bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Growth of Ultralong Graphene Nanoribbons on Insulating Substrates
Authors: Lyu Bosai , Chen Jiajun , Lou Shuo , Li Can , Qiu Lu , Ouyang Wengen , Xie Jingxu , Mitchell Izaac , Wu Tongyao , Deng Aolin , Hu Cheng , Zhou Xianliang , Shen Peiyue , Ma Saiqun , Wu Zhenghan , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Wang Xiaoqun , Liang Qi , Jia Jinfeng , Urbakh Michael , Hod Oded , Ding Feng , Wang Shiyong , Shi Zhiwen
Published: May 2022

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with widths of a few nanometers are promising candidates for future nanoelectronic applications due to their structurally tunable bandgaps, ultrahigh carrier mobilities, and exceptional stability. However, the direct growth of micrometer‐long GNRs on insulating substrates, which is essential for the fabrication of nanoelectronic devices, remains an immense challenge. Here, the epitaxial growth of GNRs on an insulating hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) substrate through nanoparticle‐catalyzed chemical vapor deposition is reported. Ultranarrow GNRs with lengths of up to 10 µm are synthesized. Remarkably, the as‐grown GNRs are crystallographically aligned with the h‐BN substrate, forming 1D moiré superlattices. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals an average width of 2 nm and a typical bandgap of ≈1 eV for similar GNRs grown on conducting graphite substrates. Fully atomistic computational simulations support the experimental results and reveal a competition between the formation of GNRs and carbon nanotubes during the nucleation stage, and van der Waals sliding of the GNRs on the h‐BN substrate throughout the growth stage. This study provides a scalable, single‐step method for growing micrometer‐long narrow GNRs on insulating substrates, thus opening a route to explore the performance of high‐quality GNR devices and the fundamental physics of 1D moiré superlattices.
Robust Artificial Interphases Constructed by a Versatile Protein‐Based Binder for High‐Voltage Na‐Ion Battery Cathodes
Authors: Li Huangxu , Guan Chaohong , Zhang Jie , Cheng Ke , Chen Qingxin , He Liang , Ge Xiaochen , Lai Yanqing , Sun Hongyan , Zhang Zhian
Published: May 2022

The multiple issues of unstable electrode/electrolyte interphases, sluggish reaction kinetics, and transition‐metal (TM) dissolution have long greatly affected the rate and cycling performance of cathode materials for Na‐ion batteries. Herein, a multifunctional protein‐based binder, sericin protein/poly(acrylic acid) (SP/PAA), is developed, which shows intriguing physiochemical properties to address these issues. The highly hydrophilic nature and strong H‐bond interaction between crosslinking SP and PAA leads to a uniform coating of the binder layer, which serves as an artificial interphase on the high‐voltage Na4Mn2Fe(PO4)2P2O7 cathode material (NMFPP). Through systematic experiments and theoretical calculations, it is shown that the SP/PAA binder is electrochemically stable at high voltages and possesses increased ionic conductivity due to the interaction between sericin and electrolyte anion ClO4−, which can provide additional sodium‐migration paths with greatly reduced energy barriers. Besides, the strong interaction force between the binder and the NMFPP can effectively protect the cathode from electrolyte corrosion, suppress Mn‐dissolution, stabilize crystal structure, and ensure electrode integrity during cycling. Benefiting from these merits, the SP/PAA‐based NMFPP electrode displays enhanced rate and cycling performance. Of note, the universality of the SP/PAA binder is further confirmed on Na3V2(PO4)2F3. It is believed that the versatile protein‐based binder is enlightening for the development of high‐performance batteries.
Aerodynamic and Acoustic Simulations of Thick Flatback Airfoils Employing High Order DES Methods
Authors: Bangga Galih , Seel Ferdinand , Lutz Thorsten , Kühn Timo
Published: May 2022

The results of high fidelity aerodynamic and acoustic computations of thick flatback airfoils are reported in the present paper. The studies are conducted on a flatback airfoil having a relative thickness of 30% with the blunt trailing edge thickness of 10% relative to chord. Delayed Detached‐Eddy Simulation (DDES) approaches in combination with high order (5th) flux discretization WENO (Weighted Essentially Non‐Oscillatory) and Riemann solver are employed. Two variants of the DES length scale calculation methods are compared. The results are validated against experimental data with good accuracy. The studies provide guideline on the mesh and turbulence modeling selection for flatback airfoil simulations. The results indicate that the wake breakdown is strongly influenced by the spanwise resolution of the mesh, which directly contributes to the prediction accuracy especially for drag force and noise emission. The Reynolds normal stress and the Reynolds stress component have the largest contributions on the mixing process, while the contribution of the component is minimal. Proper orthogonal decomposition is further performed to gain deeper insights into the wake characteristics.
Use of dolomite catalyst in biodiesel production via transesterification of waste cooking oil in oscillatory baffled reactor
Authors: Ali Mudheher M. , Ahmed Safaa M. R. , Aqar Dhia Y. , Gheni Saba A. , Abdullah Ghassan H. , Mahmood Marwan A. , Habeeb Omar A. , Harvey Adam , N. Phan Anh
Published: May 2022

