bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Early Upward Tapping on Rubber Productivity of Clone PB 260 of the High Metabolic Activity Class
Authors: Pulchérie Kouakou N’guessan Kan , Moussa Diarrassouba , Lopez Essehi Jean , Perpétue Moro Affia , Urbain Konan Kan Ulrich , Hilaire Kouakou Tanoh , Samuel Obouayeba
Published: May 2022

In order to evaluate the effect of early upward tapping on rubber productivity of rubber trees and to determine its proportion relative to downward tapping, a study was conducted at SAPH Divo on the PB 260 clone of the fast metabolic activity class. The experimental set-up was a Fisher block with seven treatments and three replications. Tapping was carried out in d3 with 6 stimulations. Three upward tapping times at 6, 7 and 8 years, each coupled with two concentrations of the stimulating paste 2.5 and 5% of Ethephon and a downwardly tapped control stimulated with 5% of Ethephon were tested. The data collected were for rubber production, isodiametric growth, tapping panel dryness susceptibility and tree physiological profile. The results showed that the different treatments tapped in upward at 6, 7 and 8 years of age significantly improved the productivity of the PB 260 clone relative to the control by downward for nine years. All treatments combined, rubber productivity (4723 kg.ha-1.yr-1) and radial vegetative growth (3.8 cm.yr-1) were good. The gain in rubber productivity of the early upward tapping compared to the downward tapping was 42%. The tapping panel dryness rate was low at 2.6% and the physiological profile of the trees was well balanced. Our results suggest that PB 260, and therefore metabolically active clones, can be tapped in early upward tapping, especially at 6 years of age.
Importance, Value Addition and Marketing Chain of Mangrove Wood in Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon
Authors: Ngalim Robert Njilla Mengnjo , Nunyui Simbo Terence
Published: May 2022

Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems which are adapted to survive in harsh brackish water and at the interface between land and sea. This study examines the socio-economic and ecological importance of mangroves, value addition and marketing chain of mangrove wood in Fako. This study employed the cross- sectional research design. Data were obtained using primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through field observations, structured interviews, focused group discussions and the administration of questionnaires. Secondary data were obtained from published and unpublished materials and reports. Data were entered using EpiData Version 3.1 and analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data were presented using prose, frequency tables and illustrations. The study found out that mangroves serve socio-economic and ecological, functions to the population. Also, mangrove wood is harvested from major areas such as Tiko and Mudeka, and sold throughout the coastal settlements of Mutengene, Buea and Limbe. This is achieved through value addition and commercialisation of mangrove wood. The study recommended the implementation of legal and institutional framework, community participation and integrated management of shared resources and strict enforcement of other international legal instruments ratified by member countries such as the Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) so as to better conserve mangrove forests.
Exporting Mongolian Beef to China: The Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Erdene Lkham Altan , Mgale Yohana James , Yunxian Yan
Published: May 2022

Mongolia is a nomadic country. Due to the small population, large land area, and geographical location, the country has mainly focused on animal husbandry as one of the sources of income for the local people and foreign currency of the country. Beef exports play an essential role in Mongolia’s economy. However, due to several constraints that hinder export growth, Mongolia cannot export its agricultural products to its full capacity. One of the main challenges for Mongolian beef exporters is identifying key destination markets for their products and the know-how to access them. This article discusses the export of Mongolian beef to China, focusing on the potential of Mongolian beef cattle and its economic importance, the overall situation of Mongolian cattle products in the Chinese market, and the opportunities and market expansion challenges in China. This study is characterised as qualitative and quantitative research of an exploratory and descriptive nature, using bibliographic research. According to the findings, it became evident that Mongolia still has low participation in the Chinese market despite the opportunities in the Chinese market. However, with internal improvements and adjustments in policies, there is exponential growth potential in the sales of Mongolian beef to the Chinese market. Thus, Mongolian beef exports can be improved with more stress on value-added products and their marketing strategy based on consumer-oriented processing and packaging, expanding (or) changing export destinations, market promotion and brand image, adopting international hygienic standards norms and diversification of livestock products.
A Scalable Durable and Seamlessly Integrated Knitted Fabric Strain Sensor for Human Motion Tracking
Authors: Zhou Lulu , Shen Wei , Liu Yanping , Zhang Yumei
Published: May 2022

Textile strain sensors capable of monitoring human physiological signals and activities have great potential in health monitoring and sports. Integrating them into apparel to be wearable, repeatable, and sensitive remains a great challenge, impeding their practical applications. This paper reports a fabric strain sensor that can be seamlessly integrated into various apparel under precise tension through industrial‐scale production. A conductive core‐sheath polyester/carbon black multifilament (CSPCF) produced on a melt spinning machine is wrapped onto a spandex yarn via a yarn covering machine to manufacture a stretchable double‐covered conductive yarn (DCCY). The fabric strain sensor is specially designed and automatically produced on an industrial knitting machine by precisely integrating the DCCY into an elastic fabric. The sensing principle is contact and separation between neighboring spiral CSPCFs by stretching an arched “rainbow spring” like DCCY embedded in the fabric. The sensor has a high sensitivity of 2% strain detection limit, excellent durability and repeatability for 10 000 cycles, and a wide sensing range of 60% strain, even in a wet state or after repeatedly washing, bending, or rubbing. Three wearable products, by seamlessly integrating the sensor, are demonstrated to effectively and quantitatively detect bending motions of finger, elbow, and knee.
Broadband Optical Amplification of Waveguide Cut‐Off Mode in Polymer Waveguide Doped with Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Nagafusa Tsukasa , Hara Yuya , Nishio Koji , Isshiki Toshiyuki , Yamashita Kenichi
Published: May 2022

