bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deceleration capacity derived from a five-minute electrocardiogram predicts mortality in the general population
Authors: Steger Alexander , Barthel Petra , Müller Alexander , Rückert-Eheberg Ina-Maria , Linkohr Birgit , Allescher Julia , Maier Melanie , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Martens Eimo , Heidegger Helene Hildegard , Müller Arne Michael , Rizas Konstantinos D. , Kääb Stefan , Sinner Moritz F. , Sinnecker Daniel , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Peters Annette , Schmidt Georg
Published: December 2024

In contemporary healthcare, effective risk stratification in the general population is vital amidst rising chronic disease rates and an ageing demographic. Deceleration Capacity of the heart rate (DC), derived from 24-hour Holter electrocardiograms, holds promise in risk stratification for cardiac patients. However, the potential of short-term electrocardiograms of five minutes duration for population screening has not been fully explored. Our study aims to investigate the utility of Deceleration Capacity derived from short-term electrocardiograms as a scalable, fully-automated screening tool for predicting long-term mortality risk in the general population. Within a cohort of a representative population-based survey in Germany (KORA-KMC-study), 823 participants with sinus rhythm aged 27 to 76 years at enrollment (females 47.4%) were followed for a median of 13.4 years (IQR 13.1–13.6). All-cause mortality was defined as the primary endpoint and observed in 159 participants. Deceleration Capacity was calculated from 5-minute 12-lead electrocardiograms by a fully automated approach. Participants were divided into three predefined risk categories: DCcategory0 – low-risk (> 4.5ms); DCcategory1 – intermediate-risk (2.5-4.5ms); and DCcategory2 – high-risk (≤ 2.5ms). More than two-thirds of the participants (n = 564, 68.5%) fell into DCcategory0, about one-fifth (n = 168, 20.4%) into DCcategory1, and about one-tenth (n = 91, 11.1%) into DCcategory2. Estimated 13-years mortality in the risk groups was 16.7%, 23.5%, and 49.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). Adjusting for age, life-style-related risk factors, and comorbidities, increased mortality risk was observed for DCcategory2 (HR 2.34, 95%-CI 1.56–3.50). Deceleration Capacity, derived automatically from brief 5-minute electrocardiogram recordings, emerges as a robust, feasible, and independent predictor of long-term mortality risk in the general population.
Optimising the paradigms of human AI collaborative clinical coding
Authors: Gao Yue , Chen Yuepeng , Wang Minghao , Wu Jinge , Kim Yunsoo , Zhou Kaiyin , Li Miao , Liu Xien , Fu Xiangling , Wu Ji , Wu Honghan
Published: December 2024

Automated clinical coding (ACC) has emerged as a promising alternative to manual coding. This study proposes a novel human-in-the-loop (HITL) framework, CliniCoCo. Using deep learning capacities, CliniCoCo focuses on how such ACC systems and human coders can work effectively and efficiently together in real-world settings. Specifically, it implements a series of collaborative strategies at annotation, training and user interaction stages. Extensive experiments are conducted using real-world EMR datasets from Chinese hospitals. With automatically optimised annotation workloads, the model can achieve F1 scores around 0.80–0.84. For an EMR with 30% mistaken codes, CliniCoCo can suggest halving the annotations from 3000 admissions with an ignorable 0.01 F1 decrease. In human evaluations, compared to manual coding, CliniCoCo reduces coding time by 40% on average and significantly improves the correction rates on EMR mistakes (e.g., three times better on missing codes). Senior professional coders’ performances can be boosted to more than 0.93 F1 score from 0.72.
Functional anatomy and topographical organization of the frontotemporal arcuate fasciculus
Authors: Basile Gianpaolo Antonio , Nozais Victor , Quartarone Angelo , Giustiniani Andreina , Ielo Augusto , Cerasa Antonio , Milardi Demetrio , Abdallah Majd , Thiebaut de Schotten Michel , Forkel Stephanie J. , Cacciola Alberto
Published: December 2024

Traditionally, the frontotemporal arcuate fasciculus (AF) is viewed as a single entity in anatomo-clinical models. However, it is unclear if distinct cortical origin and termination patterns within this bundle correspond to specific language functions. We use track-weighted dynamic functional connectivity, a hybrid imaging technique, to study the AF structure and function in two distinct datasets of healthy subjects. Here we show that the AF can be subdivided based on dynamic changes in functional connectivity at the streamline endpoints. An unsupervised parcellation algorithm reveals spatially segregated subunits, which are then functionally quantified through meta-analysis. This approach identifies three distinct clusters within the AF - ventral, middle, and dorsal frontotemporal AF - each linked to different frontal and temporal termination regions and likely involved in various language production and comprehension aspects. Our findings may have relevant implications for the understanding of the functional anatomy of the AF as well as its contribution to linguistic and non-linguistic functions.
Auditory brainstem responses as a biomarker for cognition
Authors: Hamza Yasmeen , Yang Ye , Vu Janie , Abdelmalek Antoinette , Malekifar Mobina , Barnes Carol A. , Zeng Fan-Gang
Published: December 2024

A non-invasive, accessible and effective biomarker is critical to the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of age-related cognitive decline. Recent work has suggested a strong association between auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and cognitive function in aging macaques. Here we show in 118 human participants (66 females; age range=18-92 years; hearing loss = -5 to 70 dB HL) that cognition is associated with both age and hearing level, but this triad relationship is mainly driven by the age factor. After adjusting for age, cognition is still significantly associated with both the ABR wave V amplitude (B, 0.110, 95% CI, 0.018– 0.202; p = 0.020) and latency (B, -0.101, 95% CI, -0.186– -0.016; p = 0.021). Importantly, this age-adjusted ABR-cognition association is primarily driven by older individuals and language-dependent cognitive functions. We also perform the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating-characteristic analysis and find that the ABR wave V amplitude is best for detecting good cognitive performers (AUC = 0.96) whereas the wave V latency is best for detecting poor ones (AUC = 0.86). The present result not only confirms the previous animal work in humans but also shows the clinical potential of using auditory brainstem responses to improve diagnosis and treatment of age-related cognitive decline.
Discovering covalent cyclic peptide inhibitors of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) using mRNA-display with a genetically encoded electrophilic warhead
Authors: Mathiesen Isabel R. , Calder Ewen D. D. , Kunzelmann Simone , Walport Louise J.
Published: December 2024

Covalent drugs can achieve high potency with long dosing intervals. However, concerns remain about side-effects associated with off-target reactivity. Combining macrocyclic peptides with covalent warheads provides a solution to minimise off-target reactivity: the peptide enables highly specific target binding, positioning a weakly reactive warhead proximal to a suitable residue in the target. Here we demonstrate the direct discovery of covalent cyclic peptides using encoded libraries containing a weakly electrophilic cysteine-reactive fluoroamidine warhead. We combine direct incorporation of the warhead into peptide libraries using the flexible in vitro translation system with a peptide selection approach that identifies only covalent target binders. Using this approach, we identify potent and selective covalent inhibitors of the peptidyl arginine deiminase, PADI4 or PAD4, that react exclusively at the active site cysteine. We envisage this approach will enable covalent peptide inhibitor discovery for a range of related enzymes and expansion to alternative warheads in the future.
Liquid-liquid phase separation driven by charge heterogeneity
Authors: Notarmuzi Daniele , Bianchi Emanuela
Published: December 2024

