bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of the Simultaneous Hydrogen Evolution and Cobalt Electrodeposition
Authors: Skitał Piotr M. , Domańska Aleksandra J.
Published: April 2022

A mathematical model of simultaneous cobalt deposition and hydrogen evolution was developed and applied to the electroreduction process of 5 mM Co2+ ions investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique at different hydrogen ion concentrations (pH=2, 3, 4). The kinetic parameters of such a complex process were determined, and the validity of the model and its sensitivity to changes in individual parameters were verified. The relative value of the approximate standard deviation (ASD%) was used to determine the degree of fit of the model to the experimental data. The catalytic effect of cobalt on the hydrogen evolution process was comprehensively confirmed.
Advances in Catalytic Routes for the Homogeneous Green Conversion of the Bio‐Based Platform 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Messori Alessandro , Fasolini Andrea , Mazzoni Rita
Published: April 2022

5‐Hydroxymethylfufural (HMF) is an intriguing platform molecule that can be obtained from biomasses and that can lead to the production of a wide range of products, intermediates, or monomers. The presence of different moieties in HMF (hydroxy, aldehyde, furan ring) allows to carry out different transformations such as selective oxidations and hydrogenations, reductive aminations, etherifications, decarbonylations, and acetalizations. This is a great chance in a biorefinery perspective but requires the development of active and highly selective catalysts. In this view, homogeneous catalysis can lead to efficient conversion of HMF at mild reaction conditions. This Review discussed the recent achievements in homogeneous catalysts development and application to HMF transformations. The effects of metal nature, ligands, solvents, and reaction conditions were reported and critically reviewed. Current issues and future chances have been presented to drive future studies toward more efficient and scalable processes.
M4B6X6 as a New Family of High‐Efficient Electrocatalysts: The Role of Surface Reconstruction in Water Oxidization
Authors: Bai Haoyun , Shen Shiying , Li Feifei , Geng Jiazhong , Feng Wenlin , Liu Hongchao , Ip Weng Fai , Lu Yunhao , Pan Hui
Published: April 2022

Searching for highly‐efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting has been greatly endowed due to the huge demand for green energy sources. Two‐dimensional (2D) materials are widely explored for the purpose because of their unique physical and chemical properties, abundant active sites, and easy fabrication. Here, we present a new family of 2D M4B6X6 (2D Boridenes) and investigate their physical and chemical properties for their potential applications into electrocatalysis based on first‐principles calculations. We demonstrate that 2D M4B6X6 (M=Cr, Mo, and W; X=O and F) are dynamically, thermodynamically, and mechanically stable, and show intriguing electronic and catalytic properties. Importantly, we find that M4B6O6 are intrinsically active for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Our results demonstrate that: (1) the adsorbate‐escape mechanism dominates the OER process with a low overpotential of 0.652 V on Cr4B6O6; (2) the partial surface‐oxidization can improve the catalytic performance of M4B6F6 dramatically; and (3) the surface reconstruction greatly affects the OER performance of M4B6X6. Our findings illustrate that the surface reconstruction is critical to the OER activity, which may provide a new strategy on the design of 2D materials for electrocatalysis and offer theoretical insight into the catalytic mechanism.
Treatment of ectopic variceal bleeding at choledochojejunostomy by endoscopic glue injection therapy with cyanoacrylate: Report of three cases including long‐term outcomes
Authors: Tanikawa Tomohiro , Ishii Katsunori , Katsumata Ryo , Urata Noriyo , Nishino Ken , Suehiro Mitsuhiko , Kawanaka Miwa , Haruma Ken , Kawamoto Hirofumi
Published: April 2022

Ectopic varices around the choledochojejunostomy site after pancreatoduodenectomy are rare. Diagnosing ectopic varices is difficult but, if untreated or misdiagnosed, the resulting mortality is high. This report describes three cases of ectopic variceal bleeding at the choledochojejunostomy site that were improved by endoscopic glue injection therapy (EGIT) with cyanoacrylate (CA). Case 1 was a 68‐year‐old man admitted to the hospital with hematemesis and melena. Six years prior, the patient underwent a total pancreatectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous adenocarcinoma. We diagnosed ectopic variceal rupture at the choledochojejunostomy site and controlled bleeding by EGIT with alpha‐CA (αCA). Two recurrences of bleeding were improved by EGIT. Case 2 was a 71‐year‐old man admitted to the hospital with melena. Two and a half years prior, the patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. We found the red plug on the ectopic varices at the choledochojejunostomy site through endoscopic observation and performed EGIT with αCA. He had no recurrence. Case 3 was a 77‐year‐old woman admitted to the hospital with melena. Eleven years prior, the patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis at the pancreatic head. We controlled ectopic variceal bleeding at the choledochojejunostomy site by EGIT with αCA. Seven years after EGIT, ectopic varices could not be identified with an endoscope and there was no recurrence of ectopic bleeding.
Estimating carbon stocks and stock changes in Interior Wetbelt forests of British Columbia, Canada
Authors: DellaSala Dominick A. , Keith Heather , Sheehan Tim , Strittholt James , Mackey Brendan , Connolly Michelle , Werner Jeffery R. , Fredeen Arthur L.
Published: April 2022

