bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the importance of interspecific interactions in the evolution of microbial communities
Authors: Raynaud Tiffany , Blouin Manuel , Devers‐Lamrani Marion , Garmyn Dominique , Spor Aymé
Published: November 2022

Interspecific interactions play an important role in the establishment of a community phenotype. Furthermore, the evolution of a community can both occur through an independent evolution of the species composing the community and the interactions among them. In this study, we investigated how important the evolution of interspecific interactions was in the evolutionary response of eight two‐bacterial species communities regarding productivity. We found evidence for an evolution of the interactions in half of the studied communities, which gave rise to a mean change of 15% in community productivity as compared to what was expected from the individual responses. Even when the interactions did not evolve themselves, they influenced the evolutionary responses of the bacterial strains within the communities, which further affected community response. We found that evolution within a community often promoted the adaptation of the bacterial strains to the abiotic environment, especially for the dominant strain in a community. Overall, this study suggested that the evolution of the interspecific interactions was frequent and that it could increase community response to evolution.
Functional traits and phylogeny explain snake distribution in the world's largest dry forest ecoregion, the Gran Chaco
Authors: Cabral Hugo , Guedes Thaís B. , Santana Diego J.
Published: November 2022

Macroecological studies describe large‐scale diversity patterns through analyses of species distribution patterns and allows us to elucidate how species differing in ecology, physical requirements, and life histories are distributed in a multidimensional space. These patterns of distributions can be explained by vegetation, and climatic factors, and are determined by historical and current factors. The continuous accumulation of information on the distribution patterns of species is essential to understand the history and evolution of the biota. In this study, we aimed to identify functional and evolutionary drivers that explain the geographic patterns of vertical stratification. We compiled morphological, ecological, and distribution data of 140 species of Chacoan snakes and constructed null models to map their geographic pattern. We used a range of environmental variables to assess which drivers are influencing these biogeographic patterns. Lastly, we used evolutionary data to build the first map of the phylogenetic regions of Chacoan snakes. We found a latitudinal pattern, with a marked verticality in the snake assemblies in the Chaco. Verticality and long‐tailed species richness increased in areas with high stratified habitats and stable temperature. Fossoriality is driven mainly by soil conditions, especially soils with fewer sand particles and less stratified habitat. Phylogenetic regions in the Chaco showed a marked latitudinal pattern, like that observed in the geographic pattern of verticality. The distribution pattern of Chacoan snakes also reflects their evolutionary history, with a marked phylogenetic regionalization.
Traceability in Battery Cell Production
Authors: Wessel Jacob , Schoo Alexander , Kwade Arno , Herrmann Christoph
Published: November 2022

The manufacturing of lithium‐ion battery (LIB) cells has been identified as a hotspot addressing growing price competition and the environmental and economic pressures on technologies along the value creation chain. Effective quality management strategies (QMS) are essential to meet these rising challenges. Herein, data‐driven technologies have fostered an improved understanding of existing process–structure–properties and their process chain covering interdependencies. However, there are often limited in their capability due to the lack of availability or in‐depth information about the manufactured product, existing incidences (i.e., product faults), and the possibility to deploy inline QMS due to insufficient knowledge about the history and condition of the identified products. Against this background, this work describes the implementation of a traceability system as part of QMS for battery cell production and presents a developed framework to overcome challenges from an LIB production perspective for traditional traceability approaches. In addition, this article discusses the implementation of technologies, focusing on the identification and traceability on electrode‐sheet level through continuous and feature‐based approaches. With those technologies implemented, the deployment of quality gates within the electrode production is now possible to not only improve quality inline, but also discover new possibilities for future electrode balancing to reduce manufacturing costs and the overall environmental impact.
Data transmission reduction techniques for improving network lifetime in wireless sensor networks: An up‐to‐date survey from 2017 to 2022
Authors: Jain Khushboo , Kumar Anoop , Singh Akansha
Published: November 2022

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have now become a substantial part of our life as it provides an incredible setup for monitoring environmental conditions such as glaciers melting, earthquakes, climate change, volcanic eruption, agriculture, and other natural calamities. One of the most important challenges in data gathering and examining accurate data is “energy consumption.” However, continuously changing environmental conditions, mobility in devices and extreme resource usage, such as battery capacity in WSNs collectively contribute to a high possibility of redundant data transmission thus making it tremendously hard to achieve a satisfactory network lifetime. Additionally, these environmental monitoring applications periodically senses and aggregate data which usually exhibits high temporal and spatial redundancies. As a result, exploiting these redundancies is essential for both resource utilization, as well as accurate data transmission. Since a huge amount of energy is exhausted in transmitting the redundant data, which has become a bottleneck in scaling such applications. In this context, this article provides a thorough examination of existing energy‐efficient redundant data transmission reduction techniques, as well as their strengths and drawbacks. The idea of redundant data transmission reduction concept is divided into three stages: the sensor nodes (SN) at the first stage, the cluster heads (CHs) at the second stage, and the base station (BS) at the third stage. Furthermore, this survey focuses on the current issues and challenges, as well as the future directions in reducing redundant data transmission for future investigation.
Sex-dependent effects of parental age on offspring fitness in a cooperatively breeding bird
Authors: Sparks Alexandra M. , Hammers Martijn , Komdeur Jan , Burke Terry , Richardson David S. , Dugdale Hannah L.
Published: November 2022

Parental age can have considerable effects on offspring phenotypes and health. However, intergenerational effects may also have longer term effects on offspring fitness. Few studies have investigated parental age effects on offspring fitness in natural populations while also testing for sex- and environment-specific effects. Further, longitudinal parental age effects may be masked by population-level processes such as the selective disappearance of poor-quality individuals. Here, we used multigenerational data collected on individually marked Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis) to investigate the impact of maternal and paternal age on offspring life span and lifetime reproductive success. We found negative effects of maternal age on female offspring life span and lifetime reproductive success, which were driven by within-mother effects. There was no difference in annual reproductive output of females born to older versus younger mothers, suggesting that the differences in offspring lifetime reproductive success were driven by effects on offspring life span. In contrast, there was no association between paternal age and female offspring life span or either maternal or paternal age and male offspring life span. Lifetime reproductive success, but not annual reproductive success, of male offspring increased with maternal age, but this was driven by between-mother effects. No paternal age effects were found on female offspring lifetime reproductive success but there was a positive between-father effect on male offspring lifetime reproductive success. We did not find strong evidence for environment-dependent parental age effects. Our study provides evidence for parental age effects on the lifetime fitness of offspring and shows that such effects can be sex dependent. These results add to the growing literature indicating the importance of intergenerational effects on long-term offspring performance and highlight that these effects can be an important driver of variation in longevity and fitness in the wild.
hnRNP A1 dysfunction in oligodendrocytes contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jahanbazi Jahan‐Abad Ali , Salapa Hannah E. , Libner Cole D. , Thibault Patricia A. , Levin Michael C.
Published: November 2022

Oligodendrocyte (OL) damage and death are prominent features of multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology, yet mechanisms contributing to OL loss are incompletely understood. Dysfunctional RNA binding proteins (RBPs), hallmarked by nucleocytoplasmic mislocalization and altered expression, have been shown to result in cell loss in neurologic diseases, including in MS. Since we previously observed that the RBP heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) was dysfunctional in neurons in MS, we hypothesized that it might also contribute to OL pathology in MS and relevant models. We discovered that hnRNP A1 dysfunction is characteristic of OLs in MS brains. These findings were recapitulated in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS, where hnRNP A1 dysfunction was characteristic of OLs, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells and mature OLs in which hnRNP A1 dysfunction correlated with demyelination. We also found that hnRNP A1 dysfunction was induced by IFNγ, indicating that inflammation influences hnRNP A1 function. To fully understand the effects of hnRNP A1 dysfunction on OLs, we performed siRNA knockdown of hnRNP A1, followed by RNA sequencing. RNA sequencing detected over 4000 differentially expressed transcripts revealing alterations to RNA metabolism, cell morphology, and programmed cell death pathways. We confirmed that hnRNP A1 knockdown was detrimental to OLs and induced apoptosis and necroptosis. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for hnRNP A1 in proper OL functioning and survival and suggest a potential mechanism of OL damage and death in MS that involves hnRNP A1 dysfunction.
Sustainable human resource management practices, employee resilience, and employee outcomes: Toward common good values
Authors: Lu Ying , Zhang Mingqiong Mike , Yang Miles M. , Wang Yue
Published: November 2022

Extant literature has generated limited understanding of whether and how sustainable human resource management (HRM) will lead to better and more sustainable outcomes, such as enhanced employee well‐being and improved employee performance. Moving toward common good values and drawing on the job demands‐resources model, this study theorizes and tests the relationships among sustainable HRM practices, employee resilience, work engagement, and employee performance. The empirical results of a multilevel and multisource study in the Chinese context provide supporting evidence for our theoretical model. The findings demonstrate that sustainable HRM practices positively affect employee resilience, and lead to a high level of work engagement among employees. Employee resilience also has an indirect effect on employee performance through work engagement. This study, with its theoretical and practical implications, reveals a serial mediation mechanism through which sustainable HRM practices contribute to both employee well‐being and employee performance.
Resin‐modified glass ionomer enriched with BIOGLASS: Ion‐release, bioactivity and antibacterial effect
Authors: de Oliveira Roma Fábia Regina Vieira , de Oliveira Tarcisio Jorge Leitão , Bauer José , Firoozmand Leily Macedo
Published: November 2022

Developing dental materials for the prevention of remineralization or demineralization is important for high‐risk caries patients. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological effects of adding 45S5 bioglass to resin‐modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). Samples belonged to the following groups: GIC: conventional glass ionomer cement (Vitro Fil), RMGIC: resin‐modified GIC (Vitro Fil LC), and RMGIC/45S5: RMGIC with 10% (wt %) of 45S5. Changes in pH and release of fluoride, calcium, and phosphorus ions under acidic (pH 4) and neutral (pH 7) pH conditions were evaluated. Antibacterial activity was verified based on colony‐forming units. Material sorption and solubility were analyzed after bacterial exposure. After 28 days, the bioactivity of the materials was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Analysis of variance, post hoc Scheffe, and Tukey (α = 0.05) tests were employed for statistical analysis. RMGIC/45S5 showed higher alkalization activity, calcium release at pH 4 and 7, and sorption than GIC and RMGIC (p < .05). Release of phosphorus and fluoride at pH 4 and 7 was higher for GIC than that for RMGIC and RMGIC/45S5 (p < .05). RMGIC/45S5 showed higher values than RMGIC (p < .05). However, antibacterial activity did not differ among the groups. Precipitates of calcium and phosphorus were visualized in RMGIC/45S5 samples via SEM/EDS. These results indicate that the RMGIC/45S5 promotes alkalization and increases the release of calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride ions, resulting in precipitate deposition rich in calcium and phosphorus, thereby being a promising option to improve the bioactivity of RMGIC.
Adaptive regularized Gaussian process regression for application in the context of hydrogen adsorption on graphene sheets
Authors: Schmitz Gunnar , Schnieder Bastian
Published: November 2022

We present a Gaussian process regression (GPR) scheme with an adaptive regularization scheme applied to the QM7 and QM9 test set, several protonated water clusters and specifically to the problem of atomic hydrogen adsorption on graphene sheets. For the last system our goal is to achieve good predictive accuracy with only a few training points. Therefore, we assess for these systems a self‐correcting multilayer GPR model, in which the prediction is corrected by a chain of additional GPR models. In our adaptive regularization scheme, we impose no noise on the training data, but use an approach based on the data itself to account for its impurity. The strength of this strategy is that the data points are treated differently based on their importance and that the regularization can still be controlled by a single parameter. We assess how the accuracy of the prediction depends on this parameter. We can show that the new regularization scheme as well as the multilayer approach results in more robust predictors. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the predictor can be in good agreement with the density‐functional theory results.
“We're the CHATS old‐heads”: Engaging with evidence‐based practice in a reentry agency
Authors: Updyke Alison , Ghose Toorjo
Published: November 2022

Philadelphia has one of the country's largest populations re‐entering society after incarceration. Reentry services have been critiqued for their ineffectiveness. Scholars note the lack of evidence‐based practices (EBPs) in the field, and the challenges of translating them. Through a case study of one reentry agency implementing an EBP, we examine engagement with the intervention by clients and service providers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with clients and staff (n = 35). A grounded theory using sensitizing concepts approach was used to analyze the data. Productive engagement with the intervention was facilitated by: (1) translatability of the core EBP elements so that they addressed client and staff needs, (2) accessibility to the intervention by enhancing subjective ownership and successfully navigating logistical barriers, and (3) collectivity among participants and staff that helped them address societal and structural barriers. Productive engagement with an EBP can resist carceral processes in reentry service‐provision.
A ubiquitous endocrine disruptor tributyltin induces muscle wasting and retards muscle regeneration
Authors: Chiu Hsien‐Chun , Yang Rong‐Sen , Weng Te‐I , Chiu Chen‐Yuan , Lan Kuo‐Cheng , Liu Shing‐Hwa
Published: November 2022

Background

Organotin pollutant tributyltin (TBT) is an environmental endocrine disrupting chemical and is a known obesogen and diabetogen. TBT can be detected in human following consumption of contaminated seafood or water. The decrease in muscle strength and quality has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes in older adults. However, the adverse effects of TBT on the muscle mass and function still remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects and molecule mechanisms of low‐dose TBT on skeletal muscle regeneration and atrophy/wasting using the cultured skeletal muscle cell and adult mouse models.

Methods

The mouse myoblasts (C2C12) and differentiated myotubes were used to assess the in vitro effects of low‐dose tributyltin (0.01–0.5 μM). The in vivo effects of TBT at the doses of 5 and 25 μg/kg/day (n = 6/group), which were five times lower than the established no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and equal to NOAEL, respectively, by oral administration for 4 weeks on muscle wasting and muscle regeneration were evaluated in a mouse model with or without glycerol‐induced muscle injury/regeneration.

Results

TBT reduced myogenic differentiation in myoblasts (myotube with 6–10 nuclei: 53.9 and 35.8% control for 0.05 and 0.1 μM, respectively, n = 4, P < 0.05). TBT also decreased myotube diameter, upregulated protein expression levels of muscle‐specific ubiquitin ligases (Atrogin‐1 and MuRF1), myostatin, phosphorylated AMPKα, and phosphorylated NFκB‐p65, and downregulated protein expression levels of phosphorylated AKT and phosphorylated FoxO1 in myotubes (0.2 and 0.5 μM, n = 6, P < 0.05). Exposure of TBT in mice elevated body weight, decreased muscle mass, and induced muscular dysfunction (5 and 25 μg/kg, P > 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively, n = 6). TBT inhibited soleus muscle regeneration in mice with glycerol‐induced muscle injury (5 and 25 μg/kg, P > 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively, n = 6). TBT upregulated protein expression levels of Atrogin‐1, MuRF1, myostatin, and phosphorylated AMPKα and downregulated protein expression level of phosphorylated FoxO1 in the mouse soleus muscles (5 and 25 μg/kg, P > 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively, n = 6).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates for the first time that low‐dose TBT significantly inhibits myogenic differentiation and triggers myotube atrophy in a cell model and significantly decreases muscle regeneration and muscle mass and function in a mouse model. These findings suggest that low‐dose TBT exposure may be an environmental risk factor for muscle regeneration inhibition, atrophy/wasting, and disease‐related myopathy.
Predictors of recurrence in patients without non‐inducibility of ventricular tachycardia at the end of ablation
Authors: Nakasone Kazutaka , Fukuzawa Koji , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Takami Mitsuru , Sakai Jun , Nakamura Toshihiro , Yatomi Atsusuke , Sonoda Yusuke , Takahara Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Kyoko , Suzuki Yuya , Tani Ken‐ichi , Iwai Hidehiro , Nakanishi Yusuke , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: November 2022

Background

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) non‐inducibility at the end of ablation is associated with a less likely VT recurrence. However, it is not clear whether we should use VT non‐inducibility as a routine end point of VT ablation. The aim of this study was to evaluate VT recurrence in patients in whom VT non‐inducibility was not achieved at the end of the radiofrequency (RF) ablation and the factors attributing to the VT recurrence.

Methods

We analyzed that 62 patients in whom VT non‐inducibility was not achieved at the end of the RF ablation were studied.

Results

Over 2 years, 22 (35%) of the cases had VT recurrences. A multivariate analysis showed that an LVEF ≥35% (HR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.06–0.49; p < .01) and elimination of the clinical VT as an acute ablation efficacy (HR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.04–0.81; p = .02) were independent predictors of fewer VT recurrences. RF ablation was associated with a 91.1% reduction in VT episodes.

Conclusion

Even if VT non‐inducibility was not achieved, patients with an LVEF ≥35% or in whom the clinical VT could be eliminated might be prevented from having VT recurrences. The validity of the VT non‐inducibility of any VT should be evaluated considering each patient's background and the results of the procedure.
BioOne and SPIE: A reflection on the first 3 years of the nonprofit platform partnership
Authors: Franzen Patrick , Kane Lauren , Ritchey Scott
Published: November 2022

Key points

There is great potential for organizations to form collaborative partnerships, particularly in the nonprofit environment, which can reduce costs and aid in strategic development.

Regular and transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders is critical to the health of any partnership, especially when doing something new or novel.

Reciprocal service‐level agreements with clear expectations and ongoing evaluation ensure the collaboration keeps pace with commercial alternatives.

The SPIE‐BioOne partnership was built to scale and incorporate future collaborators to further reduce costs and bring new ideas to the user group.
Short‐term efficacy and long‐term survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with radiographically visible residual disease following observation or additional intervention: A real‐world study in China
Authors: Huang Ying‐Ying , Cao Xun , Cai Zhuo‐Chen , Zhou Jia‐Yu , Guo Xiang , Lv Xing
Published: November 2022

Background

To explore the short‐ and long‐term outcomes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐detected residual disease at 3 months post‐treatment who received intervention either promptly (0 month) or following observation (after an additional 3 months).

Methods

A total of 272 patients with residual disease at 3 months post‐treatment (observation [observation for additional 3 months]: 122, intervention [prompt intervention]: 150) were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the survival. Adverse events were analyzed in all patients.

Results

Patients in the observation group had a lower 3‐year overall survival (77.1% vs. 85.2%), progression‐free survival (10.2% vs. 18.1%), and locoregional relapse‐free survival (10.2% vs. 20.6%) (all p < .05), but not distant metastasis‐free survival (83.8% vs. 78.4%, p = .189), whereas patients in the intervention group achieved higher complete remission (CR) rates (43.3% vs. 21.2%, p = .003). Patients who achieved CR after prompt intervention had a better survival rate than those who achieved observation‐CR or non‐CR (p < .001). Multivariate analyses revealed that a wait‐and‐see policy was an independent prognostic factor for impaired survival (p < .001). No significant differences of acute or late toxicities were observed between the two groups.

Conclusions

Patients with NPC with MRI‐detected residual disease 3 months post‐radiotherapy should be encouraged to undergo prompt intervention rather than adopting a passive wait‐and‐see policy.
Effective Enhancement of Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Conductivity with Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) through Solvent Treatment
Authors: Zheng Haoting , Wu Kun , Shi Jun
Published: November 2022

The preparation of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film is proposed as a simple and industrialized approach. PEDOT:PSS is diluted with deionized water, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl formamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide before being dry and suction filtered to create a membrane. After treatment with polar organic solvent, the in‐plane thermal conductivity of sample is increased from 1.386 to 2.375 Wm−1 K−1. The electrical conductivity increases from 1.8 to 592 S cm−1. The structural modifications of PEDOT:PSS considerably increase the heat conductivity, according to UV, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization. This modification improves the polymer's thermal conductivity by increasing the contact force between molecules and changing the long chain conformation of polymers.
A Superhydrophobic Trifluoromethyl‐Containing Covalent Organic Framework Membrane for Efficient Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Chu Jia‐Qi , Lu Ya , Gan Shi‐Xian , Qi Qiao‐Yan , Jia Chao , Yao Jin , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2022

Oily water caused in the process of industry leads to not only the waste of resources, but also environmental pollution. Membrane separation, as a facile and efficient separation technology, has attracted widespread attention in the field of oil/water separation. The development of membrane materials with high separation performance is one of the key elements to improve separation efficiency. In this work, a superhydrophobic membrane composited with a trifluoromethyl‐containing covalent organic framework (COF) is prepared, which exhibits excellent performance on separations of oil/water mixtures and water‐in‐oil emulsions. For different composition of oil/water mixtures, the highest flux of oil is up to 32 000 L m−2 h−1 and oil/water separation efficiency is above 99%. Moreover, the high oil/water separation efficiency remains unchanged after successive cycles. This work provides a feasible scheme for the design of high‐efficiency oil/water separation membranes.
Local existence theorem for micropolar viscous real gas flow with homogeneous boundary conditions
Authors: Dražić Ivan , Bašić‐Šiško Angela
Published: November 2022

We consider the model for one‐dimensional micropolar, viscous, polytropic, and thermally conductive real gas flow with homogeneous boundary conditions, using the generalized equation of state for pressure. The generalization is shown by the fact that the pressure depends on the mass density as a power function. The governing system of partial differential equations is given in the Lagrangian description. Using the Faedo–Galerkin method and a priori estimates, we prove that the generalized solution exists locally in time.
Life Cycle Model Reveals Sensitive Life Stages and Evaluates Recovery Options for a Dwindling Pacific Salmon Population
Authors: Kendall Neala W. , Unrein Julia , Volk Carol , Beauchamp David A. , Fresh Kurt L. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: November 2022

Population models, using empirical survival rate estimates for different life stages, can help managers explore whether various management options could stabilize a declining population or restore it to former levels of abundance. Here we used two decades of data on five life stages of the population of Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka in the Cedar River to create and parameterize a life cycle model. This formerly large but unproductive population is now in steep decline despite hatchery enhancement. We gathered population-specific data on survival during five stages: (1) egg to fry, (2) fry to presmolt, (3) presmolt to adult return from the ocean, (4) adult en route from the ocean to the spawning grounds, and (5) reproduction. We ground-truthed the model to ensure its fit to the data, and then we modified survival and other parameters during various stages to examine future scenarios. Our analyses revealed that low survival of juveniles in Lake Washington (stage 2: averaging only 3% over the past 20 years), survival of adults returning to freshwater to spawn (stage 4), and survival of adults on spawning grounds to reproduce (stage 5) are likely limiting factors. Combined increases in these stages and others (specifically, the proportion of fish taken into the hatchery to be spawned) might also recover the population. As in other integrated hatchery populations, managers must weigh options relating to balancing the fraction of natural- and hatchery-origin fish, and our results showed that increasing the fraction of fish taken into the hatchery alone will not recover the population. Our model brings together population-specific data to help managers weigh conservation strategies and understand which stages and habitats are most limiting and how much survival must increase to achieve recovery targets. By extension, our analyses also reveal the utility of such models in other cases where stage-specific data are available.
Mg/Zn metal‐air primary batteries using silk fibroin‐ionic liquid polymer electrolytes
Authors: Haskew Mathew J. , Nikman Shahin , O'Sullivan Carys E. , Galeb Hanaa A. , Halcovitch Nathan R. , Hardy John G. , Murphy Samuel T.
Published: November 2022

Batteries are utilized in a multitude of devices encountered in our daily lives. Here we describe a comparative study of Magnesium‐air and Zinc‐air primary batteries using silk fibroin‐ionic liquid polymer electrolytes (composed of Bombyx mori silk fibroin and choline nitrate). The ionic conductivity of the films was of the order of mS cm−1 which is sufficient to satisfy the conductivity requirements for many battery applications, the open circuit voltages (V) for the Mg 1:1 SF:IL and 1:3 SF:IL batteries just after fabrication were ca. 1.8 and 1.7 V, respectively; the 1:1 SF:IL battery had a capacity of 0.84 mAh cm−2, whereas the 1:3 SF:IL battery had a capacity of 0.68 mAh cm−2. The open circuit voltages (V) for the Zn 1:1 SF:IL and 1:3 SF:IL batteries were in the range of 1.3 and 1.2 V just after fabrication; the 1:3 SF:IL battery displayed a capacity of 0.96 mAh cm−2 and the 1:3 SF:IL battery displayed a capacity of 0.72 mAh cm−2. Integration of the PE and substitution of the carbon cloth electrodes with degradable materials would offer routes to production of transient primary batteries helping to address the global issue of electronic waste (e‐waste).
Event‐triggering‐based robust optimal control for post‐stall pitching maneuver of aircraft
Authors: Shen Yaohua , Chen Mou
Published: November 2022

In this paper, the problem of the post‐stall pitching maneuver of aircraft with lower deflection frequency of control actuator is studied by considering the unsteady aerodynamic disturbances (UADs). A nonlinear disturbance observer is employed to estimate the UADs in order to suppress their adverse effects. And the nonzero equilibrium adaptive dynamic programming (NEADP) control method derived from the reinforcement learning is adopted to achieve the optimal control of aircraft. Simultaneously, a critic neural network is constructed to approximate the value function in the Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equation so as to realize adaptivity. Furthermore, the event‐triggering (ET) scheme with an improved triggering condition is applied in the control method in order to decrease the deflection frequency of control actuator. In addition, the Lyapunov stability analysis method is used to prove that all signals in the closed‐loop control system are uniformly ultimately bounded. And the proof by contradiction is applied to confirm that the Zeno behavior is excluded with the analysis of the minimum dwell time. Finally, simulation results verify the effectiveness of the improved ET‐based NEADP control method.
Correlation on synthesis design and surface modification towards properties and applications of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanofibers based nanocomposites
Authors: Gul Ayesha , Ghaffari Khaligh Nader , Nordin Nurdiana , Ma'amor Azman , Muhd Julkapli Nurhidayatullaili
Published: November 2022

With the recent advancement in nanoscience and nanotechnology, carbon nanomaterials have achieved great attention owing to their unique physico‐chemical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Amongst carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanofibers (CNF) depict a high surface‐to‐volume ratio, enhanced porosity, high mechanical strength, and low weight (light). Carbon nanofibers‐based nanocomposites (CNFN) have been developed for diverse applications. This review illustrates the recent progress in (a) the CNF synthesis via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or electrospinning, (b) their functionalization with metals and metal oxides nanoparticles, polymers, alloys, and (c) their applications in environmental, industrial, and biomedical domains. Moreover, this study will be helpful for readers to understand CNF production, including the latest trends and fabrication techniques to obtain efficient, cost‐effective, eco‐friendly CNFN, having enhanced surface area with maximum selectivity, reproducibility, and multi‐potential applications.
Tea‐polyphenols mediated interfacial modifier to integrate reinforcement, reprocessability, and shape memory properties into rubber/carbon black composites via coordination bonds
Authors: Zhang Jihua , Qin Junhong , Wu Nan , Feng Huadong , Wang Hao , Zao Weitao , Yang Yuan , Liang Zi , Zhang Hui
Published: November 2022

Carbon blacks are important fillers to reinforce, functionalize rubber materials and reduce their prices. However, environment‐friendly surface modification of carbon blacks is not trivial to conduct, yet challenging to effectively sever broad rubber galleries. Inspired by wet adhesion of mussel, tea polyphenols (TPs) are coated on carbon blacks by vacuum absorption method (i.e., TP@C) and then they are mixed into nitrile butadiene rubber with ZnCl2. Specially, Zn2+/TP@C coordination interfaces are formed together with crosslinking structures of Zn2+‐CN of NBR after hot pressing. As a sequence, the rubber composites achieve superior strength and modulus reinforcement owing to strong interface interactions and good dispersion of TP@Cs. Reversible coordination crosslinking network and TP@C network topology can be rearranged at elevated temperatures, endowing the composite good plasticity and reprocessablity. Furthermore, the composites possess stable shape memory properties for five cycles and good plasticity based shape memory ability, showing great advantages in application potential of smart material fields.
Assembling properties of 3,6‐dinitropyrazolo‐[4,3‐c]pyrazole‐based energetic compounds
Authors: Xinghui Jin , Fang Yuan , Yun Shen , Yufan Liu , Shengnan Yao , Shaochuan Bai , Bingcheng Hu
Published: November 2022

In pursuit of energetic materials with equal detonation properties and sensitivities compared to those of HMX and RDX, a series of 3,6‐dinitropyrazolo‐[4,3‐c]pyrazole‐based energetic compounds were designed, and density functional theory method was carried out to investigate the frontier molecular orbital, heats of formation, energetic properties, and impact sensitivities of the designed compounds. The results show that all the designed compounds possess high positive heats of formation range from 618.8 (A4) to 1934.3 kJ mol−1 (E2) and the –N3 energetic group was the most effective unit to improve the values of heats of formation. Values of oxygen balance of compounds E8 and F8 were zero and possess the most ideal oxygen balance. The calculated detonation properties indicate that the –C (NO2)3 group was the most useful group to enhance the densities, detonation velocities, and detonation pressures. Nearly half of the designed compounds possess higher values of h50 than RDX or HMX, which indicates that these compounds will be more stable than RDX and HMX. Based on detonation properties and impact sensitivities, five compounds (D3, D5, E5, F3, and F5) were screened as candidate compounds for high energy density materials. Finally, the distribution of the highest occupied molecular orbitals, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, and electrostatic potential of the screened compounds were simulated to give an evident view on their physicochemical properties.
Alfaxalone population pharmacokinetics in the rat: Model application for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic design in inbred and outbred strains and sexes
Authors: White Kate , Aldurdunji Mohammed , Harris John , Ortori Catherine , Paine Stuart
Published: November 2022

The translation of new injectable anesthetic drugs from rodent to humans remains slow, despite the realization that reliance on the volatile agents is unsustainable from an environmental perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of rat sex and strain on the PK and PD of the anesthetic neurosteroid alfaxalone. Forty rats had cannulas inserted under isoflurane anesthesia for drug administration and sampling. Carotid artery blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis, hematology, biochemistry, and plasma concentrations of alfaxalone. Plasma samples were assayed using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Compartmental non‐linear mixed effects methods (NLME) models were applied to two rat populations to determine whether body weight, sex, and strain influenced PK parameters. There were significant differences between the sexes for plasma clearance, half‐life and mean residence time in Lewis rats, and mean arterial blood pressure was significantly lower in the female rats at 120 min. An initial NLME PK population model was used to design an adjusted alfaxalone infusion for SD females matching plasma concentrations in males and minimizing cardiopulmonary depression but maintaining an appropriate hypnotic effect. A final NLME population model showed that alfaxalone clearance was dependent on both bodyweight and sex, whereas volume of distribution was influenced by strain. NLME PK models offer the advantage of having a single model that describes a population and therefore shares data interpretation between animals unlike the standard deterministic PK approach. This approach can be used to propose bespoke dosing regimens for optimal use of alfaxalone
Development of a Carbon‐Based Flexible Strain Sensor for Diverse Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Li Zhibiao , Zou Linjie , Chu Chengfeng , Li Xinhui , Yan Xiaoxiao , Yuan Dandan , Xu Fang , Jiang Shiyu , Xu Bin , Wang Huan , Shi Qiongfeng , Tang Gang
Published: November 2022

The rapid development of flexible electronics greatly promotes personalized health monitoring and thereupon spawns diverse wearable electronic devices. As a key functional component of flexible electronics, flexible strain sensor receives tremendous research effort, and is widely applied to various areas such as electronic skin, human–machine interaction, and structural health monitoring. Carbon‐based materials including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black, and graphene are employed as functional materials in this paper to be mixed with the elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix via the solution blending method. A bridge‐island structure is designed due to its unique structure and dispersion ability, enabling the derived sensor with both good stretchability of 100% and sensitivity of 8.99. The results offer a potential strategy for addressing the difficulties of sensitivity‐stretchability tradeoff originating from the flexible strain sensors prepared with single carbon‐based filler material and other similar strain sensors. Moreover, the realization of an intercommunication system between the flexible strain sensor and a mobile phone via NRF52805 Bluetooth communication chips can monitor various body motions in real time, demonstrating a promising prospect for building remote health monitoring and management systems.
High‐Efficiency Cs‐Based Perovskite‐Silicon Tandem Solar Cells—A Modeling Study
Authors: Jayan Koodali Deepthi , Laref Amel
Published: November 2022

Current studies stipulate that the performance efficiency of photovoltaic cells can be increased by incorporating a tandem architecture into the device configuration. This work includes an assessment of the photovoltaic performance parameters and optimization of the cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3)–silicon (Si) tandem solar cells (TSC) by applying the SCAPS 1D tool. The two terminal (2‐T) monolithic TSC device configuration with a top CsPbI3 perovskite solar cell (PSC) consisting of IGZO as the electron transport layer material (ETL) and CuSbS2 as the hole transport layer material (HTL) and a bottom c‐Si solar cell exhibits a fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 73.16% and 27.07%, respectively, by establishing the current matching condition, while in the four terminal (4‐T) stacked layer configuration, the device exhibits a PCE of 30.68%. The device acquires this high PCE after the optimization of the thickness, dopant density, and defect density of the perovskite light active material and Si.
On the Origin of the Yellow Luminescence Band in GaN
Authors: Reshchikov Michael A.
Published: November 2022

The yellow luminescence (YL) band with a maximum at 2.2 eV is the dominant defect‐related luminescence in unintentionally doped GaN. The discovery of the mechanism responsible for this luminescence band and related defects in GaN took many years. Eventually, a consensus has been reached that the CN acceptor is the source of the YL band (the YL1 band) in GaN samples grown by several techniques. Previously suggested candidates, such as VGa, VGaON, CNON, and CNSiGa, should be discarded. At the same time, other defects (such as the VN, BeGa, and CaGa) may cause luminescence bands with positions and shapes not much different from the YL1 band. In GaN containing high concentrations of gallium vacancies, oxygen, and hydrogen, complexes containing these species may also contribute in the red–yellow part of the photoluminescence spectrum. The main controversies related to the YL band are resolved.
Resistant starch from black rice, Oryza sativaL. var. ameliorates renal inflammation, fibrosis and injury in insulin resistant rats
Authors: Thongnak Laongdao , Jaruan Onanong , Pengrattanachot Nattavadee , Promsan Sasivimon , Phengpol Nichakorn , Sutthasupha Prempree , Jaikumkao Krit , Sriyotai Woraprapa , Mahatheeranont Sugunya , Lungkaphin Anusorn
Published: November 2022

It has recently been reported that black rice (BR) extract has anti‐obesity, anti‐diabetic, and anti‐osteoporosis effects. It has been shown to reduce obese‐related kidney dysfunction in animal models. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resistant starch from BR (RS) on renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in obese insulin resistant rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal diet (ND), ND treated with 150 mg of RS (NDRS150), high‐fat (HF) diet, HF treated with 100 and 150 mg of RS (HFRS100), (HFRS150), and HF treated with metformin as a positive control. Insulin resistance was shown in the HF rats by glucose intolerance, increased insulin, total area under the curve of glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. The resulting metabolic disturbance in the HF rats caused renal inflammation, fibrosis and apoptosis progressing to kidney injury and dysfunction. Prebiotic RS including anthocyanin from BR at doses of 100 and 150 mg ameliorated insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and liver injury. Treatment with RS reduced TGF‐β fibrotic and apoptotic pathways by inhibition of NF‐κB and inflammatory cytokines which potentially restore kidney damage and dysfunction. In conclusion, prebiotic RS from BR ameliorated obesity induced renal injury and dysfunction by attenuating inflammatory, fibrotic, and apoptotic pathways in insulin resistant rats induced by HF.
Habitat suitability modeling of a conservation‐significant fish species of the Kosi River, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Khwairakpam Eliza , Dhawan Bhawna , Sivakumar Kuppusamy , Johnson Jeyaraj Antony
Published: November 2022

Water quality plays a vital role in the sustenance of aquatic life, including fish. Therefore, an inclusive understanding of water quality parameters can be considered an essential step in framing the conservation and management strategy of an aquatic ecosystem. This study examines the habitat suitability of a conservation‐significant fish, the Tor putitora, and two associated fishes, the Labeo dyocheilus and the Garra gotyla, in relation to the water quality parameters of the Kosi River. Four crucial water quality parameters, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, and pH, were included in the QUAL2K modeling. Furthermore, hydrological processes were modeled using the soil and water assessment tool, and flow was used as an input in the QUAL2K model. The simulated water quality was correlated with fish habitat and analyzed through the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). Results suggested that the habitats of the Kosi were more suitable in the post‐monsoon rather than pre‐monsoon. Tor putitora, the flagship species of the Kosi, preferred the river habitats with a lower water temperature and higher dissolved oxygen for spawning. Thus, we recommend securing such habitats and managing them in collaboration with local communities for the long‐term conservation of this endangered Himalayan species.
Applications of Emerging Nanomaterials in Drilling Fluids
Authors: Ahmed Anwar , Pervaiz Erum , Noor Tayyaba
Published: November 2022

Nanomaterials find several applications in the oilfield operations. In oilwell drilling, nanomaterials are being used for mitigating wellbore instability conditions, improving thermal stability of the fluid, minimizing formation damage by preventing fluid invasion into the reservoir, improving fluid rheology, and controlling fluid loss. A wide range of nanomaterials from organic as well as inorganic and composites are being developed to accomplish the mentioned functions. Significant nanomaterials being developed include nanocellulosic particles, nanoclay, nanosilica, nanometals, nanometal oxides and nanopolymers. Improving fluid properties to develop smart fluids by the incorporation of nanomaterials is an emerging research field which is yielding promising results. This review article presents the recent development made in the applications of the nanomaterials in drilling fluids especially the nanosilica particles surface modified by organic ligands. Surface modification of nanosilica with organic ligands namely 3‐Glycidoxypropyl‐triethoxy silane (GPTS), hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (HPEI) and Moringa oleifera cationic protein (MOCP) are discussed. Applications of nanomaterials in drilling fluids to minimize wellbore instability, prevent formation damage, improve thermal stability and conductivity, stabilize fluid rheology, improve hole cleaning, and minimize the chances of downhole string sticking have been reviewed.
Preparation and Characterization of LCT/SPEEK Composite Membrane for PEMFC Application
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , Zhang Ailing , Wang Yujuan , Wang Song , Li Sanxi
Published: November 2022

A novel SPEEK‐based blends proton exchange membrane doping liquid crystal polymer intercalated montmorillonite (LCT) were prepared by solution casting technology. FT‐IR, XRD and POM proved that SPEEK contained sulfonic acid group and LCT which had liquid crystal intercalated into SPEEK matrix. LCT/SPEEK composite membrane with 1.0 wt% had higher swelling rate and proton conductivity than those membranes. It was also shown that the proton conductivity of LCT/SPEEK composite membrane decreased, but reached 0.137 S/cm when LCT was 1.0 wt%, and the swelling rate of SPEEK membrane was significantly decreased 6.19 % to 3.38 %. The layer silicate structure in LCT promotes its dimensional stability, and the sulfonic group forms hydrogen bond network in SPEEK matrix to promote proton transfer. These results propose the composite membranes as a potential candidate for PEMFC at 25 °C making SPEEK composite membrane.
Advances in Carbon‐Carbon Bond Activation by Using Photocatalysts: A Mini Review
Authors: Pham Thuy Thanh
Published: November 2022

Over the past decades, C−C bond activation has been an attractive area in organic synthesis due to its power in construction of complexed molecules. This review covers photocatalytic C−C bond activation methods that have been become an emerging area in organic synthesis in the past decades. The literature coverage is from 2001 to December 2021.