bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Self‐Healing Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Feathers for Sensing and Energy Harvesting
Authors: Zhu Jiaqing , Cheng Yu , Hao Saifei , Wang Zhong Lin , Wang Ning , Cao Xia
Published: June 2021

A useful direction to solve the energy problem is the effective repeated use of biomaterial for mechanical energy collection and sensing applications. Here, a feather‐based single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (F‐STENG) by only sputtering copper atoms on the feathers are presented. The feather of F‐STENG, as a natural material, has environmental friendliness, which is different from the polymer materials of other triboelectric nanogenerators. F‐STENG has super durability due to its feather structure self‐healing property. The device has a high output voltage of 90 V and an output current of 3.5 µA. After breaking and self‐healing lots of times, the output performance is also 80% of the original. F‐STENG has a high sensitivity to temperature, humidity, and wind speed, and the sensitivity is 0.50 V °C−1, ‐0.98 V RH−1, and 1.67 μA m−1 s−1. The output power of F‐STENG is 0.62 mW g−1, which can realize global positioning and photographing to solve the module energy consumption problem. F‐STENG provides an effective way for the application of self‐powered sensors and equipment in military, industrial, transportation, and daily life.
Ultraselective Carbon Nanotubes for Photoacoustic Imaging of Inflamed Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Gifani Mahsa , Eddins Devon J. , Kosuge Hisanori , Zhang Yapei , Paluri Sesha L. A. , Larson Timothy , Leeper Nicholas , Herzenberg Leonore A. , Gambhir Sanjiv Sam , McConnell Michael V. , Ghosn Eliver E. B. , Smith Bryan Ronain
Published: June 2021

Disruption of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques often leads to myocardial infarction and stroke, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. A diagnostic method that detects early‐stage high‐risk atherosclerotic plaques could prevent these sequelae. The abundant immune cells in the arterial wall, especially inflammatory Ly‐6Chi monocytes and foamy macrophages, are indicative of plaque inflammation, and may be associated with plaque vulnerability. Hence, a new method is sought to develop that specifically targets these immune cells to offer clinically relevant diagnostic information about cardiovascular disease. Ultraselective nanoparticle targeting of Ly‐6Chi monocytes and foamy macrophages and clinically‐viable photoacoustic imaging (PAI) are combined in order to precisely and specifically image inflamed plaques ex vivo in a mouse model that mimics human vulnerable plaques histopathologically. Within the plaques, high‐dimensional single‐cell flow cytometry (13‐parameter) shows that the nanoparticles are almost‐exclusively taken up by the Ly‐6Chi monocytes and foamy macrophages that heavily infiltrate plaques. PAI identifies inflamed atherosclerotic plaques that display ≈6‐fold greater signal compared to controls (P < 0.001) 6 h after intravenous injection of ultraselective carbon nanotubes, with in vivo corroboration via optical imaging. This highly‐selective strategy may provide a targeted, noninvasive imaging strategy to accurately identify and diagnose inflamed atherosclerotic lesions.
Long‐Term Super‐Amphiphilic Shaped‐Fiber with Multi‐Scale Grooved Structures: Toward Spontaneous Self‐Cleaning
Authors: Xu Bojie , He Meijin , Tang Zhongxue , Jiang Lei , Liu Huan
Published: June 2021

Despite long‐term exposure to the ambient environment, fabrics made of bamboo fibers enable spontaneous self‐cleaning of oil contaminants without using any surfactant. Here, it is revealed that the long‐term stable super‐amphiphilicity of bamboo fibers is responsible for self‐cleaning behavior. Liquids of both water and oil are liable to super‐spread on bamboo fibers, driven by multi‐scaled capillary forces imparted by the unique shaped fibrous structures with multi‐scale hierarchical ridges/grooves. Based on the minimization of free energy, the pre‐wetted oils can be easily removed away by forming the water film, reaching the spontaneous self‐cleaning. Notably, the super‐amphiphilicity induced by the structure shows better long‐term stability compared with that endowed by chemical modification. It is demonstrated that the bio‐inspired artificial counterpart also exhibits excellent self‐cleaning property, which inspires innovative self‐cleaning textures.
Uniform Stepped Interfacial Energy Level Structure Boosts Efficiency and Stability of CsPbI2Br Solar Cells
Authors: Luo Yu‐Xin , Xie Feng‐Ming , Chen Jing‐De , Ren Hao , Wang Jing‐Kun , Cai Xiao‐Yi , Shen Kong‐Chao , Lu Lin‐Yang , Li Yan‐Qing , Luponosov Yuriy N. , Tang Jian‐Xin
Published: June 2021

All‐inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskite has attracted great attention as an absorber for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its excellent thermal and light resistance. However, its device performance is restricted by the large energy level offset between CsPbI2Br and the most commonly used hole‐transporting layer (HTL). Herein, multicarbazolyl‐substituted benzonitrile (4t‐5CzBn) is inserted into the interface between CsPbI2Br and HTL to form a uniform stepped (0.24 eV) interfacial energy level structure, which reduces the energy loss and boosts the hole extraction of CsPbI2Br PSCs. The incorporation of 4t‐5CzBn induces the increase in open‐circuit voltage and fill factor from 1.256 V and 74.5% to 1.335 V and 82.3%, respectively. The optimized device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 17.34%, which is among the highest reported values of CsPbI2Br PSCs. Besides the energy level tuning effect, the tert‐butyl groups in 4t‐5CzBn improve the moisture‐resistance of CsPbI2Br PSCs. The unencapsulated device maintains over 75% of its initial efficiency after 700 h storage in air. These results demonstrate that the rational tuned energy level step benefits the performance improvement of CsPbI2Br PSCs.
Interlayer Structure Engineering of MXene‐Based Capacitor‐Type Electrode for Hybrid Micro‐Supercapacitor toward Battery‐Level Energy Density
Authors: Cheng Wenxiang , Fu Jimin , Hu Haibo , Ho Derek
Published: June 2021

Micro‐supercapacitors are notorious for their low energy densities compared to micro‐batteries. While MXenes have been identified as promising capacitor‐type electrode materials for alternative zinc‐ion hybrid micro‐supercapacitors (ZHMSCs) with higher energy density, their tightly spaced layered structure renders multivalent zinc‐ions with large radii intercalation inefficient. Herein, through insertion of 1D core‐shell conductive BC@PPy nanofibers between MXene nanosheets, an interlayer structure engineering technique for MXene/BC@PPy capacitor‐type electrodes towards ZHMSCs is presented. Owing to simultaneously achieving two objectives: (i) widening the interlayer space and (ii) providing conductive connections between the loose MXene layers, enabled by the conductive BC@PPy nanospacer, the approach effectively enhances both ion and electron transport within the layered MXene structure, significantly increasing the areal capacitance of the MXene/BC@PPy film electrode to 388 mF cm−2, which is a 10‐fold improvement from the pure MXene film electrode. Pairing with CNTs/MnO2 battery‐type electrodes, the obtained ZHMSCs exhibit an areal energy density up to 145.4 μWh cm−2 with an outstanding 95.8% capacity retention after 25000 cycles, which is the highest among recently reported MXene‐based MSCs and approaches the level of micro‐batteries. The interlayer structure engineering demonstrated in the MXene‐based capacitor‐type electrode provides a rational means to achieve battery‐levelenergy density in the ZHMSCs.
The Effect of Mechanical State on the Equilibrium Potential of Alkali Metal/Ceramic Single‐Ion Conductor Systems
Authors: Carmona Eric A. , Wang Michael J. , Song Yueming , Sakamoto Jeff , Albertus Paul
Published: June 2021

The relationship between mechanical stress states and interfacial electrochemical thermodynamics of Li metal/Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 and Na metal/Na‐β”‐Al2O3 systems are examined in two experimental configurations with an applied uniaxial load; the solid electrolytes are pellets and the metal electrodes high‐aspect‐ratio electrodes. The experimental results demonstrate that 1) the change in equilibrium potential at the metal/electrolyte interface, when stress is applied to the metal electrode, is linearly proportional to the molar volume of the metal electrode, and 2) the mechanical stress in the electrolyte has a negligible effect on the equilibrium potential for an experimental setup in which the electrolyte is stressed and the electrode is left unstressed. Solid mechanics modeling of a metal electrode on a solid electrolyte pellet indicates that pressure and normal stress are within ≈0.5 MPa of each other for the high aspect ratio (≈1:100 thickness:diameter in our study) Li metal electrodes under loads that exceed yield conditions. This work should aid in advancing the quantitative understanding of alkali metal dendrite formation within incipient cracks and their subsequent growth, and pore formation upon stripping, both situations where properly accounting for the impact of mechanical state on the equilibrium potential is of critical importance for calculating the current distribution.
Agitation in Alzheimer's disease: Novel outcome measures reflecting the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) agitation criteria
Authors: De Mauleon Adelaide , Ismail Zahinoor , Rosenberg Paul , Miller David , Cantet Christelle , O'Gorman Cedric , Vellas Bruno , Lyketsos Constantine , Soto Maria
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The 2017 European Union‐North American Clinical Trials in Alzheimer's Disease Task Force recommended development of clinician‐rated primary outcome measures for Alzheimer's disease (AD) agitation trials, incorporating International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) criteria.

Methods

In a modified Delphi process, Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory‐Clinician (NPI‐C) items were mapped to IPA agitation domains generating novel instruments, CMAI‐IPA and NPI‐C‐IPA. Validation in the Agitation and Aggression AD Cohort (A3C) assessed minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs), change sensitivity, and predictive validity.

Results

MCID was –17 (odds ratio [OR] = 14.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.8–32.6) for CMAI; –5 (OR = 9.3, 95% CI = 4.0–21.2) for CMAI‐IPA; –3 (OR = 11.9, 95% CI = 4.1–34.8) for NPI‐C‐A+A; and –5 (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 3.4–17.9) for NPI‐C‐IPA at 3 months. Areas under the curve suggested no scale better predicted global clinician ratings. Sensitivity to change for all measures was high.

Conclusion

Internal consistency and reliability analyses demonstrated better accuracy for the NPI‐C‐IPA than for the CMAI‐IPA and can be used for agitation clinical trial inclusion, and for response to intervention.
Error‐Insensitive 3D Entanglement Gate with Optimal Control of Geometric Evolution
Authors: Niu Wei , Wu Jin‐Lei , Wang Pan , Ji Xin
Published: June 2021

By using the counterdiabatic driving method, two‐atom 3D entanglement gates are constructed rapidly based on adiabatic geometric quantum computation (AGQC). The added counterdiabatic Hamiltonian does not introduce additional unaccessible ground‐state coupling, and the shapes and phases of the initial adiabatic classical‐field pulse only need to be modified. By using the optimal control technology, the effect of the control errors of Rabi frequency or detuning is suppressed effectively. Quite specially, with an appropriate choice of optimized parameters, the authors' scheme could be insensitive to these two kinds of errors simultaneously. By combining AGQC with optimal control, the scheme could offer a promising means for constructing fast and robust high‐dimensional quantum entanglement gate.
Investigating the impact of emotions on perceiving serendipitous information encountering
Authors: Sun Xu , Zhou Xiaosong , Wang Qingfeng , Sharples Sarah
Published: June 2021

Despite the potential importance of emotional aspects in information seeking, there is a lack of adequate attention to emotions' role in facilitating serendipitous information encountering. This paper contributes to this research gap by investigating the role of emotions during the process of perceiving and experiencing serendipitous information encountering in a controlled laboratory setting. The results show that applying a sketch game can stimulate participants' emotions. Our findings indicate that participants are more likely to experience serendipitous information encountering under the influence of positive emotions. This study contributes to an understanding of the relationship between emotions and the perception of serendipitous information encountering. The implications of the possibilities of facilitating positive emotions to induce serendipitous information encountering are discussed.
If we Ask, Will they Tell? (and Then, What?): Screening for Sexual Violence against Children in Kenya
Authors: Undie Chi‐Chi , Mak'anyengo Margaret
Published: June 2021

This study assesses the feasibility of using a screening tool to proactively identify child survivors of sexual violence in Kenyan primary school and health facility settings, and to refer such survivors to care. A mixed‐methods design was employed, involving quantitative screening tool data, as well as service data from 497 girls and boys in two primary schools (in standards six to eight) and one hospital site (11–17‐year‐olds) and qualitative data (in the form of field notes) generated during the screening process. Results point to the feasibility of this screening intervention, as evidenced by the proportion of children in the school and health facility sites combined: 97 per cent were willing to be screened for sexual violence, 45 per cent disclosed lifetime sexual violence and 75 per cent received care subsequent to disclosing lifetime experiences of sexual violence. Further, the qualitative results ‘give voice’ to child survivors and their parents, demonstrating the acceptability of, and demand for, the intervention among these populations. Findings from this study suggest that screening for sexual violence against children is feasible in both school and health facility settings. Such screening also holds potential for expanding child survivors' access to care.

‘Assesses the feasibility of using a screening tool to proactively identify child survivors of sexual violence in Kenyan primary school and health facility settings’

Key Practitioner Messages

Screening is a feasible means of proactively identifying child survivors of sexual violence.

Sexual violence screening can help expand child survivors' access to care.

Sexual violence screening can be adapted for implementation in various contexts or sectors, and with various categories of children.
A technical note and report of two patients with acute aortic syndrome who were treated with the new generation Ankura thoracic stent graft
Authors: Kratimenos Theodoros , Antonopoulos Constantine N. , Tomais Dimitrios , Dedeilias Panagiotis , Argiriou Michail
Published: June 2021

Initial experience with the new generation thoracic endograft (Ankura, Lifetech) in acute aortic syndrome was encouraging. The device was both user‐friendly and safe and it will increase the armamentory of the available endovascular treatment options.
Chiral Perylene Bisimide Dyes by Interlocked Arene Substituents in the Bay Area
Authors: Renner Rebecca , Mahlmeister Bernhard , Anhalt Olga , Stolte Matthias , Würthner Frank
Published: June 2021

A series of perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes bearing various aryl substituents in 1,6,7,12 bay positions has been synthesized by Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction. These molecules exhibit an exceptionally large and conformationally fixed twist angle of the PBI π‐core due to the high steric congestion imparted by the aryl substituents in bay positions. Single crystal X‐ray analyses of phenyl‐, naphthyl‐ and pyrenyl‐functionalized PBIs reveal interlocked π‐π‐stacking motifs, leading to conformational chirality and the possibility for the isolation of enantiopure atropoisomers by semipreparative HPLC. The interlocked arrangement endows these molecules with substantial racemization barriers of about 120 kJ mol−1 for the tetraphenyl‐ and tetra‐2‐naphthyl‐substituted derivatives, which is among the highest racemization barriers for axially chiral PBIs. Variable temperature NMR studies reveal the presence of a multitude of up to fourteen conformational isomers in solution that are interconverted via smaller activation barriers of about 65 kJ mol−1. The redox and optical properties of these core‐twisted PBIs have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis/NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy and their respective atropo‐enantiomers were further characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and circular polarized luminescence (CPL) spectroscopy.
The effect of hydrogen bonding on the copolymerization kinetics of 2‐methoxyethyl acrylate with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate in alcohol and aqueous solutions
Authors: Agboluaje Maryam , Hutchinson Robin A.
Published: June 2021

The influence of alcohol and alcohol/water solutions on the radical copolymerization kinetics of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with 2‐methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) is studied using pulsed‐laser‐polymerization coupled with size exclusion chromatography. It is found that MEA incorporation into the copolymer is increased in butanol, methanol (MeOH), and MeOH/H2O solutions relative to the bulk system. Copolymer composition can be represented for solvent levels ≥50 vol.% by a single pair of reactivity ratios ( = 2.39 ± 0.16, = 0.28 ± 0.02) that differ from those in bulk ( = 3.14 ± 0.44, = 0.27 ± 0.04). MeOH as solvent slightly reduces the propagation rate coefficient of HEMA compared to the bulk system, in contrast to the increase in the MEA value. Thus, the value of is higher in MeOH for MEA‐rich systems compared to bulk, with the effect of the solvent reduced as the HEMA content in the comonomer mixture is increased. Adding water as cosolvent significantly increases values for both monomers, with in MeOH/H2O higher than bulk values over the complete composition range. Furthermore, for 50% monomer in the solvent systems studied can be represented by the implicit penultimate unit model using a single pair of radical reactivity ratios. It is concluded that the strongest influence of hydrogen‐bonding solvents compared to bulk is on the homopropagation values, rather than on copolymerization parameters, and that the difference in relative reactivity of non‐functional and functional monomers in bulk and aqueous solution should be accounted for when studying emulsion copolymerization.
Luminol‐bubble‐tea – antioxidants and the glow of the alginate balls
Authors: Diekemper Dominik , Baltjan Gudrun , Schwarzer Stefan
Published: June 2021

Vielfach begegnen Antioxidantien Schülerinnen und Schülern im Alltag: In Lebensmitteln, Kosmetika oder in speziellem Functional Food. Bei der Behandlung von Redox‐Reaktionen oder Lebensmittelzusatzstoffen im Chemieunterricht werden Antioxidantien häufig thematisiert, oftmals aber ohne einen motivierenden Kontext zu schaffen und ohne die chemischen Hintergründe der Antioxidantien genauer zu beleuchten. Das hier vorgestellte Experiment verbindet dabei diese chemischen Sachverhalte mit der bekannten Luminol‐Reaktion und dem Trend des Bubble Teas. Als Modellsubstanz kann zusätzlich Hydroxytyrosol, ein Antioxidans aus der Olive, das in großen Mengen als Abfallprodukt bei der Olivenölherstellung anfällt, dienen.
Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the chest wall in an adolescent patient: A case report and brief review of the literature
Authors: Goldenberg Marti , Ramgopal Archana (AR) , Salgado Cláudia M. , Reyes‐Múgica Miguel , Malek Marcus M. , Tersak Jean M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare and aggressive bone tumor with few reports of primary tumor in the chest wall.

Case

We report a case of a 17‐year‐old male presenting with back pain and a posterior mediastinal mass. Imaging demonstrated what was thought to be a benign chondral tumor. The patient underwent resection which confirmed extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. The patient declined proposed adjuvant chemotherapy and underwent multiple resections for rapid local reoccurrence. He ultimately elected for hospice care.

Conclusion

The case highlights the importance of close disease monitoring and exploration of treatment options, given lack of established guidelines and consistent tumor features.
Pharmacokinetics of Meloxicam Tablets in Healthy Chinese Adults in the Fasting and Fed States: A Single‐Site, Single‐Dose, Randomized, Open, 2‐Period, 2‐Sequence, Crossover Bioequivalence Study
Authors: Yu Jin , Wang Yannan , Wu Yi , Lin Sisi , Hao Rui , Fang Lu , Zhu Jingjing , Zhao Di , Tong Shengjia , Si Yongkai , Ye Tiantian , Wu Zeyu , Huang Hui , Zhou Feifei , Wang Ying
Published: June 2021

Meloxicam is an enolate nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agent. This trial investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and bioequivalence of single oral doses of Aomei meloxicam (15 mg) and Mobic meloxicam (15 mg) in healthy volunteers under fasting and fed conditions. A single‐site, single‐dose, randomized, open, 2‐period, 2‐sequence, crossover bioequivalence study was performed: 24 healthy volunteers were enrolled in each of the fasting and fed arms. Each HV was randomly assigned to receive the Aomei drug (test) in one period and the Mobic drug (reference) in the other period. The concentration of meloxicam in plasma was detected using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The primary pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a noncompartmental model. In the fasting arm, the 90% confidence interval of the geometric mean ratios of maximum plasma concentration, area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last measurable plasma concentration, and area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity between the test and reference products were 99.5% to 111.7%, 101.2% to 106.8%, and 101.8% to 108.3%, respectively. In the fed arm, the 3 parameters were 94.1% to 102.4%, 97.6% to 103.0%, and 97.5% to 103.7%, respectively. These parameters were in the range of 80% to 125%, and the 2 products were considered bioequivalent in both the fasting and fed states and were well tolerated. The severity of all adverse events was mild. Aomei meloxicam tablets and Mobic meloxicam tablets were bioequivalent in healthy Chinese volunteers.
A Model‐Based Approach to Assess Unstable Creatinine Clearance in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Ullah Sami , Zoller Michael , Jaehde Ulrich , Huseyn‐Zada Mikayil , Weig Thomas , Fuhr Uwe , Arshad Usman , Zander Johannes , Taubert Max
Published: June 2021

Creatinine clearance is an important tool to describe the renal elimination of drugs in pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluations and clinical practice. In critically ill patients, unstable kidney function invalidates the steady‐state assumption underlying equations, such as Cockcroft‐Gault. Although measured creatinine clearance (mCrCL) is often used in nonsteady‐state situations, it assumes that observed data are error‐free, neglecting frequently occurring errors in urine collection. In contrast, compartmental nonlinear mixed effects models of creatinine allow to describe dynamic changes in kidney function while explicitly accounting for a residual error associated with observations. Based on 530 serum and 373 urine creatinine observations from 138 critically ill patients, a one‐compartment creatinine model with zero‐order creatinine generation rate (CGR) and first‐order CrCL was evaluated. An autoregressive approach for interoccasion variability provided a distinct model improvement compared to a classical approach (Δ Akaike information criterion (AIC) −49.0). Fat‐free mass, plasma urea concentration, age, and liver transplantation were significantly related to CrCL, whereas weight and sex were linked to CGR. The model‐based CrCL estimates were superior to standard approaches to estimate CrCL (or glomerular filtration rate) including Cockcroft‐Gault, mCrCL, four‐variable modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), six‐variable MDRD, and chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration as a covariate to describe cefepime and meropenem PKs in terms of objective function value. In conclusion, a dynamic model of creatinine kinetics provides the means to estimate actual CrCL despite dynamic changes in kidney function, and it can easily be incorporated into population PK evaluations.
Semiarid grasslands and extreme precipitation events: do experimental results scale to the landscape?
Authors: Post Alison K. , Davis Kristin P. , LaRoe Jillian , Hoover David L. , Knapp Alan K.
Published: June 2021

The frequency and magnitude of deluges (extremely large rain events) are increasing globally as the atmosphere warms. Small‐scale experiments suggest that semiarid grasslands are particularly sensitive to both the timing and size of deluge events. However, the assumption that plot‐scale results can be extrapolated across landscapes with variable soil textures, plant communities, and grazing regimes has seldom been tested, despite being key to forecasting regional consequences of precipitation extremes. We used precipitation data from an extensive rain gauge network to identify natural deluges (mean size = 60 ± 31 mm, 1984–2012) that occurred across a ˜60‐km2 heterogeneous native shortgrass steppe landscape in Colorado. We then related spatial variation in deluge precipitation to postdeluge responses in canopy greenness (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) via satellite imagery. Consistent with results from experiments, this semiarid grassland was most sensitive to mid–growing‐season deluges, and postdeluge canopy greenness usually increased linearly (67% of the time) with increasing deluge size. This suggests that aboveground productivity in these semiarid systems will likely increase, rather than asymptote, with forecasted increases in deluge size. Importantly, differences in grazing regime did not significantly alter deluge responses, indicating that these patterns are robust to this widespread management practice.
Potential use of wood pyrolysis coproducts: A review
Authors: Pereira Emanuele Graciosa , Fauller Humberto , Magalhães Mateus , Guirardi Bruna , Martins Marcio Arêdes
Published: June 2021

The wood carbonization is made at an enclosed environment with controlled addition of atmospheric air producing, besides charcoal, other coproducts such as condensable and non‐condensable gases. These gases, which represent 70% of the dry wood mass, are released into the atmosphere, decreasing air quality and producing environmental and social impacts. In this context, it is necessary to develop technologies capable to convert these gases into usable products or transform them into heat and power. The incineration of gases from charcoal kilns opens new opportunities of business because the energy provided by burners can be utilized for drying the wood to be introduced into the kilns and for generation of electricity. On the other hand, condensable gases can also be used on a route to recover and purify the pyroligneous acid. Pyroligneous acid finds application in diverse areas, as antiseptic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, herbicide, pesticide, plant growth enhancer, antitermitic activities; is a source for valuable chemicals; and provides smoked flavor and aroma for food. The main objective of this review is to explore the potential use of wood pyrolysis coproducts, aiming to subsidize and to encourage the technological development of equipment for use of these coproducts. This paper highlights the potential benefits arising from pyroligneous acid application and discusses the charcoal cogeneration technologies.
Application of microfluidic paper‐based analytical device (μPAD) to detect COVID‐19 in energy deprived countries
Authors: Chowdury Mosfera A. , Khalid Farrukh
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) has spread all across the world. Low‐ and medium‐income countries are more affected economically and socially compared to developed countries due to the lack of a rapid, robust, and affordable testing infrastructure. Furthermore, the high cost of real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, sophisticated user‐handling procedure, and high expense of the conventional clinical tests are the root causes of the less accessibility of the testing systems to the users. In this study, a COVID‐19 Point‐of‐Care (POC) ecosystem model is proposed for the low‐ and medium‐income countries (or energy deprived countries) that will facilitate the technological development with locally available fabrication components. In addition, the nontechnological development phases have also been discussed, which encompasses the collaboration among academia, local as well as government bodies, and entrepreneurial ventures. In addition, a hypothetical design of a microfluidic paper‐based analytical (μPADs) POC platform is proposed to detect COVID‐19 analyte using unprocessed patient‐derived saliva, which is a miniaturized form‐factor of conventional real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The device contains four major reaction zones, which are sample zone, buffer zone, loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) Master Mix zone, Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) zone, and sensor zone. To obtain quicker test results and easier operation, a handheld image acquisition technique is introduced in this study. It is hypothesized that in a remote setting, the proposed design could be used as an initial guideline to develop a POC COVID‐19 testing system, which may be simple, easy‐to‐use, and cost‐effective.
FIRST‐IN‐HUMAN STUDY OF THE EZH1 AND EZH2 DUAL INHIBITOR VALEMETOSTAT TOSYLATE (DS‐3201B) IN PATIENTS WITH RELAPSED OR REFRACTORY NON‐HODGKIN LYMPHOMAS
Authors: Ishitsuka K , Izutsu K , Maruyama D , Makita S , Jacobsen E. D , Horwitz S , Kusumoto S , Allen P , Porcu P , Imaizumi Y , Yamauchi N , Morishima S , Kawamata T. , Foss F. M , Utsunomiya A , Nosaka K , Serbest G , Kato K , Adachi N , Tsukasaki K , Tobinai K
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and its close homolog, EZH1, catalyze the attachment of 3 methyl groups to histone H3 at lysine 27. Altered EZH2 expression is implicated in the etiology of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). Valemetostat tosylate (DS‐3201b; valemetostat) is a novel, potent, and selective dual inhibitor of EZH2 and EZH1.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Intraoperative imaging device for glioblastoma multiforme surgery: Review of Raman‐based intraoperative imaging and introduction of a novel handheld probe technology
Authors: Behbahani Mandana , Keisham Bijentimala , Rosinski Clayton L. , Berry Vikas , Mehta Ankit I.
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. Degree of resection contributes greatly to improved prognosis. Review of the literature for intraoperative hand‐held Raman probes technology to enhance maximal gross total resection was conducted. Additionally, we introduce study of Raman shift of graphene, as the biosensing interface with tumor, to enhance the current model of hand‐held probes. Retrospective analysis of the literature was conducted using pubMed database to delineate various intraoperative hand‐held probes with a particular focus on Raman spectroscopic (RS) technology in neuronal tissue. Summary of our group's recent publications in this area is included. Literature review demonstrates ability of Raman Spectroscopy (RS) to distinguish normal glial tissue from that of pathologic tissue (GBM) with great accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Furthermore, addition of nano sensors, such as gold particles, has proven successful in enhancing the detection of tumor and normal brain interface. Our work has previously demonstrated graphene as a feasible biosensor to be used in conjunction with RS in detecting GBM cells. Intra operative handheld Raman probes (RP) have advanced overtime as an additive tool to help surgeons clearly distinguish tumor and normal brain interface. Optimal biosensors can significantly enhance the detection of such margins, thereby, aiding in more precise gross total resection.
Dual‐Comb Femtosecond Solid‐State Laser with Inherent Polarization‐Multiplexing
Authors: Kowalczyk Maciej , Sterczewski Łukasz , Zhang Xuzhao , Petrov Valentin , Wang Zhengping , Sotor Jarosław
Published: June 2021

Dual‐comb spectroscopy is a rapidly developing technique enabling ultraprecise broadband optical diagnostics of atoms and molecules. This powerful tool typically requires two phase‐locked femtosecond lasers, yet it has been shown that it can be realized without any stabilization if the combs are generated from a single laser cavity. Still, unavoidable intrinsic relative phase fluctuations always set a limit on the precision of any spectroscopic measurements, hitherto limiting the applicability of bulk dual‐comb lasers for mode‐resolved studies. Here, a versatile concept for low‐noise dual‐comb generation from a single‐cavity femtosecond solid‐state laser based on intrinsic polarization‐multiplexing inside an optically anisotropic gain crystal is demonstrated. Due to intracavity spatial separation of the orthogonally polarized beams, two sub‐100 fs pulse trains are simultaneously generated from a 1.05 µm Yb:CNGS (calcium niobium gallium silicate) oscillator with a repetition rate difference of 4.7 kHz. The laser exhibits the lowest relative noise ever demonstrated for a bulk dual‐comb source, supporting free‐running mode‐resolved spectroscopic measurements over a second. Moreover, the developed dual‐comb generation technique can be applied to any solid‐state laser exploiting a birefringent active crystal, paving the way toward a new class of highly coherent, single‐cavity, dual‐comb laser sources operating in various spectral regions.
Dorsal Hand Vein Recognition Using Very Deep Learning
Authors: Kumar Rajendra , Singh Ram C. , Kant Shri
Published: June 2021

Designing a deep neural network for multiclass classification is a challenging task in comparison to binary classification. In this paper, a very deep learning model for dorsal hand vein recognition is presented. Deep learning models may contain hundreds of hidden layers. The increase in layers makes a model complex and it takes much time to train especially on CPU instead of GPU. The proposed model consists of network of Convolution layers and ReLU layers followed by one Global Average Pooling layer and two dense layers. To keep the model stable, batch normalization is applied on input and hidden layers and Adam optimizer is used to optimize the model. For the training and testing purpose two self‐constructed datasets are used, first having 1200 dorsal hand vein images of children of age ranging from 5 to 12 years and second having 2000 dorsal hand vein images from 100 adults. The accuracy of the proposed model is compared with two recent contributions, which also used self‐constructed datasets. The accuracy of the proposed system observed is 98.33% when trained and tested with children' dataset, and 100% when trained and tested with adults' dataset.
Footprint Identification: Review of an Emerging Biometric Trait
Authors: Khokher Rohit , Singh Ram Chandra
Published: June 2021

Biometric systems are progressively replacing traditional password‐based and token‐based validation systems. Security and acknowledgment precision are the two most significant viewpoints to be considered in developing a biometric system. Today, biometric has been effectively conveyed in different fields like criminological science, security, distinguishing proof, and approval systems. In this study, a complete survey is introduced to reveal insight into the most recent advancements in the investigation of footprint‐based individual recognition covering different angles that have been utilized by scientists to improve this biometric modality. The paper presents various techniques developed so far for recognizing a person's identity using foot geometry and footprint structure. Because of a careful examination and conversation, impediments of existing exploration work are discussed and recommendations for future work are given.
Direct detection of ESKAPEc pathogens from whole blood using the T2Bacteria Panel allows early antimicrobial stewardship intervention in patients with sepsis
Authors: Drevinek Pavel , Hurych Jakub , Antuskova Milena , Tkadlec Jan , Berousek Jan , Prikrylova Zuzana , Bures Jiri , Vajter Jaromir , Soucek Martin , Masopust Jan , Martinkova Vendula , Adamkova Jaroslava , Hysperska Veronika , Bebrova Eliska
Published: June 2021

In the microbiological diagnosis of bloodstream infections (BSI), blood culture (BC) is considered the gold standard test despite its limitations such as low sensitivity and slow turnaround time. A new FDA‐cleared and CE‐marked platform utilizing magnetic resonance to detect amplified DNA of the six most common and/or problematic BSI pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli; referred to as ESKAPEc) is available and may shorten the time to diagnosis and potentially improve antimicrobial utilization. Whole blood samples from hospitalized patients with clinical signs of sepsis were analyzed using the T2Bacteria Panel (T2Biosystems) and compared to simultaneously collected BC. Discrepant results were evaluated based on clinical infection criteria, combining supporting culture results and the opinion of treating physicians. A total of 55 samples from 53 patients were evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of the T2Bacteria panel was 94% (16 out of 17 detections of T2Bacteria‐targeted organisms) and 100%, respectively, with 36.4% (8 of 22) causes of BSI detected only by this method. The T2Bacteria Panel detected pathogens on average 55 hours faster than standard BC. In our study, 9 of 15 patients with positive T2Bacteria Panel results received early‐targeted antibiotic therapy and/or modification of antimicrobial treatment based on T2Bacteria Panel findings. Given the high reliability, faster time to detection, and easy workflow, the technique qualifies as a point‐of‐care testing approach.
Evaluation of Individualized Multi‐Disciplinary Inpatient Treatment for Functional Movement Disorders
Authors: Schmidt Tamara , Ebersbach Georg , Oelsner Henriette , Sprock Anette , König Inke R. , Bäumer Tobias , Münchau Alexander , Weissbach Anne
Published: June 2021

Background

Functional movement disorders (FMD) are associated with considerable morbidity and impairment of quality of life. Specialized treatment is scarce and data on efficacy of different therapies are limited.

Objective

To evaluate a multi‐modal inpatient treatment program for patients with FMD.

Methods

Thirty‐one patients with FMD were analyzed before (t1) and after multi‐modal inpatient treatment (t2) by a blinded video rating using the Psychogenic Movement Disorder Rating Scale (PMDRS), the simplified Functional Movement Disorder Rating Scale (S‐FMDRS), and the Clinical Global Impression Scale of Severity (CGI‐S), as well as patients' self‐rating. In 23 out of 31 patients a 5 months follow‐up investigation was performed (t3). Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and Friedman test were used for rating scale and self‐rating comparisons over time. Spearman correlation was used for correlation of symptom improvement and clinical characteristics.

Results

Video rating revealed significant reduction of scores after therapy (median PMDRS t1 = 24, t2 = 8, P = 0.0006; S‐FMDRS t1 = 11, t2 = 4, P = 0.008; CGI‐S t1 = 4, t2 = 3, P = 0.000136) with sustained score decrease in follow‐up evaluations (PMDRS t1 = 31, t2 = 8, t3 = 7, P = 0.000032; S‐FMDRS t1 = 12, t2 = 4, t3 = 3, P = 0.000888; CGI‐S t1 = 4, t2 = 3, t3 = 3, P = 0.000032). Patients reported a stable reduction of symptoms in the self‐rating (CGI‐S t1 = 5, t2 = 4, t3 = 4, P = 0.016). Age correlated with treatment response with older patients showing better improvement, but disease duration did not correlate with outcome. Patients who suffered from physical trauma, sexual or physical abuse had smaller score reductions.

Conclusion

Blinded video and self‐rating assessment showed significant score reduction in patients with FMD after an individualized interdisciplinary inpatient intervention.
An inertial subgradient extragradient method of variational inequality problems involving quasi‐nonexpansive operators with applications
Authors: Suparatulatorn Raweerote , Charoensawan Phakdi , Khemphet Anchalee
Published: June 2021

In this work, a new algorithm is suggested to solve the variational inequality problems for Lipschitz continuous and monotone operators and the fixed point problems for quasi‐nonexpansive operators. This algorithm is constructed based on the inertial subgradient extragradient method. In addition, a strong convergence theorem for this algorithm is obtained under some extra conditions. Furthermore, an application to a signal recovery in compressed sensing problem is shown as a numerical example of the algorithm.
Material processing with fast rise and fall time CO2 laser pulses
Authors: Kim Patrick
Published: June 2021

The recent growth in the organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) market has resulted in substantial investments in the display industry, particularly from South Korean companies, but also recently from Chinese players, and this trend is expected to continue for a further three to four years. This expansion of the display industry has resulted in a growth of USP laser markets due to the requirement for higher power and more precise processing quality. This industry is prepared to pay for better laser‐based solutions which has fueled the demand for shorter pulsed CO2 lasers for film cutting applications. One of the key features required in the market is to minimize the heat effect on the material during the cutting process.
Determinants and consequences of rural‐to‐urban migration patterns in China: Evidence from sequence analysis
Authors: Chen Zhenxiang , Lu Yao , Treiman Donald J.
Published: June 2021

This paper adopts a life course perspective that captures the migration trajectory for rural‐to‐urban migrants in China during the observation window. By taking this trajectory approach, we aim to advance the understanding of divergent rural‐to‐urban migration patterns in China and their determinants and consequences. We use data from the Survey of Internal Migration and Health in China (IMHC) and focus on individuals' migration experience between age 14 and 40. First, we apply sequence analysis to characterise the main rural‐to‐urban migration patterns by different timing, duration, frequency, and direction and identify seven common patterns. We next examine the determinants of these patterns. The results suggest that demographic characteristics, socio‐economic background, and hometown characteristics shape migration trajectories in complex ways, highlighting that social origin can substantially determine migration patterns of rural Chinese. Furthermore, we examine via a counterfactual framework how the seven migration patterns shape migrants' occupational attainment while taking account of self‐selection into different migration trajectories. The findings show that (i) there is self‐selection into migration trajectories that has implications for occupational status and (ii) non‐transient adult urban migration is associated with higher occupational attainment whereas other types of migration are not.
Surface temperature variability in climate models with large and small internal climate variability
Authors: Yeh Sang‐Wook , Hyun Seung‐Hwon , Park In‐Hong , Zheng Xiao‐Tong
Published: June 2021

By analyzing large ensemble simulations using the Community Earth System Model (CESM_LE), the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model Grand Ensemble (MPI_GE), and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) climate models, we quantified internal climate variability (ICV) of surface temperature in each model based on the spread of simulated global mean surface temperature from the ensemble mean. Then, we examined the characteristics of simulated surface temperature variability in climate models with large and small ICV in the present climate and in a future climate. Both the CESM_LE and MPI_GE members with large ICVs tended to simulate larger surface temperature variability at low latitudes, including El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability, and larger cooling and warming trends of the global mean surface temperatures than those with small ICVs in the present climate. Similar characteristics were observed in CMIP5 climate models with large and small ICVs in the present climate. This implies that surface temperature variability including extreme climate events should be cautiously examined in climate models with large and small ICVs. On the other hand, the characteristics of surface temperature variability simulated in the CMIP5 climate models with large or small ICVs were similar from the present climate to future climate with magnitude of ICVs. This was in contrast to that simulated in the CESM_LE and MPI_GE, in which the magnitude of ICV changes between the present climate and the future climate. We inferred that these differences between CMIP5 climate models and large ensemble simulations could primarily be attributed to intermodel differences in the CMIP5 climate models, including model physics and parameterizations.
Correcting the representations used in teaching fundamentals of Quantum spin to undergraduate and graduate students
Authors: Cherkaoui Mustapha , Mourid El Hassane
Published: June 2021

Among a high number of concepts taught in physical sciences, some of them are not formulated correctly in an adequate way, which allows that their comprehension by students can be ambiguous and lead to a false representation. The concept of spin in general and that of electronic spin are part of this topic. For this reason, the main aim of this paper is to clarify from students' life the effect of teaching the spin concept in its fuzzy way; this is included in the didactics of science in teaching quantum mechanics. Then, we will suggest how to behave vigilantly when we are responsible for teaching such concepts.
Some new confidence intervals for Kaplan‐Meier based estimators from one and two sample survival data
Authors: Tang Yongqiang
Published: June 2021

The restricted mean survival time (RMST) has been popularly used to assess the treatment effect in survival trials. Greenwood's formula is often used to estimate the variance of RMST, and the resulting Wald confidence interval (CI) tends to be liberal in small and moderate samples. We propose the empirical likelihood ratio, score‐type, and loglog transformed CIs for RMST in a single sample. The method of variance estimates recovery technique is used to derive the CIs for the difference and ratio parameters in the two sample inference. A variance estimate, which assumes equal survival curves, but possibly different censoring rates in the two groups, is proposed for comparing two groups. The new variance estimate shows excellent performance in testing for superiority, and also works well for a noninferiority test with a small margin, and for the interval estimation when the two survival curves are close. We use similar techniques to construct CIs for comparing two milestone survival probabilities. Numerical examples are used to assess these interval estimation methods.