Biodiesel has recently gained popularity due to its environmental issues and the fact that it is generated from renewable resources. However, the cost of the synthesis of biodiesel is the major impediment to commercialization. The utilization of leftover cooking oils as raw material, the adaptation of a continuous transesterification process, and the use of cheap catalysts are the major possibilities for investigating the cost of biodiesel. In this work, a dolomite catalyst was prepared from natural dolomite rocks and used for the evaluation of continuous transesterification of biodiesel from oleic acid as a model compound of waste cooking oil (WCO). The dolomite catalyst was prepared by activation under vacuum at a surface area of 34.5 m2/g. The characterization tests showed good thermal stability of the catalyst and evolution of the CaO and MgO compounds at high concentrations. A kinetic study was conducted to obtain kinetic parameters of catalytic transesterification of the WCO. The kinetic experiments were carried out at 298–333 K, and residence time up to 80 min. The results presented that the catalytic transesterification is the first‐order reaction, and the activation energy was 43 kJ/mol. The oscillatory baffled reactor (OBR) was used to evaluate the dolomite catalyst for the continuous production of biodiesel via transesterification. The evaluation study was conducted at a methanol: oil mole ratio of 6:1 and the effect of different operation variables on oleic acid conversion to biodiesel was studied. These variables were temperature (323, 333, and 343 K), residence times (5–40 min), the amplitude of oscillation (2–8 mm), and frequency of oscillation (1, 2, 3, 4, and 4.3 Hz). The results showed an outstanding performance and stable activity of the dolomite catalyst as a conversion of 96% was obtained at 333 K, 4.3 Hz, 8 mm amplitude, and 40 min residence time.
Forming‐Free Resistive Switching Memory Crosspoint Arrays for In‐Memory Machine Learning
Authors: Ricci Saverio , Mannocci Piergiulio , Farronato Matteo , Hashemkhani Shahin , Ielmini Daniele
Published: May 2022

In‐memory computing (IMC) with crosspoint arrays of resistive switching memory (RRAM) has gained wide attention for accelerating machine learning, data analysis, and deep neural networks. By IMC, matrix‐vector multiplication (MVM) can be executed in the crosspoint array in just one step, thus accelerating a broad range of tasks in machine learning and data analytics. However, a key issue for RRAM crosspoint arrays is the forming operation of the memories which limits the stability and accuracy of the conductance state in the memory device. In this work, a hardware implementation of crosspoint array of forming‐free devices for fast, energy‐efficient accelerators of MVM is reported. RRAM devices with a 1.5 nm‐thick HfO2 layer show an initial low resistance without forming and an analogue‐mode programming behavior for high‐accuracy IMC. Accurate hardware MVM is demonstrated by experimental eigenvalue/eigenvector calculation according to the power‐iteration algorithm, with a fast convergence within about ten iterations to the correct solution. Deflation technique and principal component analysis (PCA) enable the classification of the Iris dataset with 98% accuracy compared with floating‐point implementation. These results support forming‐free crosspoint arrays for accelerating advanced machine learning with IMC.
Outcomes following venetoclax‐based treatment in therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Shah Mithun Vinod , Chhetri Rakchha , Dholakia Ruchita , Kok Chung H. , Gangat Naseema , Alkhateeb Hassan B. , Al‐Kali Aref , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Baranwal Anmol , Greipp Patricia T. , He Rong , Begna Kebede H. , Tiong Ing Soo , Wei Andrew H. , Hiwase Devendra
Published: May 2022

Therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms (t‐MN) are aggressive malignancies in need of effective therapies. The BCL‐2 inhibitor venetoclax represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. However, the effectiveness of venetoclax has not been studied in a large cohort of t‐MN. We retrospectively analyzed 378 t‐MN patients, of which 96 (25.4%, 47 therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia, 1 therapy‐related chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, 48 therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndrome) received venetoclax. Median interval from t‐MN to venetoclax initiation was 2.9 (Interquartile range [IQR] 0.7–12) months, and patients received a median of 3 (IQR 1–4) cycles. The composite complete remission (CRc) rate, median progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 39.1%, 4.9 months, and 7 months, respectively. The upfront use of venetoclax and achieving CRc were associated with improved survival, whereas the presence of Chromosome 7 abnormalities was associated with an inferior survival. Neither the TP53‐status nor the percent bone marrow blast predicted the likelihood of CRc or survival. Paired genetic analysis performed at venetoclax initiation and failure did not show the evidence of the selection of the TP53‐mutated clone. In a propensity‐matched analysis, the use of venetoclax‐based regimen as the first‐line therapy was associated with a superior survival compared to hypomethylating agent (HMA)‐based first‐line therapy (9.4 vs. 6.1 months, p = .01). We conclude that the upfront use of venetoclax with HMA improved survival, though PFS and OS remain poor. As the phenotype at diagnosis or the percent blasts did not predict outcomes, venetoclax should be studied in all t‐MN phenotypes.
Lawesson's Reagent Promoted Deoxygenation of Anhydrides for the Syntheses of 3‐Substituted and 3,4‐Disubstituted Thiophenes
Authors: Yin Gaofeng , Shi Tao , Wang Xiaodong , Li Xuelin , Long Lin , Wang Zhen
Published: May 2022

Inspired by our previous work, we herein demonstrate a one‐pot method to obtain thiophenes by directly recurring to the thiolation and deoxygenation of Lawesson's reagent and using succinic anhydrides as substrates, where 35 examples are displayed. The synthesis has several desirable features, such as a one‐pot protocol, easily available materials, excellent functional group tolerance, and absence of metal. The synthetic strategy provides a concise and efficient method for the construction of diverse thiophenes.
Alumina‐Supported Alpha‐Iron(III) Oxyhydroxide as a Recyclable Solid Catalyst for CO2 Photoreduction under Visible Light
Authors: An Daehyeon , Nishioka Shunta , Yasuda Shuhei , Kanazawa Tomoki , Kamakura Yoshinobu , Yokoi Toshiyuki , Nozawa Shunsuke , Maeda Kazuhiko
Published: May 2022

Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into transportable fuels such as formic acid (HCOOH) under sunlight is an attractive solution to the shortage of energy and carbon resources as well as to the increase in Earth's atmospheric CO2 concentration. The use of abundant elements as the components of a photocatalytic CO2 reduction system is important, and a solid catalyst that is active, recyclable, nontoxic, and inexpensive is strongly demanded. Here, we show that a widespread soil mineral, alpha‐iron(III) oxyhydroxide (α‐FeOOH; goethite), loaded onto an Al2O3 support, functions as a recyclable catalyst for a photocatalytic CO2 reduction system under visible light (λ>400 nm) in the presence of a RuII photosensitizer and an electron donor. This system gave HCOOH as the main product with 80–90 % selectivity and an apparent quantum yield of 4.3 % at 460 nm, as confirmed by isotope tracer experiments with 13CO2. The present work shows that the use of a proper support material is another method of catalyst activation toward the selective reduction of CO2.
Preparation and characterization of poly(lactic acid)/boron oxide nanocomposites: Thermal, mechanical, crystallization, and flammability properties
Authors: Kangallı Emine , Bayraktar Emine
Published: May 2022

In this study, poly(lactic acid)/boron oxide nanocomposites (PLA/BONPs) were prepared by solution casting method and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and mechanical test. The particle size of boron oxide was reduced to nanosize using SPEX ball mill and boron oxide nanoparticles (BONPs) were functionalized with oleic acid, [3‐(trimethoxylsilyl) propylmethacrylate] and triethoxyvinylsilane (VS). Obtaining of nanosized and surface functionalized BONPs enhanced the crystallinity, mechanical, and flammability properties of PLA/BONPs. Compared with the neat PLA, crystallinity increased from 13.68% to 32.55% for 5 wt% VS functionalized BONPs added nanocomposite, tensile strength increased from 41.25 ± 0.80 MPa to 51.12 ± 2.54 MPa for 2.5 wt% VS functionalized BONPs added nanocomposite and LOI increased from 21.2 to 26.8 for 5 wt% VS functionalized BONPs added nanocomposite. Functionalized BONPs increased the thermal degradation temperature of nanocomposite slightly. With the enhanced mechanical and flammability properties PLA/BONPs nanocomposites are good candidate for packaging, electronic, and automotives industries.
Synthesis and Studies of Structural Isomers of meso‐Fused Dicarbahexaphyrins
Authors: Yadav Bharti , Ravikanth Mangalampalli
Published: May 2022

Two close structurally related isomers of nonaromatic meso‐fused dicarbahexaphyrins were synthesized by condensing one equivalent of fluorene based tripyrrane with one equivalent of pentafluorobenzaldehyde in CH2Cl2 under BF3.OEt2 catalyzed conditions. The cis and trans isomers of meso‐fused dicarbahexaphyrins were separated by preparative thin‐layer chromatography and isolated pure macrocycles as green solids in 6–7% yields. NMR spectra of cis and trans isomers are quite distinct from each other and trans isomer was very symmetric and showed fewer resonances than cis isomer in NMR. The NMR study supported the nonaromatic nature of both cis and trans isomers of meso‐fused dicarbahexaphyrins. DFT optimized structures revealed that the cis isomer adopted a singly twisted puckered conformation whereas the trans isomer displayed a saddle like conformation. Both cis and trans isomers almost showed similar nonaromatic absorption features with slight differences in their peak maxima. However, the protonated derivative of cis isomer showed absorption bands in visible‐NIR region with bands extended upto 1000 nm whereas the trans isomer showed strong bands in the visible region. Both cis and trans macrocycles were easier to oxidize and reduce and TD‐DFT studies corroborated with the experimental findings.
Biegeschubtragfähigkeit zentrisch vorgespannter Stahlbetonbalken unter Gleichstreckenlast
Authors: Betschoga Christoph , Sever Yolcu , Tung Nguyen Duc , Lutz Matthias , Tue Nguyen Viet
Published: May 2022

Es wurde ein experimentelles Programm zur Untersuchung des Einflusses einer zentrischen Vorspannung auf die Querkrafttragfähigkeit von Stahlbetonbalken ohne Querkraftbewehrung durchgeführt. Insgesamt wurden zwölf vorgespannte Einfeldträger und Kragarme unter Gleichstreckenlast getestet. Die Versuchsergebnisse zeigen, dass der Einfluss der Normalkraft bei den Kragarmen mit Gleichstreckenlast, bei denen der kritische Schubriss im Bereich hoher Momentenbeanspruchung auftritt, deutlich geringer als bei Einfeldbalken mit Gleichstreckenlast ist. Der Einfluss der Vorspannung wird somit maßgeblich durch die damit verbundene Änderung des Rissbilds und der Dehnungsebene am Querschnitt mitbestimmt. Ergänzend wurde eine umfassende nichtlineare FE‐Parameterstudie durchgeführt. Durch Kombination der experimentellen und numerischen Untersuchungen kann der Einfluss der Vorspannkraft auf die Querkrafttragfähigkeit bei unterschiedlichen statischen Systemen und Belastungen quantifiziert werden.
Synthesis and Anti‐Oomycete Preliminary Mechanism of Sulfonate Derivatives of Ethyl Maltol
Authors: Xing Puhou , Che Zhiping , Liu Yibo , He Jiaxuan , Wei Ruxue , Chen Luyao , Zhang Song , Huang Xiaobo , Yang Yingjun , Liu Shengming , Chen Genqiang , Tian Yuee
Published: May 2022

