bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coevolution due to physical interactions is not a major driving force behind evolutionary rate covariation
Authors: Little Jordan , Chikina Maria , Clark Nathan
Published: December 2023

Co-functional proteins tend to have rates of evolution that covary across the phylogenetic tree. This correlation between evolutionary rates can be measured, through methods such as evolutionary rate covariation (ERC), and then used to construct gene networks and identify proteins with functional interactions. The cause of this correlation has been hypothesized to result from both compensatory coevolution at physical interfaces and shared changes in selective pressures. This study explores whether coevolution due to compensatory mutations has a stronger effect on the ERC signal than the selective pressure on maintaining overall function. We examined the difference in ERC signal between physically interacting protein domains within complexes as compared to domains of the same proteins that do not physically interact. We found no generalizable relationship between physical interaction and high ERC, although a few complexes ranked physical interactions higher than non-physical interactions. Therefore, we conclude that coevolution due to physical interaction is negligible in the signal captured by ERC, and we hypothesize that the stronger signal instead comes from selective pressures on the protein as a whole and maintenance of the general function.
Passivating Polycrystalline Copper with an Ultrathin Samarium Layer
Authors: Abrahamczyk Szymon , Walker Marc , Han Yisong , Huband Steven , Walker David , Hatton Ross
Published: December 2023

Herein, it is reported that how a layer of samarium (Sm) with a thickness equivalent to ≈2 atoms (0.8 nm) deposited by thermal evaporation is remarkably effective at passivating polycrystalline copper (Cu) toward oxidation in ambient air. To monitor the rate of Cu oxidation in real time, slablike Cu films with a thickness of 9 nm are fabricated on glass modified with a layer of 3‐mercaptopropyl silatrane, which immobilizes condensing Cu atoms by reaction with the thiol moiety, promoting slablike film formation at very low thickness. Upon exposure to ambient air the rate of increase in electrical resistance due to reaction with oxygen and water is slowed by more than an order of magnitude when the Cu film is capped with the ultrathin Sm layer. After 1 year, the resistance increases by ≈30% as compared to ≈190% for Cu films without an ultrathin Sm layer. Photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Kelvin probe measurements shed light on the underlying mechanism of passivation. Additionally, the ultrathin Sm layer is greatly lowering the work function of polycrystalline Cu films making this approach attractive for applications requiring a low‐work‐function electrode with high stability in air.
Magneto‐Responsive Polymeric Soft‐Shell‐Based Capsule Endoscopy for High‐Performance Gastrointestinal Exploration via Morphological Shape Control
Authors: Zheng Shirong , Nan Jiyun , Hoang Manh Cuong , Nan Minghui , Nguyen Kim Tien , Kim Jayoung , Park Jong-Oh , Go Gwangjun , Choi Eunpyo
Published: December 2023

Capsule endoscopy is a valuable tool for diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, active‐control capsule endoscopy, which can be controlled via external stimulation, has emerged as a prominent diagnosis tool, unlike traditional passive capsule endoscopy. However, owing to its rigid cover, the high rotating radii limit its observation range at anchor points, such as polyps. There are also persistent challenges with pass‐through in narrow spaces in the intestines. This study proposes a soft‐shell capsule endoscope (SSCE) to improve this limitation. Experiments ranging from virtual phantoms to ex vivo investigations in the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine were conducted to ensure comprehensive coverage of the entire digestive system by the SSCE. Additionally, in the stomach and intestine experiments, we compared the performances of the SSCE and hard‐shell capsule endoscope (HSCE) to highlight the advantages of the SSCE. The results demonstrate that the SSCE achieves a 37.3% increase in the observable angles through bending motions at the anchor point compared to the HSCE, in addition to increased efficiency of pass‐through in the intestines. This revolutionary innovation is expected to significantly impact and promote high efficiency via pass‐through and the observation area in the clinical application of capsule endoscopy.
Impaired Glymphatic and Meningeal Lymphatic Functions in Patients with Chronic Migraine
Authors: Wu Chia‐Hung , Chang Feng‐Chi , Wang Yen‐Feng , Lirng Jiing‐Feng , Wu Hsiu‐Mei , Pan Li‐Ling Hope , Wang Shuu‐Jiun , Chen Shih‐Pin
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study was undertaken to investigate migraine glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic vessel (mLV) functions.

Methods

Migraine patients and healthy controls (HCs) were prospectively recruited between 2020 and 2023. Diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI‐ALPS) index for glymphatics and dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging parameters (time to peak [TTP]/enhancement integral [EI]/mean time to enhance [MTE]) for para‐superior sagittal (paraSSS)‐mLV or paratransverse sinus (paraTS)‐mLV in episodic migraine (EM), chronic migraine (CM), and CM with and without medication‐overuse headache (MOH) were analyzed. DTI‐ALPS correlations with clinical parameters (migraine severity [numeric rating scale]/disability [Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS)]/bodily pain [Widespread Pain Index]/sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)]) were examined.