The Interior Wetbelt (IWB) of British Columbia includes the globally rare Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR) that if managed for its substantial carbon (C) stocks can contribute to Canada's Nationally Determined Commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement. We provide spatially explicit estimates of above‐ and belowground live and dead biomass and soil C stocks derived from three sources: (1) government online Vegetation Resources Inventory (VRI); (2) the GlobBiomass spatial dataset; and (3) field plots (n = 27) within old‐growth forests of the ITR. For live aboveground C, we summarize C stocks by elevation classes and decadal forest age. The upper bound on total C densities (above‐ and belowground live and dead biomass and soil C) based on VRI was a maximum of 806 megagrams (Mg) C ha−1. The mean total biomass C density measured in field plots was 583 Mg C ha−1 with a maximum of 1275 Mg C ha−1, which is on par with some of the world's most C‐dense temperate forests. About half the C is in live biomass pools with the rest in dead biomass and soil organic C pools. The mean C density from the VRI over all elevations was 182 Mg C ha−1, with soil organic C ~40% and live tree stems ~27%. Vegetation Resources Inventory estimates were 75% lower than field‐based measurements with the greatest mismatch in areas with the highest C density. Approximately 22% of the IWB has been logged, the majority since 1970s, resulting in live above ground C declining by at least 18%, although this is likely an underestimate. Logging was heavily concentrated in low (<1000 m; 28.3% of elevation zone) to mid‐elevations (1000–2000 m; 20.9%) compared with upper elevations (>2000 m; 1.2%). The region contains underappreciated C stocks that can help Canada meet its climate and conservation targets, but only if there are major forestry reforms that protect C‐dense old‐growth forests, allow degraded forests time to recover the logging‐related C debt, and improve monitoring of C stocks and stock changes.
An Environment‐Friendly High‐Performance Aqueous Mg‐Na Hybrid‐Ion Battery Using an Organic Polymer Anode
Authors: Zhang Shengnan , Zhao Chunlin , Zhu Kai , Zhao Jiaqi , Gao Yinyi , Ye Ke , Yan Jun , Wang Guiling , Cao Dianxue
Published: April 2022

Aqueous Mg ion batteries (AMIBs) show great potential in energy storage for their advantages of high capacity, abundant resource, and environmental friendliness. However, the development of AMIBs is limited due to the scarcity of suitable anode materials. In this study, a new polymer anode material (PNTAQ) with flower‐like nanosheet structure is synthesized for aqueous Mg‐Na hybrid‐ion battery (AMNHIB). PNTAQ possess carbonyl functional groups which can be oxidized and reduced reversibly in aqueous solution containing alkaline metal ions. PNTAQ displays a discharge specific capacity of 245 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 in 1 M MgCl2 + 0.5 M NaCl electrolyte, which is much higher than that in single 1 M MgCl2 or 0.5 M NaCl electrolyte. Even cycling at 1000 mA g−1 for 1000 times, the capacity retention can still maintain at 87.2%. A full Mg‐Na hybrid‐ion cell is assembled by employing β‐MnO2 as cathode and PNTAQ as anode material, it exhibits a specific capacity of 91.6 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1. The polymer electrode material well maintains its framework structure during the discharge/charge cycling process of the hybrid‐ion battery.
Cobalt Oxide Nanowires with Controllable Diameters and Crystal Structures for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Budiyanto Eko , Tüysüz Harun
Published: April 2022

Herein, mesoporous cobalt oxides with nanowire morphology were size‐selectively synthesized via nanocasting and used as a model system to reveal the impact of diameter, pore, and crystal structures toward the alkaline water electrolysis. A range of Co3O4nanowires with variable diameters was prepared by replication of SBA‐15 silica with different degree of interconnectivity and pore sizes. These nanowires could be further transformed to CoO rock‐salt structure through a selective reduction process by keeping the initial morphology and textural parameters. The electrocatalytic screening showed that CoO with the smallest nanowire diameter and open pore structure showed superior activity in the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to the higher amount of available active centers and defect sites. The overpotential to reach 10 mA/cm2drops from 392 to 337 mV after reduction of Co3O4to CoO. Anin situRaman spectroscopy investigation showed that Co3O4retained its bulk crystalline spinel phase while CoO faced an irreversible phase transformation into a distorted spinel structure after OER.
How debris‐flow composition affects bed erosion quantity and mechanisms: An experimental assessment
Authors: Roelofs Lonneke , Colucci Pauline , de Haas Tjalling
Published: April 2022

