bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A clustering linear combination method for multiple phenotype association studies based on GWAS summary statistics
Authors: Wang Meida , Cao Xuewei , Zhang Shuanglin , Sha Qiuying
Published: March 2023

There is strong evidence showing that joint analysis of multiple phenotypes in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can increase statistical power when detecting the association between genetic variants and human complex diseases. We previously developed the Clustering Linear Combination (CLC) method and a computationally efficient CLC (ceCLC) method to test the association between multiple phenotypes and a genetic variant, which perform very well. However, both of these methods require individual-level genotypes and phenotypes that are often not easily accessible. In this research, we develop a novel method called sCLC for association studies of multiple phenotypes and a genetic variant based on GWAS summary statistics. We use the LD score regression to estimate the correlation matrix among phenotypes. The test statistic of sCLC is constructed by GWAS summary statistics and has an approximate Cauchy distribution. We perform a variety of simulation studies and compare sCLC with other commonly used methods for multiple phenotype association studies using GWAS summary statistics. Simulation results show that sCLC can control Type I error rates well and has the highest power in most scenarios. Moreover, we apply the newly developed method to the UK Biobank GWAS summary statistics from the XIII category with 70 related musculoskeletal system and connective tissue phenotypes. The results demonstrate that sCLC detects the most number of significant SNPs, and most of these identified SNPs can be matched to genes that have been reported in the GWAS catalog to be associated with those phenotypes. Furthermore, sCLC also identifies some novel signals that were missed by standard GWAS, which provide new insight into the potential genetic factors of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue phenotypes.
In silico design of a polypeptide as a vaccine candidate against ascariasis
Authors: Evangelista Francisco M. D. , van Vliet Arnoud H. M. , Lawton Scott P. , Betson Martha
Published: March 2023

Ascariasis is the most prevalent zoonotic helminthic disease worldwide, and is responsible for nutritional deficiencies, particularly hindering the physical and neurological development of children. The appearance of anthelmintic resistance in Ascaris is a risk for the target of eliminating ascariasis as a public health problem by 2030 set by the World Health Organisation. The development of a vaccine could be key to achieving this target. Here we have applied an in silico approach to design a multi-epitope polypeptide that contains T-cell and B-cell epitopes of reported novel potential vaccination targets, alongside epitopes from established vaccination candidates. An artificial toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) adjuvant (RS09) was added to improve immunogenicity. The constructed peptide was found to be non-allergic, non-toxic, with adequate antigenic and physicochemical characteristics, such as solubility and potential expression in Escherichia coli. A tertiary structure of the polypeptide was used to predict the presence of discontinuous B-cell epitopes and to confirm the molecular binding stability with TLR2 and TLR4 molecules. Immune simulations predicted an increase in B-cell and T-cell immune response after injection. This polypeptide can now be validated experimentally and compared to other vaccine candidates to assess its possible impact in human health.
Effect of oxygen vacancy and highly dispersed MnOx on soot combustion in cerium manganese catalyst
Authors: Zhu Yi , Chen Zhen , Li Hongmei , Wang Quan , Liu Xingyu , Hu You , Su Cuimei , Duan Rui , Chen Shanhu , Lan Li
Published: March 2023

Cerium manganese bimetallic catalysts have become the focus of current research because of their excellent catalytic performance for soot combustion. Two series of cerium manganese catalysts (Na-free catalysts and Na-containing catalysts) were prepared by coprecipitation method and characterized using XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption, SEM, Raman, XPS, H2-TPR, O2-TPD, Soot-TPR-MS and in situ IR. The effects of abundant oxygen vacancies and surface highly dispersed MnOx on soot catalytic combustion of cerium manganese catalysts prepared by different precipitants were analyzed. The activity test results show that the active oxygen species released by a large number of oxygen vacancies in the cerium manganese catalyst are more favorable to the soot catalytic combustion than MnOx which is highly dispersed on the surface of the catalyst and has good redox performance at low temperature. Because the catalytic effect of MnOx on the surface of Na-free catalysts is more dependent on the contact condition between the catalyst and the soot, this phenomenon can be observed more easily under the loose contact condition than under the tight contact condition. The activity cycle test results show that these two series of catalysts show good stability and repeated use will hardly cause any deactivation of the catalysts.
Investigation of the effective atomic number dependency on kinetic energy using collision stopping powers for electrons, protons, alpha, and carbon particles
Authors: Rezaeian Peiman , Kashian Sedigheh , Mehrara Rojin
Published: March 2023

As an important component in medical applications, dosimetry, and radiotherapy studies, the effective atomic number of body tissue, tissue equivalent substances, and dosimetry compounds are investigated. In this research, considering the Coulomb interaction of charged particles, using the collision stopping power and the NIST library data, the effective atomic number of various materials at different energies is calculated for common radiotherapy particles such as electron, proton, alpha, and carbon ions. Taking into account the direct calculation method based on the collision stopping power, the effective atomic number for electron, proton, alpha, and carbon particles is determined for a group of dosimetry and tissue equivalent materials. Results of the calculations based on the collision stopping power showed that in low kinetic energy, the values of the effective atomic number are equal to the total number of electrons in each molecule of the compound, which is quite justified by the physics of Bethe's formulas.
Biofortification of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek)) with boron, zinc and iron alters its grain yield and nutrition
Authors: Dhaliwal Salwinder Singh , Sharma Vivek , Shukla Arvind Kumar , Kaur Manmeet , Kaur Janpriya , Verma Vibha , Singh Prabhjot , Barek Viliam , Gaber Ahmed , Hossain Akbar
Published: March 2023

