bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The power of architecture – cage-shaped PEO and its application as a polymer electrolyte
Authors: Butzelaar Andreas Johannes , Gauthier-Jaques Martin , Liu Kun Ling , Brunklaus Gunther , Winter Martin , Theato Patrick
Published: July 2021

First reported gram-scale synthesis of a four-arm cage-shaped poly(ethylene oxide) polymer and its pioneering application as polymer electrolyte.
Sweetsop-like α-Fe2O3@CoNi catalyst with superior peroxidase-like activity for sensitive and selective detection of hydroquinone
Authors: Feng Min , Wen Shaohua , Chen Xiaofang , Deng Die , Yang Xiupei , Zhang Run
Published: July 2021

A sweetsop-like α-Fe2O3@CoNi catalyst with superior peroxidase-like activity was synthesized and successfully applied to the detection of hydroquinone (HQ) based on the colorimetric principle.
Single wall carbon nanotube based optical rectenna
Authors: Tizani Lina , Abbas Yawar , Yassin Ahmed Mahdy , Mohammad Baker , Rezeq Moh’d
Published: July 2021

In this work, we present a novel technique to form a nano-rectenna based on single wall CNTs using a conductive atomic force microscope. The nano-rectenna exhibits a clear rectification behavior and sensitivity to light.
The role of electrode wettability in electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Li Mengran , Idros Mohamed Nazmi , Wu Yuming , Burdyny Thomas , Garg Sahil , Zhao Xiu Song , Wang Geoff , Rufford Thomas E.
Published: July 2021

This review provides an in-depth analysis of essential role of electrode wettability in improving CO2 electrochemical reduction.
Fractional‐order complex correntropy algorithm for adaptive filtering in α‐stable environment
Authors: Qiu Chen , Dong Zhenyuan , Yan Wenxing , Qian Guobing
Published: July 2021

In adaptive filtering applications, the Gaussian distribution cannot be used to model the signal/noise with frequent spikes accurately. In fact, the rational model to simulate the behaviour of such signal/noise is the α‐stable distribution process. In this letter, a fractional‐order complex correntropy algorithm is proposed to deal with the case that both signal and noise processes are modelled as complex‐valued α‐stable signals. Compared with the classical approaches, the proposed fractional‐order complex correntropy extends the Gaussian assumption of signal/noise in the complex domain to the assumption of α‐stable distributions without second‐order and higher order statistical moments. Benefitting from the fractional‐order calculus and correntropy criterion, fractional‐order complex correntropy shows great robustness to the jittery behaviour of complex‐valued α‐stable signal/noise. In addition, a convergence analysis for fractional‐order complex correntropy has been carried out. Simulations on system identification revealed that the filtering performance is significantly improved by using fractional‐order complex correntropy.
Crowd estimation using key‐point matching with support vector regression
Authors: Ekanayake E.M.C.L , Lei Yunqi
Published: July 2021

The crowd behaviour understanding and density estimation are some of the fast‐growing fields in video surveillance. There are many techniques (detection and regression) that are used as the method of crowd analysis and estimation. In the present approach, SVR (support vector regression) is used as the basic analysis technique and the novel key‐point matching with SURF (speedup robust feature) is used as the feature extractor for moving objects in the video. The traditional linear regression methods used mainly key‐point as one of the statistical features instead of matching with consecutive frames, but we used the magnitude of the optical flow for foreground object extraction instead of inter‐frame difference. The combination of the optical flow of foreground objects and key‐point matching generates new features apart from conventional features such as areas and corners. In this new approach, key‐point pairing with linear regression is tested with the PETS2009 dataset, and performance is compared with the existing approaches.
MFNet‐LE: Multilevel fusion network with Laplacian embedding for face presentation attacks detection
Authors: Niu Sijie , Qu Xiaofeng , Chen Junting , Gao Xizhan , Wang Tingwei , Dong Jiwen
Published: July 2021

Face detection is playing a pivotal role for crowd counting and abnormal events detection. However, it is vulnerable to face presentation attacks by printed photos, videos, and 3D masks of real human faces. Although numerous detection techniques based on deep learning have been employed to address the problem of face presentation attacks, there are still several weaknesses in these approaches, such as high algorithm complexity and a lack of detection ability. To overcome these weaknesses, a method based on a multilevel fusion network with Laplacian embedding (MFNet‐LE) for the detection of face presentation attacks is proposed. First, a shallow network that contains just three layers was developed, which makes the model faster. Then, an optimised multilevel fusion strategy was developed to combine the input with the output of all previous layers to improve the detection ability of the method. Finally, a Laplacian embedding algorithm is introduced to maintain the inter‐class discrimination and penalise the intra‐class distance. Under the joint supervision of Laplacian loss and softmax loss, the proposed approach can obtain more discriminative features, which enhance the accuracy of attack detection. Experiments were conducted with three public databases for face presentation attacks: CASIA FASD, Idiap Replay Attack database and MSU USSA. The results demonstrate that the MFNet‐LE model can outperform the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Variable structure robust controller design for blood glucose regulation for type 1 diabetic patients: A backstepping approach
Authors: Homayounzade Mohamadreza
Published: July 2021

