bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial porosity design of Fe–N–C catalysts for high power density PEM fuel cells and detection of water saturation of the catalyst layer by a microwave method
Authors: Chen Lu , Wan Xin , Zhao Xiaonan , Li Wenwen , Liu Xiaofang , Zheng Lirong , Liu Qingtao , Yu Ronghai , Shui Jianglan
Published: February 2022

The intricate roles of the trimodal pores of Fe–N–C fuel cell catalysts are clarified through microwave-assisted water saturation detection. An optimal spatial porosity is thus identified to achieve a record-high power density.
On the mechanism of electrochemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes with different structures with aminophenylphosphonic acid isomers: an experimental and computational approach
Authors: Martínez-Sánchez Beatriz , Quílez-Bermejo Javier , San-Fabián Emilio , Cazorla-Amorós Diego , Morallón Emilia
Published: February 2022

Electrochemical functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes and herringbone carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and hCNTs, respectively) has been performed with aminophenylphosphonic acid isomers by potentiodynamic treatment under oxidative conditions.
1D confined materials synthesized via a coating method for thermal catalysis and energy storage applications
Authors: Li Min , Ye Chun , Li Ziwei , Lin Qian , Cao Jianxin , Liu Fei , Song Guoqiang , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: February 2022

Coating method has been extensively applied to prepare 1D confined materials, showing outstanding performance for thermal catalysis and energy storage applications.
Constructing a conjugated bridge for efficient electron transport at the interface of an inorganic–organic hetero-junction
Authors: Ma Xujiao , Zhang Zhong , Zhang Cheng , Ruan Xianghui , Meng Qinghao , Feng Jiahui , Cai Fuli , Yang Yajie , Bu Naishun , Zhou Shuyuan , Yuan Ye
Published: February 2022

Constructing a conjugated bridge with delocalized π-electrons between the inorganic–organic hetero-junction accelerated electron transfer across the interface.
The growth mechanism of lithium dendrites and its coupling to mechanical stress
Authors: Becherer Julian , Kramer Dominik , Mönig Reiner
Published: February 2022

Lithium structures grow at crystalline defects. At room temperature, growth is driven by facile surface and grain boundary diffusion and the subsequent insertion into defects. Mechanical stresses can generate defects and stimulate growth.
Epsilon-negative behavior and its capacitance enhancement effect on trilayer-structured polyimide–silica/multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyimide–polyimide composites
Authors: He Qifa , Sun Kai , Wang Zongxiang , Wang Zhongyang , Yang Pengtao , Tian Jiahong , Duan Wenxin , Fan Runhua
Published: February 2022

Silica nanoparticles are introduced into multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyimide composites to realize a weakly negative permittivity, and then a sandwich-structured composite was constructed to explore the capacitance enhancement effect.
Electrochemically activated carbon–halogen bond cleavage and C–C coupling monitored by in situ shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Jiang Chen-Chen , Li Xiao-Chong , Fan Jian-Ang , Fu Jia-Ying , Huang-Fu Xu-Nan , Li Jia-Jie , Zheng Ju-Fang , Zhou Xiao-Shun , Wang Ya-Hao
Published: February 2022

In situ shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy provides molecular-level insights into the electroreductive dehalogenation mechanism of aryl halides.
A microscopic survey on microplastics in beverages: the case of beer, mineral water and tea
Authors: Li Yinan , Peng Lin , Fu Jianxin , Dai Xueli , Wang Guoqing
Published: February 2022

Beer, mineral water and tea are all polluted with microplastics without exception, which is discovered in a microscopic survey.
Acylselenoureas, selenosemicarbazones and selenocarbamate esters: Versatile ligands in coordination chemistry
Authors: Molter Anja , Kuchar Julia , Mohr Fabian
Published: February 2022

Acylselenoureas, selenosemicarbazones and selenocarbamate esters from complexes with various transition- and main-group-metals, adopting several coordination modes.
Preparation and characterization of a series of high-energy and low-sensitivity composites with different desensitizers
Authors: Li Yunqiu , Li Bin , Zhang Dan , Xie Lifeng
Published: February 2022

Among all the CL-20/HMX-based energetic composites, CL-20/HMX/PVAc sample 1 possesses the highest maximum burn pressure value of 33.3 kPa.
Convergent synthesis of (+)-carambolaflavone A, an antidiabetic agent using a bismuth triflate-catalyzedC-aryl glycosylation
Authors: Ghosh Arun K. , Robinson William L. , Gulliver John , Simpson Hannah M.
Published: February 2022

A convergent synthesis of carambolaflavone A, using a bismuth triflate-catalyzed stereoselectiveC-aryl glycosylation of a flavan derivative, is reported.
Nano-[Fe3O4@SiO2/N-propyl-1-(thiophen-2-yl)ethanimine][ZnCl2] as a nano magnetite Schiff base complex and heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinolones
Authors: Esmaili Soheila , Moosavi-Zare Ahmad Reza , Khazaei Ardeshir
Published: February 2022

