bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Attitudes and Beliefs about Cardiovascular Disease Risk Perception Questionnaire
Authors: Guo Zhiting , Ding Chuanqi , Gao Wen , Hong Junyi , Tang Jiaying , Zhang Yuping , Jin Jingfen
Published: November 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality and disease burden. The perceived risk of CVD, a central psychological construct, may affect health behavior change and maintenance, such as lifestyle modification and medication adherence. Risk perception varies based on the knowledge of risk in the context of cultural health-world views. Little is known about CVD-related knowledge and risk perception in China. The aim of this study is to cross-culturally translate, adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Attitudes and Beliefs about Cardiovascular Disease (ABCD) Risk Perception Questionnaire in Chinese. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process followed established guidelines. A cross-sectional study of 318 adults between April and May 2022 was conducted in Zhejiang province. The study evaluated the item- and scale-level psychometric properties and validity indices of the ABCD risk perception questionnaire. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the risk scale supported a three-factor solution that accounts for 69.63% of the total variance, corresponding to risk perception (F1), perceived benefits and intention to change physical activity (F2), and perceived benefits and intention to change dietary habits (F3). Adequate content validity (I-CVI = 0.852–1.00, S-CVI = 946) was ensured by expert panel. The internal consistency of the dimensions showed good results ranging from 0.801 to 0.940 for Cronbach's α, and 0.853 to 0.952 for McDonald’s ω. The item analysis of knowledge dimension indicated that the item difficulty index was 0.440 to 0.852, the item discrimination index was 0.572 to 0.707. This study confirmed that the Chinese version of the ABCD risk perception questionnaire has good psychometric properties in terms of measuring CVD-related knowledge and risk perception in the Chinese adult population, which can lead to the development of individually tailored CVD-risk reduction intervention programs or risk communication programs by health providers.
Hydrothermal preparation of high purity TiO2 from industrial metatitanic acid by response surface methodology
Authors: Tian Congxue
Published: November 2022

The response surface methodology of Box Behnken design was used to investigate the effects of hydrothermal conditions on the high purity TiO2 preparation from industrial metatitanic acid. The method had a good fitting result in the prediction model, and the effects could be calculated from a second-order polynomial equation. The hydrothermal conditions greatly affected the structure and purity for the metatitanic acid and rutile TiO2, influenced the process of nucleation and crystallization, grain growth, polymerization, agglomeration and aggregation, further improved the particle size distribution, structure and surface adsorption capacity of metatitanic acid, reduced the adsorption of impurity ions, and finally improved the purity of TiO2. The variables such as hydrothermal temperature, slurry concentration and hydrothermal time had synergistic effects, and the effects of hydrothermal time were larger than the other two. The verification experiments confirmed that the predicted values could be achieved at 99.99% under the optimal hydrothermal conditions.
Ferulic acid derivatives block coronaviruses HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro
Authors: Pasquereau Sébastien , Galais Mathilde , Bellefroid Maxime , Pachón Angona Irene , Morot-Bizot Stéphanie , Ismaili Lhassane , Van Lint Carine , Herbein Georges
Published: November 2022

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in China at the end of 2019 causing a large global outbreak. As treatments are of the utmost importance, drugs with broad anti-coronavirus activity embody a rich and rapid drug discovery landscape, where candidate drug compounds could be identified and optimized. To this end, we tested ten small-molecules with chemical structures close to ferulic acid derivatives (FADs) (n = 8), caffeic acid derivatives (CAFDs) (n = 1) and carboxamide derivatives (CAMDs) (n = 1) for their ability to reduce HCoV-229E replication, another member of the coronavirus family. Among these ten drugs tested, five of them namely MBA112, MBA33, MBA27-1, OS4-1 and MBA108-1 were highly cytotoxic and did not warrant further testing. In contrast, we observed a moderate cytotoxicity for two of them, MBA152 and 5c. Three drugs, namely MBA140, LIJ2P40, and MBA28 showed lower cytotoxicity. These candidates were then tested for their antiviral propreties against HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV2 replication. We first observed encouraging results in HCoV-229E. We then measured a reduction of the viral SARS-CoV2 replication by 46% with MBA28 (EC50 > 200 µM), by 58% with MBA140 (EC50 = 176 µM), and by 82% with LIJ2P40 (EC50 = 66.5 µM). Overall, the FAD LIJ2P40 showed a reduction of the viral titer on SARS-CoV-2 up to two logs with moderate cytotoxicity which opens the door to further evaluation to fight Covid-19.
Visualisation of lenticulostriate arteries using contrast-enhanced time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography at 7 Tesla
Authors: Osuafor Christopher N. , Rua Catarina , Mackinnon Andrew D. , Egle Marco , Benjamin Philip , Tozer Daniel J. , Rodgers Christopher T. , Markus Hugh S.
Published: November 2022

7 Tesla-field-strength (7 T) Magnetic Resonance Imaging allows the small perforating arteries in the brain to be visualised, and this modality may allow visualisation of the arterial pathology in cerebral small vessel disease. Most studies have used standard Time-of-Flight (ToF) Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Whether the use of contrast enhancement improves perforating artery visualisation at 7 T remains unclear. In a prospective study, we compared standard ToF MRA with contrast-enhanced (CE) ToF MRA at 7 T for the visualisation of the lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs). Ten patients with symptomatic lacunar stroke were recruited (mean age, SD, 64 ± 9.9 years). Visualisation was assessed using a visual rating scale administered by two independent expert readers and length of the LSAs visible. Visualisation of the LSAs was improved with CE ToF MRA. The mean Visibility and Sharpness Score was higher for CE ToF MRA over standard ToF MRA (2.55 ± 0.64 vs. 1.75 ± 0.68; P = 0.0008). The mean length of LSA visualised was significantly longer with CE ToF MRA compared to standard ToF MRA (24.4 ± 4.5 vs. 21.9 ± 4.0 mm; P = 0.01). CE ToF MRA offers improved visualisation of the LSAs over standard ToF MRA. The addition of contrast may improve the ability to visualise cerebral small vessel disease arterial pathology.
Influence of pleated geometry on the pressure drop of filters during dust loading process: experimental and modelling study
Authors: Teng Guangping , Shi Guoqing , Zhu Jintuo
Published: November 2022

In this study, a pressure drop model was developed through numerical simulation and experimentation for optimizing the design of the pleated structure of the filter media to extend the service life of the filter and reduce the ventilation energy consumption. The effect of the Stokes number on the dust deposition on the pleated filter media was revealed through numerical simulation. On this basis, a pressure drop model during dust loading was developed. The model suggests that under the same mass of dust deposition per unit area (W), the greater the pleat ratio (α), the greater the dust cake thickness and the effective filtration velocity in the effective filtration area. In addition, for V-shaped and U-shaped filters, the relative mean deviations between experimental and modeling total pressure drops are 3.68% and 4.82%, respectively. In other words, the proposed model accurately predicts pressure drop during dust loading. Furthermore, under the same α and $$W$$
W
, the total pressure drop of the U-shaped filter is lower than that of the V-shaped filter, demonstrating the superior filtration performance of the U-shaped filter.
Valproic acid attenuates cellular senescence in diabetic kidney disease through the inhibition of complement C5a receptors
Authors: Coughlan Melinda T. , Ziemann Mark , Laskowski Adrienne , Woodruff Trent M. , Tan Sih Min
Published: November 2022

Despite increasing knowledge about the factors involved in the progression of diabetic complications, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) continues to be a major health burden. Current therapies only slow but do not prevent the progression of DKD. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapy to halt the progression of DKD and improve disease prognosis. In our preclinical study where we administered a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, valproic acid, to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis were attenuated. Furthermore, we discovered that valproic acid attenuated diabetes-induced upregulation of complement C5a receptors, with a concomitant reduction in markers of cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Interestingly, further examination of mice lacking the C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) gene revealed that cellular senescence was attenuated in diabetes. Similar results were observed in diabetic mice treated with a C5aR1 inhibitor, PMX53. RNA-sequencing analyses showed that PMX53 significantly regulated genes associated with cell cycle pathways leading to cellular senescence. Collectively, these results for the first time demonstrated that complement C5a mediates cellular senescence in diabetic kidney disease. Cellular senescence has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, thus therapies to inhibit cellular senescence such as complement inhibitors present as a novel therapeutic option to treat diabetic kidney disease.
Gender-specific factors contributing to visceral obesity including the sleep-obesity relationship: a large-scale cross-sectional study from East Asia
Authors: Saito Katsuki , Shimamoto Takeshi , Takahashi Yu , Okushin Kazuya , Takahashi Mami , Masuda Yukari , Nishikawa Takako , Kakushima Naomi , Wada Ryoichi , Yamamichi Nobutake
Published: November 2022

Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between visceral obesity and its associated factors, especially sleep duration in East Asia. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses using the data of 2538 participants (mean age 56.4 ± 10.8 years) who underwent medical checkups and computed tomography of the abdomen to calculate the visceral fat area from 2008 to 2020. We additionally performed logistic regression analyses using each sleep-duration group (< 5, 5–6, 6–7, 7–8, and ≥ 8 h) and their respective propensity scores as covariates. According to the criteria of visceral obesity(a visceral fat area ≥ 100 cm2), 1147 of 1918 men (59.8%) and 131 of 620 women (21.1%) had visceral obesity. In multivariate analyses, visceral obesity was significantly associated with age, body mass index and triglyceride in both genders, high-density lipoproteins, uric acid levels, and daily alcohol consumption in men; and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in women. In both multivariate and propensity score matching analyses, sleep duration of > 8 h and visceral obestiy showed a positive association in men but a negative association in women with statistical significance. In conclusion, our large-scale cross-sectional study in East Asia identified various gender-specific factors associated with visceral obesity including the long sleep duration.
Lung_PAYNet: a pyramidal attention based deep learning network for lung nodule segmentation
Authors: Bruntha P. Malin , Pandian S. Immanuel Alex , Sagayam K. Martin , Bandopadhyay Shivargha , Pomplun Marc , Dang Hien
Published: November 2022

Accurate and reliable lung nodule segmentation in computed tomography (CT) images is required for early diagnosis of lung cancer. Some of the difficulties in detecting lung nodules include the various types and shapes of lung nodules, lung nodules near other lung structures, and similar visual aspects. This study proposes a new model named Lung_PAYNet, a pyramidal attention-based architecture, for improved lung nodule segmentation in low-dose CT images. In this architecture, the encoder and decoder are designed using an inverted residual block and swish activation function. It also employs a feature pyramid attention network between the encoder and decoder to extract exact dense features for pixel classification. The proposed architecture was compared to the existing UNet architecture, and the proposed methodology yielded significant results. The proposed model was comprehensively trained and validated using the LIDC-IDRI dataset available in the public domain. The experimental results revealed that the Lung_PAYNet delivered remarkable segmentation with a Dice similarity coefficient of 95.7%, mIOU of 91.75%, sensitivity of 92.57%, and precision of 96.75%.
Parasitic infection increases risk-taking in a social, intermediate host carnivore
Authors: Meyer Connor J. , Cassidy Kira A. , Stahler Erin E. , Brandell Ellen E. , Anton Colby B. , Stahler Daniel R. , Smith Douglas W.
Published: November 2022

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded species and can increase risk-taking in intermediate hosts. Despite extensive laboratory research on the effects of T. gondii infection on behaviour, little is understood about the effects of toxoplasmosis on wild intermediate host behavior. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, has a diverse carnivore community including gray wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Puma concolor), intermediate and definitive hosts of T. gondii, respectively. Here, we used 26 years of wolf behavioural, spatial, and serological data to show that wolf territory overlap with areas of high cougar density was an important predictor of infection. In addition, seropositive wolves were more likely to make high-risk decisions such as dispersing and becoming a pack leader, both factors critical to individual fitness and wolf vital rates. Due to the social hierarchy within a wolf pack, we hypothesize that the behavioural effects of toxoplasmosis may create a feedback loop that increases spatial overlap and disease transmission between wolves and cougars. These findings demonstrate that parasites have important implications for intermediate hosts, beyond acute infections, through behavioural impacts. Particularly in a social species, these impacts can surge beyond individuals to affect groups, populations, and even ecosystem processes.
A small bacteriophage protein determines the hierarchy over co-residential jumbo phage in Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis
Authors: Pavlin Anja , Lovše Anže , Bajc Gregor , Otoničar Jan , Kujović Amela , Lengar Živa , Gutierrez-Aguirre Ion , Kostanjšek Rok , Konc Janez , Fornelos Nadine , Butala Matej
Published: November 2022

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis is the most widely used biopesticide against insects, including vectors of animal and human diseases. Among several extrachromosomal elements, this endospore-forming entomopathogen harbors two bacteriophages: a linear DNA replicon named GIL01 that does not integrate into the chromosome during lysogeny and a circular-jumbo prophage known as pBtic235. Here, we show that GIL01 hinders the induction of cohabiting prophage pBtic235. The GIL01-encoded small protein, gp7, which interacts with the host LexA repressor, is a global transcription regulator and represses the induction of pBtic235 after DNA damage to presumably allow GIL01 to multiply first. In a complex with host LexA in stressed cells, gp7 down-regulates the expression of more than 250 host and pBtic235 genes, many of which are involved in the cellular functions of genome maintenance, cell-wall transport, and membrane and protein stability. We show that gp7 homologs that are found exclusively in bacteriophages act in a similar fashion to enhance LexA’s binding to DNA, while likely also affecting host gene expression. Our results provide evidence that GIL01 influences both its host and its co-resident bacteriophage.
Non-symmetric pinning of topological defects in living liquid crystals
Authors: Figueroa-Morales Nuris , Genkin Mikhail M. , Sokolov Andrey , Aranson Igor S.
Published: November 2022

Topological defects, such as vortices and disclinations, play a crucial role in spatiotemporal organization of equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. The defect immobilization or pinning is a formidable challenge in the context of the out-of-equilibrium system, like a living liquid crystal, a suspension of swimming bacteria in lyotropic liquid crystal. Here we control the emerged topological defects in a living liquid crystal by arrays of 3D-printed microscopic obstacles (pillars). Our studies show that while −1/2 defects may be easily immobilized by the pillars, +1/2 defects remain motile. Due to attraction between oppositely charged defects, positive defects remain in the vicinity of pinned negative defects, and the diffusivity of positive defects is significantly reduced. Experimental findings are rationalized by computational modeling of living liquid crystals. Our results provide insight into the engineering of active systems via targeted immobilization of topological defects.
Retrospective study of the immunogenicity and safety of the CoronaVac SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in people with underlying medical conditions
Authors: Li Chunmei , Bi Hanfang , Fu Zhenwang , Li Ao , Wan Na , Hu Jun , Yang Fan , Zhou Tai-Cheng , Liang Yupeng , Su Wei , Shi Tianpei , Yang Mei , Wang Rong , Qin Wanting , Yu Xuanjing , Zheng Hong-Yi , Zhou Zumi , Zheng Yong-Tang , Wei Jia , Zeng Gang , Zhang Zijie ,   the Precise-CoVaccine study group, Chen Yanli , Yang Wei , Ma Xupu , Zhao Xinshuai , Jiang Xinyu , Wu Qingqin , Yan Yating , Xing Lei , Li Jingmei , Sun Lipei , Jiao Hanyi , Wu Junze , Liu Xueyan , Yu Houze , Dai Muxian , Liu Fengwei , Feng Muhua , Zhang Yuemiao , Wu Ying , You Dingyun , Wang Guo-Dong , Yan Guanghong , Xu Gangxu , Wang Yajing , Zhang Lihong , Zhang Liang
Published: November 2022

Background

People living with chronic disease, particularly seniors (≥60 years old), made up of most severe symptom and death cases among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. However, they are lagging behind in the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign in China due to the uncertainty of vaccine safety and effectiveness. Safety and immunogenicity data of COVID-19 vaccines in people with underlying medical conditions are needed to address the vaccine hesitation in this population.

Methods

We included participants (≥40 years old) who received two doses of CoronaVac inactivated vaccines (at a 3–5 week interval) and were healthy or had at least one of 6 common chronic diseases. The incidence of adverse events after vaccination was monitored. Vaccine immunogenicity was studied by determining neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses post vaccination.

Results

Here we show that chronic diseases are associated with a higher rate of mild fatigue following the first dose of CoronaVac. By day 14–28 post vaccination, the neutralizing antibody level shows no significant difference between disease groups and healthy controls, except for people with coronary artery disease (p = 0.0287) and chronic respiratory disease (p = 0.0416), who show moderate reductions. Such differences diminish by day 90 and 180. Most people show detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses at day 90 and day 180 without significant differences between disease groups and healthy controls.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the comparable safety, immunogenicity and cellular immunity memory of CoronaVac in seniors and people living with chronic diseases. This data should reduce vaccine hesitancy in this population.
Droplet microfluidics for CTC-based liquid biopsy: a review
Authors: Jiang Lin , Yang Hang , Cheng Weiqi , Ni Zhonghua , Xiang Nan
Published: November 2022

We present a comprehensive review on droplet microfluidics for CTC-based liquid biopsy.
An antibacterial and proangiogenic double-layer drug-loaded microneedle patch for accelerating diabetic wound healing
Authors: Gao Shan , Zhang Wanlin , Zhai Xingxing , Zhao Xue , Wang Jianxin , Weng Jie , Li Jianshu , Chen Xingyu
Published: November 2022

A double-layer microneedle patch DMN@TCH/DFO was prepared and released TCH and DFO to accelerate wound healing through antibacterial and angiogenesis-promoting processes, and provides a new choice for diabetic wound repair.
Concerted and sequential three-body fragmentation of deep-core-ionized carbon disulfide
Authors: Guillemin R. , Marin T. , Zmerli M. , Bomme C. , Ismail I. , Journel L. , Marchenko T. , Travnikova O. , Piancastelli M. N. , Simon M.
Published: November 2022

Momentum vector correlation is a powerful tool to study molecular dissociation.
Nanomedicine embraces cancer radio-immunotherapy: mechanism, design, recent advances, and clinical translation
Authors: Li Haonan , Luo Qiang , Zhang Hu , Ma Xuelei , Gu Zhongwei , Gong Qiyong , Luo Kui
Published: November 2022

This review overviews the landscape of nanomedicine-aided cancer radio-immunotherapy in a “from bench to clinic” manner.
Okanin from Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. alleviates cognitive impairment in bilateral common carotid artery occlusion mice by regulating the miR-7/NLRP3 axis in microglia
Authors: Mi Yan , Xu Jikai , Shi Ruijia , Meng Qingqi , Xu Libin , Liu Yeshu , Guo Tingting , Zhou Di , Liu Jingyu , Li Wei , Li Ning , Hou Yue
Published: November 2022

Okanin attenuated cognitive impairment in BCCAO mice. Okanin inhibited microglial activation, decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation and increased miR-7 expression in vivo and in vitro, and inhibited microglia-induced neuronal injury.
Endowing cells with unnatural photocatalytic ability for sustainable chemicals production by bionic minerals-triggering
Authors: Liu Peng , Chang Yi , Ren Xueqing , Liu Tingting , Meng Hongmin , Ru Xiangli , Bai Zhengyu , Yang Lin , Ma Xiaoming
Published: November 2022

Herein, a yeast cell, with neither photosynthetic properties nor hydrogen production abilities, is endowed with efficient solar-to-chemical hydrogen production via in situ biosynthesized intracellular nanodots triggering enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
AR-XRF measurements and data treatment for the evaluation of gilding samples of cultural heritage
Authors: Orsilli Jacopo , Migliori Alessandro , Padilla-Alvarez Roman , Martini Marco , Galli Anna
Published: November 2022

AR-XRF has been employed to measure the thickness of gildings in laboratory samples, proving its advantages for the analysis of cultural heritage samples.
An experimental evidence for the key role of diphenylalanine in fibril formation
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Roy Chowdhury Srayoshi , Mondal Sahabaj , Haldar Debasish
Published: November 2022

N-Phenylglycine appended diphenylalanine self-aggregates to form entangled fibers with green-gold birefringence in Congo red assay. But, the tyrosine analogues exhibit hydrogen bonded supramolecular sheet-like structure and inhibit fibril formation.
Formation of a vertical SnSe/SnSe2 p–n heterojunction by NH3 plasma-induced phase transformation
Authors: Li Yi , Duan Juanmei , Berencén Yonder , Hübner René , Tsai Hsu-Sheng , Kuo Chia-Nung , Lue Chin Shan , Helm Manfred , Zhou Shengqiang , Prucnal Slawomir
Published: November 2022

Layered van der Waals crystals exhibit unique properties making them attractive for applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and sensing.
Cobalt-doped copper vanadate: a dual active electrocatalyst propelling efficient H2 evolution and glycerol oxidation in alkaline water
Authors: Tripathi Vijay , Jain Siddarth , Kabra Dinesh , Panchakarla Leela S. , Dutta Arnab
Published: November 2022

Co doping resulted in an enhancement of the electrocatalytic properties of copper vanadate towards the HER and the GOR to form formic acid.
Hydroxide ion-conducting viologen–bakelite organic frameworks for flexible solid-state zinc–air battery applications
Authors: Rase Deepak , Illathvalappil Rajith , Singh Himan Dev , Shekhar Pragalbh , Leo Liya S , Chakraborty Debanjan , Haldar Sattwick , Shelke Ankita , Ajithkumar Thalasseril G. , Vaidhyanathan Ramanathan
Published: November 2022

A cationic bakelite–viologen polymer with counter-balancing hydroxide ions serves as a solid-state electrolyte for zinc–air battery.
Polar semiconductor photocatalysts with intrinsic electric fields for selective organic transformation
Authors: Huang Mianli , Yu Maoqing , Si Ruiru , Xu Wentao , Xu Miaoqiong , Xiao Chunmei , Chen Wen-Jie , Sun Lidan , Weng Bo , Pan Xiaoyang
Published: November 2022

The recent progress in the synthesis and photocatalytic applications of polar semiconductors for selective organic synthesis is summarized.
Nickel-catalyzed alkylation of ketones and nitriles with primary alcohols
Authors: Genç Sertaç , Arslan Burcu , Gülcemal Derya , Gülcemal Süleyman , Günnaz Salih
Published: November 2022

Nickel(ii)–salphen catalyzed α-alkylation of ketones and nitriles with primary alcohols has been developed.
Broad-range spin-crossover modulation in guest-responsive 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymers
Authors: Orellana-Silla Alejandro , Turo-Cortés Rubén , Rubio-Giménez Víctor , Bartual-Murgui Carlos , Ameloot Rob , Martí-Gastaldo Carlos , Muñoz M. Carmen , Real José Antonio
Published: November 2022

Replacement of the function X = −NH2with −OH in the 5X-pyrimidine axial ligand of the 2D Hofmann polymer {FeII(Lax)2[MII(CN)4]}n(MII= Pt, Pd) enhances guest uptake and enables a wide range of one, two and three stepped spin crossover behaviours.
Synergistic copper nanoparticles and adjacent single atoms on biomass-derived N-doped carbon toward overall water splitting
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Liu Ruoqi , Fan Ziyi , Wen Huiming , Chen Yu , Lin Ronghe , Zhu Yinlong , Yang Xiaofei , Chen Zupeng
Published: November 2022

Cu1+n/BDNC with synergistic copper nanoparticles and adjacent single atoms shows optimal OER activity and a small cell voltage of 1.65 V for overall water splitting.
On the effect of metal loading on the performance of Co catalysts supported on mixed MgO–La2O3 oxides for ammonia synthesis
Authors: Ronduda Hubert , Zybert Magdalena , Patkowski Wojciech , Sobczak Kamil , Moszyński Dariusz , Albrecht Aleksander , Sarnecki Adam , Raróg-Pilecka Wioletta
Published: November 2022

Co supported on mixed MgO–La2O3 oxides as efficient and stable catalysts for ammonia synthesis.
Palladium nanoparticles on chitin-derived nitrogen-doped carbon materials for carbon dioxide hydrogenation into formic acid
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Zhang Lei , Jin Fangming , Chen Xi
Published: November 2022

Utilizing waste carbon resources to produce chemicals and materials is beneficial to mitigate the fossil fuel consumption and the global warming.
A resorufin-based fluorescence probe for visualizing biogenic amines in cells and zebrafish
Authors: Pei Sheng-Lin , Zhang Jin , Ge Wanyun , Liu Chao , Sheng Ruilong , Zeng Lintao , Pan Ling-Hui
Published: November 2022

A resorufin-based pre-fluorophore can achieve high contrast ratio imaging of biogenic amines in cells and zebrafish without washing steps.
Investigation of commercial aluminum alloys as anode materials for alkaline aluminum–air batteries
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhu Yuan , Li Yifan , Yang Kai , Lu Wenyi , Peng Ke , Tian Zhongliang
Published: November 2022

Employed as anode materials for aqueous alkaline Al–air batteries, commercial aluminum alloys realized energy conversion and resource sustainability.
A high-pressure resistant ternary network hydrogel based flexible strain sensor with a uniaxially oriented porous structure toward gait detection
Authors: Dong Xin , Ge Yaqing , Li Keyi , Li Xinyi , Liu Yong , Xu Dongyu , Wang Shoude , Gu Xiangling
Published: November 2022

The interaction between triple networks in hydrogel and the flexible sensor prepared are applied to gait detection.
Super-flexible phase change materials with a dual-supporting effect for solar thermoelectric conversion in the ocean environment
Authors: Zhou Yi-Cun , Yang Jie , Bai Lu , Bao Rui-Ying , Yang Ming-Bo , Yang Wei
Published: November 2022

Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) based on phase change materials (PCMs) are an emerging advanced technology to collect and utilize solar energy.
A synergistic two-step optimization design enables high capacitive energy storage in lead-free Sr0.7Bi0.2TiO3-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Liu Jikang , Ding Yuqin , Li Chongyang , Bai Wangfeng , Zheng Peng , Wu Shiting , Zhang Jingji , Pan Zhongbin , Zhai Jiwei
Published: November 2022

A two-step design is developed to realize multi-objective synergistic optimizations including high activity/ultrafine PNRs and ultrasmall grain size with compact grain boundaries, showing huge application potential in advanced pulsed power devices.
Metal–phenolic networks acted as a novel bio-filler of a barrier membrane to improve guided bone regenerationviamanipulating osteoimmunomodulation
Authors: Ren Lulu , Gong Pei , Gao Xinghui , Wang Qian , Xie Li , Tang Wei , Long Jie , Liu Can , Tian Weidong , He Min
Published: November 2022

Our work is a pioneering work in exploring MPNs as a novel type of bio-filler. Our work provides a new platform for controllable release of bioactive metal ions and a universal pathway to obtain multi-functional immunomodulatory biocomposites.
Solid-state emitting twisted π-conjugate as AIE-active DSE-gen:in vitroanticancer properties against FaDu and 4T1 with biocompatibility and bioimaging
Authors: Bhuin Shouvik , Sharma Pravesh , Chakraborty Purbali , Kulkarni Onkar Prakash , Chakravarty Manab
Published: November 2022

N-hexylindole-linked anthracenyl twisted π-conjugates are identified as AIE-active DSEgens, which can inhibit FaDu and 4T1 cell lines but not HEK-293. The scathed fluorescence signals for FaDu and 4T1 make them recognizable over HEK-293.
P- and N-dopable ambipolar bulk heterojunction thermoelectrics based on ladder-type conjugated polymers
Authors: He Qiang , Tam Teck Lip Dexter , Koh Xue Qi , Tham Nguk Neng , Meng Hong , Huang Wei , Xu Jianwei
Published: November 2022

All-polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) thermoelectrics with balanced charge transport were demonstrated for the first time. The BHJ blend can be p- or n-doped, and a full thermoelectric cell was constructed.
New high-Tg bipolar benzimidazole derivatives in improving the stability of high-efficiency OLEDs
Authors: Lin Sheng-Jie , Cheng Yu-Chieh , Chen Chia-Hsun , Zhang Yong-Yun , Lee Jiun-Haw , Leung Man-kit , Lin Bo-Yen , Chiu Tien-Lung
Published: November 2022

Four bipolar molecules, named 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-3cbzBIZ, composed of tricarbazole (3cbz) substituted benzimidazole, were synthesized and characterized.
Start-up, operation and thermal-hydraulic analysis of a self-propelling supercritical CO2 heat removal system coupled to a pressurized water reactor
Authors: Hofer Markus , Hecker Frieder , Buck Michael , Starflinger Jörg
Published: November 2022

The supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) heat removal system, which is based on a closed Brayton cycle with sCO2 as a working fluid, is an innovative, self-propelling and modular heat removal system for existing and future nuclear power plants. By changing the number of CO2 cycles, the heat removal capacity can be adapted. In this paper, up to four sCO2 cycles are analyzed in interaction with a pressurized water reactor, using the thermal-hydraulic system code ATHLET and considering a long-term station blackout and loss of ultimate heat sink scenario with conservatively high and low decay heat curves. The presented start-up procedure for the heat removal system might require further optimization due to the non-linear thermal gradients. Independent from the start-up, a heat removal system with three or four CO2 cycles keeps the primary loop temperatures sufficiently low. However, with only three cycles, the core is almost uncovered, and the danger of recriticality may occur due to cold leg deboration. Controlling the turbine inlet temperature via the turbomachinery speed and subsequent shutdown of single cycles successfully adapts the operation of the heat removal system to the declining decay heat. This enables reliable decay heat removal for more than 72 h.
Displaced femoral neck fracture in a pregnant patient diagnosed with transient osteoporosis of the hip
Authors: Factor Shai , Barriga Juan , Halperin Dania , Krespi Raphael , Ben-Tov Tomer
Published: November 2022

Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy (TOP) is a self-limiting pathology with unspecified etiology. It is typically found in women in late pregnancy or early postpartum. A femoral neck fracture is an infrequent complication. Herein, we describe a TOP case in a 38-year-old female who suffered a displaced sub-capital femoral neck fracture without obvious trauma at 28 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent operative treatment using closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF), using cannulated screws, with no intraoperative complications. The postoperative radiograph revealed a collapse and further displacement of the femoral neck. A decision was made to postpone a definitive treatment to a postpartum date. The patient underwent a cesarean section at 38-week of gestation with no complications. At her latest follow-up, 24 months postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic. Pelvic and hip radiographs demonstrated consolidation of the fracture. Level of evidence: IV.
Verwirrtes älteres Tier – was tun?
Authors: Zurr Daniela
Published: November 2022

Kennen Sie das: Ein Ihnen schon lange bekannter Hund kommt in die Praxis und
scheint nicht zu wissen, wo er ist? In diesem Fall leidet er mit großer
Wahrscheinlichkeit an einer fortgeschrittenen kognitiven Dysfunktion und
hätte schon Jahre vorher therapeutisch unterstützt werden
sollen. Was können Sie tun, um diese Patienten rechtzeitig zu
erkennen?
Akupunktur beim alten Tier – von Leere, Stagnation und
demenziellen Zuständen
Authors: Eul-Matern Christina
Published: November 2022

Sowohl die westliche, als auch die östliche Wissenschaft kennt definierte
Abschnitte im Lebenszyklus. Das Zusammenspiel von inneren und
äußeren Faktoren ist für das Altern verantwortlich. Nach
Ansicht der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin ist die Demenz eine komplexe
systemische Erkrankung. Akupunktur hat bei der Behandlung von Demenz-Patienten
signifikante Wirkung. Mithilfe einer exakten Chinesischen Diagnose kann der
Akupunkteur im Einzelfall ein passendes Therapiekonzept ermitteln und eine
Behandlungsstrategie aufstellen.
Heilung – eine persönliche
Annäherung
Authors: Könneker Henrike
Published: November 2022

Seit längerer Zeit denke ich darüber nach, wie man Heilung
kognitiv erfassen könnte. Und wie sich meine eigenen Erkenntnisse dazu
in Worte fassen lassen, sodass sie auch für andere verständlich
wären. Bisher bin ich vor dieser Aufgabe zurückgeschreckt
… Zu groß erschien (und erscheint mir noch immer) das
Ausmaß solcher Überlegungen. Zu groß für ein
rein intellektuelles Verstehen von Heilung und viel zu groß, um es zu
Papier zu bringen. Und dennoch möchte ich mich jetzt daran wagen.
9 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformations (DYKATs) and Stereoablative Transformations
Authors: Hafeman N. J. , Sardini, Jr. S. R. , Bhat V. , Stoltz B. M.
Published: November 2022

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT) are an extensively utilized class of reactions to construct carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds from racemic starting materials. Much like DYKAT, stereoablative transformations grant access to enantioenriched building blocks from racemic substrates. In contrast to DYKAT, stereoablative transformations function via irreversible destruction of the stereocenter rather than a catalyst-promoted epimerization. While this review is not exhaustive, it focuses on transition-metal-catalyzed processes and outlines the current state-of-the-art of this field.
A hard case for the ethics of supported voting: Cognitive and communicative disabilities, and incommunicability
Authors: Mráz Attila
Published: November 2022

In this article, I explore the implications of three moral grounds for the justification of supported voting – respect as opacity, respect as equal status, and respect as political care. For each ground, I ask whether it justifies surrogate voting for voters unable to either communicate or give effect to their electoral judgments, due to some cognitive or communicative disability. (Henceforth: incommunicability cases.) I argue that respect as opacity does not permit surrogate voting, and equal status does not justify such support – although the latter account can make sense of the value loss involved in the persistent non-participation of individuals with cognitive and communicative disabilities. Finally, I argue that an account of supported voting based on the ethics of political care can accommodate a pro tanto moral permission to provide surrogate voting as a form of support in incommunicability cases, and it can account for the inclusive approach of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to supported decision-making. However, I show that in incommunicability cases, what the political community and individual caretakers ultimately owe to adult fellow citizens as equal members of the political community is some adequate form of political care – but not necessarily surrogate voting.
Social vulnerability amplifies the disparate impact of mobility on COVID-19 transmissibility across the United States
Authors: Huang Bo , Huang Zhihui , Chen Chen , Lin Jian , Tam Tony , Hong Yingyi , Pei Sen
Published: November 2022

Although human mobility is considered critical for the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) both locally and globally, the extent to which such an association is impacted by social vulnerability remains unclear. Here, using multisource epidemiological and socioeconomic data of US counties, we develop a COVID-19 pandemic vulnerability index (CPVI) to quantify their levels of social vulnerability and examine how social vulnerability moderated the influence of mobility on disease transmissibility (represented by the effective reproduction number, Rt) during the US summer epidemic wave of 2020. We find that counties in the top CPVI quintile suffered almost double in regard to COVID-19 transmission (45.02% days with an Rt higher than 1) from mobility, particularly intracounty mobility, compared to counties in the lowest quintile (21.90%). In contrast, counties in the bottom CPVI quintile were only slightly affected by the level of mobility. As such, a 25% intracounty mobility change was associated with a 15.28% Rt change for counties in the top CPVI quintile, which is eight times the 1.81% Rt change for those in the lowest quintile. These findings suggest the need to account for the vulnerability of communities when making social distancing measures against mobility in the future.
Role of induced mutagenesis and improved crop varieties in food security: impact in the Indian context
Authors: Badigannavar Anand M. , Mondal Suvendu , Suprasanna Penna
Published: November 2022

Improvement of crop plants relies on the availability of plant genetic variation. There are several approaches for enhancing genetic variability and for breeding better genotypes to achieve high productivity to meet the demands of food security. India is an agrarian country, whose economic development is vastly dependent on sustained growth and achievements in the agriculture sector amid the raising population, shrinking arable land and adverse effects of climate change. Current and future challenges in agriculture will require a synergistic blend of conventional and advanced methodologies in crop improvement, crop production and crop protection which would holistically contribute to agricultural research for achieving national food and nutritional security. Crop improvement through mutation breeding, among various breeding methodologies, has played an important role in inducing novel genetic variability, improving existing popular varieties and developing promising superior varieties in different crop plants. Induced mutants and their utilization in recombination breeding have contributed to the development and release of more than 458 mutant and mutant-derived varieties in India covering cereals, food legumes, oilseeds, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants and other crops for varied agro-ecologies. These varieties were improved for various agronomic traits, seed yield, nutritional traits, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Mutant varieties are now widely accepted and extensively cultivated by the farming community, which enabled in enhancing productivity in turn farm income across the country.
Diamond p-FETs using two-dimensional hole gas for high frequency and high voltage complementary circuits
Authors: Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Diamond is a wide bandgap semiconductor (bandgap: 5.5 eV). However, through impurity doping, diamond can become a p-type or n-type semiconductor. The minimum resistivity of p-type semiconductor diamond is less than 10−3 Ω cm, which is no more than that of silicon (Si). In contrast, the minimum resistivity of n-type diamond is as high as 103 Ω cm. At present, the development of unipolar devices such as p-channel field-effect transistors (p-FETs) based on diamond is strongly anticipated. When the diamond surface is terminated using hydrogen (H) or Si atoms, the subsurface layer becomes a p-type accumulation layer or inversion layer that forms a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG), which can then be used as a channel for a FET structure. As a p-FET, the performance of this device approaches that of other wide bandgap semiconductor n-channel FETs. One of the main advantages of this diamond p-FET is that the p-type accumulation or inversion layer is formed natively on the hydrogen terminated (C–H) diamond. This review describes the low metal contact resistance that induces 2DHG formation on the C–H diamond surface, on which negatively charged sites are formed. The negatively charged surface model explains the 2DHG formation clearly based on the FET’s operating mechanism. Recent advances in 2DHG FETs are also discussed, particularly in terms of their current densities of >1 A mm−1 and their high frequency performance. Finally, we propose two types of complementary high-voltage circuit that combine diamond p-FETs with other wide bandgap semiconductor n-FETs.
Interpretation and further development of the hypnodensity representation of sleep structure
Authors: Huijben Iris A M , Hermans Lieke W A , Rossi Alessandro C , Overeem Sebastiaan , van Gilst Merel M , van Sloun Ruud J G
Published: November 2022

Objective. The recently-introduced hypnodensity graph provides a probability distribution over sleep stages per data window (i.e. an epoch). This work explored whether this representation reveals continuities that can only be attributed to intra- and inter-rater disagreement of expert scorings, or also to co-occurrence of sleep stage-dependent features within one epoch. Approach. We proposed a simplified model for time series like the ones measured during sleep, and a second model to describe the annotation process by an expert. Generating data according to these models, enabled controlled experiments to investigate the interpretation of the hypnodensity graph. Moreover, the influence of both the supervised training strategy, and the used softmax non-linearity were investigated. Polysomnography recordings of 96 healthy sleepers (of which 11 were used as independent test set), were subsequently used to transfer conclusions to real data. Main results. A hypnodensity graph, predicted by a supervised neural classifier, represents the probability with which the sleep expert(s) assigned a label to an epoch. It thus reflects annotator behavior, and is thereby only indirectly linked to the ratio of sleep stage-dependent features in the epoch. Unsupervised training was shown to result in hypnodensity graph that were slightly less dependent on this annotation process, resulting in, on average, higher-entropy distributions over sleep stages (H
unsupervised = 0.41 versus H
supervised = 0.29). Moreover, pre-softmax predictions were, for both training strategies, found to better reflect the ratio of sleep stage-dependent characteristics in an epoch, as compared to the post-softmax counterparts (i.e. the hypnodensity graph). In real data, this was observed from the linear relation between pre-softmax N3 predictions and the amount of delta power. Significance. This study provides insights in, and proposes new, representations of sleep that may enhance our comprehension about sleep and sleep disorders.
Design of the GaN based CAVET with SiO2–InGaN hybrid current blocking layer
Authors: Li Haiou , Kang Dongxu , Qu Kangchun , Liu Xingpeng , Wan Rongqiao
Published: November 2022

The emergence of vertical GaN devices solves the problem of insufficient voltage withstand capacity of horizontal GaN devices. However, the current output capability of vertical GaN devices is not comparable to that of lateral GaN devices. So we propose a Al0.3Ga0.7N/GaN current-aperture vertical electron transistor with a SiO2–In0.05Ga0.95N hybrid current-blocking layer (CBL). Through simulation and in-depth study of the proposed device, the results show that the GaN/InGaN secondary channel enhances the saturation output current of the device, achieving a saturated output current (I
DSS) of 985 mA mm−1 and a transconductance (G
m) of 256 mS mm−1, which are 30% and 25% higher than that of the single-channel SiO2 CBL device, respectively. The breakdown voltage is 230 V and the on-resistance (R
on) is only 0.58 mΩ cm2.
Applicability of ultrasonic welding to Ag-stabilized REBCO CC joints and evaluation of their electromechanical properties
Authors: Nisay Arman Ray , Shin Hyung-Seop
Published: November 2022

Manufacturing a single long-length rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) coated conductor (CC) tape with uniform critical current (I
c) is still a challenge; therefore, joining between multiple-length CC tapes is needed in the production of longer CC tapes for superconducting cables, coils, and magnets. Various joining techniques have been developed to achieve acceptably low joint resistance (R
j) with no I
c degradation and good electromechanical properties. The authors established ultrasonic welding (UW) and hybrid welding (HW) methods for joining Cu-stabilized CC tapes with different configurations. However, these methods have yet to be applied to Ag-stabilized CC tapes to produce compact joints and longer tapes during in-line production. This study used the UW and HW methods to fabricate Ag-stabilized CC joints to have low R
j without I
c degradation through a direct connection at the overlapped Ag layers between both CC tapes. Two CC tape samples with different thicknesses of ∼2 µm and ∼6 µm Ag stabilizers were supplied to produce UW and HW Ag-stabilized CC joints. These were compared with soldered CC joints fabricated by a mechanically controlled soldering method. In the case of UW, the design of experiment using the Taguchi method was used to systematically determine the optimized weld parameter combination that yields a lower R
j without any I
c degradation. This study is a systematic attempt to evaluate the applicability of UW for solid-state joining between thin Ag layers, unlike the conventional joining of thick Cu stabilizers. Moreover, the electromechanical properties of differently processed Ag-stabilized REBCO CC joints were evaluated using both lap-shear and double-bending tests. As a result, the optimum UW parameter combinations were obtained to achieve Ag-stabilized CC joints. However, some variations were probably due to the differences in the production batch and thickness of the Ag layers. The UW Ag-stabilized CC joints showed superior joint characteristics and electromechanical properties compared to soldered CC joints. Good solid-state bonding of the Ag layers was observed through microscopic observation of the cross-section at the joint region of the UW CC joint. The joint characteristics and electromechanical properties of the UW Ag-stabilized CC joints can be further improved using the HW method.