bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between development of severe COVID-19 and a polymorphism in the CIAS1 gene that codes for an inflammasome component
Authors: Tozetto-Mendoza Tania R. , Mendes-Correa Maria Cassia , Linhares Iara Moreno , de Cássia Raymundi Vanessa , de oliveira Paião Heuder Gustavo , Barbosa Erick Matheus Garcia , Luna-Muschi Alessandra , Honorato Layla , Correa Giovanna Francisco , da Costa Antonio Charlys , Costa Silvia Figueiredo , Witkin Steven S.
Published: July 2023

An elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine response is associated with severe life-threatening symptoms in individuals with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID). The inflammasome is an intracellular structure responsible for generation of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. NALP3, a product of the CIAS1 gene, is the rate-limiting component for inflammasome activity. We evaluated if a CIAS1 42 base pair length polymorphism (rs74163773) was associated with severe COVID. DNA from 93 individuals with severe COVID, 38 with mild COVID, and 98 controls were analyzed for this polymorphism. The 12 unit repeat allele is associated with the highest inflammasome activity. Five alleles, corresponding to 6, 7, 9, 12 or 13 repeat units, divided into 12 genotypes were identified. The frequency of the 12 unit repeat allele was 45.3% in those with severe disease as opposed to 30.0% in those with mild disease and 26.0% in controls (p < 0.0001, severe vs. controls). In contrast, the 7 unit repeat allele frequency was 30.1% in controls as opposed to 14.0% and 12.5% in those with severe or mild disease, respectively (p ≤ 0.0017). We conclude that individuals positive for the CIAS1 12 allele may be at elevated risk for development of severe COVID due to an increased level of induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Detection of antimicrobial impact on gram-negative bacterial cell envelope based on single-cell imaging by scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Hisada Akiko , Matsumoto Erino , Hirano Ryo , Konomi Mami , Bou Khalil Jacques Yaacoub , Raoult Didier , Ominami Yusuke
Published: July 2023

Rapid determination of drug efficacy against bacterial pathogens is needed to detect potentially resistant bacteria and allow for more rational use of antimicrobials. As an indicator of the antimicrobial effect for rapid detection, we found changes in image brightness in antimicrobial-affected bacteria by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cell envelopes of unaffected bacteria were stained with phosphotungstic acid (PTA), whereas the entire cells of affected bacteria were stained. Since tungsten density increases backscattered electron intensity, brighter bacterial images indicate lethal damage. We propose a simplified method for determining antimicrobial efficacy by detecting damage that occurs immediately after drug administration using tabletop SEM. This method enabled the visualization of microscopic deformations while distinguishing bacterial-cell-envelope damage on gram-negative bacteria due to image-brightness change. Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were exposed to imipenem and colistin, which affect the cell envelope through different mechanisms. Classification of single-cell images based on brightness was quantified for approximately 500 bacteria per sample, and the bright images predominated within 5 to 60 min of antimicrobial treatment, depending on the species. Using intracellular PTA staining and characteristic deformations as indicators, it was possible to determine the efficacy of antimicrobials in causing bacterial-cell-envelope damage.
OrganoidChip facilitates hydrogel-free immobilization for fast and blur-free imaging of organoids
Authors: Moshksayan Khashayar , Harihara Anirudha , Mondal Sudip , Hegarty Evan , Atherly Todd , Sahoo Dipak K. , Jergens Albert E. , Mochel Jonathan P. , Allenspach Karin , Zoldan Janet , Ben-Yakar Adela
Published: July 2023

Organoids are three-dimensional structures of self-assembled cell aggregates that mimic anatomical features of in vivo organs and can serve as in vitro miniaturized organ models for drug testing. The most efficient way of studying drug toxicity and efficacy requires high-resolution imaging of a large number of organoids acquired in the least amount of time. Currently missing are suitable platforms capable of fast-paced high-content imaging of organoids. To address this knowledge gap, we present the OrganoidChip, a microfluidic imaging platform that incorporates a unique design to immobilize organoids for endpoint, fast imaging. The chip contains six parallel trapping areas, each having a staging and immobilization chamber, that receives organoids transferred from their native culture plates and anchors them, respectively. We first demonstrate that the OrganoidChip can efficiently immobilize intestinal and cardiac organoids without compromising their viability and functionality. Next, we show the capability of our device in assessing the dose-dependent responses of organoids’ viability and spontaneous contraction properties to Doxorubicin treatment and obtaining results that are similar to off-chip experiments. Importantly, the chip enables organoid imaging at speeds that are an order of magnitude faster than conventional imaging platforms and prevents the acquisition of blurry images caused by organoid drifting, swimming, and fast stage movements. Taken together, the OrganoidChip is a promising microfluidic platform that can serve as a building block for a multiwell plate format that can provide high-throughput and high-resolution imaging of organoids in the future.
Impact of thermal oxidation parameters on micro-hardness and hot corrosion of Ti-6Al-3Mo-2Nb-2Sn-2Zr-1.5Cr alloy
Authors: Ahmed Fathy S. , El-Zomor Mohamed A. , Ghazala Magdy S. Abo , Elshaer Ramadan N.
Published: July 2023

