bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unzipped Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Hybrid Fiber with Less “Dead Volume” for Ultrahigh Volumetric Energy Density Supercapacitors
Authors: Ma Wujun , Li Wanfei , Li Min , Mao Qinghui , Pan Zhenghui , Hu Jing , Li Xin , Zhu Meifang , Zhang Yuegang
Published: March 2021

The development of 1D fiber‐shaped supercapacitors (SCs) with high volumetric energy density is of great significance for miniature wearable electronics, where limiting the device's volume is critical. In this study, a partially unzipped carbon nanotube/reduction graphene oxide (PUCNT/RGO) hybrid fiber with less “dead volume” and a well‐ordered porous structure is fabricated via wet spinning of a mixed partially unzipped oxidized carbon nanotube (PUOCNT)/GO solution and chemical reduction. The spinning solution is of low viscosity and high concentration, which can ensure smooth spinning while reducing the mass transfer during phase separation, thus lessen the “dead volume” derived from isolated pores. Moreover, PUOCNT with 1D and 2D hybrid nanoarchitecture, large specific surface area, and good water solubility can be a more effective spacer to inhibit the restacking of graphene oxide sheets while reducing the spacer itself and the large spacious voids formed “dead volume”. The all‐solid‐state SC assembled from the PUCNT/RGO hybrid fiber exhibits an excellent volumetric energy density of 8.63 mWh cm−3, exceeding the values of previously reported carbon‐based fibers. The findings may open a door for finely controlling the density and pore structure of graphene‐based fiber for applications in high volumetric energy storage via a scalable and efficient process.
A ΔE = 0.63 V Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst Enables High‐Rate and Long‐Cycling Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Zhao Chang‐Xin , Liu Jia‐Ning , Wang Juan , Ren Ding , Yu Jia , Chen Xiao , Li Bo‐Quan , Zhang Qiang
Published: March 2021

Rechargeable zinc–air batteries constitute promising next‐generation energy storage devices due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and feasibility to realize high cycling current density and long cycling lifespan. Nevertheless, their cathodic reactions involving oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution are highly sluggish in kinetics, requiring high‐performance noble‐metal‐free bifunctional electrocatalysts that exceed the current noble‐metal‐based benchmarks. Herein, a noble‐metal‐free bifunctional electrocatalyst is fabricated, which demonstrates ultrahigh bifunctional activity and renders excellent performance in rechargeable zinc–air batteries. Concretely, atomic Co–N–C and NiFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are respectively selected as oxygen reduction and evolution active sites and are further rationally integrated to afford the resultant CoNC@LDH composite electrocatalyst. The CoNC@LDH electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable bifunctional activity delivering an indicator ΔE of 0.63 V, far exceeding the noble‐metal‐based Pt/C+Ir/C benchmark (ΔE = 0.77 V) and most reported electrocatalysts. Correspondingly, ultralong lifespan (over 3600 cycles at 10 mA cm−2) and excellent rate performances (cycling current density at 100 mA cm−2) are achieved in rechargeable zinc–air batteries. This work highlights the current advances of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis and endows high‐rate and long‐cycling rechargeable zinc–air batteries for efficient sustainable energy storage.
Biomass production and stability of five energycane cultivars at two latitudes in Georgia
Authors: Knoll Joseph E. , Anderson William F. , Missaoui Ali , Hale Anna , Hanna Wayne W.
Published: March 2021

Energycane (Saccharum hybrid) could be a viable bioenergy crop for the Southeast United States. Five energycane cultivars were planted in 2008 at a northern (Watkinsville, GA) and a southern (Tifton, GA) site, and were grown for 7 yr to compare biomass yields. Plots were arranged in a four replicate randomized complete block design at each site. Energycane was grown under rainfed conditions with 90–112 kg ha–1 N applied annually. Plant height was recorded at least monthly, and stalks were sampled to determine juice volume and Brix (estimate of sugar concentration) at harvest. Whole plots were mechanically harvested each year after killing freeze and weighed to determine biomass yields. Biomass yield and mature plant height were strongly correlated at both Tifton (r = .746) and Watkinsville (r = .727). Biomass yields peaked in Year 4 at Tifton (39.8 Mg ha–1) and Year 5 at Watkinsville (30.5 Mg ha–1), but local weather conditions had a greater influence on yields than stand age. Day‐long freezes during the winter and late spring freezes after shoot emergence resulted in reduced growth rate and yields in subsequent growing seasons. These cold weather events were more common at Watkinsville than Tifton, resulting in yields being more variable at the northern location. The greatest yielding cultivars were Ho 06‐9001 (27.0 Mg ha–1) and Ho 06‐9002 (25.1 Mg ha–1). Stability analysis revealed that these two cultivars responded positively to favorable environments in terms of biomass yield and plant height.
Self‐Assembled Liesegang Rings of Hydroxyapatite for Cell Culturing
Authors: Eltantawy Mervat M. , Belokon Mikhail A. , Belogub Elena V. , Ledovich Olesia I. , Skorb Ekaterina V. , Ulasevich Sviatlana A.
Published: March 2021