Diabetes mellitus type 1 occurs when cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system. As a result, the pancreas cannot produce adequate insulin, and the glucose enters the cells to produce energy. To elevate the glycaemic concentration, sufficient amount of insulin should be taken orally or injected into the human body. Artificial pancreas is a device that automatically regulates the level of body insulin by injecting the requisite amount of insulin into the human body. A finite‐time robust feedback controller based on the Extended Bergman Minimal Model is designed here. The controller is designed utilizing the backstepping approach and is robust against the unknown external disturbance and parametric uncertainties. The stability of the system is proved using the Lyapunov theorem. The controller is exponentially stable and hence provides the finite‐time convergence of the blood glucose concentration to its desired magnitude. The effectiveness of the proposed control method is shown through simulation in MATLAB/Simulink environment via comparisons with previous studies.
The Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS)
Authors: Alonso-Herrero A. , García-Burillo S. , Hönig S. F. , García-Bernete I. , Ramos Almeida C. , González-Martín O. , López-Rodríguez E. , Boorman P. G. , Bunker A. J. , Burtscher L. , Combes F. , Davies R. , Díaz-Santos T. , Gandhi P. , García-Lorenzo B. , Hicks E. K. S. , Hunt L. K. , Ichikawa K. , Imanishi M. , Izumi T. , Labiano A. , Levenson N. A. , Packham C. , Pereira-Santaella M. , Ricci C. , Rigopoulou D. , Roche P. , Rosario D. J. , Rouan D. , Shimizu T. , Stalevski M. , Wada K. , Williamson D.
Published: July 2021

We compare high angular resolution mid-infrared (mid-IR) and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) far-infrared (far-IR) images of twelve nearby (median 21 Mpc) Seyfert galaxies selected from the Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS). The mid-IR unresolved emission contributes more than 60% of the nuclear (diameters of 1.5″ ∼ 150 pc) emission in most galaxies. By contrast, the ALMA 870 μm continuum emission is mostlyresolved with a median diameter of 42 pc and typically along the equatorial direction of the torus (Paper I). The Eddington ratios and nuclear hydrogen column densities (NH) of half the sample are favorable to launching polar and/or equatorial dusty winds, according to numerical simulations. Six of these show mid-IR extended emission approximately in the polar direction as traced by the narrow line region and perpendicular to the ALMA emission. In a few galaxies, the nuclear NH might be too high to uplift large quantities of dusty material along the polar direction. Five galaxies have low NH and/or Eddington ratios and thus polar dusty winds are not likely. We generated new radiative transfer CAT3D-WIND disk+wind models and model images at 8, 12, and 700 μm. We tailored these models to the properties of the GATOS Seyferts in this work. At low wind-to-disk cloud ratios, the far-IR model images have disk- and ring-like morphologies. The characteristic “X”-shape associated with dusty winds is seen better in the far-IR at intermediate-high inclinations for the extended-wind configurations. In most of the explored models, the mid-IR emission mainly comes from the inner part of the disk and cone. Extended biconical and one-sided polar mid-IR emission is seen in extended-wind configurations and high wind-to-disk cloud ratios. When convolved to the typical angular resolution of our observations, the CAT3D-WIND model images reproduce qualitative aspects of the observed mid- and far-IR morphologies. However, low to intermediate values of the wind-to-disk ratio are required to account for the observed large fractions of unresolved mid-IR emission in our sample. This work and Paper I provide observational support for the torus+wind scenario. The wind component is more relevant at high Eddington ratios and/or active galactic nucleus luminosities, and polar dust emission is predicted at nuclear column densities of up to ∼1024 cm−2. The torus or disk component, on the other hand, prevails at low luminosities and/or Eddington ratios.
Application of natural zeolite for recycling of polymer waste
Authors: Aubakirov Yermek , Akhmetova Firuza , Tashmukhambetova Zheneta , Sassykova Larissa , Kurmangaliyeva Ayazhan , Gumarova Aizat , Narikov Kanat , Tanakoz Kalamgali
Published: July 2021

Recently, the ways of obtaining alternative energy resources in the production of gasoline and diesel fuels have been considered. Using physico-chemical methods, nitrogen and sulfur-containing compounds in gasoline, diesel distillates obtained from polymer residues can be determined. Currently, a promising method is the processing of polymer materials into liquid fuel fractions and organic products. In this method, the destruction of the polymer series with the formation of low-molecular hydrocarbons occurred. The process was carried out at a temperature of 400-450°C at atmospheric or elevated pressure in the presence or in the absence of a catalyst. Both pure polymers and various polymer wastes, containing organic orinorganic waste that does notrequire special cleaning, were used. This technology allows you not only to eliminate wastes, but also to obtain a large number of commercial products.
The use of screening of crushed granite stone for the production of building materials
Authors: Gorbunov Fedor , Berdnikova Lilia , Bulgakov Victor , Fadina Alexandra , Lapin Andrey
Published: July 2021

The possibility of using technogenic raw materials – the screening of crushed stone with the addition of cullet based on a silicate binder for the production of construction materials for structural purposes is studied. By varying the processing temperature, it was possible to increase the softening coefficient of the products and to achieve the pH neutrality of their pore liquid. Products processed at a temperature of 500700 °C have the following performance characteristics: the compressive strength 16.6-31.4 MPa, the bendingstrength 3.4-5.9 MPa.
Mechanochemical synthesis of Pb2MgWO6piezoceramics with alloying additives
Authors: Shevchenko Natalya S. , Gusev Alexey A.
Published: July 2021

Pb2MgWO6was prepared using mechanochemical activation and sintering in a temperature range of 600-1000ºÑ in three ways: 1) from oxides of the corresponding metals, 2) using MgWO4precursor; and 3) in the presence of over-stoichiometric amounts (1wt.% and 2wt.% ) of Li2CO3alloying additive.
Obtaining composite particles of Ti – 25 wt.% TiN powder by mechanical processing in a planetary mill for using in cold and thermal spray
Authors: Drozdov Vladimir , Chesnokov Anton , Smirnov Andrey , Cherepanov Anatoly
Published: July 2021

In this work, with a change in the time of mechanical processing in a high-energy planetary mill, composite particles were obtained from a mixture of titanium powders (grade PTS – 1) and titanium nitride powder in the size range from 10 to 100 μm. It was shown that ultrafine refractory particles of titanium nitride are uniformly distributed over the volume of agglomerates. It is assumed that the spraying of the composite powder by the method of cold or thermal spraying will increase the homogeneity of the distribution of refractory inclusions in the coating. The structure and morphology of the composite particle surface were studied, their X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained, and elemental analysis was carried out. It was found that during mechanical processing of the material, titanium nitride particles act as a surfactant and prevent the growth of agglomerates. It was shown that after 3 minutes of mechanical processing of the powder mixture, titanium nitride is uniformly distributed throughout the entire volume of the composite particle.
Stabilization of coal-water suspensions
Authors: Nauryzbay Aizhan , Mukhit Aizhan , Kerimkulova Moldir , Seyitkan Kuatzhan , Musabekov Kuanyshbek
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the effect of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose on the stability of a water-coal suspension was studied. As a result, the viscosity of the water-coal suspension was 0.01-0.08 P∙s. The change in dynamic shear rate was considered when adding these plasticizers in different changes. The minimum value of the dynamic shear rate of 13.6 was achieved with the addition of sodium LST plasticizer (SD = 0.1%) in the presence of 40% coal. The influence of alkali on the viscosity of a water-coal suspension was also studied.
Smart Oxygen Membrane
Authors: Zyryanov Vladimir
Published: July 2021

Oxygen selective membrane based on δ-Bi2O3/Ag cermet has maximum potential in separating oxygen from air. However, the achieved oxygen flow is inferior to high-temperature membrane. The paper proposes a new approach to creating a smart oxygen membrane with a selective layer from a nanocomposite with a complex architecture, operating at intermediate temperatures (Top ~550-600 °C). At the stage of obtaining nanopowders of membrane components, the potential and features of the mechanochemical ceramic method are taken into account. Mild conditions at the stage of consolidation by hot pressing are provided by the composition of the AgCu-matrix alloy. Achieving a gas-tight selective layer at the stage of reaching Top is ensured by dilatation of some components during the oxidation of copper alloys. The choice of Top for the oxygen membrane is based on the possibility of regeneration while maintaining the nanoscale microstructure. New solutions allow the creation of stable thin membranes with a reduced cost, including due to the silver contentnear the percolation threshold.
Investigation of the mechanical properties of composite polymer electrolytes based on CsH2PO4
Authors: Bagryantseva Irina , Dormidonova Daria , Ponomareva Valentina
Published: July 2021

The mechanical properties of the CsH2PO4 and hybrid compounds with different polymers (SKF-26, UPTFE, Butvar B-98) was determined by the Vickers microhardness test for the first time. It was shown that increase in the volume fraction of the polymer results in the low HV values corresponding to the high robustness of the membranes to plastic deformation. Mechanical properties of hybrid compounds depend on polymer type and the best results were obtained for SKF-26. The improvement of mechanical properties makes the investigated composite polymer electrolytes promising for use as proton-conducting membranes in the medium-temperature range.
Synthesis of nanocomposites based on strontium stannate
Authors: Loginov Anton , Aparnev Alexandr
Published: July 2021

The process of thermolysis of double strontium-tin(IV) hydroxide obtained by precipitation from hydrochloric acid solutions by adding ammonia to pH=10 and the phase composition of its degradation products were studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that the main stages of dehydration are completed at about 350°C and as a result of thermolysis an X-ray amorphous product is formed, which at temperatures above 700°C transitions to the strontium stannate crystalline phase.
Hydrothermal synthesis of LiFePO4 particles with controlled morphology
Authors: Zima Tatyana , Shtang Aleksandr , Shchurov Nikolai , Wu Xiaogang
Published: July 2021

Lithium iron phosphate was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis using LiOH·H2O, FeSO4·7H2O, (NH4)2HPO4, and aminoterephthalic acid (ATPA) as raw materials. The effects of ATPA concentration on particle morphology and electrochemical property were investigated. The samples were characterized by scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis. The results showed that the particles exhibit a rod-like morphology in the absence of ATPA. When ATPA is added to the system, the particles crystallize as hexagonal plates. An increase in the ATPA concentration leads to the formation of structures with a more complex hierarchical arrangement of structural elements. The resulting particles are expected to serve as a cathode material for industrial needs in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and other mobile or portableelectrical devices.
Electrical properties of epoxy composites based on carbon black
Authors: Shestakov Artyom A. , Lapekin Nikita I. , Brester Andrey E. , Maksimovskii Evgenii A. , Ukhina Arina V. , Bannov Alexander G.
Published: July 2021

In this work, AC electrical properties of epoxy composites based on carbon black (CB) were determined depending on the loading of filler. The measurements were carried out within a frequency range 20 Hz – 1 MHz. The loading of carbon black was 0–5 wt.% in composites. The conductivity increased when increasing the content of carbon black and the maximum values were observed at 5 wt.% CB. The maximum value of permittivity was at 0.75 wt.% CB and it can be considered as percolation threshold.
Au-delà des clivages politiques, ces élus favorables au nucléaire
Authors: Crampon Cécile
Published: July 2021

Les tables rondes organisées dans les différentes régions de France lors de la convention nationale de la Sfen en mars 2021 ont permis de laisser s’exprimer un certain nombre d’élus régionaux et locaux. Force est de constater que l’industrie nucléaire est à la fois bien intégrée dans les territoires et qu’elle suscite beaucoup d’intérêt. Mieux encore : beaucoup – tous bords politiques confondus – reconnaissent dans l’industrie nucléaire des atouts indéniables pour la France.
Effects of Chemopreventive Natural Compounds on the Accuracy of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine Translesion Synthesis
Authors: Nachtergael Amandine , Lanterbecq Déborah , Spanoghe Martin , Belayew Alexandra , Duez Pierre
Published: July 2021

Translesion synthesis is a DNA damage tolerance mechanism that relies on a series of specialized DNA polymerases able to bypass a lesion on a DNA template strand during replication or post-repair synthesis. Specialized translesion synthesis DNA polymerases pursue replication by inserting a base opposite to this lesion, correctly or incorrectly depending on the lesion nature, involved DNA polymerase(s), sequence context, and still unknown factors. To measure the correct or mutagenic outcome of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine bypass by translesion synthesis, a primer-extension assay was performed in vitro on a template DNA bearing this lesion in the presence of nuclear proteins extracted from human intestinal epithelial cells (FHs 74 Int cell line); the reaction products were analyzed by both denaturing capillary electrophoresis (to measure the yield of translesion elongation) and pyrosequencing (to determine the identity of the nucleotide inserted in front of
the lesion). The influence of 14 natural polyphenols on the correct or mutagenic outcome of translesion synthesis through 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine was then evaluated in 2 experimental conditions by adding the polyphenol either (i) to the reaction mix during the primer extension assay; or (ii) to the culture medium, 24 h before cell harvest and nuclear proteins extraction. Most of the tested polyphenols significantly influenced the outcome of translesion synthesis, either through an error-free (apigenin, baicalein, sakuranetin, and myricetin) or a mutagenic pathway (epicatechin, chalcone, genistein, magnolol, and honokiol).
Chemical Differentiation of Plant Latexes and Their Anti-herbivory Activity against Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis
Authors: Salomé-Abarca Luis Francisco , van der Toorn Thomas , van Vugt Rogier , Klinkhamer Peter G. L. , Choi Young Hae
Published: July 2021

Despite the extensive studies on latex, some fundamental questions on their chemical specialization and the factors influencing this specialization have yet to be investigated. To address this issue, latexes and their bearing tissues from diverse species were profiled by 1HNMR and GC-MS. Additionally, the antiherbivory activity of these materials was tested against thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, 1895). The multivariate data analysis showed a clear separation between latexes and leaves from the same species. Conversely, the chemical profiles of latexes from different species were highly similar, that is, they displayed much less metabolic species-specificity. These shared chemical profiles of latexes were reflected in their overall higher mortality index (80.4% ± 7.5) against thrips compared with their bearing tissues (55.5% ± 14.9). The metabolites correlated to the antiherbivory activity of latexes were triterpenoids and steroids.
However, the activity could not be attributed to any single terpenoid. This discrepancy and the reduction of the latex activity after fractionation suggested a complementary effect of the compounds when in a mixture as represented by the latex. Additionally, aqueous fractions of several latexes were found to possess simple spectra, even with only 1 metabolite. These metabolites were determined to be organic acids that might be involved in the modulation of the rate of latex coagulation, potentially increasing the sealing and trapping effects of the latex.
Hemifacial Spasm: Comparison of Results between Patients Older and Younger than 70 Years Operated on with Microvascular Decompression
Authors: Zhao Hua , Zhu Jin , Tang Yin-da , Shen Lin , Li Shi-ting
Published: July 2021

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of microvascular decompression (MVD) for primary hemifacial spasm (HFS) in patients aged ≥70 years and to compare the outcome with a control cohort of younger patients(<70 years).

Methods In this retrospective study, subjects were divided into two groups: an elderly group (patients who were ≥70 years) and a younger group. We compared demographic and clinical data, surgical outcome, MVD-related complications, and duration of operation and hospitalization after MVD between the two groups.

Results At a mean follow-up of 32 ± 4.2 months, 188 elderly patients (90.4%) reported an effective outcome without need for any medication versus 379 (91.1%) of the younger cohort. There was no mortality in both cohorts. The prevalence of delayed facial palsy was 4.8% in the elderly group and 4.1% in the younger group. One (0.5%) patient in the elderly group and 3 (0.7%) patients in the younger group suffered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of MVD-related complications, such as delayed facial palsy, hearing impairment, CSF leakage, and hematoma.

Conclusions MVD is an effective treatment option in elderly patients with HFS as well as in younger patients. Age itself seems to be no relevant contraindication or, alternatively, risk factor regarding MVD.
Interventions for Weight Regain after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Muñoz Rodrigo , Soto Pedro
Published: July 2021

Bariatric surgery is the most effective available treatment for obesity, inducing a significant and durable weight loss, and improving several obesity-associated diseases. However, as the number of bariatric surgeries performed increases, so does the prevalence of patients who experience either insufficient weight loss or weight regain, accompanied by relapse or the emergence of new obesity-related diseases. Endoscopic and surgical bariatric revisional procedures are used to promote weight loss and improve metabolic function to address these problems. After a psychological, nutritional, medical, and anatomical evaluation of the gastrointestinal anatomy has been completed, patient candidacy to a revisional procedure must be defined. In those patients with insufficient weight loss or weight regain associated with relapse, the emergence of new obesity-related diseases, or quality-of-life deterioration, a revisional procedure must be selected. Although current evidence comes mainly from observational and retrospective studies, with a limited number of patients and short follow-up times, the available data indicate that revisional procedures are useful to induce a significant weight loss and/or promote remission of obesity-associated diseases, albeit an increased risk of surgical and/or nutritional complications. Thus, careful selection of patients is needed to minimize risk and maximize the benefit of these procedures.
Analyzing the Burden of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty in the United States between 2009 and 2016
Authors: Livshetz Isaac , Sussman Benjamin H. , Papas Vivian , Mohamed Nequesha S. , Salem Hytham S. , Delanois Ronald E. , Mont Michael A. , Scuderi Giles R.
Published: July 2021

As the number of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) increases, it is reasonable to expect the number of revision TKAs (rTKAs) to rise in parallel. The patient-related and societal burdens of rTKA are poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine temporal changes in: (1) the incidence of rTKA; (2) patient and hospital characteristics; (3) complications, hospital lengths of stay (LOSs), and discharge dispositions; and (4) costs, charges, and payer types. All patients who underwent rTKA between 2009 and 2016 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision codes and were studied. Univariate analyses were performed to compare the incidence of rTKA, patient and hospital characteristics, LOS and discharge dispositions, as well as costs, charges, and payer types. A multivariate logistic regression model was built to compare the odds of complications in 2009 and 2016. Over our study period, there was a 4.3% decrease in the incidence of rTKA. The mean age of patients who underwent rTKA was 65 years and a majority were female (58%). Mean hospital LOS decreased from 4.1 days in 2009 to 3.3 days in 2016 (p < 0.001). The rate of several complications decreased significantly over our study period including myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, transfusion, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and mortality. A significantly lower percentage of rTKA patients were discharged to a skilled nursing facility in 2016 (26.5%) compared with 2009 (31.6%; p < 0.001). There was an 18.7% increase in the mean costs, and a 43.3% increase in the mean charges (p < 0.001). Over the study period, there was a decrease in the incidence of rTKAs. Despite potential improvements in primary TKA, the burden associated with rTKA remains large. This report can be used to help educate medical providers about outcomes that may result from a primary and/or revised TKA.
The Effect of Smoking on the Outcome of Matrix-Based Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Data from the German Cartilage Registry
Authors: Betz Volker M. , Holzgruber Martin , Simon Johanna , Uhlemann Felix , Niemeyer Philipp , Müller Peter E. , Niethammer Thomas R.
Published: July 2021

Smoking is known to have various deleterious effects on health. However, it is not clear whether smoking negatively affects the postoperative outcome following matrix-based autologous cartilage implantation (MACI) in the knee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on the outcome of MACI in the knee. A total of 281 patients receiving MACI in the knee between 2015 and 2018 were registered in the German Cartilage Database. The cohort was divided into ex-smokers, smokers, and nonsmokers. Data regarding the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, and satisfaction with the outcome were analyzed and compared. Follow-ups were performed at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Of the 281 patients, 225 (80.1%) were nonsmokers, 43 (15.3%) were smokers, and 13 (4.6%) were ex-smokers. The three groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, body mass index (BMI), height, defect size, the need for additional reconstruction of the subchondral bone defect, number of previous knee surgeries, and defect location. However, nonsmokers had a significantly lower weight as compared with smokers. Besides a significantly lower preoperative NRS of nonsmokers as compared with smokers, there were no significant differences between the three groups with respect to KOOS, NRS, and satisfaction at 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-ups. The present study of data retrieved from the German Cartilage Registry suggests that the smoking status does not influence the outcome of MACI in the knee.
Skin-on-a-chip emerging as alternative to animal testing and static drug screening platforms
Authors: Frank Jodi Ackerman
Published: July 2021

Mimicking skin as a dynamic organ, microfluidic-based technology enables cost effective and high throughput testing.
Emerging indicator of protein dynamics demonstrates good reproducibility and sensitivity to differences in atomic motions
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: July 2021

Data, theory, and analysis reveal signatures of atomic motions in diffuse X-ray scattering, an emerging crystallography signal.
How machine learning can augment neutron and X-ray scattering
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: July 2021

Increasingly, researchers are applying machine learning techniques to scattering experiments to extract useful information from noisy, high-dimensional data.
An apparatus for measuring nonlinear viscoelasticity of minerals at high temperature
Authors: Cao Ri , Hansen Lars N. , Thom Christopher A. , Wallis David
Published: July 2021

We describe a high-temperature, uniaxial creep apparatus designed to investigate nonlinear attenuation of materials over a wide range of temperatures (25–1300 °C) using forced oscillations combined with a bias stress. This apparatus is primarily designed for investigation of minerals and rocks with high melting temperatures. An oscillatory compressional stress is used to determine attenuation and Young’s modulus at frequencies of 10−1–102 Hz and high stress amplitudes (>0.1 MPa). Large bias stresses are applied in addition to the oscillatory stresses such that attenuation tests are conducted simultaneously with the ongoing creep. The complex compliance of the apparatus was characterized by conducting calibration tests on orientated crystals of sapphire. The real part of the apparatus compliance exhibits a dependence on sample length and frequency, whereas the imaginary part is only dependent on frequency. The complex compliance is not dependent on the oscillation amplitude or the bias stress. We assess the accuracy and precision of this calibration by comparing measurements of the attenuation and Young’s modulus of aluminum and acrylic to previously published values. We outline a set of criteria defining the conditions over which this apparatus can precisely determine the attenuation and Young’s modulus of a sample based on the sample length and expected values of attenuation and Young’s modulus.
Skin-on-a-chip models: General overview and future perspectives
Authors: Risueño I. , Valencia L. , Jorcano J. L. , Velasco D.
Published: July 2021

Over the last few years, several advances have been made toward the development and production of in vitro human skin models for the analysis and testing of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. However, these skin models are cultured under static conditions that make them unable to accurately represent normal human physiology. Recent interest has focused on the generation of in vitro 3D vascularized skin models with dynamic perfusion and microfluidic devices known as skin-on-a-chip. These platforms have been widely described in the literature as good candidates for tissue modeling, as they enable a more physiological transport of nutrients and permit a high-throughput and less expensive evaluation of drug candidates in terms of toxicity, efficacy, and delivery. In this Perspective, recent advances in these novel platforms for the generation of human skin models under dynamic conditions for in vitro testing are reported. Advances in vascularized human skin equivalents (HSEs), transferred skin-on-a-chip (introduction of a skin biopsy or a HSE in the chip), and in situ skin-on-a-chip (generation of the skin model directly in the chip) are critically reviewed, and currently used methods for the introduction of skin cells in the microfluidic chips are discussed. An outlook on current applications and future directions in this field of research are also presented.
Van der Waals epitaxy for high-quality flexible VO2 film on mica substrate
Authors: Liu Yu-Xiang , Cai Yu , Zhang You-Shan , Deng Xing , Zhong Ni , Xiang Ping-Hua , Duan Chun-Gang
Published: July 2021

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) has wide application prospects in the electronics industry because of its rapid, reversible, and multi-stimulus response phase transition behavior. The development of flexible VO2 films and devices can further promote the development of flexible electronic materials and may play an important role in the next generation of wearable electronics. Here, we directly fabricated flexible VO2 films on mica via a pulsed-laser deposition system. By selection and optimization of the deposited condition, a high-quality flexible VO2 film with excellent metal to insulator (MI) transition properties of about a 3 order resistance variation in magnitude is successfully prepared. The growth competitions with different phases and different epitaxial orientations in the selection of deposited conditions verify the van der Waals (vdW) epitaxial growth mechanism of VO2 films on mica substrates. The invariable sheet resistance of VO2 films under different bending radii and bending cycles indicate their excellent mechanical flexibility and bending stability. Moreover, benefiting from the vdW epitaxy, a millimeter-scale, totally free-standing and transferable VO2 film is further obtained by a simple wet method and it is expected to be integrated into conventional silicon electronics and other systems. The high-quality, flexible, and peelable VO2 film prepared in our work lays a solid foundation for the application of VO2 films in wearable and integrated electronics.
A preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of uniaxially driven fusion targets to flux-limited thermal conduction modeling
Authors: Chapman D. A. , Pecover J. D. , Chaturvedi N. , Niasse N. , Read M. P. , Vassilev D. H. , Chittenden J. P. , Hawker N. , Joiner N.
Published: July 2021

The role of flux-limited thermal conduction on the fusion performance of the uniaxially driven targets studied by Derentowicz et al. [J. Tech. Phys. 18, 465 (1977) and J. Tech. Phys. 25, 135 (1977)] is explored as part of a wider effort to understand and quantify uncertainties in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) systems sharing similarities with First Light Fusion's projectile-driven concept. We examine the role of uncertainties in plasma microphysics and different choices for the numerical implementation of the conduction operator on simple metrics encapsulating the target performance. The results indicate that choices that affect the description of ionic heat flow between the heated fusion fuel and the gold anvil used to contain it are the most important. The electronic contribution is found to be robustly described by local diffusion. The sensitivities found suggest a prevalent role for quasi-nonlocal ionic transport, especially in the treatment of conduction across material interfaces with strong gradients in temperature and conductivity. We note that none of the simulations produce neutron yields that substantiate those reported by Derentowicz et al. [J. Tech. Phys. 25, 135 (1977)], leaving open future studies aimed at more fully understanding this class of ICF systems.
New International Formulation for the Viscosity of Heavy Water
Authors: Assael M. J. , Monogenidou S. A. , Huber M. L. , Perkins R. A. , Sengers J. V.
Published: July 2021

The International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam has recently adopted a new formulation for the thermodynamic properties of heavy water. This manuscript describes the development of a new formulation for the viscosity of heavy water that is consistent with the new equation of state and is valid for fluid states up to 775 K and 960 MPa with uncertainties ranging from 1% to 5% depending on the state point. Comparisons with experimental data and with a previous viscosity formulation are presented. The new formulation contains terms for the enhancement of viscosity in a small region near the critical point that were not included in previous formulations. The new formulation is applicable over a wider range of conditions than previous correlations.
Deep level study of chlorine-based dry etched β − Ga2O3
Authors: Alfieri G. , Mihaila A. , Godignon P. , Varley J. B. , Vines L.
Published: July 2021

Chlorine-based gases are used for the reactive ion etching (RIE) of β−Ga2O3. However, the effects of Cl-plasma on the electronic properties of β−Ga2O3 are not known. In order to shed light on this topic, we carried out an experimental and theoretical study on β−Ga2O3 epilayers treated with Cl2/Ar or BCl3/Ar plasma. We found four traps in the 0.2–0.8 eV energy range below the conduction band edge (EC). Two of these, located at EC-0.24 eV and EC-0.28 eV, arise only when the epilayers are treated with BCl3/Ar. While the involvement of Cl in their microscopic structure is not discarded, the possibility that these two levels might have an intrinsic nature seems more plausible. Our findings might explain the reported effects on the Schottky barrier diodes of β−Ga2O3 when RIE is employed during processing.
CO emission regularity and its influencing factors in a fully mechanized caving face
Authors: Jia Xinlei , Qi Qingjie , Zhao Youxin , Dong Ziwen , Li Xinghua
Published: July 2021

To explore the problem of CO concentration overrun in fully mechanized caving faces, a multiphysical field coupling model of CO emission regularity was established in this study based on the gas flow theory, gas concentration field theory, and heat transfer theory. Taking the 014N1−1 working face of the No. 1 coal seam in Ruian coal mine as the research object, the model was applied to simulate the CO concentration in the fully mechanized caving face. The simulation results were found to be consistent with the field detection results. Based on the simulation results, the effects of advancing speed and wind velocity on the CO emissions in the gob and the CO concentration distribution in the working face were analyzed. The results showed that, the lower the wind velocity, the greater the CO emissions. With increasing advancing speed, the CO emissions in the gob first increased, reached maximum, and then decreased. The production conditions were found to be most suitable when the advancing speed and wind velocity were 2 and 1.8 m/s, respectively. Moreover, the CO emission characteristics of the fully mechanized caving face under the conditions of periodic roof weighting, production process, and atmospheric pressure change were monitored and analyzed. We verified the presence of CO in the coal seam and its emission with the progress of coal seam mining. Our results will be useful in the research and analysis of CO emission source, emission regularity, and overrun warning in fully mechanized working faces.
Band mobility exceeding 10 cm2 V−1 s−1 assessed by field-effect and chemical double doping in semicrystalline polymeric semiconductors
Authors: Ito Masato , Yamashita Yu , Mori Taizo , Ariga Katsuhiko , Takeya Jun , Watanabe Shun
Published: July 2021

The assessment of intrinsic carrier mobility in disordered polymeric semiconductors is critical for improving optoelectronic devices; however, it is currently limited. We examined how to accurately determine intrinsic, band mobility in doped, semicrystalline polymers using the field-effect and chemical double doping. In particular, chemical doping with a strong molecular oxidant effectively shifts the Fermi energy within the valence band, and field-effect modulation of the carrier density at the Fermi energy determines the field-effect mobility. Therefore, a band-like field-effect mobility exceeding 10 cm2 V−1 s−1 with a negative temperature coefficient was demonstrated for uniaxially aligned semicrystalline polymeric semiconductors, which indicates that the band description derived from the semiclassical Boltzmann transport model is applicable even to semicrystalline polymers with finite structural disorders.
Solute dispersion of drug carrier during magnetic drug targeting for blood flow through a microvessel
Authors: Ndenda J. P. , Shaw S. , Njagarah J. B. H.
Published: July 2021

A model on magnetic drug targeting is developed to determine the capture conditions on the efficient dispersion of drug-coated nanoparticles in a tumor environment. These particles consist of a non-magnetic core material containing embedded magnetic nanoparticles and a therapeutic agent (such as a photodynamic sensitizer). In the present problem, we have studied the solute dispersion during magnetic drug targeting through a microvessel. The particles are injected into the microvascular system upstream of the cancerous tissue and captured in the tumor using an applied magnetic field. The fluid velocity and the particle velocity due to the magnetic field are calculated analytically, while the solute transport equation is solved numerically by using the finite difference method. The fluid force is assumed on the capillary and the carrier undergoing magnetic force due to an external magnetic field. Solving the equations of fluid flow and solute transport simultaneously, the influence of the model biological parameters, such as volume fraction of the nanoparticles, magnetization, magnet–tumor distance, permeability of the capillaries, Peclet number, drug elimination, source term, and radius of the nanoparticle in the dispersion of drug-coated nanoparticles in microvessels, is also discussed. The results show that higher values of volume fraction of the magnetic particles, magnetization of the magnet, drug elimination, and source term associated with longer times are taken by drug-coated magnetic nanoparticles to reach the tumor position. Moreover, an increase in the tumor–magnet distance, permeability of the microvessel, Peclet number, and radius of the nanoparticle slows the rate at which the drug-coated magnetic nanoparticles reach the tumor position.
First principles and atomistic calculation of the magnetic anisotropy of Y2Fe14B
Authors: Cuadrado Ramón , Evans Richard F. L. , Shoji Tetsuya , Yano Masao , Kato Akira , Ito Masaaki , Hrkac Gino , Schrefl Thomas , Chantrell Roy W.
Published: July 2021

We present a study of the effects of strain on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and magnetic moments of Y2Fe14B bulk alloy. The study has been performed within the framework of density functional theory in its fully relativistic form under the generalized gradient approximation. We have studied seven different in-plane a lattice constant values ranging from 8.48 up to 9.08  Å with an increment of δa=0.1 Å. For each a value, we carried out an out-of-plane c parameter optimization, achieving the corresponding optimized lattice pair (a,c). We find a large variation in the site resolved magnetic moments for inequivalent Fe, Y, and B atoms for different lattice expansions and a negative contribution to the total moment from the Y sites. We find a strong variation in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy with the c/a ratio. However, the calculated variation when coupled with thermodynamic spin fluctuations is unable to explain the experimentally observed increase in the total magnetic anisotropy, suggesting that a different physical mechanism is likely to be responsible in contrast with previous interpretations. We show that opposing single- and two-ion anisotropy terms in the Hamiltonian gives good agreement with the experiment and is the probable origin of the non-monotonic temperature dependence of the net anisotropy of Y2Fe14B bulk alloy.
Stronger flexoelectricity from the laminated film subjected to crumpling deformation
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhao Shengyuan , Wang Binglei
Published: July 2021

Non-uniform deformation of the dielectric subjected to external forces can induce the electrical response, i.e., flexoelectricity. The crumpling of a thin dielectric film can induce considerable strain gradients (i.e., non-uniform deformation), and due to flexoelectricity, considerable polarization occurs. In this paper, to improve the flexoelectric response when the dielectric film undergoes crumpling deformation, we investigate the crumpling problem of the three-layer laminated film whose edge layers have the same thickness. A theoretical model for the crumpling problem of the laminated film is developed. The induced flexoelectric effect associated with it is analyzed. The results indicate that the laminated films with reduced Young’s modulus in the edge layers can effectively improve the flexoelectric response of the film subjected to crumpling deformation. The optimal size of the laminated film appears around three times of magnitude higher than that of the homogeneous film. At the same time, the flexoelectric energy efficiency of the laminated film is one order higher than that of the homogeneous film. Therefore, the laminated film is more justifiable on practical application. This work can provide a theoretical basis for the design of miniature energy-capture devices with high energy conversion efficiency.
Severe slug flow-induced nonlinear dynamic behavior of a flexible catenary riser
Authors: Zhu Hongjun , Hu Jie , Gao Yue
Published: July 2021

An experiment is conducted in a small-scale air–water test loop to investigate the severe slug flow-induced vibration of a flexible catenary riser of aspect ratio (the riser length over its internal diameter) 200. The vibration displacement of the catenary riser as well as the internal flow features is simultaneously captured by high-speed cameras. Three stages are observed during a cycle of severe slugging in the riser, including the slug formation, gas blowout, and transition stages. The spatial-temporal dynamic behavior of the flexible catenary riser is closely related to the stage of severe slug flow, liquid slug length, and liquid inventory along the riser, presenting a resonance between the oscillation and the fluid pressure fluctuation.