bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medium Bandgap Small Molecule Acceptors With Isomer‐Free Chlorinated End Groups Enabling High‐Performance Tandem Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Jia Zhenrong , Ma Qing , Meng Lei , Zhang Jinyuan , Qin Shucheng , Chen Zeng , Li Xiaojun , Zhang Jianqi , Li Jing , Zhang Zhanjun , Wei Zhixiang , Yang Yang(Michael) , Li Yongfang
Published: August 2022

Tandem organic solar cell (TOSC), composed of the front and rear cells with complementary absorption, is effective device structure for surpassing the Shockley–Queisser limit of single‐junction organic solar cells (OSCs). However, most of the medium bandgap (≈1.6 eV) organic photovoltaic materials for front cells in the TOSCs show considerable voltage losses. In this work, two medium bandgap (1.63 eV) isomeric small molecule acceptors m‐DTC‐Cl‐1 and m‐DTC‐Cl‐2 are synthesized with different chlorine substitution positions in 2‐(3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydroinden‐1‐ylidene)malononitrile (IC). The different chlorine substituted positions in IC groups show significant influences on the physicochemical properties, charge dynamics, morphology, and photovoltaic performance of the acceptors. Consequently, the OSC with PTO2 as polymer donor and m‐DTC‐Cl‐2 as acceptor delivers a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.1% with a high open circuit voltage of 1.05 V and a low nonradiative energy loss of 0.25 eV, which indicates that the OSC is an ideal candidate for the application as front cell in the TOSCs. Then, a monolithic TOSC is fabricated with the OSC based on PTO2:m‐DTC‐Cl‐2 as front cell and the OSC based on PTB7‐Th:BTPV‐4Cl as rear cell, which demonstrates a high PCE of 18.8%.
Super‐Linear‐Threshold‐Switching Selector with Multiple Jar‐Shaped Cu‐Filaments in the Amorphous Ge3Se7 Resistive Switching Layer in a Cross‐Point Synaptic Memristor Array
Authors: Kim Hea‐Jee , Woo Dae‐Seong , Jin Soo‐Min , Kwon Hyo‐Jun , Kwon Ki‐Hyun , Kim Dong‐Won , Park Dong‐Hyun , Kim Dong‐Eon , Jin Hong‐Uk , Choi Hyun‐Do , Shim Tae‐Hun , Park Jea‐Gun
Published: August 2022

The learning and inference efficiencies of an artificial neural network represented by a cross‐point synaptic memristor array can be achieved using a selector, with high selectivity (Ion/Ioff) and sufficient death region, stacked vertically on a synaptic memristor. This can prevent a sneak current in the memristor array. A selector with multiple jar‐shaped conductive Cu filaments in the resistive switching layer is precisely fabricated by designing the Cu ion concentration depth profile of the CuGeSe layer as a filament source, TiN diffusion barrier layer, and Ge3Se7 switching layer. The selector performs super‐linear‐threshold‐switching with a selectivity of > 107, death region of −0.70–0.65 V, holding time of 300 ns, switching speed of 25 ns, and endurance cycle of > 106. In addition, the mechanism of switching is proven by the formation of conductive Cu filaments between the CuGeSe and Ge3Se7 layers under a positive bias on the top Pt electrode and an automatic rupture of the filaments after the holding time. Particularly, a spiking deep neural network using the designed one‐selector‐one‐memory cross‐point array improves the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology classification accuracy by ≈3.8% by eliminating the sneak current in the cross‐point array during the inference process.
Liquid Lens‐Based Optical Tactile Sensor with a Touch‐Sensing Separable Structure
Authors: Yang Hui , Liu Wenbo , Liu Jiaqi , Ling Yunzhi , Wu Meixia , Liu Weirui , Wang Lihui
Published: August 2022

Optical tactile sensing plays an important role in the tactile sensing field, due to its high sensitivity, fast response, and prominent interference immunity. Herein, based on the liquid lens, a low‐cost optical tactile sensor with a touch‐sensing separable structure is designed and fabricated, and it contains a touch unit and an optics sensing unit. The touch unit is a chamber structure with good integration, and the optics sensing unit is designed with a liquid‐membrane structure. Different from the existed optical tactile sensors, the principle of the proposed sensor is that the focal length of the optics sensing unit is changed with an external contact force, and then the directional light propagation direction produces change, which affects the perceived light intensity of the silicon photocell. From the sensing performance test results, this tactile sensor has good statics and dynamics performance, which embodies in the rapid response time (about 0.048 s), stable output, high sensitivity (the max sensitivity is about 7.1338 V/N), and resolution (0.01 N), low hysteresis ratio (less than 6.5%), and good linearity (R2 ≈ 0.98). In addition, some application experiments are conducted and the results demonstrate the application feasibility of the proposed sensor in health monitoring and multichannel sensing.
Low Cost, Al2O3 and ZrAlOx Stack Passivation by Spray Pyrolysis for Highly Stable Amorphous InGaZnO Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Islam Md Mobaidul , Hasan Md. Mehedi , Ali Arqum , Bae Jinbaek , Jang Jin
Published: August 2022

A stack passivation by spray pyrolysis is demonstrated for high performance and stable amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc‐oxide (a‐IGZO) thin‐film transistors (TFTs). The device performances and stabilities of a‐IGZO TFTs are compared with single zirconium‐aluminium‐oxide (ZAO), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), and stack ZAO/Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZAO passivation layers. The a‐IGZO TFTs with Al2O3/ZAO stack exhibit high performance and excellent stabilities under electrical, thermal, and environmental tests with negligible threshold voltage shift. The origin of the device performances and improved stabilities are analyzed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses. It is found that the Zr elements diffuse into the a‐IGZO channel when ZAO is directly deposited on the a‐IGZO, resulting in the deterioration of the device performance. It is also found that the Al2O3 single layer on top of the a‐IGZO cannot protect the back‐channel from moisture diffusion. But a thin Al2O3 layer on top of the TFTs can protect the diffusion of Zr elements from ZAO into the a‐IGZO channel and enhances the performance and stabilities. Therefore, the low cost, Al2O3/ZAO stack by spray pyrolysis on the sputtered a‐IGZO can be an excellent passivation for highly stable metal‐oxide TFTs.
Magnetron Sputtered Non‐Toxic and Precious Element‐Free TiZrGe Metallic Glass Nanofilms with Enhanced Biocorrosion Resistance
Authors: Sarac Baran , Micusik Matej , Putz Barbara , Wurster Stefan , Sharifikolouei Elham , Xi Lixia , Omastova Maria , Spieckermann Florian , Mitterer Christian , Eckert Jürgen
Published: August 2022

The chemical composition and structural state of advanced alloys are the decisive factors in optimum biomedical performance. This contribution presents unique TiZrGe metallic glass thin‐film compositions fabricated by magnetron sputter deposition targeted for nanocoatings for biofouling prevention. The amorphous nanofilms with nanoscale roughness exhibit a large relaxation and supercooled liquid regions as revealed by flash differential scanning calorimetry. Ti68Zr8Ge24 shows the lowest corrosion (0.17 µA cm−2) and passivation (1.22 µA cm−2) current densities, with the lowest corrosion potential of −0.648 V and long‐range stability against pitting, corroborating its excellent performance in phosphate buffer solution at 37 °C. The oxide layer is comprised of TiO2, TiOx and ZrOx, as determined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy by short‐term ion‐etching of the surface layer. The two orders of magnitude increase in the oxide and interface resistance (from 14 to 1257 Ω cm2) along with an order of magnitude decrease in the capacitance parameter of the oxide interface (from 1.402 × 10−5 to 1.677 × 10−6 S sn cm−2) of the same composition is linked to the formation of carbonyl groups and reduction of the native oxide layer during linear sweep voltammetry.
Recent Advances in 3D Printed Sensors: Materials, Design, and Manufacturing
Authors: Jiang Yijie , Islam Md. Nurul , He Rui , Huang Xiaozhou , Cao Peng‐Fei , Advincula Rigoberto C. , Dahotre Narendra , Dong Pei , Wu H. Felix , Choi Wonbong
Published: August 2022

Sensors are of great importance in different aspects of research and industry. Future sensors will require high‐efficient and low‐cost manufacturing, as well as high‐performance functionality in areas, such as mechanical sensing, biomedical, and optical applications. Recent advances in 3D printing open a new paradigm for sensors fabrication as a precision, customizable, and seamless process. In this article, the state‐of‐the‐art 3D printing methods in sensors manufacturing is reviewed and the performance of the 3D printed sensing materials and devices is summarized. Special attention is paid to emerging multimaterial printing and 4D printing technologies, which will benefit the fabrication of a new generation of structures with multifunctionalities. The content on 3D printed sensors covers piezoelectric sensors, medical, and optical sensing devices. The performance of 3D printed sensors in comparison with the sensors made by traditional manufacturing is also covered. Finally, section 4 provides the viewpoints on the future development of 3D printed sensors.
Prediction of need for bowel resection in acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion: A retrospective study of 48 Japanese patients
Authors: Watada Susumu , Obara Hideaki , Okui Jun , Hosokawa Kyosuke , Matsubara Kentaro , Harada Hirohisa , Fujimura Naoki , Fujii Taku , Shimogawara Tatsuya , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: August 2022

Aim

This study aimed to predict cases of acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion requiring bowel resection using occlusion site and time from symptom onset to diagnosis at five Japanese institutions. Advances in imaging, endovascular treatment, and perioperative management have improved the clinical outcomes of patients with acute SMA occlusion; however, in clinical practice it remains difficult to effectively determine patients requiring bowel resection.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 patients (mean age: 82.5 y; male: 37.5%) diagnosed with acute SMA occlusion between June 2009 and August 2018. Background data of patients who required and did not require bowel resection were compared. A multivariable predictive model was developed using the time from symptom onset to diagnosis and whether SMA occlusion was proximal, including the origin of the middle colic artery.

Results

Fifteen patients (31.3%) died during the hospital stay. Atrial fibrillation (83.3%) was the most common comorbidity. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 13.0 (interquartile range, 4.75–24.0) h. Laparotomy, bowel resection, and thrombus embolectomy were performed in 41 (85.4%), 26 (54.2%), and 21 (43.8%) patients, respectively. A logistic regression model achieved 78.6% sensitivity in predicting cases not requiring bowel resection. Proximal occlusion was significantly associated with the requirement for bowel resection (P = .039).

Conclusion

The time from symptom onset to diagnosis and occlusion site contributed to high sensitivity in determining the need for bowel resection in patients with acute SMA occlusion. Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate the clinical impact of this model.
The effect of axial impeller geometry on the link between power and flow numbers
Authors: John Thomas P. , Fonte Claudio P. , Kowalski Adam , Rodgers Thomas L.
Published: August 2022

Stirred vessels are used to facilitate mixing processes across a wide range of industries. Their performance can often be predicted with certain characteristics of the agitator, like the dimensionless power and flow numbers. Since there exists a large number of agitator designs and geometries, it is desirable to be able to predict these characteristics using models rather than rely on previous experimental data. In this study, we use an angular momentum balance combined with computational fluid dynamics to correlate the power, flow, and mixer geometry across a wide range of down‐pumping pitched blade turbine geometries. The models developed from the results allow us to predict the power from the flow (or vice versa) for the geometries investigated. We tested two methods for the measurement of the flow rate and found that the choice of measurement method can affect the relationship between the power, flow, and impeller geometry.
Facile preparation of humidity stable green γ‐cyclodextrin metal–organic framework monolith for CO2 capture
Authors: Fan Shu‐Ting , Chen Zhi‐Hui , Yang Zhang , Feng Jun‐Feng , Yu Lu‐Ping , Qiu Zhen‐Jiang , Liu Wen‐Tao , Li Bang‐Jing , Zhang Sheng
Published: August 2022

Processing powdered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into more usable forms can greatly expand their practical applications. We report a very simple and efficient method for synthesizing a green‐friendly γ‐cyclodextrin (CD)‐MOF monolith (rather than powder), without using any connectors or high temperature/pressure. Compared with the γ‐CD‐MOF‐powder, the γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith showed much better humidity stability because the MOF particles in the γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith were tightly packed. In addition, the CO2 adsorption test indicated that it had a higher volume adsorption capacity for CO2, with adsorption capacities of 44.04 and 36.85 cm3/cm3 at 0 and 25°C, respectively. The γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith can maintain its porous structure and gas adsorption capacity even after 14 days of exposure to humid conditions, and the amount of CO2 absorption remains almost unchanged. This humidity stable γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith is expected to have greater practical applications than its powdered counterpart in many applications including CO2 adsorption.
Modulating the active phase structure of NiMo/Al2O3 by La modification for ultra‐deep hydrodesulfurization of diesel
Authors: Yan Rixin , Liu Xiangqi , Liu Jixing , Zhang Lu , Zhou Shuhui , Jia Lingfeng , Hua Mingqing , Li Huaming , Ji Haiyan , Zhu Wenshuai
Published: August 2022

Herein, a series of mesoporous NiMo/LaAlOx with various La contents were constructed through a solvent evaporation‐induced self‐assembly protocol, and their catalytic activities were investigated for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of 4,6‐DMDBT. It has been confirmed that the incorporation of La influences the electronic structure and morphology of NiMoS active phase. The lower amount of La (x ≤ 1.0 wt.%) could facilitate the formation of “Type II” NiMoS phase by weakening the interaction of Mo‐O‐Al leakage and promoting the sulfidation of both Mo and Ni species as well as increasing the ratio of “Type II” NiMoS phase, thereafter boosting the HDS performances. Further increasing La incorporation, however, leads to the generation of inactive NiSx phase and decrease of NiMoS active phase proportion, the HDS activities of corresponding catalysts were suppressed. NiMo/LaAlOx‐1.0 exhibits the highest activity for 4,6‐DMDBT HDS because of its moderate metal‐support interaction, optimal morphology and the largest proportion of “Type II” NiMoS active phase.
Lymphatic anomalies during lifetime in patients with Noonan syndrome: Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Swarts Jessie W. , Kleimeier Lotte E. R. , Leenders Erika K. S. M , Rinne Tuula , Klein Willemijn M. , Draaisma Jos M. T.
Published: August 2022

Noonan syndrome (NS) has been associated with an increased risk of lymphatic anomalies, with an estimated prevalence of 20%. The prevalence of lymphatic anomalies seems to differ between pathogenic variants. Therefore, this study aims to describe the clinical presentation, prevalence and genotype–phenotype correlations of lymphatic anomalies during life in patients with NS. This retrospective cohort study included patients (n = 115) who were clinically and genetically diagnosed with NS and visited the Noonan expertise Center of the Radboud University Medical Center between January 2015 and March 2021. Data on lymphatic anomalies during lifetime were obtained from medical records. Lymphatic anomalies most often presented as an increased nuchal translucency, chylothorax and/or lymphedema. Prenatal lymphatic anomalies increased the risk of lymphatic anomalies during infancy (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.7–14.6). The lifetime prevalence of lymphatic anomalies was 37%. Genotype–phenotype correlations showed an especially high prevalence of lymphatic anomalies during infancy and childhood in patients with a pathogenic SOS2 variant (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). This study shows that patients with NS have a high predisposition for developing lymphatic anomalies during life. Especially patients with prenatal lymphatic anomalies have an increased risk of lymphatic anomalies during infancy. Genotype–phenotype correlations were found in pathogenic variants in SOS2.
Parenchymal Hemorrhage Rate Is Associated with Time to Reperfusion and Outcome
Authors: Olivot Jean‐Marc , Finitsis Stephanos , Lapergue Bertrand , Marnat Gaultier , Sibon Igor , Richard Sebastien , Viguier Alain , Cognard Christophe , Mazighi Mikael , Gory Benjamin ,   the ETIS Registry Investigators
Published: August 2022

Objective

Despite a 90% reperfusion rate, only 50% of patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion‐related acute ischemic stroke (LVO‐AIS) have a functional recovery at 3 months. Parenchymal hematoma (PH) is a predictor of poor outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT). We aim to investigate the relationship between the delay from onset to reperfusion, the occurrence of PH, and functional outcome.

Methods

The Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) registry is an ongoing prospective observational study. Data were analyzed from the subgroup of patients who underwent a successful EVT defined by a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score 2b‐3. We assessed the factors associated with PH, (ie, PH1 or PH2 grade according to the European Collaborative Acute Stroke Study 2 (ECASS) classification of hemorrhagic transformation), then evaluated the relationships between PH, delay from onset to reperfusion, and functional recovery defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0–2.

Results

We analyzed 2,919 patients with an LVO‐related AIS who underwent a successful EVT. Overall, 13.3% of the participant experienced a PH. The rate of PH increased by 2.5% (95% CI 1.5%–3.6%, p < 0.001) for every additional hour of onset to reperfusion delay and was, by comparison with the other study patients, consistently associated with a lower rate of functional recovery 19.7% (95% CI 11.6%–27.7%, p < 0.001) irrespective of time from onset to reperfusion.

Interpretation

Our results demonstrate that PH rate is associated with the delay from onset to reperfusion and participates in the relationship between time to reperfusion and outcome. Time is Bleeding. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:882–887
Engineering Supramolecular Binding Sites in a Chemically Stable Metal‐Organic Framework for Simultaneous High C2H2Storage and Separation
Authors: Shao Kai , Wen Hui‐Min , Liang Cong‐Cong , Xiao Xiaoyan , Gu Xiao‐Wen , Chen Banglin , Qian Guodong , Li Bin
Published: August 2022

Developing porous materials to overcome the trade‐off between adsorption capacity and selectivity for C2H2/CO2separation remains a challenge. Herein, we report a stable HKUST‐1‐like MOF (ZJU‐50a), featuring large cages decorated with high density of supramolecular binding sites to achieve both high C2H2storage and selectivity. ZJU‐50a exhibits one of the highest C2H2storage capacity (192 cm3 g−1) and concurrently high C2H2/CO2selectivity (12) at 298 K and 1 bar. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies on gas‐loaded ZJU‐50a crystal unveil that the incorporated supramolecular binding sites can selectively take up C2H2molecule but not CO2to result in both high C2H2storage and selectivity. Breakthrough experiments validated its separation performance for C2H2/CO2mixtures, providing a high C2H2recovery capacity of 84.2 L kg−1with 99.5 % purity. This study suggests a novel strategy of engineering supramolecular binding sites into MOFs to overcome the trade‐off for this separation.
Enhanced thermal conductivity and insulation properties of mica tape with BN coating via electrostatic spraying technology
Authors: Feng Yu , He Ziyuan , Yang Zhijie , Tang Wenxin , Chi Qingguo , Chen Qingguo
Published: August 2022

The bottleneck problem of the development of high‐voltage motors to a larger capacity can be solved if the thermal conductivity is improved without sacrificing the insulation characteristics of the main insulation material. In this paper, a spraying technology based on electrospinning is proposed that can evenly spray boron nitride (BN) with high thermal conductivity onto the surface of mica tape. With the increase in BN content, the insulation and thermal conductivity of mica tape are optimized to varying degrees. When the BN content reaches 2.25 wt%, the in‐plane conductivity increases from 1.6 to 2.7 w/(m K), while the out‐of‐plane conductivity increases from 0.17 to 0.26 w/(m K). Additionally, the direct‐current (DC) breakdown strength has increased from 90.6 to 96.9 kV/mm and the dielectric constant and dielectric loss are almost unchanged. Finally, through simulation verification, if the modified mica tape is applied to the main insulation of a synchronous motor, the operating temperature of the motor insulation will be reduced from 73.5 to 66.1°C. This study provides a new research idea for the preparation of high thermal conductivity insulating materials.
The possible role of the nucleoside adenosine in countering skin aging: A review
Authors: Marucci Gabriella , Buccioni Michela , Varlaro Vincenzo , Volpini Rosaria , Amenta Francesco
Published: August 2022

Skin aging is a complex biological process. Skin aspect is considered as a sign of well‐being and of beauty. In view of this, noninvasive and/or minimally invasive anti‐aging strategies were developed. Adenosine, a well‐known nucleoside, may play a role in skin rejuvenation. Adenosine receptors belong to the G protein‐coupled receptors superfamily and are divided into four subtypes: A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. The adenosine receptors expressed by skin are mainly the A1 and A2A subtypes. In the hypodermis, adenosine through the A1 receptor stimulates lipogenesis and adipogenesis. In the dermis, adenosine through the A2A receptor subtype stimulates collagen production. Moreover, the nucleoside increases new DNA synthesis and subsequently protein synthesis in dermal cells. Activation of adenosine receptors by interacting with various skin layers may induce a decrease in the amount of wrinkles, roughness, dryness, and laxity. This article has reviewed the mechanisms through which adenosine modulates biological mechanisms in the skin tissues and the effect of preparations containing adenosine or its derivatives on the skin.
Association strength of E6 to E6AP/p53 complex correlates with HPV‐mediated oncogenesis risk
Authors: Ferraz Matheus Vitor Ferreira , Viana Isabelle Freire Tabosa , Coêlho Danilo Fernandes , da Cruz Carlos Henrique Bezerra , de Arruda Lima Maíra , de Luna Aragão Madson Allan , Lins Roberto Dias
Published: August 2022

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the causative agent of cervical cancer in women, and it is associated with other anogenital and head/neck cancers. More than 120 types of HPV have been identified and many classified as high‐ or low‐risk according to their oncogenic potential. One of its proteins, E6, has evolved to overcome the oncosuppressor functions of p53 by targeting this protein for degradation via interaction with the human ubiquitin‐ligase E6AP. This study evaluates the correlation between the association strength of 40 HPV E6 types to the E6AP/p53 complex and the HPV oncogenesis risk using molecular simulations and machine and deep learning (ML/DL). In addition, a ML/DL‐driven prediction is proposed for the HPV unclassified oncogenic risk type. The results indicate that thermodynamics play a pivotal role in the establishment of HPV‐associated cancer and highlight the need to include some viral types in the HPV‐related cancer surveillance and prevention strategies.
Effect of bridging units on the photophysical properties of 4‐NEt2‐appended salen−indium complexes
Authors: Mubarok Hanif , Kwak Sang Woo , Lee Ji Hye , Hwang Hyonseok , Lee Kang Mun , Kim Youngjo , Lee Min Hyung , Park Myung Hwan
Published: August 2022

A series of 4‐NEt2‐appended salen−indium complexes bridged by different diimine units (ethylene [Et, 1], phenylene [Ph, 2], and benzonitrile [PhCN, 3]) with different electronic effects were prepared in high yields by a one‐pot synthetic procedure. Among them, the solid‐state structure of 1 was identified by X‐ray crystallography, featuring a square‐pyramidal structure around the indium center. Ultraviolet–visible (UV/Vis) absorption and emission spectra of 1–3 showed typical ππ* electronic transitions centered on the salen ligands, which underwent gradual redshifts as the electron‐withdrawing ability of the bridging units increased. Such bathochromic shifts resulted from lowering the energy levels of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). In addition, the full width at half maxima for the emissions of 1–4 gradually decreased with increasing electron‐accepting property of the bridging units. The observed photophysical properties were further supported by theoretical calculations.
Sustainable development considerations in supply chains: Firms' relationships with stakeholders in their business sustainability practices—A triangular comparison
Authors: Andersson Svante , Svensson Göran , Otero‐Neira Carmen , Laurell Hélène , Lindgren John , Karlsson Niklas P. E.
Published: August 2022

This study aims to investigate focal firms' business sustainability relationships in connection with their stakeholders in supply chain networks. A questionnaire survey was sent to a sample consisting of large Swedish firms, with 107 usable questionnaires returned. The results reveal which stakeholders are of interest for firms in sustainability efforts. The results are compared with earlier findings from Norway and Spain in a triangular approach. The former is a similar country, while the latter is different to Sweden in several ways. In addition, the study uncovers which stakeholders in the supply chain network should be considered. The study also demonstrates how firms can implement business sustainability in their supply chain networks and shows the extent to which different stakeholders are considered in sustainability efforts. The study contributes to sustainability research and stakeholder theory in supply chain networks. Opposite to earlier findings, this study showed only minor influences from national culture and institutions on firms' sustainable business practices in supply chain networks.
Learning frequency‐aware convolutional neural network for spatio‐temporal super‐resolution water surface waves
Authors: Peng Chen , Tu Zaili , Qiu Sheng , Li Chen , Wang Changbo , Qin Hong
Published: August 2022

As a usual component in virtual scenes, water surface plays an important role in various graphical applications, including special effects, video games, and virtual reality. Although recent years have witnessed significant progress based on Navier–Stokes equations and simplified water models, large‐scale water surface waves with high‐frequency visual details remain computationally expensive for interactive applications. This article proposes a novel frequency‐aware neural network to synthesize consistent and detailed water surface waves from low‐resolution input. At its core, our approach leverage the wavelet transformation theory over space, frequency and direction, and incremental supervision to decompose the 4D amplitude function into multiple smaller subproblems. Specifically, we first customize four subnetworks and corresponding loss functions for super‐resolution of spatial resolution, temporal evolution, wave direction subdivision, and wave number, respectively. Then, to enforce the upsampling along each dimension orthogonal to each other, we introduce a cooperative training scheme to fine‐tune and integrate the proposed subnetworks with carefully designed training dataset. Our method can visually enhance high‐resolution spatial details, temporal coherence, interactions with complex boundaries, and various wave patterns with flexible control along multiple dimensions. Through extensive experiments, our method arrives at 13 speedup for 32 upsampling of various simulation scenarios. We also validate the effectiveness and robustness of our method to produce realistic water surface waves toward artistic innovation.
Engagement estimation of the elderly from wild multiparty human–robot interaction
Authors: Zhang Zhijie , Zheng Jianmin , Magnenat Thalmann Nadia
Published: August 2022

The use of social robots in healthcare systems or nursing homes to assist the elderly and their caregivers will be becoming common, where robots' understanding of engagement of the elderly is important. Traditional engagement estimation (EE) often requires expert involvement in a controlled dyadic interaction environment. In this article, we propose a supervised machine learning method to estimate the engagement state of the elderly in a multiparty human–robot interaction (HRI) scenario from the real‐world video recording as input. The method is built upon the basic concept of engagement in geriatric psychiatry and HRI video representations. It adapts pretrained models to extract behavior, affective, and visual signals to form the multi‐modal features. These features are then fed into a neural network made of a self‐attention mechanism and average pooling for individual learning, a graph attention network for group learning and a fully connected layer to estimate the engagement. We tested the proposed method using 43 wild multiparty elderly robot interaction (ERI) videos. The experimental results show that our method is capable of detecting the key participants and estimating the engagement state of the elderly effectively. Also our study demonstrates the signals from side‐participants in the main interaction group considerably contribute to the EE of the elderly in the multiparty ERI.
Two Species Origins Comparison of Herba Patriniae Based on Their Ingredients Profile by UPLC‐QTOF/MS/MS and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Su Dan , Yang Yanyan , Zeng Qiang , Liao Liangliang , Chen Changlian , Yang Ming , Zhu Genhua , Zhang Ruo‐Wen , Ai Zhifu , Li Yanzhen , Song Yonggui
Published: August 2022

Herba Patriniae (HP) is widely used as a medicinal and edible material in China. Besides food value, HP attracts more attention due to its medicinal potential.Patrinia villosaJuss. (PV) andPatrinia scabiosaefoliaFisch. (PS) are the two species origins of HP. These two of HP show different effects on cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and anti‐diabetic. As we have previously reported,PVandPSshow significant differences on their anti‐inflammatory ability in the same experimental model. Comparing the ingredient profiles of two different sources will not only facilitate the understanding of their medicinal effects, but also help the development and research of new activities. However, still now, there is no systematic and detailed study to compare the components ofPVandPS. In present study, ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was employed to achieve a high‐throughput qualitative and thorough analysis of the chemical composition spectrum of HP. A total of 164 compounds were identified, among these compounds, 127 compounds were identified fromPV, and 107 compounds were identified fromPS. Most of the chemical components was discovered for the first time. Flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and organic acids, as the main ingredients inPVandPSwere 45.45 %vs 28.46 %, 12.61 %vs. 32.09 %, 14.33 %vs. 22.38 % and 14.58 %vs. 6.79 %, respectively. Flavonoids are the main components ofPV, whilePSis rich in saponins.PVandPSwere classified into two groups by principal component analysis (PCA) and screened out the main molecular differences responsible by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA). All the results will be a guide for the quality control, functional activity research, or better clinic use based on the ingredients profile between these two species. Besides, this first study on ingredients profile of two species origins will be beneficial for potential and best resources utilization of bothPVandPS.
GC/MS‐Based Fingerprinting Reveals Two Chemotypes in the Leaf Essential Oils fromMagnolia grandifloraTrees within The Urban Forestry of a Colombian Andean Plateau
Authors: Bernal Freddy A. , Matulevich Javier A. , Corredor John A. , Coy‐Barrera Ericsson
Published: August 2022

Magnolia grandiflorais an aromatic plant widely distributed around the world. In Colombia, and more specifically in Bogotá,M. grandiflorahas been introduced as part of urban forestry programs, and their specimens are therefore subjected to several environments. Nevertheless, there are no previous studies on the chemical composition of such plants. Hence, the characterization of the essential oil from 20 specimens ofM. grandiflorafrom Bogotá, Colombia, by GC/MS was carried out here. Two different chemotypes were found. While one was characterized by monoterpenes α‐pinene, β‐pinene, and limonene, the other contained mainly sesquiterpenes β‐elemene, bicyclogermacrene, and germacrene D. Multivariate statistical analyses confirmed their existence and helped to identify variations within and between chemotypes. Furthermore, differential expression of genes encoding the terpene synthasesMg25 andMg17 could arguably be responsible for the characteristic compositions of both chemotypes, as suggested by rational biosynthetic analysis of the most contrasting metabolites.
Targeting Epstein‐Barr Virus dUTPase, an Immunomodulatory Protein Using Antiviral, Anti‐Inflammatory, and Neuroprotective Phytochemicals
Authors: Tiwari Deeksha , Murmu Sneha , Indari Omkar , Chandra Jha Hem , Kumar Sunil
Published: August 2022

Although primary infection of Epstein‐Barr virus is generally non‐lethal, viral reactivation is often associated with fatal outcomes. Regardless, there is no FDA‐approved treatment available for this omnipresent viral infection. The current investigation targets viral maintenance and reactivation by inhibiting the functioning of viral deoxyuridine‐triphosphatase (dUTPase) using phytochemicals. The EBV‐dUTPase is essential for maintaining nucleotide balance and thus, plays a vital role in the viral replication cycle. Additionally, the protein has shown neuroinflammatory effects on the host. To selectively target the protein and possibly alter its activity, we utilized a virtual screening approach and screened 45 phytochemicals reported to have antiviral, anti‐inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The analysis revealed several phytochemicals bound to the target protein with high affinity. In‐silico ADMET and Lipinski's rule analysis predicted favorable druggability of Dehydroevodiamine (DHE) among all the phytochemicals. Further, we corroborated our findings by molecular dynamic simulation and binding affinity estimation. Our outcomes ascertained a stable binding of DHE to EBV‐dUTPase primarily through electrostatic interactions. We identified that the protein‐ligand binding involves the region around His71, previously reported as a potent drug target site. Conclusively, the phytochemical DHE showed a promising future as a drug development candidate against EBV‐dUTPase.
Systemic redox imbalance in severe COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Postiga Isabelle A. L. , Teixeira Paula C. , Neves Carla Andretta Moreira , Santana Filho Paulo , Marmett Bruna , Carvalho Roseana , Peres Alessandra , Rotta Liane , Thompson Claudia Elizabeth , Dorneles Gilson P. , Romão Pedro R. T.
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the systemic redox state and inflammatory markers in intensive care unit (ICU) or non‐ICU severe COVID‐19 patients during the hospitalization period. Blood samples were collected at hospital admission (T1) (Controls and COVID‐19 patients), 5–7 days after admission (T2: 5–7 days after hospital admission), and at the discharge time from the hospital (T3: 0–72 h before leaving hospital or death) to analyze systemic oxidative stress markers and inflammatory variables. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were analyzed in peripheral granulocytes and monocytes. THP‐1 human monocytic cell line was incubated with plasma from non‐ICU and ICU COVID‐19 patients and cell viability and apoptosis rate were analyzed. Higher total antioxidant capacity, protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and IL‐6 at hospital admission were identified in both non‐ICU and ICU COVID‐19 patients. ICU COVID‐19 patients presented increased C‐reactive protein, ROS levels, and protein oxidation over hospitalization period compared to non‐ICU patients, despite increased antioxidant status. Granulocytes and monocytes of non‐ICU and ICU COVID‐19 patients presented lower MMP and higher ROS production compared to the healthy controls, with the highest values found in ICU COVID‐19 group. Finally, the incubation of THP‐1 cells with plasma acquired from ICU COVID‐19 patients at T3 hospitalization period decreased cell viability and apoptosis rate. In conclusion, disturbance in redox state is a hallmark of severe COVID‐19 and is associated with cell damage and death.
MiR‐27a downregulates 14‐3‐3θ, RUNX1, AF4, and MLL‐AF4, crucial drivers of blast transformation in t(4;11) leukemia cells
Authors: Fioretti Tiziana , Zanobio Mariateresa , Raia Maddalena , Errichiello Santa , Izzo Barbara , Cattaneo Fabio , Ammendola Rosario , Cevenini Armando , Esposito Gabriella
Published: August 2022

The chromosomal translocation t(4;11)(q21;q23), a hallmark of an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), encodes mixed‐lineage leukemia (MLL)‐AF4 oncogenic chimera that triggers aberrant transcription of genes involved in lymphocyte differentiation, including HOXA9 and MEIS1. The scaffold protein 14‐3‐3θ, which promotes the binding of MLL‐AF4 to the HOXA9 promoter, is a target of MiR‐27a, a tumor suppressor in different human leukemia cell types. We herein study the role of MiR‐27a in the pathogenesis of t(4;11) ALL. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qPCR) reveals that MiR‐27a and 14‐3‐3θ expression is inversely correlated in t(4;11) ALL cell lines; interestingly, MiR‐27a relative expression is significantly lower in patients affected by t(4;11) ALL than in patients affected by the less severe t(12;21) leukemia. In t(4;11) leukemia cells, ectopic expression of MiR‐27a decreases protein level of 14‐3‐3θ and of the key transcription factor RUNX1. We show for the first time that MiR‐27a also targets AF4 and MLL‐AF4; in agreement, MiR‐27a overexpression strongly reduces AF4 and MLL‐AF4 protein levels in RS4;11 cells. Consequent to AF4 and MLL‐AF4 downregulation, MiR‐27a overexpression negatively affects transcription of HOXA9 and MEIS1 in different t(4;11) leukemia cell lines. In agreement, we show through chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments that MiR‐27a overexpression impairs the binding of MLL‐AF4 to the HOXA9 promoter. Lastly, we found that MiR‐27a overexpression decreases viability, proliferation, and clonogenicity of t(4;11) cells, whereas it enhances their apoptotic rate. Overall, our study identifies the first microRNAthat strikes in one hit four crucial drivers of blast transformation in t(4;11) leukemia. Therefore, MiR‐27a emerges as a new promising therapeutic target for this aggressive and poorly curable form of leukemia.
GPRC6A is a key mediator of palmitic acid regulation of lipid synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Jin Xin , Zhen Zhen , Wang Zhaoxiong , Gao Xuejun , Li Meng
Published: August 2022

Fatty acids (FAs) can promote lipid synthesis in the mammary gland via stimulating lipogenic gene expression, but the underlying molecular mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, we showed the dose‐dependent effects of palmitic acid (PA) on lipid synthesis in primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) and explored the corresponding molecular mechanism. BMECs were treated with PA (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM), and the 100 μM treatment had the best stimulatory effect on lipid synthesis and expression and maturation of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c (SREBP‐1c) in cells. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) almost totally blocked the stimulation of PA on SREBP‐1c expression, whereas protein kinase Cα (PKCα) knockdown only partially decreased the stimulation of PA on SREBP‐1c expression but abolished the stimulation of PA on its maturation. Knockdown of GPR120 did not change the stimulation of PA on the SREBP‐1c signaling. G protein‐coupled receptor family C group 6 member A  (GPRC6A) knockdown almost totally blocked the stimulation of FA on PI3K and PKCα phosphorylation as well as SREBP‐1c expression and maturation. Furthermore, PA dose‐dependently promoted GPRC6A expression and plasma membrane localization. Together, these above results reveal that GPRC6A is a key mediator of PA signaling to lipid synthesis in BMECs via the PI3K/PKCα–SREBP‐1c pathways.
DMAP: A decentralized matching game theory based optimized Internet of Things application placement in fog computing environment
Authors: Sharma Ankur , Thangaraj Veni
Published: August 2022

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become part of our daily life. IoT applications are used in vast domains such as smart healthcare, smart cities, smart transportation, Industry 4.0, and so forth. However, many IoT applications come under the ultra‐reliable and low‐latency communications category; minimal execution time is crucial for such applications. Limitations such as network reliability and the cloud's multi‐hop distance to the IoT devices can affect providing efficient solutions for IoT applications. Fog computing has emerged as an important paradigm that extends cloud computing by delivering cloud‐like services nearer to the end‐users. Placement of IoT applications onto the appropriate fog nodes has an important influence on the overall execution time of applications and energy consumption of fog nodes. Efficiently deploying IoT applications to fog nodes is difficult due to two factors: fog nodes have varying processing capacity and are geographically located in different places from IoT devices. Hence, this article proposes a decentralized bi‐objective optimization application placement policy, that is, DMAP, to minimize IoT applications' overall execution time and energy consumption of fog nodes. The matching game methodology is used for mapping applications to fog nodes. The performance of DMAP is verified using large‐scale simulation experiments. Experimental results show significant improvement in overall execution time, energy consumption, and scalability compared to the existing solutions.
Modularized hypergraph clustering scheme model for stableVANET
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Dahiya Pawan Kumar , Singh Bijay Kumar
Published: August 2022

VANET transforms vehicles into a social environment, allowing for maximum security and cooperative data transmission. Each vehicle is assigned a cluster, which transfers data to the cluster head (CH). The efficiency of a VANET network is determined by two factors: efficient vehicle groupings and optimal CH selection. This article proposes a novel modularized hypergraph clustering scheme in which the VANET is represented as a hypergraph network clustered using tensor trace maximization with the modularity matrix as the feed. CH is chosen from each cluster based on four vehicle parameters: vehicle speed about neighbors, consensus trust score, link lifetime, and connectivity level. For the final CH selection, all parameters are converted to eigenvalues. The fuzzy decision‐making scheme selects the best CH for all vehicles in that cluster based on a set of four parameters. The proposed algorithm for selecting the stable CH for improved network performance has also been validated and significantly improved using state‐of‐the‐art schemes.
Battery energy management proposition for energy storage using active dc–dc converter
Authors: Alexandre Carvalho Maia Thales , Berrehil El Kattel Menaouar , Perpetuo Corrêa Tomás , Rocha Anderson Vagner , Filho Braz J. Cardoso
Published: August 2022

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are storage facilities used for ancillary services, mainly to support renewable sources operation that can reach megawatts of power. As a consequence, battery packs must be associated, and power electronics are necessary to control power flow. As a consequence, battery packs must be associated, and power electronics are necessary to control power flow, among the different design alternatives for building a BESS. This paper offers an alternative for a BESS based on a new control strategy applied to a two‐stage bidirectional dc–dc converter. The proposed strategy is capable of setting the power flow through voltage/current control during operation based on real‐time battery conditions, extending system life (using optimum dispatchable energy) and increasing reliability and profitability. In addition, State‐of‐Charge and State‐of‐Health are monitored, in order to keep track of aging effects. Moreover, the strategy enables mixing different battery technologies with a wide range of degradation, which can be used to retrofit operational plants or even build new systems focused on second life batteries. Simulation studies are performed using Typhoon HIL604, and a prototype is presented to validate the effectiveness of the methodology of the proposed control strategy.
SARS‐CoV‐2 triggers complement activation through interactions with heparan sulfate
Authors: Lo Martin W , Amarilla Alberto A , Lee John D , Albornoz Eduardo A , Modhiran Naphak , Clark Richard J , Ferro Vito , Chhabra Mohit , Khromykh Alexander A , Watterson Daniel , Woodruff Trent M
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To determine whether SARS‐CoV‐2 can trigger complement activation, the pathways that are involved and the functional significance of the resultant effect.

Methods

SARS‐CoV‐2 was inoculated into a human lepirudin‐anticoagulated whole blood model, which contains a full repertoire of complement factors and leukocytes that express complement receptors. Complement activation was determined by measuring C5a production with an ELISA, and pretreatment with specific inhibitors was used to identify the pathways involved. The functional significance of this was then assessed by measuring markers of C5a signalling including leukocyte C5aR1 internalisation and CD11b upregulation with flow cytometry.

Results

SARS‐CoV‐2 inoculation in this whole blood model caused progressive C5a production over 24 h, which was significantly reduced by inhibitors for factor B, C3, C5 and heparan sulfate. However, this phenomenon could not be replicated in cell‐free plasma, highlighting the requirement for cell surface interactions with heparan sulfate. Functional analysis of this phenomenon revealed that C5aR1 signalling and CD11b upregulation in granulocytes and monocytes was delayed and only occurred after 24 h.

Conclusion

SARS‐CoV‐2 is a noncanonical alternative pathway activator that progressively triggers complement activation through interactions with heparan sulfate.
Clearing your plate for more purpose‐driven work
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: August 2022

In the last column, I wrote about the Management Progression model which shows the progression a person makes into management, moving from a high level of content focus to a primary focus on managing and leading.