Results

In total, 175 subjects (112 migraine + 63 HCs) were investigated. DTI‐ALPS values were lower in CM (median [interquartile range] = 0.64 [0.12]) than in EM (0.71 [0.13], p = 0.005) and HCs (0.71 [0.09], p = 0.004). CM with MOH (0.63 [0.07]) had lower DTI‐ALPS values than CM without MOH (0.73 [0.12], p < 0.001). Furthermore, CM had longer TTP (paraSSS‐mLV: 55.8 [12.9] vs 40.0 [7.6], p < 0.001; paraTS‐mLV: 51.2 [8.1] vs 44.0 [3.3], p = 0.002), EI (paraSSS‐mLV: 45.5 [42.0] vs 16.1 [9.2], p < 0.001), and MTE (paraSSS‐mLV: 253.7 [6.7] vs 248.4 [13.8], p < 0.001; paraTS‐mLV: 252.0 [6.2] vs 249.7 [1.2], p < 0.001) than EM patients. The MIDAS (p = 0.002) and PSQI (p = 0.002) were negatively correlated with DTI‐ALPS index after Bonferroni corrections (p < q = 0.01).

Interpretation

CM patients, particularly those with MOH, have glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic dysfunctions, which are highly clinically relevant and may implicate pathogenesis for migraine chronification. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:583–595
An eco‐friendly and high shear strength adhesive from catechol‐modified polyethyleneimine
Authors: Zhao Yifang , Liu Yuanyuan , Cheng Mengqing , Li Zixian , Meng Xinyu , Sun Ailing , Wei Liuhe , Liu Xingjiang , Li Yuhan
Published: December 2023

Conventional adhesives often emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have a negative impact on human health. In this paper, an environmentally‐friendly supramolecular adhesive PD which has high adhesive and low VOCs emission is prepared by the reaction between polyethyleneimine (PEI) and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde (DBA). PD containing abundant catechol groups exhibit excellent adhesion to wood substrates and is able to reach a maximum shear strength of 5.20 ± 0.39 MPa. One factor is attributed to multiple reactions between PEI, and DBA and oxidation of DBA. These reactions construct a complex three‐dimensional cross‐linked structure which is very helpful to improve the bonding performance of the adhesive. Another reason refers to the fact that a large number of catechol groups in PD can form a lot of hydrogen bonds with the amino group in PEI and the hydroxyl group in the wood substrate. These hydrogen bonds play an important role in enhancing shear strength. PD adhesives have a stronger bond strength than commercial chloroprene rubber (CR, Pattex‐PXL) and polyvinyl acetate adhesives (PVAc, JUJU‐8708) and have lower emissions of VOCs. As an environmentally‐friendly adhesive for wood‐based substrates, this adhesive may have potential applications in the wood processing industry.
Limonoids from the Branches and Leaves of Aglaia lawii and Their Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Dong Jing‐Jing , Liu Han‐Fei , Wang Huan , Jiang Tai‐Bai , Lou Hua‐Yong , Li Jin‐Yu , Pan Wei‐Dong
Published: December 2023

Three undescribed limonoids (1–3), named aglaians G–I, and one new natural product azedaralide (4), together with nine known analogues (5–13) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Aglaia lawii by RP C18 column, silica gel column, Sephadex LH‐20 column chromatography and preparative HPLC. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by IR, HRESIMS, 1D, 2D NMR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and X‐ray crystallography diffraction analysis. The results of bioassay showed that the compound 12 exhibited potential inhibitory activity against six human tumor cell lines (MDA‐MB‐231, MCF‐7, Ln‐cap, A549, HeLa and HepG‐2) with IC50 values as 8.0–18.6 μM.
Multidisciplinary approach for the prediction of cement paste rheological properties: physical analysis, experimental rheology and microstructural modelling
Authors: Thiedeitz Mareike , Crasselt Claudia , Xiao Peng , Ukrainczyk Neven , Schmidt Wolfram , Kränkel Thomas
Published: December 2023

In this contribution, an interdisciplinary approach was employed to investigate and describe the fresh rheology of cementitious pastes, using analytical techniques, microstructural modelling, and experimental rheometry. The pastes, based on Ordinary Portland Cement and Limestone Calcined Clay Cement at a solid volume fraction of Φ = 0.45, were subjected to various analyses. Physical and chemical analyses were conducted including laser granulometry and isothermal heat flow calorimetry. Dynamic rotational rheometry and static oscillatory rheometry, along with viscoplastic and viscoelastic rheological modelling were used to support the characterization of the pastes. A physics‐based Monte‐Carlo algorithm was developed to numerically describe rheological properties such as structural buildup and yield stress. The results showed that as the physical properties of the pastes became more complex, the correlation of several analysis methods went more challenging. However, the combination of analytical, experimental, and phenomenological rheology allowed for a more distinct characterization of the cement paste. These findings can serve as a basis for further multidisciplinary rheological characterization of cementitious building materials.
Temperature dependance of 3D printed concrete produced with copper tailings
Authors: Eugenin Claudia , Cuevas Karla , Navarrete Ivan
Published: December 2023