Nano-[Fe3O4@SiO2/N-propyl-1-(thiophen-2-yl)ethanimine][ZnCl2] as a nano magnetite Schiff base complex was designed and successfully tested for the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinolones.
Significantly enhancing the solar fuel production rate and catalytic durability for photothermocatalytic CO2 reduction by a synergetic effect between Pt and Co doped Al2O3 nanosheets
Authors: Xie Zhenghai , Li Yuanzhi , Zhou Zhiyuan , Hu Qianqian , Wu Jichun , Wu Shaowen
Published: February 2022

We report highly efficient photothermocatalytic CRM merely with focused illumination on Pt/Co-doped Al2O3 with catalytic activity and durability significantly enhanced as compared to Pt/Al2O3 due to a synergetic effect between Pt and Co-doped Al2O3.
Dual-functional iodine photoelectrode enabling high performance photo-assisted rechargeable lithium iodine batteries
Authors: Li Jingfa , Liu Hongmin , Sun Kaiwen , Wang Ronghao , Qian Chengfei , Yu Feng , Zhang Lei , Bao Weizhai
Published: February 2022

We demonstrate an integrated photo-assisted rechargeable lithium-iodine battery by using a hybrid I2/N719-dye/TiO2 composite as a dual-functional photoelectrode, which could convert solar energy into electrical power and store it simultaneously.
Impacts of ocean warming and acidification on calcifying coral reef taxa: mechanisms responsible and adaptive capacity
Authors: Cornwall Christopher E. , Comeau Steeve , Putnam Hollie , Schoepf Verena
Published: February 2022

Ocean warming (OW) and acidification (OA) are two of the greatest global threats to the persistence of coral reefs. Calcifying reef taxa such as corals and coralline algae provide the essential substrate and habitat in tropical reefs but are at particular risk due to their susceptibility to both OW and OA. OW poses the greater threat to future reef growth and function, via its capacity to destabilise the productivity of both taxa, and to cause mass bleaching events and mortality of corals. Marine heatwaves are projected to increase in frequency, intensity, and duration over the coming decades, raising the question of whether coral reefs will be able to persist as functioning ecosystems and in what form. OA should not be overlooked, as its negative impacts on the calcification of reef-building corals and coralline algae will have consequences for global reef accretion. Given that OA can have negative impacts on the reproduction and early life stages of both coralline algae and corals, the interdependence of these taxa may result in negative feedbacks for reef replenishment. However, there is little evidence that OA causes coral bleaching or exacerbates the effects of OW on coral bleaching. Instead, there is some evidence that OA alters the photo-physiology of both taxa. Tropical coralline algal possess shorter generation times than corals, which could enable more rapid evolutionary responses. Future reefs will be dominated by taxa with shorter generation times and high plasticity, or those individuals inherently resistant and resilient to both marine heatwaves and OA.
The nature of the X-ray sources constituting the 6.7 keV Galactic ridge emission
Authors: Schmitt J. H. M. M. , Czesla S. , Schneider P. C. , Freund S. , Robrade J.
Published: February 2022

We reanalyze the deep Chandra X-ray observations near the Galactic center and show that reliable identifications of X-ray sources can be obtained with the Gaia EDR3 data to investigate which types of stellar sources are responsible for the X-ray emission observed from the Galactic ridge (GRXE). In the central 3 arcmin region 318 X-ray sources are detected, about one-third of which can be identified with objects listed in Gaia EDR3; however, only 22 objects have parallaxes and colors and can be placed into a color-magnitude diagram and thus be identified as coronal X-ray emitters. A rather large fraction of the X-ray sources cannot be identified with Gaia EDR3 entries, and we discuss the optical brightnesses of these sources. We analyze the counting events obtained in the 6.7 keV iron line spectral region and show that they are mainly caused by background events; however, 237 events can be associated with the detected X-ray sources, and we carry out an intensity measurement of the whole iron line complex. Our analysis shows that the mean energy of this iron line complex is located at a wavelength of ≈1.87 Å, where a variety of emission lines of iron ions in ionization stages FeXXIII–FeXXV are located; another line at 7.0 keV is only marginally detected, while the fluorescent 6.4 keV neutral iron line is clearly not seen. We demonstrate that only a few of the detected X-ray sources are responsible for the bulk of the observed iron line emission. We discuss to what extent coronal emission can be held responsible and demonstrate that M dwarfs and active binary systems like RS CVn systems do not significantly contribute to the observed emission; instead, it appears that the Galactic ridge emission is produced by optically fainter sources. Among the known population of cataclysmic variables, polars and dwarf novae appear to be the most promising candidates as main contributors to the GRXE.
On the performance of a Coriolis Mass Flowmeter (CMF): experimental measurement and FSI simulation
Authors: Gace Dalson Athanase
Published: February 2022

Computational methods that make use of single one-way Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) for modeling the Coriolis Mass Flowmeters' (CMFs) operations are prone to inaccuracies. These errors are due to their limitations in describing a fully coupled fluid structure interaction. The aim of this study is to produce a CFD model of a CMF that uses an iterative two-way coupling of fluid structure interaction to accurately study its performance. The computational findings are benchmarked against accurate experimental measurements of the U-shape CFM. The deviation between the computed results and experimental measurements remains about 0.1% which is deemed acceptable. This reduction of uncertainties is largely attributed to the capability of the model to describe the effects of tube vibrations on the meter's operation.
Physiotherapie bei Musikerinnen und Musikern
Authors: Lesjak Sarah , Morrison Fiona
Published: February 2022

Willkommen zur 1. Ausgabe der MSK im Jahr 2022! Das Jahr beginnt mit einer Veränderung unseres Teams: Pascale Gränicher aus der Schweiz gehört ab 2022 zum Herausgeberteam! Herzlich willkommen, wir freuen uns auf eine gute Zusammenarbeit. Das Editorial übernimmt Sarah Lesjak, Geigerin und Physiotherapeutin mit einem Master-Abschluss in „Performing Arts Medicine“ des University College London. Sie arbeitet als Physiotherapeutin in Graz und absolviert berufsbegleitend das Master-Studium „Muskuloskelettale Therapie (Manuelle Therapie – OMT)“ an der Hochschule Osnabrück.

Herzliche Grüße und Ihnen/Euch einen guten Start in das Jahr 2022!Fiona Morrison
Die Rettungs-BOA als Hilfsmittel zur schnellen Rettung von Piloten aus Luftfahrzeugen der Bundeswehr
Authors: Falker Anna-Maria , Daum Oliver , Schenk Anne-Christine
Published: February 2022

Hintergrund: Die Rettungs-BOA ist ein Hilfsmittel zur schnellen Rettung von kritisch Verletzten aus Fahrzeugen unter Gewährleistung einer Teilimmobilisation der oberen Brustwirbelsäule und wird im Rahmen der PHTLS-Ausbildung der Bundeswehr gelehrt. Auf den Flugplätzen der Bundeswehr findet dieses Rettungshilfsmittel bisher keine flächendeckende Anwendung. Bei Flugunfällen kann es zu schweren Verletzungen der Luftfahrzeuginsassen kommen, wo genau diese Anforderungen an ein Hilfsmittel gestellt werden.

Methoden: In einer Studie mit der Feuerwehr am Flugplatz Manching im August 2020 wurde die Anwendung der Rettungs-BOA an 7 verschiedenen Luftfahrzeugen getestet und mit anderen Rettungsmethoden (Rautek-Griff und KED-System) im Hinblick auf Rettungszeiten und mit Fragebögen zu Bedienerfreundlichkeit, Rückenschmerzen der Bediener sowie Vor- und Nachteilen bewertet. Die statistische Auswertung erfolgte mit IBM SPSS Statistik 17.0. Die Teilnahme erfolgte freiwillig. Die Daten wurden anonymisiert gespeichert.

Ergebnisse: Die Rettung mittels Rautek-Griff geht erwartungsgemäß am schnellsten. Unwesentlich länger dauert die Rettung mittels BOA, gefolgt von der zeitaufwendigen Rettung mittels KED-System. In den Luftfahrzeugen Tornado, Eurofighter und A-400M erwies sich die BOA zeitlich nicht unterlegen. Insgesamt zeigte sich die Rettungs-BOA als einfaches, unkompliziertes und schnelles Rettungshilfsmittel, das sich auch bei Unerfahrenheit in der Anwendung universell in allen getesteten Luftfahrzeugen anwenden ließ.
Do perceived control and time orientation mediate the effect of early life adversity on reproductive behaviour and health status? Insights from the European Value Study and the European Social Survey
Authors: Farkas Bence Csaba , Chambon Valérian , Jacquet Pierre O.
Published: February 2022

An association between early life adversity and a range of coordinated behavioural responses that favour reproduction at the cost of a degraded health is often reported in humans. Recent theoretical works have proposed that perceived control—i.e., people’s belief that they are in control of external events that affect their lives—and time orientation—i.e., their tendency to live on a day-to-day basis or to plan for the future—are two closely related psychological traits mediating the associations between early life adversity, reproductive behaviours and health status. However, the empirical validity of this hypothesis remains to be demonstrated. In the present study, we examine the role of perceived control and time orientation in mediating the effects of early life adversity on a trade-off between reproductive traits (age at 1st childbirth, number of children) and health status by applying a cross-validated structural equation model frame on two large public survey datasets, the European Values Study (EVS, final N = 43,084) and the European Social Survey (ESS, final N = 31,065). Our results show that early life adversity, perceived control and time orientation are all associated with a trade-off favouring reproduction over health. However, perceived control and time orientation mediate only a small portion of the effect of early life adversity on the reproduction-health trade-off.
How effective are police road presence and enforcement in a developing country context?
Authors: Sam Enoch F.
Published: February 2022

Traffic enforcement and associated penalties are essential in any successful road safety strategy. Available literature identifies both traditional and automated traffic enforcement. Ghana employs traditional traffic enforcement involving visible police officers enforcing traffic rules and regulations on the roadways. This phenomenological study explores the perceived effectiveness of police road presence as a road safety strategy in the Ghanaian context. Data for the analysis came from in-depth interviews of 42 people recruited as a convenience sample (comprising 25 commercial drivers, 12 private drivers, and five traffic police officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service). The study results suggest widespread driver road tactics to outwit the traffic police officers, police extortion and driver bribery (road traffic corruption), and punishment avoidance. These behaviours undermine deterrence and negate the seriousness and expected general deterrent effect of the police road presence and enforcement. This study provides an initial exploration of the effectiveness (or otherwise) of police road presence and enforcement in the context of a developing country. Additional studies are, however, needed to explore this phenomenon further.
Ion transport in backbone-embedded polymerized ionic liquids
Authors: Keith Jordan R. , Ganesan Venkat
Published: February 2022

We use atomistic computer simulations to examine ion-transport phenomena for backbone polymerized cationic liquids with bistrifluoromethylesulfonylimide (TFSI−) counterions. We consider a system in which the polymerized cation moiety is the imidazolium ring and study the structural characteristics and ion mobilities for cases in which the cations are separated by four, six, and eight methylene units on the backbone. A pendant polymerized ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium, is compared to the backbone series across ion coordination and hopping features. The anion diffusivity in backbone polymerized cationic liquids is found to decrease with increasing spacer length, which is shown to result from a decrease in intramolecular and intermolecular hopping frequencies due to an increasing distance separating imidazolium moieties. In comparison with pendant polymerized ionic liquids, we observe that the participation rates of intermolecular hopping events in the backbone polymers far exceed that of the pendant, and the intrapolymeric ionic coordination profile shows the TFSI− of the pendant polymer with a high propensity for coordination by multiple imidazolium, compared with one monomer from a given polymer for the backbone series. Despite these differences, backbone polymerized ionic liquids are seen to possess correlated diffusivity and ion-association relaxation times, in a manner similar to the results observed in past studies for pendant variants.
Modified residual gas analyzer for measuring the ion mass-to-charge composition of a repetitively pulsed plasma
Authors: Shandrikov Maxim V. , Cherkasov Alexander A. , Oks Efim M. , Vizir Alexey V.
Published: February 2022

We describe the use of a modified residual gas analyzer based on a quadrupole mass spectrometer to measure the ion mass-to-charge composition of the plasma of a repetitively pulsed planar magnetron discharge. The pulse duration and frequency parameters necessary to ensure reliable plasma ion composition data are determined. Examples of measurements of the ion mass-to-charge spectra are given.
The effect of explicit counterion binding on the transference number of polyelectrolyte solutions
Authors: Lytle T. K. , Yethiraj A.
Published: February 2022

Polyelectrolyte solutions have been proposed as a method to improve the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries by increasing the cation transference number because the polymer self-diffusion coefficient is much lower than that of the counterion. However, this is not necessarily true for the polymer mobility. In some cases, negative transference numbers have been reported, which implies that the lithium ions are transporting to the same electrode as the anion, behavior that is often attributed to a binding of counterions to the polyion. We use a simple model where we bind some counterions to the polymer via harmonic springs to investigate this phenomenon. We find that both the number of bound counterions and the strength of their binding alter the transference number, and, in some cases, the transference number is negative. We also investigate how the transference number depends on the Manning parameter, the ratio of the Bjerrum length to charge separation along the chain. By altering the Manning parameter, the transference number can almost be doubled, which suggests that charge spacing could be a way to increase the transference number of polyelectrolyte solutions.
Tunable phononic crystal waveguides based on the double tuning method
Authors: Ji Hua-wei , Yang Fan , Qi An-qi , Wu Xin , Lv Bo , Ni Jing
Published: February 2022

To realize the frequency tuning of phononic crystals (PCs) and the functional design of tunable PCs, acoustic components with more flexible working frequencies are manufactured to meet the various requirements of engineering applications. We proposed a combined tuning method that combines the change of the Young’s modulus of the shape memory alloy and the rotation of the scatterer. The tunable band structure and transmission spectra of the method were calculated using the finite element method. We analyzed the effect of fill rate and viscosity of matrix on the band structure and studied the regulation law of the dual regulation mode. The numerical results show that the double tuning method makes up for the shortcomings of the single tuning method and has the characteristics of widely tuning range, continuous adjustment, and more tuning modes. In addition, a PC waveguide is constructed by using this combined tuning method, which realizes the flexible construction of waveguide channels and the continuous tuning of wide frequency range. It is an important guideline for the research of tunable waveguides, the design of acoustic components, and the application of practical engineering.
Rotational excitation of CO2 induced by He: New potential energy surface and scattering calculations
Authors: Godard Palluet A. , Thibault F. , Lique F.
Published: February 2022

The CO2 molecule is of great interest for astrophysical studies since it can be found in a large variety of astrophysical media where it interacts with the dominant neutral species, such as He, H2, or H2O. The CO2–He collisional system was intensively studied over the last two decades. However, collisional data appear to be very sensitive to the potential energy surface (PES) quality. Thus, we provide, in this study, a new PES of the CO2–He van der Waals complex calculated with the coupled-cluster method and a complete basis set extrapolation in order to provide rotational rate coefficients that are as accurate as possible. The PES accuracy was tested through the calculations of bound state transition frequencies and pressure broadening coefficients that were compared to experimental data. An excellent agreement was globally found. Then, revised collisional data were provided for the 10–300 K temperature range. Rate coefficients were compared to previously computed ones and are found to be up to 50% greater than previously provided ones. These differences can induce non-negligible consequences for the modeling of CO2 abundance in astrophysical media.
Chronic partial TrkB activation reduces seizures and mortality in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Gu Feng , Parada Isabel , Yang Tao , Longo Frank M. , Prince David A.
Published: February 2022

Significance

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe childhood epileptic encephalopathy characterized by intractable seizures and comorbidities, including a high rate of premature mortality. DS is mainly caused by loss-of-function mutations of the
Scn1a
gene encoding sodium channel Na
v
1.1 that is predominantly expressed in inhibitory parvalbumin-containing (PV) interneurons. Decreased Na
v
1.1 impairs PV cell function, causing DS phenotypes. Effective pharmacological therapy targeting defective PV interneurons is currently not available. This study demonstrated that early treatment with a partial TrkB receptor agonist, LM22A-4, increased Na
v
1.1 expression, improved PV interneuron function, and reduced seizure occurrence and mortality rate in DS mice, suggesting a potential therapy for DS.
Biome boundary maintained by intense belowground resource competition in world’s thinnest-rooted plant community
Authors: Lu Mingzhen , Bond William J. , Sheffer Efrat , Cramer Michael D. , West Adam G. , Allsopp Nicky , February Edmund C. , Chimphango Samson , Ma Zeqing , Slingsby Jasper A. , Hedin Lars O.
Published: February 2022

Significance

The distribution and stability of biomes are critical for understanding, modeling, and managing the land biosphere. While studies have emphasized abiotic factors such as climate, geology, or fire regimes, we here identify a biological mechanism—plant–plant competition for belowground resources—as critical for maintaining the boundary between the Fynbos and Afrotemperate Forest biomes in South Africa. We demonstrate an apparent general mechanism in which local competition triggers a biome-scale feedback between plant traits and soil resources, which, in turn, stabilizes the biome boundary by allowing plants to maintain their own preferred soil conditions. Our findings are of general importance for understanding the organization of biodiversity across landscapes, for managing alien plant invasions, and for modeling the future of biome boundaries.
Topological transition and Majorana zero modes in 2D non-Hermitian chiral superconductor with anisotropy
Authors: Jing Dong-Yang , Wang Huan-Yu , Liu Wu-Ming
Published: February 2022

We study a non-Hermitian chiral topological superconductor system on two dimensional square lattice, from which we obtained a rich topological phase diagram and established an exact relationship between topological charge flow of exceptional points in generalized Brillouin zone and change of topological properties. Its rich topological phase diagram is the result of competition between anisotropy and non-Hermitian effect. This system belongs to class D according to AZ classification of non-Hermitian systems. Each topological phase can be characterized by a 2D Z number, which indicates the number of chiral edge modes, and two 1D Z
2 numbers, which indicate the existence of zero modes at edge dislocations.
Cross sections for vibrational excitation and dissociative recombination of the

CF3+

ion in collisions with low-energy electrons
Authors: Jiang Xianwu , Liu Hainan , Zhang Ya , Jiang Wei , Ayouz Mehdi , Kokoouline Viatcheslav
Published: February 2022

Cross sections for the vibrational excitation and dissociative recombination (DR) of the

C
F

3

+

ion in collisions with electrons at low scattering energies are computed using a previously-developed approach combining the normal mode approximation for the vibrational states of the target ion and the UK R-matrix code for the evaluation of the scattering matrices at fixed geometries. The obtained cross section for the DR shows excellent agreement with the experimental data from the ASTRID storage ring. Thermally-averaged rate coefficients are obtained from the cross sections for temperatures 10–3000 K.
Generation and regulation of electromagnetic pulses induced by hybrid laser pulses interacting with solid targets
Authors: He Q.Y. , Deng Z.G. , Meng L.B. , Zhang Z.M. , Cui B. , Qi W. , Yang L. , Liu H.J. , Fan W. , Wang C.K. , Yi T. , Gu Y. , Lin C. , Consoli F. , Zhou W.M. , Li T.S.
Published: February 2022

In inertial confinement fusion, electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) can be produced during high-power laser interacting with solid targets, which are intimately related to laser intensity and laser energy. In this study, EMPs generated by hybrid laser pulses coupling with targets are recorded and analyzed. The results indicate that a single picosecond laser gives birth to the most intense EMPs, but they are remarkably suppressed when a nanosecond laser-shooting target is triggered before the picosecond and femtosecond laser. One possible hypothesis is proposed based on x-rays inducing pre-ablation that generates pre-plasma at the surfaces of the picosecond target and femtosecond target, leading to a sharp drop both in the energy and number of the emitting hot electrons and protons. The findings will deepen our understanding of the mechanism of EMPs’ generation and will also open a new avenue to regulate EMPs by hybrid laser pulses.
Development of design solutions for improving the characteristics of capacitive sensitive elements of sensors of physical quantities
Authors: Mikhailov P G
Published: February 2022

Capacitive measuring transducers are the most stable of the sensors of physical quantities, so they are used in such areas and on products in which the parameters of time and parametric stability are the main parameters. Such products and systems include rocket and space technology, aviation, military equipment and weapons. In addition, capacitive measuring transducers are energy-saving, since the sensor element does not consume electrical energy during operation. To achieve high time and parametric stability, the design of measuring transducers must be designed using certain design and technological solutions aimed at eliminating the occurrence of unintentional internal mechanical stresses, and compensating for thermal stresses. In addition, capacitive measuring transducers must be guaranteed to be sealed, and also during their manufacture, all parts undergo a degassing operation, in which moisture dissolved in the near-surface layers of materials is removed by heat treatment in vacuum, as well as using methods of heterization of vacuum cavities.
Quasioptimal control in diversed signal transmission
Authors: Polushin P A , Nikitin O R , Dubov I R
Published: February 2022

To increase the noise immunity of signal transmission, diversity methods are now widely used, consisting in obtaining and combining several copies of the transmitted signal. In this case, it is possible to perform a combination either before the detection procedure or after it. If you do not take into account the possible use of non-linear types of modulation, then the pre-detector combination always has advantages over the post-detector combination. However, taking into account the nonlinear properties of the transmitted signals, new possibilities appear for increasing the noise immunity in combination and simplifying the processing. In the case of using analog signals, in particular frequency modulation, at certain points in time, the pre-detection combination can lose to the post-detection combination. At the same time, by combining pre-detector and post-detector combining circuits, it is possible to lower the threshold level during demodulation and increase noise immunity. In the case of using digital modes of modulation, it is possible to process only the signals after demodulation without reducing the noise immunity and to eliminate the need for preliminary phasing of the diversity signals before detection.
Mathematical Model Design for a 7-DOF robot and 6-DOF comparison simulation
Authors: Ordoñez-Avila José Luis , Midence Roger , Magomedov Islam A
Published: February 2022

Currently, serial manipulators are the boom in the industry. Most companies are looking for solutions that improve production processes and that are human collaborative. They seek to simulate the skills that humans perform. Nowadays there is a constant question of comparison between a redundant robot of 7-DOF and one that meets the necessary joints to perform complex jobs useful in the industry as is the 6-DOF. In this paper we design a mathematical model that describes the forwards kinematics of the 7-DOF manipulator using the famous D-H convention and determine if the kinematic chain of the manipulators interferes in the performance of their work and thus reach a comparison with its predecessor of 6-DOF in the industry by means of a simulation in CoppeliaSim. As the main results the 6-DOF is more useful for repetitive production assignments and the 7-DOF for human collaboration.
Development of an intelligent learning system based on fuzzy logic
Authors: Izvozchikova V V , Tlegenova T E , Markovin V V
Published: February 2022

In modern institutions of higher education, the positive result of their work is measured by the progress of the student or by the factor how well the student meets the standard set by the state and the internal situation of the educational institution. In the current study, a new approach is proposed in assessing the progress of students, which is based on a fuzzy logic system. The proposed method uses three indicators: test tasks, written work and the possibility of mutual evaluation of students. Then, the quality of knowledge is assessed through the use of fuzzy logic, which is based on the Mamdani method. The results of applying this approach show that the proposed method can have practical application in assessing the quality of students’ progress.
Investigating the dynamics of a buck converter with time-delay feedback control
Authors: Andriyanov A I
Published: February 2022

The paper deals with the dynamics features of a closed automatic control system based on a buck converter with a function to control nonlinear dynamic processes. A comprehensive analysis of the system under study is carried out using both small-signal average dynamic models and nonlinear dynamic models. For the first time, a small-signal average model of a system with a control function for nonlinear dynamic processes based on a time-delay feedback control has been obtained. The influence of this control method on Bode plots of an open system is shown. It is noted that the use of the time-delay feedback control ensures the stability of both the equilibrium point of the small-signal average model and the fixed point of the periodic mode of the nonlinear dynamic model of the system under consideration. This enables to achieve high quality output voltage. The application of the time-delay feedback control does not require to correct the system parameters, which ensures a given speed and low losses in the power switch of the converter. In addition, the quality of the transition process in the system is improved, namely, oscillation is eliminated and overshoot is reduced. Using the time-delay feedback control, it is possible to provide the desired dynamic mode in the areas of instability of the initial system without controlling nonlinear dynamic processes, which makes it possible to increase the speed due to the small time constant of the regulator. These results were obtained for the first time and can be used in the design of pulse power supply systems of a wide variety.
Improving the environmental safety of vehicle operation by using flywheel batteries
Authors: Abdullina L R , Rusanova K R , Petrova M M , Avakian M K , Zrazhevskiy A V
Published: February 2022

Despite the fact that according to the largest international organization “Our World in Data”, air pollution mortality is decreasing - mainly due to improved indoor air - this type of environmental pollution is one of the world’s leading risk factors. In 2017 approximately 5 million people around the world died from diseases caused by air pollution – strokes, lung cancer, etc. The prevailing part (about 40% of the world’s air pollution) occurs when vehicles are used, mainly personal vehicles, which means that it is necessary to develop measures to improve the environmental friendliness of the use of vehicles. Since the exhaust gases of automobile engines contain a large amount of air pollutants, it is possible to limit their emissions by developing and implementing hybrid vehicles with flywheel energy accumulators. The article considers the dimensionless dependence of the current acceleration of the car to its maximum acceleration in the presence and absence of a flywheel in the system, and checks the reliability of the dependence on the stand.
Tomography analysis tool: an application for image analysis based on unsupervised machine learning
Authors: Bagni T , Haldi H , Mauro D , Senatore C
Published: February 2022

We developed a graphical user interface (GUI) to analyse tomographic images of superconducting Nb3Sn wires designed for the next generation accelerator magnets. The Tomography Analysis Tool (TAT) relies on the k-means algorithm, an unsupervised machine learning technique which is widely used to partition images into separated clusters. The GUI is compatible with both Linux and Windows operating systems. The software reliability was tested by optical inspecting the tomographic images superimposed on the clustered image obtained by the k-means algorithm. TAT was proven to correctly segment the various components of the Nb3Sn superconducting wires with single pixel precision. Finally, this software can be a useful tool for the scientific community to segment and analyse quickly and reproducibly tomographic images.
Continuous Monitoring of Blood Pressure Using a Wrist-Worn Cuffless Device
Authors: Sayer Gabriel , Piper Greta , Vorovich Esther , Raikhelkar Jayant , Kim Gene H , Rodgers Daniel , Shimbo Daichi , Uriel Nir
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Measuring an accurate blood pressure (BP) in ambulatory patients is critical for therapeutic decisions. An accurate noninvasive device that measures BP continuously could provide a more comprehensive assessment of BP. The aim of this study was to determine whether the LiveOne device, a cuffless wristband that provides continuous BP measurements, is accurate in comparison to an invasive arterial line (A-line).

METHODS

We enrolled hospitalized patients and healthy volunteers in this multicenter study. All patients had an invasive A-line. Waveforms were simultaneously downloaded from the A-line and LiveOne device. The primary outcome was the correlation between the LiveOne device and the A-line for systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP).

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients with 233 measurement periods were included. Mean age was 60.7 ± 15.2 years, and 15 (44%) were female. The correlation for SBP was 0.91 and for DBP was 0.85. The mean band error was 0.0 ± 6.9 mm Hg for SBP and 1.2 ± 5.7 mm Hg for DBP. The mean absolute error was 8.2 ± 5.8 mm Hg for SBP and 6.4 ± 3.9 mm Hg for DBP. For SBP, 98% of LiveOne measurements were within 15 mm Hg and for DBP, 92% of LiveOne measurements were within 10 mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS

The LiveOne device provides continuous, noninvasive BP measurements that are accurate in comparison to A-line measurements. The portability and unobtrusive nature of this device and the ability to provide continuous BP measurements may offer advantages over currently available BP monitors.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Trial Number NCT03919136.
Interaction of the EU Chemicals Regulation—REACH—with Occupational Safety and Health Legislation: A Report from the 5th German REACH Congress
Authors: Reihlen Antonia , Wirth Olaf , Jepsen Dirk , Guhe Christine , Künnemann Kai U , Walendzik Gudrun
Published: February 2022

In April 2021, the 5th German REACH Congress took place as a hybrid event with a focus on discussing interlinkages between REACH and the occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation. More than 1000 people from Germany, the EU, and non-EU countries representing all stakeholder groups participated via livestream. Around 10% of the participants provided their opinions on various issues in an online survey. The presentations and discussions, as well as the results of the online survey, show that the stakeholders perceive a positive effect of REACH on the implementation of OSH, in particular via the information made available through the registration and communication in the supply chain, and the restrictions and authorization procedures. The integration of OSH and REACH expertise in the regulatory processes, as well as transparency and clarity about the selection of regulatory instruments to manage workplace risks, were highlighted as areas for potential improvement. Overall, it was concluded that the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability would further improve the interplay of legislation, which would also benefit the level of safety and health at workplaces.
mzMD: visualization-oriented MS data storage and retrieval
Authors: Yang Runmin , Ma Jingjing , Zhang Shu , Zheng Yu , Wang Lusheng , Zhu Daming
Published: February 2022

Motivation

Drawing peaks in a data window of an MS dataset happens at all time in MS data visualization applications. This asks to retrieve from an MS dataset some selected peaks in a data window whose image in a display window reflects the visual feature of all peaks in the data window. If an algorithm for this purpose is asked to output high-quality solutions in real time, then the most fundamental dependence of it is on the storage format of the MS dataset.

Results

We present mzMD, a new storage format of MS datasets and an algorithm to query this format of a storage system for a summary (a set of selected representative peaks) of a given data window. We propose a criterion Q-score to examine the quality of data window summaries. Experimental statistics on real MS datasets verified the high speed of mzMD in retrieving high-quality data window summaries. mzMD reported summaries of data windows whose Q-score outperforms those mzTree reported. The query speed of mzMD is the same as that of mzTree whereas its query speed stability is better than that of mzTree.

Availability and implementation

The source code is freely available at https://github.com/yrm9837/mzMD-java.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pre-training graph neural networks for link prediction in biomedical networks
Authors: Long Yahui , Wu Min , Liu Yong , Fang Yuan , Kwoh Chee Keong , Chen Jinmiao , Luo Jiawei , Li Xiaoli
Published: February 2022

Motivation

Graphs or networks are widely utilized to model the interactions between different entities (e.g. proteins, drugs, etc.) for biomedical applications. Predicting potential interactions/links in biomedical networks is important for understanding the pathological mechanisms of various complex human diseases, as well as screening compound targets for drug discovery. Graph neural networks (GNNs) have been utilized for link prediction in various biomedical networks, which rely on the node features extracted from different data sources, e.g. sequence, structure and network data. However, it is challenging to effectively integrate these data sources and automatically extract features for different link prediction tasks.

Results

In this article, we propose a novel Pre-Training Graph Neural Networks-based framework named PT-GNN to integrate different data sources for link prediction in biomedical networks. First, we design expressive deep learning methods [e.g. convolutional neural network and graph convolutional network (GCN)] to learn features for individual nodes from sequence and structure data. Second, we further propose a GCN-based encoder to effectively refine the node features by modelling the dependencies among nodes in the network. Third, the node features are pre-trained based on graph reconstruction tasks. The pre-trained features can be used for model initialization in downstream tasks. Extensive experiments have been conducted on two critical link prediction tasks, i.e. synthetic lethality (SL) prediction and drug–target interaction (DTI) prediction. Experimental results demonstrate PT-GNN outperforms the state-of-the-art methods for SL prediction and DTI prediction. In addition, the pre-trained features benefit improving the performance and reduce the training time of existing models.

Availability and implementation

Python codes and dataset are available at: https://github.com/longyahui/PT-GNN.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway regulates the expression and localization of Cx43 in mouse proximal epididymis
Authors: Kim Bongki , Breton Sylvie
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to clarify the functional role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2)-signaling pathway in the expression and localization of connexin 43 (Cx43). Mice were treated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor, PD325901, which induced a progressive decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK) in the proximal epididymis of the mice, without affecting total ERK level. Cx43 staining with punctuated reactive sites was observed in the basolateral membranes in the initial segment (IS) of mouse epididymis. However, PD325901 induced a significant decrease in Cx43 labeling in the basolateral membranes. Interestingly, Cx43, which was undetectable in the apical region of epididymis under control conditions, showed a significant increase in the apical region after PD 325901 treatment. To confirm whether Cx43 was present in tight junctions (TJs) after PD 325901 treatment, PD325901-treated epididymis samples were double-labeled with Cx43 and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 (a TJ protein marker). Thereafter, confocal microscopy showed the colocalization of Cx43 and ZO-1 in the epididymis after PD325901 treatment. Collectively, our results indicated that PD325901 treatment induced a significant increase in Cx43 localization on TJs, where it was colocalized with ZO-1. Therefore, the study suggested that ERK phosphorylation is essential for the proper expression and localization of the gap junction (GJ) protein, and that the relationship between GJs and TJs could play an important role in establishing and maintaining microenvironmental homeostasis for sperm maturation in the IS of mouse epididymis.
Pathological complete response as a surrogate to improved survival in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Davey Matthew G. , Browne Ferdia , Miller Nicola , Lowery Aoife J. , Kerin Michael J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR) is believed to correlate with oncological outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. However, informed estimation of this survival advantage is often difficult to quantify. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pCR as a biomarker of survival in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapies for HER2+ breast cancer.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA checklist. Data specific to pCR and survival with respect to event-free survival (EFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.). pCR and survival at yearly intervals after resection were expressed as dichotomous variables using the Mantel–Haenszel method.

Results

Overall, 78 clinical studies with 25 150 patients were included in this study. pCR predicted better EFS (HR 0.67, 95 per cent c.i. 0.60 to 0.74; 41 studies), RFS (HR 0.69, 95 per cent c.i. 0.57 to 0.83; 18 studies) and OS (HR 0.63, 95 per cent c.i. 0.56 to 0.70; 29 studies) for patients with HER2+ breast cancer. At 5 years, pCR predicted better EFS (HR 0.37, 95 per cent c.i. 0.30 to 0.48; 19 studies), RFS (HR 0.28, 95 per cent c.i. 0.21 to 0.39; 8 studies) and OS (HR 0.26, 95 per cent c.i. 0.20 to 0.33; 10 studies).

Conclusion

This study confirms pCR as an informative surrogate biomarker for enhanced survival and suggests that it may be used as an appropriate endpoint for clinical research.