To discover novel molecules with unique mechanism against plant pathogenic oomycetes, sixteen new sulfonate derivatives of ethyl maltol (3a–p) were synthesized by structural modification of 2‐ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one, and their anti‐oomycete activity against a serious agricultural disease, Phytophthora capsici Leonian was determined in this study. Among all tested compounds, derivatives 3e, 3m and 3p exhibited the most potent anti‐oomycete activity against P. capsici with EC50 values of 19.40, 21.04 and 31.10 mg/L, respectively; especially 3e and 3m showed the best promising and pronounced anti‐oomycete activity than zoxamide (EC50=26.87 mg/L). The results further proved that 4‐tert‐butylphenylsulfonyl group, 3‐nitro‐4‐chlorophenylsulfonyl group and 8‐quinolinesulfonyl group introduced at the hydroxy position of ethyl maltol or maltol were necessary for obtaining the most potent compounds. Further mechanism studies of P. capsici treated with 3e demonstrated that this compound can affect the growth of mycelia by disrupting the integrity of the membrane, and the higher the concentration of the compound is, the greater the degree of membrane integrity damage. These important results will pave the way for further modification of ethyl maltol to develop potential new fungicides.
Compounds with NO Inhibitory Effect from the Rattan Stems of Sinomenium acutum, a Kind of Chinese Folk Medicine for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Yu Kuo , Sun Ying , Xue Lu , He Jingtao , Li Fangyi , Yin Maojing , Li Zheng , Yan Xiaohui , Guo Jialiang , Li Guoqiang , Wang Chunhua
Published: May 2022

Three new alkaloids (1–3), one new diphenyl ether (4) and fifteen known alkaloids (5–19) were isolated from the rattan stems of Sinomenium acutum. Comprehensive analyses of HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D (1H and 13C), 2D‐NMR (1H‐1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY), circular dichroism (CD), UV and IR revealed the structures and absolute configurations of these new compounds. The structures of other compounds were determined by comparison of their 1H and 13C‐NMR data with previous literature reports. By measuring the amount of NO produced, the anti‐inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were studied. The results showed that compounds 4 and 5 had strong NO inhibitory activity.
From FFN Dual Probe Screening to ITO Microdevice for Exocytosis Monitoring: Electrochemical and Fluorescence Requirements**
Authors: Pandard Justine , Pan Na , Ait‐Yahiatène Eric , Grimaud Laurence , Lemaître Frédéric , Guille‐Collignon Manon
Published: May 2022

In this work, four different new fluorescent false neurotransmitters (FFN) probes were synthesized to contribute to the rationale of the FFN design. Their electroactive and spectroscopic properties were investigated. Hence, the optimal excitation and emission wavelengths (from 344 to 393 nm and 423 to 474 nm, respectively) make these probes adapted to fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, their electroactivity were demonstrated to occur at relatively low oxidation potentials for three of them (FFN132, FFN145 and FFN122: 0.26, 0.25 and 0.30 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively) and at 0.74 V vs. Ag/AgCl for FFN21 on carbon fiber electrodes. However, epifluorescence observations evidenced that the new designed FFN with the best spectroscopic and electrochemical properties (FFN122) did unfortunately not accumulate into secretory vesicles of model BON N13 cells. It thus confirms that FFN42 is currently the best “bioelectrofluorescent” compromise. This is why total internal fluorescence reflection microscopy measurements were then studied with the model FFN42 and BON N13 cells. Beyond the choice of the appropriate FFN, other analytical requirements are needed. As a consequence, the features of the transparent and conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) microdevice for coupled amperometry‐fluorescent measurements were investigated and optimized in terms of effects on the electrochemical performances and reusability. These results pave the way for future coupled investigations of exocytosis with the FFN‐ITO device association.
Bovine Serum Albumin Adsorption at a Polarized Water/1,2‐Dichloroethane Interface with No Effect on the Ion Transfer Kinetics
Authors: Trojánek Antonín , Mareček Vladimír , Samec Zdeněk
Published: May 2022

Adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at a polarized water/1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE) interface is examined by measuring the dynamic interfacial tension
at various cell potentials E, BSA concentrations and pH of the aqueous phase (w). An addition of BSA to the phase (w) results in an appreciable decay of
with time in the whole potential range available, which follows an induction period at the very beginning of the
transient. An analysis of the effect of the BSA concentration on the
transients enables to establish the adsorption isotherm, and to evaluate both the maximum surface excess concentration of BSA and the standard Gibbs energy of adsorption. An increase of the potential E results in an acceleration of the adsorption, and an increase of the surface excess concentration of the positively charged BSA at pH 2, while the latter effect is absent when BSA is charged negatively at pH 7.3. It is shown that the adsorbed BSA has a negligible effect on both the interfacial capacitance of the polarized water/DCE interface and the rate constant of the interfacial transfer of the tetraethylammonium (TEA+) or Cs+ ion measured at the corresponding standard ion transfer potential.
Bienzymatic Spiky Janus Nanomotors Powered by Histamine
Authors: Fu Dongmei , Ye Yicheng , Gao Chao , Xie Dazhi , Peng Fei
Published: May 2022

As an important inflammatory mediator, histamine can be produced by many immune cells (mast cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, platelets, etc.) and modulates a variety of immune events. Developing enzymatic micro/nanomotors from the perspective of immunometabolism is required but still lacking. In this work, we functionalized the histamine‐metabolizing enzyme onto the Janus Au/mSiO2 nanoparticles. Powered by the tandem catalytic decomposition of histamine initiated by a surface‐modified diamine oxidase, this nanomotor system exhibits an enhanced diffusive motion with increasing histamine concentration. At a concentration of histamine (500 mM), the motor speed reaches 9.25±1.71 μm.s−1, which is 2.3 times that of Brownian motion, and the corresponding diffusion coefficient is enhanced by 137%. This novel enzymatic nanomotor system not only expands the physiologic enzyme library for biomedical micro/nanomotors but also provides new ideas for the immune therapy of diseases targeting histamine.
Temporal and spatial comparison of food web structure in marine pastures in the Pearl River Estuary: Implications for sustainable fisheries management
Authors: Xu Peng , Zhou Weiguo , Xie Mujiao , Ding Dewen , Suo Anning
Published: May 2022

The biological and ecological integrity of marine ecosystems in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) has been compromised due to overfishing and water pollution. Fishing moratorium and artificial reef construction have been implemented in Wanshan and Miaowan for resource protection and restoration. Therefore, food web structure and trophic pathways of Wanshan, Miaowan, and Wailingding in different temporal and spatial situation will be determined using the Ecopath model, as well as the keystone species affecting these ecosystems, which can provide a basis for fishery management. The results showed that the energy transfer efficiency of IV and V trophic levels (TL) was higher than that of II and III‐TL before and after fishing moratorium, and the energy transfer efficiency of artificial reefs II and III‐TL was only slightly higher than that of nonartificial reefs in Wanshan. In addition, the mean values of ecosystem property indicators (consumption, respiration flow, total system throughput, and total biomass) after the fishing moratorium were significantly higher than those before the fishing moratorium. The average value of the ecosystem attribute indicators (consumption, respiration flow, total system throughput, and total biomass) of artificial reefs is lower than those of nonartificial reef areas, which may be related to the differences in community composition between artificial reefs and non‐artificial reefs. Finally, Nemipterus japonicus and Gastrophysus spadiceus are keystone species that distinguish the Wanshan and Miaowan artificial reefs from other areas. Overall, the fishing moratorium has a positive effect on the short‐term restoration of fishery resources, mainly restoring short‐life cycle organisms. However, the construction of artificial reefs will be more conducive to the persistence of ecosystem restoration. In addition, reasonable proliferation, release and fishing of N. japonicus and G. spadiceus will be beneficial to the sustainable utilization of fishery resources.
Targeted grazing and mechanical thinning enhance forest stand resilience under a narrow range of wildfire scenarios
Authors: Donovan Victoria M. , Roberts Caleb P. , Fogarty Dillon T. , Wedin David A. , Twidwell Dirac
Published: May 2022

Increasing wildfire activity has spurred ecological resilience‐based management that aims to reduce the vulnerability of forest stands to wildfire by reducing the probability of crown fire. Targeted grazing is increasingly being used to build forest resilience to wildfire, either on its own or in combination with treatments such as mechanical thinning; however, it is unclear how effective this method is at altering the probability of crown fire in forest stands. We use crown fire simulation models to quantify to what extent targeted grazing, mechanical thinning targeting the vertical fuel stratum, and a combination of both treatments alter eastern ponderosa pine savanna stand resilience to wildfire by modeling their relative impacts on the fuel stratum gap and subsequent crown fire occurrence under six different wildfire risk scenarios generated by altering wind and fuel moisture conditions. We then model changes in the probability of crown fire occurrence resulting from treatments across 75 field‐sampled sites in the Pine Ridge region of Nebraska relative to predicted crown fire occurrence when sites are left untreated. We find that mechanical (vertical) thinning has the potential to alter the probability of crown fire in ponderosa pine stands to a much greater extent than targeted grazing. Combining both approaches had a slightly higher probability of reducing crown fire risk across the greatest range of wildfire risk scenarios. Across 75 sample sites, targeted grazing was only predicted to prevent crown fire occurrence at two sites expected to experience crown fire under observed stand conditions across all six of our wildfire risk scenarios. In contrast, targeted grazing combined with mechanical thinning was predicted to prevent crown fire at approximately half of the sites expected to experience crown fire under observed conditions for mild and moderate wildfire risk scenarios. Thus, targeted grazing should be combined with mechanical thinning to best enhance forest resilience to wildfire. No combination of targeted grazing or mechanical thinning was able to alter the probability of crown fire under wildfire risk scenarios most conducive to wildfire, confirming that relying solely on vertical thinning and targeted grazing is unlikely to sufficiently enhance resilience of forest stands to future wildfire conditions.
Prevalence, characteristics, and mortality of patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in the Nordic countries
Authors: Lauppe Rosa , Liseth Hansen Johan , Fornwall Anna , Johansson Katarina , Rozenbaum Mark H. , Strand Anne Mette , Väkeväinen Merja , Kuusisto Johanna , Gude Einar , Smith J. Gustav , Gustafsson Finn
Published: May 2022

Aims

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM) is a progressive condition caused by deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils in the heart and is associated with poor quality of life and a shortened lifespan. This study aimed to describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and mortality of patients with ATTR‐CM, using multiple national health registers in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

Methods and results

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy patients were identified during 2008–2018 using a combination of diagnosis codes for amyloidosis and heart disease and were matched to patients with non‐ATTR heart failure (HF). An identical study design was used in each country to facilitate comparison and aggregation of results. A total of 1930 ATTR‐CM patients were identified from national health registers in the four countries. In 2018, prevalence of ATTR‐CM per 100 000 inhabitants ranged from 1.4 in Denmark to 5.0 in Sweden; a steep increase over time was observed in Sweden and Norway. Median survival from diagnosis was 30 months for ATTR‐CM patients and 67 months for matched HF patients. Survival was significantly lower for female than for male ATTR‐CM patients (median survival: 22 and 36 months), while no significant difference was observed in the HF cohort.

Conclusions

This study provides the first nationwide estimates of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and mortality of patients with ATTR‐CM, using identical study design across several countries. Findings corroborate previous case series showing high mortality in ATTR‐CM, two‐fold higher than for other HF patients and higher in women than men, highlighting the need for more precise and early diagnosis to reduce the disease burden.
Aberrant static and dynamic functional network connectivity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Jiang Liang , Liu Shenghua , Li Lin , Wu Wen , Ai Zhongping , Chen Huiyou , Yin Xindao , Chen Yu‐Chen
Published: May 2022

Aims

Heart failure may lead to brain functional alterations related to cognitive impairment. This study aimed to detect alterations of static functional network connectivity (FNC) and dynamic FNC in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and to estimate the association between the altered FNC and clinical features related to HFpEF.

Methods and results

The clinical and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of HFpEF patients (n = 35) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 35) were acquired at baseline. Resting‐state networks (RSNs) were established based on independent component analysis (ICA) and FNC analyses were performed. The associations between the FNC abnormalities and clinical features related to HFpEF were analysed. Compared with HCs, HFpEF patients showed decreased functional connectivity within the default mode network, left frontoparietal network, and right frontoparietal network and increased functional connectivity within the right frontoparietal network and visual network. Negative correlations were observed between decreased dynamic FNC and the left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVDd) (r = −0.435, P = 0.015) as well as the left ventricular end‐systolic diameter (LVDs) (r = −0.443, P = 0.013).

Conclusions

The FNC disruption and altered temporal properties of functional dynamics in HFpEF patients may reflect the neural mechanisms of brain injury after HFpEF, which may deepen our understanding of the disease.
Cardiac involvement in patients recovering from Delta Variant of COVID‐19: a prospective multi‐parametric MRI study
Authors: Zhang Lieguang , Wei Xiaoyu , Wang Huimin , Jiang Rui , Tan Zekun , Ouyang Jienan , Li Xiaodan , Lei Chunliang , Liu Hui , Liu Jinxin
Published: May 2022

Aims

The cardiac injury and sequelae of Delta Variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of cardiac involvement in patients recovering from Delta Variant of COVID‐19 based on multi‐parametric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods and results

We prospectively assessed patients recovering from Delta Variant of COVID‐19 using multi‐parametric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between June 2021 and July 2021. Comparison was made with 25 healthy controls. Forty‐four patients (median age 51 years, 28 women) recovering from Delta Variant were recruited and had a median time of 35 days between diagnosis and cardiac MRI. There were no patients with chest pain (0/44, 0%) and high sensitivity cardiac troponin T troponin elevation (median levels 2.20 pg/mL, IQR levels 0.85–4.40 pg/mL). Regarding the cardiac imaging findings, a total of 14 (32%) patients presented cardiac tissue feature abnormalities, and a total of 9 (20%) patients had a myocarditis‐like injury based on cardiac MRI 2018 Lake Louise criteria. When we further assessed the T1 and T2 mapping values for of patients' individual, abnormal raised global native T1, T2, and extracellular volume were seen in 6 (14%), 6 (14%), and 4 (9%) patients, respectively. Comparing with controls, the patients had lower LV global longitudinal strain and (−22.2 ± 2.8% vs. −24.6 ± 2.0%, P < 0.001) and global circumferential strain (−20.7 ± 6.8% vs. −24.3 ± 2.9%, P = 0.014), but higher global native T1 (1318.8 ± 55.5 ms vs. 1282.9 ± 38.1 ms, P = 0.006). Four (9%) patients presented myocardial late gadolinium enhancement with subepicardial pattern mostly common seen, and two (5%) patients presented pericardial enhancement.

Conclusions

The cardiac MRI could detect subclinical functional and myocardial tissue characteristic abnormalities in individuals who were recovering from Delta Variant without cardiac‐related clinical findings. The native T1 mapping and strain imaging may be a sensitive tool for the noninvasive detection of a subset of patients who are at risk for cardiac sequelae and more prone to myocardial damage in survivors with Delta Variant.
X‐ray microscopy and automatic detection of defects in through silicon vias in three‐dimensional integrated circuits
Authors: Wolz Benedikt Christopher , Jaremenko Christian , Vollnhals Florian , Kling Lasse , Wrege Jan , Christiansen Silke
Published: May 2022

Through silicon vias (TSVs) are a key enabling technology for interconnection and realization of complex three‐dimensional integrated circuit (3D‐IC) components. In order to perform failure analysis without the need of destructive sample preparation, x‐ray microscopy (XRM) is a rising method of analyzing the internal structure of samples. However, there is still a lack of evaluated scan recipes or best practices regarding XRM parameter settings for the study of TSVs in the current state of literature. There is also an increased interest in automated machine learning and deep learning approaches for qualitative and quantitative inspection processes in recent years. Especially deep learning based object detection is a well‐known methodology for fast detection and classification capable of working with large volumetric XRM datasets. Therefore, a combined XRM and deep learning object detection workflow for automatic micrometer accurate defect location on liner‐TSVs was developed throughout this work. Two measurement setups including detailed information about the used parameters for either full IC device scan or detailed TSV scan were introduced. Both are able to depict delamination defects and finer structures in TSVs with either a low or high resolution. The combination of a 0.4 objective with a beam voltage of 40 kV proved to be a good combination for achieving optimal imaging contrast for the full‐device scan. However, detailed TSV scans have demonstrated that the use of a 20 objective along with a beam voltage of 140 kV significantly improves image quality. A database with 30,000 objects was created for automated data analysis, so that a well‐established object recognition method for automated defect analysis could be integrated into the process analysis. This RetinaNet‐based object detection method achieves a very strong average precision of 0.94. It supports the detection of erroneous TSVs in both top view and side view, so that defects can be detected at different depths. Consequently, the proposed workflow can be used for failure analysis, quality control or process optimization in R&D environments.
Dominant role of adult neurogenesis‐induced structural heterogeneities in driving plasticity heterogeneity in dentate gyrus granule cells
Authors: Shridhar Sameera , Mishra Poonam , Narayanan Rishikesh
Published: May 2022

Neurons and synapses manifest pronounced variability in the amount of plasticity induced by identical activity patterns. The mechanisms underlying such plasticity heterogeneity, which have been implicated in context‐specific resource allocation during encoding, have remained unexplored. Here, we employed a systematic physiologically constrained parametric search to identify the cellular mechanisms behind plasticity heterogeneity in dentate gyrus granule cells. We used heterogeneous model populations to ensure that our conclusions were not biased by parametric choices in a single hand‐tuned model. We found that each of intrinsic, synaptic, and structural heterogeneities independently yielded heterogeneities in synaptic plasticity profiles obtained with two different induction protocols. However, among the disparate forms of neural‐circuit heterogeneities, our analyses demonstrated the dominance of neurogenesis‐induced structural heterogeneities in driving plasticity heterogeneity in granule cells. We found that strong relationships between neuronal intrinsic excitability and plasticity emerged only when adult neurogenesis‐induced heterogeneities in neural structure were accounted for. Importantly, our analyses showed that it was not imperative that the manifestation of neural‐circuit heterogeneities must translate to heterogeneities in plasticity profiles. Specifically, despite the expression of heterogeneities in structural, synaptic, and intrinsic neuronal properties, similar plasticity profiles were attainable across all models through synergistic interactions among these heterogeneities. We assessed the parametric combinations required for the manifestation of such degeneracy in the expression of plasticity profiles. We found that immature cells showed physiological plasticity profiles despite receiving afferent inputs with weak synaptic strengths. Thus, the high intrinsic excitability of immature granule cells was sufficient to counterbalance their low excitatory drive in the expression of plasticity profile degeneracy. Together, our analyses demonstrate that disparate forms of neural‐circuit heterogeneities could mechanistically drive plasticity heterogeneity, but also caution against treating neural‐circuit heterogeneities as proxies for plasticity heterogeneity. Our study emphasizes the need for quantitatively characterizing the relationship between neural‐circuit and plasticity heterogeneities across brain regions.
Gyrotactic microorganisms bioconvection in combined convective magnetohydrodynamic Casson nanofluid flow over a vertically surfaced saturated porous media with variable viscosity
Authors: Dyapa Hymavathi , Mattipelli Ramchandru , Naikoti Kishan
Published: May 2022

The current article focuses on mass and thermal transfer analysis of a two‐dimensional immovable combined convective nanofluid flow including motile microorganisms with temperature‐dependent viscosity on top of a vertical plate through a porous medium, and a model has been developed to visualize the velocity slip impacts on a nonlinear partial symbiotic flow. The governed equations include all of the above physical conditions, and suitable nondimensional transfigurations are utilized to transfer the governed conservative equations to a nonlinear system of differential equations and obtain numerical solutions by using the Shooting method. Numerical studies have been focusing on the effects of intricate dimensionless parameters, namely, the Casson fluid parameter, Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, Peclet number, bioconvection parameter, and Rayleigh number, which have all been studied on various profiles such as momentum, thermal, concentration, and density of microorganisms. The concentration boundary layer thickness and density of microorganisms increased as the Casson fluid parameter, Brownian and thermophoresis parameters increased, whereas the bioconvection parameter, Peclet number, and Rayleigh number increased. The thermal boundary layer thickness, concentration boundary layer thickness, and density of microorganisms all decreased. The velocity distribution decreases as the Peclet number, bioconvection, and thermophoresis parameters rise but rises as the Rayleigh number, Brownian motion parameter, and Casson fluid parameter rise. These are graphed via plots along with divergent fluid parameters.
Thermal uniformity enhancement of the motorcycle exhaust thermoelectric generator—Part 1: Guide fins optimization
Authors: Hong Thong Duc , Nghiem Quan Thien Phan , Le Tam Thanh , Tran Trung Minh Huu , Le Long Thanh
Published: May 2022

In this study, the hot‐side heat exchanger (HHE) thermal uniformity in the thermoelectric generator unit (TGU) is enhanced by optimizing the muffler's guide fins. Three parameters of the guide fins (i.e., fin gap δ, fin angle θ, and fin position x) are proposed. Various muffler models with different guide fins’ geometry are numerically investigated to achieve the optimal set of δ, θ, and x parameters by assessing the exhaust flow uniformity of the HHE. The optimal muffler model is then simulated to compare with the nonoptimal muffler model. The HHE's thermal uniformity of these two models is experimentally investigated under various testing conditions. The results show that the parameters of δ and θ significantly affect the exhaust flow uniformity of the HHE, whereas the variable of x only has a minor influence. Thanks to the optimal values of δ, θ, and x, the exhaust flow uniformity increases 11.23% on average compared to the nonoptimal model. Consequently, the thermal uniformity is improved, and the maximum temperature difference on the HHE of the optimal model is 35% lower on average than that of the nonoptimal model. The improvement in thermal uniformity resulting from this study is expected to increase the performance and lifespan of the TGU.
“Side by side”: Comparing how Israeli secular and religious mothers read a story about the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict to young children
Authors: Smadja Marie‐Lyne , Aram Dorit , Agmon Naama , Ziv Margalit , Bar‐Tal Daniel
Published: May 2022

The Israeli‐Palestinian conflict has deleterious effects on children. Our research observed mothers' conversations with their 5‐7‐year‐old children about the conflict during shared book reading (SBR) of a fiction book, indirectly depicting the conflict. Using a mixed‐methods study, we compared the SBR of secular and religious Israeli Jewish mothers. We videotaped the SBR interactions and interviewed the mothers about the nature of their SBR conversations with their child and their perceptions of political socialization of children. The main findings showed that despite their tendency to perceive the conflict differently, secular and religious mothers shared the book similarly. Most of them preferred to talk about the conflict as little as possible with their child but appreciated the opportunity that the book provided them to discuss it in an age appropriate manner. Our discussion focuses on the potential of SBR to assist parents in explaining the conflict to young children.
Pre‐implantation evaluation of a small‐diameter, long vascular graft (Biotube®) for below‐knee bypass surgery in goats
Authors: Nakayama Yasuhide , Iwai Ryosuke , Terazawa Takeshi , Tajikawa Tsutomu , Umeno Tadashi , Kawashima Takayuki , Nakashima Yumiko , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Yamada Akihiro , Higashita Ryuji , Miyazaki Manami , Oie Tomonori , Kadota Satoki , Yabuuchi Nozomi , Abe Fumie , Funayama‐Iwai Marina , Yambe Tomoyuki , Miyamoto Shinji
Published: May 2022

There are no small‐diameter, long artificial vascular grafts for below‐knee bypass surgery in chronic limb‐threatening ischemia. We have developed tissue‐engineered vascular grafts called “Biotubes®” using a completely autologous approach called in‐body tissue architecture (iBTA). This study aimed at pre‐implantation evaluation of Biotube and its in vivo preparation device, Biotube Maker, for use in below‐knee bypass surgery. Forty nine makers were subcutaneously embedded into 17 goats for predetermined periods (1, 2, or 3 months). All makers produced Biotubes as designed without inflammation over all periods, with the exception of a few cases with minor defects (success rate: 94%). Small hole formation occurred in only a few cases. All Biotubes obtained had an inner diameter of 4 mm and a length of 51 to 52 cm with a wall thickness of 594 ± 97 μm. All Biotubes did not kink when completely bent under an internal pressure of 100 mmHg and did not leak without any deformation under a water pressure of 200 mmHg. Their burst strength was 2409 ± 473 mmHg, and suture retention strength was 1.75 ± 0.27 N, regardless of the embedding period, whereas tensile strength increased from 7.5 ± 1.3 N at 1 month to 9.7 ± 2.0 N at 3 months with the embedding period. The amount of water leakage from the needle holes prepared in the Biotube wall was approximately 1/7th of that in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts. The Biotubes could be easily connected to each other without cutting or anastomosis leaks. They could be stored for at least 1 year at room temperature. This study confirmed that even Biotubes formed 1 month after embedding of Biotube Makers had properties comparable to arteries.
A highly sensitive fluorescent 1,8‐naphthalimide Schiff base probe for detection of Hg2+
Authors: Shen Qinqin , Kong Xiaoxia , Li Kaiyi , Wan Tiantian , Dong Jianping , Wu Huilu
Published: May 2022

A highly sensitive fluorescence “turn‐on” 1,8‐naphthalimide Schiff base probe:N‐allyl‐4‐(ethylenediamine‐salicylidene)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (HL) for Hg2+was designed, synthesized and characterized. In addition, the sensing behavior of HL towards various transition metal ions has been investigated in solution (DMF/Tris–HCl buffer, 1:1, vol/vol, pH = 7.2). The HL exhibited high selectivity for Hg2+over other metal ions with obvious fluorescence enhancement. Moreover, the fluorescence intensity of HL showed good linearity with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99, confirming that HL could be applied to detect the quantification of Hg2+in a linear fashion from 0.5 to 4 μM and the detection limit reach at 0.16 μM. Meanwhile, the association constant (Ka) between Hg2+and HL achieves 1.23 × 1012 M−1. Moreover, the fluorescence titration experiment and Job plot analysis indicate the formation of a 2:1 stoichiometric complex of HL with Hg2+. The fluorescence enhancement of HL response to Hg2+ions could be attributed to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism.