbon changes both at the level of specific activities, for national-level GHG reporting, and large area comparative analysis.
Preservation of lymphocyte functional fitness in perinatally-infected and treated HIV+ pediatric patients displaying sub-optimal viral control
Authors: Khanolkar Aaruni , Muller William J. , Simpson Bridget M. , Cerullo Jillian , Williams Ruth , Sowers Sun Bae , Matthews Kiana , Mercader Sara , Hickman Carole J. , D’Aquila Richard T. , Liu Guorong
Published: March 2022

Background

Host–pathogen dynamics associated with HIV infection are quite distinct in children versus adults. We interrogated the functional fitness of the lymphocyte responses in two cohorts of perinatally infected HIV+ pediatric subjects with early anti-retroviral therapy (ART) initiation but divergent patterns of virologic control. We hypothesized that sub-optimal viral control would compromise immune functional fitness.

Methods

The immune responses in the two HIV+ cohorts (n = 6 in each cohort) were benchmarked against the responses measured in age-range matched, uninfected healthy control subjects (n = 11) by utilizing tests for normality, and comparison [the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the two-tailed Mann–WhitneyUtest (where appropriate)]. Lymphocyte responses were examined by intra-cellular cytokine secretion, degranulation assays as well as phosflow. A subset of these data were further queried by an automated clustering algorithm. Finally, we evaluated the humoral immune responses to four childhood vaccines in all three cohorts.

Results

We demonstrate that contrary to expectations pediatric HIV+ patients with sub-optimal viral control display no significant deficits in immune functional fitness. In fact, the patients that display better virologic control lack functional Gag-specific T cell responses and compared to healthy controls they display signaling deficits and an enrichment of mitogen-stimulated CD3 negative and positive lymphocyte clusters with suppressed cytokine production.

Conclusions

These results highlight the immune resilience in HIV+ children on ART with sub-optimal viral control. With respect to HIV+ children on ART with better viral control, our data suggest that this cohort might potentially benefit from targeted interventions that might mitigate cell-mediated immune functional quiescence.
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia: recent advancements, molecular effects, and future directions in the omics era
Authors: Pucci Carlotta , Degl'Innocenti Andrea , Belenli Gümüş Melike , Ciofani Gianni
Published: March 2022

Coating and targeting strategies improve superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-induced hyperthermia, while omics can unveil molecular effects.
Protein-mediated DNA self-assembly by controlling the surface charge in a molecular crowding environment
Authors: Chen Chunfa , Liu Qian , Yuan Yue , Cai Xiaolian , Ding Xiaotong , Li Boxuan , Yang Yao , Wang Bin , Wang Guansong , Leong David Tai , Qian Hang
Published: March 2022

A protein-mediated DNA self-assembly strategy in a molecular crowding environment is proposed. By controlling protamines surface charge in the crowding environment, protamine can assemble individual DNA strands into defined structures in a catalytic manner.
Synthesis, crystal growth, structural and physicochemical properties of an organic single crystal (C11H16N2O4) for fast scintillation and NLO applications
Authors: Daniel D. Joseph , Karuppasamy P. , Vuong P. Q. , Kim H. J.
Published: March 2022

The value of χ(3) for the present compound is comparable with that of other NLO materials, and it has a fast scintillation decay time of about 12 ns (94% contribution), which is comparable with that of standard organic scintillators.
Luminescent organic porous crystals from non-cyclic molecules and their applications
Authors: Chen Qiao , Chen Xinyu , Liang Meng , Han Yanning , Xue Pengchong
Published: March 2022

Photoluminescent organic porous crystals can be constructed from organic small molecules based on weak intermolecular interactions.
Multicomponent reactions and photo/electrochemistry join forces: atom economy meets energy efficiency
Authors: Coppola Guglielmo A. , Pillitteri Serena , Van der Eycken Erik V. , You Shu-Li , Sharma Upendra K.
Published: March 2022

This review offers an overview of recent synthetic strategies employing photoredox catalysis and electrochemistry in the framework of multicomponent reactions.
A lamellar structure zeolite LTA for CO2 capture
Authors: Shen Jie , Sun Qi , Cao Jun , Wang Peng , Jia Weilin , Wang Suyang , Zhao Ping , Wang Zepeng
Published: March 2022

Two-dimensional zeolite LTA with a special structure can be used in gas separation.
In situ reconstruction of vegetable sponge-like Bi2O3 for efficient CO2 electroreduction to formate
Authors: Shi Yingli , Wen Chun Fang , Wu Xuefeng , Zhao Jia Yue , Mao Fangxin , Liu Peng Fei , Yang Hua Gui
Published: March 2022

The vegetable sponge-like Bi2O3 was prepared using a microwave-ultrasonic strategy, with in situ reconstruction boosting the CO2RR performance.
Preparation and MRI performance of a composite contrast agent based on palygorskite pores and channels binding effect to prolong the residence time of water molecules on gadolinium ions
Authors: Zhao Minzhi , Tang Zhonghua , Zhang Jia , Fu Guorui , Xu Weibing , Wu Qingfeng , Pu Lumei
Published: March 2022