Understanding erosion and entrainment of material by debris flows is essential for predicting and modelling debris‐flow volume growth and hazard potential. Recent advances in field, laboratory and modelling studies have distilled two driving forces behind debris‐flow erosion: impact and shear forces. How erosion and these forces depend on debris‐flow composition and interact remains unclear. Here, we experimentally investigate the effects of debris‐flow composition and volume on erosion processes in a small‐scale flume with a loosely packed bed. We quantify the effects of gravel, clay and solid fraction in the debris flow on bed erosion. Erosion increased linearly with gravel fraction and volume, and decreased with increasing solid fraction. Erosion was maximal around a volumetric clay fraction of 0.075 (fraction of the total solid volume). Under varying gravel fractions and flow volumes erosion was positively related to both impact and shear forces, while these forces themselves are also correlated. Results further show that internal dynamics driving the debris flows, quantified by Bagnold and Savage numbers, correlate with erosional processes and quantity. Impact forces became increasingly important for bed erosion with increasing grain size. The experiments with varying clay and solid fractions showed that the abundance and viscosity of the interstitial fluid affect debris‐flow dynamics, erosional mechanisms and erosion magnitude. High viscosity of the interstitial fluid inhibits the mobility of the debris flow, the movement of the individual grains and the transfer of momentum to the bed by impacts, and therefore inhibits erosion. High solid content possibly decreases the pore pressures in the debris flow and the transport capacity, inhibiting erosion, despite high shear stresses and impact forces. Our results show that bed erosion quantities and mechanisms may vary between debris flows with contrasting composition, and stress that entrainment models and volume‐growth predictions may be substantially improved by including compositional effects.
Effectiveness of hospital transfer payments under a prospective payment system: An analysis of a policy change in New Zealand
Authors: Schumacher Christoph
Published: April 2022

Prospective payment systems reimburse hospitals based on diagnosis‐specific flat fees, which are generally based on average costs. While this encourages cost‐consciousness on the part of hospitals, it introduces undesirable incentives for patient transfers. Hospitals might feel encouraged to transfer patients if the expected treatment costs exceed the diagnosis‐related flat fee. A transfer fee would discourage such behavior and, therefore, could be welfare enhancing. In 2003, New Zealand introduced a fee to cover situations of patient transfers between hospitals. We investigate the effects of this fee by analyzing 4,020,796 healthcare events from 2000 to 2007 and find a significant reduction in overall transfers after the policy change. Looking at transfer types, we observe a relative reduction in transfers to non‐specialist hospitals but a relative increase in transfers to specialist facilities. It suggests that the policy change created a focusing effect that encourages public health care providers to transfer patients only when necessary to specialized providers and retain those patients they can treat. We also find no evidence that the transfer fee harmed the quality of care, measured by mortality, readmission and length of stay. The broader policy recommendation of this research is the introduction or reassessment of transfer payments to improve funding efficiency.
Increased risk of nonrelapse mortality post T‐cell‐replete haploidentical stem cell transplantation in patients with recurrence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Peng Bo , Dou Liping , Yang Jingjing , Wang Lili , Li Fei , Gao Xiaoning , Wang Shuhong , Jin Xiangshu , Wang Lu , Jia Mingyu , Wang Shenyu , Li Yan , Liu Daihong
Published: April 2022

Acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) causes significant morbidity and mortality. While most studies focus on classic or late aGVHD, some patients with previous aGVHD achieve complete remission and later develop another episode of aGVHD. Data on recurrence of aGVHD (RaGVHD) are lacking. This study aimed to identify the incidence, risk factors, and impacts of RaGVHD after T‐cell‐replete haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo‐HCT) without posttransplantation cyclophosphamide. We evaluated patients with RaGVHD after haplo‐HCT between 2017 and 2019 and compared their outcomes to those of patients with no aGVHD and those of patients with one episode of de novo aGVHD. Of 199 patients included in the analysis, 45 experienced 50 cases of RaGVHD with a 1‐year cumulative incidence of 19.0% (95% CI: 14.5–24.6). Grade III–IV aGVHD was more common in RaGVHD than in previous aGVHD (22.2% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.01). Female donor to male recipient was strongly associated with RaGVHD (HR: 2.5, p = 0.009). The most common death in patients with RaGVHD was GVHD‐related, which was different from controls who mostly died from relapse (p = 0.008). RaGVHD was an independent risk factor for chronic GVHD (HR: 2.6, p = 0.006) and nonrelapse mortality (HR: 2.4, p = 0.019) and a significant predictor of lower GVHD relapse‐free survival (HR: 1.9, p = 0.020) and cGVHD relapse‐free survival (HR: 2.1, p = 0.007). In conclusion, clinical manifestations and negative impacts of RaGVHD needs to be recognized independently.
An outcome of quaternary fuel blended Fe3O4‐doped reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite on the diesel engine
Authors: Dhanasekaran Yogaraj , Sriramulu Jaichandar
Published: April 2022

The study includes the use of alcohols in conjunction with diesel as a binary fuel and biodiesel. In addition, this study was conducted on quaternary fuels (premium diesel, waste cooking biodiesel,n‐butanol, and bioethanol), including Fe3O4(iron(III) oxide)‐doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite to reduce the use of fossil fuels, their cost, and energy demand. It includes 10% bioethanol, 5%–20%n‐butanol, 25 ppm Fe3O4‐doped rGO nanocomposite, and 20% and 100% waste cooking biodiesel, all of which have been tested in a diesel engine to ensure that they are suitable for use. The findings were compared to those obtained with premium diesel, ranging from 50% to 100% at full engine load conditions. In comparison to 100% premium diesel fuel, the fuel blend (Blend G) had 37.50% brake thermal efficiency and 0.46% (brake‐specific energy consumption), as well as lower rates of 316.2% carbon monoxide, 198.80% hydrocarbon, and 80.01% smoke with 28.10% higher oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Adding 20%n‐butanol to premium diesel, as well as waste cooking biodiesel, bioethanol, and Fe3O4‐doped rGO nanocomposite fuel blends, was used in this study to improve the performance of the diesel engine and reduce some of the NOx emissions. In the near future, these fuel blends may be a viable alternative combination for the diesel engine.
Understanding the relationship between distress intolerance and problematic Internet use: The mediating role of coping motives and the moderating role of need frustration
Authors: Gu Minmin
Published: April 2022

Introduction

There is emerging research interest in exploring the relationship between distress intolerance and problematic Internet use, yet most of the existing studies are limited by cross‐sectional design, convenience sampling method, and poor understanding of the potential mediating and moderating factors involved. Based on the distress intolerance theory of addictive behavior and the theory of compensatory internet use, this study investigated a moderated mediation model to explain the impact of distress intolerance on problematic Internet use in adolescents.

Methods

A three‐wave longitudinal survey was conducted with 709 adolescents in Shanghai, China. The gender distribution was even, 50.2% were boys and 49.8% were girls. The mean age at T1 was 14.79 years (SD = 2.87).

Results

Distress intolerance at Time 1 was found to positively predict problematic Internet use at Time 3. This prospective relation was mediated by adolescents' coping motives for Internet use at Time 2. Further, the mediation effect of coping motives for Internet use was moderated by need frustration at Time 2. The moderated mediation model was statistically equivalent for both genders.

Conclusions

Findings of this study contribute to new knowledge and have practical implications for prevention and intervention of adolescent problematic Internet use.
RNA‐binding proteins in diabetic microangiopathy
Authors: Tu Chao , Wang Liangzhi , Wei Lan
Published: April 2022

Background

As the most common complication of diabetes, the diabetic microangiopathy characterizes diabetic retinopathy (DR) and nephropathy (DN). Diabetic microangiopathy has always been a serious clinical problem. A wide variety of nucleic acid interacting factors called the RNA binding proteins (RBPS) take part in several crucial cellular processes.

Methods

Over the past decade, studies have shown that RBPs have crucial part in both malignant tumors and diabetes, especially in diabetic microangiopathy. This review examined the research history of RBPS in DR and DN.

Results

We reviewed the literature and found that RBPS is potentially useful as therapeutic targets, diagnostic markers, or predict disease progression.

Conclusion

HuR acts as a vital therapeutic targeting protein in diabetic microangiopathy. IGF2BP2, P311, TTP, YBX1, and MBNL1 have a potential role in the treatment of DN.
On the flexibility of self‐repair: How holistic versus analytic thinking style impacts fluid compensatory consumption
Authors: Wang Qin , Lisjak Monika , Mandel Naomi
Published: April 2022

Consumers often respond to a self‐discrepancy in a certain domain by engaging in consumption that may restore their perceived standing in that domain. However, less is known about when and why consumers seek products that affirm the self in domains that are important to their self‐worth, yet unrelated to the discrepancy (known as fluid compensation). We address this gap by identifying an important factor that influences fluid compensation: thinking style. Across five studies and three follow‐up studies, we find that people with a temporarily activated or dispositional holistic thinking style are more likely to engage in fluid compensation than people with an analytic thinking style. This phenomenon occurs because, by perceiving parts as more functionally related to a larger whole, holistic (vs. analytic) thinkers are more likely to view fluid compensation as instrumental to enhancing global self‐worth. Holistic (vs. analytic) thinkers' greater propensity to engage in fluid compensation, in turn, better enables them to restore their global self‐worth. These findings contribute to the literature on compensatory consumption, thinking style, and consumer wellbeing.
Enhancing the physical and structural properties of poly(glycolide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) copolymer fibers
Authors: M. Ali Afaf , Amin Ali H.
Published: April 2022

Nowadays, due to the methodological needs in the application of internal surgery new methods evolving novel design for surgical suture are recommended. In this work, the effect of cold drawing process and the thermal annealing process on the different optical and structural properties of surgical suture fibers were studied. For the thermal annealing process, samples of Monosyn monofilaments suture fibers were thermally annealed at temperatures ranging from 50 to 100 for annealing time = 120 min. The thermal treatment was carried out under free end condition. For the cold drawing process, an Instron was used to mechanically draw and measures the tensile stress strain curve of Monosyn samples. Using differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction techniques, and optical polarizing microscope the different properties of the tested sutures, such as the crystallinity, sample radius, birefringence, molecular orientation, and tensile properties were measured. From the resulting data, there was a marked increase in the physical and structural properties during the thermal annealing and cold drawing processes. This means that a new reorientation of Monosyn suture molecular chains were performed and approved by calculating the different orientations f(θ) and fc. This is an important improvement for these biodegradable materials to widen their medical use and improve their clinical results.

Research Highlights

The stress–strain curve for Monosyn surgical fiber is J shape and identical to the human tissue stress‐stain curve.

The different orientation calculated improve that the drawing process affect directly on the fiber chain orientations.

The fiber chains orientation due to the cold drawing process causes strain induced crystallinity.
Unusual cause of a polypoid lesion in the extrahepatic bile duct
Authors: Tan Yu Bin , Wang Lai Mun , Kwek Andrew B E
Published: April 2022

Adenomyomas are benign lesions that are most frequently found in the gallbladder but can also be rarely found in the biliary tract. Although benign, they present close similarity to malignant lesions and thus deserve important clinical consideration. We present a case of a 74‐year‐old Chinese man who presented acutely with fever and painless obstructive jaundice. CT imaging showed a large calculus within a dilated common bile duct (CBD) and, despite undergoing an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stone clearance, there was a persistent filling defect that was adherent to the wall of the proximal common bile duct. His CA 19–9 was also significantly raised. Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) showed a polypoid mass with papillary‐like projections, and ERCP forcep biopsies were unable to exclude a lesion with neoplastic potential. The patient subsequently underwent cholecystectomy with open CBD excision and Roux‐en‐Y hepaticojejunostomy, and histology showed features consistent with a biliary adenomyoma.
A review of the incidence of tumor lysis syndrome in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with venetoclax and debulking strategies
Authors: Sharman Jeffrey P. , Biondo Juliana M. L. , Boyer Michelle , Fischer Kirsten , Hallek Michael , Jiang Dingfeng , Kater Arnon P. , Porro Lurà Michele , Wierda William G.
Published: April 2022

We reviewed the literature (January 2010–June 2021) on the effectiveness of debulking strategies before venetoclax initiation in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia to reduce tumor burden, downgrade tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) risk, and avoid hospitalization. Low TLS incidence and reduced TLS risk based on tumor burden were reported following debulking in clinical trials. Real‐world observational studies reporting debulking regimens recorded no TLS events, and those without debulking strategies had greater TLS incidence. Debulking prior to venetoclax considerably reduces TLS incidence. Further clinical trials and real‐world studies may provide additional evidence on effectiveness of debulking in reducing TLS incidence and hospitalization need.
Examining the impact of a Diversity Dinner Dialogue led by school counselors on student and faculty multicultural attitudes
Authors: Merlin‐Knoblich Clare , Moore C. Missy , Dameron Merry Leigh
Published: April 2022

Findings from a case study of participants’ (N = 27) multicultural (MC) attitudes before and after a Diversity Dinner Dialogue indicated increased but nonstatistically significant differences in MC attitudes and reactions across time (F(1.30, 27.30) = 3.58, p = 0.059). Results revealed a medium effect (g = 0.433, 95% CI = −0.004, 0.870) on improvement in participants’ MC attitudes and reactions from Data Collections #1 to #3 and a medium effect (g = 0.393, 95% CI = 0.055, 0.941) from Data Collections #1 to #2.
A strategy for the rapid discovery and validation of active diterpenoids as quality markers in different habitats of Langdu using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Fang Linlin , Zhang Jianbin , Li Fengqi , Zhang Yingli , Zhang Baojing , Huang Shanshan , Deng Sa , Zhang Houli , Yu Zhenlong , Gao Bihu , Wang Chao , Ma Xiaochi
Published: April 2022

Langdu, known as a traditional Chinese medicine, was identified as the roots of species of Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata and Euphorbia fischeriana Steud, displaying anti‐tuberculosis activity. To clarify the potent quality markers of Langdu, this research first developed a fast and sensitive ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of 13 diterpenoids in Langdu. The developed method was further applied in the analyses of 12 authentic E. ebracteolata and E. fischeriana samples collected in northern and southeastern China. Then, the anti‐tuberculosis evaluation of 12 batches of Langdu samples was performed in vitro. Finally, partial least squares discrimination analysis was used in the discrimination of E. ebracteolata and E. fischeriana from different origins and processing methods. Jolkinolide A (1), jolkinolide E (3), yuexiandajisu D (6), and ebractenone A (11) were identified as key, potent diterpenoids for the quality control of E. ebracteolata Hayata and E. fischeriana Steud. The present study established a qualitative chemical analysis method for Langdu (E. ebracteolata and E. fischeriana) and suggested the key bioactive components that will improve qualitative control methodology for this important medicine.
Investigation of immune response induction by Japanese encephalitis live‐attenuated and chimeric vaccines in mice
Authors: Fang Enyue , Liu Xinyu , Liu Xiaohui , Li Ming , Wang Ling , Li Miao , Zhang Zelun , Li Yuhua , Yu Yongxin
Published: April 2022

The Japanese encephalitis (JE) live‐attenuated vaccine SA14‐14‐2 and the chimeric vaccine IMOJEV (JE‐CV) are two kinds of vaccines available for use worldwide. JE‐CV was previously known as ChimeriVax‐JE, that consists of yellow fever vaccine 17D (YFV‐17D) from which the structural genes (prM/E) have been replaced with those of SA14‐14‐2. This study aimed to investigate the neutralizing antibody, protection efficacy, and specific T‐cell response elicited by both vaccines in mice. The neutralizing antibodies produced by JE‐CV were slightly lower than those produced by SA14‐14‐2, but the protection conferred by JE‐CV was considerably lower in the low vaccine dose immunization group. Furthermore, the JE‐CV did not induce a specific T‐cell response against JEV NS3, while it did induce a potent antigen‐specific T‐cell response against the viral backbone vaccine YFV. In conclusion, this study is the first detailed investigation of the cellular immune response to the two vaccines. Enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and flow staining suggest a more potent specific T‐cell response against the JEV antigen was elicited in mice immunized with SA14‐14‐2 but not JE‐CV. Using heterologous flaviviruses as a live‐attenuated vaccine backbone may unlikely generate an optimal T‐cell response against the vaccine strain virus and might affect the protective efficacy.
Novel insights into conceptus–maternal signaling during pregnancy establishment in pigs
Authors: Kaczynski Piotr , Goryszewska‐Szczurek Ewelina , Baryla Monika , Waclawik Agnieszka
Published: April 2022

Pregnancy establishment in mammals, including pigs, requires coordinated communication between developing conceptuses (embryos with associated membranes) and the maternal organism. Porcine conceptuses signalize their presence by secreting multiple factors, of which estradiol‐17β (E2) is considered the major embryonic signal initiating the maternal recognition of pregnancy. During this time, a limited supply of prostaglandin (PGF2α) to the corpora lutea and an increased secretion of luteoprotective factors (e.g., E2 and prostaglandin E2 [PGE2]) lead to the corpus luteum's maintained function of secreting progesterone, which in turn primes the uterus for implantation. Further, embryo implantation is related to establishing an appropriate proinflammatory environment coordinated by the secretion of proinflammatory mediators including cytokines, growth factors, and lipid mediators of both endometrial and conceptus origin. The novel, dual role of PGF2α has been underlined. Recent studies involving high‐throughput technologies and sophisticated experimental models identified a number of novel factors and revealed complex relationships between these factors and those already established. Hence, it seems that early pregnancy should be regarded as a sequence of processes orchestrated by pleiotropic factors that are involved in redundancy and compensatory mechanisms that preserve the essential functions critical for implantation and placenta formation. Therefore, establishing the hierarchy between all molecules present at the embryo–maternal interface is now even more challenging
Prepolarized MRI of hard tissues and solid‐state matter
Authors: Borreguero Morata Jose , González José M. , Pallás Eduardo , Rigla Juan P. , Algarín José M. , Bosch Rubén , Galve Fernando , Grau‐Ruiz Daniel , Pellicer Rubén , Ríos Alfonso , Benlloch José M. , Alonso Joseba
Published: April 2022

Prepolarized MRI (PMRI) is a long‐established technique conceived to counteract the loss in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) inherent to low‐field MRI systems. When it comes to hard biological tissues and solid‐state matter, PMRI is severely restricted by their ultra‐short characteristic relaxation times. Here we demonstrate that efficient hard‐tissue prepolarization is within reach with a special‐purpose 0.26 T scanner designed for ex vivo dental MRI and equipped with suitable high‐power electronics. We have characterized the performance of a 0.5 T prepolarizer module, which can be switched on and off in 200 μs. To this end, we have used resin, dental and bone samples, all with times of the order of 20 ms at our field strength. The measured SNR enhancement is in good agreement with a simple theoretical model, and deviations in extreme regimes can be attributed to mechanical vibrations due to the magnetic interaction between the prepolarization and main magnets.
AWWA's Meter Challenge Tests Knowledge and Speed
Authors: Wells Brielle , Flancher Dawn
Published: April 2022

AWWA's Meter Challenge, formerly known as Meter Madness, will once again be held in person at the 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) in San Antonio. The Meter Challenge, along with all other AWWA national competitions, will be welcomed back for the first time since 2019.
Take a Proactive Risk Management Approach to Protect Public Health
Authors: Kot Megan , Payne Sarah Jane
Published: April 2022

Assess a community's readiness for change and develop water safety plans to help achieve drinking water objectives.
The association between intolerance of uncertainty and Internet addiction during the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A multiple mediation model considering depression and risk perception
Authors: Luo Ronglei , Li Qi , Meng Guangteng , Zheng Ya , Hu Kesong , Zhang Xiaoya , Dai Bibing , Liu Xun
Published: April 2022

Repeated outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have forced people to shift most of their work and life activities from offline to online, leading to a growing problem of Internet dependence and even Internet addiction. However, the mechanism of the association between COVID‐19‐related intolerance of uncertainty (COVID‐19 IU) and Internet addiction during the second wave of COVID‐19 is still unclear. The current study explored the association between COVID‐19 IU and Internet addiction as mediated by depression and risk perception based on the Uncertainty‐Depression‐Perception‐Addiction model (UDPA). A total of 1,137 adult participants were recruited, and COVID‐19 IU, depression, risk perception, Internet addiction, and demographic variables were analyzed. The results showed that COVID‐19 IU was significantly and positively associated with Internet addiction and that this relationship was mediated in parallel by depression and risk perception. Our findings further extend the Interaction of Person‐Affect‐Cognition‐Execution (I‐PACE) model from the perspective of applicability in the unique context of COVID‐19. Furthermore, the study suggests that individuals could decrease their dependence on the Internet to prevent Internet addiction during the second wave of the pandemic through effective interventions that include lowering COVID‐19 IU, improving emotion regulation, and developing reasonable perceptions of risk.
TX‐BHS berseem clover germplasm
Authors: Smith Gerald Ray , Rouquette Monte
Published: April 2022

TX‐BHS (Reg. no. GP‐312, PI 699627) is a germplasm line of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinumL.) selected for increased cold tolerance and hard seed production. This germplasm line was developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research at Overton and is intended to extend the range and utility of this annual clover species. Berseem is well adapted to wet and waterlogged soils and has potential for expanded use in both pasture and cover crop systems. Improved hard seed production would allow expanded use of berseem in reseeding pasture and cropping systems. Three cycles of recurrent half‐sib selection and two cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection were applied to the variable base population (Mississippi Winter Hardy Berseem) at Overton, TX, from 1982 to 1988. Selection was successful in improving hard seed levels of TX‐BHS relative to ‘Bigbee’ berseem. Selection for winter survival and reduced cold damage caused a reduction in winter growth of TX‐BHS berseem relative to Bigbee berseem. This growth pattern shift was only observed in only one trial. The actual impact of selection on winter survival and cold tolerance of TX‐BHS berseem needs further study.
Proteomics‐driven identification of short open reading frame‐encoded peptides
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Li Yujie , Yuan Wenqian , Wang Zhiwei , Wan Cuihong
Published: April 2022

Accumulating evidence has shown that a large number of short open reading frames (sORFs) also have the ability to encode proteins. The discovery of sORFs opens up a new research area, leading to the identification and functional study of sORF encoded peptides (SEPs) at the omics level. Besides bioinformatics prediction and ribosomal profiling, mass spectrometry (MS) has become a significant tool as it directly detects the sequence of SEPs. Though MS‐based proteomics methods have proved to be effective for qualitative and quantitative analysis of SEPs, the detection of SEPs is still a great challenge due to their low abundance and short sequence. To illustrate the progress in method development, we described and discussed the main steps of large‐scale proteomics identification of SEPs, including SEP extraction and enrichment, MS detection, data processing and quality control, quantification, and function prediction and validation methods.
Dynamics of Edge Dislocation in Ti–O Single Crystal Alloys at the Atomic Scale
Authors: Ren Junqiang , Shao Shan , Wang Qi , Yang Dan , Lu Xuefeng , Xue Hongtao , Tang Fuling
Published: April 2022

The addition of oxygen atoms in solid solution to α‐Ti alloy can increase not only its hardness but also its brittleness. Herein, the edge dislocation mobility of Ti–O single crystals at oxygen concentrations of 0–2 at% and temperatures of 100–900 K is investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the interstitial oxygen atoms have a strong hindering effect on the a/3 [110] edge dislocations on the {100} prismatic planes, which is attributed to the pinning effect of the vacancy clusters on the dislocation movement due to the interstitial oxygen atoms, thus leading to pronounced dislocation strengthening and hardening. The critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) for dislocation movement increases with increasing oxygen content and decreases with increasing temperature. Moreover, the effect of oxygen concentration on dislocation mobility also diminishes with increasing temperature.
Near‐field atmospheric inversions for the localization and quantification of controlled methane releases using stationary and mobile measurements
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Broquet Grégoire , Caldow Christopher , Laurent Olivier , Gichuki Susan , Cropley Ford , Yver‐Kwok Camille , Fontanier Bonaventure , Lauvaux Thomas , Ramonet Michel , Shah Adil , Berthe Guillaume , Martin Frédéric , Duclaux Olivier , Juery Catherine , Bouchet Caroline , Pitt Joseph , Ciais Philippe
Published: April 2022

This study evaluates two local‐scale atmospheric inversion approaches for the monitoring of methane (CH4) emissions from industrial sites based on in situ atmospheric CH4 mole fraction measurements from stationary or mobile sensors. We participated in a two‐week campaign of CH4 controlled‐release experiments at TotalEnergies Anomaly Detection Initiatives (TADI) in Lacq, France in October 2019. We analyzed releases from various points within a 40 m × 50 m area with constant rates of 0.16 to 30 g CH4 s−1 over 25 to 75 mins, using fixed‐point and mobile measurements, and testing different inversion configurations with a Gaussian dispersion model. An inlet switching system, combining a limited number (6–7) of high‐precision gas analyzers with a higher number (16) of sampling lines, ensured that a sufficient number of fixed measurement points sampled the plume downwind of the sources and the background mole fractions for any wind direction. The inversions using these fixed‐point measurements provide release rate estimates with approximately 23%–30% average errors and estimates of the location of the releases with approximately 8–10 m average errors. The inversions using the mobile measurements provide estimates with approximately 20%–30% average errors for the release rates and approximately 30 m average errors for the release locations. The precision of the release rate estimates from both inversion frameworks corresponds to the best estimation precision documented on site‐scale CH4 inversions. However, the use of continuous measurements from fixed stations provides much more robust estimates of the source locations than that of the mobile measurements.
Robust stabilization under structured, possibly unstable and impulsive uncertainties
Authors: Stefanovski Jovan D.
Published: April 2022

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the robust stabilization under structured dynamical uncertainties, which can be unstable and impulsive, are given. The order of the controller is predefined. It is shown that disturbances in some channels can be completely arbitrary, while the stability is preserved. It is shown that the solution to this problem can be applied to the fault‐tolerant control, where the faults can be unstable and/or impulsive systems. The given conditions are expressed by nonconvex matrix inequalities. However, for two classes of systems, the conditions reduce to LMIs. Examples with random numbers illustrate the design algorithm.
Adaptive ride height controller design for vehicle active suspension systems with uncertain sprung mass and time‐varying disturbance
Authors: Zhao Rongchen , Xie Wei , Yu Gan , Wang Guangwei , Wong Pak Kin , Silvestre Carlos
Published: April 2022