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) showing a wide‐range tunability in their emission wavelength are promising materials for next‐generation optoelectronic applications. However, there are few studies on optical amplification functionalities for broadband emission of GQDs. Here, the authors demonstrate a broadband optical amplification of GQDs mixed with a polymer matrix. The GQD particles prepared by microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method show a large variation in their dimension and a broadband emission with a large Stokes shift. In a form of polymeric thin film, the GQDs exhibit amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) signal showing the broadband gain of ≈370–650 nm and the gain coefficient up to ≈4 cm–1. Cut‐off mode propagation is the origin of ASE signal generation. The optical amplification performance is found to be associated to the photoluminescence quantum yield, which is improved by the GQDs passivation with the polymer matrix. These results demonstrate that the GQDs are a promising active material as a wideband optical amplification medium.
Directional and Polarized Lasing Action on Pb‐free FASnI3 Integrated in Flexible Optical Waveguides
Authors: Suárez Isaac , Chirvony Vladimir S. , Sánchez‐Díaz Jesús , Sánchez Rafael S. , Mora‐Seró Iván , Martínez‐Pastor Juan P.
Published: May 2022

In this work, high‐quality FASnI3 (FA, formamidinium) lead‐free perovskite thin films are successfully incorporated in a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate to demonstrate amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and lasing. The waveguide (WG) consists of polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA)/FASnI3 bilayer deposited on a PET substrate and is properly designed to allow single‐mode propagation at the photoluminescence wavelength. This geometry optimizes the excitation of the emitting FASnI3, enhances the light−matter interaction in the semiconductor thin film, provides a preferable direction for the emitted light and allows its direct outcoupling for on‐chip or fiber‐optic applications. As far as the authors know, ASE and random lasing are obtained for the first time in a flexible‐based WG integrating a highly efficient lead‐free perovskite. The high quality of the deposited films and the optimized design of the structure result in an extremely low ASE/lasing threshold in the range of 1 µJ cm−2, which is only ten times higher than that measured in the same PMMA/FASnI3 structure deposited on a rigid substrate (Si/SiO2). More interestingly, these WGs exhibit a strong polarization anisotropy for the outcoupled ASE/lasing light with a preferable transverse electric polarization. This work is the base for the future development of ecofriendly, flexible, and efficient photonic devices.
Isolation Intervals of the Real Roots of the Parametric Cubic Equation and Improved Complete Root Classification
Authors: Prodanov Emil M.
Published: May 2022

The isolation intervals of the real roots of the real symbolic monic cubic polynomial are found in terms of simple functions of the coefficients of the polynomial (such as , , , , when is negative), and the roots of some auxiliary quadratic equations whose coefficients are also simple functions of the coefficients of the cubic. A much‐improved complete root classification, addressing the signs (together with giving the isolation intervals) of the individual roots, is also presented. No numerical approximations or root finding techniques are used. Instead of considering the discriminant of the cubic, criterion for the existence of a single real root or three real roots is found as conditions on the coefficients of the cubic, resulting from the roots of the auxiliary quadratic equations. It is also shown that, if a cubic equation has three real roots, then these lie in an interval such that , independent of . A detailed algorithm for applying the method for isolation of the roots of the cubic is also given and it is illustrated through examples, including the full mathematical analysis of the cubic equation associated with the Rayleigh elastic waves and finding the isolation intervals of its real roots.
Chiral Luminescent Liquid Crystal with Multi‐State‐Reversibility: Breakthrough in Advanced Anti‐Counterfeiting Materials
Authors: Shi Yonghong , Han Jianlei , Jin Xue , Miao Wangen , Zhang Yi , Duan Pengfei
Published: May 2022

Creating a security material that carries distinct information in reflective color, fluorescence, and chiroptical property will enhance anti‐counterfeiting levels to deter counterfeits ranging from currencies to pharmaceuticals, but is proven extremely challenging. In this work, an advanced anti‐counterfeiting material, with three‐state of each mode reversibly converted into multi‐mode materials including reflective color, fluorescence, and circularly polarized luminescence signal, is constructed by loading photofluorochromic spiropyran (SP) and zinc ion (Zn2+) into the chiral liquid crystal. Under UV irradiation, the complexes of SP and Zn2+ will be transformed into merocyanine (MC) and MC‐Zn2+, while the energy transfer occurs from MC‐Zn2+ to MC. Upon heating, MC is easy to recover to SP, while the MC‐Zn2+ remains unchanged. The MC and MC‐Zn2+ can be transformed into the SP and Zn2+ under visible light irradiation. The three states of each mode can reversibly convert. Furthermore, the reflective color or fluorescence of each state shows different intensities under left‐ and right‐handed circular polarized filters, enabling easy distinguishing by naked eyes. The advanced anti‐counterfeiting method with multi‐state of each mode for multi‐mode encryption information output will provide a new concept for designing and fabricating multi‐mode anti‐counterfeiting materials, improving the security level for practical application.
Developments and Perspectives on Robust Nano‐ and Microstructured Binder‐Free Electrodes for Bifunctional Water Electrolysis and Beyond
Authors: Chandrasekaran Sundaram , Khandelwal Mahima , Dayong Fan , Sui Lijun , Chung Jin Suk , Misra R. D. K. , Yin Peng , Kim Eui Jung , Kim Woong , Vanchiappan Aravindan , Liu Yongping , Hur Seung Hyun , Zhang Han , Bowen Chris
Published: May 2022

The development of robust nano‐ and microstructured catalysts on highly conductive substrates is an effective approach to produce highly active binder‐free electrodes for energy conversion and storage applications. As a result, nanostructured electrodes with binder‐free designs have abundant advantages that provide superior electrocatalytic performance; these include more exposed active sites, large surface area, strong adhesion to substrates, facile charge transfer, high conductivity, high intrinsic catalytic activity, and fine‐tuning of its electronic nature through nanostructure modification. Notably, the interface chemistry of an electrocatalyst plays a significant role in their optimized electrocatalytic activity and stability. This review provides an overview of recent progress in nano‐ and microstructured catalysts, such as one, two, and 3D catalysts as binder‐free electrodes for electrocatalytic water splitting via the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, and beyond. Furthermore, this review focuses on the current challenges and synthesis strategies of binder‐free electrodes, with a focus on the impact of nanostructure on their functional property relationships and enhanced bifunctional electrocatalytic performance. Finally, an outlook for their future advances in energy conversion and storage is provided.
A Fully Integrated System‐on‐Chip Design with Scalable Resistive Random‐Access Memory Tile Design for Analog in‐Memory Computing
Authors: Cai Fuxi , Yen She-Hwa , Uppala Apurva , Thomas Luke , Liu Tianchi , Fu Peter , Zhang Xiaofeng , Low Ambrose , Kamalanathan Deepak , Hsu Joe , Ayyagari-Sangamalli Buvna
Published: May 2022

As the demands of big data applications and deep learning continue to rise, the industry is increasingly looking to artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators. Analog in‐memory computing (AiMC) with emerging nonvolatile devices enable good hardware solutions, due to its high energy efficiency in accelerating the multiply‐and‐accumulation (MAC) operation. Herein, an Applied Materials custom‐designed system‐on‐chip (SoC) targeting AI applications with analog in‐memory computing using resistive random‐access memory (ReRAM) as the compute element is demonstrated. The first silicon achieves high energy efficiency in MAC operations. This chip is implemented with LeNet‐1 neural network on ReRAM tiles and demonstrated by Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) classification with accuracy matching that predicted in the simulations. A simulation framework, AI Sim, is also developed to evaluate the system performance for large‐scale application and guide the bitcell development and design choices.
Sensitivity analysis of prefiltering in identification of two‐time scaled systems
Authors: Cavalcanti Anderson Luiz de O. , Kienitz Karl H. , Kadirkamanathan Visakan , de Medeiros Martins Allan
Published: May 2022

System identification is an important field of modeling that allows obtaining mathematical models capable of reproducing the experimental behavior of dynamical systems accurately. When dealing with complex systems that involve more than one time and/or space scale, the identification task is not so trivial. In this context, this works focuses on the study of two‐time scaled systems (TTSSs), comprising a theoretical sensitivity analysis of prefiltered estimators for system identification purposes. It is worth mentioning that prefiltered estimators are a very important class of estimators when frequency‐domain identification is required rather than its time‐domain counterpart. Thus, the sensitivity analysis is performed for the identification of a Lockheed F104G aircraft model, which corresponds to a TTSS. Numerical simulations are also performed to validate the theoretical analysis.
Digitale Zwillinge von Windenergieanlagen: Sicht eines Windparkbetreibers
Authors: Ziegler Lisa , Schulze Andreas , Schlechtingen Meik
Published: May 2022

Bisher gibt es keine einheitliche Definition des Begriffs Digitaler Zwilling. Allgemein wird unter einem Digitalen Zwilling die virtuelle Abbildung eines physikalischen Objekts verstanden, die dessen Eigenschaften und Verhalten zu jeder Zeit widerspiegelt. Ein Kernaspekt ist die Datenvernetzung von Asset und Digitalem Zwilling für dessen kontinuierliche Aktualisierung. Durch eine konsequente Nutzung von Digitalen Zwillingen über die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette kann das Asset‐Portfolio technisch und wirtschaftlich optimiert werden. Dieser Bericht gibt einen Einblick in das Thema Digitale Zwillinge von Windkraftanlagen aus der Perspektive eines Anlagenbetreibers. Zunächst wird der Begriff Digitaler Zwilling im Kontext des Lebenszyklusmanagements von Windenergieanlagen definiert. Daran anschließend erfolgt eine Analyse der an einer modernen Windenergieanlage auflaufenden Datenmenge und ‐zusammensetzung. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf den Herausforderungen und Chancen zur Nutzung dieser Datenquellen für Digitale Zwillinge. Als Beispiel wird der Aufbau eines datenbasierten Digitalen Zwillings zur Last‐ und Lebensdauerüberwachung einer Onshore‐Windkraftanlage vorgestellt. Der Digitale Zwilling bildet dabei ein zentrales Werkzeug zur Abschätzung der Restlebensdauer des Anlagenturms.
Schwingungsbasierte Lastrekonstruktion an Gründungsstrukturen von Offshore‐Windenergieanlagen
Authors: Tsiapoki Stavroula , Colomer Segura Carles , Ebert Carsten
Published: May 2022

Die Zustandsüberwachung (SHM) der Turm‐ und Fundamentstrukturen von Offshore‐Windenergieanlagen hat sich als anerkannte Regel der Technik in der Praxis etabliert. Ein wichtiger Aspekt dabei ist die Erfassung, Bewertung und Analyse der einwirkenden Ermüdungsbeanspruchungen, um die Anlagen für einen ermüdungsarmen Betrieb zu optimieren und Potenzial für Lebensdauerverlängerungen vorzuhalten. Ermüdungsbeanspruchungen können entweder direkt mittels Dehnungsmessstreifen gemessen oder indirekt aus der Messung von Turmverformungen in Verbindung mit einem mechanischen Modell (z. B. Finite‐Elemente‐Modell) rekonstruiert werden. Die indirekte Rekonstruktion kann auch mit den Begriffen „virtuelle Sensoren“ bzw. „Digital Twin“ beschrieben werden. In diesem Beitrag wird vorgestellt, wie Ermüdungseinwirkungen an relevanten Bereichen von Offshore‐Gründungsstrukturen, wie z. B. der Turm‐Transition‐Piece‐Verbindung, aus Beschleunigungs‐ und Neigungsmessungen rekonstruiert werden können. Der Ansatz verwendet die am Turm erfassten strukturellen Antworten sowie ein FE‐Modell, um interne Kräfte bzw. Momente in der Struktur zu bestimmen. Es wird anhand realer Beispiele von deutschen Offshore‐Projekten gezeigt, wie die Genauigkeit in Abhängigkeit von den zur Verfügung stehenden Messinformationen und berücksichtigten Lastannahmen beeinflusst wird. Die Auswirkungen von Unsicherheiten aus Messung und Modellannahmen (z. B. Kalibrierfehler, Baugrundsteifigkeiten) werden ebenfalls dargestellt.
A novel deep learning prognostic system improves survival predictions for stage III non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Linlin , Fan Xinyu , Qin Wenru , Xu Yiyue , Zou Bing , Fan Bingjie , Wang Shijiang , Dong Taotao , Wang Linlin
Published: May 2022

Background

Accurate prognostic prediction plays a crucial role in the clinical setting. However, the TNM staging system fails to provide satisfactory individual survival prediction for stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The performance of the deep learning network for survival prediction in stage III NSCLC has not been explored.

Objectives

This study aimed to develop a deep learning‐based prognostic system that could achieve better predictive performance than the existing staging system for stage III NSCLC.

Methods

In this study, a deep survival learning model (DSLM) for stage III NSCLC was developed based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and was independently tested with another external cohort from our institute. DSLM was compared with the Cox proportional hazard (CPH) and random survival forest (RSF) models. A new prognostic system for stage III NSCLC was also proposed based on the established deep learning model.

Results

The study included 16,613 patients with stage III NSCLC from the SEER database. DSLM showed the best performance in survival prediction, with a C‐index of 0.725 in the validation set, followed by RSF (0.688) and CPH (0.683). DSLM also showed C‐indices of 0.719 and 0.665 in the internal and real‐world external testing datasets, respectively. In addition, the new prognostic system based on DSLM (AUROC = 0.744) showed better performance than the TNM staging system (AUROC = 0.561).

Conclusion

In this study, a new, integrated deep learning‐based prognostic model was developed and evaluated for stage III NSCLC. This novel approach may be valuable in improving patient stratification and potentially provide meaningful prognostic information that contributes to personalized therapy.
Impact of proton pump inhibitors on efficacy of antiplatelet strategies with ticagrelor or aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial
Authors: Ono Masafumi , Onuma Yoshinobu , Kawashima Hideyuki , Hara Hironori , Gao Chao , Wang Rutao , O'Leary Neil , Benit Edouard , Janssens Luc , Ferrario Maurizio , Żurakowski Aleksander , Dominici Marcello , Huber Kurt , Buszman Paweł , Garg Scot , Wykrzykowska Joanna J. , Piek Jan J. , Jüni Peter , Hamm Christian , Windecker Stephan , Vranckx Pascal , Deliargyris Efthymios N. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Storey Robert F. , Valgimigli Marco , Serruys Patrick W. ,   The GLOBAL LEADERS trial investigators
Published: May 2022

Background

Several studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may reduce the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel and/or aspirin, possibly leading to cardiovascular events.

Aims

We aimed to investigate the association between PPI and clinical outcomes in patients treated with ticagrelor monotherapy or conventional antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

This is a subanalysis of the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial, comparing the experimental antiplatelet arm (23‐month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1‐month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT]) with the reference arm (12‐month aspirin monotherapy following 12‐month DAPT) after PCI. Patient‐oriented composite endpoints (POCEs: all‐cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization) and its components were assessed stratified by PPI use as a time‐dependent covariate in patients with the experiment or reference antiplatelet arm.

Results

Among 15,839 patients, 2115 patients (13.5%) experienced POCE at 2 years. In the reference arm, the use of PPIs was independently associated with POCE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–1.44) and its individual components, whereas it was not in the experimental arm (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.92–1.19; pinteraction = 0.035). During the second‐year follow‐up, patients taking aspirin with PPIs had a significantly higher risk of POCE compared to those on aspirin without PPIs (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.27–1.94), whereas the risk did not differ significantly irrespective of PPI in ticagrelor monotherapy group (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.83–1.28; pinteraction = 0.008).

Conclusions

In contrast to conventional antiplatelet strategy, there were no evidence suggesting the interaction between ticagrelor monotherapy and PPIs on increased cardiovascular events, which should be confirmed in further studies.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov
Insight into the Synergistic Collaboration of g‐C3N4/SnO2 Composites for Photoelectrocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Zhang Erhui , Tang Jing , Li Zirong , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: May 2022

A novel method for constructing a g‐C3N4/SnO2 heterostructure for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is presented. In the heterostructure, the introduction of g‐C3N4 makes for restraining the recombination of photo‐induced electrons and holes while the existence of SnO2 plays a vital role in selective catalytic reduction of CO2 into HCOOH, thus their cooperative interaction makes the photoelectric property of g‐C3N4/SnO2 towards CO2RR improved greatly. The so‐fabricated g‐C3N4/SnO2 shows an exclusive HCOOH selectivity and a high faradic efficiency of 58 %, which is about 8 times higher than that of single SnO2. The photocurrent reaches 7.5 μA cm−2 under 0.5 V. Besides, the overpotential is as low as 300 mV (vs. RHE). Moreover, the PL emission decreases obviously after the introduction of g‐C3N4. Given these performance advantages of g‐C3N4/SnO2, the solution‐processed strategy with post‐annealing treatment offers a facile, efficient, yet scalable approach reference to construct CO2RR heterostructure catalysts, which shows higher potential in CO2RR electrocatalysis.
Piezo‐elasticity and stability limits of monocrystal methane gas hydrates: Atomistic‐continuum characterization
Authors: Zhu Xiaodan , Rey Alejandro D. , Servio Phillip
Published: May 2022

Gas hydrates are guest‐host crystalline materials formed by water cages and guest gases such as methane and carbon dioxide under simultaneously relative high‐pressure and low‐temperature conditions. With this unique guest‐host structural feature, gas hydrates can be used for gas storage and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, creating challenges such as flow assurance and geological stability. Some of these challenges are related to material instabilities caused by changing external conditions. Thus, this paper aims to determine the theoretical pressure stability limits of monocrystal defect‐free sI methane gas hydrates at 0 K using accurate density functional theory to simulate the hydrate's thermodynamic and elastic responses under varying pressures. The pressure stability limits are determined by Born stability criteria and piezo sensitivity factors. The important brittle‐to‐ductile transitions of gas hydrates are established. Also, polycrystalline mechanical properties, including the Poisson ratio and Young modulus, are calculated from the second‐order elastic constants obtained from the monocrystal sI methane hydrates, which provide the upper bounds. Taken together, the piezo‐sensitivity of a complete set of elastic properties of sI methane gas hydrates and material stability limits determined by atomistic calculations provide new data and fundamental understanding for technological applications.
Velocity‐resolved Laser‐induced Desorption for Kinetics on Surface Adsorbates
Authors: Pappendorf Kim , Golibrzuch Kai , Zhong Tian‐Li , Schwabe Sven , Kitsopoulos Theofanis , Wodtke Alec M.
Published: May 2022

Invited for this month's cover are the groups of Alec M. Wodtke at the Georg‐August University in Göttigen (Germany) and at the University of Crete (Greece). The cover picture shows ammonia (NH3) molecules adsorbed on an atomically flat platinum surface. An ultra‐short laser pulse hits the surface and heats up the metal electron rapidly to several thousand Kelvin within a few 100 fs. This high electronic temperature causes a fraction of the ammonia molecules to desorb with hyperthermal velocity from the surface. Depended on the laser intensity, the number of desorbing molecules is proportional to the surface coverage. Read the full text of their Research Article at 10.1002/cmtd.202200017.
Mandelic Acid as an Interfacial Modifier for High Performance NiOx‐based Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Fu Yu , Liu Xingchong , Zhao Shuangshuang
Published: May 2022

Nickel oxide (NiOx) inverted perovskite solar cells have been witnessed as promising solar cells because of the low cast, easy fabrication and negligible hysteresis. However, the inferior interface feature of the link NiOx and perovskite layer often causes poor device property and repeatability. Here, Mandelic acid (MAD) is introduced to form a modified layer, which could improve the poor interface properties between perovskite layer and NiOx layer. The contact angel images revels MAD could increase the hydrophobicity and facilitate the growth of perovskite crystal. The X‐ray diffraction pattern and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy have confirmed that the MAD small molecule could interact with residual PbI2 crystal, leading to better interface contact and high crystallinity. This is further demonstrated by the scanning electron microscopy test of NiOx/MAD/MAPbI3 film that average grain size is increased from 201.85 nm to 315.17 nm. The space‐charge limited current measurement proves the introduction of MAD molecule that result in the decreased trap state density from 3.58×1015 cm−3 to 2.721015 cm−3. As a consequence, The power conversion efficiency is significantly improved from 14.9% to 18.42% of MAPbI3‐based devices that retained nearly 80% initial PCE after 50 days in N2 without encapsulation.
Detection of brain tumor size using modified deep learning and multilevel thresholding utilizing modified dragonfly optimization algorithm
Authors: Ramesh Kumar Aarthi , Kuttiappan Helenprabha
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, brain tumor (BT), which is the abnormal growth of the mass of tissues in the human brain, is the main cause of death among kids and adults. The existing methodologies concentrate only on the BT classification and could not detect the BT size. This work proposes to detect the BT size utilizing Modified Deep Learning (MDNN) and multilevel thresholding (MT) utilizing modified dragonfly optimization (MD‐MT) algorithm. Afterward, the Histogram Clipping (HC)‐based Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) approach is implemented for enhancing the contrast of the inputted image, and certain features are extracted as of those contrast‐enhanced images. Next, the image is classified as (i) tumor image and (ii) nontumor image with the aid of MDNN. The tumor part is segmented as the classified tumor affected image utilizing MD‐MT. Here, the proposed HC‐CLAHE attains a 99.74% Spearman Rank Correlation, which is greater among other methods while the proposed MD‐MT attains a higher accuracy (99.73%). For classification, the proposed MDNN and the existing Artificial Neural Network, K‐Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, and Naïve Bayes are contrasted grounded on their performance in respect of precision, f‐measure, and recall. The proposed work shows excellent performance during the experimental evaluation.
It took a pandemic: Enduring lessons for improving accessibility in medical education
Authors: Wallon Robert C. , Gossett Jennifer , Meeks Lisa M.
Published: May 2022

In March of 2020, the rapid onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic halted the gears of undergraduate medical education programs in the U.S. and in many locations across the globe. Disruptions to usual practice provided the impetus for educators to creatively re‐envision medical education with approaches that shared a common feature: flexibility. Out of the chaos of the pandemic rose a collective willingness to think creatively and adapt (see https://bit.ly/3x91Y8H). Although this type of creativity had been used prior to the pandemic to develop accommodations for individual students with disabilities, these changes occurred on a larger scale and increased flexibility for entire cohorts and programs.
Prepare to successfully navigate an OCR investigation
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2022

CLEARWATER, Fla. — No matter what triggers an Office for Civil Rights investigation, perhaps a specific complaint filed by an individual or a report in the media, OCR can remove federal funding if your institution isn't in compliance or doesn't come into compliance as a result of the investigation.
Identity and disclosure
Authors: Sejdic Alana
Published: May 2022

It is always good to build rapport with students. We want to help them, and to do that we want to get to know them. We may think that a student has arrived at the Disability Services Office because they have a disability, but is that how they see it? We should find out how a student views their disability identity rather than assume.
Generation of Piezo1‐CreER transgenic mice for visualization and lineage tracing of mechanical force responsive cells in vivo
Authors: Li Xufeng , Zhang Zhenqian , Han Maoying , Li Yang , He Lingjuan , Zhou Bin
Published: May 2022

Cells and tissues are exposed to a wide range of mechanical stimuli during development, tissue homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. Over the past few decades, mechanosensitive ion channels (MSCs), as force‐sensing integral membrane proteins, have attracted great attention with regard to their structural dynamics and mechanics at the molecular level and functions in various cells. Piezo‐type MSC component 1 (Piezo1) is a newly discovered MSC; it is inherently mechanosensitive. However, which type of cells express Piezo1 in vivo remains unclear. To detect and trace Piezo1‐expressing cells, we generated and characterized a novel tamoxifen‐inducible Cre knock‐in mouse line, Piezo1‐CreER, which expresses CreER recombinase under the control of the endogenous Piezo1 promoter. Using this genetic tool, we detected the expression of Piezo1 in various cell types at the embryonic, neonatal, and adult stages. Our data showed that Piezo1 was highly expressed in endothelial cells in all the three stages, while the Piezo1 expression in epithelial cells was dynamic during development and growth. In summary, we established a new genetic tool, Piezo1‐CreER, to study Piezo1‐expressing cells in vivo during development, injury response, and tissue repair and regeneration.
Inference for epidemic models with time‐varying infection rates: Tracking the dynamics of oak processionary moth in the UK
Authors: Wadkin Laura E. , Branson Julia , Hoppit Andrew , Parker Nicholas G. , Golightly Andrew , Baggaley Andrew W.
Published: May 2022

Invasive pests pose a great threat to forest, woodland, and urban tree ecosystems. The oak processionary moth (OPM) is a destructive pest of oak trees, first reported in the UK in 2006. Despite great efforts to contain the outbreak within the original infested area of South‐East England, OPM continues to spread.

Here, we analyze data consisting of the numbers of OPM nests removed each year from two parks in London between 2013 and 2020. Using a state‐of‐the‐art Bayesian inference scheme, we estimate the parameters for a stochastic compartmental SIR (susceptible, infested, and removed) model with a time‐varying infestation rate to describe the spread of OPM.

We find that the infestation rate and subsequent basic reproduction number have remained constant since 2013 (with between one and two). This shows further controls must be taken to reduce below one and stop the advance of OPM into other areas of England.

Synthesis. Our findings demonstrate the applicability of the SIR model to describing OPM spread and show that further controls are needed to reduce the infestation rate. The proposed statistical methodology is a powerful tool to explore the nature of a time‐varying infestation rate, applicable to other partially observed time series epidemic data.
Ambivalent sexism and violence toward women: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Agadullina Elena , Lovakov Andrey , Balezina Maryana , Gulevich Olga A.
Published: May 2022

The Ambivalent Sexism Theory suggests that there are two complementary types of sexism: hostile (subjectively negative attitude towards gender groups) and benevolent (subjectively positive attitude towards gender groups). In this meta‐analysis we analysed the relationship between ambivalent sexism and attitudes toward male‐to‐female violence or violent behaviour. Violence type, the context of violence, respondents’ gender, the countries’ level of gender inequality, and sample type were tested as moderators. The results showed that both hostile and benevolent sexism independently impact on attitudes toward violence and violent behaviour albeit to a different degree. Specifically, the relationship between hostile sexism and attitudes and behaviour is stronger than for the benevolent sexism. The type and context of violence moderate the relationship between hostile sexism and attitudes toward violence and violent behaviour. Only the country's gender inequality levels showed a moderation effect for benevolent sexism. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.
The impact of organizational statements of support for the black community in the wake of a racial mega‐threat on organizational attraction and revenue
Authors: Corrington Abby , Fa‐Kaji Naomi M. , Hebl Mikki R. , King Eden B. , Stewart Dillon , Alao Temi
Published: May 2022

When race‐related injustices occur in society, organizations can respond by sending supportive signals to prospective and current employees. Using signaling theory (Spence, 1973), the current study examines the outcomes associated with organizations' public declarations of support for the Black community following race‐related mega‐threats (Leigh & Melwani, 2019). In Study 1, prospective employees evaluated a specific organization (Ben & Jerry's) that publicly supported the Black community following race‐related mega‐threats. Those who perceived higher levels of organizational support for diversity and inclusion (POSDI) reported higher organizational attraction (OA). Study 2 described a fictitious organization that responded to race‐related mega‐threats by messaging support for either Black Lives Matter (BLM), Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, or no social movement. Prospective employees perceived higher levels of POSDI when the company issued a statement in support of BLM (relative to the other movements), which in turn was associated with higher OA. Study 3 focused on current employees and examined how POSDI influences financial outcomes in real Fortune 500 companies. Organizations that issued statements publicly supporting the Black community following a race‐related mega‐threat received higher POSDI ratings by employees, which predicted increased organizational revenue, even after controlling for revenue prior to making the statements. In sum, organizations that signal public support for the Black community in the wake of a race‐related mega‐threat not only increase prospective employees' POSDI, but may also boost OA and, ultimately, financial revenue.
Body mass index trajectories and associations with cognitive decline in people with Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Borda Miguel G. , Jaramillo‐Jimenez Alberto , Giil Lasse M. , Tovar‐Rios Diego A. , Soennesyn Hogne , Aarsland Dag
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

In older adults with dementia, low body mass index (BMI) is associated with higher mortality and other adverse health outcomes. BMI or nutritional status trajectories from diagnosis have not yet been well described in dementia, especially in people with Lewy body dementia (LBD); a group that has a poorer prognosis. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the BMI trajectory in people diagnosed with mild LBD and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

The Dementia Study of Western Norway is a cohort study with annual assessments. Five‐year measurements of BMI from 196 patients (LBD = 85 and AD = 111) diagnosed with mild dementia were analyzed using adjusted linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

There were no differences between LBD and AD in baseline BMI, age, or mini‐mental status examination (MMSE). During the follow‐up, we observed a significant decrease in BMI in the LBD group across the study period (estimation [Est.]: −0.63, SE: 0.14; p < 0.001). By contrast, there was no significant change in BMI trajectory associated with AD diagnosis (Est.: 0.05, SE: 0.15; p = 0.730). Further, the introduction of an interaction term between diagnosis and time in the study showed that this difference (BMI trajectories) was significant (Est.: −0.63, SE: 0.14; p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant interaction between MMSE total score and the follow‐up time; the lower the MMSE, the lower the BMI (Est.: 0.01, SE: 0.01; p = 0.044).

Conclusion

In LBD, BMI significantly decreased with disease progression. In addition, low cognitive performance was associated with a reduction in BMI. These results highlight the importance of BMI evaluation in people with dementia, particularly patients diagnosed with LBD, and suggest that patients with LBD could be targeted for dietary intervention to maintain body weight.
CD8 agonism functionally activates memory T cells and enhances antitumor immunity
Authors: Madi Alaa , Weisshaar Nina , Buettner Michael , Poschet Gernot , Ma Sicong , Wu Jingxia , Mieg Alessa , Hering Marvin , Ming Yanan , Mohr Kerstin , ten Bosch Nora , Cui Guoliang
Published: May 2022

Memory CD8+ T cells mature after antigen clearance and ultimately express CD8 protein at levels higher than those detected in effector CD8+ T cells. However, it is not clear whether engagement of CD8 in the absence of antigenic stimulation will result in the functional activation of T cells. Here, we found that CD8 antibody‐mediated activation of memory CD8+ T cells triggered T cell receptor (TCR) downstream signaling, enhanced T cell‐mediated cytotoxicity and promoted effector cytokine production in a glucose‐ and glutamine‐dependent manner. Furthermore, pretreatment of memory CD8+ T cells with an agonistic anti‐CD8 antibody enhanced their tumoricidal activity in vitro and in vivo. From these studies, we conclude that CD8 agonism activates glucose and glutamine metabolism in memory T cells and enhances the efficacy of memory T cell‐based cancer immunotherapy.
New (old) perspectives on self‐injurious and aggressive biting
Authors: Lloveras Lindsay A. , Slanzi Crystal M. , Vollmer Timothy R.
Published: May 2022

Functional analyses and treatments of self‐injurious behavior and aggression have shown that such behavior is often operant. In this paper, we will revisit evidence that a subset of self‐injurious and aggressive biting may be controlled primarily by antecedent events and may have phylogenetic origins. We propose that there is a research gap of more than four decades, if one considers the wealth of basic research on biting that occurred prior to 1977. To our knowledge, that body of basic research was never fully translated or directly applied within behavior analysis. It is known that organisms (including humans) sometimes bite in the presence of aversive events (broadly defined as the presentation of aversive stimuli or the removal of reinforcers). Thus, the variables controlling biting in the context of behavioral assessment and treatment require further analysis.
Revisiting credit risk and banks performance of China's commercial banks before and after Covid 19 pandemic
Authors: Twum Angelina Kissiwaa , Agyemang Andrew Osei , Sare Yakubu Awudu
Published: May 2022

The effectiveness of the financial market is reflected in the financial crisis which mostly results in credit risk. The impact of credit risk in China is likely to affect the global economy since China is the fastest‐growing economy as well as the second‐best economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product. Using panel data for twenty‐eight listed commercial banks in China from 1990 to 2020, the study explored the relationship between credit risk and business performance. The authors utilized the Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) as the primary estimator while the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) was used as a robust estimator. A negative and statistically significant relationship was found between non‐performing loan and return on equity, as well as loan loss provision and profitability of the bank. On the contrary, capital adequacy ratio revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship with bank performance. Credit growth on the other hand recorded positive but insignificant relationship with performance of banks. The findings will add up to existing literature on credit risk and business performance of commercial banks.
Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 in rheumatoid arthritis: Longitudinal change after treatment and correlation with treatment efficacy of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors
Authors: Wang Feng , Liu Gaozhan , Xiang Lei , Yuan Jie , Tao Ying , Zhang Lin , Zhang Anbing , Chang Xiuli
Published: May 2022

Background

Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) correlates with treatment outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to further evaluate the MALT1 longitudinal change and its relationship with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) response in RA patients.

Methods

Seventy‐one RA patients receiving TNFi [etanercept (n = 42) or adalimumab (n = 29)] were enrolled. MALT1 was detected by RT‐qPCR in peripheral blood samples of RA patients before treatment (W0), at week (W)4, W12, and W24 after treatment. RA patients were divided into response/non‐response, remission/non‐remission patients according to their treatment outcome at W24. Meanwhile, MALT1 was also detected by RT‐qPCR in 30 osteoarthritis patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs).

Results

Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 was elevated in RA patients compared with HCs (Z=−6.392, p < 0.001) and osteoarthritis patients (Z = −5.020, p < 0.001). In RA patients, MALT1 was positively correlated with C‐reactive protein (rs = 0.347, p = 0.003), but not other clinical characteristics, treatment history, or current TNFi category. Meanwhile, MALT1 decreased from W0 to W12 in total RA patients (x2 = 86.455, p < 0.001), etanercept subgroup (x2 = 46.636, p < 0.001), and adalimumab subgroup (x2 = 41.291, p < 0.001). Moreover, MALT1 at W24 (p = 0.012) was decreased in response patients compared with non‐response patients; MALT1 at W12 (p = 0.027) and W24 (p = 0.010) were reduced in remission patients than non‐remission patients. In etanercept subgroup, MALT1 at W24 (p = 0.013) was decreased in response patients compared with non‐response patients. In adalimumab subgroup, MALT1 at W24 (p = 0.015) was lower in remission patients than non‐remission patients.

Conclusion

Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 reduction after treatment is associated with response and remission to TNFi in RA patients.