A composite MRI contrast agent with longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates up to 59.56 and 340.81 mM−1 s−1 is facilely fabricated base on the pores and channels binding effect on water molecules of attapulgite.
Flexible thermal conductive Al2O3@siloxane composite with rapid self-healing property based on carboxyl-amine dynamic reversible bonds
Authors: Hu Ziyue , Wu Weijian , Chen Xiang , Chen Yuanzhou , Chen Junlin , Hao Zhifeng
Published: March 2022

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are one of the efficacious ways to alleviate the heat accumulation problem of microelectronics devices.
A steric hindrance alleviation strategy to enhance the photo-switching efficiency of azobenzene functionalized metal–organic frameworks toward tailorable carbon dioxide capture
Authors: Huang Qi , Mu Junju , Zhan Zhen , Wang Feng , Jin Shangbin , Tan Bien , Wu Chunfei
Published: March 2022

A steric hindrance alleviated photo switching metal–organic framework reported for low energy CO2 capture and release.
Interface engineering in the hierarchical assembly of carbon-confined Fe3O4 nanospheres for enhanced microwave absorption
Authors: Shi Xiaofeng , Wu Zhengchen , Liu Zhengwang , Lv Jianguo , Zi Zhenfa , Che Renchao
Published: March 2022

The strong magnetic coupling effect and intensive interfacial polarization endow hierarchical core–shell Fe3O4@C composites with excellent microwave absorption performance.
Correction: Paper spray mass spectrometry utilizing Teslin® substrate for rapid detection of lipid metabolite changes during COVID-19 infection
Authors: De Silva Imesha W. , Nayek Subhayu , Singh Vijay , Reddy Jay , Granger John K. , Verbeck Guido F.
Published: March 2022

Correction for ‘Paper spray mass spectrometry utilizing Teslin® substrate for rapid detection of lipid metabolite changes during COVID-19 infection’ by Imesha W. De Silva et al., Analyst, 2020, 145, 5725–5732, DOI: 10.1039/D0AN01074J.
Synthesis of K[B3H7NH2BH2NH2B3H7] for a K-ion solid-state electrolyte
Authors: Chen Xi-Meng , Jia Si-Han , Kang Jia-Xin , Zhang Yichun , Ma Yubin , Ma Yiming , Jiang Xin , Yu Xing-Chao , Qiu Pengtao , Chen Xuenian
Published: March 2022

A potential K-ion solid-state electrolyte K[B3H7NH2BH2NH2B3H7] was synthesized and its relatively high K+ conductivity of 1.01 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 75 °C was obtained probably due to the increased electrostatic potential and size of the anions.
App-based quantification of crystal phases and amorphous content in ZIF biocomposites
Authors: Hafner Michael R. , Villanova Laura , Carraro Francesco
Published: March 2022

We developed and integrated into a web application (ZIF Phase Analysis) a calibration procedure for the rapid and quantitative analysis of crystalline and amorphous ZIF phases from diffraction patterns in biomacromolecule@ZIF biocomposites.
Composition dependent polymorphism and superconductivity in Y3+x{Rh,Ir}4Ge13−x
Authors: Feig Manuel , Carrillo-Cabrera Wilder , Bobnar Matej , Simon Paul , Curfs Caroline , Levytskyi Volodymyr , Tsirlin Alexander A. , Leithe-Jasper Andreas , Gumeniuk Roman
Published: March 2022

Polymorphism is observed in the Y3+xRh4Ge13−x series of superconductors.
Stereoisomeric coordination polymers based on facial and meridional six-coordinate dysprosium(iii )
Authors: Lin Wei-Quan , Wang Dan-Ru , Long Wei-Jian , Lin Li-Shan , Tao Ze-Xian , Liu Jun-Liang , Liu Zhao-Qing , Leng Ji-Dong
Published: March 2022

Three stereoisomeric 2D and 3D coordination polymers based on six-coordinate Dy(iii) ions with facial or meridional coordination environments were isolated. Their different configurations lead to their distinct magnetic behaviours.
Synthesis of substituted (N,C) and (N,C,C) Au(iii) complexes: the influence of sterics and electronics on cyclometalation reactions
Authors: Hylland Knut T. , Schmidtke Inga L. , Wragg David S. , Nova Ainara , Tilset Mats
Published: March 2022

Cyclometalated (N,C) and (N,C,C) Au(iii) complexes were synthesised via a robust microwave-assisted protocol.
Materials design, synthesis, and transport properties of disordered rare-earth Zintl bismuthides with the anti-Th3P4 structure type
Authors: Ogunbunmi Michael O. , Baranets Sviatoslav , Bobev Svilen
Published: March 2022

The synthesis, structural elucidation, and transport properties of the extended series Ca4−xRExBi3 (RE = Y, La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Tm, and Lu; x ≈ 1) and Ca4−xRExBi3−δSbδ (RE = La, Ho, Er, and Lu; x ≈ 1, δ ≈ 1.5) are presented.
Alkylthio-based asymmetric liquid crystals: unravelling the substituent effects and intercalated cybotactic nematic and smectic phases
Authors: Arakawa Yuki , Ishida Yuko , Sasaki Yukito , Sasaki Shunsuke , Tokita Masatoshi , Tsuji Hideto
Published: March 2022

A homologous series of alkylthio- and alkoxy-based asymmetric calamitic liquid crystal (LC) molecules was developed. The effects of alkylthio groups on the phase transition properties and unexpected intercalated LC phase structures were studied.
3-(Nitromethylene)oxetane: a very versatile and promising building block for energetic oxetane based monomers
Authors: Born Max , Fessard Thomas C. , Göttemann Lucas , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Plank Jakob , Klapötke Thomas M.
Published: March 2022

3-(Nitromethylene)oxetane was identified as a promising scaffold for the straightforward synthesis of energetic oxetane monomers via conjugate addition. The use of tetrazoles provided compounds with exciting properties superior to the prior art.
Highly efficient and stable red perovskite quantum dots through encapsulation and sensitization of porous CaF2:Ce,Tb nanoarchitectures
Authors: Liu Kunlun , Zhao Jun , Pan Gencai , Zhu Yaxian , You Wenwu , Zhang Huafang , Gao Huiping , Mao Yanli
Published: March 2022

CsPbI3 PQDs have been encapsulated in porous CaF2:Ce,Tb nanoarchitectures, which not only improved the stability of PQDs, but also maintained the high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of PQDs, benefitting from the sensitization of Tb3+ ions.
Synthesis of fluorinated leucines, valines and alanines for use in protein NMR
Authors: Maleckis Ansis , Abdelkader Elwy H. , Herath Iresha D. , Otting Gottfried
Published: March 2022

19F-NMR spectra of the protein GB1 produced by cell-free protein synthesis with fluorinated amino acids substituting their canonical parent amino acids show exceptionally large chemical shift dispersions, which indicate structural conservation.
Lewis acid triggered N-alkylation of sulfoximines through nucleophilic ring-opening of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes: synthesis of γ-sulfoximino malonic diesters
Authors: More Satish G. , Suryavanshi Gurunath
Published: March 2022

Lewis acid catalyzed, mild, and regioselective ring-opening reaction of donor–acceptor (D–A) cyclopropanes using sulfoximines for the synthesis of γ-sulfoximino malonic diesters has been developed.
Click synthesis of novel dendronized curcumin and analogs. Strengthening of physicochemical properties toward biological applications
Authors: Cruz-Hernández Carlos , García-Espinosa David Alexis , Guadarrama Patricia
Published: March 2022

Dendronization by click chemistry as a tool to improve the physicochemical properties of bioactive organic molecules toward biological applications.
Tetraphenylethylene–DNA conjugates: influence of sticky ends and DNA sequence length on the supramolecular assembly of AIE-active vesicles
Authors: Rothenbühler Simon , Gonzalez Adrian , Iacovache Ioan , Langenegger Simon M. , Zuber Benoît , Häner Robert
Published: March 2022

The supramolecular assembly of tetraphenylethylene (TPE)–DNA conjugates is presented. The length of the TPE sticky ends exerts a pronounced effect on the formation of aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active vesicles.
An unusual mixed-valence cobalt dimer as a catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov hydrophosphination of alkynes
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Sen Asmita , Rajaraman Gopalan , Shanmugam Maheswaran
Published: March 2022

A Co dimer with a 3e-reduced NNN pincer ligand [(PMe3)2CoII(L13−)CoI(PMe3)3] is an efficient catalyst for the hydrophosphination reaction of both internal and terminal alkynes including α-hydroxy-functionalized alkyne substrates with excellent stereo- and regioselectivity.
A portable visual coffee ring based on carbon dot sensitized lanthanide complex coordination to detect bisphenol A in water
Authors: Li Yixiao , Min Qi , Wang Yunfei , Zhuang Xuming , Hao Xiaowen , Tian Chunyuan , Fu Xiuli , Luan Feng
Published: March 2022

A ratiometric portable visual fluorescence sensor of bisphenol A was developed based on carbon dot sensitized lanthanide complex coordination.
Study of the Pauson–Khand reaction in flow over alkynylphenyl vinyl ethers: towards the synthesis of tricyclic multisubstituted benzofurans
Authors: García-Lacuna Jorge , Alonso Maialen , Domínguez Gema , Pérez Castells Javier
Published: March 2022

Flow methodology allows the first efficient and scalable catalytic Pauson–Khand reaction of vinyl ethers. Cycopenta-benzofuranones are produced.
Facile preparation of a thermosensitive and antibiofouling physically crosslinked hydrogel/powder for wound healing
Authors: Dong Xiaoru , Yao Fanglian , Jiang Lijie , Liang Lei , Sun Hong , He Shaoshuai , Shi Mingyue , Guo Zhicheng , Yu Qingyu , Yao Mengmeng , Che Pengcheng , Zhang Hong , Li Junjie
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a full physically crosslinked HBC-PSB hydrogel with multiple functions was prepared by a facile method and can effectively prevent postoperative abdominal adhesion and accelerate the healing of infected wounds.
Electronic influence of ultrathin aluminum oxide on the transistor device performance of binary indium/tin oxide films
Authors: Büschges M. Isabelle , Trouillet Vanessa , Schneider Jörg J.
Published: March 2022

Controlled aluminum oxide doping at an atomic level into binary indium/tin oxide thin-films allows control of crucial TFT parameters such as the mobility (μsat), the threshold-voltage (Vth) and on/off ratio (IOn/IOff). Moreover, it stabilizes TFT performance under optical stress.
GPU accelerated blockchain over key‐value database transactions
Authors: Iliakis Konstantinos , Koliogeorgi Konstantina , Litke Antonios , Varvarigou Theodora , Soudris Dimitrios
Published: March 2022

Blockchain is a distributed ledger based on peer‐to‐peer networks, originally used for crypto‐currency systems. Blockchains are being used as an enabling technology for decentralised applications in the areas of Internet‐of‐Things, finance, supply‐chain and others. Consistency, data privacy, performance, and energy efficiency are of paramount importance in such applications. The full nodes of public, permissionless blockchains undertake the task of verifying the transactions generated by the network. Full nodes perform operations such as confirming balances, transactions, and history, i.e. mostly database search queries. Consequently, their throughput is crucial for the performance of blockchain systems. In this work, the benefits of accelerating the blockchain search and insert queries by leveraging GPU platforms are studied. An extensive comparison between the most dominant utilized database is provided, i.e. LevelDB, and MegaKV, a high‐performance GPU‐accelerated database. Realistic operations that take place in blockchain systems are emulated and evaluated over representative scenarios, showing three orders of magnitude gains in throughput and energy efficiency without compromising the security aspect. The extensive comparison between LevelDB and MegaKV indicates that GPU acceleration is an effective solution for runtime and energy efficiency enhancement of blockchain systems, and the integration of the two technologies is a promising field of research.
Integrated active fault‐tolerant formation control for networked multi‐agent systems
Authors: Liu Yishi , Dong Xiwang , Shi Pengfei , Liu Jianwei , Zeng Qinghan
Published: March 2022

This paper focuses on the design and simulation of an integrated reconfigurable control strategy for networked multi‐agent systems. The control task is to remain the desired time‐varying formation in the presence of actuator faults, and to well address the pairing between fault estimation and reconfigurable formation control. A decentralized fault estimation method using observer based estimator is presented to estimate both additive and multiplicative fault values. The reconfigurable control is constructed by adaptive technique using a distributed strategy. Only the information from neighboring agents as well as the fault values are required. The adaptive gains and fault estimates are designed by analyzing the Lyapunov stability of the overall system. The simulation results validate that the proposed integrated fault‐tolerant formation control scheme can recover the original desired formation if there are faulty agents in system.
Fuzzy adaptive observer‐based fault estimation design with adjustable parameter for satellite under unknown actuator faults and perturbations
Authors: Li Yanbo , Xu Wei , Chang Lin
Published: March 2022

This study considers the problem of fault estimation for rigid satellite in the presence of external disturbances, parameter perturbations, and actuator time‐varying faults. Firstly, a Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy model with interval matrix for satellite attitude system under large attitude angle scope is established, along with a detailed analysis of actuator faults in terms of additive and multiplicative descriptions. Then, a novel fuzzy adaptive observer with adjustable parameter is proposed to estimate both system states and actuator faults. The estimated errors are proved to be uniformly ultimately bounded, based on descriptor augmentation technique and Lyapunov stability theory. The proposed observer realizes a lower estimation performance index in terms of quantitative assessment compared to existing observer methods. Furthermore, an auxiliary optimization variable and the elimination method are applied to decrease the conservatism of the proposed design. And an intuitive quantitative performance index of fault estimation is introduced to obtain reliable evaluation and decision. Finally, numerical simulations and analyses of rigid satellite illustrate the effectiveness and benefit of the proposed strategy.
Study on operation voltage monitoring and electrothermal coupling simulation of electric multiple unit (EMU) roof arrester
Authors: Zhang Qizhe , Wang Shenghui , Sun Kaixuan , Dong Xinghao , Liu Mingliang , Lü Fangcheng
Published: March 2022

The roof arrester of electric multiple units (EMU) can efficiently limit the overvoltage, and ensure the safe operation of the EMU electrical equipment. In the process of high‐speed operation, the traction power supply system is often affected by overvoltage. In addition, roof arrester explosion accidents occasionally occur. In this paper, the on‐line voltage measurement system of the EMU arrester is developed. By analysing a large number of voltage waveforms, the abnormal voltage is divided into three categories: over‐phase voltage, high harmonic voltage and steep impulse overvoltage. The characteristics of abnormal voltage waveforms are then summarised. The electrothermal coupling simulation model of the arrester is developed, and the current response and temperature distribution of the arrester under abnormal voltage are calculated. The impact of the impulse voltage energy on the arrester temperature is studied by applying a triangular wave voltage to the model. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for the operation and maintenance of the roof arrester.
Deep reinforcement learning based active safety control for distributed drive electric vehicles
Authors: Wei Hongqian , Zhao Wenqiang , Ai Qiang , Zhang Youtong , Huang Tianyi
Published: March 2022

Distributed drive electric vehicles are regarded as the promising transportation due to the advanced power flow architecture. Optimizing the yaw motion to enhance vehicle safety is a challenging job. Besides, the nonlinear features in vehicles affect the control accuracy of the yaw motion controllers. To this end, a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) based direct yaw moment control (DYC) strategy is put forward here. Vehicle dynamics can be approximated with the DRL algorithm, which reduces the complex nonlinear solving process. Concretely, the DYC problem is formulated as Markov Decision Process in which the observed signals and external yaw moment are incorporated as the state and action sets. Thereupon, actor‐critic network is exhibited to approximate action‐value function and policy function for better control performance. Furthermore, to guarantee the continuous solution of external yaw moment, the deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm is employed, in which target and online network parameters are simultaneously trained to maintain learning process stability. The proposed DRL based DYC strategy is verified using the Carsim/Simulink platform under the typical lane change manoeuvres. Numerical test results demonstrate that the proposed DYC strategy outperforms the linear approaches on taking full advantage of understeer features and enhancing the lateral stability, especially under the critical steering manoeuvres.
Evaluation of maximum non-metallic inclusion sizes in steel by statistics of extreme values method based on Micro-CT imaging
Authors: Tian Linan , Liu Long , Ma Bo , Zaïri Fahmi , Ding Ning , Guo Weimin , Xu Na , Xu Huixia , Zhang Ming
Published: March 2022

Non-metallic inclusions have become a matter of concern for several properties of steel. The effective evaluation of inclusions in steel would provide critical information to evaluate the steel quality. In this study, an evaluation method based on X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) experiments was proposed. First, Micro-CT experiments were carried out to characterize the inclusions. Then, the characterizations of the inclusions were collected based on the 2D slices and their 3D features. The extreme values were evaluated by statistics of extreme values method with these data. The evaluation results were compared with those obtained by international standard ASTM E2283-08. The results demonstrated that the evaluation method based on inclusion sizes collected from 3D inclusion information provided a stable result. It means that the extreme value evaluation method with the 3D data based on Micro-CT was an effective method.
Laboratory investigation on quantitative effect of ladle filler sands on the cleanliness of a bearing steel
Authors: Liu Yubao , Wang Jujin , Zhang Lifeng , Yang Wen , Cheng Gong
Published: March 2022

Laboratory experiments were performed using two kinds of heating furnaces to investigate the quantitative effect of ladle filler sands (LFS) on the cleanliness of a bearing steel at the casting start of the first heat and non-first heats of a casting sequence. After the direct addition of LFS into the molten steel, which was the condition of the first heat, inclusions in steel changed from MgO · Al2O3 to Al2O3. As the LFS/steel ratio increased from 0 to 1:600, the number density of inclusions significantly increased from 5.3 #/mm2 to 14.5 #/mm2 and the area fraction of inclusions sharply increased from 7.8 ppm to 60.6 ppm, inducing the sharp increase of T.O to 16.1 ppm. After the reaction between the LFS contained tundish covering powder (TCP) and the molten steel, inclusions in steel were separated into a MgO-Al2O3 system and a CaO-Al2O3(-MgO) system. With the increase of LFS/TCP ratio to 1:12, the average MgO content in inclusions decreased to 19.1 wt% while the Al2O3 content increased to 77.0 wt%, meanwhile, the T.O content increased to 6.0 ppm and the [Al] content decreased to 50 ppm. Based on experimental results and the thermodynamic analysis, the detrimental effect of LFS on the steel cleanliness of non-first heats was much slighter than that of the first heat owing to the use of high-basicity TCP. Accordingly, more efforts should be made to prevent the LFS charging into the molten steel at the casting start of the first heat of a casting sequence during the industrial production.
Les déchets plastiques dans l’océan au cœur de l’Aquathon d’Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Koumi Ahou Rachel , Ouattara-Soro Fatou Shcherazade , Quéré Yves , Louault Yann , Yayo N’Cho Amalatchy Jacqueline , Coulibaly Safiatou , Yao Koffi Marcellin , Atsé Boua Célestin , Sankare Yacouba , Cecchi Philippe
Published: March 2022

Un Aquathon a été organisé les 20 et 21 novembre 2019 à Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) sur le thème des déchets plastiques dans l’océan. Trente participants de 18 structures publiques et privées ont expérimenté les outils et méthodes collaboratifs de l’innovation ouverte pour proposer des solutions. Il en ressort que les déchets plastiques doivent être éliminés et peuvent être transformés et valorisés pour assainir l’environnement et protéger la vie et la biodiversité. Quatre prototypes de solutions ont été collégialement identifiés : i) un processus de réduction des rejets plastiques dans l’environnement, ii) la valorisation des déchets plastiques à partir de moyens locaux, iii) la création d’emplois par le tri des déchets plastiques, et iv) un outil de suivi de la qualité biogéochimique des eaux. Ces solutions devront être approfondies avec les industriels, les consommateurs et les laboratoires d’innovation pour aboutir à leur mise en œuvre.
Utilisation du Système CT8® en orthodontie systémique pour traiter les supraclusions incisives de l'adulte
Authors: Chillès Jean-Gabriel , Riemenschneider-Chillès Sylvia , Chillès Daniel
Published: March 2022

Cet article montre comment nous pouvons traiter efficacement les problèmes de supraclusion chez l'adulte à l'aide du « Système CT8® », système simplifié d'ancrage cortical sur microvis placées en fond de vestibule au-delà des apex.

Après une rapide description du matériel et de la façon de le mettre en oeuvre, des cas cliniques représentatifs des différentes situations de supraclusion qui peuvent être rencontrées sont présentées puis analysés.

Au-delà même de l'aide attendue par des ancrages fixés, la constatation d'un redressement spontané systématique de l'axe des incisives supérieures sans avoir eu besoin de réaliser une mécanique spécifique de torque bouscule beaucoup d'idées reçues considérées comme intangibles.

La comparaison avec les autres ancrages osseux montre que le « Système CT8® » est réellement le système de choix pour ingresser les incisives chez l'adulte, tant au niveau de l'étendue de ses possibilités que de sa fiabilité.
Combining efficiency and scaling effects in activity analysis: towards an improved best practice criterion
Authors: Rödder Wilhelm , Dellnitz Andreas , Litzinger Sebastian
Published: March 2022

Efficiency is the main issue in any data envelopment analysis. Realizing output by a minimum of input or reaching a maximum of output by a given input is the credo, scale effects often are only a sort of accessory. In modern economics scale effects play a prominent role, however. What is the right size of a decision making unit (DMU) and how to proceed there. Returns to scale inform a DMU about its hitherto disregard of scale effects and show the way towards its ideal activity size. Combining efficiency aspects and scaling effects leads to a new DEA-best practice criterion of DMUs and gives them a profound orientation of their current position. This combination turns out to be the relation of weighted outputs to weighted inputs – in optimal prices under variable returns to scale (VRS). It is the VRS-productivity. For DMUs with increasing returns to scale the recommended growth path is in accordance with economic rationales, for decreasing returns to scale the recommended shrinking path uncovers severe flaws in VRS-models and needs adjustment. All theoretical considerations are illustrated by little numerical examples. A real world application of 37 Brazilian banks demonstrates the benefits of the new concept.
Resident Endoscopy Experience Correlates Poorly with Performance on a Virtual Reality Simulator
Authors: Oberoi Kurun Partap S. , Scott Michael T. , Schwartzman Jacob , Mahajan Jasmine , Patel Nell Maloney , Alvarez-Downing Melissa M. , Merchant Aziz M. , Kunac Anastasia
Published: March 2022

Background Endoscopy training has become increasingly emphasized during general surgery residency as reflected by introduction of the Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) examination, which includes testing of skills on virtual reality (VR) simulators. Although studies exist to assess the ability of the simulator to differentiate between novices and experienced endoscopists, it is not well understood how simulators can differentiate skills among resident cohort.

Objective To assess the utility of the VR simulator, we evaluated the correlation between resident endoscopy experience and performance on two VR simulator colonoscopy modules on the GI-BRONCH Mentor (Simbionix Ltd, Airport City, Israel).

Methods Postgraduate years 2 to 5 residents completed “easy” and “difficult” VR colonoscopies, and performance metrics were recorded from October 2017 to February 2018 at Rutgers' two general surgery residency programs. Resident endoscopy experience was obtained through Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs. Correlations between resident endoscopy experience and VR colonoscopy performance metrics were assessed using Spearman's rho (ρ) correlation statistic and bivariate logistic regression.

Results Fifty-five residents out of 65 (84.6%) eligible participants completed the study. There were limited correlations found between resident endoscopy experience and FES performance metrics and no correlations were found between resident endoscopy experience and binary metrics of colonoscopy—ability to complete colonoscopy, ability to retroflex, and withdrawal time of less than 6 minutes.

Conclusion The VR simulator may have a limited ability to discriminate between experience levels among resident cohort. Future studies are needed to further understand how well the VR simulator metrics correlate with resident endoscopy experience.
Stentolith in Bile Duct: A Neglected Entity—Case Report with Review of Literature
Authors: Gupta Amit , Rajput Deepak , Chennat Jaine John , Singla Tanuj , Ahmed Shaik Sameer
Published: March 2022

Stentolith is a forgotten stent that acts as a nidus for stone formation leading to a stone-stent complex. Once the planned procedure is completed, these stents should be removed within 4 to 6 weeks, but if they are required for a longer period, then they should be replaced every 3 to 6 months. Devastating complications may ensue —such as cholangitis, biliary stricture, or secondary biliary cirrhosis. Management primarily comprises surgical intervention with common bile duct exploration or endoscopic clearance. The majority of patients eventually develop symptoms that lead to their diagnosis and subsequent management. This article, however, details the case of a silent stentolith and how it may have led to disastrous complications if surgical intervention was not done promptly.
Cover Images of Inflight Magazines as Airlines’ Methods of Impression Management: Alitalia’s Ulisse Magazine and Finnair’s Blue Wings Magazine
Authors: Martikainen Jari , Adriani Roberto
Published: March 2022

This research examines the cover images of two inflight magazines—Ulisse(Alitalia) andBlue Wings(Finnair)—as a method for airlines to manage their impression. Drawing on concept of impression management, the study focuses on the visual strategies the cover images employ in order to shape the audience’s perception of the airlines. The data consists of 90 cover images published between January 2016 and February 2020. A visual rhetorical analysis was applied to examine the visual construction of the cover images and their functions. The findings show that the cover images ofUlisseandBlue Wingsemployed different strategies of visual rhetoric as part of their impression management. Whereas Alitalia seemed to strive for the image of a luxury airline, Finnair endeavored to create an image of an airline for ordinary people. Theoretically, this study contributes to the current knowledge of rhetorical approach to visual impression management in corporate communications. Methodologically, the study advances the research on corporate impression management by applying an analysis of visual rhetoric.
Collective spontaneous emission and kinetic equations for one-photon light in random media
Authors: Kraisler Joseph , Schotland John C.
Published: March 2022

We consider the theory of spontaneous emission for a random medium of stationary two-level atoms. We investigate the dynamics of the field and atomic probability amplitudes for a one-photon state of the system. At long times and large distances, we show that the corresponding average probability densities can be determined from the solutions to a pair of kinetic equations.
Decimations for two-dimensional Ising and rotator models
Authors: D’Achille Matteo , van Enter Aernout C. D. , Le Ny Arnaud
Published: March 2022

We extend proofs of non-Gibbsianness of decimated Gibbs measures at low temperatures to include long-range as well as vector-spin interactions. Our main tools consist in a two-dimensional use of “equivalence of boundary conditions” in the long-range case and an extension of global specifications for two-dimensional vector spins.
Two-photon, fiber-coupled, super-resolution microscope for biological imaging
Authors: Heffernan Brendan M. , Riley Peter S. , Supekar Omkar D. , Meyer Stephanie A. , Restrepo Diego , Siemens Mark E. , Gibson Emily A. , Gopinath Juliet T.
Published: March 2022

Imaging sub-diffraction dynamics of neural nanostructures involved in behaviors such as learning and memory in a freely moving animal is not possible with existing techniques. Here, we present a solution in the form of a two-photon (2P), fiber-coupled, stimulated emission depletion microscope and demonstrate its capabilities by acquiring super-resolution imaging of mammalian cells. A polarization-maintaining fiber is used to transport both the 2P excitation light (915 nm) and the donut-shaped depletion beam (592 nm), which is constructed by adding two temporally incoherent and orthogonally polarized Hermite–Gaussian fiber modes. The fiber output is insensitive to bending or temperature changes and is the first demonstration toward deep tissue super-resolution imaging in awake behaving animals.
Semi-empirical quantum optics for mid-infrared molecular nanophotonics
Authors: Triana Johan F. , Arias Mauricio , Nishida Jun , Muller Eric A. , Wilcken Roland , Johnson Samuel C. , Delgado Aldo , Raschke Markus B. , Herrera Felipe
Published: March 2022

Nanoscale infrared (IR) resonators with sub-diffraction limited mode volumes and open geometries have emerged as new platforms for implementing cavity quantum electrodynamics at room temperature. The use of IR nanoantennas and tip nanoprobes to study strong light–matter coupling of molecular vibrations with the vacuum field can be exploited for IR quantum control with nanometer spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution. In order to advance the development of molecule-based quantum nanophotonics in the mid-IR, we propose a generally applicable semi-empirical methodology based on quantum optics to describe light–matter interaction in systems driven by mid-IR femtosecond laser pulses. The theory is shown to reproduce recent experiments on the acceleration of the vibrational relaxation rate in infrared nanostructures. It also provides physical insights on the implementation of coherent phase rotations of the near-field using broadband nanotips. We then apply the quantum framework to develop general tip-design rules for the experimental manipulation of vibrational strong coupling and Fano interference effects in open infrared resonators. We finally propose the possibility of transferring the natural anharmonicity of molecular vibrational levels to the resonator near-field in the weak coupling regime to implement intensity-dependent phase shifts of the coupled system response with strong pulses and develop a vibrational chirping model to understand the effect. The semi-empirical quantum theory is equivalent to first-principles techniques based on Maxwell’s equations, but its lower computational cost suggests its use as a rapid design tool for the development of strongly coupled infrared nanophotonic hardware for applications ranging from quantum control of materials to quantum information processing.
Tutorial on metalenses for advanced flat optics: Design, fabrication, and critical considerations
Authors: Moon Seong-Won , Lee Chihun , Yang Younghwan , Kim Joohoon , Badloe Trevon , Jung Chunghwan , Yoon Gwanho , Rho Junsuk
Published: March 2022

Metalenses comprised of artificial subwavelength structures known as meta-atoms have demonstrated abilities beyond conventional bulky optical components by modulating the phase, amplitude, and polarization of light in an ultrathin planar form factor. In this Tutorial, we present the fundamental principles and practical design procedures to exploit the abilities of metalenses, including achromaticity, high numerical aperture, and tunability. The fundamental principles include both plasmonic and dielectric meta-atoms, which require different physics to describe their light–matter interactions. In the phase modulation section, we compare the methods of physically implementing phase via meta-atoms including both the propagation and geometric phase methods. Next, we cover the recent progress of nanofabrication procedures from the perspective of the metalenses using materials such as titanium dioxide, gallium nitride, and hydrogenated amorphous silicon. We further compare the various fabrication methods with regard to the resolution, size, cost, and optical properties of fabricated metalenses. Then, we describe the critical considerations of metalenses including aberration-correction, numerical aperture, and tunability for advanced flat optics. Herein, we provide a practical guide for the design, fabrication, and critical considerations of metalenses with examples of research from early works to more recent developments.
The C-terminal actin-binding domain of talin forms an asymmetric catch bond with F-actin
Authors: Owen Leanna M. , Bax Nicolas A. , Weis William I. , Dunn Alexander R.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Talin is a mechanosensitive adaptor protein that links integrins to the actin cytoskeleton at cell–extracellular matrix adhesions. Although the C-terminal actin-binding domain ABS3 of talin is required for function, it binds weakly to actin in solution. We show that ABS3 binds actin strongly only when subjected to mechanical forces comparable to those generated by the cytoskeleton. Moreover, the interaction between ABS3 and actin depends strongly on the direction of force in a manner predicted to organize actin to facilitate adhesion growth and efficient cytoskeletal force generation. These characteristics can explain how force sensing by talin helps to nucleate adhesions precisely when and where they are required to transmit force between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix.
Redefining attitude for studying explicit and indirect evaluations of human behaviour
Authors: Vilar Lluch Sara
Published: March 2022

This article considers the application of the Attitude framework (Martin &
White 2005) to study the evaluation of human behaviour. The distinction between inscribed (explicit) and invoked
(indirect) attitude is re-examined and systematised to better operationalise the analysis of the evaluation of behaviour. General
linguistic evaluation triggers are identified for inscribed and invoked evaluations, and the annotation scheme is applied in a
corpus of texts from different registers (a psychiatric manual, educational guidelines and informal online exchanges) concerned
with ADHD. Indirect evaluations of behaviour are described as attitudinal inferences derived from (i) the behaviours of the
individuals, (ii) the behavioural outcomes, (iii) the impact that the behaviour or its outcomes have on third parties and the
actions that the latter may perform as a result. It is proposed that indirect evaluations of people’s behaviour are metonymically
inferred through an effect→cause relation drawn across the different parts of an action scenario. The conceptual metonymy
explains the directionality observed in attitude analyses (Appreciation attitude type may stand as tokens of Judgment), and it
shows the impossibility of evaluating performances without indirectly appraising the human behaver.
Effects of Si and Fe additions on mechanical properties of as-cast Al–5Cu alloys
Authors: Guo Hongmin , Hu Wenjie , Yang Kunyi , Yu Cisheng
Published: March 2022

The effects of different Fe and Si additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Al–5Cu alloys were studied. The results show that the evolution order of the Fe-rich intermetallic morphology is needle-like β-Fe then Chinese-script Fe-rich intermetallic, and the area size of Chinese-script Fe-rich intermetallic increased from 66 to 1058 μm2 with the increase of Fe addition. It was found that the combined additions of Fe and Si can change the morphology and size of Fe-rich intermetallic, and thus improving mechanical properties. However, the excessive Si addition would cause Si particles to precipitate, and the morphology of Fe-rich intermetallic had a tendency to needled-like. The alloy's solidification path of second phases is α-Fe + Al mFe→ β-Fe→binary eutectic (Al2Cu + Si) in Al–5Cu– XSi– XFe alloys.
Electromagnetic properties of Sm-doped FeSiAl alloy absorbing materials prepared by melt spinning
Authors: Zhu Yan , Xie Guozhi , Xie Ningyan , Wu Huimin , Chen Jing
Published: March 2022

The flaky Sm1-xFexSiAl ( x = 0,1,2) alloy powders were prepared by melt-spun technique with a wheel speed of 30 m s−1, followed by ball milling method. The flake-shaped FeSiAl alloy particles with the average particle size range from 5µm to 40µm were obtained. The XRD spectra show that the single α-Fe phase without other intermediate phase can be detected for all samples. Complex permittivity decreased remarkable VS complex permeability decreased somewhat with increasing Si content. With the thickness of 1.8 mm, the minimum Reflection Loss (RLmin) of Fe70Si20Al10 alloy powder is −3.4 dB at 2 GHz, while that of Sm2Fe68Si20Al10 alloy powder is −5.8 dB at 3.8 GHz. It is found that the Sm-doped FeSiAl composites can be potential microwave absorbing materials.
A test method for the normal interface bonding strength of laser cladding
Authors: Nie M. H. , Zhang S. , Wang Z. Y. , Zhang C. H. , Chen H. T. , Chen J.
Published: March 2022

In this study, a self-designed testing approach for interface bonding strength and related fixture are proposed. Five layers of 316L stainless steel coatings are fabricated by overlapping and overlaying laser scans on the substrate. The ultimate tensile strength of notched specimens at different positions is measured by a static tensile test. The fracture morphology of the T-shape specimens presented obvious dimples and cleavage steps at the fracture, indicating that the fracture mechanism is hybrid fracture. The effectiveness and repeatability of the method are proved by comparative experiments. It can be used as a parameter of mechanical properties to realize the engineering measurement of interface bonding strength.