3D printed concrete is being applied in an increasing amount worldwide. While in theory, there are environmental and economic benefits associated with using this technology, in practice, the amount of cement in printable concrete is much higher than in a conventional one, leading to increased environmental and economic costs. Furthermore, cement's performance relies heavily on climate variables, specifically temperature. One way to solve this issue is to include local alternative low‐CO2 materials, such as processed mine tailings, as cement replacement. This paper presents an experimental approach to assess the use of copper tailings as cement replacement in printable concrete under different ambient temperatures. Three levels of cement volume replacement have been researched. The copper tailings' rheological effect has been measured using standard printability tests and a rheometer. Four mixtures have been printed in a controlled‐climate chamber to evaluate print‐ability, buildability and extrudability. The mechanical effect has been assessed with compressive and flexural strength tests of samples collected from the printed specimens. The results show that copper tailings are a promising alternative to cement in printable concrete in countries where this by‐product is abundant.
Investigation of a hybrid binder system for large scale 3D printing
Authors: Remke Sebastian , Sant Gaurav , Gädt Torben
Published: December 2023

Large‐scale additive manufacturing of reactive suspensions, such as concrete, is being developed to freely create objects without the constraints of a formwork. One challenge in printing suspensions is the precise spatio‐temporal control over their rheological properties. For extrusion‐based processes the material must be pumpable to the nozzle of the printer, while once it has passed the nozzle, it must maintain its shape under the increasing pressure of subsequent layers. Therefore, it is beneficial if the material exhibits an appropriately designed rheology change at the nozzle. The objective of this work is to develop a printing suspension which achieves a rheological step change at the nozzle. Therefore, we create a hybrid binder system comprising of a fast, reactive organic component, which can be activated by heat and a second inorganic binder components, in our system the carbonation of calcium hydroxide, which delivers the final strength.

The temperature dependent stiffening of the model suspensions is studied by oscillatory rheology at temperatures between 20 °C to 80 °C. For mechanical testing purposes, cuboid shaped samples are obtained by microwave heating followed by carbonation under ambient conditions. For the given porosity, the material reaches a compressive strength of up to 0.39 MPa in 10 seconds or up to 1.94 MPa in 10 minutes depending on the heating program. Subsequent carbonation for 7 days under ambient conditions gives a strength of up to 4.76 MPa.
Cyclic Deterioration of High‐performance Concrete – Findings of the Priority Programme SPP 2020
Authors: Lohaus Ludger , Oneschkow Nadja
Published: December 2023

Modern high‐performance concretes with ever‐higher compressive strengths allow the construction of slender structures which are exposed to higher fatigue‐relevant loads. Current fatigue design rules include a high reduction of the fatigue resistance, which increases with increasing concrete strength. Thus, the fatigue verification becomes crucial for the realisation of such concrete structures. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the damage mechanisms which hinders a substantial improvement of the fatigue design rules. The objective of the priority programme SPP 2020 is to gain more knowledge concerning the fatigue behaviour of high‐performance concretes and damage mechanisms in a strong network of different research institutions. The investigation of the concrete fatigue behaviour is challenging because of the multiple interdependence of influences on the concrete fatigue behaviour, and the damage effects occurring on different scales. Highly instrumented experiments combined with the latest microstructural investigation techniques and numerical modelling on different scales are used to explore the fatigue damage mechanisms. The scope of the priority programme SPP 2020 is outlined and selected results from the projects involved are presented in this paper.
Erstanwendung eines eigenen UHFB‐Systems in situ in Deutschland für die Bushaltestelle Olympia Einkaufszentrum in München
Authors: Wagner Jörg‐Peter , Riedl Ronald , Braun Matthias , Sikorski Oliver
Published: December 2023

Reporting about the first application of UHPC in situ in Germany. As Switzerland's leading construction provider Implenia has developed an in situ UHPC application in the last 10 years. We report about the general idea of UHPC, the materials behavior, the tasks and solutions as well as possible use cases for infrastructure projects in Germany for this Ultrahigh‐Performance‐Concrete (UHPC)
Leichte Gesteinskörnungen aus Mauerwerkbruch – Ergebnisse der kleintechnischen Versuche
Authors: Liebezeit Steffen , Müller Anette
Published: December 2023

Die Forschungen zur Herstellung leichter Gesteinskörnungen aus Mauerwerkbruch begann mit „Handversuchen”, in denen bereits 2010 die Machbarkeit nachgewiesen wurde. Es folgten Untersuchungen im Labormaßstab sowohl im Rahmen von Forschungsprojekten als auch mit von Kunden bereitgestelltem Material.

Ab 2019 wurde damit begonnen, Untersuchungen im Recycling‐Technikum der IAB Weimar gGmbH durchzuführen, um so den aufgezeigten Lösungsweg für eine kommerzielle Nutzung vorzubereiten. Die von Industriepartnern zur Verfügung gestellten Ausgangsstoffe wurden im Anschluss an die Trocknung und die Grobzerkleinerung in einer Kugelmühle mit einem Mahlraumvolumen von 500 Litern unter Zugabe des Blähmittels gemahlen. Danach erfolgte die Herstellung von Granulaten auf einem Granulierteller mit einem Durchmesser von 1,0 m. Diese Granulate wurden nach der Trocknung in dem mit Erdgas beheizten Drehrohrofen mit einem Innendurchmesser von 0,6 m und einer Länge von 6 m gebrannt. Aus den verwendeten Ausgangsmaterialien mit Gipsgehalten bis zu 15 Masse‐% wurden leichte Gesteinskörnungen mit SO3‐Gehalten zwischen 0,14 und 0,52 Masse‐% hergestellt, die damit normenkonform in Bezug auf die Verwendung als leichte Gesteinskörnung für die Herstellung von Betonen sind. Die Gehalte an eluierbarem Sulfat gingen auf Werte unter 50 mg/l zurück, so dass auch von dieser Seite keine Einsatzbeschränkungen bestehen. Anhand der experimentellen Untersuchungen im Pilotmaßstab konnten erste technologische Aussagen gemacht werden. Danach können energetische Vorteile im Vergleich zu leichten Gesteinskörnungen aus Blähtonen erwartet werden. Praxistest zur Herstellung von Leichtbetonsteinen verliefen erfolgreich.
Along the S‐Curve – How Superplasticizers Affect the Yield Stress of Cement Paste
Authors: Rindle Olivia , Gädt Torben
Published: December 2023

In cementitious systems, superplasticizers have two core purposes. On the one hand, they are used to lower the yield stress of a cement paste without changing the water to cement (w/c) ratio. On the other hand, they can reduce the w/c ratio without changing the yield stress. The relationship between slump flow and dosage of a superplasticizer containing cement paste can be described as an S‐curve. Below a critical dosage, the superplasticizer does not increase the flow. Above this dosage, the flow increases linearly until the saturation dosage is reached. Further addition of polymer will therefore not increase the fluidity of the cement paste. The minimum dosage which corresponds to an onset of increased flow compared to a dispersant free paste is referred to as the critical dosage.

In this study, we analysed the dosage curve for three different polymers: a mela‐mine based (MFS), a polycarboxylate ether (PCE) and a polyphosphate ether (PPE) superplasticizer. The dosage curves of each superplasticizer were measured with a slump flow test at two different w/c ratios. To observe even small changes in the ultra‐low dosages, MFS was measured using a rheometer. We have specifically examined the areas defined as critical dosage and saturation dosage. We have found that these definitions need to be revised, not with regards to their values, but in terms of a proper understanding.
Hydration characteristics and microstructure development of sodium hydroxide slag pastes exposed under different curing environments
Authors: Xhaferri Enera , Bier Thomas A.
Published: December 2023

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of curing environments on strength development and microstructure changes of alkali activated slag pastes (AAS). Mixtures of AAS are prepared using 5% NaOH content at a water to binder ratio of 0.35. Samples are exposed to six different curing environments, including heat treatment in different temperatures (30, 60 and 90 °C) for 2, 7 and 28 days. Their properties, as heat of hydration, compressive strength as well as porosity and morphology have been investigated on both fresh and hardened pastes via XRD, NMR, MIP, TGA and ESEM/EDX. Heat treatment was found to be very effective in promoting high early strength, accelerating the strength development of AAS pastes. Samples cured at 30 °C showed the best results in terms of compressive strength and porosity development. The compressive strength of 28 days samples is slightly reduced as the curing temperature increased. There is no significant difference in the types of hydration products present in the AAS pastes cured at different temperatures for up to 28 days.
Cementitious materials limitations for concrete exposed to deicing salt plus repeated cycles of freezing and thawing
Authors: Janssen Donald , Lundgren Monica , Shogren Robert , Utgenannt Peter , Helsing Elisabeth
Published: December 2023

Reducing the carbon footprint of concrete generally involves reducing the amount of calcium oxide in the cementitous materials by blending flyash and/or ground limestone into the cement or by replacing some of the cement with supplementary cementitious materials. This increases the ratio of SiO2+Al2O3+Fe2O3 to CaO+MgO in the cementitious material. While reducing the CaO content of cementitious materials is good for the environment, it may not be good for concrete exposed to deicing salts plus repeated cycles of freezing and thawing due to the effect of carbonation. Though carbonation can refine the pore structure when using only portland cement, it coarsens the pore structure when using high levels of cement replacement. This leads to increased scaling potential. A review of the effects of different cementitious materials combinations on carbonation along with an examination of field performance of concrete exposed to deicing salt plus repeated cycles of freezing and thawing is used to develop a relationship based on the ratio of SiO2+Al2O3+Fe2O3 to CaO+MgO in order to determine when limitations on cement replacement, or additional protective measures may be needed when scaling is a concern.
Kompositzemente
Authors: Lipowskiy Annett , Müller Anette
Published: December 2023

Der mit der Betonherstellung verbundene Zementverbrauch ist für einen erheblichen CO2‐Eintrag in die Atmosphäre verantwortlich. Um diesen Eintrag zu reduzieren, wird die Herstellung von Kompositzementen forciert, bei denen Zementklinker durch Zusatzstoffe ersetzt wird. Durch die Abkehr von fossilen Brennstoffen wird die Verfügbarkeit von traditionellen Zusatzstoffen wie Flugasche oder Hüttensand in Zukunft abnehmen. Als Alternativen bieten sich Absaugfüller, die bei der Aufbereitung von natürlichen Gesteinskörnungen anfallen, und Ziegelmehle, die aus Mauerwerkbruch gewonnen werden können, an. In beiden Fällen beeinflussen die Dispersität und die Materialart die Reaktivität dieser Zusatzstoffe entscheidend. In Bezug auf die „Dispersität” gilt der vereinfachende Ansatz, dass die Festigkeit mit steigender Mahlfeinheit zunimmt. Der Einfluss der Materialart kann bisher nicht eindeutig beschrieben werden. Als Ausblick wird auf die Unterscheidbarkeit von Ziegel‐ und Beton‐ bzw. Mörtelpartikel anhand der magnetischen Suszeptibilität eingegangen, woraus sich eine neue Möglichkeit der Sortierung ergeben könnte.
Green Transition of the Iron and Steel Industry – Impact on Slags and By‐Products
Authors: Wimmer Gerald , Fleischanderl Alexander , Voraberger Bernhard
Published: December 2023