Mungbean [Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek)] is considered as an extremely nutritious crop possessing a high level of micronutrients, but their low bioavailability in the crop leads to micronutrient malnutrition in humans. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the potential of nutrients viz. boron (B), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) biofortification on productivity, nutrient concentration and uptake as well as the economics of mungbean cultivation. In the experiment, the various combinations of RDF with ZnSO4.7H2O (0.5%), FeSO4.7H2O (0.5%) and borax (0.1%) were applied to mungbean variety ML 2056. The combined foliar application of Zn, Fe and B was highly efficient in increasing the yield of grain as well as straw in mungbean exhibiting maximum values i.e. 944 kg ha−1 and 6133 kg ha−1, respectively. Similar results for B, Zn and Fe concentration in grain (27.3 mg kg−1, 35.7 mg kg−1 and 187.1 mg kg−1, respectively) and straw (21.1 mg kg−1, 18.6 mg kg−1 and 376.1 mg kg−1, respectively) of mungbean were observed. Also, uptake of Zn and Fe by grain (31.3 g ha−1 and 164.4 g ha−1, respectively), as well as straw (113.7 g ha−1 and 2295.0 g ha−1, respectively), was maximum for the above treatment. Whereas, the B uptake was found to enhance significantly through the combined application of B, Zn and Fe, where the values 24.0 g ha−1 and 128.7 g ha−1 corresponded to grain and straw, respectively. Thus, combined use of ZnSO4.7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4.7H2O (0.5%) and borax (0.1%) significantly improved the yield outcomes, the concentration of B, Zn and Fe, uptake and economic returns of mungbean cultivation to alleviate the B, Zn and Fe deficiency.
Structural controllability of general edge dynamics in complex network
Authors: Pang Shaopeng , Zhou Yue , Ren Xiang , Xu Fangzhou
Published: March 2023

Dynamic processes that occur on the edge of complex networks are relevant to a variety of real-world systems, where states are defined on individual edges, and nodes are active components with information processing capabilities. In traditional studies of edge controllability, all adjacent edge states are assumed to be coupled. In this paper, we release this all-to-all coupling restriction and propose a general edge dynamics model. We give a theoretical framework to study the structural controllability of the general edge dynamics and find that the set of driver nodes for edge controllability is unique and determined by the local information of nodes. Applying our framework to a large number of model and real networks, we find that there exist lower and upper bounds of edge controllability, which are determined by the coupling density, where the coupling density is the proportion of adjacent edge states that are coupled. Then we investigate the proportion of effective coupling in edge controllability and find that homogeneous and relatively sparse networks have a higher proportion, and that the proportion is mainly determined by degree distribution. Finally, we analyze the role of edges in edge controllability and find that it is largely encoded by the coupling density and degree distribution, and are influenced by in- and out-degree correlation.
Temperature dependence of nitrogen solubility in bridgmanite and evolution of nitrogen storage capacity in the lower mantle
Authors: Fukuyama Ko , Kagi Hiroyuki , Inoue Toru , Kakizawa Sho , Shinmei Toru , Sano Yuji , Deligny Cécile , Füri Evelyn
Published: March 2023

Relative nitrogen abundance normalized by carbonaceous chondrites in the bulk silicate Earth appears to be depleted compared to other volatile elements. Especially, nitrogen behavior in the deep part of the Earth such as the lower mantle is not clearly understood. Here, we experimentally investigated the temperature dependence of nitrogen solubility in bridgmanite which occupies 75 wt.% of the lower mantle. The experimental temperature ranged from 1400 to 1700 °C at 28 GPa in the redox state corresponding to the shallow lower mantle. The maximum nitrogen solubility in bridgmanite (MgSiO3) increased from 1.8 ± 0.4 to 5.7 ± 0.8 ppm with increasing temperature from 1400 to 1700 °C. The nitrogen storage capacity of Mg-endmember bridgmanite under the current temperature conditions is 3.4 PAN (PAN: mass of present atmospheric nitrogen). Furthermore, the nitrogen solubility of bridgmanite increased with increasing temperature, in contrast to the nitrogen solubility of metallic iron. Thus, the nitrogen storage capacity of bridgmanite can be larger than that of metallic iron during the solidification of the magma ocean. Such a “hidden” nitrogen reservoir formed by bridgmanite in the lower mantle may have depleted the apparent nitrogen abundance ratio in the bulk silicate Earth.
An anthropometric evidence against the use of age-based estimation of bodyweight in pediatric patients admitted to intensive care units
Authors: Nosaka Nobuyuki , Anzai Tatsuhiko , Uchimido Ryo , Mishima Yuka , Takahashi Kunihiko , Wakabayashi Kenji
Published: March 2023

