bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Airway Resistance and Respiratory Distress in Laryngeal Cancer: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study
Authors: Hudson Thomas J. , Ait Oubahou Rayane , Mongeau Luc , Kost Karen
Published: March 2023

Background

Obstructive upper airway pathologies are a great clinical challenge for the airway surgeon. Protection against acute obstruction is critical, but avoidance of unnecessary tracheostomy must also be considered. Decision‐making regarding airway, although supported by some objective findings, is largely guided by subjective experience and training. This investigation aims to study the relationship between clinical respiratory distress and objective measures of airway resistance in laryngeal cancer as determined by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and morphometric analysis.

Methods

Retrospective CT and clinical data were obtained for series of 20 cases, defined as newly diagnosed laryngeal cancer patients who required admission or urgent airway surgery, and 20 controls. Cases and controls were matched based on T‐staging. Image segmentation and morphometric analysis were first performed. Computational models based on the lattice Boltzmann method were then created and used to quantify the continuous mass flow, rigid wall, and constant static pressure inlet boundary conditions.

Results

The analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between airway resistance and acute obstruction (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.001–1.045). Morphometric analysis similarly demonstrated a significant relationship when relating measurements based on the minimum cross‐section, but not on length of stenosis. Morphometric measurements also showed significance in predicting CFD results, and their relationship demonstrated that airway pressures increase exponentially below 2.5 mm. Tumor subsite did not show a significant difference, although the glottic subgroup tended to have higher resistances.

Conclusion

Airway resistance analysis from CFD computation correlated with presence of acute distress requiring emergent management. Morphometric analysis showed a similar correlation, demonstrating a radiologic airway assessment technique on which future risk estimation could be performed.

Level of Evidence

4 (case–control study) Laryngoscope, 133:2734–2741, 2023
Residency Selection in Otolaryngology: Past, Present, & Future
Authors: Bowe Sarah N. , Bly Randall A. , Whipple Mark E. , Gray Stacey T.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To examine the otolaryngology residency selection process, including past experiences based on the medical literature and survey analysis of our present practices to generate recommendations for future selection system design.

Methods

A mixed‐methods study, including a scoping review and a cross‐sectional survey, was completed. Four databases were assessed for articles on otolaryngology residency selection published from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2020. A 36‐question survey was developed and distributed to 114 otolaryngology program directors. Descriptive and thematic analysis was performed.

Results

Ultimately, 67 of 168 articles underwent data abstraction and assessment. Three themes surfaced during the analysis: effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. Regarding the survey, there were 62 participants (54.4% response rate). The three most important goals for the selection process were: (1) to fit the program culture, (2) to make good colleagues, and (3) to contribute to the program's diversity. The three biggest ‘pain points’ were as follows: (1) Large volume of applications, (2) Lack of reliable information about personal characteristics, and (3) Lack of reliable information about a genuine interest in the program.

Conclusions

Within this study, the depth and breadth of the literature on otolaryngology residency selection have been synthesized. Additionally, baseline data on selection practices within our specialty has been captured. With an informed understanding of our past and present, we can look to the future. Built upon the principles of person‐environment fit theory, our proposed framework can guide research and policy discussions regarding the design of selection systems in otolaryngology, as we work to achieve more effective, efficient, and equitable outcomes.

Level of evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 133:2929–2941, 2023
Optical Orbital Angular Momentum Processors with Electrically Tailored Working Bands
Authors: Xu Chun‐Ting , Zhang De‐Wei , Yuan Rui , Chen Quan‐Ming , Liang Xiao , Hu Wei
Published: March 2023

Novel options for multiplexing, such as orbital angular momentum (OAM), are sought to satisfy the explosive growth of information capacity. Consequently, spatial phase modulation with on‐demand tailoring of working bands is increasingly investigated. In this study, a polymer‐stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal is used to address this requirement. A varying DC voltage is applied, and the working band is increased over eightfold owing to the electric‐induced gradient pitch of the polymer network. Thus, the working band of an OAM processor is reversibly switched between narrowband and broadband states. An OAM‐multiplexing hologram is designed for parallel OAM encoding and decoding, enabling a wavelength‐division‐multiplexing compatible approach for in situ and non‐destructive OAM processing. The proposed design offers a promising solution for the on‐demand tailoring of working bands in liquid crystal planar optics and can promote advancements in massive information transmission and large‐capacity data processing.
pH Responsive Poly(Amino Acid) Nanoparticles as Potent Carrier Adjuvants for Enhancing Cellular Immunity
Authors: Zhang Jiarui , Liu Yian , Bai Lintao , Gao Gan , Li Yuxuan , Shen Heyun
Published: March 2023

Adjuvants are widely used in vaccine to improve the protection or treatment efficacy. However, so far they inevitably produce side effects and are hard to induce cellular immunity in practical application. Herein, two kinds of amphiphilic poly(glutamic acid) nanoparticles (α‐PGA‐F and γ‐PGA‐F NPs) as nanocarrier adjuvants are fabricated to induce an effective cellular immune response. Amphiphilic PGA are synthesized by grafting phenylalanine ethyl ester to form biodegradable self‐assembly nanoadjuvants in a water solution. The model antigen, chicken ovalbumin (OVA), can be loaded into PGA‐F NPs (OVA@PGA‐F NPs) with the high loading ratio >12%. Moreover, compared with γ‐PGA‐F NPs, the acidic environment can induce the α‐helical secondary structure of α‐PGA NPs, promoting membrane fusion and more fast antigen lysosomal escape. Hence, the antigen presenting cells treated with OVA@α‐PGA‐F NPs show higher secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and higher expression of major biological histocompatibility complex class I and CD80 than those of OVA@γ‐PGA‐F NPs. Overall, this work indicates that pH responsive α‐PGA‐F NPs as a carrier adjuvant can effectively improve the ability of cellular immune responses, leading to it being a potent candidate for vaccine applications.
Adhesion Improvement of Bio‐Based Epoxy in Environmentally Friendly and High‐Performance Natural Fiber‐Reinforced Composites
Authors: Kumar Bijender , Adil Samia , Kim Jaehwan
Published: March 2023

Developing robust bio‐based epoxy against petroleum‐derived epoxy is necessary for environmentally friendly and high‐performance natural fiber‐reinforced composites. A bio‐based vanillin epoxy (VE) is synthesized from the lignin‐derived vanillin, and a thermoset resin is prepared after mixing it with a 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) hardener. Further, it is infused in high‐cellulose‐containing alkali‐treated jute fiber (TJF) mats through a simple approach to enhance the adhesion between the VE‐DDM and TJF. Bio‐based VE‐DDM resin shows better compatibility with TJF than petroleum‐derived bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) epoxy. The bio‐based VE‐DDM/TJF composite demonstrates the Tgis ≈165 °C, tensile strength is ≈83.12 ± 3.80 MPa, and Young's modulus is ≈2.86 ± 0.10 GPa with excellent flexural strength (138.72 ± 3.81 MPa) and flexural modulus (8.01 ± 0.11 GPa). It also shows merits regarding hydrophobicity, reduced water absorption ability, durability, and chemical resistance in an acidic medium. The natural fiber‐reinforced VE composites pave the way to produce environmentally friendly and high‐performance composites for structural applications.
General energy decay estimate for a viscoelastic damped swelling porous elastic soils with time delay
Authors: Yüksekkaya Hazal , Piskin Erhan , Kafini Mohammad M. , Al‐Mahdi Adel M.
Published: March 2023

This paper is concerned with the viscoelastic damped swelling porous elastic soils with time delay. Under more general assumption on the relaxation function and some specific conditions on the weight of the delay, we establish general decay results by using multiplier method and some properties of convex functions. These results generalize and improve some earlier related results in the literature.
Bile Acid Derivatives Effectively Prevented High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Colonic Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Ma Yafang , Shan Kai , Huang Zixin , Zhao Di , Zhang Miao , Ke Weixin , Li Chunbao
Published: March 2023

Scope

Bile acids (BAs) have recently emerged as important regulators of many physiological and pathological processes. However, the change of colonic BAs induced by high‐fat diet (HFD) and their effects on colonic barrier function remain to be further elucidated.

Methods and results

C57BL/6 mice are divided into two groups and feed 12 weeks with diets differing for fat content. Higher levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, endotoxin (ET), and d‐lactate (d‐LA) are observed in HFD‐fed mice, indicating an increase in intestinal permeability. Real‐time quantitative PCR and western blot analyses demonstrate that HFD downregulates tight junction proteins (TJs, including zonula‐occludens 1 [ZO‐1], Occludin, and Claudin1) and Muc2 expression in the colon. The colonic BA profiles are analyzed by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). HFD induces an increase in primary BAs but a decrease in secondary BAs. In human colonic cell line Caco‐2, secondary BAs (deoxycholic acid [DCA], lithocholic acid [LCA], their 3‐oxo‐ and iso‐ derivates) upregulate the expression of TJs and counteract DSS‐induced increase in intestinal permeability at physiological concentrations. IsoDCA and isoLCA are the most effective ones. Moreover, supplementation of isoDCA or isoLCA also effectively prevents HFD‐induced colonic barrier dysfunction in mice.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that secondary BAs (especially isomerized derivatives) may be important protectors for the colonic barrier function.
Modeling and optimization of the protocol of complex chromatography separation of cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors from Ganoderma lucidum spore
Authors: Li Sainan , Hou Wanchao , Li Yanjie , Liu Zhen , Yun Haocheng , Liu Qiang , Niu Huazhou , Liu Chunming , Zhang Yuchi
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The spores of the medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum possess hepatoprotective properties. The main components, triterpenes, are particularly beneficial, making the screening and preparation of active triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum significant.

Objectives

We aimed to screen and verify cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors from G. lucidum spores, establish a rapid online hyphenated technique for the preparation of active ingredients, and analyze the structures of the active ingredients.

Methods

Ultrafiltration LC combined with an enzyme inhibition assay and molecular docking was employed to screen and evaluate cyclooxygenase‐2 ligands, which were prepared by pressurized liquid extraction coupled online with countercurrent chromatography and semi‐preparative LC. The structures of the compounds were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

Six cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors, namely, ganoderic acids I, C2, G, B, and A and ganoderenic acid A, were screened and evaluated. They were prepared using the online hyphenated technique, following which their structures were identified.

Conclusion

This study provides opportunities for the discovery and development of new therapeutic drugs from other natural resources, as the present instrumental setup achieved efficient and systematic extraction and isolation of natural products compared with reference separation methods, thus exhibiting significant potential for industrial applications.
Building mental toughness: A middle school intervention to increase grit, locus of control, and academic performance
Authors: Zappala‐Piemme Kerri E. , Sturman Edward D. , Brannigan Gary G. , Brannigan Michael J.
Published: March 2023

We evaluated a curriculum that focused on bolstering grit and locus of control in seventh grade students at a school in upstate New York. The intervention included lessons aimed at building a growth mindset and determination, along with writing projects and collaborative work. A pre−post design was utilized such that surveys measuring grit and locus of control were administered at the beginning of the school year and at the end of the school year for 215 students. Participants also completed standardized tests in reading and math. Students' scores on locus of control showed a significant change toward higher perceived control. The lowest scoring students on grit also showed a significant increase over the same time period. No changes were observed at a comparison school that did not receive the intervention. Both grit and locus of control significantly predicted academic achievement on standardized tests for reading and math. The findings support the intervention and the importance of grit and locus of control in academic achievement.
“What does not kill me makes me stronger”: Perceived negative and positive consequences of teachers' exposure to violence directed at them
Authors: Ben‐Hayun Shiran German , Zysberg Leehu
Published: March 2023

Teachers' exposure to aggression and violence at work has long been associated with numerous negative outcomes. Based on recent models rooted in positive psychology we wished to explore the possibility of positive outcomes alongside the negative ones, as a result of exposure to violence among school teachers. A sample of 20 school teachers working in Central and northern Israel were interviewed regarding their experiences with violence at work. Thematic analysis suggests that alongside the known negative implications and experiences teachers also reported growth, professional validation and other positive experiences. The results are discussed and a possible emergent model of emotional responses to violent events is presented.
Microwave atmospheric pressure plasma jet generated from substrate integrated waveguide resonator
Authors: Zhao Chaoxia , Li Xinxin , Agrawal Dinesh K. , Yan Zhili , Qi Siyao , Liu Yao , Ma Tianbao , Chen Qian , Zhang Yi , Wang Ce , Huang Kama
Published: March 2023

A microwave atmospheric pressure plasma jet (MW‐APPJ) generator based on a substrate‐integrated waveguide (SIW) resonator is proposed. A thin, straight plasma needle with a length of 9 cm could be obtained. Higher than 90% of microwave feeding efficiency is obtained under a wide range of gas flow rates without a microwave matching network. As the gas flow increased from 1 to 14 L/min, a transition from laminar to turbulent mode is observed in the plasma jet's morphology. Furthermore, a preliminary surface treatment was tested for the device. The polyimide film became super hydrophilic after a 5‐min treatment with the developed SIW‐based plasma generator. Generally, the SIW‐based MW‐APPJ is low‐cost, electrodeless, and low‐profile along the plasma jet length direction.
Spectral clustering algorithm for real‐time endpoint detection of silicon nitride plasma etching
Authors: Lee Seonghyeon , Choi Hojun , Kim Jaehyeon , Chae Heeyeop
Published: March 2023

The spectral clustering algorithm (SCA) is developed for endpoint detection (EPD) of Si3N4plasma etching using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). OES signals are collected in real‐time and filtered using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The SCA using 3648 full‐spectrum wavelengths with DWT filtering improves signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) by 2.78 times compared to single‐wavelength related to N2molecule in 1.0% relative area etching. The wavelengths related to reactants and products are selected to enhance the SNR of the SCA. The SCA using 87 selected wavelengths with DWT filtering improves SNR by 3.57 times compared to SCA using full‐spectrum wavelengths. This study demonstrates that the SCA improves the etching EPD sensitivity and can be applied for fault detection of various plasma processes.
A Survey of Quantum Entanglement Routing Protocols—Challenges for Wide‐Area Networks
Authors: Dupuy Fabrice , Goursaud Claire , Guillemin Fabrice
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the key challenges (loss due to distance, entanglement routing, multi‐commodities) for the coming quantum internet, relying on entanglement of quantum bits (for short, qubits) on top of an existing network, are analyzed. A unifying framework enabling to compare the various entanglement distribution, purification, and routing protocols published so far is presented. With regard to entanglement routing, the introduction of different time windows will be essential in order to cope efficiently with the main challenges like complex route calculation and fidelity estimation on the one hand, actual entanglement route selection and entangled photon generation on the other hand. For a roll‐out on top of existing transmission networks, all the research publications for the last 20 years start to cover pretty well the global scheme. Nevertheless, open questions remain, like the actual advantage of some task execution prior to the online quantum path selection, or the design of algorithms approximating the multi‐commodities flow optimization problem, or the issue of dealing with a processing time not much longer than the qubit life time.
Catheter‐directed thrombolysis as an emergent intervention for failed vacuum thrombectomy of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Haq Syed H. , Hinegardner‐Hendricks Jordan , Cole Cliff , Laird Amanda , Shah Sidra R. , Patel Sandeep M. , Cole William
Published: March 2023

Acute pulmonary embolism [PE] in the setting of hemodynamic instability and right ventricular strain is a complex presentation and typically is associated with high mortality rates. Prompt recognition and early intervention are critical to the survival of these patient. In such cases, current guidelines recommend use of systemic thrombolytics, along with as needed cardiopulmonary support. If contraindications are present, mechanical thrombectomy is advised. However, guidelines poorly define the next steps in intervention if mechanical thrombectomy were to fail. We present such a scenario and the methods implored to successful remove clot burden. We add to the literature, use of catheter directed thrombolysis at a designated 2 mg/h rate as a form of emergent intervention in failed mechanical thrombectomy.
A dynamic even distribution resource scheduling mechanism combined with network coding for inter‐LEO satellite networks
Authors: Tong Xin , Li Xu , Liu Ying
Published: March 2023

Resource scheduling mechanism of LEO satellite networks is the key to determining communication efficiency. Facing the LEO satellite networks with the dynamic topology changes, varying service requirements, and intermittent inter‐satellite links (ISLs), the state‐of‐the‐art cannot achieve high resource efficiency under both heavy and burst traffic loads, and the applicability of parameters design is insufficient under intermittent ISLs. Considering this, we propose a dynamic even distribution mechanism combined with network coding DENC. This novel mechanism obtains the service requirements and allocates resources dynamically through the even distribution algorithm to balance network maintenance overhead and resource waste and improves the success probability of transmission based on network coding to balance retransmission and redundancy. In this paper, we establish performance analysis models to optimize the parameters such as maintenance frequency and coding coefficient. Besides, we construct a system‐level simulation platform. Mathematical and simulation results indicate that the resource efficiency of EMNC can be improved by more than 48% compared with SAHN‐MAC, ICSMA, CSMA‐TDMA, and HTM when all nodes have service needs, and the ISL outage rate is 20%. As the outage probability of ISL increases and the proportion of nodes with service requirements decreases, the performance advantage of EMNC becomes more apparent.
The signaling effect of entrepreneurship subsidies on initial public offering investor valuation: An anticorruption campaign as a quasi‐natural experiment
Authors: Chen Jin , Lu Qian , Heng Cheng Suang , Tan Bernard C. Y.
Published: March 2023

Research Summary

This study examines whether different entrepreneurship subsidies signal initial public offering (IPO) firms' quality to external investors. We employ a quasi‐natural experiment by exploiting the exogenous, staggered introduction of “Eight‐Point Code” inspections to Chinese provinces, which anticorruption campaign impacts how subsidies match firm quality. Based on a difference‐in‐differences analysis of 584 IPOs, we find that research and development (R&D) subsidies match highly innovative firms regardless of government corruption, but investors interpret R&D subsidies as a quality signal only when government corruption is low. High‐growth subsidies match high‐growth firms only when government corruption is low; however, investors do not interpret high‐growth subsidies as a quality signal regardless of government corruption. Our study contributes by examining subsidy–firm matching and investors' interpretations to isolate the signaling effect of entrepreneurship subsidies.

Managerial Summary

Do initial public offering (IPO) investors interpret different entrepreneurship subsidies as signals of entrepreneurial firms' quality? We find that when government corruption is high, research and development (R&D) subsidies are matched to high‐quality firms, but high‐growth (HG) subsidies are not; nevertheless, because of dubious subsidy–firm matching under high corruption, neither R&D nor HG subsidies signal firm quality to IPO investors. When government corruption is low, both R&D and HG subsidies are matched to high‐quality firms; however, because of the distinct nature of innovation and growth, IPO investors interpret only R&D subsidies as a signal of quality, ignoring HG subsidies. Our findings suggest that investors' interpretations of entrepreneurship subsidies depend on subsidy type as well as subsidy–firm matching under different anticorruption regulations.
Influence of Sulfur Loading on Lithium‐Sulfur Battery Performance for Different Cathode Carbon Types
Authors: Bilal Hatice Merve , Yuksel Kagan , Eroglu Damla
Published: March 2023

Since lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries often employ an excess of carbon in the cathode to obtain high electrical conductivity and surface area, the kind and qualities of the carbon in the cathode significantly impact battery performance. Sulfur loading is an essential design element with a considerable influence on battery performance. To anticipate the relationship between the sulfur loading and the cycling performance, discharge capacity, and energy density/specific energy at the cell/pack level of the Li−S battery for different carbon types, an integrated research technique that couples experimental characterization and system‐level performance modeling is used. The capacity retention of Li−S cells with acetylene black is insensitive to S loading, while Li−S cells with carbon black present higher capacity retention at higher S loadings. Li−S cells with Ketjen Black cannot perform well at higher S loadings. At moderate S loadings, when discharge capacities are at maximum, Li−S cells achieve the highest system‐level metrics.
Synergistic Catalytic Effects of CeCuO3 @ Vulcan Carbon Composites on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Ranjan Mahalik Rakesh , Hota Ipsha , Bhushan Nayak Bibhuti , Soren Siba , Debnath A. K. , Muthe K. P. , Parhi Purnendu
Published: March 2023

The reduction of molecular oxygen is considered to be a key reaction for electrochemical energy conversion in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction along with the high cost of Pt catalyst hampers the application of fuel cells. In this study, we have reported for the first time oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity on rare earth cerium containing perovskite oxides composite with vulcan carbon (VC) in alkaline media. The study has demonstrated the synergistic role of vulcan carbon in cerium perovskite nanomaterials‐VC composite for improving ORR activity. The 60 % CeCuO3‐VC perovskite oxide composite with surface areas of 180 m2/g showed better oxygen reduction capability as compared to that of bare cerium perovskite. On optimization, among all the prepared catalysts 60 % CeCuO3‐VC showed the highest ORR activity with low onset potential and high current density. Further, the optimized 60 % CeCuO3‐VC followed the 4e− pathway with 95 % methanol tolerance properties and high stability i.e 76 %. This study on cerium‐based perovskite with vulcan carbon will provide an opportunity for the study of rare earth cerium perovskite electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy conversion.
Activation of NO2 by Modifying the Porphyrin Unit with Oxygen in a MnN4 Graphene Layer
Authors: Emre Genç Ali , Küçük Hilal , Akça Aykan
Published: March 2023

In this article, the activation of N−O bonds in NO2 molecules has been investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Considering the graphene‐based MnN4 layer, nitrogen atoms in the porphyrin unit were sequentially replaced with oxygen atoms to create different MnNmOn/G (m+n=4 and 1<m≤4) layers. As more oxygen atoms are incorporated in porphyrin units for bare layers, the covalent character of the Mn−O bonds is switched to the transit nature with respect to Mn−N bonds. Moreover, the trend in bond strength decreasing in all oxygen‐containing bonds is in line with the formation energy trends of bare layers. The same situation is also valid for the bonds between Mn−N/O. For NO2 adsorption configurations on all MnNmOn/G layers, N−O bonds in NO2 are weakened by populating/depopulating antibonding/bonding orbitals, respectively. Even if the MnN2O2(hex)/G layer has a moderate NO2 adsorption energy among the other layers, this layer provided the most significant activation over N−O bonds based on crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP), crystal orbital bond index (COBI), and Atoms in Molecules (AIM) Bader Topological Analysis. Our results show that integrated COHP and integrated COBI values show a remarkable correlation with AIM‐Bader parameters for the specific bonds which have descriptive capability over NO2 molecule activation.
Synthesis of a Porous CoS2‐CN/MWCNTs Composite Derived from ZIF‐67 for Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage Applications
Authors: Fei Jinyou , Wei Yi , Zhou Yu , Ning Yunyu , Wang Yingjian , Jia Hongsheng
Published: March 2023

The porous CoS2/nitrogen‐doped carbon (CoS2‐CN) polyhedrons were prepared using metal‐organic framework as the precursor. After the carbonization of zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF‐67 and the heat treatment with sulfur, the CoS2‐CN composite was obtained. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were introduced and evenly intertwined with the CoS2‐CN. Eventually, CoS2‐CN and Co‐CN exhibited good discharge capacities of 498.3 mAh/g and 402.2 mAh/g, respectively. For electrochemical hydrogen storage, more electrochemical active sites could be provided owing to the extraordinary porous nanostructure and large specific surface area inherited from ZIF‐67. The N‐doped carbon could enhance the conductivity of the materials. The CoS2‐CN electrode revealed higher discharge capacity than Co‐CN due to the introduction of sulfur species. Moreover, the discharge capacity further increased to 542.8 mAh/g for CoS2‐CN/MWCNTs. The loaded MWCNTs could further enhance the conductivity and electrocatalytic activity of CoS2‐CN. The high‐rate dischargeability, kinetic properties and corrosion resistance were also improved after MWCNTs modification.
Applications of Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Direct Current Arc Atomic Emission Spectroscopy Methods for Grouping Study of Automobile Windshield Glasses for Glass Forensics
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Sengupta Arijit , Acharya Raghunath , Bagla Hemlata K.
Published: March 2023

A comprehensive evaluation was carried out for elemental characterization of automobile glasses having potential forensic application by Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence (ED‐XRF) spectrometry and Direct Current Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (DC Arc AES). The methods were optimized and validated using geological certified reference materials and glass standard reference material. Total seventeen elements including five major elements (Si, Na, Ca, Mg and Fe) and twelve minor and trace elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Mo, Zr and Sr) were found to be present. Though DC Arc AES performed better for minor and trace level determination, however, the precision was evaluated as 15–20 % RSD. On the contrary, ED‐XRF performed better for major elements with 5–10 % RSD. The detection limits for the analytes prone to form refractory oxides on heating were found to be poorer in DC Arc AES compared to ED‐XRF. Statistical analyses were also performed to evaluate the reliability of the data obtained by the optimized methods. As a part of forensic applications, the elemental concentrations of minor and trace elements were utilized for the grouping study of the glass samples by cluster analysis using average linkage method.
Molecular Assembly of Rhodanine with Torus‐Shaped Cyclodextrins and Their Innovative Applications by Physicochemical Contrivance Simultaneously Optimized by Computational Study
Authors: Sharma Antara , Bomzan Pranish , Roy Debadrita , Chhetri Abhijit , Choudhury Subhankar , Ghosh Narendra Nath , Ali Salim , BK Puja , Ghosh Shilpi , Dutta Ankita , Kumar Anoop , Roy Mahendra Nath
Published: March 2023

To increase the bioavailability of Rhodanine (RH), inclusion complexes (ICs) of RH with both α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) were prepared. The complexes were characterized by different physicochemical as well as spectroscopic techniques thereby indicating encapsulation of RH molecule into the cavities of α‐CD and β‐CD cavity. DSC analysis showed that the thermal stability of RH was enhanced after complexation. Computational study suggests the most preferred orientation of RH molecule within both CD cavities. In vitro antibacterial activity test illustrates that the IC2 RH‐α‐CD displayed better activity than pure RH and IC1 RH‐β‐CD. IC2 RH‐α‐CD (IC50=7.88 μM) shows the remarkable in vitro cytotoxic activity than pure RH (IC50=44 μM) and IC1 RH‐β‐CD towards human kidney cancer cell line (ACHN). Furthermore, interaction of RH, IC1 RH‐β‐CD and IC2 RH‐α‐CD with CT‐DNA was investigated and found that α‐CD enhances bioavailability of RH to greater extent compared to β‐CD. Additionally, photostability studies reveals that inclusion of RH using α‐CD induces better stabilization of RH as compared to β‐CD.
Nb2CTx MXene Derived Polymorphic Nb2O5
Authors: Sun Lanju , Sun Jikai , Zhai Shengliang , Yang Hongyan , Chen Xiaokang , Deng Wei‐Qiao , Wu Hao
Published: March 2023

Previously, heat treatment was the only feasible route for tuning the crystal phases of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5). With the use of Nb2CTx MXene precursors, the first case of phase tuning of Nb2O5 in the low‐temperature hydrothermal synthesis using sulfuric acid regulating agents is presented. By varying the amount of the agent, four pure‐phase Nb2O5 crystals and mixed phases in‐between are obtained. The required amount is found to be related to the H‐covered surface energy calculated based on density functional theory. Overall, MXene‐derived B‐phase Nb2O5 is of particular interest due to its exceptionally high capacities as lithium‐ion battery anodes, which are three times higher than the routine synthesized one. Oxygen vacancies induced by crystallographic shear would be responsible for the extraordinary performance. The proposed phase tuning strategy encourages the prudent synthesis of difficult‐to‐obtain crystal phases.
Enhancing the Absorbance and Carrier Extraction of Lead Sulfide Quantum Dot Solar Cells by the Bilayer ZnO with a Self‐Assembly Optical Structure
Authors: Wu Chunyan , Ding Shuo , Zhang Lijian , Huang Fangcheng , Qiu Ganhua , Yang Jinpeng , Yu Fayin , Sun Tao , Qian Lei , Xiang Chaoyu
Published: March 2023

Enhancing the absorption of incident light and promoting the effective separation of carriers are two effective strategies to improve the power conversion efficiency of lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS CQDs) solar cells. Herein, a simple solution spin‐coating method to synthesize a novel ZnO electron transport layer with a wrinkled surface structure is developed. ZnO‐wrinkled surface structure can enhance the absorption of PbS CQDs solar cells in the range of 600–1000 nm compared with the normal planar ZnO film, leading to the enhancement in the short‐current density. Further, by combining the wrinkled and planar ZnO to form a bilayer ZnO, the energy band alignment between ZnO and PbS CQDs is more suitable for the carrier transmission. Finally, PbS CQDs solar cell based on the bilayer ZnO yields a champion efficiency of up to 13.5%, presenting almost 10% enhancement compared to that based on the single planner ZnO. This method provides a simple and cost‐effective method to enhance the efficiency of PbS CQDs thin‐film solar cells.
Effect of Coiling Temperature on Microstructure and Properties of a Ti–Nb Microalloyed High‐Speed Guardrail Steel
Authors: Liu Yajun , Gan Xiaolong , Wang Shuize , Yang Hailin , Li Yanqi , Xu Guang
Published: March 2023

The effects of coiling temperature on microstructure and properties of a Ti–Nb microalloyed high‐speed guardrail steel are investigated. The results show that when the coiling temperature varied from 570 to 670 °C, the optimum comprehensive mechanical properties are obtained at the coiling temperature of 620 °C. The yield strength, tensile strength, and total elongation are 729, 813 MPa, and 11.8%, respectively. The difference in yield strength between the samples at varying coiling temperature is attributed to different strengthening effects of grain refinement, precipitation, and dislocation strengthening, among them the grain refinement and precipitation strengthening contributions are dominating, with contributions of 290 and 186 MPa, respectively, at 620 °C. Moreover, the fine nano‐scale (Ti, Nb)C particles are formed during and after the coiling stage.
Berücksichtigung einer exzentrischen Lasteinleitung im Beulnachweis nach der Methode der reduzierten Spannungen in EN 1993‐1‐5 – Teil 1: experimentelle Untersuchungen
Authors: Thomas Nadine , Mensinger Martin , Ndogmo Joseph
Published: March 2023

Beim Taktschieben wird der Brückenquerschnitt durch biaxiale Spannungen infolge der Lasteinleitung aus dem Verschublager des letzten Pfeilers und des dort auftretenden Biegemoments beansprucht. Zusätzlich treten unumgängliche Exzentrizitäten aus der Lasteinleitung des Verschublagers auf, wodurch eine zusätzliche Biegebeanspruchung aus der Ebene für das Stegblech resultieren kann. Während herstellungsbedingte Toleranzen in Form von Imperfektionsbeiwerten oder geometrischen Ersatzimperfektionen in den aktuellen Regelungen zum Beulnachweis nach DIN EN 1993‐1‐5:2019 bereits berücksichtigt sind, beinhalten diese keine Möglichkeit, Exzentrizitäten bei der Lasteinleitung aus den Verschublagern zu berücksichtigen. In der Praxis werden deshalb oft zusätzliche Nachweise gefordert, die normativ nicht geregelt sind und demzufolge einen erheblichen Mehraufwand für die Bemessung und Ausführung verursachen. Um diese Problemstellung zu beantworten, wurden im Rahmen der Beuluntersuchung zur Talbrücke Thulba und des Forschungsprojekts zum Beulnachweis von längsausgesteiften Beulfeldern unter mehrachsiger Beanspruchung großmaßstäbliche Beulversuche und numerische Berechnungen durchgeführt. Auf deren Basis wurde von der Hauptautorin ein Vorschlag zur Berücksichtigung einer exzentrischen Lasteinleitung beim Beulnachweis entwickelt. Der vorliegende Teil 1 dieser Veröffentlichung beschreibt die experimentellen und numerischen Untersuchungen zum Einfluss einer exzentrischen Lasteinleitung unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener Verschublagertypen. Die Ergebnisse werden in einem Teil 2 mit den aktuellen Regelungen der Norm verglichen. Des Weiteren wird im Teil 2 der Vorschlag zur Berücksichtigung einer exzentrischen Lasteinleitung durch Implementierung eines Exzentrizitätsbeiwerts Ω im Beulnachweis mit der Methode der reduzierten Spannungen vorgestellt.
Diverse Experiences in Children's Literature: Langston Hughes
Authors: Lewis Bethany P.
Published: March 2023

Providing students encounters with diverse books is an important endeavor, and Langston Hughes themed picture books can serve as one avenue for successfully incorporating diverse literature into elementary literacy instruction. Using the methods of qualitative content analysis (Schreier, 2014) this study investigates the ways in which Langston Hughes and his literature have been incorporated into children's picture books and outlines the potential benefits of using these themed texts with elementary students. The findings of this research present specific literary texts for teachers to incorporate into their classrooms and discusses the unique opportunities these picture books can provide young readers and writers.
A systematic synthesis of expert opinion on effective policies to tackle bacterial resistance worldwide
Authors: Mostafaei Ali , Akbari Hamid , Lundborg Cecilia Stålsby , Kabiri Neda , Vahed Nafiseh , Hajebrahimi Sakineh , Doshmangir Leila
Published: March 2023

Actions that are taken to preserve effective antibacterial agents and eliminate transmission of resistant organisms are crucial to prevent a catastrophic postantibiotic era. In this systematic review, we searched and appraised relevant texts and expert opinions to determine effective strategies to tackle bacterial resistance worldwide. We considered expert opinions, consensus, current discourses, comments, assumptions or assertions and discussion papers published in English. We searched following databases for expert opinion‐based literature: MEDLINE, CINAHL, ISI Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and World Health Organization (WHO). We extracted the textual data from texts using a standardised data extraction tool. Textual pooling was not possible, so the conclusions were presented in a narrative form. Eighteen texts were included in this review. The findings show that, the most repeated policies and strategies include implementing and strengthening bacterial resistance surveillance, developing national guidelines, improving public awareness; enhancing home and everyday life hygiene; improving prescribing patterns, improving laboratories capacity, promoting innovation and research in new drugs and technology and strengthening coordination. This review systematically gathered strategies that were recommended by textual publications. To our knowledge, this was the first systematic review of text and opinion in the field of bacterial resistance. These results can be used by policymakers, hospital managers, and governments, alongside the results of quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews.
Constraints on the doublet left-right symmetric model from Higgs data
Authors: Karmakar Siddhartha , More Jai , Pradhan Akhila Kumar , Sankar S. Uma
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We study the constraints on the doublet left-right symmetric model (DLRSM) arising due to the Higgs data. The SU(2)L symmetry of this model is broken by three vacuum expectation values, κ1, κ2 and vL. Most studies of this model assume that the ratios r = κ2/κ1 and w = vL/κ1 are very small. In this work, we study the constraints imposed on r and w by the Higgs data from LHC. We consider the most general scalar potential and calculate the masses of the CP-even scalars and the couplings of the lightest of these scalars to itself, to W and Z gauge bosons and to the third generation quarks. We find that there is no lower bound on either r or w. Equating the mass of the lightest CP-even scalar to 125 GeV leads to an upper limit w < 6.7. The requirement that the Yukawa coupling of the quarks to the Higgs bidoublet of the model should be perturbative yields the upper bounds r < 0.8 and w < 3.5. The Yukawa coupling of the bottom quark to the lightest CP-even scalar strongly disfavours value of r, w < 0.1 and shows a marked preference for values of w ∼ $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(1).
Temperature alters the inotropic, chronotropic and proarrhythmic effects of histamine in atrial muscle preparations from humans and H2-receptor overexpressing mice
Authors: Hoffmann Robert J. R. , Gergs Ulrich , Hofmann Britt , Kirchhefer Uwe , Neumann Joachim
Published: March 2023

We investigated whether hypothermia and hyperthermia can alter the efficacy and potency of histamine at increasing the force of cardiac contractions in mice that overexpress the human H2 receptor only in their cardiac myocytes (labelled H2-TG). Contractile studies were performed in an organ bath on isolated, electrically driven (1 Hz) left atrial preparations and spontaneously beating right atrial preparations from H2-TG mice and wild-type (WT) littermate control mice. The basal beating rate in the right atrial preparations from H2-TG mice was lowered by hypothermia (23 °C) and elevated by hyperthermia (42 °C). Furthermore, the efficacy of histamine (0.01–100 µM) at exerting positive inotropic effects was more severely attenuated in the left and right H2-TG mouse atria under hypothermia and hyperthermia than under normothermia (37 °C). Similarly, the inotropic response to histamine was attenuated under hypothermia and hyperthermia in isolated electrically stimulated (1 Hz) right atrial preparations obtained from humans undergoing cardiac surgery. The phosphorylation state of phospholamban at serine 16 at 23 °C was inferior to that at 37 °C in left atrial preparations from H2-TG mice in the presence of 10 µM histamine. In contrast, in human atrial preparations, the phosphorylation state of phospholamban at serine 16 in the presence of 100 µM histamine was lower at 42 °C than at 37 °C. Finally, under hyperthermia, we recorded more and longer lasting arrhythmias in right atrial preparations from H2-TG mice than in those from WT mice. We conclude that the inotropic effects of histamine in H2-TG mice and in human atrial preparations, as well as the chronotropic effects of histamine in H2-TG mice, are temperature dependent. Furthermore, we observed that, even without stimulation of the H2 receptors by exogenous agonists, temperature elevation can increase arrhythmias in isolated right atrial preparations from H2-TG mice. We propose that H2 receptors play a role in hyperthermia-induced supraventricular arrhythmias in human patients.
Morphological and behavioral analysis of Slc35f1-deficient mice revealed no neurodevelopmental phenotype
Authors: Ehlers Julia Sophie , Bracke Katharina , von Bohlen und Halbach Viola , Siegerist Florian , Endlich Nicole , von Bohlen und Halbach Oliver
Published: March 2023

SLC35F1 is a member of the sugar-like carrier (SLC) superfamily that is expressed in the mammalian brain. Malfunction of SLC35F1 in humans is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. To get insight into the possible roles of Slc35f1 in the brain, we generated Slc35f1-deficient mice. The Slc35f1-deficient mice are viable and survive into adulthood, which allowed examining adult Slc35f1-deficient mice on the anatomical as well as behavioral level. In humans, mutation in the SLC35F1 gene can induce a Rett syndrome-like phenotype accompanied by intellectual disability (Fede et al. Am J Med Genet A 185:2238–2240, 2021). The Slc35f1-deficient mice, however, display only a very mild phenotype and no obvious deficits in learning and memory as, e.g., monitored with the novel object recognition test or the Morris water maze test. Moreover, neuroanatomical parameters of neuronal plasticity (as dendritic spines and adult hippocampal neurogenesis) are also unaltered. Thus, Slc35f1-deficient mice display no major alterations that resemble a neurodevelopmental phenotype.
Approaches to X-ray CT Evaluation of In-Situ Experiments on Damage Evolution in an Interpenetrating Metal-Ceramic Composite with Residual Porosity
Authors: Schukraft Joél , Lohr Christoph , Weidenmann Kay André
Published: March 2023

An interpenetrating metal-ceramic composite of AlSi10Mg and an open porous alumina foam, with residual porosity is investigated for the material damage under compressive load within an X-ray CT in-situ load stage. The focus of the research is on damage detection and evaluation with the commercial Avizo® software by ThermoFisher Scientific. Four different approaches are used to detect the material damage and compared afterward on their efficiency in detecting the material damage volume but not the porosity within the material. Image Stack Processing combined with different filtering techniques, as well as Digital Volume Correlation is used in this work to separate the material porosity and the material damage. For the here investigated material system with mainly spherical pores, a geometrical filter was very successful to separate porosity and damage. Nevertheless, the Digital Volume Correlation based approach showed many advantages in damage detection and turned out to be the approach of choice regarding damage onset.
Fixed points of the subset sum pseudorandom number generators
Authors: Shparlinski Igor E.
Published: March 2023

We give upper bounds on the power moments of the number of fixed points of a family of subset sum pseudorandom number generators, introduced by Rueppel (Analysis and design of stream ciphers, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1986).
Personalised Learning through Context-Based Adaptation in the Serious Games with Gating Mechanism
Authors: Shum Lok Cheung , Rosunally Yasmine , Scarle Simon , Munir Kamran
Published: March 2023

When the traditional "one size fits all" approach is used in designing educational games, the game context is usually arranged in a fixed sequence. However, the designated content may not effectively support the diversity of players. The player's ability and characteristics should be considered and supported with an appropriate learning context embedded in the game to facilitate personalised experiences. Adapting game scenarios to a player's characteristics can boost motivation and ultimately improve learning outcomes. This research applies a context-aware design approach and the Learner-Centered Design approach to establish a personalised adaptation framework for designing educational serious games and enhancing personalised knowledge delivery. The proposed framework decouples the game logic implementation and adaptation mechanism. It dynamically adapts the designed game objects and activities to personal learning objectives, learning levels and learning progress to achieve a non-linear learning sequence. Through synchronous real-time xAPI message exchange mechanisms, system components and learning content adaptation are enabled. The adaptation aims to fit personal learning objectives and provide a non-linear learning sequence in a game environment. The framework provides students with personalised learning experiences. A game named GhostCoder is implemented and used to evaluate the framework. Based on the externalised adaptive mechanism, the game content is adapted to the player's performance by adjusting the difficulty of the learning content within the game. Testing of the game in the lab environment has been performed. At the next stage, an evaluation will be conducted with the target groups of students.