bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of gas loading on the RUS spectra of spheres
Authors: Sorbello R. S. , Feller J. , Levy Moisés , Isaak D. G. , Carnes J. D. , Anderson O. L.
Published: July 2002

Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) of a spherical sample in a pressurizing gas atmosphere was investigated experimentally and theoretically. Measurements were made on a fused silica sphere in He, Ar, and N2 gases up to pressures of 120 bar. The pressure-dependent shift in the resonant frequency, Δf, and the Q-factor were measured for the S00, S11, and T02 modes. A theoretical model based on acoustic radiation impedance was used to calculate Δf and the radiation-resistance component, Qr, of the Q-factor. Agreement between theory and experiment was good for Qr, but there were discrepancies for Δf. It was found that the theoretical Δf due to gas-loading effects associated with acoustic radiation was very small and consistent with the observed dependence on pressure and gas species for the T02 mode but not for the S00 and S11 modes. We conclude that the T02 mode is the most reliable of these modes to use in measuring third-order elastic constants by RUS.
Fidelity of three-dimensional-sound reproduction using a virtual auditory display
Authors: Langendijk Erno H. A. , Bronkhorst Adelbert W.
Published: July 2002

The fidelity of reproducing free-field sounds using a virtual auditory display was investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment, listeners directly compared stimuli from an actual loudspeaker in the free field with those from small headphones placed in front of the ears. Headphone stimuli were filtered using head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), recorded while listeners were wearing the headphones, in order to reproduce the pressure signatures of the free-field sounds at the eardrum. Discriminability was investigated for six sound-source positions using broadband noise as a stimulus. The results show that the acoustic percepts of real and virtual sounds were identical. In the second experiment, discrimination between virtual sounds generated with measured and interpolated HRTFs was investigated. Interpolation was performed using HRTFs measured for loudspeaker positions with different spatial resolutions. Broadband noise bursts with flat and scrambled spectra were used as stimuli. The results indicate that, for a spatial resolution of about 6°, the interpolation does not introduce audible cues. For resolutions of 20° or more, the interpolation introduces audible cues related to timbre and position. For intermediate resolutions (10°–15°) the data suggest that only timbre cues were used.
Active control of the plate energy transmission in a semi-infinite ribbed plate
Authors: Kessissoglou Nicole J.
Published: July 2002

Active control of the plate flexural wave transmission through the beam in a semi-infinite beam-reinforced plate is analytically investigated. The ribbed plate is modeled as a continuous system, using equations of motion to describe the plate in flexure and the beam in both flexure and torsion. The maximum transmission of the plate flexural waves through the reinforcing beam is found to occur at resonance frequencies corresponding to the optimal coupling between the plate flexural waves and the flexural and torsional waves in the beam. A single control force is applied to the beam, and a cost function is developed to attenuate the far-field flexural energy transmission. It can be observed that the transmission peaks corresponding to the flexural resonances in the beam are reduced. Similarly, the transmission peaks corresponding to the torsional resonance conditions in the beam can be attenuated using a single control moment applied to the beam. Significant attenuation of all the resonance peaks in the flexural wave transmission can also be achieved with the application of a single force and a single moment collocated on the beam. In this paper, the feasibility of attenuating the flexural wave transmission due to both the flexural and torsional resonance conditions by using a single point force and point moment collocated on the beam is demonstrated.
A new formalism for time-dependent wave scattering from a bounded obstacle
Authors: Mecocci Eleonora , Misici Luciano , Recchioni Maria C. , Zirilli Francesco
Published: July 2002

A time-dependent three-dimensional acoustic scattering problem is considered. An incoming wave packet is scattered by a bounded, simply connected obstacle with locally Lipschitz boundary. The obstacle is assumed to have a constant boundary acoustic impedance. The limit cases of acoustically soft and acoustically hard obstacles are considered. The scattered acoustic field is the solution of an exterior problem for the wave equation. A new numerical method to compute the scattered acoustic field is proposed. This numerical method obtains the time-dependent scattered field as a superposition of time-harmonic acoustic waves and computes the time-harmonic acoustic waves by a new “operator expansion method.” That is, the time-harmonic acoustic waves are solutions of an exterior boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation. The method used to compute the time-harmonic waves improves on the method proposed by Misici, Pacelli, and Zirilli [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 103, 106–113 (1998)] and is based on a “perturbative series” of the type of the one proposed in the operator expansion method by Milder [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 89, 529–541 (1991)]. Computationally, the method is highly parallelizable with respect to time and space variables. Some numerical experiments on test problems obtained with a parallel implementation of the numerical method proposed are shown and discussed from the numerical and the physical point of view. The website: http://www.econ.unian.it/recchioni/w1 shows four animations relative to the numerical experiments.
“Fast” quasilongitudinal sagittally polarized surface waves in layer-substrate structures
Authors: Darinskii A. N. , Didenko I. S. , Naumenko N. F.
Published: July 2002

The propagation of surface sagittally polarized waves on the plated surface of a semi-infinite medium with the phase velocity exceeding that of bulk quasitransverse sagittally polarized waves in the substrate is studied analytically and numerically. Such a surface wave is shown to exist in nonpiezoelectric and piezoelectric composites provided both the sagittal plane and the interface are planes of elastic symmetry of the layer and substrate. In the case of a nonpiezoelectric structure, the “fast” surface wave is one-component, involving only the quasi-longitudinal nonuniform mode in the substrate. In piezoelectrics this wave is two-component and incorporates the quasilongitudinal mode and the mode of electrical potential in the substrate. The “fast” wave exists at definite values of the velocity vF and the layer thickness/wavelength ratio (h/λ)F. It has been found that one or two surface waves can arise for the same direction of propagation at different vF and (h/λ)F, in the case of two surface solutions, both the values of (h/λ)F being small. The approximate expressions are derived which allow one to elucidate whether the structure under consideration can support the “fast” surface wave and to estimate the corresponding vF and (h/λ)F. A comparison is performed of numerical and analytical results.
Cell model calculations of dynamic drag parameters in packings of spheres
Authors: Umnova Olga , Attenborough Keith , Li Kai Ming
Published: July 2002

An external flow approach is used to predict the viscous drag due to oscillating flow in an air-filled stack of fixed identical rigid spheres. Analytical expressions for dynamic and direct current (dc) permeability, high-frequency limit of tortuosity, and the characteristic viscous dimension are derived using a cell model with an adjustable cell radius which allows for hydrodynamic interactions between the spherical particles. The resulting theory requires knowledge of two fixed parameters: the volume porosity and the particle radius. The theory also requires a value for the cell radius. Use of the cell radius corresponding to that of the sphere circumscribing a unit cell of a cubic lattice arrangement is proposed. This is found to enable good agreement between predictions of the new theory and both published data and numerical results for simple cubic and random spherical packings.
Acoustic effects of variation in vocal effort by men, women, and children
Authors: Traunmüller Hartmut , Eriksson Anders
Published: July 2002

The acoustic effects of the adjustment in vocal effort that is required when the distance between speaker and addressee is varied over a large range (0.3–187.5 m) were investigated in phonated and, at shorter distances, also in whispered speech. Several characteristics were studied in the same sentence produced by men, women, and 7-year-old boys and girls: duration of vowels and consonants, pausing and occurrence of creaky voice, mean and range of F0, certain formant frequencies (F1 in [a] and F3), sound-pressure level (SPL) of voiced segments and [s], and spectral emphasis. In addition to levels and emphasis, vowel duration, F0, and F1 were substantially affected. “Vocal effort” was defined as the communication distance estimated by a group of listeners for each utterance. Most of the observed effects correlated better with this measure than with the actual distance, since some additional factors affected the speakers’ choice. Differences between speaker groups emerged in segment durations, pausing behavior, and in the extent to which the SPL of [s] was affected. The whispered versions are compared with the phonated versions produced by the same speakers at the same distance. Several effects of whispering are found to be similar to those of increasing vocal effort.
Analysis of multiscale scattering and poroelastic attenuation in a real sedimentary rock sequence
Authors: Hackert Chris L. , Parra Jorge O.
Published: July 2002

Compressional waves in heterogeneous permeable media experience attenuation from both scattering and induced pore scale flow of the viscous saturating fluid. For a real, finely sampled sedimentary sequence consisting of 255 layers and covering 30 meters of depth, elastic and poroelastic computer models are applied to investigate the relative importance of scattering and fluid-flow attenuation. The computer models incorporate the known porosity, permeability, and elastic properties of the sand/shale sequence in a binary medium, plane layered structure. The modeled elastic scattering attenuation is well described by stochastic medium theory if two-length scale statistics are applied to reflect the relative thickness of the shale layers when compared to the sand layers. Under the poroelastic Biot/squirt flow model, fluid-flow attenuation from the moderate permeability (10−14 m2) sands may be separated in the frequency domain from the attenuation due to the low permeability (5×10−17 m2) shale layers. Based on these models, the overall attenuation is well approximated by the sum of the scattering attenuation from stochastic medium theory and the volume weighted average of the attenuations of the sequence member rocks. These results suggest that a high permeability network of sediments or fractures in a lower permeability host rock may have a distinct separable attenuation signature, even if the overall volume of high permeability material is low. Depending on the viscosity of the saturating fluid, the magnitude of the flow-based attenuation can dominate or be dominated by the scattering attenuation at typical sonic logging frequencies (∼10 kHz).
Diffraction effects on bulk-wave ultrasonic velocity and attenuation measurements
Authors: Kushibiki Jun-ichi , Arakawa Mototaka
Published: July 2002

The loss and phase advance due to diffraction are experimentally observed by measuring the amplitude and phase of radio frequency (rf) tone burst signals in the VHF range, in an ultrasonic transmission line consisting of a buffer rod with an ultrasonic transducer on one end, a couplant of water, and a solid specimen of synthetic silica glass. The measured results agree well with the calculated results from the exact integral expression of diffraction. The diffraction effects on the velocity and attenuation measured in this frequency range and their corrections are investigated to realize more accurate measurements. It is shown that attenuation measurements are influenced by diffraction losses and can be corrected by numerical calculations, and that velocity measurements are affected by the phase advance caused by diffraction. This investigation demonstrates that, in complex-mode velocity measurements, in which the velocity is determined from the measured phase of the signals, the true velocity at each frequency can be obtained by correction using the numerical calculation of diffraction. Based on this result, a new correction method in amplitude-mode velocity measurements is also proposed. In this new method, the velocity is determined from the intervals of interference output obtained by sweeping the ultrasonic frequency for the superposed signals generated by the double-pulse method. Velocity may be measured accurately at frequencies in the Fresnel region, and diffraction correction is essential to obtain highly accurate values with five significant figures or more.
From a profiled diffuser to an optimized absorber
Authors: Wu T. , Cox T. J. , Lam Y. W.
Published: July 2002

The quadratic residue diffuser was originally designed for enhanced scattering. Subsequently, however, it has been found that these diffusers can also be designed to produce exceptional absorption. This paper looks into the absorption mechanism of the one-dimensional quadratic residue diffuser. A theory for enhanced absorption is presented. Corresponding experiments have also been done to verify the theory. The usefulness of a resistive layer at the well openings has been verified. A numerical optimization was performed to obtain a better depth sequence. The results clearly show that by arranging the depths of the wells properly in one period, the absorption is considerably better than that of a quadratic residue diffuser.
Prediction of the Viscosity of Multimodal Suspensions from Unimodal Viscosity Data
Authors: Farris R. J.
Published: July 2002

A theoretical treatment of particle-particle interaction is described from which the viscosity-concentration behavior of multimodal suspensions of rigid particles can be related to the viscosity-concentration behavior of the unimodal components. From this theory, the viscosity of multimodal suspensions can be calculated and shows excellent agreement with existing experimental data. Blend ratios that will produce minimum viscosities are simply derived from the theory and agree well with experimental results. Another important feature of this theory is that it predicts and defines a lower limit for the viscosity at any concentration and indicates that this lowest viscosity can be obtained with a variety of solids combinations.
An open chat with…Alexander Wlodawer
Authors: Tsagakis Ioannis , Wlodawer Alexander
Published: July 2022

Alexander Wlodawer has been a member of the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since the journal's launch in 2011. Currently, he is Senior Investigator at the Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland, USA. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1974, completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University and has also worked at the National Bureau of Standards, the ABL‐Basic Research Program at the NCI‐FCRDC and the University of Cambridge, UK. He is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Technical University of Lodz, Poland. Alexander Wlodawer is also a recipient of the 2006 NCI Mentor of Merit Award, was awarded the Heyrovsky Honorary Medal by the Czech Academy of Sciences in 2008, was elected Foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 2005, and has been member of the Editorial Board of The FEBS Journal since 2007. He is currently Editor‐in‐Chief of the journal Current Research in Structural Biology. In this compelling interview, he shares with us his experiences on solving the structures of IL‐4 and retroviral proteases, advice on how to deal with being scooped, and his thoughts on open data sharing and AlphaFold.
Metal–Organic Frameworks Nanoarchitectures Boost Catalytic Activity for the Construction of Sensitive Immunosensor
Authors: Su Dandan , Wang Tuhui , Li Aixin , Ma Yuan , Liu Xiaomin , Wang Chenguang , Jia Xiaoteng , Sun Peng , Liu Fangmeng , Yan Xu , Lu Geyu
Published: July 2022

Benefiting from the distinct structural features, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) open new significant opportunities for biomacromolecule encapsulation to design biofunctional composites, whereas their biological activity and utilization efficiency remain challenging for the construction of advanced immunosensor. Herein, biomacromolecules are spatially encapsulated integration on the cavity of peptide‐mediated MOFs with controllable nanoarchitectures, which amplifies the immunosensor signals via boosting bioactivity and utilization efficiency. Notably, the morphological evolution of MOFs composite including dodecahedrons, nanostars and flower‐shaped nanostructures is achieved by introducing peptide surface modifier to trigger the coordination defects procedure. Nanostars are evidenced with the enhanced catalytic activity of biomacromolecules, which amplifies the recognition signal via regulating the pore channel and particle size of biomacromolecules@MOFs composite, shortening the diffusion path of substrate molecules and promoting the interfacial contact. As proof‐of‐principle, imidacloprid is chosen as a model target to demonstrate the superiority of biomacromolecules@MOFs‐based immunosensor. Combining the enhanced activity of biomacromolecules with size tunability of biomacromolecules@MOFs composite, 160‐fold improvement in the sensitivity is obtained in comparison with the conventional enzyme‐based immunoassay, paving the way for the employment of controllable nanostructures for high‐sensitive biosensors.
Neuron Inspired All‐Around Universal Telechelic Polyurea with High Stiffness, Excellent Crack Tolerance, Record‐High Adhesion, Outstanding Triboelectricity, and AIE Fluorescence
Authors: Chen Haiming , Sun Zaizheng , Lin Haohao , He Chaobin , Mao Dongsheng
Published: July 2022

Developing high‐performance polymeric elastomer with exceptional mechanical and physical properties such as mechanical toughness, stiffness and rapid healable properties is crucial for wide application, but it remains challenging. Herein, a series of telechelic elastomers inspired by the neurons are developed. The hierarchical hydrogen‐bonds (H‐bonds) networks constructed by 2‐ureido‐4 pyrimidinone and urea groups, as well as their reversible dynamics, contribute to enormous energy dissipation, exceptional mechanical robustness, rapid self‐healing ability (92%, 0.5 h). The excellent crack tolerance of 187 kJ m−2 of the elastomer is comparable to that of the metals and alloys. The stiffness of 97.9 MPa has far exceeded that of the usual high‐performance thermoplastic elastomers. The adhesion strength bonded with iron plates of 20.7 MPa, to the best knowledge, will be the record‐high value for hot‐melt adhesives. Intriguingly, the telechelic elastomer can be positively charged after friction with copper, exhibiting a much higher open circuit voltage than that of the most commonly used positively charged polyamide. More interestingly, the intrinsic blue fluorescence is also observed, which is ascribed to the aggregation induced emission of a tertiary amine. Thus a thermoplastic elastomer is represented in this work with remarkable mechanical properties, rapid self‐healing ability and tailorable important functions.
Optofluidic Platform for the Manipulation of Water Droplets on Engineered LiNbO3 Surfaces
Authors: Zaltron Annamaria , Ferraro Davide , Meggiolaro Alessio , Cremaschini Sebastian , Carneri Mattia , Chiarello Enrico , Sartori Paolo , Pierno Matteo , Sada Cinzia , Mistura Giampaolo
Published: July 2022

The actuation and control of liquid droplets on a surface have important implications in many industrial applications and microfluidics. In recent years, various strategies have been used. Here, an optofluidic platform that performs the basic droplet handling operations required in a common microfluidic device is presented. It is based on z‐cut, iron‐doped lithium niobate crystals that, when illuminated, generate surface charges of opposite sign at the two crystal faces because of the photovoltaic effect. The face of the crystal in contact with the droplets is coated with a lubricant‐infused layer, which guarantees hydrophobicity and, more importantly, a very slippery and robust surface for prolonged use. In this way, sessile water droplets having volumes of microliters, corresponding to millimeters in size, can be easily actuated, guided, merged, and split by projection on the crystal of suitable static or dynamic light patterns. The actuated droplets can cover distances of centimeters on a timescale of a few seconds. The resulting platform is highly flexible and reconfigurable and does not require moving parts.
Logic Circuits Based on Chemical Volume Phase Transition Transistors for Planar Microfluidics and Lab‐on‐a‐Chip Automation
Authors: Beck Anthony , Mehner Philipp Jan , Voigt Andreas , Obst Franziska , Marschner Uwe , Richter Andreas
Published: July 2022

Despite great progress of lab‐on‐a‐chip (LoC) technology platforms in the last 30 years, there is a lack of standardized microfluidic components, real on‐chip automation and progressive functional scalability of the fluidic circuits. Hydrogel‐based microfluidic circuits have a high scaling potential and provide on‐chip automation, but are complex in system design. An advanced circuit concept for planar microfluidic chip architectures, originating from the early era of the semiconductor‐based resistor‐transistor‐logic (RTL) is presented and the hydrogel‐based chemical volume phase transition transistor (CVPT) for logic gate operations is implemented. The circuit concept (CVPT‐RTL) is robust and simple in design, feasible with common materials and manufacturing techniques of the LoC technology. Thereby, three major challenges are solved: contamination issues, maintaining the signal compliance for cascadability, and chemical signal inversion. As a central element, a CVPT cascode is introduced. The functionality of the concept is verified by a 24 h test of the NAND gate operation and a self‐automated chemofluidic analog‐to‐digital converter, utilized as interface between bioreactors and extended microfluidic logic circuits. Moreover, the CVPT‐RTL cascode demonstrates the expected self‐stabilizing performance of the NAND gate. Accompanying simulations of the component behavior based on a network description implemented in Matlab Simscape match with the experimental results.
Delivery of Dissociated Islets Cells within Microporous Annealed Particle Scaffold to Treat Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Roosa Colleen A. , Ma Mingyang , Chhabra Preeti , Brayman Kenneth , Griffin Donald
Published: July 2022

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by the autoimmune loss of insulin‐producing beta cells in the pancreas. The only clinical approach to patient management of blood glucose that doesn't require exogenous insulin is pancreas or islet transplantation. Unfortunately, donor islets are scarce and there is substantial islet loss immediately after transplantation due, in part, to the local inflammatory response. The delivery of stem cell‐derived beta cells (e.g., from induced pluripotent stem cells) and dissociated islet cells hold promise as a treatment for T1D; however, these cells typically require re‐aggregation in vitro prior to implantation. Microporous scaffolds have shown high potential to serve as a vehicle for organization, survival, and function of insulin‐producing cells. In this study, the use of microporous annealed particle (MAP) scaffold for delivery of enzymatically dissociated islet cells, a model beta cell source, within the scaffold's interconnected pores is investigated. It is found that MAP‐based cell delivery enables survival and function of dissociated islets cells both in vitro and in an in vivo mouse model of T1D.
Computational Pourbaix Diagrams for MXenes: A Key Ingredient toward Proper Theoretical Electrocatalytic Studies
Authors: López Martí , Exner Kai S. , Viñes Francesc , Illas Francesc
Published: July 2022

MXenes, a rather new family of 2D carbides and nitrides, have shown to be promising materials in many technological applications, particularly in electrocatalysis. The as‐synthesized MXenes exhibit a variety of surface terminations involving mixtures of O, OH, H, or F surface groups. These terminations play a crucial role in the electrocatalytic performance of these materials as these may change depending on the reaction conditions. The Pourbaix diagrams have long being used to provide the thermodynamically stable surface under certain conditions of pH and potential, U. However, experimental determination of Pourbaix diagrams may be quite challenging while first‐principles studies, considering the most likely terminations, allow deriving reliable insights. Here, Pourbaix diagrams for a series of representative MXenes are provided; the Ti2C, Ti3C2, V2C, and Mo2C MXenes, with the novelty of considering single and several double mixed terminations. The possible implications of the obtained results are discussed, especially for a proper choice of models in theoretical electrocatalysis studies, including the water splitting related hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), or the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), but also serving as a guide to any further computational studies and also to electrocatalytic experiments.
Laser‐assisted preparation of monolithic acidic catalysts for biomass conversion
Authors: Cao Jinzhe , Zhang Jiangwei , Tao Shengyang
Published: July 2022

5‐(Hydroxymethyl)furfural (5‐HMF) is a vital platform molecule from which a variety of high‐value‐added fine chemicals and polymerizable monomers can be prepared. The use of solid acids to catalyze the conversion of biomass into 5‐HMF is environmentally friendly and economical. However, exploiting the high yield of 5‐HMF in a highly concentrated reactant system is challenging. Herein, we present a laser‐assisted method for preparing highly acidic monolithic acidic catalysts. A monolithic acidic catalyst based on metal Zr sheets was synthesized and used to catalytically convert 30 wt% fructose into 5‐HMF (conversion rate: 96%; yield: 95%). The catalyst was immediately separated from the reaction solution by direct removal at the end of the reaction. Catalytic efficiency was largely unaffected after 10 cycles of use, and the same catalytic efficiency was observed after laser‐regeneration, highlighting the potential industrial applicability of the developed catalyst.
Body height, weight, and Body Mass Index – magnitude and pace of secular changes in children and adolescents from Kraków (Poland) between 1983 and 2020
Authors: Kryst Łukasz , Żegleń Magdalena , Woronkowicz Agnieszka , Kowal Małgorzata
Published: July 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence and pace of secular trends regarding body height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) among children and adolescents from Kraków (Poland) examined in 1983, 2000, 2010, and 2020.

Methods

The study group consisted of 17 407 individuals (8650 girls and 8757 boys) aged 3–18 included in four cross‐sectional studies conducted in 1983, 2000, 2010, and 2020.Analyzed anthropometric characteristics included body height (measured according to Martin's technique, with an anthropometer) and body weight. BMI was calculated as follows: body weight (kg)/body height2 (m).

Results

Results of the current study suggest that there was a cessation of previously observed secular increase of the body height in the examined population in the recent decade. Additionally, secular changes regarding body height, body mass, and BMI occurred noticeably slower in the recent decade compared to the previous years.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the rapid increase of body height in the years 1983–2000 and later secular increase of the body mass and BMI in 2000–2010 were probably associated mainly with significant socio‐economic progress of the country. On the other hand, deceleration of those trends in 2010–2020, especially in regards to body height, may be associated with reaching the maximum genetically attainable body height in the examined population.
The actions and interactions of family genetic risk scores for alcohol use disorder and major depression on the risk for these two disorders
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S. , Lönn Sara L. , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: July 2022

We know little about how genetic risk factors for two disorders jointly act and interact in predisposing to illness. Therefore, in the Swedish population, born 1970–1990 (n = 2,116,082) and followed through 2015, we examine, using additive Cox models, the impact of the family genetic risk scores (FGRS) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depression (MD), their interaction with each other and with the relevant comorbid disorder on risk for AUD and MD. FGRS scores are constructed using rates of illness in first‐fourth degree relatives. FGRS for AUD and MD interacted in predicting of both disorders and one FRGS (e.g., for AUD) interacted with the phenotype of MD to predict that disorder (e.g., AUD). These FGRS interactions were not substantially attenuated by adding interactions with the disorders. These results replicated across sexes. In predicting risk for a given disorder, we rarely consider genetic liabilities for other disorders. But such effects were here significant and interactive. Furthermore, the primary disorder genetic risk interacts with comorbid disorders. The pathways to risk for disorders from their and other disorders' genetic liability may be more complex than commonly considered.
Medical genetics in the 19th century as background to the development of psychiatric genetics
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S.
Published: July 2022

This article examines the relationship between the early efforts of alienists to understand the role of heredity in the etiology of insanity in the 19th century and the parallel efforts of the nascent discipline of medical genetics. I review three monographs on general medical genetics: Adams in 1814, Steinau in 1843, and Lithgow in 1889. Numerous parallels were seen between their writings and those of their contemporary alienists working on mental disorders including (i) an emphasis on the transmission of the liability to illness rather than the illness itself, (ii) discussions of the homogeneous versus heterogeneous nature of familial transmission of disease, (iii) the relative value of direct versus indirect hereditary effects, (iv) the role of mothers versus fathers in transmitting liability, (v) possible environmental sources of familial clustering, and (vi) the transmission of age at onset of illness. All three medical genetic authors noted that insanity was among the more heritable of human disorders. Furthermore, Lithgow noted the importance of heritable influences on the non‐psychotic forms of psychiatric illness rarely seen in asylums. This survey demonstrates substantial consilience in the topics of interest and conclusions of the nascent general medical and psychiatric genetics' communities in the 19th century.
Technical note: Examining the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for humic extraction of ancient bone
Authors: Wilson Tess , Szpak Paul
Published: July 2022

We examined the efficacy of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for removing humic contaminants from collagen extracted from ancient bone. Humic contaminants must be removed to obtain reliable stable isotope values from ancient bone collagen, given that humic acids have consistently lower δ13C values than collagen. The purpose of our research was to examine if EDTA treatment could effectively remove humic contaminants from bone collagen and thus serve as an alternative to the commonly implemented sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment, which may be associated with large collagen losses in poorly preserved samples. We compared the isotopic and elemental composition of ancient samples treated with EDTA alone, samples demineralized in hydrochloric acid (HCl) and rinsed in EDTA, samples treated with HCl alone, and samples demineralized in HCl and rinsed with NaOH. The samples used in the analyses were selected because they presented evidence of substantial humic contamination. We found that NaOH was the most effective agent for reducing humic contaminants as evidenced by the samples treated with this agent having higher δ13C values and lower C:N ratios relative to other treatments. The results from samples treated with EDTA suggest that this chemical cannot effectively remove humic contaminants given that these samples had significantly higher C:N ratios and lower δ13C and δ15N values relative to the HCl/NaOH treatment. Our results demonstrate that when performing stable isotope analysis of ancient bone collagen suspected to be contaminated with humic acids, NaOH is the most effective chemical agent to remove humic contaminants, while EDTA cannot perform this task.
Blood extracellular vesicles carrying synaptic function‐ and brain‐related proteins as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tian Chen , Stewart Tessandra , Hong Zhen , Guo Zhen , Aro Patrick , Soltys David , Pan Catherine , Peskind Elaine R , Zabetian Cyrus P. , Shaw Leslie M. , Galasko Douglas , Quinn Joseph F , Shi Min , Zhang Jing ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Objective and accessible markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are critically needed.

Methods

We identified NMDAR2A, a protein related to synaptic function, as a novel marker of central nervous system (CNS)‐derived plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) and developed a flow cytometry‐based technology for detecting such plasma EVs readily. The assay was initially tested in our local cross‐sectional study to distinguish AD patients from healthy controls (HCs) or from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, followed by a validation study using an independent cohort collected from multiple medical centers (the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative). Cerebrospinal fluid AD molecular signature was used to confirm diagnoses of all AD participants.

Results

Likely CNS‐derived EVs in plasma were significantly reduced in AD compared to HCs in both cohorts. Integrative models including CNS‐derived EV markers and AD markers present on EVs reached area under the curve of 0.915 in discovery cohort and 0.810 in validation cohort.

Discussion

This study demonstrated that robust and rapid analysis of individual neuron‐derived synaptic function–related EVs in peripheral blood may serve as a helpful marker of synaptic dysfunction in AD and dementia.
Giant Multi‐Photon Absorption by Heptazine Organometalation
Authors: Zhang Ling , Morshedi Mahbod , Kodikara Mahesh S. , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: July 2022

Multi‐photon absorption (MPA) is of increasing interest for applications in technologically important “windows” of the electromagnetic spectrum (near‐infrared III, NIR‐III, 1550–1870 nm; and the new 2080–2340 nm region); however, few molecules exist that display strong MPA at these long wavelengths. We herein report the syntheses of the first 2,5,8‐s‐heptazine‐cored organometallic complexes, together with organic analogues. The complexes exhibit outstanding 3PA cross‐sections in the NIR‐III and exceptional 4PA cross‐sections in the new 2080–2340 nm window. We demonstrate that replacing organic donor groups by organometallic units results in an order of magnitude increase in 3PA, the “switching on” of 4PA, and a dramatic improvement in photo‐stability. Our results highlight the impressive outcomes possible with an “organometalation” approach to NLO materials design.
Computational design and characterization of platinum‐II complexes of some Schiff bases and investigation of their anticancer–antibacterial properties
Authors: Kaya Serpil , Erkan Sultan , Karakaş Duran
Published: July 2022

Pt(L1)2‐, Pt(L2)2‐, and Pt(L3)2‐type four‐coordinated hypothetical platinum‐II complexes were designed and characterized computationally. Where L1, L2, and L3 are the Schiff base anions as 2‐((ethylamino)methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenolate, 2‐((ethylamino)methyl)‐6‐methylphenolate, and 2‐((ethylamino)methyl)‐6‐chlorophenolate, respectively. M062X/LANL2DZ/6‐31G(d,p) level was found to be the best computational level for the complexes by benchmarking analysis. Pt (Ln)2‐type four‐coordinated complexes were optimized in the aqueous phase at the best level. Spectroscopic properties of optimized molecular structures (IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and UV–Vis) were calculated, and the complexes were characterized. It was determined that Pt (Ln)2‐type complexes have a distorted square planar geometry. Molecular electrostatic potential maps, molecular orbital energy diagrams, and some molecular properties of the complexes were calculated. To estimate the anticancer and antibacterial activities of the complexes, they were docked against Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF7) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv) cell lines and compared with standard substances. According to the calculated docking parameters, the complexes were found to have higher activity than substances with anticancer and antibacterial standards. The presence of an electron‐donating group in Schiff bases has been predicted to increase both anticancer and antibacterial activities.
Quality characteristics of oils extracted from ɣ‐irradiated chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds
Authors: Akyol Enise , Geçgel Ümit , Apaydın Demet
Published: July 2022

In the present study, the characteristics of oils extracted from ɣ‐irradiated chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds at five different doses (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 kGy) were established. After the irradiation process, the oils of chia seeds were obtained by using cold press technique. Sterol composition, fatty acid composition, tocopherol content, fatty acid value (FAV), peroxide value (PV), and total phenolic content were chosen as test parameters. Gamma irradiation led to the modification of fatty acid content of chia seed oil as a decrease in oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2) levels and an increase in palmitic acid (16:0), and stearic acid (18:0) levels were observed. In parallel with the increase of irradiation dose, total monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased. Phenolic and tocopherol levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while FAV and PV increased significantly (p < 0.05) due to irradiation. Regarding sterol compositions; β‐sitosterol was determined as the highest and β‐sitosterol ratio decreased with increasing of irradiation dose. However, no significant changes was detected in the amount of campesterol in the sterol composition depending on the irradiation doses applied (p > 0.01). ɣ‐irradiation caused a decrease in the total amount of sterol, as well as in the tocopherol content.
Cerebral arterial and ventricular morphology of the dogfish (Squalus acanthias), American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and green iguana (Iguana iguana): Arterial high‐resolution micro‐CT, dissection, and radiography study
Authors: Kier E. Leon , Conlogue Gerald J. , VanHouten Joshua N.
Published: July 2022

This study's objective was to investigate obtaining high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography (CT) imaging of the injected arterial circulation of the brains of the dogfish (Squalus acanthias), American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and green iguana (Iguana iguana). No micro‐CT images of the arterial morphology of the brains of these vertebrates were previously published. Micro‐CT imaging was performed on brains that had the cerebral arterial and ventricular systems injected with a radiopaque barium–gelatin compound in the early 1970s. These specimens were dissected and placed in a preservative fluid for 35 years, until imaged with micro‐CT. The obtained micro‐CT images were processed with a software program that provided 3D rotational motion rendering, and sequential display of 2D renderings of the micro‐CT data. The anatomic information provided by the high‐resolution micro‐CT is not reproducible by any other radiopaque contrast currently available, without tissue removal corrosion, and enhanced the dissection information. The digital videos of the micro‐CT 3D rotational motion rendering and sequential display of 2D renderings of the dogfish, bullfrog, and green iguana, demonstrate the extent of the arterial network within the brain, the arterial segments obscured by overlying structures such as nerves, and identified in the bullfrog the venous cerebral circulation resulting from the centrifugal leptomeningeal arterial capillaries. The rotational 3D images separated superimposed arterial structures, and the sequential display of the 2D renderings clarifies the relationship of cut or overlapped arterial branches. Comparing the brain and arterial morphology of the dogfish, bullfrog, and green iguana demonstrates some of the evolutionary modifications in these vertebrates.
Neural network based control charting for multiple stream processes with an application to HVAC systems in passenger railway vehicles
Authors: Lepore Antonio , Palumbo Biagio , Sposito Gianluca
Published: July 2022

A multiple stream process (MSP) is a process at a point in time that generates several streams of output with a quality variable of interest and specifications that are identical in all streams. In this article, a new control charting framework based on artificial neural networks (NNs), whose performance is prone to be measured in terms of and , is proposed to improve the monitoring of a MSP and the detection of changes in individual streams. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a NN has been applied to the monitoring of a MSP. The performance of the proposed control charting is evaluated through a wide Monte Carlo simulation and is compared with the traditional Mortell and Runger's MSP control charts based on the range statistic. The proposed method's potential is demonstrated by means of a real‐case study in the monitoring of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems installed on board modern trains. TheNN4MSPpackage that implements the proposed monitoring scheme through the software environmentPython, and theHVACdata set are made openly available online athttps://github.com/unina‐sfere/NN4MSPand on PyPI, together with a tutorial that shows how to practically implement the proposed methodology to the real‐case study.
Rad53 arrests leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis via distinct mechanisms in response to DNA replication stress
Authors: He Richard , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: July 2022

DNA replication stress threatens ordinary DNA synthesis. The evolutionarily conserved DNA replication stress response pathway involves sensor kinase Mec1/ATR, adaptor protein Mrc1/Claspin, and effector kinase Rad53/Chk1, which spurs a host of changes to stabilize replication forks and maintain genome integrity. DNA replication forks consist of largely distinct sets of proteins at leading and lagging strands that function autonomously in DNA synthesis in vitro. In this article, we discuss eSPAN and BrdU‐IP‐ssSeq, strand‐specific sequencing technologies that permit analysis of protein localization and DNA synthesis at individual strands in budding yeast. Using these approaches, we show that under replication stress Rad53 stalls DNA synthesis on both leading and lagging strands. On lagging strands, it stimulates PCNA unloading, and on leading strands, it attenuates the replication function of Mrc1‐Tof1. We propose that in doing so, Rad53 couples leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis during replication stress, thereby preventing the emergence of harmful ssDNA.
A zinc (II) complex comprising an aminoethyl‐nitropyridine‐derived N,N,O‐donor Schiff base ligand serves as an efficient ON–OFF probe for Cu(II)
Authors: Sharma Himani , Tamrakar Arpna , Maddeshiya Tarkeshwar , Shakya Pawan Raj , Tiwari Kamal Kant , Pandey Mrituanjay D. , Pandey Rampal
Published: July 2022

A new fluorescent zinc (II) complex‐based probe1encompassing a Schiff's base (E)‐2‐methoxy‐6‐((2‐[5‐nitropyridin‐2‐ylamino]ethylimino)methyl)phenol (HL) was designed, synthesized, and used for the highly selective detection of Cu2+. LigandHLand complex1were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques such as1H,13C‐NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy, high‐resolution mass spectronomy (HRMS), UV/visible light spectroscopy, and fluorescence studies. LigandHLdid not exhibit any considerable change in fluorescence in the presence of various cations. Notably, its Zn(II) complex1exhibited highly selective ‘TURN‐OFF’ fluorescence signalling towards Cu2+that remained uninterrupted with competing analytes. Probe1interacted with Cu2+in 1:2 (1:Cu2+) stoichiometry as estimated through a Job's plot. Moreover, the selectivity of1was further confirmed through the interaction of the1 + Cu2+complex with some possible interfering metal ions inducing an insignificant response. Additionally, the association and quenching constant were determined to be 3.30 × 104 M−1and 0.21 × 105 M−1through the Benesi–Hildebrand method and Stern–Volmer plot, respectively.
A review of extraction methods and analytical techniques for styrene and its metabolites in biological matrices
Authors: Rahimian Fatemeh , Soleimani Esmaeel
Published: July 2022

We reviewed the toxicokinetics of styrene to introduce reliable surrogates for the biological monitoring of styrene workers. We have also discussed the extraction techniques and analytical methods of styrene and its metabolites. Sample preparation is the main bottleneck of the analytical techniques for styrene and its metabolites. Although some microextraction methods have been developed to overcome such disadvantages, some still have limitations such as long extraction time, fiber swelling and breakage, and the cost and the limited lifetime of the fiber. Among all, microextraction by packed sorbents, coupled with HPLC with ultraviolet detection (MEPS‐HPLC‐UV), can be the method of choice for determining styrene metabolites. Few studies investigated unchanged styrene in breath samples. Chemical determination of styrene in exhaled breath provides new insights into organ toxicity in workers with inhalation exposures and can be considered a fascinating tool in risk assessment strategies. Taking blood samples is invasive and less accepted by workers. In contrast, breath analysis is the most attractive method for workers because breath samples are easy to collect and non‐invasive, and sample collection does not require the transfer of workers to health facilities. Therefore, developing selective and sensitive methods for determining styrene in breath samples is recommended for future studies.
Differentiable Formation of Chiroptical Lanthanide Heterometallic LnnLn’4‐n(L6) (n=0–4) Tetrahedra with C2‐Symmetrical Bis(tridentate) Ligands
Authors: Yim King‐Him , Yeung Chi‐Tung , Wong Melody Yee‐Man , Probert Michael R. , Law Ga‐Lai
Published: July 2022

Construction of lanthanide heterometallic complex is important for engineering multifunction molecular containers. However, it remains a challenge because of the similar ionic radii of lanthanides. Herein we attempt to prepare chiral lanthanide heterometallic tetrahedra. Upon crystallization with a mixture of [Eu2L3] and [Ln2L3] (Ln=Gd, Tb and Dy) helicates, a mixture of heterometallic EunLn’4‐n(L6) (n=0–4) tetrahedra was prepared. Selective formation of heterometallic tetrahedron was observed as MS deconvolution results deviated from statistical results. The formation of heterometallic tetrahedron was found to be sensitive to ionic radii as well as the ratio of the two helicates used in the crystallization.