Age-based bodyweight estimation is commonly used in pediatric settings, but pediatric ICU patients often have preexisting comorbidity and resulting failure to thrive, hence their anthropometric measures may be small-for-age. Accordingly, age-based methods could overestimate bodyweight in such settings, resulting in iatrogenic complications. We performed a retrospective cohort study using pediatric data (aged < 16 years) registered in the Japanese Intensive Care Patient Database from April 2015 to March 2020. All the anthropometric data were overlaid on the growth charts. The estimation accuracy of 4 age-based and 2 height-based bodyweight estimations was evaluated by the Bland–Altman plot analysis and the proportion of estimates within 10% of the measured weight (ρ10%). We analyzed 6616 records. The distributions of both bodyweight and height were drifted to the lower values throughout the childhood while the distribution of BMI was similar to the general healthy children. The accuracy in bodyweight estimation with age-based formulae was inferior to that with height-based methods. These data demonstrated that the pediatric patients in the Japanese ICU were proportionally small-for-age, suggesting a special risk of using the conventional age-based estimation but supporting the use of height-based estimation of the bodyweight in the pediatric ICU.
Unsupervised anomaly detection for posteroanterior chest X-rays using multiresolution patch-based self-supervised learning
Authors: Kim Minki , Moon Ki-Ryum , Lee Byoung-Dai
Published: March 2023

The demand for anomaly detection, which involves the identification of abnormal samples, has continued to increase in various domains. In particular, with increases in the data volume of medical imaging, the demand for automated screening systems has also risen. Consequently, in actual clinical practice, radiologists can focus only on diagnosing patients with abnormal findings. In this study, we propose an unsupervised anomaly detection method for posteroanterior chest X-rays (CXR) using multiresolution patch-based self-supervised learning. The core aspect of our approach is to leverage patch images of different sizes for training and testing to recognize diverse anomalies characterized by unknown shapes and scales. In addition, self-supervised contrastive learning is applied to learn the generalized and robust features of the patches. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using posteroanterior CXR images from a public dataset for training and testing. The results show that the proposed method is superior to state-of-the-art anomaly detection methods. In addition, unlike single-resolution patch-based methods, the proposed method consistently exhibits a good overall performance regardless of the evaluation criteria used for comparison, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of using multiresolution patch-based features. Overall, the results of this study validate the effectiveness of multiresolution patch-based self-supervised learning for detecting anomalies in CXR images.
Effects of short bout small-sided game training on acid-base balance markers in youth male soccer players
Authors: Kryściak Jakub , Podgórski Tomasz , Chmura Paweł , Konefał Marek , Chmura Jan , Brazaitis Marius , Modric Toni , Andrzejewski Marcin
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to compare the effects of 1 × 1 small-sided games (SSGs) with different bout durations on external (ETL) and internal training loads (ITL) in youth soccer players. Twenty U18 players were divided into two groups performing six 1 × 1 SSGs with 30 and 45 s bout durations on a playing field of 10 by 15 m. ITL indices, including the percentage of maximum heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLa) level, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3−) level, and base excess (BE) level, were measured at rest, after each SSG bout, and 15 and 30 min after the entire exercise protocol. ETL (Global Positioning System metrics) was recorded during all six SSG bouts. The analysis showed that the 45 s SSGs had a greater volume (large effect) but a lower training intensity (small to large effect) than the 30 s SSGs. A significant time effect (p < 0.05) was observed in all ITL indices and a significant group effect (F1, 18 = 8.84,p = 0.0082, ƞ2 = 0.33) in the HCO3−level only. Finally, the changes in the HR and HCO3−level were smaller in the 45 s SSGs than in the 30 s SSGs. In conclusion, 30-s games, characterized by a higher intensity of training effort, are more physiologically demanding than 45-s games. Secondly during short-bout SSG training the HR and BLa level have limited diagnostic value for ITL. Extending ITL monitoring using other indicators, such as the HCO3−and BE levels, appears reasonable.
High-precision angle adaptive control simulation of synchronous motor for automatic lifting and boarding equipment of aircraft platform
Authors: Zhang Zhuo
Published: March 2023

In order to improve the accuracy and adaptability of the Angle control of the aircraft platform automatic lifting and boarding synchronous motors, the high precision Angle adaptive control method of the aircraft platform automatic lifting and boarding synchronous motors is studied. The structure and function of lifting mechanism in automatic lifting and boarding device of aircraft platform are analyzed. The mathematical equation of synchronous motor in automatic lifting and boarding device is established in a coordinate system, the ideal transmission ratio of synchronous motor angle is calculated, and the PID control law is designed according to the transmission ratio. Finally, the high precision Angle adaptive control of the synchronous motor of the aircraft platform automatic lifting and boarding device is realized by using the control rate. The simulation results show that the proposed method can quickly and accurately realize the angular position control of the research object, and the control error is within ± 0.15rd, which has high adaptability.
Photo/Ni dual-catalyzed radical defluorinative sulfonylation to synthesizegem-difluoro allylsulfones
Authors: Xu Yiran , Wang Shengchun , Liu Zhao , Guo Mian , Lei Aiwen
Published: March 2023

Radical defluorinative functionalization of α-trifluoromethyl styrenes represents an effective way towardgem-difluoroalkenes.
Localization of nuclear wave functions of lithium in [Li+@C60]PF6−: molecular insights into two-site disorder–order transition
Authors: Ando Hideo , Nakao Yoshihide
Published: March 2023

The inversion-symmetry breaking of the local structure of [Li+@C60]PF6− correlates closely with the two-site disorder–order transition of the endohedral Li+ ions at 24 K. Two THz absorption peaks serve as fingerprints of the transition.
Fast-response self-powered flexible transparent ultraviolet photodetectors based on a CuO/ZnO nanowire array heterojunction
Authors: Li Yi , Wei Xiaojing , Yang Qiuyue , Zhang Jie , Wang Wencai , Dong Linlin , Gao Bokai , Li Chen , Sun Xiaolin , Ma Yanwen
Published: March 2023