In this article, we address the problem of ride height tracking control of the automotive active air suspension (AAS) system with uncertain sprung mass and external time‐varying disturbances. The proposed adaptive robust control approach guarantees that (i) the ride height converges towards, and stays within, an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the desired height, attaining uniform ultimate boundedness; (ii) the closed‐loop AAS system is (1) adaptive to uncertain sprung mass caused by the change of payload through the design of a projector‐based mass estimator; and, (2) robust to external time‐varying disturbance by developing a nonlinear disturbance observer. At last, co‐simulation (AMESim‐Matlab/Simulink) and experimental tests on a self‐fabricated quarter‐car test rig are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed method.
Physical Metallurgy Guided Industrial Big Data Analysis System with Data Classification and Property Prediction
Authors: Li Huwei , Li Yong , Huang Jian , Shen Chunguang , Wang Chenchong , Jing Tao , Liu Zhipu , Xu Wei
Published: April 2022

Various computational analysis systems based on machine learning (ML) methods have been established for the analysis of steel industrial data. However, limited by the extensibility of one regression strategy, it is difficult to obtain a generic property prediction model for multiple types of steels. To solve this problem, this study proposes a novel industrial big data analysis system that combines ML classification and regression models with key physical metallurgy (PM) variables. First, the database is obtained from an industrial production line and carefully preprocessed. Then, multiple types of steels are categorized into five classes using a K‐nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm, and suitable ML algorithms are selected for each category to maximize the performance. Considering the role of PM variables in improving the model accuracy, some relevant parameters (the Ac1 temperature, Ac3 temperature, and flow stress) are introduced to guide the further optimization of the ML process. The proposed industrial analysis system has more accurate prediction and higher flexibility than the model that directly uses the original dataset. With a rational combination of different regression strategies, the present results clearly demonstrate that the extensibility of the proposed property prediction model is significantly improved for industrial big data.
Applying machine learning to automatically assess scientific models
Authors: Zhai Xiaoming , He Peng , Krajcik Joseph
Published: April 2022

Involving students in scientific modeling practice is one of the most effective approaches to achieving the next generation science education learning goals. Given the complexity and multirepresentational features of scientific models, scoring student‐developed models is time‐ and cost‐intensive, remaining one of the most challenging assessment practices for science education. More importantly, teachers who rely on timely feedback to plan and adjust instruction are reluctant to use modeling tasks because they could not provide timely feedback to learners. This study utilized machine learning (ML), the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI), to develop an approach to automatically score student‐drawn models and their written descriptions of those models. We developed six modeling assessment tasks for middle school students that integrate disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts with the modeling practice. For each task, we asked students to draw a model and write a description of that model, which gave students with diverse backgrounds an opportunity to represent their understanding in multiple ways. We then collected student responses to the six tasks and had human experts score a subset of those responses. We used the human‐scored student responses to develop ML algorithmic models (AMs) and to train the computer. Validation using new data suggests that the machine‐assigned scores achieved robust agreements with human consent scores. Qualitative analysis of student‐drawn models further revealed five characteristics that might impact machine scoring accuracy: Alternative expression, confusing label, inconsistent size, inconsistent position, and redundant information. We argue that these five characteristics should be considered when developing machine‐scorable modeling tasks.
Panax notoginseng saponins improves healing of high glucose‐induced wound through the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Lei Ting , Gao Ya , Duan Yuhong , Cui Chunli , Zhang Li , Si Mingming
Published: April 2022

Chronic non‐healing wounds are one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and results in a huge physical and mental burden for patients. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) have a wide range of applications in anti‐apoptosis, anti‐oxidation, and promoting blood circulation. Our study aimed to explore whether PNS could improve diabetic wound healing. High‐glucose (HG, 30 Mm) were used to incubated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to simulate the hyperglycemia environment in vivo, and 200 μg/ml (optimum harmless concentration screened) PNS was added into HG‐incubated HUVECs to investigate the protective effect of PNS on the cells. Compared with control, high glucose treatment significantly suppressed HUVEC proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, malondialdehyde (MDA) production and nitric oxide (NO) release, promoted cell apoptosis, and deactivated the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin/VEGF pathway. PNS treatment could largely rescue the effects of HG on cell dysfunction and improve the deactivation of GSK‐3β/β‐catenin/VEGF pathway. ICG‐001, a small molecular β‐catenin inhibitor that can selectively antagonize β‐catenin mediated transcriptional activity, could eliminate the protective effects of PNS on cell dysfunction and activation of GSK‐3β/β‐catenin/VEGF pathway. Moreover, Furthermore, a diabetic model (50 mg/kg streptozotocin induced) with back skin wound was established in rats, and the wounds were administrated with petrolatum, gelatin/Bletilla striata gelatin (GT/BSGT), or GT/BSGT plus PNS. We found that PNS signally facilitated wound healing and matrix remodeling in vivo. In conclusion, our study verified that PNS improved wound healing in hyperglycemic rats via promoting endothelial cell proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, suppressing cell apoptosis and oxidative damage, and activating the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway.