bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional visualization of dentine occlusion based on FIB-SEM tomography
Authors: Chen Xinye , Ryan Kaleigh M. , Hines Deon , Pan Long , Du Ke , Xu Shiyou
Published: February 2023

The occlusion of dentinal tubules has become a rapid and effective method for treating dentin hypersensitivity. Accurate evaluation of dentin occlusion is critical to illustrate the efficacy of oral care products and to optimize dental therapy in the clinics, which is limited by the conventional two-dimensional (2-D) characterization methods. Here, we demonstrate the visualization of the dentin occlusion via three-dimensional (3-D) characterization using a focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) tomography. Using the “Slice and View” approach, the material used for occluding dentin tubules is imaged with a very high-resolution voxel (10 nm × 10 nm × 20 nm) from 2-D SEM images and then reconstructed into a 3-D volume, which presents the mode of action of toothpaste for treating dentin hypersensitivity. Meanwhile, quantitative analysis of the depth of occlusion is successfully obtained. This work validates the feasibility of FIB-SEM tomography in the analysis of dentin occlusion within the complicated networks of dentine tubules at the nanoscale, and provides a novel approach to facilitate the research and development of oral care products.
Improving red-color performance, immune response and resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus on white shrimp Penaeus vannamei by an engineered astaxanthin yeast
Authors: Lin Yu-Ju , Chang Jui-Jen , Huang Huai-Ting , Lee Chih-Ping , Hu Yeh-Fang , Wu Mao-Lun , Huang Chih-Yang , Nan Fan-Hua
Published: February 2023

Astaxanthin (AST), a super antioxidant with coloring and medical properties, renders it a beneficial feed additive for shrimp. This study conducted a white shrimp feeding trial of 3S, 3’S isoform AST, which was derived from metabolic-engineered Kluyveromyces marxianus fermented broth (TB) and its extract (TE) compared to sources from two chemically synthetic ASTs (Carophyll Pink [CP] and Lucantin Pink [LP]), which contain 3S, 3’S, 3R, 3’S (3S, 3’R) and 3R, 3’R isoforms ratio of 1:2:1. The effects on red coloration, immune parameters and resistance to Vibrio infection were evaluated. Four AST sources were incorporated into the diets at concentrations of 0 (control), 100 mg kg−1 (TB100, TE100, CP100, and LP100), and 200 mg kg−1 (TB200, TE200, CP200, and LP200). Results revealed that in week 4, shrimps that received AST-supplemented feeds, especially TB100, TB200, and TE200, significantly increased redness (a*) values. Immune responses including phagocytosis activity, superoxide-anion production, phenoloxidase activity, and immune-related genes were examined on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Generally, shrimps that received AST-supplemented feeds exhibited higher immune responses on days 7 and 14 than the control feed. Gene expression levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly upregulated on days 7 and 14 in shrimps that received AST-supplemented feeds, while genes of penaeidins, antilipopolysaccharide factor, and lysozyme were upregulated on days 4, 7, and 14, especially received TB200 and TE200. Furthermore, shrimps that received TB100, TE100, CP100, and LP100 7 days were then challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus and the result demonstrated higher survival rates especially TB100 at 168 h than the control feed. In conclusion, incorporating AST into the diets enhanced shrimp red coloration, immune parameters, and resistance against V. parahaemolyticus infection. The K. marxianus-derived AST exhibited higher performance than did chemical AST to be a potential feed additive in shrimp aquaculture.
Breaking the hard-sphere model with fluorite and antifluorite solid solutions
Authors: Vauchy Romain , Hirooka Shun , Watanabe Masashi , Kato Masato
Published: February 2023

Using the hard-sphere model with the existing tabulated values of ionic radii to calculate the lattice parameters of minerals does not always match experimental data. An adaptation of this crystallographic model is proposed by considering the cations and anions as hard and soft close-packed spheres, respectively. We demonstrate the relevance of this “hybrid model” by combining Pauling’s first rule with experimental unit-cell parameters of fluorite and antifluorite-structured systems to revise the ionic radii of their constitutive species.
A long-term retrospective analysis of the haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome epidemic from 2005 to 2021 in Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Liu Shiwen , Zhang Tianchen
Published: February 2023

