bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimized interferometric encoding of presaturated TurboFLASH B1 mapping for parallel transmission MRI at 7 T: Preliminary application for quantitative T1 mapping in the spinal cord
Authors: Destruel Aurelien , Mauconduit Franck , Massire Aurélien , Abdeddaim Redha , Guye Maxime , Gras Vincent , Callot Virginie
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The acquisition of accurate B1 maps is critical for parallel transmit techniques (pTx). The presaturated turboFLASH (satTFL) method has been widely used in combination with interferometric encoding to provide robust and fast B1 maps. However, typical encodings, mostly evaluated on brain, do not necessarily fit all coils and organs. In this work, we evaluated and improved the accuracy of the satTFL for cervical spine at 7 T, proposing a novel interferometric encoding optimization. The benefits of such improvements were investigated in an exploratory study of quantitative T1 mapping with pTx‐MP2RAGE.

Methods

Global optimization of interferometric encoding was implemented by simulating the ability of the satTFL to reconstruct B1 maps, with varying encoding and inclusion of complex noise, inside a region of interest covering the cervical spine. The performance of satTFL before and after optimization was compared to actual flip angle imaging. Optimized and non‐optimized B1 maps were then used to calculate pTx pulses for MP2RAGE T1 mapping.

Results

Interferometric encoding optimization resulted in satTFL closer to actual flip angle imaging, with substantial gain of signal in regions where non‐optimized satTFL could fail. T1 maps measured with non‐adiabatic pTx pulses were closer to standard non‐pTx results (which used adiabatic pulses) when using optimized‐satTFL, with substantially lower specific absorption rate.

Conclusion

Optimization of the satTFL interferometric encoding improves B1 maps in the spinal cord, in particular in low SNR regions. A linear correction of the satTFL was additionally shown to be required. The method was successfully used for quantitative phantom and in vivo T1 mapping, showing improved results compared to non‐optimized satTFL thanks to improved pTx‐pulse generation.
Establishing a hemoglobin adjustment for 129Xe gas exchange MRI and MRS
Authors: Bechtel Aryil , Lu Junlan , Mummy David , Bier Elianna , Leewiwatwong Suphachart , Mugler John , Kabir Sakib , Church Alex , Driehuys Bastiaan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

129Xe MRI and MRS signals from airspaces, membrane tissues (M), and red blood cells (RBCs) provide measurements of pulmonary gas exchange. However, 129Xe MRI/MRS studies have yet to account for hemoglobin concentration (Hb), which is expected to affect the uptake of 129Xe in the membrane and RBC compartments. We propose a framework to adjust the membrane and RBC signals for Hb and use this to assess sex‐specific differences in RBC/M and establish a Hb‐adjusted healthy reference range for the RBC/M ratio.

Methods

We combined the 1D model of xenon gas exchange (MOXE) with the principle of TR‐flip angle equivalence to establish scaling factors that normalize the dissolved‐phase signals with respect to a standard (14 g/dL). 129Xe MRI/MRS data from a healthy, young cohort (n = 18, age = 25.0 3.4 years) were used to validate this model and assess the impact of Hb adjustment on M/gas and RBC/gas images and RBC/M.

Results

Adjusting for Hb caused RBC/M to change by up to 20% in healthy individuals with normal Hb and had marked impacts on M/gas and RBC/gas distributions in 3D gas‐exchange maps. RBC/M was higher in males than females both before and after Hb adjustment (p < 0.001). After Hb adjustment, the healthy reference value for RBC/M for a consortium‐recommended acquisition of TR = 15 ms and flip = 20° was 0.589 0.083 (mean SD).

Conclusion

MOXE provides a useful framework for evaluating the Hb dependence of the membrane and RBC signals. This work indicates that adjusting for Hb is essential for accurately assessing 129Xe gas‐exchange MRI/MRS metrics.
Robust cardiac T1ρ$$ {\mathrm{T}}_{1_{\boldsymbol{\rho}}} $$ mapping at 3T using adiabatic spin‐lock preparations
Authors: Coletti Chiara , Fotaki Anastasia , Tourais Joao , Zhao Yidong , van de Steeg‐Henzen Christal , Akçakaya Mehmet , Tao Qian , Prieto Claudia , Weingärtner Sebastian
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to develop and optimize an adiabatic () mapping method for robust quantification of spin‐lock (SL) relaxation in the myocardium at 3T.

Methods

Adiabatic SL (aSL) preparations were optimized for resilience against and inhomogeneities using Bloch simulations. Optimized ‐aSL, Bal‐aSL and ‐aSL modules, each compensating for different inhomogeneities, were first validated in phantom and human calf. Myocardial mapping was performed using a single breath‐hold cardiac‐triggered bSSFP‐based sequence. Then, optimized preparations were compared to each other and to conventional SL‐prepared maps (RefSL) in phantoms to assess repeatability, and in 13 healthy subjects to investigate image quality, precision, reproducibility and intersubject variability. Finally, aSL and RefSL sequences were tested on six patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease and compared with LGE, , and ECV mapping.

Results

The highest preparation efficiency was obtained in simulations for modules comprising 2 HS pulses of 30 ms each. In vivo maps yielded significantly higher quality than RefSL maps. Average myocardial values were 183.28 25.53 ms, compared with 38.21 14.37 ms RefSL‐prepared . maps showed a significant improvement in precision (avg. 14.47 3.71% aSL, 37.61 19.42% RefSL, p < 0.01) and reproducibility (avg. 4.64 2.18% aSL, 47.39 12.06% RefSL, p < 0.0001), with decreased inter‐subject variability (avg. 8.76 3.65% aSL, 51.90 15.27% RefSL, p < 0.0001). Among aSL preparations, ‐aSL achieved the better inter‐subject variability. In patients, ‐aSL preparations showed the best artifact resilience among the adiabatic preparations. times show focal alteration colocalized with areas of hyper‐enhancement in the LGE images.

Conclusion

Adiabatic preparations enable robust in vivo quantification of myocardial SL relaxation times at 3T.
Direct synthesis of multi‐contrast brain MR images from MR multitasking spatial factors using deep learning
Authors: Qiu Shihan , Ma Sen , Wang Lixia , Chen Yuhua , Fan Zhaoyang , Moser Franklin G. , Maya Marcel , Sati Pascal , Sicotte Nancy L. , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Xie Yibin , Li Debiao
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To develop a deep learning method to synthesize conventional contrast‐weighted images in the brain from MR multitasking spatial factors.

Methods

Eighteen subjects were imaged using a whole‐brain quantitative T1‐T2‐T1ρ MR multitasking sequence. Conventional contrast‐weighted images consisting of T1 MPRAGE, T1 gradient echo, and T2 fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery were acquired as target images. A 2D U‐Net–based neural network was trained to synthesize conventional weighted images from MR multitasking spatial factors. Quantitative assessment and image quality rating by two radiologists were performed to evaluate the quality of deep‐learning–based synthesis, in comparison with Bloch‐equation–based synthesis from MR multitasking quantitative maps.

Results

The deep‐learning synthetic images showed comparable contrasts of brain tissues with the reference images from true acquisitions and were substantially better than the Bloch‐equation–based synthesis results. Averaging on the three contrasts, the deep learning synthesis achieved normalized root mean square error = 0.184 ± 0.075, peak SNR = 28.14 ± 2.51, and structural‐similarity index = 0.918 ± 0.034, which were significantly better than Bloch‐equation–based synthesis (p < 0.05). Radiologists' rating results show that compared with true acquisitions, deep learning synthesis had no notable quality degradation and was better than Bloch‐equation–based synthesis.

Conclusion

A deep learning technique was developed to synthesize conventional weighted images from MR multitasking spatial factors in the brain, enabling the simultaneous acquisition of multiparametric quantitative maps and clinical contrast‐weighted images in a single scan.
Narratives of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients regarding the influence of social issues on diabetes self‐management: Implications for patient care
Authors: Korsah Kwadwo Ameyaw , Agyeman‐Yeboah Joana
Published: May 2023

Aim

To explore the perspectives of individuals living with type 2 diabetes mellitus on the influence of social factors on diabetes self‐management in Ghanaian context.

Design

Hermeneutic phenomenological approach to qualitative research was used.

Method

A semi‐structured interview guide was used to collect data from 27 participants who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Analysis of data was carried out by using content analysis approach. One main theme with five subthemes emerged.

Results

Participants experienced social stigma due to the changes in their physical appearance. Mandatory isolation was created by participants in order to manage the diabetes. The financial status of the participants was affected by the diabetes self‐management. Differing from the social issues, the overall participants' responses to experiences living with type 2 diabetes mellitus culminated with psychological or emotional hassles, and therefore, patients resorting to alcohol consumption to deal with diabetes related stress, fears, anxiety, apprehension and pain among others.
The comprehensive experimental investigation of tensile strength and sealing performance for wet‐assembly hybrid bonded‐bolted (WHBB) joint with different bolt‐hole clearance
Authors: Zhao D. , Luo Q. , Liang B. , Cheng H. , Luo B. , Shi Y. , Zhang K. F.
Published: May 2023

Wet‐assembly hybrid bonded/bolted (WHBB) joint is a kind of sealing fastener that contains sealant both in bolt‐hole clearance and between CFRP laminates, which is increasingly applied in composite aircraft fuel tanks. As the guarantee of tensile strength and sealing performance, the thickness and interface characteristics of bolt‐hole sealant layer are investigated by a newly developed comprehensive evaluation method in this paper. The results indicate that the tensile strength of WHBB joint is positively correlated with the bolt‐hole clearance. As for the sealing property of WHBB joints, the leakage rates of WHBB joints with bolt‐hole adhesive layer (0.01, 0.03 and 0.05 mm) is three orders of magnitude less than that of joints with 0 mm adhesive layer. Moreover, the rising slope of leakage rates of the WHBB joints decreases with the increase of bolt‐hole clearance under tensile fatigue loads, which means the WHBB joint with higher bolt‐hole clearance shows better tensile fatigue resistance. The micro‐morphology of bolt‐hole interface indicates that the sealing property of WHBB joints is increased significantly due to the effectively enhanced interface behavior.
Tailoring the physical properties of poly(lactic acid) through the addition of thermoplastic polyurethane and functionalized short carbon fibers
Authors: Simonini L. , Mahmood H. , Dorigato A. , Pegoretti A.
Published: May 2023

The elevated brittleness of commercial grades of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) may limit their use in several engineering applications. Therefore, the aim of this work is to develop a PLA‐based material possessing well‐balanced stiffness and toughness. Composites were prepared by blending PLA with increasing contents (from 10 to 30 wt%) of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a fixed concentration (5 wt%) of carbon fibers (CFs), to tune the mechanical properties of the resulting materials. In order to increase the interfacial adhesion between CFs and polymeric phase, CFs were subjected to an acidic modification, by treating them in solution of H2SO4 and HNO3. The prepared composites were characterized from a chemical, rheological, morphological, and thermo‐mechanical point of view. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the fiber surface reactivity was significantly enhanced by the acid treatment, with the introduction of reactive functional groups on CFs. Rheological and dynamic‐mechanical tests confirmed that the introduction of acid‐treated CFs implied strong fiber–matrix interactions. Thanks to the presence of the acid treated CFs, an important increase in tensile modulus and maximum stress was obtained for all the compositions. In particular, samples containing 10 wt% of TPU showed +74% tensile modulus and +43% maximum stress with respect to the unfilled blends. Moreover, the elongation at break of PLA was significantly improved (+81%) with the addition of 30 wt% of TPU. It was therefore demonstrated that the adopted approach could be effective for the preparation of novel PLA‐based materials with tailorable and well‐balanced properties that could find application in various technological fields.
An independent validation reveals the potential to predict Hagberg–Perten falling number using spectrometers
Authors: Chen Chun‐Peng James , Hu Yang , Li Xianran , Morris Craig F. , Delwiche Stephen , Carter Arron H. , Steber Camille , Zhang Zhiwu
Published: May 2023

The Hagberg–Perten falling number (HFN) method is the international standard used to evaluate the damage to wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality due to preharvest sprouting (PHS) and late maturity alpha‐amylase (LMA). However, the HFN test requires specialized laboratory facilities and is time consuming. Spectrometers were known as a potential tool for quick HFN assessment, but none of the studies have validated the assessment results across different datasets. In this study, an independent validation was conducted using independent samples and spectral instruments. The calibration set had 462 grain samples of 92 varieties grown at 24 locations in 2019 and examined using a near‐infrared spectrometer. In the validation set, 19 varieties collected from 10 locations in 2 years that experienced either PHS or LMA were scanned with a hyperspectral camera. The association between spectra and HFN was modeled by partial least square regression. As a result, the independent validation correlation accuracy was r = 0.72 and a mean absolute error of 56 s. Furthermore, this study showed a cost‐effective alternative using only 10 spectral bands to predict HFN, and it achieved better performance than the full spectrum of the hyperspectral system. In conclusion, this is the first study that showed the potential that wheat HFN could be predicted on an independent dataset measured by a different instrument. The result suggested that spectrometers can potentially serve as a faster alternative for plant breeders to develop varieties resistant to PHS and LMA, and for growers to screen damaged grains in transportation processes.
Baicalin inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and metastasis by suppressing ROCK1 signaling
Authors: Sun Jialing , Yang Xuemei , Sun Haitao , Huang Shaohui , An Haiyan , Xu Wei , Chen Weicong , Zhao Wenting , He Chunyu , Zhong Xiaodan , Li Tong , Liu Yang , Wen Bin , Du Qingfeng , He Songqi
Published: May 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy affecting many people worldwide. Baicalin is a flavonoid extracted from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. It can effectively inhibit the occurrence and development of HCC. Nonetheless, the mechanism through which Baicalin inhibits HCC growth and metastasis remain unknown. This work discovered that Baicalin inhibited HCC cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis while inducing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. In vivo HCC xenograft results indicated that Baicalin inhibited HCC growth. Western blotting analysis indicated that Baicalin suppressed the expressions of ROCK1, p‐GSK‐3β, and β‐catenin, whereas it up‐regulated the expressions of GSK‐3β and p‐β‐catenin. Baicalin also reduced the expressions of Bcl‐2, C‐myc, Cyclin D1, MMP‐9, and VEGFA, while increasing the expression of Bax. Molecular docking revealed that Baicalin docked in the binding site of the ROCK1 agonist, with a binding energy of −9 kcal/mol between the two. In addition, lentivirus‐mediated suppression of ROCK1 expression improved the inhibitory effect of Baicalin on the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC and the expression of proteins associated with ROCK1/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, restoring ROCK1 expression decreased the anti‐HCC efficacy of Baicalin. These findings suggest that Baicalin may decrease HCC proliferation and metastasis by suppressing ROCK1/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling.
Fabrication of antimicrobial colorimetric pad for meat packaging based on polyvinyl alcohol aerogel with the incorporation of anthocyanins and silver nanoparticles
Authors: He Yue , Chen Shiguang , Xu Dan , Ren Dan , Wu Xiyu
Published: May 2023

A novel colorimetric pad with porous structure, good antimicrobial activity, and pH‐sensitivity has been developed based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), paper fibre, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA), aiming for the preservation and freshness indication of fresh meat. The effects of AgNPs content on the structure, physical properties and colour‐changing behaviour in response to pH of the pad were investigated. The results showed that AgNPs physically interacted with polymer matrix and improved the uniformity of the internal pore structure of the pad. The antibacterial capability, DPPH radical scavenging activity and surface hydrophobicity of the pad increased significantly with increasing AgNPs content. However, the pH sensitivity of the pad was maintained with the addition of AgNPs, and the colour change of pad A‐9 with pH was the most distinguishable when AgNPs content was the highest. When pad A‐6 was used in the packaging of minced pork, compared to pad A‐0 without the addition of AgNPs, it showed more significant effects in inhibiting microbial growth, reducing the production of volatile nitrogen compounds, improving the sensory quality of meat (p < 0.05), thereby extending the shelf life from 72 h to 120 h at 4°C. Moreover, A‐6 displayed a visible colour change in response to the spoilage of minced pork in real time. Therefore, the developed pad with dual functions had great potential to be applied as a novel active and intelligent packaging for fresh meat, which would contribute towards reducing food waste and ensuring food safety.
The influence of clean food labels on consumers' perception
Authors: Sá Amanda Gomes Almeida , Carmo Lucas Moreira , Valencia Germán Ayala
Published: May 2023

Food marketing uses packaging to attract consumers. Clean labels (CLs) have been proposed as a recent alternative to attract consumers and increase purchasing intention; however, the impact of CL on consumers' perception has not been extensively studied. In this way, the current research aimed to understand the effect of CL used in frequent food consumed by the Brazilian population (cereal bars, sandwich cookies, yogurt, loaf bread, tomato paste and ketchup) and their impact on consumers' perception. A study with 392 volunteers was carried out, and the data were obtained through an online form and analysed using an electronic spreadsheet. Each volunteer compared similar food inside packaging with conventional labels or CL, considering the same price and expiration date. Data derived from consumers' perceptions were analysed using the word association (WA) methodology. Results from volunteers showed that people verify the presence of natural ingredients in food products and prefer processed products with CL. Furthermore, several variables used to develop CL such as product quality, nutritional value and ingredients were mentioned by the volunteers as parameters influencing purchasing intention. Finally, results from WA confirmed the preference of volunteers by food packages with CL; in this way, food products with CL were correlated with sensory and nutritional aspects. This study confirms the importance of CL in processed food packaging and its importance to induce positive feelings in consumers.
A new approach to represent model uncertainty in the forecasting of tropical cyclones: The orthogonal nonlinear forcing singular vectors
Authors: Zhang Yichi , Duan Wansuo , Vannitsem Stéphane , Zhang Han
Published: May 2023

Tropical cyclone (TC) track forecasting has been considerably improved in recent decades, while TC intensity forecasting remain challenging. In this study, orthogonal nonlinear forcing singular vectors (O‐NFSVs) for emulating the impact of model uncertainties are used to conduct TC ensemble forecasting experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, with a focus on improving TC intensity forecasting skill. The O‐NFSVs approach is compared with the traditional stochastic kinetic‐energy backscatter (SKEB) and stochastically perturbed parametrization tendency (SPPT) schemes. The results demonstrate that the O‐NFSVs ensembles generally provide a better representation of the model uncertainties affecting TC intensification, with much better deterministic and probabilistic skills. These results also extend to the ability to forecast TC track, although the perturbations have not been optimized for that specific purpose. The O‐NFSVs are therefore appropriate perturbation structures for describing the uncertainties of the TC intensity and track forecasting and are also favourable for recognizing the rapid intensification process.
Demonstration of localization for construction vehicles using 3D LiDARs installed in the field
Authors: Inagawa Masahiro , Kawabe Tomohito , Takei Toshinobu
Published: May 2023

Localization methods for autonomous construction vehicles include real‐time kinematic positioning through a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and a scan matching with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) attached to mobility. However, these conventional methods have low estimation accuracy when the vehicle's surroundings have few features and the vehicle is in the no‐GNSS area. For the estimation in such areas, this paper proposes a localization method that can estimate by matching a 3D model of a construction vehicle with a point cloud obtained from 3D LiDARs installed in a work area. To realize the high‐accuracy and high‐speed processing of the localization, we propose remodeling using the predictive motion model (RM) algorithm to modify the 3D model in the registration process. In the experimental results on rough terrain, we confirmed that our method can estimate a vehicle's position and yaw angle with accuracies of 0.121 m and 0.016 rad, respectively. In addition, compared with the case without the RM algorithm, the construction vehicle's position and yaw angle accuracies improved up to 5 and 12 times, respectively.
Correlating the Dipolar Interactions Induced Magneto‐Viscoelasticity and Thermal Conductivity Enhancements in Nanomagnetic Fluids
Authors: Singh Rahul , Pathak Saurabh , Jain Komal , Noorjahan  , Kim Sang‐Koog
Published: May 2023

The effective thermal management of electronic system holds the key to maximize their performance. The recent miniaturization trends require a cooling system with high heat flux capacity, localized cooling, and active control. Nanomagnetic fluids (NMFs) based cooling systems have the ability to meet the current demand of the cooling system for the miniaturized electronic system. However, the thermal characteristics of NMFs have a long way to go before the internal mechanisms are well understood. This review mainly focuses on the three aspects to establish a correlation between the thermal and rheological properties of the NMFs. First, the background, stability, and factors affecting the properties of the NMFs are discussed. Second, the ferrohydrodynamic equations are introduced for the NMFs to explain the rheological behavior and relaxation mechanism. Finally, different theoretical and experimental models are summarized that explain the thermal characteristics of the NMFs. Thermal characteristics of the NMFs are significantly affected by the morphology and composition of the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in NMFs as well as the type of carrier liquids and surface functionalization that also influences the rheological properties. Thus, understanding the correlation between the thermal characteristics of the NMFs and rheological properties helps develop cooling systems with improved performance.
The Interaction in Electrolyte Additives Accelerates Ion Transport to Achieve High‐Energy Non‐Aqueous Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Zhaojie , Zheng Xueying , Ye Siyang , Ou Chuan , Xie Yong , Li Zhenbang , Tian Fei , Lei Danni , Wang Chengxin
Published: May 2023

Electrolyte engineering is a feasible strategy to realize high energy density lithium metal batteries. However, stabilizing both lithium metal anodes and nickel‐rich layered cathodes is extremely challenging. To break through this bottleneck, a dual‐additives electrolyte containing fluoroethylene carbonate (10 vol.%) and 1‐methoxy‐2‐propylamine (1 vol.%) in conventional LiPF6‐containing carbonate‐based electrolyte is reported. The two additives can polymerize and thus generate dense and uniform LiF and Li3N‐containing interphases on both electrodes’ surfaces. Such robust ionic conductive interphases not only prevent lithium dendrite formation in lithium metal anode but also suppress stress‐corrosion cracking and phase transformation in nickel‐rich layered cathode. The advanced electrolyte enables Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 stably cycle for 80 cycles at 60 mA g−1 with a specific discharge capacity retention of 91.2% under harsh conditions.
Uniform Gold Nanostructure Formation via Weakly Adsorbed Gold Films and Thermal Annealing for Reliable Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance‐Based Detection of DNase‐I
Authors: Park Joon‐Ha , Wang Chi‐Pin James , Lee Hye‐Jin , Hong Kyung Soo , Ahn Jung Hong , Cho Yeon‐Woo , Lee Jeong‐Hyeon , Seo Hee Seung , Park Wooram , Kim Se‐Na , Park Chun Gwon , Lee Wonhwa , Kim Tae‐Hyung
Published: May 2023

Deoxyribonuclease‐I (DNase‐I), a representative endonuclease, is an important biomarker for the diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancer progression. However, enzymatic activity decreases rapidly ex vivo, which highlights the need for precise on‐site detection of DNase‐I. Here, a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor that enables the simple and rapid detection of DNase‐I is reported. Moreover, a novel technique named electrochemical deposition and mild thermal annealing (EDMIT) is applied to overcome signal variations. By taking advantage of the low adhesion of gold clusters on indium tin oxide substrates, both the uniformity and sphericity of gold nanoparticles are increased under mild thermal annealing conditions via coalescence and Ostwald ripening. This ultimately results in an approximately 15‐fold decrease in LSPR signal variations. The linear range of the fabricated sensor is 20–1000 ng mL−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 127.25 pg mL−1, as demonstrated by spectral absorbance analyses. The fabricated LSPR sensor stably measured DNase‐I concentrations from samples collected from both an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model, as well as human patients with severe COVID‐19 symptoms. Therefore, the proposed LSPR sensor fabricated via the EDMIT method can be used for early diagnosis of other infectious diseases.
Aurozyme: A Revolutionary Nanozyme in Colitis, Switching Peroxidase‐Like to Catalase‐Like Activity
Authors: Kim Hyung Shik , Lee Sieun , Lee Dong Yun
Published: May 2023

A therapeutic strategy that could address colitis of multiple etiologies while restoring the dysbiosis of gut microbiota is attractive. Here, Aurozyme, a novel nanomedicine comprised of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and glycyrrhizin (GL) with a glycol chitosan coating layer, as a promising approach for colitis, is demonstrated. The unique feature of Aurozyme is the conversion of harmful peroxidase‐like activity of AuNPs to beneficial catalase‐like activity due to the amine‐rich environment provided by the glycol chitosan. This conversion process enables Aurozyme to oxidize the hydroxyl radicals derived from AuNP, producing water and oxygen molecules. In fact, Aurozyme effectively scavenges reactive oxygen/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which can attenuate the M1 polarization of macrophage. It exhibits prolonged adhesion to the lesion site, promoting sustained anti‐inflammatory effects and restoring intestinal function in colitis‐challenged mice. Additionally, it increases the abundance and diversity of beneficial probiotics, which are essential for maintaining microbial homeostasis in the gut. The work highlights the transformative potential of nanozymes for the comprehensive treatment of inflammatory disease and represents an innovative switching technology of enzyme‐like activity by Aurozyme.
Droplet Manipulation on Bioinspired Slippery Surfaces: From Design Principle to Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wang Xuejiao , Zhuang Zhicheng , Li Xin , Yao Xi
Published: May 2023

Droplet manipulation with high efficiency, high flexibility, and programmability, is essential for various applications in biomedical sciences and engineering. Bioinspired liquid‐infused slippery surfaces (LIS), with exceptional interfacial properties, have led to expanding research for droplet manipulation. In this review, an overview of actuation principles is presented to illustrate how materials or systems can be designed for droplet manipulation on LIS. Recent progress on new manipulation methods on LIS is also summarized and their prospective applications in anti‐biofouling and pathogen control, biosensing, and the development of digital microfluidics are presented. Finally, an outlook is made on the key challenges and opportunities for droplet manipulation on LIS.
Scalable Production of 2D Minerals by Polymer Intercalation and Adhesion for Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Wang Zhongyue , Yang Liusi , Dai Lixin , Huang Ziyang , Wu Keyou , Liu Bilu
Published: May 2023

Natural and sustainable 2D minerals have many unique properties and may reduce reliance on petroleum‐based products. However, the large‐scale production of 2D minerals remains challenging. Herein, a green, scalable, and universal polymer intercalation and adhesion exfoliation (PIAE) method to produce 2D minerals such as vermiculite, mica, nontronite, and montmorillonite with large lateral sizes and high efficiency, is developed. The exfoliation relies on the dual functions of polymers involving intercalation and adhesion to expand interlayer space and weaken interlayer interactions of minerals, facilitating their exfoliation. Taking vermiculite as an example, the PIAE produces 2D vermiculite with an average lateral size of 1.83 ± 0.48 µm and thickness of 2.40 ± 0.77 nm at a yield of ≈30.8%, surpassing state‐of‐the‐art methods in preparing 2D minerals. Flexible films are directly fabricated by the 2D vermiculite/polymer dispersion, exhibiting outstanding performances including mechanical strength, thermal resistance, ultraviolet shielding, and recyclability. The representative application of colorful multifunctional window coatings in sustainable buildings is demonstrated, indicating the potential of massively produced 2D minerals.
Optimal Scheduling of Electric Vehicles Charging and Discharging Strategy Based on Real‐Time Price Considering Multi‐party Interest
Authors: Xie Haixiang , Gao Shan
Published: May 2023

In order to mitigate the negative impact brought by the large‐scale grid connection of EVs, it is highly significant to study the optimal charging scheduling strategy of EVs. In this paper, a multiobjective optimization model of ordered charging and discharging with the participation of distribution network operator (DNO), charging station operator (CSO) and EV users is established, which maximize the interest of three parties. At the same time, the real‐time price (RTP) based on the change in load rate is designed and compared with the time‐of‐use (TOU) price model to analyze the impact of both on the interests of all parties. At last, the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is introduced and three improvements are made. The results demonstrate that different charging modes of EVs and charging price models will affect the balance of interests of the three parties, while the improved SSA performs better under different users' response rates. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Optimization of carbon dioxide absorption in a continuous bubble column reactor using response surface methodology
Authors: Gul Ayşe , Derakhshandeh Masoud , Un Umran Tezcan
Published: May 2023

Carbon dioxide absorption using amine based solvents is a well‐known approach for carbon dioxide removal. Especially with the increasing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need for an optimization approach capable of multifactor calibration and prediction of interactions. Since conventional methods based on empirical relations are not efficiently applicable, this study investigates use of Response Surface Methodology as a strong optimization tool. A bubble column reactor was used and the effect of solvent concentration (10.0, 20.0 and 30.0 vol%), flow rate (4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 L min−1), diffuser pore size (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm) and temperature (20.0, 25.0 and 30.0°C) on the absorption capacity and also overall mass transfer coefficient was evaluated. The optimization results for maintaining maximum capacity and overall mass transfer coefficient revealed that different optimization targets led to different tuned operational factors. Overall mass transfer coefficient decreased to 34.7 min−1 when the maximum capacity was the desired target. High reaction rate along with the highest absorption capacity was set as desirable two factor target in this application. As a result, a third scenario was designed to maximize both mass transfer coefficient and absorption capacity simultaneously. The optimized condition was achieved when a gas flow rate of 5.9 L min−1, MEA solution of 29.6 vol%, diffuser pore size of 0.5 mm and temperature of 20.6°C was adjusted. At this condition, mass transfer coefficient reached a maximum of 38.4 min−1, with a forecasted achievable absorption capacity of 120.5 g CO2 per kg MEA.
Accelerating diversity in Alzheimer's disease research by partnering with a community advisory board
Authors: Pena‐Garcia Alex , Richards Ralph , Richards Mollie , Campbell Christopher , Mosley Hank , Asper Joseph , Eliacin Johanne , Polsinelli Angelina , Apostolova Liana , Hendrie Hugh , Tackett Andrew , Elliott Caprice , Van Heiden Sarah , Gao Sujuan , Saykin Andrew , Wang Sophia ,   IADRC CAB
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Community advisory boards (CABs) and researcher partnerships present a promising opportunity to accelerate enrollment of underrepresented groups (URGs). We outline the framework for how the CAB and researchers at the Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (IADRC) partnered to accelerate URG participation in AD neuroimaging research.

Methods

CAB and the IADRC researchers partnered to increase the CAB's impact on URG study enrollment through community and research interactions. Community interactions included the CAB collaboratively building a network of URG focused community organizations and collaborating with those URG‐focused organizations to host IADRC outreach and recruitment events. Research interactions included direct impact (CAB members referring themselves or close contacts as participants) and strategic impact, mainly by the CAB working with researchers to develop and refine URG focused outreach and recruitment strategies for IADRC and affiliated studies to increase URG representation. We created a database infrastructure to measure how these interactions impacted URG study enrollment.

Results

Out of the 354 URG research referrals made to the IADRC between October 2019 and December 2022, 267 referrals were directly referred by the CAB (N= 36) or from community events in which CAB members organized and/or volunteered at (N= 231). Out of these 267 referrals, 34 were enrolled in IADRC and 2 were enrolled in Indiana University Longitudinal Early Onset AD Study (IU LEADS). Of note, both studies require the prospective participants to be willing to do MRI and PET scans. As of December 2022, 30 out of the 34 enrolled participants have received a consensus diagnosis; the majority were cognitively normal (64.7%), with the remainder having mild cognitive impairment (17.6%) or early‐stage AD (2.9%).

Discussion

The IADRC CAB‐researcher partnership had a measurable impact on the enrollment of African American/Black adults in AD neuroimaging studies. Future studies will need to test whether this conceptual model works for other sites and for other URGs.
Elevating Poetry Writing with Southeast Asian Refugee Children's Picture Books
Authors: Gill Victoria , Enriquez Grace
Published: May 2023

In this column, we demonstrate ways to connect four commonly taught poetic genres to better explore the intersectionalities (The University of Chicago Legal Forum;140:139–167, 1989; Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment, 1990) in the texts and students’ own lives through two cultural insider‐created (A map into the world, 2019; Wishes, 2021) Southeast Asian (SEA) children's picturebooks about the refugee experience. In doing so, we show how students can write poetry as maps and wishes with picturebooks about the maps and wishes in the lives of SEA refugees.
Introduction: EU Support for Peace in Colombia. Territorial Approach, Strengthening Civil Society and Human Rights
Authors: Pérez de Armiño Karlos
Published: May 2023

This first chapter provides an introduction to the book as a whole. In the first place, it offers a general view of the historical context and the contents of the Havana Peace Agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and the guerrilla organization FARC-EP. It also outlines the areas and instruments in which the EU’s support for this Agreement is materialized, as well as the motivations behind this support. These include the EU’s wish to project itself as a normative power, as well as interests of an economic and political type, and the search for regional stability. Additionally, the chapter defines the starting points and the transversal axes around which the book as a whole is articulated, referring to the three fields in which we consider that the EU’s activities in Colombia have been making several innovative contributions enabling it to move beyond conventional liberal peace: the strengthening of civil society, the promotion and defense of human rights, and the adoption of a territorial approach. Equally, the text provides a brief theoretical framework for the book, pointing to some theoretical debates in Peace Studies that could be enriched by the European experience in Colombia.
The Recent Context in Colombia in Historical and Territorial Perspective: Armed Conflict, the Havana Agreement and Its Implementation
Authors: Ríos Jerónimo
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to show the evolution of the violence produced by the Colombian armed conflict from a territorial perspective. After decades of profound weakness of the Colombian state, from the end of the nineties and the beginning of the new century, a process of change in the balance of forces began to take shape. The latter, increasingly favourable to the State and not to the guerrillas, was finally consummated in the first decade of the twenty-first century thanks to a process of militarization accompanied by other factors, such as paramilitarism and assistance from the United States. However, even though a Peace Agreement was signed in 2016 with the most important guerrilla organization in the country, the FARC-EP, many of the elements that traditionally supported violence are still in force. Thus, Colombia is a state that has traditionally had more territory than sovereignty, so that the continuity of drug revenues and other illicit economies, added to the persistence of numerous armed groups—from the ELN to post-paramilitary structures—explains how in part of the traditional geography of violence, the Peace Agreement has not served to overcome many elements associated with violence, which are still unresolved in many cases.
The Long Road Towards Reconciliation: Theoretical Elements and the EU’s Contribution to Working Towards Peace
Authors: López-Martínez Mario
Published: May 2023

Reconciliation has played an important role in all peacebuilding processes. Its importance depends on multiple factors in play and on interests that are not only material but also symbolic, ethical–political and social. In this regard, the European Union, as an international and strategic actor in Colombia in recent decades, has been supporting different peace processes in the country. In practice, this has meant understanding peace as the construction and strengthening of the rule of law, expanding the system of guarantees and openly promoting processes of transitional justice, all elements that the European Union supported with the Peace Agreement of 2016. This chapter aims to analyse the European Union’s track record in terms of peace and reconciliation in Colombia. Furthermore, it looks at the history of three European Union interventions in Colombia through the Peace Laboratories, support for the CNRR and the creation and action of the European Fund for Peace. Finally, the text includes a series of reflections and suggestions about how to continue this work in favour of reconciliation in the South American country through European external cooperation and action.
Assessing the Role of the Blue Economy in the Comprehensive Development of Lagging Coastal Areas. A Case Study of Calabria
Authors: Hamdy Nourhan , Bevilacqua Carmelina
Published: May 2023

Global warming has been having profound and wide-reaching consequences on the environment. Marine ecosystems have been at the nexus of these crises. Furthermore, the Covid-19 has exacerbated existing global inequalities across Marine sectors. Over the recent decade, Blue Growth has been considered a call for holistic management of the complex marine social-ecological system. Furthermore, it has shown the potential to coordinate efforts to combat the effects of climate change. Blue Growth industries could help accelerate recovery towards inclusive growth over the post-COVID-19 in the lagging coastal regions. Considering these premises, this study focuses on highlighting the characteristics of Blue Growth industries in Calabria – one of the lagging coastal in Southern Italy – to sustain the region’s economic development. It investigates the regional characteristics and intersectoral linkages within the Blue Growth industries. Cluster-based analysis allows us to better understand the interconnections between different sectors within the industries. The paper’s results offer new insights into Blue Growth industries’ size and specialization in Calabria. The analysis in this paper detects the gaps and potentials in the exciting sectors in Blue Growth and therefore constitutes a practical first step in a series of more comprehensive examinations of Blue Growth patterns in Calabria.
Innovation Policies in Germany: An Analysis of Tools and Impacts
Authors: Arnone Massimo , Capriati Michele
Published: May 2023

This work proposes an analysis of the main financial and political instruments adopted in 2012–2019 in Germany to support the various forms of innovation (startups, clusters, technology transfer, university-industry partnerships, etc.). In this way, we will try to understand whether these examples of industrial innovation policy have managed to play a crucial role in reducing the development gaps between West Germany and East Germany, thus facilitating acceleration of convergence between these two territorial areas.
Planning for Sustainability: A New Unit of Spatial Planning for Driving Transition
Authors: Mise Svjetlana , Bevilacqua Carmelina
Published: May 2023

The health and climate crisis are calling for an urgent re-evaluation of concepts such as resilience and sustainability and how we measure and implement them, sifting the debate towards the role urban design and planning play in driving urban transitions. Recent studies have been introduced to investigate the dynamics of the pandemic in urban areas and the ample literature on tools and methods for measuring vulnerabilities. The paper calls for a need to re-scale urban planning down to a human level by bridging space syntax attributes with measures of resilience. It introduces a data and evidence-based approach framework for driving urban transitions utilizing risk assessment (National Risk Index) and a vulnerability measuring index (City Resilience Index) to quantify spatial attributes which foster sustainable practices. A scenario testing method is proposed to make urban design more consistent with the strategic mission of urban planning driving resilience and transition.
Technologies for Remediation of Polluted Environments: Between Classic Processes and the Challenges of New Approaches
Authors: Vrvić Miroslav
Published: May 2023

The Holocene epoch in which we live is also the Anthropocene, which is an informal chronological term that extends into the Pleistocene epoch. Various scientific evidences shows human impact on environmental pollution dates back to the age of Homo neanderthalensis, which in Europe was about 70,000–40,000 years ago (or even 400,000 years before the current epoch-BCE). The negative effects on the environment of the life activities of our distant ancestors are reflected in their active use of fire in everyday life.

Later, the pollution of air, water, soil and food, accelerated and became more complicated, which led to the alarming situation in the present time and especially in the future. In the last few years, researchers have focused on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and micro- and nano plastics (M- and NPs, respectively), as global pollutants.

Environmental pollution requires technologies and processes for its protection and remediation (REM). Classical REM processes are: physical, chemical, physical-chemical and biological, and these are most often combined. The challenges of new approaches are primarily related to the application of new materials (e.g., 2D substances, such as graphene, nano materials, new catalysts) and advanced biotechnologies (e.g., enzyme engineering), nanobio/technologies, as ideal multidisciplinary approaches.

Modern REM concepts are based on the principles of green chemistry and green engineering, with the aim of "closing the loop" of the circular economy and fulfilling the unsustainable 2030 sustainable development (SD) agenda, which in real time coordinates can only be: smart development.
Semiclassical Einstein equations from holography and boundary dynamics
Authors: Ishibashi Akihiro , Maeda Kengo , Okamura Takashi
Published: May 2023

Abstract

In this paper, we consider how to formulate semiclassical problems in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, based on the proposal of Compere and Marolf. Our prescription involves the effective action with self-action term for boundary dynamical fields, which can be viewed as imposing mixed boundary conditions for the gravity dual. We derive the semiclassical Einstein equations sourced by boundary CFT stress-energy tensor. Analyzing perturbations of the holographic semiclassical Einstein equations, we find a universal parameter γd which controls the contribution from boundary CFTs and specifies dynamics on the AdS boundary. As a simple example, we examine the semiclassical Einstein equations in 3-dimensions with 4-dimensional AdS gravity dual, and show that the boundary BTZ black hole with vanishing expectation value of the stress-energy tensor becomes unstable due to the backreaction from quantum stress-energy tensor when the parameter γd exceeds a certain critical value.