A self-powered flexible transparent ultraviolet photodetector based on a CuO/ZnO nanowire array heterojunction is successfully fabricated, which exhibits fast-response speed, high transparency and superior mechanical stability.
Bond-bending isomerism and metallophilicity in metal–halogen anions (Cu,Ag,Au)2X3−, X = F, Cl, Br, I, At
Authors: Siberchicot Bruno , Aupiais Jean
Published: March 2023

The two bond-bending isomers [14].
Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective rearrangement of dienyl cyclopropanes
Authors: Xu Qi , Lu Chuan-Jun , Guo Chang-Qiu , Feng Jia , Liu Ren-Rong
Published: March 2023

The palladium-catalyzed rearrangement of VCPs (dienyl or trienyl cyclopropanes) for the construction of functionalized cyclopentene units was reported in high yields and with excellent regioselectivities and enantioselectivities.
Supramolecular nanoprodrug based on a chloride channel blocker and glycosylated pillar[5]arenes for targeted chemoresistance cancer therapy
Authors: Yang Ke , Ma Ke , Yang Manman , Lv Yinghua , Pei Yuxin , Pei Zhichao
Published: March 2023

A supramolecular nanoprodrug (DOX@GP5⊃Pro-NFA) was constructed based on the host–guest complexation of a chloride channel blocker prodrug (Pro-NFA) and glycosylated pillar[5]arenes (GP5), which could target chemoresistance cancer therapy.
DNA labelling in live cells via visible light-induced [2+2] photocycloaddition
Authors: Michenfelder Rita T. , Delafresnaye Laura , Truong Vinh X. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Wagenknecht Hans-Achim
Published: March 2023

Styrylquinoxaline (SQ)-modified DNA is labelled with SQ-modified dyes in live HeLa cells via [2+2] photocycloaddition using visible light irradiation.
Atomic reconstruction and oxygen adsorption behavior of the pyrite (100) surface: a DFT study
Authors: Chen Manjiao , Hu Xinjun , Zhou Xinjun , Li Xiulan , Tian Jianping
Published: March 2023

Sn and –[Fe–S]n– structures will form on the reconstructed surface of FeS2, and the binding energy of Sn to the matrix is lower than that of –[Fe–S]n–. The cohesive energy of Sn is higher than that of –[Fe–S]n–, so the –[Fe–S]n– structure is more easily oxidized than Sn.
The structure and modified properties of a self-dimerised Cu(ii) inclusion complex in γ-cyclodextrins
Authors: Hamaguchi Tomohiko , Ishikawa Ryuta , Mishima Akio , Hayami Shinya , Ohba Masaaki , Satoh Minoru , Kawata Satoshi
Published: March 2023

Cu fragments in γ-cyclodextrins show different properties from those of unincluded fragments caused by the confinement and the interaction between Cu fragments.
The reactivity of N-heterocyclic diphospholenes towards iron triad carbonyls
Authors: Kazakov Gennady G. , Druzhkov Nikolay O. , Rumyantcev Roman V. , Fukin Georgy K. , Starikov Andrey G. , Piskunov Alexandr V. , Cherkasov Vladimir K.
Published: March 2023

Monomeric and dimeric NHP complexes were prepared by reaction of N-heterocyclic diphospholene with Fe, Co and Ni carbonyls.
Photonic spin-selective perfect absorptance on planar metasurfaces driven by chiral quasi-bound states in the continuum
Authors: Li Hongju , Zhou Hongmiao , Wei Gangao , Xu Hangsheng , Qin Meng , Liu Jianqiang , Wu Feng
Published: March 2023

Photonic spin-selective perfect absorptance is realized on planar metasurfaces empowered by the physics of chiral quasi-bound states in the continuum.
A comprehensive investigation of the plasmonic-photocatalytic properties of gold nanoparticles for CO2 conversion to chemicals
Authors: Soleimani Maryam , Pourfath Mahdi
Published: March 2023

Understanding the interactions between plasmonic gold (Au) nanoparticles and the adsorbate is essential for photocatalytic and plasmonic applications.
Effects of film thickness on electrochemical properties of nanoscale polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) thin films grown by oxidative molecular layer deposition (oMLD)
Authors: Brathwaite Katrina G. , Wyatt Quinton K. , Atassi Amalie , Gregory Shawn A. , Throm Eric , Stalla David , Yee Shannon K. , Losego Mark D. , Young Matthias J.
Published: March 2023

Orientation of ordered domains in oMLD PEDOT thin films changes with thickness, affecting ion uptake rate and electrochemical device applications.
Preparation and corrosion resistance of superhydrophobic Ni–Co–Al2O3 coating on X100 steel
Authors: Zhang Qiuli , Feng Yi , Liao Wenzhi , Li Jingjing , Yin Chengxian , Zhou Jun , Chen Zhaoyang , Zhang Pei , Ning Zhongyi
Published: March 2023

The Ni–Co–Al2O3 superhydrophobic coating has low surface adhesion, excellent self-cleaning properties, outstanding wear and corrosion resistance.
Evolution and fabrication of carbon dot-based room temperature phosphorescence materials
Authors: Li Jiurong , Wu Yongzhong , Gong Xiao
Published: March 2023