Iron and steel together with the cement sector are the largest industrial CO2 emitters and pressure is mounting to reduce these emissions. For the iron and steel industry a shift from coal fired blast furnace to hydrogen based direct reduction, electrification via the electric arc furnace (EAF) and off‐setting with CCUS are today the most promising pathways. The iron and steel industry today is almost a closed cycle industry, where all by‐products from steel production can be recycled or used for further applications. Most of the slags that are generated in ironmaking are used as granulated blast furnace sand for cement production, hence landfilling of such slags has been largely eliminated. For steelmaking slags and dusts, different treatment and modification solutions have been developed and are in use. Still a certain part of these by products is not fully utilized. Green transition of the steel sector with less blast furnace and more direct reduction in operation will have a significant impact on the slags and by‐products generated in future. For a sustainable transition, circularity is a key aspect and slags will have to remain a secondary feed stock for the cement sector.
Carbonation behaviour of concretes with alternative binders at different CO2 concentrations
Authors: Kraft Bettina , Müller Matthias , Achenbach Rebecca , Ludwig Horst‐Michael , Raupach Michael
Published: December 2023

In order to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction sector, alternative binders are attracting more and more attention. Whether these alternative binders contain a lower clinker‐cement ratio or no Portland cement clinker at all, to be truly sustainable they must not compromise durability and must therefore be durable.

The progress of carbonation and the associated reduction of the pH value have a major influence on the corrosion protection of steel reinforcement, especially as such “low carbon” concretes are typically less resistant against CO2 exposure. Previous research has shown that accelerated tests at elevated CO2 concentrations can lead to altered carbonation behavior, especially in systems low in Ca(OH)2.

In this study, hydration products and carbonation resistance of various alternative cements and binders, such as composite cements with calcined clays or modified steel slag, alkali‐activated materials, C$SMA cement and a C‐S‐H binder were investigated. The carbonation was studied on mortar samples stored in three different CO2 concentrations ‐ atmospheric storage (∼0.04 vol.%), 0.3 vol.% and 1.0 vol.% CO2. It was found that the binders can be divided into three clusters on the basis of their hydration products and w/CaO or w/(CaO + MgOeq + Na2Oeq + K2Oeq) ratios, which in turn provide information on the carbonation behavior. For each cluster a different CO2 concentration can be recommended to achieve a realistic carbonation behavior in accelerated test procedures.
Verstärkter Lehm für niederfeste Bauteile: erste Untersuchungsergebnisse
Authors: Vaculik Selina , Cruz Cynthia Morales , Rezaie Ali Bashiri , Liebscher Marco , Mechtcherine Viktor , Matschei Thomas
Published: December 2023

Kurzfassung

Der weltweit steigende Rohstoffverbrauch führt zu steigenden CO2‐Emissionen, welche zu einem nicht unerheblichen Teil von der Zementindustrie verursacht werden. Eine vielversprechende Möglichkeit, um klimaneutral zu bauen, ist der Einsatz von Lehm als bewährten Baustoff, der für seine raumklimaregulierenden Eigenschaften und leichte Verarbeitbarkeit bekannt ist. Herausforderungen beim allgemeinen Lehmbau sind das starke Schwinden sowie der erforderliche Witterungsschutz. Die Endfestigkeiten sind im Allgemeinen für den Bausektor unzureichend. Ein vielversprechender Ansatz besteht darin, den Ton mit mineralischen Zusätzen zu stabilisieren, um die mechanischen Eigenschaften insgesamt zu verbessern.

Erste Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Verwendung von Portlandzement und calciniertem Ton als Bindemittel die Festigkeit des verstärkten Tonmörtels um min. 10 MPa erhöht. Gleichzeitig schneidet diese Methode in Bezug auf die Ökobilanz besser ab als die alleinige Verwendung von Zement zur Verstärkung von Ton. Unter Verwendung von 10 M.‐% Additiven konnte eine Druckfestigkeitssteigerung von bis zu 550 % erzielt werden. Auch das Schwindverhalten konnte minimiert und parallel dazu der Wasserwiderstand erhöht werden. Die Ergebnisse der hier durchgeführten Untersuchungen zeigen eine praktikable Alternative zu Normalbeton im Niedrigfestigkeitsbereich.
Self‐Healing Concrete Due the Use of on Demand opening Core‐Shell Capsules
Authors: Halmanseder Thomas , Mützel Carina , Augustin Christian , Brandau Thorsten , Osburg Andrea
Published: December 2023

Increasing the durability of concrete is one of the major challenges in terms of environmentally friendly concrete. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop smart materials, which are superior to the current materials in term of multi‐field requirements. These materials are characterized by their ability to detect starting damages and the ability to initialize the self‐healing process. Self‐healing concrete is subject of current research and performed in different ways. In terms of this work autonomous self‐healing due to the use of an epoxy‐resin, encapsulated in a core‐shell capsule is investigated. The opening of the capsules should be realized by irradiation with microwaves. Therefore, the shell of the capsules was functionalized with trigger materials. The on demand opening of the capsules was investigated with sub‐μ‐CT. According to the tomography a 3‐dimensional model of the pore system was calculated. Based on this model a pore size distribution was calculated to get insight in the opening of the capsules. These investigations showed a successful release of the active agent.
Trifluoromethyl‐β‐dicarbonyls as Versatile Synthons in Synthesis of Heterocycles
Authors: Sumran Garima , Jain Naman , Kumar Prince , Aggarwal Ranjana
Published: December 2023

Trifluoromethyl group relishes a privileged position in the realm of medicinal chemistry because its incorporation into organic molecules often enhances the bioactivity by altering pharmacological profile of molecule. Trifluoromethyl‐β‐dicarbonyls have emerged as pivotal building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry due to their facile accessibility, stability and remarkable versatility. Owing to presence of nucleophilic and electrophilic sites, they offer multifunctional sites for the reaction. This review covers a meticulous exploration of their multifaceted role, encompassing an in‐depth analysis of mechanism, extensive scope, limitations and wide‐ranging applications in diverse organic synthesis, covering the literature from the 21st century. This comprehensive review encapsulates the applications of trifluoromethyl‐β‐dicarbonyls and their synthetic equivalents as precursors of complex and diverse heterocyclic scaffolds, fused heterocycles and spirocyclic compounds having medicinal and material importance. Their potent synthetic utility in cyclocondensation reactions with binucleophiles, cycloaddition reactions, C−C bond formations, asymmetric multicomponent reactions using classical/solvent‐free/catalytic synthesis have been presented. Influence of unsymmetrical trifluoromethyl‐β‐diketones on regioselectivity of transformation is also reviewed. This review will benefit the synthetic and pharmaceutical communities to explore trifluoromethyl‐β‐dicarbonyls as trifluoromethyl building blocks for fabrication of heterocyclic scaffolds having implementation into drug discovery programs in the imminent future.
The impacts of post‐processing treatments done under reactive and non‐reactive atmospheres on the densification of binder jetting parts
Authors: Goffin Alice , Lennox Martin D. , Raphael Wendell , Therriault Daniel , Tavares Jason R.
Published: December 2023

At the intersection between chemical and materials engineering, binder jetting is an additive manufacturing technique that foregoes many of the limitations of the conventional metal 3D printing technique. Binder composition and thermal post‐processing influence final part quality. Herein, three different atmospheres, ranging from reactive (air) to non‐reactive (vacuum, argon), are studied to determine their effect on the quality of binder jetting printed parts after thermal treatments, namely debinding and sintering. These parts were printed using SS316L powder. Samples debound in air were negatively affected as they presented high porosities and low densities, averaging 6.80 (±0.4) g/cm3, whereas samples debound and sintered under vacuum demonstrated the best outcome with low porosities and high densities, averaging 7.65 (±0.1) g/cm3. This study highlights how oxide formation during debinding causes ferrite phase formation during sintering and how it affects atomic diffusion in the samples during both thermal treatments. This research also demonstrates the respective effects of these on the densification and porosity of parts.
Structural Insights into Antibacterial Payload Release from Gold Nanoparticles Bound to E. coli Peptide Deformylase
Authors: Kirschner Hendrik , John Milena , Zhou Tianyi , Bachmann Nathalie , Schultz André , Hofmann Eckhard , Bandow Julia Elisabeth , Scherkenbeck Jürgen , Metzler‐Nolte Nils , Stoll Raphael
Published: December 2023

The lack of new antibiotics and the rapidly rising number of pathogens resistant to antibiotics pose a serious problem to mankind. In bacteria, the cell membrane provides the first line of defence to antibiotics by preventing them from reaching their molecular target. To overcome this entrance barrier, it has been suggested[1] that small Gold‐Nanoparticles (AuNP) could possibly function as drug delivery systems for antibiotic ligands. Using actinonin‐based ligands, we provide here proof‐of‐principle of AuNP functionalisation, the capability to bind and inhibit the target protein of the ligand, and the possibility to selectively release the antimicrobial payload. To this end, we successfully synthesised AuNP coated with thio‐functionalised actinonin and a derivative. Interactions between 15N‐enriched His‐peptide deformylase 1–147 from E. coli (His‐ecPDF 1–147) and compound‐coated AuNP were investigated via 2D 1H‐15N‐HSQC NMR spectra proving the direct binding to His‐ecPDF 1–147. More importantly by adding dithiothreitol (DTT), we show that the derivative is successfully released from AuNPs while still bound to His‐ecPDF 1–147. Our findings indicate that AuNP‐conjugated ligands can address and bind intracellular target proteins. The system introduced here presents a new delivery platform for antibiotics and allows for the easy optimisation of ligand coated AuNPs.
How green bonds promote firms' green collaborative innovation?
Authors: Lian Jun , Huang Xuanshun , Wu Xia
Published: December 2023

As one of the most critical green financial tools, green bonds play an essential role in supporting the green collaborative innovation of enterprises. Using the data of China's nonfinancial listed companies from 2010 to 2020, the article examines the impact of green bonds on firms' green collaborative innovation. The results show that issuing green bonds can significantly promote the quantity and quality of firms' green collaborative innovation. The mechanism research shows that green bonds can improve the green independent innovation of enterprises, relieve their financing constraints, and enhance corporate reputation, thus promoting the green collaborative innovation of enterprises. Further research reveals that when enterprises obtain external reviews or repeatedly issue green bonds, their green collaborative innovation improves more significantly. This article indicates that China's green bond market has played a positive role in achieving environmental goals from the perspective of green collaborative innovation.
Low area and high throughput hardware implementations for the LILLIPUT cipher
Authors: Yang Jinling , Li Lang , Huang Xiantong
Published: December 2023

The widespread use of Internet of Things devices has increased the demand for lower cost and more efficient lightweight ciphers. However, there is a difficult trade‐off between cost and efficiency for lightweight block ciphers. The optimizations of area and throughput are important for some constrained environments. This paper proposes two novel hardware architectures for the LILLIPUT cipher. In the novel low area structure, a new permutation layer is provided for LILLIPUT. The relationship between encryption algorithm and key scheduling algorithm is utilized to achieve optimal sharing among components, which significantly reduces hardware area. The experimental results show that the number of XOR gates and S‐boxes required for low area optimization is reduced by 52 and 8, respectively. The total area is reduced by about 18%. For high throughput structure, this paper provides 2‐round, 5‐round, and 15‐round loop unrolling designs for LILLIPUT to improve throughput. The experimental results show that the throughput of the 5‐round loop unrolling structure reaches a good level, which is relatively the most cost‐effective. In practical application, ciphers can be unrolled implementations according to the needs of devices to improve the execution speed, which can greatly reduce the execution time and complexity of the algorithm.
Colour change and colour phases in Lethrinidae with insights into ecology
Authors: Widmann Myriam E. , van Elden Sean , Meeuwig Jessica J.
Published: December 2023

Colour change is used by a wide range of animals. It is used for intra‐ and interspecific communication and crypsis, and can occur on morphological and physiological levels. Bony fish employ rapid physiological colour change and display various types of patterns and colouration (colour phases) useful for aposematic and cryptic purposes. Using an existing database of benthic stereo‐baited remote underwater video systems from two locations in Western Australia, we tested whether the frequency of colour phases of emperors, Lethrinidae, varied by species. We described colour phases and rapid physiological colour change in 16 species of lethrinids, and related occurrences of colour change to feeding activity and life stages. Dark and light colour phases were observed in nine of the 16 evaluated species of which seven also displayed physiological colour change. Frequency of colour phases varied between species, suggesting that the display of different dark patterns may be especially important for certain species. Both juveniles and adults showed the ability to change between different colour patterns. The change into a mottled pattern mainly occurred while feeding or when approaching to feed, suggesting that it may be triggered by feeding and the associated decrease in environmental awareness. Colour change is a commonly observed strategy in lethrinids and may have evolved as an adaptation for increased foraging success or to reduce aggression from conspecifics. Physiological colour change allows lethrinids to quickly adapt to various cues from the environment and can therefore be considered a versatile physiological mechanism in this family.
Predation affects body shape in the knife livebearer Alfaro cultratus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae)
Authors: Ardon Diego A. , Golden Kaitlyn B. , Williams Trevor J. , Belk Mark C. , Johnson Jerald B.
Published: December 2023

Livebearing fishes are a common model for studying the effects of predation on prey biology. Numerous studies have found differences in life history, sexual selection, behavior, and morphology between populations of the same species that co‐occur with predators and those that do not. Alfaro cultratus is a livebearing fish with populations in different predation environments, but unlike other livebearers, this species also has an extreme body shape that is laterally compressed. Given this unusual morphology, we asked if predation environment would still predict overall body shape, as has been documented in other species. We collected specimens from both predator and no predator sites in Costa Rica and used a geometric morphometrics analysis to determine if body shape is affected by predation environment, while controlling for size and river gradient. Body shape does indeed differ between predation environments; however, the observed differences contrast with the patterns found in other livebearer systems. Alfaro cultratus in predation environments had deeper and shorter bodies and deeper caudal peduncles than those found in environments without dominant fish predators.
Inter‐annual variation in the abundance of specialist herbivores determines plant resistance inDatura stramonium
Authors: De‐la‐Cruz Ivan M. , Núñez‐Farfán Juan
Published: December 2023

The expression of plant resistance traits against arthropod herbivores often comes with costs to other essential plant functions such as growth and fitness. These trade‐offs are shaped by the allocation of limited resources. However, plants might also possess the capability to allocate resources to both resistance and growth, thereby ensuring their survival when under herbivore attacks. Additionally, the extent of damage caused by herbivores could vary across different years or seasons, subsequently impacting plant performance. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the annual variations in herbivore abundance and damage levels affect plant performance. We generated F2progeny through a cross between two populations of the annual herbDatura stramonium(Solanaceae). These populations are known to have differing levels of chemical defense and herbivory. These F2plants were cultivated in a common natural environment for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018). Our findings reveal that plants with higher resistance, attained higher seed production but this trend was evident only during 2018. This relationship coincided with a five‐fold increase in the abundance ofLema daturaphila(Chrysomelidae) larvae in 2018. Indeed, the plants experienced a 13‐fold increase in damage during this second year of study. Furthermore, our results indicated that there was no trade‐off between resistance, growth, and fitness in either of the 2 years. In contrast, during 2018, when plants faced stronger herbivore pressure, they allocated all available nutritional resources to enhance both resistance and growth. Our study highlights how the selection for plant resistance is dependent upon the inter‐annual variation in herbivore abundance.
Differential response of fire on the community dynamics of five insect taxa in a tropical mountaintop forest archipelago
Authors: Kuchenbecker Juliana , Camarota Flávio , da Silva Pedro Giovâni , Perillo Lucas Neves , do Vale Beirão Marina , de Castro Flávio Siqueira , Fernandes Geraldo Wilson , do Espírito‐Santo Mário Marcos , Santos Natália Correia , Cardoso Iaciara Geórgia Silveira , Neves Frederico de Siqueira
Published: December 2023

The Earth's most diverse group of organisms is facing an imminent crisis, as recent investigations suggest a remarkable decline in insect diversity. Within this context, altimontane forest islands might emerge as important refuges holding an invaluable diversity of species that would be doomed to disappear. Here, we aimed to examine the impact of fire on the temporal variation of ant, bee, butterfly, dung beetle, and wasp communities in natural and highly threatened altimontane forest islands. We predicted that fire incidence would increase the natural variation in the structure of these insects' communities over time. Furthermore, we predicted that each taxon would respond accordingly to their ability to move between forest islands (i.e., vagility). We sampled these five bioindicator taxa in the rainy seasons of 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2020 within 14 forest islands in southeast Brazil. We assessed the incidence (presence/absence) of fire occurrence on each forest island toward the end of the dry season in each sampling year. We found an influence of fire incidence on the species composition changes over time (temporal β‐diversity) in the less vagile insect groups: ants, and dung beetles. Nevertheless, we found no influence of fire incidence on shifts in species composition of highly vagile insects: bees, butterflies, and wasps. Importantly, species turnover was the primary component of temporal β‐diversity driving the interannual variation of all insect taxa examined in this study. Our results highlight the distinct responses of more‐or‐less vagile insect groups to fire in forested ecosystems and shed light on the drivers of vulnerability and resilience of these groups to this critical anthropogenic pressure. By understanding and elucidating the intricate responses of distinct insect communities to global stressors, we can strengthen our capacity to predict future trends in biodiversity decline and provide valuable insights for conservation efforts and environmental management strategies.
Empowerment and disempowerment in climate assemblies: The French citizens' convention on climate
Authors: Galván Labrador Adrián , Zografos Christos
Published: December 2023

Citizens' assemblies to address climate change have multiplied in recent years. Seen as a useful tool to provide solutions to the climate crisis, they have, however, struggled to impact public policy. Additionally, little is known about how citizens' proposals are diluted or rejected in climate assemblies. We explore this situation through a qualitative case study of the French Citizens' Convention on Climate. The French case is unique in that it involved the incorporation of assembly participants in the process of integrating assembly proposals into a new Law on Climate and Resilience. We use semi‐structured interviews and analysis of secondary documentation to understand how citizens' views were finally excluded from draft legislation. Findings show remarkable citizen empowerment taking place during the Citizens' Convention, which nevertheless vanished during the joint elaboration of the law, allowing certain political and economic interests to impose their vision. We suggest that organisers of the process and social movements engaged in climate assemblies should be aware of such risks and try to control how decision‐makers adopt citizen proposals for producing legislation in order to avoid exclusions and democracy deficits in democratic climate policy‐making. We discuss and reflect on the potential and limits of deliberative and agonistic approaches to democracy and climate action.
The influence of acceptor acidity on hydrogen bond mediated aglycone delivery (HAD) through the picoloyl protecting group
Authors: Remmerswaal Wouter A. , Hoogers Daan , Hoopman Moescha , Van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Codée Jeroen D. C.
Published: December 2023

The outcome of glycosylation reactions heavily relies on the specific protecting group patterns employed on both the donor and acceptor molecules. The picoloyl (Pico) protecting group stands out as it can steer the stereoselectivity in a glycosylation reaction through hydrogen bond‐mediated aglycone delivery (HAD). This provides syn‐stereoselectivity, with respect to the stereochemistry of the Pico group, by forming a hydrogen bond between the incoming acceptor and the picoloyl ring nitrogen. We here probe how acceptor acidity influences the stereodirecting effect of the picoloyl protecting group. A set of 3‐O‐functionalized glucosyl and mannosyl donors, each bearing different protecting groups (picolinate, nicotinate, isonicotinate, and benzoate), were synthesized for systematic evaluation. For the 3‐O‐picoloyl‐glucose series, the picoloyl group exhibited minimal influence on stereoselectivity, with only weak nucleophiles showing a modest shift in selectivity for the 3‐O‐Pico protected glucosyl donor in comparison to the other C‐3‐acyl glucosides. In contrast, in the 3‐O‐picoloyl‐mannose series a much stronger β‐directing effect was observed, wherein more acidic acceptors led to increased β‐selectivity. The results provide insights into the complex interplay of acceptor acidity and glycosylation stereoselectivity mediated by the picoloyl protecting group.