Protective oxide layers on Ti-6Al-3Mo-2Nb-2Sn-2Zr-1.5Cr (TC21) alloy with equiaxed microstructure considerably influence micro-hardness and hot corrosion resistance. The present work’s thermal oxidation of TC21 alloy was performed at 600, 700, and 800 °C for 5, 20, and 50 h durations. Hot corrosion methods in NaCl and NaCl + Na2SO4 salt media were applied to raw (unoxidized) and oxidized samples at 600 and 800 °C for 50 h. Hot corrosion was conducted at 600 °C for 5 cycles with 10-h steps. The best oxide layer thickness was observed at 800 °C, which increased with increased oxidation time and temperature. The surface hardness of the oxide layer at 800 °C was 900 ± 60 HV0.05 owing to the formation of TiO2 and Al2O3 phases. Raw material hardness was 342 ± 20 HV0.05, increasing threefold due to thermal oxidation. In the case of NaCl, weight loss dominated all samples except at 800 °C for 5 h. In the case of NaCl + Na2SO4, weight gain occurred at 600 and 800 °C for 5 h. Weight loss occurred for the raw samples and those processed at 800 °C for 20 and 50 h, where the oxide layer flaked off. Surface hardness increased upon hot corrosion testing because of the formation of brittle phases, such as TiO2 and Na4Ti5O12. Samples that oxidized at 800 °C for 5 h had the highest hardness and corrosion resistance.
Sustainable fisheries management through reliable restocking and stock enhancement evaluation with environmental DNA
Authors: Osathanunkul Maslin , Suwannapoom Chatmongkon
Published: July 2023

The practise of restocking and stock improvement as a means of managing fisheries and aquaculture has been widely used. However, it is difficult to claim that fish stocking is effective due to a number of challenges. One of those is the lack of suitable monitoring and assessment methods, although all assessment approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. If the full benefits of fisheries and their long-term sustainability are to be realised, it is necessary to examine the effectiveness of restocking and stock enhancement. Therefore, effective, rapid, and dependable monitoring techniques are necessary. In this study, we used an eDNA-based method to identify G. cambodgiensis at 14 sites throughout Thailand's restocking and stock enhancement programme. eDNA from this species was identified in water samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests with primers and a probe specific to G. cambodgiensis. A successful stocking would show positive eDNA results in water samples collected from the studied sites. Only five of the studied sites returned positive eDNA readings, which could be considered a successful stocking. The locations that contained G. cambodgiensis eDNA were either confirmed to be natural habitats or were regularly stocked with a large number of hatchery fish. In this study, we demonstrated that eDNA is a reliable, fast and accurate alternative method for measuring stock improvement.
Influence of heat treatment processes on microstructure evolution, tensile and tribological properties of Ti6Al4V alloy
Authors: Elshaer Ramadan N. , El-Hadad Shimaa , Nofal Adel
Published: July 2023

The influence of heat treatment processes on microstructure, tensile and tribological properties of Ti6Al4V alloy was investigated. The specimens were heated for 30 min at 925 °C and then cooled at various rates by water quenching, air cooling, and furnace cooling. After that, the samples were aged for four hours at 600 °C. Three phases make up the microstructure: primary α-phase (αp), secondary α-phase (αs), and retained β-phase (βr). Cooling in the air and water followed by aging (AC + Aging and WQ + Aging) resulted, αs-phase precipitating inside βr-phase. The highest hardness of 35 HRC was recorded for WQ + Aging specimen due to existence of a high amount of βr-phase and precipitation of αs-phase. On the other hand, the lowest hardness of 26 HRC was obtained for the FC specimen. AC specimen achieved the highest elongation value of 14%. However, WQ + Aging specimen exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength of 1028 MPa. For WQ + Aging and AC + Aging specimens, the ideal balance of strength and elongation was discovered. The wear resistance of solution-treated specimens was significantly improved by the aging process and 125% improvement could be achieved in WQ compared to WQ + Aging specimens.
Application of hybrid improved temporal convolution network model in time series prediction of river water quality
Authors: Hu Yankun , Lyu Li , Wang Ning , Zhou Xiaolei , Fang Meng
Published: July 2023

Time series prediction of river water quality is an important method to grasp the changes of river water quality and protect the river water environment. However, due to the time series data of river water quality have strong periodicity, seasonality and nonlinearity, which seriously affects the accuracy of river water quality prediction. In this paper, a new hybrid deep neural network model is proposed for river water quality prediction, which is integrated with Savitaky-Golay (SG) filter, STL time series decomposition method, Self-attention mechanism, and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN). The SG filter can effectively remove the noise in the time series data of river water quality, and the STL technology can decompose the time series data into trend, seasonal and residual series. The decomposed trend series and residual series are input into the model combining the Self-attention mechanism and TCN respectively for training and prediction. In order to verify the proposed model, this study uses opensource water quality data and private water quality data to conduct experiments, and compares with other water quality prediction models. The experimental results show that our method achieves the best prediction results in the water quality data of two different rivers.
Prospective validation of dermoscopy-based open-source artificial intelligence for melanoma diagnosis (PROVE-AI study)
Authors: Marchetti Michael A. , Cowen Emily A. , Kurtansky Nicholas R. , Weber Jochen , Dauscher Megan , DeFazio Jennifer , Deng Liang , Dusza Stephen W. , Haliasos Helen , Halpern Allan C. , Hosein Sharif , Nazir Zaeem H. , Marghoob Ashfaq A. , Quigley Elizabeth A. , Salvador Trina , Rotemberg Veronica M.
Published: July 2023

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve the assessment of lesions suspicious of melanoma, but few clinical studies have been conducted. We validated the accuracy of an open-source, non-commercial AI algorithm for melanoma diagnosis and assessed its potential impact on dermatologist decision-making. We conducted a prospective, observational clinical study to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the AI algorithm (ADAE) in predicting melanoma from dermoscopy skin lesion images. The primary aim was to assess the reliability of ADAE’s sensitivity at a predefined threshold of 95%. Patients who had consented for a skin biopsy to exclude melanoma were eligible. Dermatologists also estimated the probability of melanoma and indicated management choices before and after real-time exposure to ADAE scores. All lesions underwent biopsy. Four hundred thirty-five participants were enrolled and contributed 603 lesions (95 melanomas). Participants had a mean age of 59 years, 54% were female, and 96% were White individuals. At the predetermined 95% sensitivity threshold, ADAE had a sensitivity of 96.8% (95% CI: 91.1–98.9%) and specificity of 37.4% (95% CI: 33.3–41.7%). The dermatologists’ ability to assess melanoma risk significantly improved after ADAE exposure (AUC 0.7798 vs. 0.8161, p = 0.042). Post-ADAE dermatologist decisions also had equivalent or higher net benefit compared to biopsying all lesions. We validated the accuracy of an open-source melanoma AI algorithm and showed its theoretical potential for improving dermatology experts’ ability to evaluate lesions suspicious of melanoma. Larger randomized trials are needed to fully evaluate the potential of adopting this AI algorithm into clinical workflows.
Delaying methane mitigation increases the risk of breaching the 2 °C warming limit
Authors: Nzotungicimpaye Claude-Michel , MacIsaac Alexander J. , Zickfeld Kirsten
Published: July 2023

Atmospheric methane levels are growing rapidly, raising concerns that sustained methane growth could constitute a challenge for limiting global warming to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, even under stringent CO2mitigation. Here we use an Earth system model to investigate the importance of immediate versus delayed methane mitigation to comply with the 2 °C limit under a future scenario of low CO2emissions. Our results suggest that methane mitigation initiated before 2030, alongside stringent CO2mitigation, could enable to limit global warming to well below 2 °C over the next three centuries. However, delaying methane mitigation to 2040 or beyond increases the risk of breaching the 2 °C limit, with every 10-year delay resulting in an additional peak warming of ~0.1 °C. The peak warming is amplified by the carbon-climate feedback whose strength increases with delayed methane mitigation. We conclude that urgent methane mitigation is needed to increase the likelihood of achieving the 2 °C goal.
Theme Introduction: Best Practices of Teaching and Learning Digitally
Authors: Talanquer V.
Published: July 2023

Digital environments offer rich and diverse opportunities for students to learn chemistry and for teachers to foster student understanding. Nevertheless, these environments also pose challenges to teaching and learning that need to be acknowledged and addressed. The set of chapters in this book included under the theme “best practices of teaching and learning digitally” describe, discuss, and reflect upon many of these issues by focusing on three main areas: lessons learned about digital teaching and learning by both chemistry students and instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic; major characteristics of students and instructors that support learning and teaching in the digital world; and innovative approaches to chemistry teaching and learning in digital environments. Major insights from these studies are summarized in this introduction.
Using Visualization and Laboratory to Promote Learning in Science
Authors: Krajcik J.
Published: July 2023

As technology advances, opportunities and challenges of its uses arise. The educational field is no different, and along with the need for educators to adapt to technological changes that occur spontaneously (widespread use of smartphones, for example), the opportunity of utilizing various digital platforms for educational purposes that were not possible or at least not cost-effective until now exist. The authors in this section illustrate these opportunities and challenges. The authors present their use of innovative digital visualizations for chemistry laboratory sessions, each chapter with its own unique emphasis: using virtual and augmented reality in remote and in-person labs; applying a theoretical model for designing a context-based learning process dealing with environmental dilemmas; providing principles for developing videos to demonstrate chemical mechanisms, using highlighting techniques as scaffolds; categorizing and evaluating digital tools in remote-activated laboratories; and examining the use of interactive smartphone applications to increase student involvement in chemistry education both at home and in the classroom or laboratory.
Designing Tutorial Videos to Support Students’ Learning of Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry
Authors: Bernholt Sascha , Eckhard Julia , Rodemer Marc , Langner Axel , Asmussen Gyde , Graulich Nicole
Published: July 2023

Understanding and using domain-specific representations is a key challenge in science disciplines. Tutorial videos can provide a possible approach to support students in working with these representations. Incorporating multimedia learning principles, aspects of cognitive load theory, and combining a specific visual display with a well-structured scientific explanation increase the accessibility of this learning resource for students. Regarding the visual display, specific highlighting techniques can guide students’ attention to relevant parts of a representation. Our empirical findings, based on designing tutorial videos to support students’ understanding of reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry, suggest that students with low prior knowledge particularly benefit from this kind of support. In terms of increasing students’ learning gains, the verbal explanation presented in the video also has a great influence. Purposefully scripting these verbal explanations allows specific student needs to be addressed, for instance in terms of compensating low prior knowledge (e.g., by sequencing or enriching different levels of the explanation) or language capabilities (e.g., in case of second language learners). Furthermore, these explanations are a learning resource in themselves, as such a tutorial renders the structure of an expected explanation transparent, and thus accessible to students.
Digital Tools for Equitable In-person and Remote Chemistry Learning
Authors: Pullen R. , Motion A. , Schmid S. , George-Williams S. , Wilkinson S. , Leach S.
Published: July 2023

While the debate around the best way to utilise laboratory sessions continues in the chemistry education community, few would disagree that they are an integral part of any chemistry training program or degree. Laboratory sessions are an important tool to engage students with chemistry and more importantly, are a means to test, measure and, ultimately, influence molecular interactions to overcome real-world issues. The incorporation of digital tools into laboratory learning provides an opportunity to enhance student learning and to provide opportunities for distance learning in chemistry. Two important considerations for our students when implementing digital tools include: (1) equity of access for a diverse group of potential students, and (2) facilitating participation and belongingness for students learning by distance. This chapter will highlight literature examples of laboratory learning assisted by digital tools that support laboratories as a ‘place to learn how to do chemistry’. Through a case study from an Australian university, we will explore best practice in digital laboratory learning for both in-person and remote students, with a particular focus on how modern technological advances can help to improve learning outcomes for diverse student cohorts.
Smartphone Applications as a Catalyst for Active Learning in Chemistry: Investigating the Ideal Gas Law
Authors: Milner-Bolotin M. , Milner V.
Published: July 2023

This chapter examines how interactive research-based smartphone applications can be used to engage students in hands-on chemistry learning both at school and at home. Two different smartphone applications are being discussed: the PhET (Physics Education Technology, https://phet.colorado.edu/) suite of interactive simulations and the Phyphox (Physics Phone Experiments, https://phyphox.org/) data collection and analysis smartphone application. PhET chemistry simulations let students conduct virtual experiments, while the Phyphox app allows students to collect and analyze real time data. We illustrate the pedagogical applications of these apps through an example of an ideal gas investigation. We also suggest how smartphone applications can be introduced in science teacher education to actively engage future teachers in smartphone enabled science investigations. Finally, we discuss how smartphone-based science experiments can help educators increase access to active science learning for all students and consequently reduce the educational inequality in STEM classrooms.
Embedding Feedback in Digital Learning Environments to Promote Learners’ Thinking About Their Thinking in Chemistry
Authors: Lawrie Gwendolyn A.
Published: July 2023

Successful hybrid and blended learning environments typically require careful instructional scaffolding involving feedback to encourage learner engagement and interaction with content, with their peers and with their teachers. Online learning environments involve both synchronous and asynchronous activities—student engagement during the latter is often the most challenging for instructional design. In the absence of synchronous teacher guidance, formative feedback represents a key mechanism by which engagement can be fostered. Access and participation in online active learning rely on the individual learner feeling confident in their thinking so that they can contribute to discussions and activities. The transition from high school into tertiary general chemistry learning environments involves inherent diversity in students’ prior online learning experience and their understanding of core concepts. The provision of feedback in multiple modes and forms supports student engagement in learning, including the opportunity to address gaps in their thinking and build their confidence in understanding concepts. In this chapter, the outcomes of longitudinal design-based research cycles to develop effective practices for the provision of technology-enabled feedback in different modes are shared. Recommendations for instructional strategies to encourage students’ self-assessment of their thinking and development of self-regulatory skills are shared, informed by students’ perceptions of feedback.
3D printing electrodes for energy conversion
Authors: Silva Mariana Bianchini , Germscheidt Rafael Lavagnolli , Pereira Mateus Veras , Bonacin Juliano Alves
Published: July 2023

Additive manufacture, also known as 3D printing, is a powerful and versatile tool to fabricate three-dimensional objects, and many research fields have been exploring 3D printing techniques for diverse applications. One of the main advantages of additive manufacturing is the possibility of fabricating tailored parts for specific applications, allowing fast prototyping and flexibility to the process. For energy conversion applications, additive manufacturing has been studied to produce versatile 3D printed electrodes and electrochemical cells, which can be applied to the production of green hydrogen through water splitting. In this chapter, the versatility of 3D printing towards the production of green hydrogen is explored, presenting the main filaments used to produce 3D printed electrodes and the strategies reported to functionalize these electrodes and improve their electrochemical activity.
A new class of pseudocapacitive electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage in rechargeable batteries
Authors: Adarakatti Prashanth S. , K. N. Manukumar
Published: July 2023

Electrochemical energy storage devices comprising electrode material with both high power and energy density, is in high demand across the world. Designing advanced pseudocapacitive materials are one approach to achieve above mentioned challenging perspective. Pseudocapacitance, a faradaic process involving surface or near-surface redox processes, allows for high energy density while maintaining high charge–discharge rates. The fundamental electrochemical characteristics of pseudocapacitive materials are described in this chapter, with an emphasis on kinetic processes and differences between battery and pseudocapacitive materials. In addition, we discuss the various types of pseudocapacitive materials, highlighting the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic pseudocapacitive materials. Finally, we articulate the application of pseudocapacitive materials in aqueous and non-aqueous rechargeable batteries.
Conducting polymer-based electrochemical biosensors for biomedical application
Authors: Singh Kshitij R. B. , Singh Pooja , Natarajan Arunadevi , Thapa Sushma , Verma Ranjana , Singh Jay , Singh Ravindra Pratap
Published: July 2023

Many people are interested in conducting polymers because of their unique qualities, such as biocompatibility, flexibility, low weight, simplicity of production, and capacity for surface modification. They are a top choice for use in biomedical applications, particularly in the highly sensitive and direct diagnostics of coronavirus, diabetes, neurological illnesses, etc. This chapter summarizes the advances in electrochemical sensing based on conducting polymers as active material. At the same time, a significant amount of deep insight into the electrochemical biosensor is provided. Additionally, a thorough investigation is shown on conducting polymers’ use in biomedical applications and their promise for the future.
A colloidal gold immunoassay strip assay for cadmium detection in oilfield chemicals
Authors: Jiang Luming , Wang Peng , Shu Yong , Jin Ping , Xu Liguang , Xu Chuanlai , Guo Lingling
Published: July 2023

Detection of the main environmental pollutant Cd2+ in oilfield chemicals by rapid detection method.
Plasmonic nanomaterials-based flexible strips for the SERS detection of gouty arthritis
Authors: Lien Mei-Chin , Yeh I-Hsiu , Lu Yin-Cheng , Liu Keng-Ku
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate the synthesis of yolk–shell nanomaterials and the fabrication of yolk–shell nanomaterial-decorated flexible strips for the SERS detection of uric acid in tears.
CoFe nanoalloys encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon for efficient nitrite electroreduction to ammonia
Authors: Zhu Dongdong , Zhang Binbin , Chen Junlong , Xie Fangxi , Zou Yan , Chen Ping
Published: July 2023

CoFe nanoalloys encapsulated in a nitrogen-doped carbon (CoFe-NC) electrocatalyst can selectively reduce nitrite to ammonia in a neutral electrolyte.
Promethium trifluoride: polymorphism and the structure of modifications on the model crystal 61(Ce0.5Gd0.5)F3. Part II. In situ X-ray diffraction study of t- and β- “pseudo61PmF3” crystal structures near the temperature of a polymorphic transformation
Authors: Sulyanova Elena A. , Sobolev Boris P. , Svetogorov Roman D. , Kulikova Elisaveta S.
Published: July 2023

Crystal structures of high-temperature t- (LaF3-type) and low-temperature β- (β-YF3-type) modifications of 61(58Ce0.564Gd0.5)F3 – “pseudo61PmF3” near the temperature of a polymorphic transformation.
Neural network atomistic potentials for global energy minima search in carbon clusters
Authors: Tkachenko Nikolay V. , Tkachenko Anastasiia A. , Nebgen Benjamin , Tretiak Sergei , Boldyrev Alexander I.
Published: July 2023

This article explores the application of NN atomistic potentials, specifically ANI-1ccx and ANI-nr, for efficient global minima optimization in carbon clusters. Combined with the cluster distance restriction, they are robust PES pre-samplers.
Solvation of serine-based model peptides and the role of the intramolecular OH·O hydrogen bond in interpreting VCD spectra
Authors: Müller Clemens , Merten Christian
Published: July 2023

Solute–solvent interactions influence IR and VCD spectra of the two model peptides in DMSO-d6. Spectra simulations need to take different solvation states for different conformer families into account.
Dynamically changeable terahertz metamaterial absorbers with intelligent switch and high sensitivity and wide and narrow band perfect absorption
Authors: Zhao Qian , Yi Zao , Bian Liang , Liu Huan , Yang Hua , Cheng Shubo , Li Gongfa , Zeng Liangcai , Li Hailiang , Wu Pinghui
Published: July 2023

The dynamically tunable conductivity by shifting the Fermi level of the Dirac semimetal gives our absorber a variable absorption which frequency range of up to 0.52 THz. Our can provide a new idea for the research of THz metamaterial absorbers.
Tris(pyridyl)borates: an emergent class of versatile and robust polydentate ligands for catalysis and materials applications
Authors: McQuade James , Jäkle Frieder
Published: July 2023

Recent progress in the development of tris(pyridyl)borate ligands and their complexes is discussed, and promising future directions are outlined.
Built-in anionic equilibrium for atom-economic recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhu Pengfei , Jiang Zhipeng , Sun Wei , Yang Yue , Silvester Debbie S. , Hou Hongshuai , Banks Craig E. , Hu Jiugang , Ji Xiaobo
Published: July 2023

Built-in anionic equilibrium strategy is proposed to recover lithium from spent LiFePO4cathodes with high atom economy.
Unraveling the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on Canadian municipal sewage
Authors: Zhou Pengxiao , Li Zhong , Snowling Spencer , Barclay Jacob
Published: July 2023

A comparison of influent flow rates before and during lockdowns was conducted. No-lockdown scenario data were generated by random forest models. Weekly patterns of influent flow rates exhibited differences before and during lockdowns.
A high-performance PEDOT:PSS platform electrochemical biosensor for the determination of HER2 based on carboxyl-functionalized MWCNTs and ARGET ATRP
Authors: Li Daoxiang , Zhang Weiyi , Miao Mingsan , Liu Yanju , Yang Huaixia
Published: July 2023

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an important breast cancer marker that is abnormally expressed in 20–30% of breast cancer patients.
Hydrothermal synthesis of α-FeOOH (1D) nanorods and their transition to α-Fe2O3 (0D): an efficient photocatalyst in neutralizing hazardous organic dyes
Authors: Sudapalli Aruna M. , Shimpi Navinchandra G.
Published: July 2023

α-FeOOH nanorods transitioned to α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles at 520 °C. Both act as photocatalysts, degrading BG and RhB with 96% (110 min) and 93% (90 min) for α-FeOOH and 99% (100 min) and 99.4% (80 min) for α-Fe2O3.
Research of crystallization kinetics, luminescence and abnormal thermal quenching behavior of Al2O3–B2O3–SrO glass ceramic
Authors: Bao Wuyunga , Yu Xinmin , Wang Tong , Wang Qianwen , Zou Xiangyu , Zhang Hongbo , Su Chunhui
Published: July 2023

The intensity of the emission peaks of the glass ceramic increased with temperature increasing from 25° to 150°, showing an abnormal thermal quenching phenomenon.
Li2ZnTi3O8anode: design from material to electrode and devices
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Zhang Xue , Xu Haoran , Ma Wenzhao , Wang Lijuan , Meng Zhaohui , Wang Fei
Published: July 2023

Li2ZnTi3O8anode has been widely reviewed with respect to material design, electrode design, and device construction design.
A copper interface promotes the transformation of nickel hydroxide into high-valent nickel for an efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Zhou Fengchen , Huang Aiming , Wang Yong , Chu Wei , Luo Wen
Published: July 2023

The anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) hinders the development of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water due to its slow reaction kinetics.
Insight into the complexation mechanism between a BiVO4photoanode and tartaric acid for efficient photoelectrochemical H2production
Authors: Wang Zhaoqi , Wang Shuhua , Liu Xiaolei , Xu Yayang , Dai Dujuan , Zhao Shuang , Wang Peng , Zheng Zhaoke , Liu Yuanyuan , Cheng Hefeng , Dai Ying , Wang Zeyan , Huang Baibiao
Published: July 2023

Theoretical calculations and experiments were employed to explore the complexation mechanism in a BiVO4–C4H6O6PEC fuel cell. The complexation site involved in the VB contribution of BiVO4is crucial for the energy release and conversion of C4H6O6.
Surface-plasmon-enhanced ethanol electrocatalysis and enhancement mechanism of nanoporous AuPd with wide-spectrum response characteristics under visible light irradiation
Authors: Tang Cuilan , Chen Guo , Liu Yansong , Wang Jian , He Xiaoshan , Xie Chunping , He Zhibing , Huang Jinglin
Published: July 2023

Localized surface plasmon resonance of Au enhanced catalytic performances of NP AuPd towards ethanol oxidation reaction. In situ-irradiated XPS and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy proved the hot electron transfer from Au to Pd.
Endocrine Disruptors und Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Friedrichsen Hans-Peter , Gröber Uwe
Published: July 2023

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) sind hormonaktive Umweltgifte, die
über multiple Mechanismen die endokrine Regulation
beinträchtigen. Bes. gravierend ist die Exposition in der Fetalphase, in
der auch die metabolische Programmierung erfolgt. Zu den diabetogenen
Chemikalien gehören zahlreiche Biozide, aber auch Lösemittel und
Phthalate wie Bisphenol A, das in großen Mengen in der Kunststoff- und
Nahrungsmittelindustrie eingesetzt wird. Eine hohe Belastung weisen nicht
gestillte Kinder im Alter von 0–6 Monaten auf. Neben ihrer direkten
schädlichen Wirkung tragen EDCs auch dadurch zu Diabetespathogenese bei,
dass sie den Stoffwechsel des protektiven Faktors Vitamin D stören.
Giftung und Entgiftung: Die Rolle von Eisen und Zink
Authors: Classen Hans-Georg , Birkelbach Daniela
Published: July 2023

Das Spurenelement Eisen ist wichtig für Blutbildung, Sauerstofftransport
und Immunsystem. Ein Mangel, der ca. 30% der Weltbevölkerung
betrifft, ist ebenso zu vermeiden wie ein Überschuss, der als
Risikofaktor für Krebs und koronare Herzkrankheiten gilt. Freie
Eisenionen fördern die Bildung von Sauerstoffradikalen und oxidativen
Stress. Bei den körpereigenen Schutz- und Entgiftungsmechanismen sowie
bei der Immunantwort spielt Zink eine zentrale Rolle. Neben der optimalen
Nährstoffversorgung trägt auch eine Kalorienrestriktion zum
Schutz des Organismus vor Umweltgiften und Stoffwechselprodukten bei.
Tinnitus Counselling in einer Spezialambulanz und ein (gescheiterer) Versuch, relevante „interaktionelle“ Faktoren für den Erfolg zu identifizieren
Authors: Schaaf Helmut , Kastellis Georg , Hesse Gerhard
Published: July 2023

Ein Ziel unserer größer angelegten Katamnese war zu belegen, dass die neurootologische Diagnostik und das Wissen grundlegende Voraussetzungen beim Counselling sind, aber eben auch, dass das Gegenüber (d.h. der Patient und die Patientin) auch in seiner Not erreicht werden muss. Dazu hatten wir einen eigenen 6-teilig skalierten Fragebogen zum Verständnis des Gecounsellten und zum Gefühl des Verstandenwerdens als Patient entwickelt, durch dessen Auswertung wir uns belastbare Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich einzelner Wirkfaktoren erhofft hatten.

In diesem Rahmen hatten wir 699 (von uns) ambulant gecounsellte Patienten und Patientinnen angeschrieben. Bei 295 konnten die Hörbefunde, der Mini-Tinnitus Fragebogen (TF 12) und die Hospitality Anxiety and Depression Scores (HADS) an 2 Messpunkten mit mindestens 6 Monaten Abstand verglichen werden.

Während sich das Counselling als nachhaltig sowohl in der Symptomreduktion als auch in der Compliance zur Umsetzung der empfohlenen Maßnahmen erwies, konnte mit unseren Mitteln nach einer sachgerechten Statistik kein signifikanter interaktioneller Einzelfaktor beim Counselling nachgewiesen werden.

In dem Artikel werden die unternommenen Schritte und Korrekturen auch hinsichtlich der angemessenen statistischen Vorgehensweise aufgezeigt, auch um darauf hinzuweisen, dass primär klinisch Arbeitende oft auf die Unterstützung ausgebildeter Statistiker angewiesen sind.
Die Darm-Hirn-Verbindung: Leaky Gut – Leaky
Brain
Authors: Runow Klaus-Dietrich
Published: July 2023

Zonulin ist ein Marker zur Feststellung einer erhöhten
Durchlässigkeit der Darmbarriere und lässt sich im Blut oder in
Stuhlproben nachweisen. Bei einem erhöhten Zonulinwert kommt es zu einem
verstärkten Einstrom von Bakterienbestandteilen, unverdauten
Nahrungsmitteln etc. in den Blutkreislauf. In der Folge können Allergien
und Entzündungsreaktionen auftreten bzw. verstärkt werden.
Entzündungsreaktionen im Darm können auch zu einem Leaky Brain,
also zu einer Durchlässigkeit der Blut-Hirn-Schranke, führen.
Verschiedene Blutmarker geben Hinweise auf gestörte Barrieren im
Organismus, die als Hauptursache zahlreicher chronischer Erkrankungen
gelten.
Esophageal Atresia and Gastric Ectopic Pancreas: Is There a Real Association?
Authors: Barila Lompe Patricia , Gine Carlos , Laín Ana , Garcia-Martinez Laura , Diaz Hervas Maria , López Manuel
Published: July 2023

Objective Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is a condition in which there is well-differentiated pancreatic tissue that lacks any anatomic or vascular contact with the pancreatic gland. It normally arises from the stomach but can be found in other locations. Although it is usually asymptomatic, obstructive symptoms, bleeding, or malignant degeneration can occur. The incidence is very low, but it is significantly more common in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of HP in patients with and without EA and to compare the results in both groups.

Material and Methods We conducted a 2-year prospective study in pediatric patients who benefited from an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were divided into two groups: group “A” comprised patients with EA and group “B” those without EA. The variables analyzed were the clinical presentation, presence of HP, location, associated malformations, genetic disorders, and management.

Results A total of 192 consecutive patients were included in the study: 51 (26.6%) in group A and 141 (73.4%) in group B. Indications for endoscopy in group B were eosinophilic esophagitis in 37 (19.2%) patients, celiac disease in 23 (11.95%) patients, and other disorders in 81 (42.2%) patients. Gastric HP was found in seven patients, all of them in group A. All lesions were hosted in the prepyloric antrum. The prevalence of HP in groups A and B was 13.7 and 0%, respectively (p < 0.05). Female gender was predominant in patients with AE and HP, this result being statistically significant (p = 0.044). No other associated malformation or genetic syndrome studied showed association with HP. Only one patient debuted with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and required excision, while six patients were asymptomatic. The mean follow-up was 54 months (range: 45–78 months).

Conclusion The incidence of gastric HP is more common in patients with EA, with the female gender being a risk factor for their association. Active search and follow-up is recommended as it may become symptomatic anytime and need resection.
Antiferromagnetic spintronics: From metals to functional oxides
Authors: Tsoi Maxim
Published: July 2023

Antiferromagnetic spintronics exploits unique properties of antiferromagnetic materials to create new and improved functionalities in future spintronic applications. Here, we briefly review the experimental efforts in our group to unravel spin transport properties in antiferromagnetic materials. Our investigations were initially focused on metallic antiferromagnets, where the first evidence of antiferromagnetic spin-transfer torque was discovered. Because of the lack of metallic antiferromagnets, we then shifted towards antiferromagnetic Mott insulators, where a plethora of transport phenomena was found. For instance, we observed a very large anisotropic magnetoresistance, which can be used to detect the magnetic state of an antiferromagnet. We also observed reversible resistive switching and now provide unequivocal evidence that the resistive switching is associated with structural distortions driven by an electric field. Our findings support the potential of electrically controlled functional oxides for various memory technologies.
Berezinskii—Kosterlitz—Thouless correlations in copper-based quasi-2D spin systems (Review Article)
Authors: Opherden D. , Bärtl F. , Tepaske M. S. J. , Landee C. P. , Wosnitza J. , Kühne H.
Published: July 2023

We present an overview of selected copper-based quasi-2D square-lattice spin-1/2 materials with an easy-plane anisotropy, providing the possibility to study emergent Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) correlations. In particular, in those materials with a comparatively small exchange coupling, the effective XY anisotropy of the low-temperature spin correlations can be controlled by an applied magnetic field, yielding a systematic evolution of the BKT correlations. In cases where the residual interlayer correlations are small enough, dynamical BKT correlations in the critical regime may be observed experimentally, whereas the completion of the genuine BKT transition is preempted by the onset of long-range order.
Possible observation of Leggett-like modes in a coherent two-phase medium
Authors: Tarenkov V. , Krivoruchko V. , Shapovalov A. , Kalenyuk A. , Zhitlukhina E. , Febvre P. , Belogolovskii M.
Published: July 2023

Spontaneous symmetry breaking is a ubiquitous phenomenon in physics responsible for various collective modes. Collective excitations predicted by Leggett in 1966 are specific for multiband superfluids and reflect oscillations of the relative phase of different band components. In this work, we argue that such modes should exist also in a multiphase medium with a coherent Josephson-like coupling between the different superconducting components. Point-contact experiments on superconducting ceramics formed by grains of two bismuth-based superconducting oxides with transition temperatures of about 70 and 100 K made it possible to reveal multiple periodic conductance peaks, which we have attributed to elastic scatterings by a Leggett-like mode inherent in the studied two-phase samples. We believe there should be a large group of superconducting materials where such modes could exist and assert that point-contact spectroscopy is one of the best ways to identify and characterize them.
Thermomagnetic transition in nanoscale synthetic antiferromagnets Py/NiCu/Py
Authors: Borynskyi V. Yu. , Polishchuk D. M. , Savina Yu. O. , Pashchenko V. O. , Kravets A. F. , Tovstolytkin A. I. , Korenivski V.
Published: July 2023

Using the method of SQUID magnetometry, the features of the antiferromagnet-ferromagnet thermomagnetic transition in arrays of the nanosized disks of Py/NiCu/Py synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) have been investigated. The effective interlayer interaction in individual SAFs “ferromagnet/diluted ferromagnet/ferromagnet” (F2/f/F1) changes from high-temperature antiferromagnetic to low-temperature ferromagnetic upon the transition at the Curie temperature TCf of the interlayer f. Temperature dependence of the magnetic parameters of individual layers and their effect on the features of the thermomagnetic transition are determined. The observed properties are important for the development of temperature-controlled nanoscale SAFs and multilayer nanostructures based on them.
Correlating cathodoluminescence and scanning transmission electron microscopy for InGaN platelet nano-LEDs
Authors: Persson Axel R. , Gustafsson Anders , Bi Zhaoxia , Samuelson Lars , Darakchieva Vanya , Persson Per O. Å.
Published: July 2023

Structural defects are detrimental to the efficiency and quality of optoelectronic semiconductor devices. In this work, we study InGaN platelets with a quantum well structure intended for nano-LEDs emitting red light and how their optical properties, measured with cathodoluminescence, relate to the corresponding atomic structure. Through a method of spectroscopy–thinning–imaging, we demonstrate in plan-view how stacking mismatch boundaries intersect the quantum well in a pattern correlated with the observed diminished cathodoluminescence intensity. The results highlight the importance of avoiding stacking mismatch in small LED structures due to the relatively large region of non-radiative recombination caused by the mismatch boundaries.
An adjoint-based drag reduction technique for unsteady flows
Authors: Ruiz-Sánchez Carlos J. , Martínez-Cava Alejandro , Chávez-Módena Miguel , Valero Eusebio
Published: July 2023

A framework based on a continuous adjoint-based analysis of steady and unsteady flows to predict and control the drag force due to surface morphing is presented. By establishing a relation between perturbations in the body shape and in the boundary condition on a certain geometry, we derive an analytical expression of the sensitivity to changes in the geometry of the body and its relation to the sensitivity to the perturbation of the boundary conditions. The methodology is evaluated on the incompressible flow around a cylinder for steady and unsteady flows. A reduction of the drag coefficient was obtained and investigated by several surface deformations, conducted in the direction of the sensitivity vector field obtained by solving the derived adjoint problem. In unsteady flows, the sensitivity field is computed by integrating the unsteady adjoint problem backward in time from the unsteady flow solution. Two different types of deformations based on the calculated sensitivity were applied: time-averaged deformation and time-dependent. Attempting the latter, a deformation at each time step, did not yield the same satisfactory results as the time-averaged in terms of expected drag reduction. We provide a theoretical reasoning for the difference between both methodologies, together with an insight into the physics of the sensitivity vector field distribution relating it to the drag force sources.
Damping of three-dimensional waves on coating films dragged by moving substrates
Authors: Barreiro-Villaverde David , Gosset Anne , Lema Marcos , Mendez Miguel A.
Published: July 2023

Paints and coatings often feature interfacial defects due to disturbances during the deposition process, which, if they persist until solidification, worsens the product quality. In this article, we investigate the stability of a thin liquid film dragged by a vertical substrate moving against gravity, a fundamental flow configuration in various coating processes. The receptivity of the liquid film to three-dimensional disturbances is analyzed with Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) and an in-house Integral Boundary Layer (IBL) film model. The latter was used for linear stability analysis and nonlinear wave propagation analysis. The numerical implementation of the IBL film model combines a finite volume formulation with a pseudo-spectral approach for the capillary terms that allows one to investigate non-periodic surface tension-dominated flows. The numerical model was successfully validated with DNS computations. The combination of these numerical tools allows one to describe the mechanisms of capillary and nonlinear damping and identify the instability threshold of the coating processes. The results show that transverse modulations can be beneficial for damping two-dimensional waves within the range of operational conditions considered in this study, which are relevant to air-knife and slot-die coating.