Jiangxi is one of the provinces in China most seriously affected by the haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) epidemic. The aim of this paper was to systematically explore the HFRS epidemic in Jiangxi from the perspective of Hantavirus (HV) prevalence in rodents and humans and virus molecular characteristics. Individual information on all HFRS cases in Jiangxi from 2005 to 2021 was extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. All S and M fragment sequences of the Seoul virus and Hantan virus strains uploaded by Jiangxi and its neighbouring provinces and some representative sequences from provinces in China or some countries of Southeast Asia with the highest HV prevalence were retrieved and downloaded from NCBI GenBank. Periodogram and spatial autocorrelation were adopted for temporal periodicity and spatial clustering analysis of the HFRS epidemic. Joinpoint regression was utilized to explore the changing morbidity trend patterns of HFRS. Multiple sequence alignment and amino acid variation analysis were used to explore the homology and variation of strain prevalence in Jiangxi. Based on monthly morbidity time series, the periodogram analysis showed that the prevalence of HFRS had periodicities of 6 months and 12 months. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that HFRS distributed in Jiangxi was not random, with a “High-High” clustering area around Gaoan County. HFRS morbidity among the 0 ~ 15-year-old and ~ 61-year-old or older populations in Jiangxi increased significantly during the period of 2008–2015. Generally, HFRS morbidity was significantly positively correlated with the index of rat with virus (IRV) (r = 0.742) in the counties surrounding Gaoan from 2005 to 2019. HTNV strains in Jiangxi were in one independent branch, while the SEOV strains in Jiangxi were relatively more diverse. Both the YW89-15 and GAW30/2021 strains shared approximately 85% nucleotide homology and approximately 97% amino acid homology with their corresponding standard strains and vaccine strains. GAW30/2021 and YW89-15 had some amino acid site variations in nucleoprotein, glycoprotein precursor and RNA-dependent polymerase with their corresponding vaccine strains Z10 (HTNV) and Z37 (SEOV). The HFRS epidemic in Jiangxi has obvious temporal periodicity and spatial clustering, and the significant increase in the non-Immunization Expanded Program (EPI) targeted population (children and elderly) suggests that HFRS vaccination in this population needs to be considered. Although applying the EPI played a certain role in curbing the incidence of HFRS in Jiangxi from the perspective of ecological epidemiology, HTNV and SEOV strains prevalent in Jiangxi have some amino acid site variations compared to their corresponding vaccine strains, suggesting that HV variation needs to be continuously monitored in the future to observe vaccine protective efficiency.
Translation and psychometric assessment of a Persian version of medication safety competence scale (MSCS) for clinical nurses
Authors: Mohammadi Fateme , Kouhpayeh Seyed Amin , Bijani Mostafa , Farjam Mojtaba , Faghihi Amir , Badiyepeymaiejahromi Zohreh
Published: February 2023

Nurses play a key role in medication safety and, by extension, patient safety. Evaluation of medication safety competence in nurses requires valid, specific, and comprehensive instruments. The present study was conducted to translate and psychometric assessment a Persian version of medication safety competence scale (MSCS) for clinical nurses in Iran. This is a cross-sectional and multi-centric work of research with a methodological design. A total of 1080 clinical nurses were selected from 5 cities located in Iran. The original version of the MSCS was translated into Persian and the psychometric properties of MSCS were assessed using COSMIN criteria. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that the factor loading of the 36 items was between 0.72–0.87, all of which were significant. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) fitted the data well (χ2/df = 7, RMSEA = 0.01, CFI = 0.96, NFI = 0.95, and TLI = 0.97). The reliability of the instrument was assessed in terms of its internal homogeneity where the Cronbach's alpha of the whole instrument was found to be 0.96. The Persian version of MSCS for nurses possesses satisfactory validity and reliability. Thus, nurse managers can use this instrument to measure medication safety competence in nurses.
A joint triple extraction method by entity role attribute recognition
Authors: Jing Xin , Han Xi , Li Bobo , Guo Junjun , Li Kun
Published: February 2023

In recent years, joint triple extraction methods have received extensive attention because they have significantly promoted the progress of information extraction and many related downstream tasks in the field of natural language processing. However, due to the inherent complexity of language such as relation overlap, joint extraction model still faces great challenges. Most of the existing models to solve the overlapping problem adopt the strategy of constructing complex semantic shared encoding features with all types of relations, which makes the model suffer from redundancy and poor inference interpretability in the prediction process. Therefore, we propose a new model for entity role attribute recognition based on triple holistic fusion features, which can extract triples (including overlapping triples) under a limited number of relationships, and its prediction process is simple and easy explain. We adopt the strategy of low-level feature separation and high-level concept fusion. First, we use the low-level token features to perform entity and relationship prediction in parallel, then use the residual connection with attention calculation to perform feature fusion on the candidate triples in the entity-relation matrix, and finally determine the existence of triple by identifying the entity role attributes. Experimental results show that the proposed model is very effective and achieves state-of-the-art performance on the public datasets.
A mechanistic evaluation of human beta defensin 2 mediated protection of human skin barrier in vitro
Authors: Shelley Jennifer R. , McHugh Brian J. , Wills Jimi , Dorin Julia R. , Weller Richard , Clarke David J. , Davidson Donald J.
Published: February 2023

The human skin barrier, a biological imperative, is impaired in inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Staphylococcus aureus is associated with AD lesions and contributes to pathological inflammation and further barrier impairment. S. aureus secretes extracellular proteases, such as V8 (or ‘SspA’), which cleave extracellular proteins to reduce skin barrier. Previous studies demonstrated that the host defence peptide human beta-defensin 2 (HBD2) prevented V8-mediated damage. Here, the mechanism of HBD2-mediated barrier protection in vitro is examined. Application of exogenous HBD2 provided protection against V8, irrespective of timeline of application or native peptide folding, raising the prospect of simple peptide analogues as therapeutics. HBD2 treatment, in context of V8-mediated damage, modulated the proteomic/secretomic profiles of HaCaT cells, altering levels of specific extracellular matrix proteins, potentially recovering V8 damage. However, HBD2 alone did not substantially modulate cellular proteomic/secretomics profiles in the absence of damage, suggesting possible therapeutic targeting of lesion damage sites only. HBD2 did not show any direct protease inhibition or induce expression of known antiproteases, did not alter keratinocyte migration or proliferation, or form protective nanonet structures. These data validate the barrier-protective properties of HBD2 in vitro and establish key protein datasets for further targeted mechanistic analyses.
Structural and mechanical properties of folded protein hydrogels with embedded microbubbles
Authors: Brown Christa P. , Hughes Matt D. G. , Mahmoudi Najet , Brockwell David J. , Coletta P. Louise , Peyman Sally , Evans Stephen D. , Dougan Lorna
Published: February 2023

Globular folded proteins are powerful building blocks to create biomaterials with mechanical robustness and inherent biological functionality.
A natural polyphenol-functionalized chitosan/gelatin sponge for accelerating hemostasis and infected wound healing
Authors: Sun Yujie , Miao Tengfei , Wang Yu , Wang Xiaochen , Lin Jie , Zhao Nana , Hu Yang , Xu Fu-Jian
Published: February 2023

A multifunctional natural polyphenol-functionalized chitosan/gelatin sponge (PCGS) is reported for hemostatic and infected wound therapy.
γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase and pH based “AND” logic gate fluorescent probe for orthotopic breast tumor imaging
Authors: Zhang Li-Na , Zhang Hong , Chen Shan-Yong , Liu Yan-Zhao , Yang Xiao-Hua , Xiang Fei-Fan , Liu Yan-Hong , Li Kun , Yu Xiao-Qi
Published: February 2023

Combining γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and pH dual-responsive sites, an “and” logic gate-based NIR fluorescent probe Si-NH2-Glu was developed for orthotopic breast tumor imaging.
The origin of dielectric relaxation behavior in TiO2 based ceramics co-doped with Zn2+, W6+ ions under a N2/O2 sintering atmosphere
Authors: Zhou Lin , Yang Guoyan , Yang Dong , Xu Jinhua , Peng Zhanhui , Wu Di , Wei Lingling , Liang Pengfei , Chao Xiaolian , Yang Zupei
Published: February 2023

We systematically studied the mechanism of dielectric behavior of Zn2+, W6+ co-doped TiO2 ceramics under different sintering atmospheres by means of impedance spectra and so on.
Velocity-map imaging of photoelectron circular dichroism in non-volatile molecules using a laser-based desorption source
Authors: Sparling Chris , Crane Stuart W. , Ireland Lewis , Anderson Ross , Ghafur Omair , Greenwood Jason B. , Townsend Dave
Published: February 2023

We present an initial demonstration of a velocity-map imaging (VMI) experiment using a back-irradiation laser-based desorption source directly integrated into the electrode assembly.
The highly exothermic hydrogen abstraction reaction H2Te + OH → H2O + TeH: comparison with analogous reactions for H2Se and H2S
Authors: Tang Mei , Li Guoliang , Guo Minggang , Liu Guilin , Huang Yuqian , Zeng Shuqiong , Niu Zhenwei , Ge Nina , Xie Yaoming , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: February 2023

Comparison of the potential energy surface including the ZPVE corrections of the highly exothermic hydrogen abstraction reaction H2Te + OH with the H2Se + OH, H2S + OH, and H2O + OH reactions at the CCSD(T)/5Z level.
Exploring multivalent carbohydrate–protein interactions by NMR
Authors: Quintana Jon I. , Atxabal Unai , Unione Luca , Ardá Ana , Jiménez-Barbero Jesús
Published: February 2023

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) has been widely employed to assess diverse features of glycan–protein molecular recognition events.
Intrinsically stretchable, semi-transparent organic photovoltaics with high efficiency and mechanical robustness via a full-solution process
Authors: Huang Jiaming , Lu Zhen , He Jiaqi , Hu Hong , Liang Qiong , Liu Kuan , Ren Zhiwei , Zhang Yaokang , Yu Hongyu , Zheng Zijian , Li Gang
Published: February 2023

AZO@Ag nanowire@AZO (AAA) composite stretchable transparent electrode enables full-solution-processed semi-transparent intrinsically stretchable OPV achieving record 10.90% PCE, with excellent mechanical robustness against stretch-release cycles.
Probiotic activity of ropyLactiplantibacillus plantarumNA isolated from Chinese northeast sauerkraut and comparative evaluation of its live and heat-killed cells on antioxidant activity and RAW 264.7 macrophage stimulation
Authors: Xu Xiaoqing , Qiao Yu , Peng Qing , Dia Vermont Punongba , Shi Bo
Published: February 2023

RopyLatilactobacillus plantarumNA exhibits antibacterial and antioxidant activities and effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages.
PET-RAFT to expand the surface-modification chemistry of melt coextruded nanofibers
Authors: Hochberg Justin D. , Wirth David M. , Pokorski Jonathan K.
Published: February 2023

Polymeric nanofibers have been widely used as scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and filtration applications, among many others. This work describes new methods to modify chemically-inert fibers using PET-RAFT.
A pH responsive and superporous biocomposite hydrogel of Salvia spinosa polysaccharide-co-methacrylic acid for intelligent drug delivery
Authors: Ali Arshad , Haseeb Muhammad Tahir , Hussain Muhammad Ajaz , Tulain Ume Ruqia , Muhammad Gulzar , Azhar Irfan , Hussain Syed Zajif , Hussain Irshad , Ahmad Naveed
Published: February 2023

Mucilage from seeds of Salvia spinosa (SSH; polymer) and methacrylic acid (MAA; monomer) are copolymerized to obtain a pH responsive superporous hydrogel for the controlled delivery of venlafaxine HCl.
Combined molecular dynamics simulations and experimental studies of the removal of cationic dyes on the eco-friendly adsorbent of activated carbon decorated montmorillonite Mt@AC
Authors: Ouachtak Hassan , El Guerdaoui Anouar , El Haouti Rachid , Haounati Redouane , Ighnih Hamza , Toubi Yahya , Alakhras Fadi , Rehman Rabia , Hafid Naima , Addi Abdelaziz Ait , Taha Mohamed Labd
Published: February 2023

Eco-friendly Mt@AC composite material was prepared and characterized for removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions. The Molecular dynamics simulation was applied for evaluating the adsorption mechanisms.
Choose your leaving group: selective photodeprotection in a mixture of pHP-caged compounds by VIPER excitation
Authors: van Wilderen Luuk J. G. W. , Kern-Michler Daniela , Neumann Carsten , Reinfelds Matiss , von Cosel Jan , Horz Maximiliane , Burghardt Irene , Heckel Alexander , Bredenbeck Jens
Published: February 2023

Combine IR selectivity with UV induced photochemistry. Tune the wavenumber of the IR excitation to the resonance of a specific photocage isotopologue and release the desired leaving group.
Computational evaluation of halogen-bonded cocrystals enables prediction of their mechanochemical interconversion reactions
Authors: Kumar Lavanya , Leko Katarina , Nemec Vinko , Trzybiński Damian , Bregović Nikola , Cinčić Dominik , Arhangelskis Mihails
Published: February 2023

Periodic density-functional theory (DFT) calculations and dissolution calorimetry measurements were used to predict the thermodynamic stability and the likelihood of interconversion between a series of halogen-bonded cocrystals.
Pressure-induced shape-shifting of helical bacteria
Authors: Pastrana César L. , Qiu Luyi , Armon Shahaf , Gerland Ulrich , Amir Ariel
Published: February 2023

Many bacterial species are helical in form. By combining theory and experiment, we investigate the formation of helical shape, showing that it can be produced by pressurizing an elastic cylindrical vessel with a helical reinforced line.
Predicting lattice thermal conductivity from fundamental material properties using machine learning techniques
Authors: Qin Guangzhao , Wei Yi , Yu Linfeng , Xu Jinyuan , Ojih Joshua , Rodriguez Alejandro David , Wang Huimin , Qin Zhenzhen , Hu Ming
Published: February 2023

The well-trained machine learning models successfully capture the inherent correlation between fundamental properties and thermal conductivity for different types of materials, providing powerful tool for advanced thermal materials screening.
Miscibility driven morphology modulation in ternary solar cells
Authors: Yu Ting , Tintori Francesco , Zhang Yuchen , He Wanting , Cieplechowicz Edward , Bobba Raja Sekhar , Kaswekar Poojan Indrajeet , Jafari Maziar , Che Yuxuan , Wang Yong , Siaj Mohamed , Izquierdo Ricardo , Perepichka Dmytro F. , Qiao Quinn , Welch Gregory C. , Ma Dongling
Published: February 2023

The PDI-EH molecule was synthesized and integrated into ternary OSCs to obtain miscibility-driven morphology optimization. The relationship between the optimized morphology and charge carrier dynamics was explored by PiFM and TP-AFM characterization.
Composition and structure regulation of Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite for light-emitting diodes applications
Authors: Chen Weiwu , Qin Zhaojun , Neogi Arup , Wang Zhiming
Published: February 2023

Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) perovskites have gained increased attention for LED applications due to their tunable band gap, enhanced stability, and excellent charge transfer. We summarize four methods to improve the properties of RP perovskites.
Formal [4+1] heteroannulative coupling of Knoevenagel adducts derived from 2-heteroaryl acetonitriles with isocyanides: subsequent Pd-catalyzed intramolecularN-arylation to 6-5-5-5-6 pentacyclic cores
Authors: Prajapati Anamika , Saini Manoj Kumar , Verma Shashi Kant , Korawat Harshita Singh , Basak Ashok Kumar
Published: February 2023

Organocatalytic [4+1]-chelatopic cycloaddition and subsequent Pd-catalyzedN-arylation to 6-5-5-5-5-6 pentacyclic cores.
Aromaticity enhancement of cyclopentadiene in piperidine derivatives: a DFT study on combination of the anomeric effect and Schleyer hyperconjugative aromaticity
Authors: Taghiboroujerdi Mohammad , Mirjafary Zohreh , Saeidian Hamid
Published: February 2023

The cyclopentadiene (Cp) hyperconjugative aromaticity on anomeric carbon of piperidines was studied using DFT method. The aromaticity indices showed that Cp has considerably enhanced cyclic conjugation in comparison with unsubstituted Cp.
Imaging of mitochondria/lysosomes in live cells and C. elegans
Authors: Singh Deepmala , Regar Ramprasad , Soppina Pushpanjali , Soppina Virupakshi , Kanvah Sriram
Published: February 2023

ROS-mediated cross-talk between mitochondria and lysosomes can be visualized using rhodamine–phenothiazine conjugates.
Auditory and Nonauditory Risks Related to Roadway Traffic Noise: An Overview for Audiologists
Authors: Warren Sarah E. , Bell Karen L.
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

Roadway traffic noise is recognized as a public health concern as it is associated with negative auditory and nonauditory health outcomes. This article provides an overview of roadway noise exposure and the related negative health consequences. The overview specifically includes information on the sources of roadway traffic noise, noise exposure measurement techniques, historic and current U.S. policy regarding roadway noise exposure, and practical suggestions for audiologists for mitigating the negative consequences of excessive roadway noise exposure. The purpose of this overview is to educate audiologists of these effects.

Conclusions:

Roadway traffic noise exposure is a public health concern both nationally and globally. Nonauditory effects of excessive roadway noise exposure are better understood than auditory effects; however, more evidence is needed to thoroughly to assess the risks to the public. Opportunities in the United States exist at the federal and local level to better understand the effects of roadway traffic noise and mitigate undesirable auditory and nonauditory health consequences. To address noise exposure as a growing public health concern, audiologists should be aware of the effects that roadway noise exposure has on the general population as well as provide education and preventative health care services.
Magnetic equivalent circuit and finite element modelling of anisotropic rotor axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motors with fractional slot distributed winding
Authors: Nyitrai Attila , Kuczmann Miklós
Published: February 2023

Axial flux motors have been in the focus of many research work due to their promising properties when compared to conventional radial flux machines. Axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motors (AFPMSM) studied in the literature were mostly limited to surface‐mounted permanent magnet machines (SPMSM), excluding only a few studies about axial flux internal permanent magnet (AFIPM) or permanent magnet‐assisted synchronous reluctance (AFPMaSynRM) machines. Since numerous rotor topologies have been proposed and investigated in case of radial flux motors, analogous design methodologies can be developed in case of axial flux motors with rotor saliency. The parametrisation and modelling of a magnetically anisotropic rotor axial flux motor are presented. This approach is described generally and the method is applied to an example motor geometry. The results were validated by FEA (Finite Element Analysis), using the 2D multi‐slice and 3D modelling approaches. The modelling error was calculated and the analytical and numerical methods were compared. It was found that the proposed model was suitable for calculating important parameters of the anisotropic rotor axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor (AnR‐AFPMSM) during the design process.
Fast additive half‐quadratic iterative minimization for lp − lq image smoothing
Authors: Sun Xueman , Lv Xiaoguang , Zhu Guoliang , Fang Biao , Jiang Le
Published: February 2023

In many real‐world applications, it is important for the authors to remove insignificant image details while preserving the significant structures. This is the so‐called image smoothing problem. In this paper, the authors investigate the image smoothing problem using the optimization model with . The authors employ the fast additive half‐quadratic (AHQ) iterative minimization algorithm for solving the optimization model. The authors discuss the convergence of the AQH iterative minimization algorithm. Experimental results and comparisons are provided to show the efficiency and flexibility of the proposed method in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evaluations.
A low‐profile planar end‐fire broadband antenna with wide beamwidth
Authors: Xue Hui , Shen ZhiXin , Wu Li , Rong Yingjiao , Peng ShuSheng
Published: February 2023

A low‐profile planar end‐fire broadband antenna with wide beamwidth is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW), an antipodal dipole, and a pair of directors. A transition from the GCPW to the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) with tapered coupling slots is designed to achieve a wide impedance bandwidth. Wide beamwidths of the proposed antenna are realised through the antipodal dipole with bilaterally symmetrical sector arms. A pair of directors are symmetrically located on both sides of the sector arms to further widen the beamwidth. An antenna prototype operating at Ka band with a size of 2.18 λ0 × 0.77 λ0 × 0.06 λ0 (λ0 is the wavelength of the centre frequency) is fabricated based on the conventional printed circuit board process. The measurement results show that the reflection coefficient is lower than −12.5 dB in the frequency range of 32.2–37.0 GHz. At 35.5 GHz, the peak gain is 3.8 dBi, and the half‐power beamwidths (HPBWs) in E‐plane and H‐plane are 116° and 215°, respectively.
A whole control strategy for cascaded H‐bridge rectifiers under distorted grid voltage and unbalanced load
Authors: Liu Haoran , Ma Lei , Song Wensheng , Zhu Junjie , Peng Lin
Published: February 2023

Control for single‐phase cascaded H‐bridge rectifier (CHBR) under distorted grid voltage is seldom discussed in the existing control methods; a modified direct power control (DPC) scheme is therefore proposed in this paper. A simple power control structure with proportional‐integral control method is first presented, which can discard phase‐locked loop (PLL) and coordinate transformation. Then, an improved fictitious orthogonal algorithm is proposed to provide a better anti‐disturbance ability compared with the traditional second‐order generalized integrator (SOGI). Since the orthogonal component of the grid current runs concurrently with the power reference, it offers an excellent dynamic performance in inner loop. On the other hand, a voltage balancing control (VBC) model by the relationship between the difference of dc‐side voltage square and that of power is established. On this basis, an internal model VBC (IM‐VBC) method is provided to reduce the parameter tuning complexity. With this method, the dynamic performance of voltage balancing on the dc side is improved. Finally, several test results on hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) and scale‐down platform are demonstrated, which validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control strategy.
Multiscale and multidirectional very long baseline interferometry imaging with CLEAN
Authors: Müller H. , Lobanov A. P.
Published: February 2023

Context. Very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) is a radio-astronomical technique whereby the correlated signal from various baselines is combined into an image of the highest possible angular resolution. Due to the sparsity of the measurements, this imaging procedure constitutes an ill-posed inverse problem. For decades, the CLEAN algorithm has been the standard choice in VLBI studies, despite it bringing on some serious disadvantages and pathologies that are brought on by the requirements of modern frontline VLBI applications.

Aims. We developed a novel multiscale CLEAN deconvolution method (DoB-CLEAN) based on continuous wavelet transforms that address several pathologies in CLEAN imaging. We benchmarked this novel algorithm against CLEAN reconstructions on synthetic data and reanalyzed BL Lac observations of RadioAstron with DoB-CLEAN.

Methods. The DoB-CLEAN method approaches the image via multiscalar and multidirectional wavelet dictionaries. Two different dictionaries were used: 1) a difference of elliptical spherical Bessel functions dictionary fitted to the uv-coverage of the observation that is used to sparsely represent the features in the dirty image; 2) a difference of elliptical Gaussian wavelet dictionary that is well suited to represent relevant image features cleanly. The deconvolution was performed by switching between the dictionaries.

Results. DoB-CLEAN achieves a super-resolution compared to CLEAN and remedies the spurious regularization properties of CLEAN. In contrast to CLEAN, the representation via basis functions has a physical meaning. Hence, the computed deconvolved image still fits the observed visibilities, in contrast to CLEAN.

Conclusions. State-of-the-art multiscalar imaging approaches seem to outperform single-scalar standard approaches in VLBI and are well suited to maximize the extraction of information in ongoing frontline VLBI applications.
Customs procedures used in trade
Authors: Landowski Bogdan , Angowska Samanta , Holenko Konstyantyn
Published: February 2023

An important issue related to the international exchange of goods is the legal norms related to customs issues. In this area, customs procedures are important issues. The is deals with the problem of legal regulations on the application of customs procedures in international trade. The article deals with the issue of customs procedures applied to the issue of the introduction of goods into the customs territory of the European Union. The considerations are illustrated on the example of one of the member countries of the European Union. Classifications and characteristics of customs procedures are presented. In order to illustrate the considerations presented in the work, the process of transportation of goods from one of the member countries of the European Union to Singapore was analyzed in terms of the selection of the customs procedure. The article also presents examples of events and factors causing disruptions in transportation processes, which not only translate into transportation and trade costs, but also can affect potential disruptions in supply chains.
Analysis of the noise emission generated by a drive unit powered by mixtures of diesel oil and fatty acid methyl ester
Authors: Markiewicz Marietta , Muślewski Łukasz , Hujo Lubomir
Published: February 2023

The sound generated by drive units is one of the aspects that are addressed in sustainable transport development strategies. The regulations of the European Union, which indicate the ecological aspect of the use of internal combustion engines as one of the most important, also refer to the level of sound emission generated by these engines. The use of alternative fuels to power combustion engines allows not only to reduce the toxic components of exhaust gases, but also to reduce the noise they generate during operation. The manuscript presents the study of a drive unit powered by mixtures of diesel oil and fatty acid methyl esters, in which the software regulations of the control system were modified. Studies have shown a decrease in the level of sound emission when powered by alternative fuels.
Erratum: Wie beeinflussen Platin-Nanopartikel die Zellviabilität der
Corti-Organ Zelllinie der Maus (HEI-OC1) und der Spiralganglienzellen
postnataler Ratten in Kultur?
Authors: Wissel Kirsten , Berger Elisabeth , Brandes Gudrun , Paasche Gerrit , Lenarz Thomas , Durisin Martin
Published: February 2023

Einleitung Systemische Kortison- und Antibiotikagabe können bei
einem geringen Prozentsatz der CI-Träger die erhöhten Impedanzen
nicht normalisieren. In Studien werden erodierte Platinelektrodenkontakte als
mögliche Ursache genannt. Ziel dieser Studie ist die Charakterisierung
der Effekte von Platin-Nanopartikeln (Pt-NP, 3 nm) auf die
HEI-OC1-Zellen und Spiralganglionneuronen (SGN) in der Zellkultur.

Methoden Die metabolische Aktivität mittels Resazurin wurde in den
HEI-OC1-Zellen mit 50–150 µg/ml Pt-NP ermittelt.
Die Überlebensrate und das Neuritenwachstum der SGN, dissoziiert aus den
postnatalen Ratten (P5) und kultiviert für 48 h, wurde nach Gabe
der Pt-NP (20–100 µg/ml) mittels Färbung
der Neurofilament-Antigene quantitativ bestimmt. Mittels Raster- (REM) und
Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (TEM) wurden Veränderungen der
Morphologie und der Ultrastrukturen der Zellen analysiert.

Ergebnisse Pt-NP zwischen 75 und 150 µg/ml
reduzierten die metabolische Aktivität der HEI-OC1-Zellen, ohne jedoch
zytotoxisch zu wirken. REM und TEM zeigten, dass
100 µg/ml Pt-NP nicht nur die Apoptose, sondern auch
Reparaturvorgänge mitels des autophagosomal-lysosomalen Systems
induzierten. Bei keiner Pt-NP-Konzentration wurde ein SGN-Verlust oder eine
Reduktion des Neuritenwachstums gefunden.

Schlußfolgerungen Pt-NP reduzierten in Konzentrationen ab
75 µg/ml die mitochondriale Aktivität in den
HEI-OC1-Zellen, induzierten jedoch nicht den Zelltod. TEM weist dagegen auf
effektive Reparaturmechanismen hin. Im Vergleich dazu führten Pt-NP zu
keiner direkten Beeinträchtigung des SGN-Stoffwechsels. Es ist zu
untersuchen, ob eine Exposition der SGN und Gliazellen mit PT-NP über
eine längere Kultivierungsdauer zur Schädigung des Stoffwechsels
der Neuronen führt.
Migrative Thioamination of Aryne Intermediates Generated from o-Iodoaryl Triflates
Authors: Yoshida Suguru , Tabata Shinya , Minoshima Mai , Kobayashi Akihiro , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: February 2023

Migrative thioamination of aryne intermediates takes place using various o-iodoaryl triflates and sulfilimines. The selective migration realizes the facile synthesis of a broad range of highly functionalized o-thioaminated diaryl sulfides. We succeeded in the ring expansion of cyclic sulfilimines enabling us to prepare eight- and nine-membered organosulfurs from dibenzothiophene- and thianthrene-type sulfilimines, respectively.
Transmitral Thrombectomy via Minithoracotomy in a Patient with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Takahashi Hiroaki , Matsuo Jiro , Gotake Yasuko , Sugimoto Takaki
Published: February 2023

Left ventricular thrombus is a complication of myocardial infarction, ventricular aneurysm, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathies, such as Takotsubo syndrome. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who was diagnosed as left ventricular thrombus resulting from transient Takotsubo syndrome. The thrombus was completely removed using video-assisted thoracoscopy through right minithoracotomy. This approach is less invasive and can provide better visualization, thereby avoiding left ventriculotomy.
Importance of Histopathological Grading for Treatment Selection in Malignant Mesothelioma
Authors: Türk İlteriş , Findik Gokturk , Çetin Mehmet , Bicakcioglu Pinar , Gülhan Selim Şakir Erkmen , Aydoğdu Koray , Yılmaz Ülkü , Demirağ Funda
Published: February 2023

Background Complexities in TNM staging in epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) may lead to errors in treatment selection, leading to major surgical interventions in patients with low survival expectations.

Methods Sixty-nine stage I epithelioid MPM patients, including 27 patients treated with pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and multimodal therapy (MMT) (the P/D [MMT] group), and 42 patients treated with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (the CRT group), were included in the study. After an initial evaluation of overall survival, all patients were grouped in terms of histopathological parameters and treatment types, and then, a secondary survival evaluation was performed for the groups.

Results Forty-one patients were male, the mean age was 61.8 years. The median survival time was 26 months in the P/D (MMT) group, and 19.6 months in the CRT group, but the difference was not statistically significant. After grouping according to pathological criteria, a median survival time of 32.4 ± 2.9 months in the P/D (MMT) group and 21.9 ± 3.2 months in the CRT group was obtained among patients with histopathological low-grade tumors. Among patients with high-grade tumors, the median survival time was 18.3 ± 2.6 months in the P/D (MMT) group and 17 ± 4.4 months in the CRT group. Among patients with low-grade tumors, the P/D (MMT) group had longer survival. Median survival times were similar among patients with high-grade tumors.

Conclusion In epithelioid MPM, histopathological grading by video-assisted thoracic surgery pleural biopsy can prove accurate in selecting patients for P/D and MMT.
The History of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and the Development of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation
Authors: Bartlett Robert , Arachichilage Deepa J. , Chitlur Meera , Hui Shiu-Ki Rocky , Neunert Cindy , Doyle Andrew , Retter Andrew , Hunt Beverley J. , Lim Hoong Sern , Saini Arun , Renné Thomas , Kostousov Vadim , Teruya Jun
Published: February 2023

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was first started for humans in early 1970s by Robert Bartlett. Since its inception, there have been numerous challenges with extracorporeal circulation, such as coagulation and platelet activation, followed by consumption of coagulation factors and platelets, and biocompatibility of tubing, pump, and oxygenator. Unfractionated heparin (heparin hereafter) has historically been the defacto anticoagulant until recently. Also, coagulation monitoring was mainly based on bedside activated clotting time and activated partial thromboplastin time. In the past 50 years, the technology of ECMO has advanced tremendously, and thus, the survival rate has improved significantly. The indication for ECMO has also expanded. Among these are clinical conditions such as postcardiopulmonary bypass, sepsis, ECMO cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and even severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Not surprisingly, the number of ECMO cases has increased according to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry and prolonged ECMO support has become more prevalent. It is not uncommon for patients with COVID-19 to be on ECMO support for more than 1 year until recovery or lung transplant. With that being said, complications of bleeding, thrombosis, clot formation in the circuit, and intravascular hemolysis still remain and continue to be major challenges. Here, several clinical ECMO experts, including the “Father of ECMO”—Dr. Robert Bartlett, describe the history and advances of ECMO.
Outcome of Precontoured Titanium Mesh in the Reconstruction of Orbital Blowout Fractures
Authors: Munoli Amarnath , Bhanushali Jinisha , Jagannathan Mukund
Published: February 2023

Background Orbital blowout fractures are peculiar injuries causing disruption of both ocular function and symmetry. We present our experience with the use of a precontoured titanium mesh in orbital blowout fractures.

Methods A retrospective study of patients undergoing correction of orbital blowout fractures with a precontoured titanium mesh was done at a tertiary care center in Mumbai. Data regarding demographics and pre- and postoperative clinical and radiological attributes were retrieved and compared.

Results A total of 21 patients (19 males and 2 females) underwent correction of blowout fractures with a precontoured titanium mesh. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 10 months. Road traffic accident (76%) was the most common etiology. Twenty (95%) patients had impure blowout fractures and 1 (5%) patient had a pure blowout. The orbital floor was most commonly fractured (16 [76%]). Associated fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex were found in 71% of patients. All patients were operated on within 3 weeks of trauma. A comparison of the operated and uninjured sides on coronal views of computed tomography (CT) scan in nine patients by Photopea application revealed a correction of the increased cross-sectional area in all cases. Enophthalmos was completely corrected in 94% patients, while 92% patients had complete correction of diplopia. One patient with a comminuted zygomatic fracture had persistent diplopia and mild enophthalmos. Infraorbital paresthesia persisted in 58% patients at 6 months of follow-up. No significant postoperative complications were noted.

Conclusion The precontoured titanium mesh restores orbital wall anatomy and is safe, quick, fairly easy, and reproducible with a shorter learning curve. With proper patient selection and execution, prefabricated titanium mesh can serve as an excellent reconstructive option in blowout fractures of the orbit.
Complete acoustic bandgaps in a three-dimensional phononic metamaterial with simple cubic arrangement
Authors: Aravantinos-Zafiris Nikos , Sigalas Mihail M. , Katerelos Dionysios T. G.
Published: February 2023

In this work, a phononic metamaterial that could be a reliable solution for several sound attenuation applications is examined numerically and experimentally. The proposed structure consists of a spherical shell connected with cylindrical conduits in a simple cubic arrangement. Numerical calculations, using the finite element method, and experimental measurements of the sound transmission loss were performed, providing significant evidence of the applicability of the proposed metamaterial in sound attenuation applications. For the validation of the complete acoustic bandgaps by the structure, the research was expanded to the examination of all high symmetry spatial directions. The results for all the examined spatial directions provided wide acoustic bandgaps, thus validating the evidence of complete acoustic bandgaps by the structure over a wide frequency range of the audio spectrum. Furthermore, the contribution of each part of the structure was separately analyzed, providing the physical insight for a deeper understanding of the response of the structure and the principal mechanism of the bandgap formation. The findings of this research prove that the proposed metamaterial could be a functionable unit for efficient sound attenuation applications.
Enhanced electron acceleration by high-intensity lasers in extended (confined) preplasma in cone targets
Authors: Rusby D. R. , Cochran G. E. , Aghedo A. , Albert F. , Armstrong C. D. , Haid A. , Kemp A. J. , Kerr S. M. , King P. M. , Lemos N. , Manuel M. J.-E. , Ma T. , MacPhee A. G. , Pagano I. , Pak A. , Scott G. G. , Siders C. W. , Simpson R. A. , Sinclair M. , Wilks S. C. , Williams G. J. , Mackinnon A. J.
Published: February 2023

We report on experimental results from a high-intensity laser interaction with cone targets that increase the number (×3) and temperature (×3) of the measured hot electrons over a traditional planar target. This increase is caused by a substantial increase in the plasma density within the cone target geometry, which was induced by 17 ± 9 mJ prepulse that arrived 1.5 ns prior to the main high intensity (>1019 W/cm2). Three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations are conducted using hydra which show that the cone targets create substantially longer and denser plasma than planar targets due to the geometric confinement of the expanding plasma. The density within the cone is a several hundred-micron plasma “shelf” with a density of approximately 1020 ne/cc. The hydra simulated plasma densities are used as the initial conditions for two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations using EPOCH. These simulations show that the main acceleration mechanism is direct-laser-acceleration, with close agreement between experimentally measured and simulated electron temperatures. Further analysis is conducted to investigate the acceleration of the electrons within the long plasma generated within a compound parabolic concentrator by the prepulse.
Enhanced magnetocaloric effects in metastable phases of Mn1−xCoxNiGe generated through thermal quenching and high-pressure annealing
Authors: Poudel Chhetri Tej , Chen Jing-Han , Grant Anthony T. , Young David P. , Dubenko Igor , Talapatra Saikat , Ali Naushad , Stadler Shane
Published: February 2023

Metastable phases were formed in Mn1−xCoxNiGe (x=0.05 and 0.08) by annealing at 800 °C followed by rapid cooling, i.e., quenching, at ambient pressure (P=0) and under a pressure of P=3.5 GPa, and their phase transitions and associated magnetocaloric properties were investigated. The crystal cell volumes of the metastable phases decreased, and their structural transitions significantly shifted to lower temperatures relative to those of the slow-cooled compounds, with a greater reduction observed in the samples where the rapid cooling occurred under high pressures. The magnetic and structural transitions coupled to form a magnetostructural transition in the metastable phases, resulting in large magnetic entropy changes up to −79.6 J kg−1 K−1 (x=0.08) for a 7-T field change. The experimental results demonstrate thermal quenching and high-pressure annealing as alternative methods to create magnetostructural transitions, without modifying the compositions of the materials.
Study of multi-long-pulse thermography using high-power fiber lasers
Authors: Hu Gangbo , Yang Xue , Wang Xiangyu , Fang Wei , Tao Ning
Published: February 2023

Active infrared thermography tests are performed using a high-power continuous fiber laser as the excitation source. Multi-long-pulses (MLPs) are used to detect deep defects in samples with reduced heating. Simulation results are compared to theoretical predictions based on 1D heat conduction equations. Different excitation modes are compared. Thermal images are processed using pulsed phase thermography and principal component thermography (PCT), showing that the combination of MLP thermal excitation and PCT data analysis provides better defect detection capability and reduces the specimen’s surface temperature in comparison to conventional pulsed thermography.
Gate-induced switching of perpendicular exchange bias with very low coercivity in Pt/Co/Ir/Cr2O3/Pt epitaxial film
Authors: Ekawa Hirofumi , Shen Jiaqi , Toyoki Kentaro , Nakatani Ryoichi , Shiratsuchi Yu
Published: February 2023

We investigate magnetoelectric switching of perpendicular exchange bias with very low coercivity in a Pt/Co/Ir/Cr2O3/Pt epitaxial film. We also optimize the suitable Ir spacer thickness so that the film exhibits the perpendicular exchange bias greater than the coercivity up to the vicinity of the Néel temperature. Main impact of the Ir spacer layer is the significant reduction of coercivity less than 0.5 mT in maintaining both the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the perpendicular exchange bias. For the suitable structure, the perpendicular exchange bias was isothermally switched by the gate voltage in combination with the magnetic field. Analysis of the hysteresis of the exchange bias field as a function of the gate voltage suggested that the magnetoelectric coefficient was comparable to the reported value. This implies that the Ir layer does not degrade the efficiency to transfer the magnetoelectrically controlled antiferromagnetic order parameter to the ferromagnetic Pt/Co/Ir trilayer.