bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of cavitator failure statistics at fuel oil facilities of thermal power plants by using regression and cluster analysis
Authors: Shcherban' Pavel Sergeevich , Sokolov Andrei Nikolaevich , Abu-Khamdi Reda Validovich , Esayan Vladimir Nikolaevich
Published: October 2022

One of the main tasks in the management of technological processes is to reduce emergencies and failures of existing equipment. The statistical data obtained during the operation of machines and mechanisms require appropriate mathematical processing to analyze the dynamics of technological processes and establish relationships between deviations, influencing factors and failures. Regression and cluster analyses are convenient tools for processing these data. The failures of cavitation systems are an essential, and at the same time poorly illuminated topic in scientific periodicals. Cavitators are relatively common technical devices that allow maintaining the technological parameters of fuel oil in tank farms at the required level (viscosity, water content, adhesive properties). The practice of using cavitators on fuel oil farms of thermal power plants in the Kaliningrad region shows that these technical devices can fail relatively often.   So, in case of disconnection or restriction of the supply of the required volumes of gas to the thermal power plant, reserves of fuel oil from the fuel park can be used. In turn, the failure of the cavitation system may lead to the impossibility of entering reserve fuel and, as a consequence, to the shutdown of power generation. Thus, the problem of ensuring energy security and the reliability of cavitation systems are closely interrelated. In this study, an array of accumulated statistical information on the parameters of the functioning of cavitators in fuel oil farms and the moments of failure is analyzed. Regression and cluster analyses were used to process the data array, which made it possible to determine the relationship between the types of failures and the influencing factors and to rank the weight of factors according to the degree of their impact on cavitation equipment. Based on the results of mathematical processing and data analysis, proposals have been developed to ensure greater technical reliability of cavitators, reorganize their maintenance system and reduce the number of failures.
On the Typology of Musical Perception
Authors: Dyatlov Dmitrii Alekseevich
Published: October 2022

Throughout the 20th century, the theory and history of performing arts repeatedly attempted to systematize various phenomena in the field of interpretation of works of academic music. The number of performing styles and types in various researches has risen dramatically, until the beginning of this century when it was reduced to a single concept - to the category of an individual style. This topic was discussed mainly in research papers devoted to the theory of pianism. The results of their observations and conclusions can be applied to the performing arts in general. The article mentions the works of K.A. Martinsen, D.A. Rabinovich, V.P. Chinaeva, A.V. Malinkovskaya and others. The topic of musical perception is addressed both in musicology and in musical psychology. This research offers a new vector for studying of musical perception, linking the features of musical imagery created by the performer and the nature of perception. The following aspects are revelated: patterns that allow us to talk about the types of musical image, the principles of its construction and the types of perception. This is an affective image created on the principle of contrast. It corresponds to the psychophysical type of perception. The contextual image is guided by the principle of connections. It corresponds to the aesthetic type of perception. The integrative image is formed, focusing on the principle of the whole. It corresponds to the symbolic type of perception. A hermetic system of typology is considered to be impossible; artistic practice will largely oppose it. However, these tendencies are able to shed light on the nature of musical perception and allow to continue the scientific discussion of the current topic of musical performance.
Information Technologies in the Research Activities of Museums: from Digital Catalogs to Artificial Intelligence Methods
Authors: Yumasheva Julia Yurijevna , Hookk Daria
Published: October 2022

The article is of a historiographic nature and is intended to record the main stages in the development of hardware-software complexes and systems for creating digital images (DI) of museum storage items and their (DI) application in intra-museum activities: from solving practical problems of documenting the discovery (acquisition) of museum funds with historical artifacts, their existence in museums, conservation and restoration, creation and development of catalogues, to the implementation of historical and art history research, implemented using the methods of mathematical statistics and a wide range of modern approaches, technologies and scientific disciplines of Data Science. For the first time in Russian historiography, the expansion of the range of research tasks is considered, which has been going on from the mid-1970s to the present and has become possible, on the one hand, in connection with the growing understanding of the information potential of DI of museum objects, and on the other hand, with the digital transformation of traditional technical and technological methods of analysis of museum items, highlights the history of design and development of specialized hardware and software systems; an original periodization of the identified processes is proposed, a brief description of each of the 4 identified stages is given (including a methodological breakthrough that occurred at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries) and the results of the most significant scientific projects are described.
Growth of lattice matched InAs/AlSb superlattices by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: You Ming-Hui , Li Xue , Li Shi-Jun , Liu Guo-Jun ,   Information Technology College, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China,   Wuzhou University, Guangxi Key Laboratory of machine vision and intelligent control, Wuzhou 543002, China,   College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
Published: October 2022

The InAs/GaSb superlattices (SPLs) is an important component of quantum cascade laser (QCL) and interband cascade laser (ICL). In particular, the upper and lower SPL waveguide layers of the ICL are alternately grown from a large number of ultra-film epitaxial layers (nm) by molecular beam epitaxy(MBE). Subtle lattice mismatch may directly lead to the deterioration of material crystal quality, and the change of thicknessand the composition of each layer will strongly affect the structural performance of device material. The optimal growth temperature of InAs/GaSb SPLs is about 420 ℃. By growing GaSb/AlSb and InAs/GaSb SPL both with 40 short periods under the substrate rotating, the thickness of GaSb layer and AlSb layer are 5.448 nm and 3.921 nm, and the thickness of InAs layer and GaSb layer are 8.998 nm and 13.77 nm, respectively. The error is within about 10%, and the optimal growth conditions of InAs/AlSb SPLs are obtained. A lattice matched 40-period InAs/AlSb superlattice waveguide layer is grown on GaSb substrate. The influence of drifting As injection on the average lattice constant of InAs/AlSb superlattice is fully considered. Under the condition of fixed SOAK time of 3 s, the As pressure is changed to 1.7 × 10–6 mbar to adjust the average lattice constants of the superlattices and achieve their matching with the GaSb substrate lattice. The experimental results show that the 0 order satellite peak of the SPL coincides with the peak of the GaSb substrate, and has a perfect lattice matching, and that the sharp second order satellite peak and the periodic structure good repeatability also indicate that the superlattice material has the excellent structural quality of the SPLs structure.
Performance of trans perovskite solar cells improved by finely adjusting the particle size of nickel oxide nanoparticles through pH value
Authors: Yu Yuan , Xing Ruo-Fei , Du Hui-Tian , Zhou Qian , Fan Ji-Hui , Pang Zhi-Yong , Han Sheng-Hao ,   School of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250101, China,   School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan 250101, China
Published: October 2022

As a low-cost, high stable hole transport material, nickel oxide has been widely used in inverted structure perovskite solar cells in recent years. By far, the most common method of preparing nickel oxide hole transport layers is spin-coating pre-prepared nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiOx NPs), which puts forward high requirement for the particle sizes and solution processing capabilities of NiOx NPs. In this work, the sizes of NiOx NPs are precisely controlled by adjusting the pH value of the system in the synthesis process, and high-quality nickel oxide hole transport layers are then prepared. The experimental results exhibit that the NiOx NPs with sizes of 5–10 nm are obtained at a pH value in a range of 9.5–9.8. More interestingly, the obtained NiOx NPs have good dispersion stability and can achieve long-term dispersion in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the structural composition analysis of NiOx NPs shows that the pH value of the synthesis system does not have a significant effect on the material structure nor composition of the NiOx NP. Surface morphological analysis shows that the NiOx film prepared by the pH-controlled NiOx NPs is rather dense and particularly flat with small surface roughness. It is also found that the film exhibits good hole extraction capability. We also fabricate an inverted perovskite solar cell based on the NiOx film. The device structure is ITO/NiOx/CH3NH3PbI3/PC61BM/Bphen/Ag. It yields a good photovoltaic conversion efficiency (17.39%). In addition, the device is almost hysteresis-free. Our experimental results exhibit that the performance of perovskite solar cells can be effectively improved by precisely controlling the sizes of NiOx NPs through pH values. Our work is expected to facilitate the development of NiOx-based perovskite solar cells.
How I learned to redefine academic success as a senior postdoc
Authors: Tukker John J
Published: October 2022

After many professional twists and turns, a researcher in his forties reconsiders what it means to ‘make it’ in science.
Telomerase activity, relative telomere length, and longevity in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: A Yun , Shi Shangli , Sun Shoujiang , Jing Yuanyuan , Li Zili , Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Xiaolong , Wu Fang
Published: October 2022

Background

Medicago sativa L. ‘Qingshui’ is a valuable rhizomatous forage germplasm resource. We previously crossed Qingshui with the high-yielding Medicago sativa L. ‘WL168’ and obtained novel rhizomatous hybrid strains (RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03). Telomere dynamics are more accurate predictors of survival and mortality than chronological age. Based on telomere analyses, we aimed to identify alfalfa varieties with increased stamina and longevity for the establishment of artificial grazing grasslands.

Methods

In this study, we performed longitudinal analysis of telomerase activity and relative telomere length in five alfalfa varieties (Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03) at the age of 1 year and 5 years to examine the relationship among telomerase activity, rate of change in relative telomere length, and longevity. We further aimed to evaluate the longevity of the examined varieties. Telomerase activity and relative telomere length were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

We observed significant differences in telomerase activity between plants aged 1 year and those aged 5 years in all varieties except WL168, and the rate of change in telomerase activity does not differ reliably with age. As telomerase activity and relative telomere length are complex phenomena, further studies examining the molecular mechanisms of telomere-related proteins are needed. Relative telomere lengths of Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03 in plants aged 5 years were higher than those aged 1 year by 11.41, 11.24, 9.21, 10.23, and 11.41, respectively. Relative telomere length of alfalfa tended to increase with age. Accordingly, alfalfa varieties can be classified according to rate of change in relative telomere length as long-lived (Qingshui, WL168, and RSA-03), medium-lived (RSA-02) and short-lived (RSA-01). The differences in relative telomere length distances of Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03 between plants aged 1 and 5 years were 10.40, 13.02, 12.22, 11.22, and 13.25, respectively. The largest difference in relative telomere length was found between Qingshui and RSA-02 at 2.20. Our findings demonstrated that relative telomere length in alfalfa is influenced by genetic variation and age, with age exerting a greater effect.
RFfiller: a robust and fast statistical algorithm for gap filling in draft genomes
Authors: Midekso Firaol Dida , Yi Gangman
Published: October 2022

Numerous published genomes contain gaps or unknown sequences. Gap filling is a critical final step in de novo genome assembly, particularly for large genomes. While certain computational approaches partially address the problem, others have shortcomings regarding the draft genome’s dependability and correctness (high rates of mis-assembly at gap-closing sites and high error rates). While it is well established that genomic repeats result in gaps, many sequence reads originating from repeat-related gaps are typically missed by existing approaches. A fast and reliable statistical algorithm for closing gaps in a draft genome is presented in this paper. It utilizes the alignment statistics between scaffolds, contigs, and paired-end reads to generate a Markov chain that appropriately assigns contigs or long reads to scaffold gap regions (only corrects candidate regions), resulting in accurate and efficient gap closure. To reconstruct the missing component between the two ends of the same insert, the RFfiller meticulously searches for valid overlaps (in repeat regions) and generates transition tables for similar reads, allowing it to make a statistical guess at the missing sequence. Finally, in our experiments, we show that the RFfiller’s gap-closing accuracy is better than that of other publicly available tools when sequence data from various organisms are used. Assembly benchmarks were used to validate RFfiller. Our findings show that RFfiller efficiently fills gaps and that it is especially effective when the gap length is longer. We also show that the RFfiller outperforms other gap closing tools currently on the market.
Seasonal variation characteristics of water quality in the Sunxi River Watershed, Three Gorges Reservoir Area
Authors: Hou Wenning , Wang Haiyan , Zheng Yonglin , Wang Yige , Yang Dandan , Meng Hai
Published: October 2022

The seasonal change characteristics of water quality in the Sunxi River watershed, which is a typical watershed in the tail area of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, must be studied to provide remediation ideas and specific measures for agricultural nonpoint source pollution in the reservoir area. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the variation characteristics of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the upstream and downstream of the Sunxi River watershed in spring, summer, and autumn of 2018–2021. With data from autumn 2018 taken as an example, path analysis was applied to study the effect degree of influencing factors on TN concentrations. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA illustrated that the COD, TN, and TP concentrations in the downstream were significantly higher than those in the upstream (P < 0.05). In addition, the COD concentrations were the highest in summer 2019, followed by spring of 2019 and 2021, and TN and TP concentrations were higher in spring and summer. The TN and TP concentrations were comparatively lower in the autumn. The path analysis showed that electrical conductance and dissolved oxygen directly affected the TN concentrations, and water temperature mainly affected the TN concentrations via the indirect effects of electrical conductance and dissolved oxygen. The water quality of upstream Sunxi River watershed was better than that of downstream, and the water quality in autumn was better than spring and summer in 2018–2021. For water quality management and ecological restoration of the Sunxi River watershed, further attention should be paid to the water quality changes in the downstream and in spring and summer and to the impact of water temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen on the water quality.
The Effect of Ca(OH)2 and Sugar on Characteristics of Long Beans Sweet
Authors: Suriati L. , Rudianta I. N. , Redita_Putra I. P. H.
Published: October 2022

Long beans are one type of vegetable that is quite popular in the community and has the potential to be developed. Although this type of vegetable gets damaged easily, its shell life is extended by drying which is achieved by adding Ca(OH)2 and soaking it in sucrose for about 12-24 hours. The solution helps to strengthen its texture before processing. This research aims to determine the effect of Ca(OH)2 and sugar treatment on the appearance of sweet long beans. Furthermore, it is designed as factorial experimental research with a completely randomized value consisting of two factors namely Ca(OH)2 (1%, 2%, 3%), and sugar solution (50%, 60%, 70%). The variables observed in sweet of long beans were reducing sugar, total moisture content, ash content, acidity, color test, yield test, and organoleptic test. Conclusively, the treatment using 1% of calcium hydroxide and 50% sugar concentration produced good characteristics with reduced sugar of 0.64 mg/100gr, moisture content of 8.53%, ash content of 2.17%, the acidity of 4.10, brightness level (L*) of 39.96, and a yield of 21.13%. Hence, it gives the best appearance, taste, texture, and overall acceptance on sweet of long beans.
Effect of Rice Straw Mulching and Irrigation Regimes on Yield and Yield Attributes of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Rice Fallow
Authors: Swetha A. , Reddy K. Indudhar , Reddy P. Raghu Rami , Yashavant B. S. , Yakadri M.
Published: October 2022

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Hyderabad during rabi (December to March), 2021–22 to study the performance of zero tillage sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under different levels of rice straw mulching and irrigation regimes in rice fallows. The treatments were laid out in Factorial randomized block design (FRBD) in three replications with eight treatment combinations. Mulch treatments were two (M1-1.5 t ha-1 rice straw and M2-7.5 t ha-1 rice straw) and irrigation treatments were four (I1-IW/CPE=0.8, I2-IW/CPE=1.0, I3-IW/CPE=1.2 and I4-scheduling irrigation at critical stages) were allocated to different plots. The results revealed that capitulum diameter (14.3 cm), number of filled seeds per capitulum (1225), weight of filled seeds per capitulum (43.5 g), 100 seed weight (4.58 g) and seed yield (2216 kg ha-1) of sunflower was significantly higher under M2 (mulching with 7.5 t ha-1 rice straw) treatment than that of under M1 (mulching with 1.5 t ha-1 rice straw). The results also indicated that among irrigation treatments, the capitulum diameter (14.2 cm), No. of filled seeds per capitulum (1310), Weight of filled seeds per capitulum (45.2 g), 100 seed weight (4.62 g) and seed yield (2361 kg ha-1) of sunflower were significantly higher under I3-IW/CPE=1.2 treatment than that of under other irrigation treatments under study.
Temporal Trends in Suicide Methods Among Adolescents in the US
Authors: Joseph Victoria A. , Martínez-Alés Gonzalo , Olfson Mark , Shaman Jeffrey , Gould Madelyn S. , Keyes Katherine M.
Published: October 2022

This cross-sectional study evaluates the temporal trends in suicide methods among US adolescents, with variation by sex and race.
Assessment of Potential Gender Bias in General Surgery Resident Milestone Evaluations
Authors: Anderson Jamie E. , Zern Nicole K. , Calhoun Kristine E. , Wood Douglas E. , Smith Caitlin A.
Published: October 2022

This quality improvement study uses Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestone evaluation scores to compare the scores of men and women surgical residents.
Expansion of the Veterans Health Administration Network and Surgical Outcomes
Authors: Graham Laura A. , Schoemaker Lena , Rose Liam , Morris Arden M. , Aouad Marion , Wagner Todd H.
Published: October 2022

Importance

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Choice Program (VCP) expanded health care access to community settings outside the VA for eligible patients. Little is known about the effect of VCP on access to surgery and postoperative outcomes. Since its initiation, care coordination issues, which are often associated with adverse postoperative outcomes, have been reported. Research findings on the association of VCP and postoperative outcomes are limited to only a few select procedures and have been mixed, potentially due to bias from unmeasured confounding.

Objective

To investigate the association of the VCP with access to surgery and postoperative outcomes using a nonrandomized controlled regression discontinuity design (RDD) to reduce the impact of unmeasured confounders.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a nonrandomized RDD study of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Participants included veterans enrolled in the VHA who required surgery between October 1, 2014, and June 1, 2019.

Interventions

The VCP, which expanded access to VA-paid community care for eligible veterans living 40 miles or more from their closest VA hospital.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Postoperative emergency department visits, inpatient readmissions, and mortality at 30 and 90 days.

Results

A total of 615 473 unique surgical procedures among 498 427 patients (mean [SD] age, 63.0 [12.9] years; 450 366 male [90.4%]) were identified. Overall, 94 783 procedures (15.4%) were paid by the VHA, and the proportion of VHA-paid procedures varied by procedure type. Patients who underwent VA-paid procedures were more likely to be women (9209 [12.7%] vs men, 38 771 [9.1%]), White race (VA paid, 54 544 [74.4%] vs VA provided, 310 077 [73.0%]), and younger than 65 years (VA paid, 36 054 [49.1%] vs 229 411 [46.0%] VA provided), with a significantly lower comorbidity burden (mean [SD], 1.8 [2.2] vs 2.6 [2.7]). The nonrandomized RDD revealed that VCP was associated with a slight increase of 0.03 in the proportion of VA-paid surgical procedures among eligible veterans (95% CI, 0.01-0.05; P = .01). However, there was no difference in postoperative mortality, readmissions, or emergency department visits.

Conclusions and Relevance

Expanded access to health care in the VHA was associated with a shift in the performance of surgical procedures in the private sector but had no measurable association with surgical outcomes. These findings may assuage concerns of worsened patient outcomes resulting from care coordination issues when care is expanded outside of a single health care system, although it remains unclear whether these additional procedures were appropriate or improved patient outcomes.
Maximizing Ion Permselectivity in MXene/MOF Nanofluidic Membranes for High‐Efficient Blue Energy Generation
Authors: Zhou Jiale , Hao Junran , Wu Rong , Su Liying , Wang Jie , Qiu Ming , Bao Bin , Ning Chengyun , Teng Chao , Zhou Yahong , Jiang Lei
Published: October 2022

Both ion permeability and selectivity of membranes are crucial for nanofluidic behavior. However, it remains a long‐standing challenge for 2D materials to balance these two factors for osmotic energy harvesting. Herein, the MXene/metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid membranes are reported to realize efficient ion‐permselective nanofluidic system, leading to high‐performance osmotic power generator. In the system, zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) is deposited onto the MXene surface and intercalated between the MXene nanosheets by electropolymerization approach. The angstrom‐sized windows of ZIF‐8 layer act as ion selectivity filters, endowing the membrane with high cation selectivity by size effect. The intercalation of ZIF‐8 crystals, reduces the interspacing of MXene, therefore, not only enhancing the ion permeability by shortening the ion transport pathway through the membrane, but also further improving the selectivity by increasing the overlap effect of electric‐double layer. The maximum power density reaches up to 48.05 W m−2 under 500‐fold salinity gradient with a high permeability (1263.3 A m−2), and a high selectivity of 0.906 at 50‐fold is obtained. This study provides a facile method to fabricate nanofluidic 2D membranes with both high ion permeability and selectivity for water nexus energy conversion.
Porphyrin Centered Paclitaxel Tetrameric Prodrug Nanoassemblies as Tumor‐Selective Theranostics for Synergized Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ma Xiaodong , Wang Pengfei , Wu Qiwei , Zhou Junnian , Wang Dongqing , Yadav Deependra , Zhang Hongbo , Zhang Yuezhou
Published: October 2022

Although having undergone decades of development, nanoparticulate drug delivery vehicles for efficient cancer therapy remain a challenge, confined by low drug loading, instability, and poor cancer tissue selectivity. A self‐assembled prodrug, the combination of prodrug strategy and the self‐assembly merits, represents a special chemical entity which spontaneously organizes into supramolecular composites with defined architecture, therefore also providing a strategy to develop new medications. Paclitaxel (PTX) is still among the most generally prescribed chemotherapeutics in oncology but is restricted by poor solubility. Although photodynamic therapy, with its noninvasive features and barely developed drug resistance, signifies an alternative tool to suppress life‐threatening cancer, sole use hardly fulfills its potential. To this end, a reduction‐activatable heterotetrameric prodrug with the photosensitizer is synthesized, then formulated into self‐assembled nanoparticles (NPs) for tumor imaging and combined chemo‐ and photodynamic therapy. Coating the NPs with amphiphilic polymer distearylphosphatidylethanolamine‐polyethylene glycol‐arginine‐glycine‐aspartate (DSPE‐PEG‐RGD) offers high stability and enables cancer tissue targeting. The as‐prepared NPs enlighten disease cells and reveal more potent cytotoxicity comparing to PTX and the photosensitizer alone. Furthermore, the NPs selectively accumulates into tumors and synergistically inhibits tumor proliferation with reduced side effects in mice.
Inhibition of Pro‐Survival Autophagy Induced by Rare‐Earth Nanocomposites for Promoting Photothermal Therapy of Visualized Tumors
Authors: Peng Shanshan , Wang Lizhen , Liu Lin , Song Liang , Shi Junpeng , Zheng Hanrun , Xu Jixuan , Rong Rui , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2022

Manipulation of autophagic processes has emerged as a promising strategy for synergizing nanoagent‐mediated photothermal therapy (PTT). Most of the current studies focus on improving PTT efficacy by inhibiting pro‐survival autophagy induced by the heat generated from the photothermal process. However, autophagy induced by the nanoagents is usually ignored, which may weaken the effect of autophagy‐mediated efficacy improvement in PTT if induced autophagy is pro‐death. Therefore, this work aims at developing a nanoagent that is able to induce heat‐synergetic pro‐survival autophagy to optimize the efficacy of PTT. An approach is developed to coat carbon layer, polyethylenimine (PEI), and folic acid (FA) on NaYF4:Er,Yb,Nd@NaNdF4 (DCNPs@C@PEI@FA, DCPF) nanoparticles successively, giving access to the nanoagent to induce pro‐survival autophagy. The synthetic imaging‐guided photothermal nanoagent displays outstanding targeting ability and biocompatibility based on the surface modification of PEI and FA. By using an autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, a conspicuously synergistic effect on DCPF‐mediated PTT in vitro and in vivo tumor models (HeLa) is achieved. A promising strategy is presented here to enhance the efficacy of imaging‐guided PTT by modulating the autophagy induced by the nanoagent.
In situ Observation of Structural Evolution and Phase Engineering of Amorphous Materials during Crystal Nucleation
Authors: Han Xiao , Wu Geng , Ge Yiyao , Yang Shaokang , Rao Dewei , Guo Zhiyan , Zhang Yan , Yan Muyu , Zhang Haoran , Gu Lin , Wu Yuen , Lin Yue , Zhang Hua , Hong Xun
Published: October 2022

The nucleation pathway determines the structures and thus properties of formed nanomaterials, which is governed by the free energy of the intermediate phase during nucleation. The amorphous structure, as one of the intermediate phases during nucleation, plays an important role in modulating the nucleation pathway. However, the process and mechanism of crystal nucleation from amorphous structures still need to be fully investigated. Here, in situ aberration‐corrected high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) is employed to conduct real‐time imaging of the nucleation of ultrathin amorphous nanosheets (NSs). The results indicate that their nucleation contains three distinct stages, i.e., aggregation of atoms, crystallization to form lattice‐expanded nanocrystals, and relaxation of the lattice‐expanded nanocrystals to form final nanocrystals. In particular, the crystallization processes of various amorphous materials are investigated systematically to form corresponding nanocrystals with unconventional crystalline phases, including face‐centered‐cubic (fcc) Ru, hexagonal‐close‐packed (hcp) Rh, and a new intermetallic IrCo alloy. In situ electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis unveils that the doped carbon in the original amorphous NSs can migrate to the surface during the nucleation process, stabilizing the obtained unconventional crystal phases transformed from the amorphous structures, which is also proven by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Dense Local Triplet States and Steric Shielding of a Multi‐Resonance TADF Emitter Enable High‐Performance Deep‐Blue OLEDs
Authors: Cheon Hyung‐Jin , Woo Seung‐Je , Baek Seung‐Hyun , Lee Jeong‐Hwan , Kim Yun‐Hi
Published: October 2022

Multi‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) molecules based on boron and nitrogen atoms are emerging as next‐generation blue emitters for organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) due to their narrow emission spectra and triplet harvesting properties. However, intermolecular aggregation stemming from the planar structure of typical MR‐TADF molecules that leads to concentration quenching and broadened spectra limits the utilization of the full potential of MR‐TADF emitters. Herein, a deep‐blue MR‐TADF emitter, pBP‐DABNA‐Me, is developed to suppress intermolecular interactions effectively. Furthermore, photophysical investigation and theoretical calculations reveal that adding biphenyl moieties to the core body creates dense local triplet states in the vicinity of S1 and T1 energetically, letting the emitter harvest excitons efficiently. OLEDs based on pBP‐DABNA‐Me show a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 23.4% and a pure‐blue emission with a Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of (0.132, 0.092), which are maintained even at a high doping concentration of 100 wt%. Furthermore, by incorporating a conventional TADF sensitizer, deep‐blue OLEDs with a CIE value of (0.133, 0.109) and an extremely high EQE of 30.1% are realized. These findings provide insight into design strategies for developing efficient deep‐blue MR‐TADF emitters with fast triplet upconversion and suppressed self‐aggregation.
Graphene/Quantum Dot Heterostructure Photodetectors: From Material to Performance
Authors: Zhang Mao‐Kun , Liu Wei‐Di , Gong You‐Pin , Liu Qingfeng , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: October 2022

Owing to its high carrier mobility, electrical conductivity, and thermal/chemical stability, graphene is an ideal candidate material for photodetection. However, the weak light absorption of graphene significantly limits its practical applications in photodetectors. Quantum dots, with strong light‐absorption capacity and well‐adjustable band gap, are widely hybridized with graphene to realize wide‐range and intense light absorption for effective photodetection. A detailed literature review on graphene/quantum dot heterostructure photodetectors is in urgent need to clearly point out the fundamentals, material synthesis methods, and performance engineering strategies. Here, first, the significance of graphene/quantum dot heterostructure photodetectors, from the mechanism to performance indicators, is systematically discussed. Second, different synthesis methodologies for the graphene/quantum dot heterostructure are overviewed. Additionally, the engineering strategies, including surface treatment, chemical doping, and size modification, to tune the photoelectric performance are critically commented. Finally, challenges and outlook for the development of graphene/quantum dot heterostructure photodetectors are pointed out.
Mississippi state and county level yield gap in corn production
Authors: Dhillon Jagman , Li Xiaofei , Bheemanahalli Raju , Reed Vaughn
Published: October 2022

Continuous corn (Zea mays L.) yield increases are required to promote economic development and support a larger population. Reducing the existing yield gaps is a potential strategy to accomplish this goal. The objective of this study was to evaluate yield trends, and gaps at different production levels in Mississippi using data from 2012 to 2021. Production levels considered were Mississippi yield contest (Yc), Mississippi State University hybrid testing trials under irrigation (Yp) and dryland (Yw), and actual yield (Ya) from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Since 2012, Yc, Yp, and Ya are stagnant, and Yw has a nonsignificant positive trend. Averaged over 10 yr, a yield gap of 5.6 Mg ha−1 between Yc and Ya, 4.1 Mg ha−1 between Yp and Ya, and 2.0 Mg ha−1 between Yw and Ya were noted at state level. Existing yield gap underlines current production limitations and necessitates adoption of improved agronomic practices.

Core Ideas

In the last 10 yr, contest yield, potential yield, and actual yield in Mississippi have been stagnant.

State level yield gap ranges between 2.0 to 5.6 Mg ha‐1 at different levels.

Washington County showed the lowest (25.9%) and Lee County (48.8%) the highest yield gap in Mississippi.
The use of subjective cognitive complaints for detecting mild cognitive impairment in older adults across cultural and linguistic groups: A comparison of the Cognitive Function Instrument to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Authors: Li Clara , Hong Yue , Yang Xiao , Zeng Xiaoyi , Ocepek‐Welikson Katja , Eimicke Joseph P. , Kong Jian , Sano Mary , Zhu Carolyn , Neugroschl Judith , Aloysi Amy , Cai Dongming , Martin Jane , Loizos Maria , Sewell Margaret , Akrivos Jimmy , Evans Kirsten , Sheppard Faye , Greenberg Jonathan , Ardolino Allison , Teresi Jeanne A.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

This pilot study aims to explore the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) as a measure of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and its performance in distinguishing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from normal control (NC) compared to an objective cognitive screen (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]).

Methods

One hundred ninety‐four community‐dwelling non‐demented older adults with racial/ethnic diversity were included. Unidimensionality and internal consistency of the CFI were examined using factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and McDonald's omega. Logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to examine the performance of CFI.

Results

The CFI demonstrated adequate internal consistency; however, the fit for a unidimensional model was suboptimal. The CFI distinguished MCI from NC alone or in combination with MoCA. ROC analysis showed comparable performance of the CFI and the MoCA.

Discussion

Our findings support the use of CFI as a brief and easy‐to‐use screen to detect MCI in culturally/linguistically diverse older adults.

Highlight

What is the key scientific question or problem of central interest of the paper?

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are considered the earliest sign of dementia in older adults. However, it is unclear if SCC are equivalent in different cultures. The Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) is a 14‐item measure of SCC. This study provides pilot data suggesting that CFI is sensitive for detecting mild cognitive impairment in a cohort of older adults with racial/ethnic diversity. Comparing performance, CFI demonstrates comparable sensitivity to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, an objective cognitive screening test. Overall, SCC may provide a non‐invasive, easy‐to‐use method to flag possible cognitive impairment in both research and clinical settings.
Redesign of Rifamycin Antibiotics to Overcome ADP‐Ribosylation‐Mediated Resistance
Authors: Lan Tian , Ganapathy Uday S. , Sharma Sachin , Ahn Yong‐Mo , Zimmerman Matthew , Molodtsov Vadim , Hegde Pooja , Gengenbacher Martin , Ebright Richard H. , Dartois Véronique , Freundlich Joel S. , Dick Thomas , Aldrich Courtney C.
Published: October 2022

Rifamycin antibiotics are a valuable class of antimicrobials for treating infections by mycobacteria and other persistent bacteria owing to their potent bactericidal activity against replicating and non‐replicating pathogens. However, the clinical utility of rifamycins against Mycobacterium abscessus is seriously compromised by a novel resistance mechanism, namely, rifamycin inactivation by ADP‐ribosylation. Using a structure‐based approach, we rationally redesign rifamycins through strategic modification of the ansa‐chain to block ADP‐ribosylation while preserving on‐target activity. Validated by a combination of biochemical, structural, and microbiological studies, the most potent analogs overcome ADP‐ribosylation, restored their intrinsic low nanomolar activity and demonstrated significant in vivo antibacterial efficacy. Further optimization by tuning drug disposition properties afforded a preclinical candidate with remarkable potency and an outstanding pharmacokinetic profile.
Modular and Fast Synthesis of Versatile Secondary α,α‐Dialkyl Boronates via Deoxygenative Alkylboration of Aldehydes
Authors: Xu Wenhao , Zheng Purui , Zhou Jun , Hu Zihao , XU Tao
Published: October 2022

Secondary α,α‐dialkyl boronates are widely used due to their great versatility. Herein we report an unprecedented deoxygenative alkylboration of aldehydes, a facile method to access this type of products. A sequence of difunctionalization can be obtained smoothly from the readily available aldehydes in only two steps. This difunctionalization of aldehydes rather than conventional alkenes also opens new possibilities within the field.
Botanical Description, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of the Genus Artabotrys: A Review
Authors: Quang Hop Nguyen , The Son Ninh
Published: October 2022

Artabotrys is a genus of small trees in the family Annonaceae. This genus contained over 100 perennial medicinal plants available in the old world tropics. Artabotrys plants have a lengthy history of use in medicine for malaria, diarrhea, backache, and scrofula treatments, as well as some of which were used as tea‐like beverages. About 90 reports were reviewed from inception to now, in which the decoctions of about 9 species were used in traditional folk medicines. With 234 isolated compounds, Artabotrys metabolites can be classified as alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, flavonoids, polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, fatty acids, acetogenins, etc. Significantly, alkaloidal aporphines were separated and identified as the main isolates. Artabotrys plants are also rich in the essential oils. Especially, A. hexapetalus exerted a great role in perfumery industry. Artabotrys constituents possessed various pharmacological values, such as antioxidative, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and mosquito repellency, but cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities are the most striking features. In conclusion, Artabotrys plant extracts and their metabolites are of great socio‐economic importance, thereby more and more phytochemical and pharmacological investigations are expected.
Recent Advances in Rare‐Earth Metal‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization Reactions
Authors: Sun Qianlin , Xu Xian , Xu Xin
Published: October 2022

There has been a persistent impetus for the development of versatile C−H functionalization reactions, which represents a powerful approach to a wide variety of valuable chemical compounds. Transition metal catalyzed C−H functionalization has attracted intense interest and witnessed considerable advances in this field owing to its outstanding regioselectivity and atom‐economy. In recent years, rare‐earth (RE) metal‐based catalysts have been successfully employed in this flourished area, demonstrating unique selectivity and complementary reactivity with respect to late‐transition metal‐catalyzed C−H functionalization. The development of rare‐earth metal‐catalyzed C−H functionalization by taking the advantage of these characteristic properties is of great importance and interest. Herein, a panorama of rare‐earth metal‐catalyzed C−H functionalization during the last decade is presented.
Advantages of Producing Aromatics from Propene over Ethene Using Zeolite‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Butolia Paresh S. , Xi Xiaoying , Winkelman Jozef G. M. , Stuart Marc C. A. , van Akker Matthijs , Heeres André , Heeres Hero Jan , Xie Jingxiu
Published: October 2022

Sustainable production of aromatics, especially benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX), is essential considering their broad applications and the current global transition away from crude oil utilization. Aromatization of lower olefins, particularly ethene and propene, offers great potential if they are derived from more circular alternative carbon feedstocks such as biomass and waste plastics. This work aims to identify the preferred olefin feed, ethene or propene, for BTX production in a fixed‐bed reactor. A commercial H‐ZSM‐5 (Si/Al = 23) catalyst was used as a reference catalyst, as well as a Ga‐ZSM‐5 catalyst, prepared by Ga ion‐exchange of the H‐ZSM‐5 catalyst. At 773 K, 1 bar, 45 vol % olefin, 6.75 h−1, propene aromatization over the Ga‐ZSM‐5 catalyst exhibited higher BTX selectivity of 55 % and resulted in slower catalyst deactivation compared to ethene aromatization.
Burden of lymphedema in long‐term breast cancer survivors by race and age
Authors: Ren Yumeng , Kebede Michael A. , Ogunleye Adeyemi A. , Emerson Marc A. , Evenson Kelly R. , Carey Lisa A. , Hayes Sandra C. , Troester Melissa A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Risk assessment for breast cancer–related lymphedema has emphasized upper‐limb symptoms and treatment‐related risk factors. This article examined breast cancer–related lymphedema after surgery, overall and in association with broader demographic and clinical features.

Methods

The Carolina Breast Cancer Study phase 3 followed participants for breast cancer–related lymphedema from baseline (on average, 5 months after breast cancer diagnosis) to 7 years after diagnosis. Among 2645 participants, 552 self‐reported lymphedema cases were identified. Time‐to‐lymphedema curves and inverse probability weighted conditional Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate whether demographics and clinical features were associated with breast cancer–related lymphedema.

Results

Point prevalence of breast cancer–related lymphedema was 6.8% at baseline, and 19.9% and 23.8% at 2 and 7 years after diagnosis, respectively. Most cases had lymphedema in the arm (88%‐93%), whereas 14% to 27% presented in the trunk and/or breast. Beginning approximately 10 months after diagnosis, younger Black women had the highest risk of breast cancer–related lymphedema and older non‐Black women had the lowest risk. Positive lymph node status, larger tumor size (>5 cm), and estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer, as well as established risk factors such as higher body mass index, removal of more than five lymph nodes, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, were significantly associated with increased hazard (1.5‐ to 3.5‐fold) of lymphedema.

Conclusions

Findings highlight that hazard of breast cancer–related lymphedema differs by demographic characteristics and clinical features. These factors could be used to identify those at greatest need of lymphedema prevention and early intervention.

Lay summary

In this study, the aim was to investigate breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL) burden.

This study found that risk of BCRL differs by race, age, and other characteristics.
Loss of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐receptor 1 and TNF‐receptor 2 partially replicate effects of TNF deficiency on dendritic spines of granule cells in mouse dentate gyrus
Authors: Smilovic Dinko , Rietsche Michael , Fellenz Meike , Drakew Alexander , Vuksic Mario , Deller Thomas
Published: October 2022

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system. In previous work, we showed that mice lacking constitutive levels of TNF exhibit a reduction in spine density and changes in spine head size distribution of dentate granule cells. Here, we investigated which TNF‐receptor pathway is responsible for this phenotype and analyzed granule cell spine morphology in TNF‐R1‐, TNF‐R2‐, and TNF‐R1/R2‐deficient mice. Single granule cells were filled with Alexa568 in fixed hippocampal brain slices and immunostained for the actin‐modulating protein synaptopodin (SP), a marker for strong and stable spines. An investigator blind to genotype investigated dendritic spines using deconvolved confocal image stacks. Similar to TNF‐deficient mice, TNF‐R1 and TNF‐R2 mutants showed a decrease in the size of small spines (SP−negative) with TNF‐R1/R2‐KO mice exhibiting an additive effect. TNF‐R1 mutants also showed an increase in the size of large spines (SP−positive), mirroring the situation in TNF‐deficient mice. Unlike the TNF‐deficient mouse, none of the TNF‐R mutants exhibited a reduction in their granule cell spine densities. Since TNF tunes the excitability of networks, lack of constitutive TNF reduces network excitation. This may explain why we observed alterations in spine head size distributions in TNF‐ and TNF‐R‐deficient granule cells. The changes in spine density observed in the TNF‐deficient mouse could not be linked to canonical TNF‐R‐signaling. Instead, noncanonical pathways or unknown developmental functions of TNF may cause this phenomenon.