bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AestPra – a Meta-methodology for Art and Craft
Authors: Heimer Astrid
Published: October 2022

A vast number of research methods have been developed in recent decades to strengthen the creative arts as disciplinary fields. There is an obvious need for specific methods for the creative arts that established academic scientific methods do not cover. Aside from developing and proposing new research methods, there is a need to map and position specific methods for the creative arts in ways that demonstrate how these methods are connected to other established methods within the academic scientific landscape. In this article that is based on my PhD research in ceramic art processes, I introduce AestPra, a meta-methodology used as a tool in aesthetic practice-based research, where knowledge from explorative processes is emphasised. The AestPra methodology includes a network of approaches, various methodologies, methods and strategies. The concept of aesthetic awareness is central and can be defined as an open attitude and sensitivity towards the interaction between the form and body through the material. Examples from the thesis ‘Grip, to get a grip of form: Concrete and abstract comprehension of form’ are used to shed light on the various aspects of the mode involving reflexive, materialised and data-oriented research processes. AestPra supports the combination of various methods that bring aesthetic, and embodied knowledge into play and that generate links between concrete experiences and theories.
To Research by Two Hands
Authors: Sjøvoll Vibeke , Grothen Geir
Published: October 2022

In this article, we explore artistic research methods by committing ourselves to writing in a sense Cixous is thematizing in her book Three Steps to the Ladder of Writing: a way of writing that includes what is banished, considered unclean, the mute and the missing, and by including drawing in the attempt.
Our article’s starting point is our experiences working with and producing conventional and publishable academic texts. Our experiences have, in ways that still are not transparent to us, made the transition towards achieving the right skills for producing orthodox academic texts more complicated and hurtful than we could imagine. The desired language, the academic, is a language created to represent reality in transparent ways; you are expected to be able to present the world as a series of findings. Our writing and drawing as creations are contrary to this reduction.
The text and the drawings attempt to demonstrate and discuss the possibilities of engaging in writing and drawing as production on its own terms and stop regarding them as activities that mirror what already is. Instead, we aim to experiment and thus maybe create something that was not already there, something new, something that might be missing.
A trajectory data compression algorithm based on spatio-temporal characteristics
Authors: Zhong Yanling , Kong Jinling , Zhang Juqing , Jiang Yizhu , Fan Xiao , Wang Zhuoyue
Published: October 2022

Background

With the growth of trajectory data, the large amount of data causes a lot of problems with storage, analysis, mining, etc. Most of the traditional trajectory data compression methods are focused on preserving spatial characteristic information and pay little attention to other temporal information on trajectory data, such as speed change points or stop points.

Methods

A data compression algorithm based on the spatio-temporal characteristics (CASC) of the trajectory data is proposed to solve this problem. This algorithm compresses trajectory data by taking the azimuth difference, velocity difference and time interval as parameters in order to preserve spatial-temporal characteristics. Microsoft’s Geolife1.3 data set was used for a compression test to verify the validity of the algorithm. The compression results were compared with the traditional Douglas-Peucker (DP), Top-Down Time Ratio (TD-TR) and Opening Window (OPW) algorithms. Compression rate, the direction information of trajectory points, vertical synchronization distance, and algorithm type (online/offline) were used to evaluate the above algorithms.

Results

The experimental results show that with the same compression rate, the ability of the CASC to retain the forward direction trajectory is optimal, followed by TD-TR, DP, and then OPW. The velocity characteristics of the trajectories are also stably retained when the speed threshold value is not more than 100%. Unlike the DP and TD-TR algorithms, CASC is an online algorithm. Compared with OPW, which is also an online algorithm, CASC has better compression quality. The error distributions of the four algorithms have been compared, and CASC is the most stable algorithm. Taken together, CASC outperforms DP, TD-TR and OPW in trajectory compression.
Research on melanoma image segmentation by incorporating medical prior knowledge
Authors: Zhao Hong , Wang Aolong , Zhang Chenpeng
Published: October 2022

Background

Melanoma image segmentation has important clinical value in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. However, due to the difficulty of obtaining data sets, and the sample imbalance, the quality of melanoma image data sets is low, which reduces the accuracy and the effectiveness of computer aided diagnosis of melanoma image.

Objective

In this work, a method of melanoma image segmentation by incorporating medical prior knowledge is proposed to improve the fidelity of melanoma image segmentation.

Methods

Anatomical analysis of the melanoma image reveal the star shape of the melanoma image, which can be encoded into the loss function of the UNet model as a prior knowledge.

Results

Our experimental results on the ISIC-2017 data set demonstrate that the model by incorporating medical prior knowledge obtain a mIoU (Mean Intersection over Union) of 87.41%, a Dice Similarity Coefficient of 93.49%.

Conclusion

Therefore, the model by incorporating medical prior knowledge achieve the first rank in the segmentation task comparing to other models and has high clinical value.
Genome-wide identification, phylogenetic and expression pattern analysis of Dof transcription factors in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)
Authors: Li Tianjie , Wang Xiaoyu , Elango Dinakaran , Zhang Weihua , Li Min , Zhang Fan , Pan Qi , Wu Ying
Published: October 2022

Background

DNA binding with one finger (Dof) proteins are plant-specific transcription factor (TF) that plays a significant role in various biological processes such as plant growth and development, hormone regulation, and resistance to abiotic stress. The Dof genes have been identified and reported in multiple plants, but so far, the whole genome identification and analysis of Dof transcription factors in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) have not been reported yet.

Methods

Using the Vaccinium genome, we have identified 51 VcDof genes in blueberry. We have further analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, collinear analysis, selective evolutionary pressure, cis-acting promoter elements, and tissue and abiotic stress expression patterns.

Results

Fifty-one VcDof genes were divided into eight subfamilies, and the genes in each subfamily contained similar gene structure and motif ordering. A total of 24 pairs of colinear genes were screened; VcDof genes expanded mainly due to whole-genome duplication, which was subjected to strong purifying selection pressure during the evolution. The promoter of VcDof genes contains three types of cis-acting elements for plant growth and development, phytohormone and stress defense responsiveness. Expression profiles of VcDof genes in different tissues and fruit developmental stages of blueberry indicated that VcDof2 and VcDof45 might play a specific role in anthesis and fruit growth and development. Expression profiles of VcDof genes in different stress indicated that VcDof1, VcDof11, and VcDof15 were highly sensitive to abiotic stress. This study provides a theoretical basis for further clarifying the biological function of Dof genes in blueberry.
Effects of artificially-simulated acidification on potential soil nitrification activity and ammonia oxidizing microbial communities in greenhouse conditions
Authors: Zhang Xiaolan , Shan Xuan , Fu Hongdan , Sun Zhouping
Published: October 2022

Background

Nitrification can lead to large quantities of nitrate leaching into the soil during vegetable production, which may result in soil acidification in a greenhouse system. A better understanding is needed of the nitrification process and its microbial mechanisms in soil acidification.

Materials and Methods

A simulated acidification experiment with an artificially manipulated pH environment (T1: pH 7.0; T2: pH 6.5; T3: pH 6.0; T4: pH 5.5; T5: pH 4.5) was conducted in potted tomatoes grown in greenhouse conditions. The abundance and community structures of ammonia oxidizers under different pH environment were analyzed using q-PCR and high-throughput sequencing methods, respectively.

Results and discussions

Soil acidification was accompanied by a reduction of soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), NH3 concentration, and enzyme activities. The abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in the soil was higher than that of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in soils with a pH of 6.93 to 5.33. The opposite trend was observed when soil pH was 4.21. In acidified soils, the dominant strain of AOB was Nitrosospira, while the dominant strain of AOA was Nitrososphaera. The abundance and community structure of ammonia oxidizers were mainly affected by soil pH, NH4+ content, and microbial biomass. Soil nitrification activity (PNA) has a relationship with both AOA and AOB, in which the abundance of AOA was the crucial factor affecting PNA.

Conclusions

PNA was co-dominated by AOA and AOB in soils with simulated acidification. Changes of soil pH, NH4+, and microbial biomass caused by acidification were the main factors for the differences in the ammonia-oxidizing microbial community in greenhouse soils. Under acidic conditions (pH < 5), the pH significantly inhibited nitrification and had a strong negative effect on the production of tomatoes in greenhouse conditions.
Implementación del aprendizaje basado en proyectos en centros de educación media uruguayos
Authors:   Universidad Católica de Uruguay, Pérez Aguirre Rosina , González Espada Wilson ,   Morehead State University, Sarasola Bonetti Marcos ,   Universidad Católica de Uruguay
Published: October 2022

El aprendizaje basado en proyectos (ABP) es una metodología centrada en el alumno poco común en los centros educativos de Uruguay. Esta investigación midió la percepción de los estudiantes sobre la implementación de ABP y documentó los éxitos y retos de los profesores durante la misma. Los datos demostraron una implementación exitosa; sin embargo, los docentes enfrentaron retos como la calidad de la capacitación, la actitud de resistencia de algunos docentes, la inexperiencia de los estudiantes con la metodología, la presión del profesor por cubrir contenido, y problemas de infraestructura y conexión a Internet.
Serum Levels of Inflammatory Markers in Newly Diagnosed Hypothyroid Patients Before and After Levothyroxine Therapy
Authors: Goyal Shilpi , Dixit Abhinav , Vaney Neelam , Madhu SV
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Cytokines have a great significance in autoimmune thyroid disease. They are produced by thyroid follicular cells and have an indispensable role in T-cell and B-cell growth and differentiation. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine having numerous immunological and metabolic activities and is an important stimulus for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Interleukins play an important role in immune system function. Their deficiency causes autoimmune diseases or immune deficiency. Aim: To assess inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF- α in hypothyroidism before and after attainment of euthyroid state by levothyroxine therapy and to find the correlation between serum levels of TNF-α and hypothyroid state. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Department of Physiology at University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India, from January 2013 to October 2013. Total 30 newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients of the age group 18-45 years formed case group and 30 age and sexmatched subjects formed the control group, were recruited for the study. The patients were given levothyroxine replacement therapy for three months. The inflammatory biomarkers level was evaluated using solid-phase sandwich Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), using kits from Diaclone. Paired and Unpaired t-tests respectively were used for hypothyroid patients in pre-post state and between two groups at baseline. Serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels of hypothyroid patients were correlated with serum levels of inflammatory markers using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: There was no statistical difference in age, sex, body mass index and lipid profile in the two groups. Hypothyroidism subjects achieved euthyroidism in three months months after obtaining levothyroxine therapy with the mean TSH levels 26.43±10.244 vs 3.4863±0.1963, mean free T3 levels 0.2980±.09408 vs 1.93±0.5690 and mean free T4 levels 0.2736±0.0973 vs 1.8986±0.2853 in pre-post states respectively. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher (p-value<0.001) in hypothyroid subjects compared to euthyroid controls. A positive correlation between serum levels of IL-6 (r-value= 0.5778, p-value= 0.0008) and TNF-α (r-value= 0.521, p-value= 0.003) with serum TSH levels were found. Conclusion: The study reported a significant effect of levothyroxine therapy in restoring serum levels of raised inflammatory markers among hypothyroid patients. A decrease in low-grade chronic inflammation after treatment showed some clinical importance as chronic inflammation is known to be associated with atherosclerosis and cardiac disease.
ЗЕМНЫЕ БУДНИ КОСМИЧЕСКОЙ ОБСЕРВАТОРИИ, "Земля и Вселенная"
Authors: Назаров В.Н.
Published: October 2022

Космический эксперимент состоит из двух сегментов: бортового, включающего в себя сам космический аппарат с его инженерными системами и комплексом научной аппаратуры, и наземного, который обеспечивает различные средства для приема информации с бортового сегмента, ее обработку, а также планирование работы и непосредственное управление бортовым сегментом. На примере проекта «Спектр-РГ» в статье рассматриваются основные задачи наземного сегмента, его роль в проведении космического эксперимента, конструктивные и функциональные особенности.
УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ РЕГИСТРАЦИИ МЫШЕЧНОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ МЕТОДОМ ПОВЕРХНОСТНОЙ ЭЛЕКТРОМИОГРАФИИ, "Электронная техника. Серия 3. Микроэлектроника"
Authors: Елисеичев Е.А. , Михайлов В.В. , Беляев В.Ю. , Жилин Р.М. , Сенаторова Е.О.
Published: October 2022

В статье представлены результаты разработки устройства для регистрации мышечной активности методом поверхностной электромиографии – схема электрическая функциональная ЭМГ-датчика поверхностного типа, общая функциональная схема устройства с описанием основных узлов (компонентной базы) и их взаимодействия между собой. Показаны результаты экспериментальных работ по регистрации мышечной активности в области предплечья здоровой человеческой руки. Проведено сравнение результатов, полученных с помощью разработанного ЭМГ-датчика и ЭМГ-датчиков от производителей-конкурентов. На основании полученных результатов сделаны выводы об эффективности работы устройства и возможностях его применения.
ОПЫТ РАБОТЫ ОТДЕЛА МИКРОБИОЛОГИИ ФГБНУ «ЦНИИТ» В УСЛОВИЯХ ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19, "Вестник ЦНИИТ"
Authors: Смирнова Т.Г. , Андреевская С.Н. , Ларионова Е.Е. , Черноусова Л.Н.
Published: October 2022

В статье представлен опыт работы отдела микробиологии ФГБНУ «ЦНИИТ» в условиях пандемии COVID-19. Предложен оригинальный подход, основанный на новейших разработках в области ускоренной диагностики туберкулеза (ТБ), микобактериоза и новой коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19, который позволяет в течение нескольких часов от момента поступления в лабораторию диагностического материала получить результат тестирования на соответствующие заболевания. Обновленный алгоритм позволяет оптимизировать диагностику и повысить эффективность исследований, необходимых в учреждениях фтизиатрического профиля в текущей ситуации.
Developing Building Management System Framework using Web-based-GIS and BIM Integration
Authors: Narindri Brigitta Petra Kartika , Nugroho Arief Setiawan Budi , Aminullah Akhmad
Published: October 2022

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information systems (GIS) are two digital system innovations advantageously applied in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sectors. GIS and BIM integration development is indispensable in building and infrastructure management. This integration promises several benefits for the operational phase of buildings and infrastructures. However, it faces challenges in data transformation and collaboration. This study proposes a framework and model for a web-based building management platform. The framework is developed by transforming BIM data into the GIS environment using the latest technology from ArcGIS. It allows data-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, help build management, and is valuable for decision-making. The stakeholders, who do not need a BIM-GIS expert, could virtually see the report and updates of this building model every time.
Fulfillment of Postmarket Commitments and Requirements for New Drugs Approved by the FDA, 2013-2016
Authors: Brown Beatrice L. , Mitra-Majumdar Mayookha , Darrow Jonathan J. , Moneer Osman , Pham Catherine , Avorn Jerry , Kesselheim Aaron S.
Published: October 2022

This cohort study used the Drugs@FDA database to identify new drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and assess fulfillment of postmarket commitments and requirements.
Association of UV Radiation Exposure, Diagnostic Scrutiny, and Melanoma Incidence in US Counties
Authors: Adamson Adewole S. , Welch Heather , Welch H. Gilbert
Published: October 2022

Importance

Although UV radiation exposure is the conventionally reported risk factor for cutaneous melanoma, an alternative exposure is diagnostic scrutiny: the more physicians look for and biopsy moles, the more melanoma they find.

Objective

To assess the association of proxies for UV radiation exposure and diagnostic scrutiny with geographical patterns of melanoma incidence.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a cross-sectional ecological analysis of the 727 continental US counties reporting to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (among a total of 3108 counties). Environmental data relevant to UV radiation exposure (from a variety of sources), Health Resources and Services Administration data relevant to diagnostic scrutiny, and SEER data on melanoma incidence among the non-Hispanic White population diagnosed with melanoma from 2012 through 2016 were combined. Data analysis was performed between January 2020 and July 2022.

Exposures

Three UV radiation proxies (UV daily dose, cloud variability, and temperature variability) and 3 diagnostic scrutiny proxies (median household income, dermatologists, and primary care physician supply).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Melanoma incidence (in situ and invasive cancers).

Results

In total, 235 333 melanomas were diagnosed. Proxies for UV radiation exposure changed gradually across geography, while melanoma incidence and proxies for diagnostic scrutiny changed abruptly across contiguous counties. The UV daily dose, a variable the National Cancer Institute specifically developed for melanoma analyses, was uncorrelated with incidence (r = 0.03; P = .42). For context, smoking prevalence was highly correlated with lung cancer incidence in the same counties (r = 0.81; P < .001). Melanoma incidence was correlated with median household income (r = 0.43; P < .001). Counties with no dermatologists and shortages of primary care physicians had the lowest incidence, while counties amply supplied with both had the highest, despite having lower mean UV daily dose. There was little association between melanoma incidence and melanoma mortality (r = 0.09; P = .05), while the analogous association in lung cancer was strong (r = 0.96; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional ecological study, the current geographical pattern of melanoma incidence across US counties was less associated with proxies for UV radiation exposure and more so with proxies for diagnostic scrutiny. Incidence—the fundamental epidemiologic measure of disease frequency—now had little association with the feared outcome of melanoma: death.
Comparison of a Target Trial Emulation Framework vs Cox Regression to Estimate the Association of Corticosteroids With COVID-19 Mortality
Authors: Hoffman Katherine L. , Schenck Edward J. , Satlin Michael J. , Whalen William , Pan Di , Williams Nicholas , Díaz Iván
Published: October 2022

Importance

Communication and adoption of modern study design and analytical techniques is of high importance for the improvement of clinical research from observational data.

Objective

To compare a modern method for statistical inference, including a target trial emulation framework and doubly robust estimation, with approaches common in the clinical literature, such as Cox proportional hazards models.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used longitudinal electronic health record data for outcomes at 28-days from time of hospitalization within a multicenter New York, New York, hospital system. Participants included adult patients hospitalized between March 1 and May 15, 2020, with COVID-19 and not receiving corticosteroids for chronic use. Data were analyzed from October 2021 to March 2022.

Exposures

Corticosteroid exposure was defined as more than 0.5 mg/kg methylprednisolone equivalent in a 24-hour period. For target trial emulation, exposures were corticosteroids for 6 days if and when a patient met criteria for severe hypoxia vs no corticosteroids. For approaches common in clinical literature, treatment definitions used for variables in Cox regression models varied by study design (no time frame, 1 day, and 5 days from time of severe hypoxia).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was 28-day mortality from time of hospitalization. The association of corticosteroids with mortality for patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) meta-analysis of corticosteroid randomized clinical trials as a benchmark.

Results

A total of 3298 patients (median [IQR] age, 65 [53-77] years; 1970 [60%] men) were assessed, including 423 patients who received corticosteroids at any point during hospitalization and 699 patients who died within 28 days of hospitalization. Target trial emulation analysis found corticosteroids were associated with a reduced 28-day mortality rate, from 32.2%; (95% CI, 30.9%-33.5%) to 25.7% (95% CI, 24.5%-26.9%). This estimate is qualitatively identical to the WHO meta-analysis odds ratio of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53-0.82). Hazard ratios using methods comparable with current corticosteroid research range in size and direction, from 0.50 (95% CI, 0.41-0.62) to 1.08 (95% CI, 0.80-1.47).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that clinical research based on observational data can be used to estimate findings similar to those from randomized clinical trials; however, the correctness of these estimates requires designing the study and analyzing the data based on principles that are different from the current standard in clinical research.
Herpes simplex virus and rates of cognitive decline or whole brain atrophy in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Authors: Warren‐Gash Charlotte , Cadogan Sharon L. , Nicholas Jennifer M. , Breuer Judith M. , Shah Divya , Pearce Neil , Shiekh Suhail , Smeeth Liam , Farlow Martin R. , Mori Hiroshi , Gordon Brian A. , Nuebling Georg , McDade Eric , Bateman Randall J. , Schofield Peter R. , Lee Jae‐Hong , Morris John C. , Cash David M. , Fox Nick C. , Ridha Basil H. , Rossor Martin N. ,   for the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Published: October 2022

Objective

To investigate whether herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) infection was associated with rates of cognitive decline or whole brain atrophy among individuals from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN).

Methods

Among two subsets of the DIAN cohort (age range 19.6–66.6 years; median follow‐up 3.0 years) we examined (i) rate of cognitive decline (N = 164) using change in mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) score, (ii) rate of whole brain atrophy (N = 149), derived from serial MR imaging, calculated using the boundary shift integral (BSI) method. HSV‐1 antibodies were assayed in baseline sera collected from 2009–2015. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to compare outcomes by HSV‐1 seropositivity and high HSV‐1 IgG titres/IgM status.

Results

There was no association between baseline HSV‐1 seropositivity and rates of cognitive decline or whole brain atrophy. Having high HSV‐1 IgG titres/IgM was associated with a slightly greater decline in MMSE points per year (difference in slope − 0.365, 95% CI: −0.958 to −0.072), but not with rate of whole brain atrophy. Symptomatic mutation carriers declined fastest on both MMSE and BSI measures, however, this was not influenced by HSV‐1. Among asymptomatic mutation carriers, rates of decline on MMSE and BSI were slightly greater among those who were HSV‐1 seronegative. Among mutation‐negative individuals, no differences were seen by HSV‐1. Stratifying by APOE4 status yielded inconsistent results.

Interpretation

We found no evidence for a major role of HSV‐1, measured by serum antibodies, in cognitive decline or whole brain atrophy among individuals at high risk of early‐onset AD.
Are Halide‐Perovskites Suitable Materials for Battery and Solar‐Battery Applications–Fundamental Reconsiderations on Solubility, Lithium Intercalation, and Photo‐Corrosion
Authors: Büttner Jan , Berestok Taisiia , Burger Stephan , Schmitt Manuel , Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald , Krossing Ingo , Fischer Anna
Published: October 2022

In recent years the development of autonomous photo‐rechargeable batteries has received growing attention. Especially highly integrated photobatteries based on multifunctional materials able to harvest sunlight and store charge carriers are the holy grail amongst such devices. Recently 2‐(1‐cyclohexenyl)ethyl ammonium lead iodide (CHPI) has been reported as multifunctional photoelectrode material for the design of highly integrated Li‐ion photobatteries. CHPI is thereby believed to be able to reversibly intercalate Li‐ions from polar carbonate‐based electrolytes, typically used in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, CHPI is examined closer to investigate its stability against dissolution, the possibility of Li‐intercalation and photo‐assisted deintercalation, and its general behavior under illumination in standard carbonate‐based electrolytes as well as in a newly developed low polarity electrolyte based on ortho‐difluorobenzene (o‐DFB). This study demonstrates that CHPI dissolves in contact with carbonate‐based electrolytes while being stable in o‐DFB‐based electrolyte and that no Li‐intercalation takes place in the latter. Furthermore, CHPI irreversibly photo‐corrodes during illumination and photo‐assisted deintercalation of lithium ions is not detected. These results lead to the conclusion, that CHPI is neither a suitable nor a stable material for the design of Li‐ion‐based photo‐rechargeable batteries and similar behavior for other organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite materials is expected.
Catalytic Biomaterials and Nanomedicines with Exogenous and Endogenous Activations
Authors: Huang Hui , Wang Zeyu , Chen Liang , Yu Hong , Chen Yu
Published: October 2022

Catalytic therapy can concurrently enhance therapeutic efficacy and decrease side effects by converting less toxic or nontoxic endogenous substances into various highly toxic reactive species (e.g., toxic radicals) to induce cell apoptosis/necrosis, which has been exploited to combat different types of diseases. As material science and nanotechnology evolve for application in disease therapies, a variety of catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines have been elaborately designed and synthesized to mediate catalytic reactions and/or enhance the corresponding catalytic treatment efficacy. This review systematically summarizes, outlines, and discusses the state‐of‐the‐art advances in the development and use of catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines in diverse biomedical applications, particularly concentrating on their endogenous activators, exogenous stimuli (e.g., light, heat, ultrasound, and magnetic field), and the integration of endogenous and exogenous triggers to improve the efficacy of biomaterial/nanomedicine‐enabled catalytic treatments. The biosafety and biocompatibility of various catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines for biomedical applications are also discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities for advancement of catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines are highlighted, aiming to boost their early fulfillment of practical clinical applications.
Current Status of Korea's Industry–Academia Cooperation in Materials and Future Policy Directions
Authors: Kim Sung Soo
Published: October 2022

The current status and policy directions of Republic of Korea's industry–academia cooperation in materials research are introduced. Industry–academia cooperation has various forms, such as contract research, joint research, technology transfer, technology assistance, as well as talent development between universities and industry. The actual characteristics of industry–academia cooperation are differentiated, depending on research models such as curiosity‐driven research, market‐driven research, and scenario‐driven research. In addition, there are diverse forms of cooperation, ranging from attaining one‐off cooperation goals, to implementing a series of cooperation, to forging sustainable partnership through sharing of values. The efforts and tasks supporting industry–academia cooperation, and the diverse industry–academia cooperative activities, are considered herein from the perspective of the Korean government's policy. Policy recommendations for the industry–academia cooperation, based on the current state and tasks of materials field, are also suggested.
Light‐Triggered Sustainable Defect‐Passivation for Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics
Authors: Shi Yi‐Ran , Wang Kai‐Li , Lou Yan‐Hui , Liu Gen‐Lin , Chen Chun‐Hao , Chen Jing , Zhang Liang , Wang Zhao‐Kui
Published: October 2022

The generation of photoinduced defects and freely moving halogen ions is dynamically updated in real time. Accordingly, most reported strategies are static and short‐term, which make their improvements in photostability very limited. Therefore, seeking new passivation strategies to match the dynamic characteristics of defect generation is very urgent. Without newly generated defects, a passivation molecule should exist in the configuration that would not become the initiation sites for defect generation. With newly generated defects, the passivation molecule should transfer into the other configuration that possesses the passivation sites. Herein, a classical photoisomeric molecule, spiropyran, is adopted, whose pre‐ and post‐isomeric forms meet the requirements for two different configurations, to realize the state transition once the photoinduced defects appear during subsequent operation and dynamic capture for continuous renewal of defects. Consequently, spiropyrans work as light‐triggered and self‐healing sustainable passivation sites to realize continuous defect repair. The target devices retain 93% and 99% of their initial power conversion efficiencies after 456 h aging under ultraviolet illumination and 1200 h aging under full‐spectrum illumination, respectively. This work provides a novel concept of sustainable passivation strategy to realize continuous defect‐passivation and film‐healing in perovskite photovoltaics.
Modulation of Polymer Brush Properties by Tuning Dispersity
Authors: Pester Christian W. , Benetti Edmondo M.
Published: October 2022

Modulating the structural parameters of polymer brushes represents a versatile approach for adjusting the interfacial and physicochemical properties of macroscopic and nanoscopic materials. In addition to molar mass and grafting density (σ), dispersity (Ð) is emerging as an alternative means to tune interfacial characteristics, especially when polymer brushes are applied to formulate composite materials, or when these are grown from substrates that are intended to encounter biological media. Here it is highlighted how a variation of Ð can be exploited to generate polymer interfaces with strikingly different properties while retaining their chemical composition. In addition, it is outlined how tuning of Ð of a polymer brush is enabled by recent advances in polymer chemistry, for example, reversible deactivation radical polymerizations (RDRPs), and/or by exploiting alternative expedients during the grafting process.
Laminated Transparent Woods with Adjustable Optical and Enhanced Mechanical Properties
Authors: Wu Jiamin , Liang Yunyi , Xia Changlei , Ma Xinxin , Fei Benhua , Wu Yingji , Ge Shengbo , Lu Jianxiong , Li Jianzhang , Xia Zhenhai
Published: October 2022

Transparent wood is promising for energy‐saving buildings, but its poor mechanical properties in transverse direction dramatically limit its applications. To resolve the problem, a novel processing technology is developed to fabricate laminated transparent woods. Various kinds of transparent woods are prepared by stacking partially impregnated woods in different styles and then compressing them. The wood template contents in these transparent woods are significantly increased by the partial impregnation compared with traditional full impregnation. The influence of lamination structures on the properties of the transparent woods is also evaluated. As the number of laminate layers increases from one to three, the optical transmittance reduces from ≈70% to 44%, respectively, while the haze increases from 32% to 66%. The isotropy of scatter light distribution could be achieved by controlling lamination structures for more uniformity in indoor illumination. The mechanical properties of the transparent woods are dramatically enhanced, and the highest tensile and flexural strength can reach 134.0 and 192.3 MPa, respectively. Additionally, the direction‐dependence of mechanical strength is reduced by cross‐laminating. The adjustable optical features, excellent mechanical strengths, and low thermal conductivity endow the prepared transparent woods a promising candidate for energy‐efficient buildings applications.
Broadband and Output‐Controllable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Enabled by Coupling Swing‐Rotation Switching Mechanism with Potential Energy Storage/Release Strategy for Low‐Frequency Mechanical Energy Harvesting
Authors: Cao Bao , Wang Peihong , Rui Pinshu , Wei Xiaoxiang , Wang Zixun , Yang Yaowen , Tu Xinbo , Chen Chen , Wang Zhongzhu , Yang Zhuoqing , Jiang Tao , Cheng Jia , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: October 2022

Irregular and low‐frequency mechanical energy, including ocean energy, is widely distributed but mostly wasted. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been proved as a very promising ocean energy harvesting technology. However, the traditional cylindrical pendulum TENG (CP‐TENG) can only work effectively in a narrow frequency bandwidth. In this work, a triboelectric nanogenerator enabled by coupling the swing‐rotation switching mechanism with a potential energy storage/release strategy (SR‐TENG) is presented. It can convert various swing/vibration mechanical energies into electric energy, and it has a controllable output performance whether it works under intermittent rotation mode or continuous rotation mode. This coupling results enable SR‐TENG to efficiently harvest low‐frequency mechanical energy from 0.3 to 5 Hz. Therefore, its bandwidth is about four times larger than that of CP‐TENG. The peak power density of SR‐TENG can reach 10.1 W m−3 at 1.8 Hz and 15.4 W m−3 at 5 Hz, respectively. Moreover, its durability is improved greatly due to its non‐contact working mode. Based on this SR‐TENG, several applications toward smart ocean, including a self‐powered and wireless hydrological information monitoring system, are demonstrated successfully. These strategies are very helpful to improve the bandwidth, the output performance, and the durability of TENGs.
Interdot Lead Halide Excess Management in PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells
Authors: Albaladejo‐Siguan Miguel , Becker‐Koch David , Baird Elizabeth C. , Hofstetter Yvonne J. , Carwithen Ben P. , Kirch Anton , Reineke Sebastian , Bakulin Artem A. , Paulus Fabian , Vaynzof Yana
Published: October 2022

Light‐harvesting devices made from lead sulfide quantum dot (QD) absorbers are one of the many promising technologies of third‐generation photovoltaics. Their simple, solution‐based fabrication, together with a highly tunable and broad light absorption makes their application in newly developed solar cells, particularly promising. In order to yield devices with reduced voltage and current losses, PbS QDs need to have strategically passivated surfaces, most commonly achieved through lead iodide and bromide passivation. The interdot spacing is then predominantly filled with residual amorphous lead halide species that remain from the ligand exchange, thus hindering efficient charge transport and reducing device stability. Herein, it is demonstrated that a post‐treatment by iodide‐based 2‐phenylethlyammonium salts and intermediate 2D perovskite formation can be used to manage the lead halide excess in the PbS QD active layer. This treatment results in improved device performance and increased shelf‐life stability, demonstrating the importance of interdot spacing management in PbS QD photovoltaics.
Event‐related potential and neuropsychological function in depressed older adults with cognitive impairment: A correlational study
Authors: Khan Zainab , Saif Ashi , Chaudhry Neera , Parveen Adila
Published: October 2022

Background

Increased depression severity has been linked to cognitive functioning impairment, such as deficits in episodic memory and executive function, causing difficulties in planning strategies, which ultimately lead to impaired decision‐making functions. There are number of ways to assess cognitive functions, two most important and routinely done tests are neuropsychological test battery (NBT) and event‐related potentials (ERPs).

Objective

This study examines the relationship between conventional neuropsychological tests assessing various cognitive domains and an ERP‐P300 in depressed older adults.

Methods

Forty‐six depressed elderly subjects participated in the study. NBT (Pennsylvania's Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery [Penn CNP]) assessing attention, episodic memory, working memory, social cognition, complex cognition, and sensorimotor speed and ERP‐P300 (amplitude μV and latency ms) was recorded using an auditory oddball paradigm.

Results

Correlation test was run and Pearson’s analysis and revealed that there was a negative statistically significant linear correlation between working memory on NBT and P300 wave amplitude on ERP‐P300 (r = −0.34, P = 0.021) and between complex cognition on NBT and P300 wave latency on ERP‐P300 (r = −0.47, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between other tests on NBT and ERP‐P300 wave characteristics. Further, the regression analysis (R2) revealed that P300 amplitude was found to significantly predict the working memory (R2 = 0.116) and P300 latency was found to significantly predict the complex cognition (R2 = 0.224).

Conclusion

Therefore, we conclude that neurophysiological measurements cannot be substituted by neuropsychological tests or vice versa; rather, higher brain functions should be estimated by both of the methods.
Chinese expert consensus on prevention and intervention for the elderly with malnutrition (2022)
Authors: Mao Yongjun , Wu Jianqing , Liu Gongxiang , Yu Yao , Chen Bo , Liu Jia , Wang Jianye , Yu Pulin , Zhang Cuntai , Wu Jinhui ,   Geriatrics Branch, Chinese Medical Association, and the expert group of the Chinese Expert Consensus on Prevention and Intervention for the Elderly with Malnutrition
Published: October 2022

Malnutrition is a state of altered body composition and body cell mass due to inadequate intake or utilization of energy or nutrients, leading to physical and mental dysfunction and impaired clinical outcomes. As one of the most common geriatric syndromes, malnutrition in the elderly is a significant risk factor for poor clinical outcomes, causing a massive burden on medical resources and society. The risk factors for malnutrition in the elderly are diverse and include demographics, chronic diseases, and psychosocial factors. Presently, recommendations for the prevention and intervention of malnutrition in the elderly are not clear or consistent in China. This consensus is based on the latest global evidence and multiregional clinical experience in China, which aims to standardize the prevention and intervention of malnutrition in the elderly in China and improve the efficacy of clinical practice and the prognosis of elderly patients.
Intelligent Interactive Control via Haptic E‐skin for Human–Robot Interaction and Collaboration
Authors: Li Guozhen , Zhu Rong
Published: October 2022

Human–robot interaction and collaboration are emerging as critical and necessary technologies as robots become more commonplace in our lives. Haptic perception and intelligent control are essential to ensure safe and dexterous interactions between humans and robots. Traditional interaction methods using robot proprioceptors rely on robot dynamic models that complicate robotic controls and narrow their adaptabilities. Herein, an intelligent interactive control method is proposed based on a generalized virtual spring‐damping force‐touch mechanism using haptic e‐skin, which converts contact forces and contact positions on the e‐skin to generalized forces for implementing robot compliance controls of multidimensional movements. By touching the e‐skin mounted on a robot arm, a human can readily manipulate the robot arm, achieving flexible movement and rotation. An intelligent architecture of human–robot‐in‐the‐loop is proposed to accomplish versatile interactive and collaborative actions. A task learning is demonstrated for a robot from human, that is, a human teaches a robot how to pick up, carry, and place an object into a box by hand‐by‐hand teaching, which shows promising prospects in intelligent robot applications.
Solving the 3‐Satisfiability Problem Using Network‐Based Biocomputation
Authors: Zhu Jingyuan , Salhotra Aseem , Meinecke Christoph Robert , Surendiran Pradheebha , Lyttleton Roman , Reuter Danny , Kugler Hillel , Diez Stefan , Månsson Alf , Linke Heiner , Korten Till
Published: October 2022

The 3‐satisfiability Problem (3‐SAT) is a demanding combinatorial problem that is of central importance among the nondeterministic polynomial (NP) complete problems, with applications in circuit design, artificial intelligence, and logistics. Even with optimized algorithms, the solution space that needs to be explored grows exponentially with the increasing size of 3‐SAT instances. Thus, large 3‐SAT instances require excessive amounts of energy to solve with serial electronic computers. Network‐based biocomputation (NBC) is a parallel computation approach with drastically reduced energy consumption. NBC uses biomolecular motors to propel cytoskeletal filaments through nanofabricated networks that encode mathematical problems. By stochastically exploring possible paths through the networks, the cytoskeletal filaments find possible solutions. However, to date, no NBC algorithm for 3‐SAT has been available. Herein, an algorithm that converts 3‐SAT into an NBC‐compatible network format is reported and four small 3‐SAT instances (with up to three variables and five clauses) using the actin–myosin biomolecular motor system are experimentally solved. Because practical polynomial conversions to 3‐SAT exist for many important NP complete problems, the result opens the door to enable NBC to solve small instances of a wide range of problems.
Comprehensive genetic screening for vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome through an amplification‐based next‐generation sequencing system
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomomi , Hayashi Shujiro , Hayashi Daisuke , Matsuyama Takeshi , Koitabashi Norimichi , Ogiwara Kenichi , Noda Masaaki , Nakada Chiai , Fujiki Shinya , Furutachi Akira , Tanabe Yasuhiko , Yamanaka Michiko , Ishikawa Aki , Mizukami Miyako , Mizuguchi Asako , Sugiura Kazumitsu , Sumi Makoto , Yamazawa Hirokuni , Izawa Atsushi , Wada Yuko , Fujikawa Tomomi , Takiguchi Yuri , Wakui Keiko , Takano Kyoko , Nishio Shin‐Ya , Kosho Tomoki
Published: October 2022

Vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder (HCTD) characterized by arterial dissection/aneurysm/rupture, sigmoid colon rupture, or uterine rupture. Diagnosis is confirmed by detecting heterozygous variants in COL3A1. This is the largest Asian case series and the first to apply an amplification‐based next‐generation sequencing through custom panels of causative genes for HCTDs, including a specific method of evaluating copy number variations. Among 429 patients with suspected HCTDs analyzed, 101 were suspected to have vEDS, and 33 of them (32.4%) were found to have COL3A1 variants. Two patients with a clinical diagnosis of Loeys–Dietz syndrome and/or familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection were also found to have COL3A1 variants. Twenty cases (57.1%) had missense variants leading to glycine (Gly) substitutions in the triple helical domain, one (2.9%) had a missense variant leading to non‐Gly substitution in this domain, eight (22.9%) had splice site alterations, three (8.6%) had nonsense variants, two (5.7%) had in‐frame deletions, and one (2.9%) had a multi‐exon deletion, including two deceased patients analyzed with formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded samples. This is a clinically useful system to detect a wide spectrum of variants from various types of samples.