A novel method of 3D self‐organization of patterns made of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) in agar matrix is reported. The model system involves gradual ion diffusion and phase transitions of calcium phosphates. Herein, HA is precipitated for the first time in the agar gel matrix via single‐diffusion gel growth technique to aggregate the inorganic Liesegang rings (LRs). These patterns are formed as periodic structures through precipitation reaction and arise during the reagent diffusion in a polymer matrix. The concentrations of these inner and outer electrolytes, as well as pH and temperature effects on the morphologies, periodicity, stability, and number of LRs, are studied. In this study, the periodic HA Liesegang ring structures (HA LRs) are fabricated via a diffusion‐limited aggregation process. These patterns influence the C2C12 cell growth and allow to obtain the patterns formed by the cell tissue. This method can be prospective for the generation of 3D gradients in materials/3D gradient materials generation for studying the interface tissue engineering, systematic cell–biomaterial interaction, as well as for the fabrication of the stimuli‐responsive gradients to control/mimic migration of cells during the wound healing.
Design, synthesis, antibacterial evaluation, and computational studies of hybrid oxothiazolidin–1,2,4‐triazole scaffolds
Authors: Pathak Prateek , Novak Jurica , Shukla Parjanya K. , Grishina Maria , Potemkin Vladimir , Verma Amita
Published: March 2021

Bacterial infections are a serious threat to human health due to the development of resistance against the presently used antibiotics. The problem of growing and widespread antibiotic resistance is only getting worse with the shortage of new classes of antibiotics, creating a substantial unmet medical need in the treatment of serious bacterial infections. Therefore, in the present work, we report 18 novel hybrid thiazolidine–1,2,4‐triazole derivatives as DNA gyrase inhibitors. The derivatives were synthesized by multistep organic synthesis and characterized by spectroscopic methods (1H and13C nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy). The derivatives were tested for DNA gyrase inhibition, and the result emphasized that the synthesized derivatives have a tendency to inhibit the function of DNA gyrase. Furthermore, the compounds were also tested for antibacterial activity against three Gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis[NCIM 2063],Bacillus cereus[NCIM 2156],Staphylococcus aureus[NCIM 2079]) and two Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli[NCIM 2065],Proteus vulgaris[NCIM 2027]) bacteria. The derivatives showed a significant‐to‐moderate antibacterial activity with noticeable antibiofilm efficacy. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR), ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination) calculation, molecular docking, radial distribution function, and 2D fingerprinting were also performed to elucidate fundamental structural fragments essential for their bioactivity. These studies suggest that the derivatives10band10nhave lead antibacterial properties with significant DNA gyrase inhibitory efficacy, and they can serve as a starting scaffold for the further development of new broad‐spectrum antibacterial agents.
How trust leads to online purchase intention founded in perceived usefulness and peer communication
Authors: Harrigan Maggie , Feddema Kim , Wang Shasha , Harrigan Paul , Diot Emmanuelle
Published: March 2021

This study seeks to understand the specific factors on social media that help drive the intention to purchase fashion‐related products, focusing on the central role of trust. The unique contribution of this research lies in its exploration of the interplay between perceived usefulness of the fashion brand's social media and peer communication on the fashion brand's social media in driving trust in the fashion brand's social media and, ultimately, purchase intention. Theoretically, we combine the technology acceptance model and consumer socialisation theory to explore the mediating role of trust in a rapidly expanding and growing industry sector. In surveying 150 Europeans to test our hypotheses around the aforementioned concepts, findings show that the perceived usefulness of a brand's social media is impacted by a set of atmospheric cues, and it influences the level of trust in both the fashion brand and its social media channels. Peer communication also influences perceived usefulness and level of trust in both the fashion brand and its social media channels. Trust in the brand but not its social media channels impacts purchase intention. The role of privacy concerns is limited in our model. We draw implications for theory around combining consumer socialisation theory and the technology acceptance model and for managers around parallel strategies to build different sets of trust on social media.
NiFe‐layered Double Hydroxide/Vertical Bi2WO6 Nanoplate Arrays with Oriented {001} Facets Supported on ITO Glass: Improved Photoelectrocatalytic Activity and Mechanism Insight
Authors: Wang Yajun , Liu Liming , Zhang Jiaying , Zhang Wencan , Yao Wenqing , Jiang Guiyuan
Published: March 2021

The hole oxidation of Bi2WO6 occurs on Bi or O sites, thus, enhancing the proportion of {001} facets of Bi2WO6 in photocatalysis has received increased attention because of its promotion of the hole oxidation. In this work, we successfully fabricated {001} facets highly exposed Bi2WO6 nanoplate arrays (Bi2WO6 NAs) photoelectrode growing on indium tin oxides (ITO) substrate in situ. After electrochemical deposition of NiFe‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) on Bi2WO6 NAs, NiFe−LDH/Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode was also obtained for the first time. Bi2WO6 with a large proportion of {001} facets facilitate the photocatalytic oxidation reactions, and NiFe−LDH can induce photogenerated holes transfer from Bi2WO6 to NiFe−LDH simultaneously. The NiFe−LDH/Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode presents superior photoelectrochemical properties than pure Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode, which was characterized by transient photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) systematically. Taking bisphenol A (BPA) as a model pollutant, the NiFe−LDH/Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode exhibits much higher photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation activity than Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode. The PEC degradation rate of NiFe−LDH/Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode is 2.1 times and 4.7 times that of Bi2WO6 NAs photoelectrode under simulated solar light illumination and visible light illumination, respectively. This work proposes a new approach to construct highly efficient photoelectrode for contaminant purification.
Functionalized Ultrafine Rhodium Nanoparticles on Graphene Aerogels for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Cao Kai‐Wen , Sun Hui‐Ying , Xue Qi , Ding Yu , Wang Tian‐Jiao , Li Fu‐Min , Xu Guang‐Rui , Chen Pei , Yang Yun , Chen Yu
Published: March 2021

Water electrolysis over a wide pH range offers promising technology for hydrogen production, which requires highly stable and active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, polyallylamine (PA)‐functionalized ultrafine rhodium nanoparticles (Rh−uNPs) uniformly anchored on three‐dimensional graphene aerogel (GA) nanocomposites (PA@Rh−uNPs/GA) are synthesized by using a facile surface adsorption‐chemical reduction method at room temperature. Physical characterization shows that the PA@Rh−uNPs/GA nanocomposites have three‐dimensionally porous architecture and that PA@Rh−uNPs with a 1.3 nm size are uniformly dispersed on the GA surface. Electrochemical measurements show that the molecular weight of PA affects the HER activity of PA@Rh−uNP nanocomposites. The molecular weight‐optimized PA@Rh−uNPs/GA nanocomposites with 10 % Rh mass show higher HER activity than the commercial 20 % Pt/C electrocatalyst over a wide pH range, which originates from proton or water enrichment at the electrode/solution interface due to the specific function of −NH2 groups at PA molecules.
Rationale and design of the precise percutaneous coronary intervention plan (P3) study: Prospective evaluation of a virtual computed tomography‐based percutaneous intervention planner
Authors: Nagumo Sakura , Collet Carlos , Norgaard Bjarne L , Otake Hiromasa , Ko Brian , Koo Bon‐kwon , Leipsic Jonathon , Andreini Daniele , Heggermont Ward , Jensen Jesper M , Takahashi Yu , Ihdayhid Abdul , Zhang Zinlong , Barbato Emanuele , Maeng Michael , Mizukami Takuya , Bartunek Jozef , Updegrove Adam , Penicka Martin , Rogers Campbell , Taylor Charles , De Bruyne Bernard , Sonck Jeroen
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measured after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been identified as a surrogate marker for vessel related adverse events. FFR can be derived from standard coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). Moreover, the FFR derived from coronary CTA (FFRCT) Planner is a tool that simulates PCI providing modeled FFRCT values after stenosis opening.

Aim

To validate the accuracy of the FFRCT Planner in predicting FFR after PCI with invasive FFR as a reference standard.

Methods

Prospective, international and multicenter study of patients with chronic coronary syndromes undergoing PCI. Patients will undergo coronary CTA with FFRCT prior to PCI. Combined morphological and functional evaluations with motorized FFR hyperemic pullbacks, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be performed before and after PCI. The FFRCT Planner will be applied by an independent core laboratory blinded to invasive data, replicating the invasive procedure. The primary objective is to assess the agreement between the predicted FFRCT post‐PCI derived from the Planner and invasive FFR. A total of 127 patients will be included in the study.

Results

Patient enrollment started in February 2019. Until December 2020, 100 patients have been included. Mean age was 64.1 ± 9.03, 76% were males and 24% diabetics. The target vessels for PCI were LAD 83%, LCX 6%, and RCA 11%. The final results are expected in 2021.

Conclusion

This study will determine the accuracy and precision of the FFRCT Planner to predict post‐PCI FFR in patients with chronic coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous revascularization.
DIAMOND+MEGAN: Fast and Easy Taxonomic and Functional Analysis of Short and Long Microbiome Sequences
Authors: Bağcı Caner , Patz Sascha , Huson Daniel H.
Published: March 2021

One main approach to computational analysis of microbiome sequences is to first align against a reference database of annotated protein sequences (NCBI‐nr) and then perform taxonomic and functional binning of the sequences based on the resulting alignments. For both short and long reads (or assembled contigs), alignment is performed using DIAMOND, whereas taxonomic and functional binning, followed by inter‐ active exploration and analysis, is performed using MEGAN. We provide two step‐by‐step descriptions of this approach: © 2021 The Authors.

This article was corrected on 20 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Taxonomic and functional analysis of short read microbiome sequences

Support Protocol 1: Preprocessing

Basic Protocol 2: taxonomic and functional analysis of assembled long read microbiome sequences

Support Protocol 2: Taxonomic binning and CheckM
Monomers from CO2: Superbases as Catalysts for Formate‐to‐Oxalate Coupling
Authors: Schuler Eric , Ermolich Pavel A. , Shiju N. Raveendran , Gruter Gert‐Jan M.
Published: March 2021

Invited for this month′s cover are the Industrial Sustainable Chemistry group of Prof. Dr Gert‐Jan M. Gruter and the Catalysis Engineering group of Dr. Raveendran Shiju at the University of Amsterdam. The image shows a full cycle from CO2 to polymers via several steps. The work reports the use of superbases in suitable environments to improve the formate coupling step by drastically lowering the reaction temperature and times whilst achieving higher yields. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202002725.
Emotional eating across different eating disorders and the role of body mass, restriction, and binge eating
Authors: Reichenberger Julia , Schnepper Rebekka , Arend Ann‐Kathrin , Richard Anna , Voderholzer Ulrich , Naab Silke , Blechert Jens
Published: March 2021

Objective

Different subtypes of eating disorders (ED) show dysfunctional eating behaviors such as overeating and/or restriction in response to emotions. Yet, systematic comparisons of all major EDs on emotional eating patterns are lacking. Furthermore, emotional eating correlates with body mass index (BMI), which also differs between EDs and thus confounds this comparison.

Method

Interview‐diagnosed female ED patients (n = 204) with restrictive (AN‐R) or binge‐purge anorexia nervosa (AN‐BP), bulimia nervosa (BN), or binge‐eating disorder (BED) completed a questionnaire assessing “negative emotional eating” (sadness, anger, anxiety) and “happiness eating.” ED groups were compared to BMI‐matched healthy controls (HCs; n = 172 ranging from underweight to obesity) to exclude BMI as a confound.

Results

Within HCs, higher BMI was associated with higher negative emotional eating and lower happiness eating. AN‐R reported the lowest degree of negative emotional eating relative to other EDs and BMI‐matched HCs, and the highest degree of happiness eating relative to other EDs. The BN and BED groups showed higher negative emotional eating compared to BMI‐matched HCs. Patients with AN‐BP occupied an intermediate position between AN‐R and BN/BED and reported less happiness eating compared to BMI‐matched HCs.

Discussion

Negative emotional and happiness eating patterns differ across EDs. BMI‐independent emotional eating patterns distinguish ED subgroups and might be related to the occurrence of binge eating versus restriction. Hence, different types of emotional eating can represent fruitful targets for tailored psychotherapeutic interventions. While BN and BED might be treated with similar approaches, AN‐BP and AN‐R would need specific treatment modules.
Can current farmland landscapes feed declining steppe birds? Evaluating arthropod abundance for the endangered little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) in cereal farmland during the chick‐rearing period: Variations between habitats and localities
Authors: González del Portillo David , Arroyo Beatriz , García Simón Guillermo , Morales Manuel B.
Published: March 2021

Agriculture intensification threatens farmland bird populations because, among other reasons, it reduces the availability of food resources required to rear their offspring. In our study, we sampled and analyzed total arthropod abundance, biomass and richness, and orthopteran and coleopteran abundance and biomass in different agricultural habitats (alfalfa fields, stubble fields, grazed fields, and field margins) across 4 study localities with different levels of agriculture abandonment–intensification, comparing between areas used and not used by one of the most threatened farmland birds in Europe, the little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), during the chick‐rearing season. Field margins were the taxonomically richest habitat, while alfalfa fields presented significantly higher total arthropod abundance and biomass than other habitats. All arthropod variables were the highest in the localities with clear conservation‐focused agrarian management, and the lowest in the most intensive one. Areas used by little bustards had higher orthopteran and coleopteran abundance and biomass than nonused areas, except for coleopteran biomass in grazed fields. These results highlight the relevance of these arthropods for the species, the importance of dry alfalfa fields as food reservoirs in this critical time of year, the food scarcity in sites where agrarian management disregards farmland bird conservation, and the role of stubbles as providers of food resources during the chick‐rearing season in areas used by the species. The adequate management of alfalfa fields and stubbles to provide those key resources seems crucial to improve little bustard breeding success.
The influence of competing root symbionts on below‐ground plant resource allocation
Authors: Bell Christopher A. , Magkourilou Emily , Urwin Peter E. , Field Katie J.
Published: March 2021

Plants typically interact with multiple above‐ and below‐ground organisms simultaneously, with their symbiotic relationships spanning a continuum ranging from mutualism, such as with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to parasitism, including symbioses with plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPN).

Although research is revealing the patterns of plant resource allocation to mutualistic AMF partners under different host and environmental constraints, the root ecosystem, with multiple competing symbionts, is often ignored. Such competition is likely to heavily influence resource allocation to symbionts.

Here, we outline and discuss the competition between AMF and PPN for the finite supply of host plant resources, highlighting the need for a more holistic understanding of the influence of below‐ground interactions on plant resource allocation. Based on recent developments in our understanding of other symbiotic systems such as legume–rhizobia and AMF‐aphid‐plant, we propose hypotheses for the distribution of plant resources between contrasting below‐ground symbionts and how such competition may affect the host.

We identify relevant knowledge gaps at the physiological and molecular scales which, if resolved, will improve our understanding of the true ecological significance and potential future exploitation of AMF‐PPN‐plant interactions in order to optimize plant growth. To resolve these outstanding knowledge gaps, we propose the application of well‐established methods in isotope tracing and nutrient budgeting to monitor the movement of nutrients between symbionts. By combining these approaches with novel time of arrival experiments and experimental systems involving multiple plant hosts interlinked by common mycelial networks, it may be possible to reveal the impact of multiple, simultaneous colonizations by competing symbionts on carbon and nutrient flows across ecologically important scales.
European clinical practice recommendations on opioids for chronic noncancer pain – Part 2: Special situations*
Authors: Krčevski Škvarč Nevenka , Morlion Bart , Vowles Kevin E. , Bannister Kirsty , Buchsner Eric , Casale Roberto , Chenot Jean‐François , Chumbley Gillian , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr , Dom Geert , Jutila Liisa , O'Brien Tony , Pogatzki‐Zahn Esther , Rakusa Martin , Suarez–Serrano Carmen , Tölle Thomas , Häuser Winfried
Published: March 2021

Background

Opioid use for chronic non‐cancer pain (CNCP) is under debate. In the absence of pan‐European guidance on this issue, a position paper was commissioned by the European Pain Federation (EFIC).

Methods

The clinical practice recommendations were developed by eight scientific societies and one patient self‐help organization under the coordination of EFIC. A systematic literature search in MEDLINE (up until January 2020) was performed. Two categories of guidance are given: Evidence‐based recommendations (supported by evidence from systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials or of observational studies) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) statements (supported either by indirect evidence or by case‐series, case–control studies and clinical experience). The GRADE system was applied to move from evidence to recommendations. The recommendations and GCP statements were developed by a multiprofessional task force (including nursing, service users, physicians, physiotherapy and psychology) and formal multistep procedures to reach a set of consensus recommendations. The clinical practice recommendations were reviewed by five external reviewers from North America and Europe and were also posted for public comment.

Results

The European Clinical Practice Recommendations give guidance for combination with other medications, the management of frequent (e.g. nausea, constipation) and rare (e.g. hyperalgesia) side effects, for special clinical populations (e.g. children and adolescents, pregnancy) and for special situations (e.g. liver cirrhosis).

Conclusion

If a trial with opioids for chronic noncancer pain is conducted, detailed knowledge and experience are needed to adapt the opioid treatment to a special patient group and/or clinical situation and to manage side effects effectively.

Significance

If a trial with opioids for chronic noncancer pain is conducted, detailed knowledge and experience are needed to adapt the opioid treatment to a special patient group and/or clinical situation and to manage side effects effectively. A collaboration of medical specialties and of all health care professionals is needed for some special populations and clinical situations.
Horizons for Modern Electrochemistry Related to Energy Storage and Conversion, a Review
Authors: Malka David , Attias Ran , Shpigel Netanel , Malchick Fyodor , Levi Mikhael D. , Aurbach Doron
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this paper is to suggest frontier inter‐disciplinary research directions that can be considered as important horizons of modern electrochemistry in the field of energy storage and conversion. We selected several topics that call for advancements in solid‐state, interfacial, analytical and energy‐related electrochemical science. A dramatic improvement in the performance of energy storage and conversion devices is needed to meet the urgent demands of our society. Significantly more efficient devices are needed to meet two major challenges: electro‐mobility, namely electrochemical propulsion of electric vehicles, and the ability to store and convert large quantities of energy generated from sustainable sources such as sun and wind. We suggest promotion of breakthroughs in several important directions. The examples chosen include: Development of novel in‐situ methodologies for design and testing composite electrodes for advanced energy storage devices; Improving the electrochemical performance of high specific capacity, but hard to control, LiNiO2 cathodes for advanced lithium ion batteries designed for electric vehicles, with a quantitative goal of stable specific capacity >230 mAh/g with a charging potential lower than 4.3 V; Advancing aqueous electrochemical systems for large energy storage based on sodium electrochemistry; Promoting development of batteries based on multivalent active metals with magnesium as the most advanced example. There is a strong incentive to promote fundamental and practical progress in the field of rechargeable Mg batteries using new electrodes’ configurations and advanced electroanalytical methods. All these directions require deep efforts in basic, fundamental studies, in order to reach important practical goals.
By Endowing Polyglutamic Acid/Polylysine Composite Hydrogel with Super Intrinsic Characteristics to Enhance its Wound Repair Potential
Authors: Wei Ran , Chen Taijun , Wang Yingying , Xu Qizhen , Feng Bo , Weng Jie , Peng Wenzhen , Wang Jianxin
Published: March 2021

In this study, multifunctional porous composite hydrogels are prepared via composite technology and using poly(glutamic acid) and (polylysine) as precursors, casein as foaming agent, and calcium ions as coagulant. The results show that the as‐prepared hydrogels have high porosity and water absorbency, and good mechanical, inherent antibacterial, and bioadhesive properties. The results show such high water absorption, bioadhesion, and porosity of the as‐prepared hydrogel can effectively concentrate blood components and seal wounds better. The release of calcium ions in the as‐prepared hydrogels can activate coagulation factors. Both factors can play an important role in hemostasis. The excellent hydroscopicity, moisture retention, adhesion, and inherent antibacterial properties of the as‐prepared hydrogel can create a moist, sterile, and closed microenvironment for the wound healing. The experimental results of a deep skin defect model have verified its good effect of promoting wound repair. These inherent excellent properties can endow the as‐prepared hydrogel with a wide range of application values.
State of the art in cystic fibrosis pharmacology optimization of antimicrobials in the treatment of cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations: III. Executive summary
Authors: Epps Quovadis J. , Epps Kevin L. , Young David C. , Zobell Jeffery T.
Published: March 2021

Acute pulmonary exacerbations are complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Aspergillus fumigatus are organisms that have been detected in the lungs of CF patients. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the classes of antimicrobials used for MRSA and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), a hypersensitivity reaction caused by A. fumigatus. The current anti‐MRSA antibiotics and medications for ABPA dosing recommendations are discussed. This article also reviews the findings from the MRSA utilization surveys and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences between CF and non‐CF patients. Antimethicillin S. aureus antibiotics include ceftaroline, clindamycin, fluoroquinolone derivatives (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), glycopeptide derivatives (telavancin, vancomycin), linezolid, rifampin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline derivatives (doxycycline, minocycline, tigecycline). Medications used for ABPA include corticosteroids, amphotericin B, azole antifungals (isavuconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), and a monoclonal antibody, omalizumab.
Can the Evidence Revolution and Multi‐Tiered Systems of Support Improve Education Equity and Reading Achievement?
Authors: Fien Hank , Chard David J. , Baker Scott K.
Published: March 2021

We situate education, and the science of reading (SOR) specifically, in the midst of a broad, evidence‐based revolution involving an array of disciplines focused on improving the health and well‐being of individuals and populations. Low and stagnant levels of reading proficiency, massive reading disparities, and a robust SOR knowledge base suggest that the withholding of evidence‐based practices in schools differentially harms students of Color, students from poor families, English learners, and students with disabilities. We acknowledge that simply expecting greater use of evidence‐based reading practices in schools will not suffice. We present a framework where practitioners and policymakers would continue to gain better and easier access to the SOR knowledge base and evidence‐based reading practices and where much greater emphasis would be placed on fueling the demand for evidence‐based practices in schools. How schools are organized to provide reading instruction for students is also a key consideration in efforts to expand the use of evidence‐based practices. We make the case that schools engaged in comprehensive use of multi‐tiered systems of support approaches in reading are well positioned to increase their use of evidence‐based reading practices. Because much is not known about how to scale the use of effective practices, scaling efforts themselves represent opportunities to generate new SOR knowledge on both the supply and demand sides. This work would be consistent with the SOR knowledge base as a dynamic and constantly emerging phenomenon, rather than a static repository waiting to be accessed and used.
Influence of Hot Rolling Finishing Temperature on Texture and Ridging Resistance in Stabilized Ferritic Stainless Steels
Authors: Kodukula Suresh , Kokkomäki Heikki , Puukko Esa , Porter David , Kömi Jukka
Published: March 2021

A systematic study is conducted on a 17% Cr dual stabilized ferritic stainless steel (FSS) to study the evolution of texture during hot rolling and its effect on ridging resistance after cold rolling and annealing. Hot rolling is conducted on a 4‐high laboratory rolling mill with finishing temperatures in the range of 1000–810 °C to cover the evolution of microtexture under both conventional hot rolling conditions and when using low finishing temperatures. Subsequently, the hot‐rolled coils are cold rolled and annealed to the same final thickness. The microtextures of the samples are evaluated at each process step using scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscattered diffraction (SEM‐EBSD). Lowering the hot rolling finishing temperature results in the formation of intragranular shear bands, which strengthens the γ‐fiber in the texture after subsequent annealing of the hot‐rolled material. After cold rolling to a reduction of 78% followed by final annealing, the microtexture in the final product correlates with the microtexture after hot rolling. The resistance to ridging in stabilized FSS improves by lowering the finishing temperature during hot rolling. This study shows the importance of the hot rolling process conditions in improving the texture inherited from the casting of FSS.
Beyond Protection: The Role of the Home State in Modern Foreign Investment Law
Authors: Gazzini Tarcisio
Published: March 2021

The chapter examines the evolution of the role of the home state in foreign investment law. Traditionally, such a role was essentially limited to norm-setting and protecting nationals and national companies abroad. Protection was typically offered through diplomatic protection, which was based on the legal fiction that the state was vindicating its own right. The conclusion of modern investment treaties, the progressive emancipation of foreign investors and the development of investor-state arbitration meant a marginalisation of the home state. Some recent treaties, however, have paved the way for a new role for the home state that goes well beyond protection of its nationals and national companies. Innovative provisions have introduced obligations and responsibilities for the home state, especially with regard to the fight against corruption and the liability of its own investors. It remains to be seen to which extent these provisions will spread across the international community of states.
Spectral form factor in the double-scaled SYK model
Authors: Khramtsov Mikhail , Lanina Elena
Published: March 2021

Abstract

In this note we study the spectral form factor in the SYK model in large q limit at infinite temperature. We construct analytic solutions for the saddle point equations that describe the slope and the ramp regions of the spectral form factor time dependence. These saddle points are obtained by taking different approaches to the large q limit: the slope region is described by a replica-diagonal solution and the ramp region is described by a replica-nondiagonal solution. We find that the onset of the ramp behavior happens at the Thouless time of order q log q. We also evaluate the one-loop corrections to the slope and ramp solutions for late times, and study the transition from the slope to the ramp. We show this transition is accompanied by the breakdown of the perturbative 1/q expansion, and that the Thouless time is defined by the consistency of extrapolation of this expansion to late times.
The Laplacian on Cartesian products with mixed boundary conditions
Authors: Seelmann Albrecht
Published: March 2021

A definition of the Laplacian on Cartesian products with mixed boundary conditions using quadratic forms is proposed. Its consistency with the standard definition for homogeneous and certain mixed boundary conditions is proved and, as a consequence, tensor representations of the corresponding Sobolev spaces of first order are derived. Moreover, a criterion for the domain to belong to the Sobolev space of second order is proved.
Anodal tDCS modulates specific processing codes during conflict monitoring associated with superior and middle frontal cortices
Authors: Adelhöfer Nico , Stock Ann-Kathrin , Beste Christian
Published: March 2021

Conflict monitoring processes are central for cognitive control. Neurophysiological correlates of conflict monitoring (i.e. the N2 ERP) likely represent a mixture of different cognitive processes. Based on theoretical considerations, we hypothesized that effects of anodal tDCS (atDCS) in superior frontal areas affect specific subprocesses in neurophysiological activity during conflict monitoring. To investigate this, young healthy adults performed a Simon task while EEG was recorded. atDCS and sham tDCS were applied in a single-blind, cross-over study design. Using temporal signal decomposition in combination with source localization analyses, we demonstrated that atDCS effects on cognitive control are very specific: the detrimental effect of atDCS on response speed was largest in case of response conflicts. This however only showed in aspects of the decomposed N2 component, reflecting stimulus–response translation processes. In contrast to this, stimulus-related aspects of the N2 as well as purely response-related processes were not modulated by atDCS. EEG source localization analyses revealed that the effect was likely driven by activity modulations in the superior frontal areas, including the supplementary motor cortex (BA6), as well as middle frontal (BA9) and medial frontal areas (BA32). atDCS did not modulate effects of proprioceptive information on hand position, even though this aspect is known to be processed within the same brain areas. Physiological effects of atDCS likely modulate specific aspects of information processing during cognitive control.
New cell delivery system CellSaic with adipose-derived stromal cells promotes functional angiogenesis in critical limb ischemia model mice
Authors: Tanioka Hideki , Miyagawa Shigeru , Mori Daisuke , Watanabe Ken-ichi , Ueno Takayoshi , Toda Koichi , Shibuya Takashi , Kuratani Toru , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: March 2021

Current therapies for patients with critical limb ischemia have not reduced amputation risk owing to poor cell engraftment. The recombinant peptide Cellnest increases the engraftment rate of administered cells by forming a complex with the cells (CellSaic). We hypothesized that CellSaic containing adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) could improve lower limb blood flow better than ADSCs alone, resulting in better transplanted cell engraftment. ADSCs were extracted from 8-week-old C57BL/6N mice. Thirty-two critical limb ischemia model mice were established by ligating femoral arteries. They were divided into CellSaic (n = 11), ADSC (n = 10), saline (n = 9), and Cellnest (n = 9) groups. Blood flow rate (affected side blood flow / healthy side blood flow × 100%) was evaluated using a laser Doppler blood flow meter every week. Mice were euthanized on day 28 for histological evaluation. Compared with the ADSC group (54.5 ± 17.2%), treated side blood flow rate of the CellSaic group (78.0 ± 24.9%) showed significant improvement on day 28 after administration (p < 0.05). CD31 staining showed significantly higher number of capillary vessels in the CellSaic group (53.0 ± 8.9 cells/mm3) than in the ADSC group (43.0 ± 6.8 cells/mm3) (p < 0.05). Fluorescent staining showed significantly higher number of arterioles containing both CD31 and αSMA double-positive cells in the CellSaic group than in the ADSC group (p < 0.05). CellSaic containing ADSCs exhibited superiority to ADSC transplantation alone in promoting functional angiogenesis, suggesting its potential in improving clinical outcomes of angiogenic therapy for ischemic limbs.
Real-time GNSS precise point positioning for low-cost smart devices
Authors: Wang Liang , Li Zishen , Wang Ningbo , Wang Zhiyu
Published: March 2021

Global Navigation Satellite System raw measurements from Android smart devices make accurate positioning possible with advanced techniques, e.g., precise point positioning (PPP). To achieve the sub-meter-level positioning accuracy with low-cost smart devices, the PPP algorithm developed for geodetic receivers is adapted and an approach named Smart-PPP is proposed in this contribution. In Smart-PPP, the uncombined PPP model is applied for the unified processing of single- and dual-frequency measurements from tracked satellites. The receiver clock terms are parameterized independently for the code and carrier phase measurements of each tracking signal for handling the inconsistency between the code and carrier phases measured by smart devices. The ionospheric pseudo-observations are adopted to provide absolute constraints on the estimation of slant ionospheric delays and to strengthen the uncombined PPP model. A modified stochastic model is employed to weight code and carrier phase measurements by considering the high correlation between the measurement errors and the signal strengths for smart devices. Additionally, an application software based on the Android platform is developed for realizing Smart-PPP in smart devices. The positioning performance of Smart-PPP is validated in both static and kinematic cases. Results show that the positioning errors of Smart-PPP solutions can converge to below 1.0 m within a few minutes in static mode and the converged solutions can achieve an accuracy of about 0.2 m of root mean square (RMS) both for the east, north and up components. For the kinematic test, the RMS values of Smart-PPP positioning errors are 0.65, 0.54 and 1.09 m in the east, north and up components, respectively. Static and kinematic tests both show that the Smart-PPP solutions outperform the internal results provided by the experimental smart devices.
The Additive Effect of CBT Elements on the Video Game ‘Mindlight’ in Decreasing Anxiety Symptoms of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Wijnhoven Lieke A. M. W. , Engels Rutger C. M. E. , Onghena Patrick , Otten Roy , Creemers Daan H. M.
Published: March 2021

The aim of the present study was to examine the additive effect of elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the video game Mindlight in decreasing anxiety of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A non-concurrent multiple baseline design with 8 children with ASD in the age of 8–12 was used. CBT did not have the hypothesized additive effect on Mindlight in decreasing anxiety of children with ASD. Instead, multiple participants already experienced a decrease in anxiety during the Mindlight sessions. Yet, several participants did experience a stabilization in anxiety at a low level during the CBT sessions. For now, it can be concluded that CBT does not have an additive effect on Mindlight.
The Effect of Dissolved Nitrogen on the Fatigue Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Collins C. R. , Dear F. F. , Rugg D. , Dye D.
Published: March 2021

The effect of nitrogen additions on fatigue behavior has been examined in near-equiaxed, rolled Ti-6Al-4V bar. This is the first-time nitrogen content that has been systematically explored with respect to monotonic and cyclic properties in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy base composition. Nitrogen additions were found to increase the

$$\beta $$

β

-transus temperature and strength, but they decreased ductility, even in microstructures where some

$$\beta $$

β

phase remained. This carried across into both the low- and high cycle fatigue behavior; even small contents of 240 and 560 ppmwN caused reductions in both low cycle fatigue life and high cycle fatigue strength. In samples containing 240 and 560 ppmwN, a conventional striated fractographic appearance was observed, but a dramatic change to a macroscopically brittle fracture surface was observed at 1800 and 3600 ppmwN, but still with substantial evidence of plasticity at the microscale. Therefore, neither microstructure or fractographic examination, nor EDX-based compositional analysis in the electron microscope are necessarily a reliable indicator of an absence of deleterious nitrogen contamination. This is significant for the investigation of potentially nitrogen-contaminated surface-initiated cracks, either due to service or processing exposures.
Effects of Liquid Digestate Treatment on Sustainable Microalgae Biomass Production
Authors: Kisielewska Marta , Dębowski Marcin , Zieliński Marcin , Kazimierowicz Joanna , Quattrocelli Piera , Bordiean Anna
Published: March 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of microalgal cultivation on anaerobic liquid digestate as a growth medium. The two methods of liquid digestate treatment including centrifugation and distillation and the two algal strains (Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis) were compared. Additionally, the volume of the liquid digestate used to prepare the culture medium constituted from 10 to 50% of the medium volume. The study demonstrated that the highest C. vulgaris and A. platensis biomass productions of 2490 mg TS/L and 2990 mg/L, respectively, were obtained by adding 50% of distilled digestate to a growth medium. Regarding centrifuged liquid digestate, only 10% dilution was required to obtain the maximum final biomass concentration. A. platensis removed 81.1% and 66.4% of the total nitrogen from medium prepared on distilled and centrifuged digestate, respectively, while C. vulgaris ensured 64.1% and 47.1% of removal, respectively. The phosphorus removal from both culture media was higher than 94.2% with A. platensis, while it was 70.4% from distilled and 87.4% from centrifuged media with C. vulgaris. The study confirmed a great potential of microalgal biomass production on anaerobic liquid digestate with a high treatment efficiency of digestate.
Sauropterygian remains from the Middle Triassic of Villány, Hungary—new information on the aquatic reptile fauna of Tisza Megaunit (Triassic southern Eurasian shelf region)
Authors: Segesdi Martin , Ősi Attila
Published: March 2021

Sauropterygia was a diverse clade of secondary aquatic reptiles, which represented one of the most important vertebrate groups in the shallow marine communities during the Triassic. However, despite the long history of collection and examination of sauropterygian remains, previous studies have indicated that the fossil record of this group is incomplete, making the understanding of their palaeobiogeographic relations difficult. Here we describe new sauropterygian remains from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Templomhegy Dolomite Member (Villány, southern Hungary), which were unearthed during systematic fieldwork of previous years. Among several non-diagnostic sauropterygian remains, this material contains isolated bones belonging to Nothosaurus sp., Simosauridae indet. and a small-sized nothosaurid. The known faunal composition from Villány is similar to what was described from the Middle Triassic of the Germanic Basin and Bihor Mountains (northwestern Romania). Besides isolated elements, a probably associated skeleton of a small-sized eosauropterygian specimen of unknown affinities is also reported here. This locality widens our knowledge on Triassic sauropterygian distribution and provides new information about the previously not well-known Middle Triassic vertebrate fauna of the one-time southern Eurasian shelf region.