Carbon dot-based room temperature phosphorescence materials are reported, mainly focusing on the outstanding contributions over the years, phosphorescence emission, phosphorescence lifetime, preparation and application.
Partial‐histogram design without frame rate and data loss based on gray code peak searching
Authors: Xu Jiqing , Yu Hengwei , Wu Yifan , Chiang Patrick
Published: March 2023

This letter presents a high frame rate and low area cost partial histogram scheme for d‐ToF depth imaging sensor based on SPAD. This scheme realizes high frame rate through a novel peak seeking algorithm based on gray code and pipeline operation that firstly adopted. Area cost is reduced by partial histogram and overlap is used to prevent data loss. Finally, a 24 bins partial‐histogram design is implemented by ASIC flow with a total area of 11724 μm2 under 130 nm. FPGA flow is also used to verify feasibility. Compared with other known partial histogram schemes, proposed method has no data and frame rate loss.
MatPSST: A Matlab/Simulink‐based power system simulation toolbox for research and education
Authors: Lin Siqi , Yao Wei , Xiong Yongxin , Zhao Yifan , Shi Zhongtuo , Ai Xiaomeng , Wen Jinyu
Published: March 2023

This paper presents an open‐access Matlab/Simulink‐based power system simulation toolbox (MatPSST) for research and education. In MatPSST, dynamic modeling is implemented by Simulink. Only the initialization process is coded in Matlab. This structure makes full use of Simulink, enabling users to fully use the rich solvers and built‐in toolboxes in Matlab/Simulink, such as small‐signal analysis, without additional programming. The interaction with real‐time platforms like RTLAB and dSPACE in MatPSST is convenient through the Simulink interface. In addition, MatPSST provides a uniform interface and flexible framework for user‐defined functions. Users do not need to consider the interaction between models and dynamic solvers when implementing state‐of‐the‐art user‐defined models. To avoid the heavy work (replicate units and change parameters) in modeling detailed wind farm or photovoltaic station with hundreds of renewable generation units, the idea of the vector‐variable‐based model is proposed with MatPSST. Case studies introduce some selected application examples of MatPSST in research and education and demonstrate its accuracy by the comparisons with Simscape and PSAT. The cases reveal the advantages of MatPSST in promoting power system research and education.
CFNet: Head detection network based on multi‐layer feature fusion and attention mechanism
Authors: Han Jing , Wang Xiaoying , Wang Xichang , Lv Xueqiang
Published: March 2023

Recently, head detection has been widely used in target detection, which has a great application value for improving security prevention and control in public places, as well as enhancing target tracking and identification in national defense, criminal investigation, and other fields. However, detecting small targets accurately at long distances is very difficult, and current methods often lack optimization of multi‐resolution features. Therefore, the authors propose a one‐stage detection network CFNet (cross‐layer feature fusion and fusion weight attention network), in which a fusion weight attention mechanism module (FWAM) is proposed to give different weights to the fused features in order to distinguish the importance of different features. The module increases the weights of features that contain strong information so that the fused features are focused on feature points that are beneficial for optimal head detection. Meanwhile, a cross‐layer feature fusion module is proposed to fuse information from different resolution feature maps to compensate for the decrease in detection accuracy caused by the omission of information features at low resolution, and a connection network for contextual information fusion is constructed, while weight parameter value settings are introduced to optimize the detection effect after fusion of different resolution features. In order to better reflect the effectiveness of the network, the experiments are performed on the SCUT‐HEAD PartA dataset and the Brainwash dataset; the results show that the network the authors proposed is better than the existing comparison methods, which proves the robustness and effectiveness of the network.
A new modulation strategy on isolated battery charger with wide input and output voltage range
Authors: Jou Hurng‐Liahng , Chen Fu‐Zen , Wu Jinn‐Chang , Chiang Chih‐Chun , Su Li‐Wen , Chen Wei‐Ting
Published: March 2023

A new wide voltage operation range isolated battery charger, which is composed of an asymmetric T‐type AC–DC power rectifier and a modified re‐configurable half bridge DC–DC power converter, is proposed in this paper. The asymmetric T‐type rectifier adopts different modulation strategies under different AC bus voltage amplitudes and different battery voltages for increasing power conversion efficiency. As the isolated DC–DC power stage, a modified re‐configurable half bridge converter applies a three‐winding transformer to achieve a wide output operation range. The proposed battery charger operates over a wide AC input voltage range and wide DC output voltage range. A 3.2 kW hardware battery charger prototype is built to adapt AC voltage between 85 and 265 V. Both constant current and constant voltage modes are implemented experimentally to charge the battery up to 6.5 A from 50 to 500 V. The experimental results prove that the proposed asymmetric T‐type rectifier adopts different modulation strategies under different AC bus voltage amplitudes and different battery voltages can increase the power conversion efficiency, the proposed DC–DC converter can output the DC voltage from 50 to 500 V and the proposed battery charger can achieve around 94% efficiency.
The Effelsberg survey of FU Orionis and EX Lupi objects
Authors: Szabó Zs. M. , Gong Y. , Menten K. M. , Yang W. , Cyganowski C. J. , Kóspál Á. , Ábrahám P. , Belloche A. , Wyrowski F.
Published: March 2023

Context. FU Orionis (FUor) and EX Lupi (EXor) type objects represent two small but rather spectacular groups of low-mass, young, eruptive stars. In both cases, outbursts of several magnitudes are observed, which are attributed to enhanced mass accretion from the circumstellar disc onto the central protostar. Although these objects are well studied at optical and near-infrared wavelengths, their host molecular environments are poorly explored because of the scarcity of systematic molecular line observations.

Aims. We aim to carry out the first dedicated survey of the molecular environments of a large sample of FUors and EXors, observing a total of 51 sources, including some Gaia alerts, to study the ammonia (NH3) emission in their host environments.

Methods. We observed the ammonia (J, K) = (1,1), (2,2), and (3,3) inversion transitions at ~23.7 GHz in position-switching mode using the Effelsberg 100-m radio telescope. For 19 of the 51 sources in our sample, we derived H2 column densities and dust temperatures using archival Herschel/SPIRE data at 250 µm, 300 µm, and 500 µm.

Results. We detected the NH3 (1,1) transition toward 28 sources and the (2,2) transition toward 12 sources, while the (3,3) transition was detected towards only two sources in our sample. We find kinetic temperatures between ~12 K and 21 K, ammonia column densities from 5.2 × 1013 cm−2 to 3.2 × 1015 cm−2, and fractional ammonia abundances with respect to H2 from 4.7 × 10−9 to 1.5 × 10−7. These results are comparable to those found in infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). Our kinematic analysis suggests that most of the eruptive stars in our sample reside in rather quiescent (sonic or transonic) host environments.

Conclusions. Our NH3 observations and analysis of the SPIRE dust-based H2 column density maps confirm the presence of dense material towards seven sources in our sample; additional sources might also harbour dense gas based on their NH2 (2,2) detections, potentially indicating an earlier phase than originally classified. Based on our results, we suggest that observations targeting additional molecular lines would help to refine the evolutionary classification of eruptive stars.
Novel time-resolved CARS implementation for application in microscopy
Authors: Neethling Pieter H. , Viljoen Ruan , Heidt Alexander M. , Spangenberg Dirk , Feurer Thomas , Rohwer Erich G.
Published: March 2023

Vibrational dephasing times for benzene and carbon disulfide are measured using a custom single-beam Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) setup. A femtosecond oscillator is used to pump a polarization maintaining all normal dispersion photonic crystal fibre (PM-ANDi-PCF) to generate a broad band supercontinuum, covering a spectral region from 680 to 900 nm. The dispersion properties of the PM-ANDi-PCF ensures the supercontinuum is stable and there exists a fixed phase relationship between the spectral components of the supercontinuum. This enables its temporal compression using i2PIE, implemented using a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) in a 4f geometry. This SLM is also used to shape the pulse spectrally and temporally. With this setup we could demonstrate time-resolved CARS, measuring the vibrational relaxation times of a carbon disulfide (CS2)/benzene mixture, and eliminate the non-resonant background completely. The main advantage of this setup is the fact that it is a single beam technique, eliminating the requirement for aligning the overlap of the pump and probe, both spatially and temporally, in the focal plane of the microscope. The strengths and limitations of the technique are highlighted and the route to time-resolved/background free vibrational microscopy is proposed.
DC pulsed plasma magnetron sputtering of CdO/Cu/CdO multilayers thin films for self-cleaning and optoelectronic applications
Authors: Abd El-Moula Alzahra A. , Raaif Mohamed , El-Hossary Fayez , Abo El-Kassem Mohamed
Published: March 2023

In this study, CdO/Cu/CdO multilayers thin films were organized on glass substrates with different Cu intermetallic layer thickness engaging DC plasma magnetron sputtering. The optoelectronic properties and structural characteristics of the multilayers at various Cu intermetallic layer thicknesses which were varied from 4 to 16 nm were explored. The calculated band gap was reduced from 2.66 eV to 2.48 eV as the Cu intermetallic layer thickness increased from 4 to 16 nm. The refractive index and coefficient of extinction of CdO/Cu/CdO multilayers increased with increasing the Cu intermetallic layer thickness. The resistivity is reduced from 1.8 × 10−2 Ω cm for CdO single layer to reach a value of 2.7 × 10−4 Ω cm for CdO/Cu (16 nm)/CdO multilayer. Further, the sheet resistance is decreased from 1000 to 13.8 Ω/sq. with the variation in Cu intermetallic layer thickness from 0 to 16 nm. CdO/Cu (4 nm)/CdO multilayer film recorded the best figure of merit (2.3 × 10−4 Ω−1). After sunlight illumination for the multilayers, the surface wettability was improved and the contact angle recorded lowest value of nearly 24° for CdO/Cu (8 nm)/CdO and CdO/Cu (12 nm)/CdO.
Optimal pricing strategy of retailers considering speculative customers’ add-on items return behavior with cross-store full-reduction promotion
Authors: Song Sujuan , Peng Wei , Zeng Yuyang
Published: March 2023

This purpose of the paper is to explore the optimal price strategy for the retailers under the cross-store full-reduction promotion mode, where speculative consumers will deliberately purchase add-on items to qualify for discounts when the purchase amount is less than the “full-reduction” threshold and then return the add-on items after successful payment. With respect to the optimal decision problem consisting of two online complementary retailers and an e-commerce platform in the face of speculative consumers’ add-on items return behavior, we construct the single-cycle sales decision models based on the revenue sharing contract. Furthermore, through the derivative function analysis method, we examine the effect of the proportion of speculative consumers, the proportion of product sharing discount amount and revenue sharing coefficient on the platform’s sale strategy and the retailers’ the optimal price strategy. The results show that whether platform implements cross-store full-reduction promotion strategy or not, the product price increases with the increase of revenue sharing coefficient. In addition, under the non-promotion sales mode, the optimal price is not affected by the speculative consumers’ behavior. Under the cross-store full-reduction promotion sales mode, the optimal price changes with the proportion of product sharing discount amount and the proportion of speculative consumers. And the price of only purchasing single product in this case is always higher than the price under the non-promotion sales mode. Finally, we compare the profits under the two scenarios, it is found that the profits under the cross-store full-reduction promotion sales mode are not always higher than that under non-promotion sales mode and the boundary conditions for the platform to adopt different modes are further given.
A height-dependent climatological model of the equatorial ionospheric zonal plasma drifts (EZDrifts): Description and application to an analysis of the longitudinal variations of the zonal drifts
Authors: Massoud Alexander A. , Shidler Sam A. , Rodrigues Fabiano S.
Published: March 2023

We introduce the implementation of a global climatological model of the equatorial ionospheric F-region zonal drifts (EZDrifts) that is made available to the public. The model uses the analytic description of the zonal plasma drifts presented by Haerendel et al. (1992) [J Geophys Res97(A2): 1209–1223] and is driven by climatological models of the ionosphere and thermosphere under a realistic geomagnetic field configuration. EZDrifts is an expansion of the model of the zonal drifts first presented by Shidler & Rodrigues (2021) [Prog Earth Planet Sci8: 26] which was only valid for the Jicamarca longitude sector and two specific solar flux conditions. EZDrifts now uses vertical equatorial plasma drifts from Scherliess & Fejer (1999) [J Geophys Res104(A4): 6829–6842] model which allows it to provide zonal drifts for any day of the year, longitude, and solar flux condition. We show that the model can reproduce the main results of the Shidler & Rodrigues (2021) [Prog Earth Planet Sci8: 26] model for the Peruvian sector. We also illustrate an application of EZDrifts by presenting and discussing longitudinal variabilities produced by the model. We show that the model predicts longitudinal variations in the reversal times of the drifts that are in good agreement with observations made by C/NOFS. EZDrifts also predicts longitudinal variations in the magnitude of the drifts that can be identified in the June solstice observations made by C/NOFS. We also point out data-model differences observed during Equinox and December solstice. Finally, we explain that the longitudinal variations in the zonal plasma drifts are caused by longitudinal variations in the latitude of the magnetic equator and, consequently, in the wind dynamo contributing to the resulting drifts. EZDrifts is distributed to the community through a public repository and can be used in applications requiring an estimate of the overall behavior of the equatorial zonal drifts.
ABER Position in Direct MR Arthrography of the Shoulder: Useful Adjunct or Waste of Imaging Time?
Authors: Altmann Sebastian , Jungmann Florian , Emrich Tilman , Jezycki Thomas , Kreitner Karl-Friedrich
Published: March 2023

Purpose The usefulness of direct MR arthrography of the shoulder with additional ABER position (ABER-MRA) has always been discussed. The goals of the following review are to analyze the usefulness of this technique according to the available literature and present recommendations with respect to indications and benefits in diagnostic imaging of shoulder abnormalities in the clinical routine.

Method For this review we assessed the current literature databases of the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed with regard to MRA in the ABER position up to the February 28, 2022. Search terms were “shoulder MRA, ABER”, “MRI ABER”, “MR ABER”, “shoulder, abduction external rotation MRA”, “abduction external rotation MRI” and “ABER position”. The inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective studies with surgical and/or arthroscopic correlation within 12 months. Overall, 16 studies with 724 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 10 studies dealing with anterior instabilities, three studies with posterior instabilities and seven studies with suspected rotator cuff pathologies (some studies addressing multiple items).

Results For anterior instability the use of ABER-MRA in the ABER position led to a significant increase in sensitivity for detecting lesions of the labral ligamentous complex compared with standard 3-plane shoulder MRA (81 % versus 92 %, p = 0.001) while maintaining high specificity (96 %). ABER-MRA demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity (89 % and 100 %, respectively) for SLAP lesions and was able to detect micro-instability in overhead athletes, but case counts are still very small. With regard to rotator cuff tears, no improvement of sensitivity or specificity could be shown with use of ABER-MRA.

Conclusion Based on the currently available literature, ABER-MRA achieves a level of evidence C in the detection of pathologies of the anteroinferior labroligamentous complex. With regard to the evaluation of SLAP lesions and the exact determination of the degree of rotator cuff injury, ABER-MRA can be of additive value, but is still a case-by-case decision.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Recent Advances in Highly Fluorescent Hydrazine-Inserted Pyrrole-Based Diboron-Anchoring Fluorophores: Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Yu Changjiang , Hao Erhong , Sun Yingzhu , Jiao Lijuan
Published: March 2023

Hydrazine-inserted pyrrole-based diboron fluorophores that display strong fluorescence in either the solution or solid state are widely used in biomedicine and optoelectronic materials science. A growing demand calls for multiple strategies for generating novel fluorophores to solve problems of small Stokes shifts and poor solid-state fluorescence. By changing their frameworks, several series of novel diboron compounds have recently been developed as increasingly valuable classes of fluorophores owing to their tunable structures and outstanding spectroscopic properties, such as high fluorescence quantum yields, large Stokes shifts, high photostability, and low LUMO energy levels due to the presence of electron-deficient BF2 groups. This review mainly highlights key synthetic strategies for the fluorophores BOPHY, BOPPY, and BOAPY developed by our group, together with the superior properties of these compounds. Significant photophysical data for these fluorophores in solution and solid states are included within the scope of this review. The facile functionalization of these fluorophores permits practical structural modifications to generate novel versatile dyes with excellent chemical and photophysical properties. We believe that these fluorophores hold promise to make important contributions in a wide range of applications.

1 Introduction

2 BOPHY Fluorophore

2.1 Discovery of BOPHY and its Fundamental Properties

2.2 Synthesis and Properties of Modified BOPHY Derivatives

3 BOPPY and BOPYPY Fluorophores

3.1 Discovery of BOPPY and BOPYPY, and Their Fundamental Properties

3.2 Synthesis and Properties of Benzo-Fused BOPPYs from Isoindoles

3.3 Nucleophilic Substitution and Cross-Coupling Reactions of Halogenated BOPPYs

3.4 Knoevenagel Reaction

4 BOAPY and BOPAHY Fluorophores

5 Conclusion
Sugars in Multicomponent Reactions: A Toolbox for Diversity-Oriented Synthesis
Authors: Maikhuri Vipin K. , Verma Vineet , Mathur Divya , Prasad Ashok K. , Chaudhary Ankita , Kumar Rajesh
Published: March 2023

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) cover strategically employed chemical transformations that incorporate three or more reactants in one pot leading to a functionalized final product. Thus, it is an ideal tool to achieve high levels of complexity, diversity, yields of desired products, atom economy, and reduced reaction times. Sugars belong to the class of naturally occurring compounds with fascinating applications in the field of drug discovery due to the presence of various hydroxy groups and well-defined stereochemistry. However, their potential in MCRs has been realized only recently. This account describes recent advances in the synthesis of sugar-derived heterocycles synthesized by MCRs. We hope to encourage the synthetic and medicinal chemistry community to apply this powerful MCR chemistry to generate novel glycoconjugate challenges.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Various Functionalized Sugar Compounds

2.1 Passerini and Ugi Multicomponent Reactions

2.2 Petasis Reaction

2.3 Hantzsch Reaction

2.4 Domino Ferrier–Povarov Reaction

2.5 Marckwald Reaction

2.6 Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé (GBB) Reaction

2.7 Prins–Ritter Reaction

2.8 Debus–Radziszewski Imidazole Synthesis Reaction

2.9 Mannich Reaction

2.10 A3-Coupling Reaction

2.11 [3+2]-Cycloaddition Reactions

2.12 Miscellaneous Reactions

3 Conclusion
Imaging Recommendations for Diagnosis, Staging, and Management of Carcinoma of Unknown Origin (Lymph Node, Pulmonary, Liver, Skeletal, and Brain) with Emphasis on the Current Position of PET-CT in Carcinoma of Unknown Origin (CUP)
Authors: Loharkar Sarvesh , Basu Sandip
Published: March 2023

Most of the established guidelines mention and recommend the use of FDG-PET/CT (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography) in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) especially in head–neck squamous cell carcinoma; as described in this article, this forms a powerful one-stop shop in diagnosing and staging modality and has multiple applications in difficult situations of CUPs. Although not used as a screening modality, FDG-PET/CT is recommended as the primary imaging modality in the evaluation of primary, staging, and response evaluation for CUP with histology known to demonstrate FDG avidity, especially patients presenting with lymph nodal disease. It should be remembered that many histological types do not concentrate on FDG and FDG also shows false-positive results in many other conditions like infection-inflammation; however, at the same time, it delivers high negative predictive values, an important consideration when employing FDG-PET/CT in the CUP scenario. SSTR-based PET/CT plays a pivotal role in primary diagnosis, staging, therapy planning, and response assessment in CUPs with neuroendocrine tumor or neuroendocrine neoplasm histology. The last two decades has witnessed great advancement in PET instrumentation and radiopharmaceuticals: particularly techniques like PET/magnetic resonance imaging and radiopharmaceuticals like FAPI (fibroblast-activation protein inhibitor)-based PET tracers. Hence, the role of PET/CT is expected to expand its reach in the coming years in line with accruing literature evidence, thereby upgrading its role and reliability in oncological practice strategies.
Clostridium difficile in Oncology Patients—Review of Diagnosis and Management in the Indian Setting
Authors: Prayag Parikshit S , Patwardhan Sampada A , Panchakshari Shweta P , Prayag Amrita P
Published: March 2023

Clostridoides (formerly Clostridium) difficile (C. difficile) is a toxin-producing, gram-positive anaerobic bacillus, commonly implicated in antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. The true burden of C. difficile infection is unclear in India, as it is likely underdiagnosed and underreported. Its incidence is much higher in oncology patients where it can contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. There are several challenges in the Indian setting, including lack of uniform availability of testing infrastructure, as well as therapy. Oncology patients further present with a unique set of challenges. This article will review the approach to diagnosis and management of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in India, with a focus on oncology patients.
Imaging Recommendations for Diagnosis, Staging, and Management of Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Lupton Kenneth , Salins Manjusha , Pass Bill , Negi Raj , Gupta Harun
Published: March 2023

Soft tissue lesions are a wide range of tumors of mesenchymal cell origin, occurring anywhere in the body with a vast number of histological subtypes both benign and malignant. These are common in clinical practice and vast majority are benign. This article focuses on soft tissue sarcoma of the trunk and extremities and discusses their imaging guidelines.