Despite the intrinsic charge heterogeneity of proteins plays a crucial role in the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of a broad variety of protein systems, our understanding of the effects of their electrostatic anisotropy is still in its early stages. We approach this issue by means of a coarse-grained model based on a robust mean-field description that extends the DLVO theory to non-uniformly charged particles. We numerically investigate the effect of surface charge patchiness and net particle charge on varying these features independently and with the use of a few parameters only. The effect of charge anisotropy on the LLPS critical point is rationalized via a thermodynamic-independent parameter based on orientationally averaged pair properties, that estimates the particle connectivity and controls the propensity of the liquid phase to condensate. We show that, even though directional attraction alone is able to lower the particle bonding valence—thus shifting the critical point towards lower temperatures and densities—directional repulsion significantly and systematically diminishes the particle functionality, thus further reducing the critical parameters. This electrostatically-driven shift can be understood in terms of the additional morphological constraints introduced by the directional repulsion, that hinder the condensation of dense aggregates.
Collective excitations and low-energy ionization signatures of relativistic particles in silicon detectors
Authors: Essig Rouven , Plestid Ryan , Singal Aman
Published: December 2024

Solid-state detectors with a low energy threshold have several applications, including searches of non-relativistic halo dark-matter particles with sub-GeV masses. When searching for relativistic, beyond-the-Standard-Model particles with enhanced cross sections for small energy transfers, a small detector with a low energy threshold may have better sensitivity than a larger detector with a higher energy threshold. In this paper, we calculate the low-energy ionization spectrum from high-velocity particles scattering in a dielectric material. We consider the full material response including the excitation of bulk plasmons. We generalize the energy-loss function to relativistic kinematics, and benchmark existing tools used for halo dark-matter scattering against electron energy-loss spectroscopy data. Compared to calculations commonly used in the literature, such as the Photo-Absorption-Ionization model or the free-electron model, including collective effects shifts the recoil ionization spectrum towards higher energies, typically peaking around 4–6 electron-hole pairs. We apply our results to the three benchmark examples: millicharged particles produced in a beam, neutrinos with a magnetic dipole moment produced in a reactor, and upscattered dark-matter particles. Our results show that the proper inclusion of collective effects typically enhances a detector’s sensitivity to these particles, since detector backgrounds, such as dark counts, peak at lower energies.
Analysis of alkyl-anthraquinone derivatives from hydrogen peroxide industrial process, using LC × LC-HRMS with shifting gradients
Authors: Giffard Clémence , Rouvière Florent , Falletti Olivier , Allard-Breton Béatrice , Wendlinger Laurent , Bossoutrot Jean-Michel , Faure Karine
Published: December 2024

The analysis of anthraquinones was developed using LC × LC-HRMS with continuous shifted gradient in 2D. The method was reproducible both in terms of retention times and peak areas, allowing the detection of 226 peaks in industrial mixtures.
Heterogenization of molecular chalcoxides for electro-& photochemical H2 production
Authors: Gray Mark , Song Yu-Fei , Miras Haralampos N.
Published: December 2024

We report a facile design strategy for the synthesis of chalcoxide molecule-based catalytic composite materials with a minimal amount of active components and 25% improved efficiency.
Knowledge discovery from porous organic cage literature using a large language model
Authors: Su Yaoyi , Yang Siyuan , Liu Yuanhan , Kai Aiting , Chen Linjiang , Liu Ming
Published: December 2024

A GPT-4-based text mining workflow was developed for rapid information extraction from porous organic cages (POCs) literature. A chatbot was also created to answer POCs-related questions using the knowledge database generated from the workflow.
Defect-enabled local high-temperature field within carbon to promote in-plane integration of an electrocatalyst for CO2-to-CO conversion
Authors: Zhang Yafang , Yu Chang , Song Xuedan , Tan Xinyi , Li Wenbin , Liu Shuo , Zhu Xiuqing , Cui Song , Xie Yuanyang , Qiu Jieshan
Published: December 2024

A defect-mediated integration strategy is proposed for the in-plane confinement of the metal-containing complex over carbon support via a microwave-induced thermal microenvironment, which endows the catalyst with excellent electrocatalytic activity.
Rational design of redox active metal organic frameworks for mediated electron transfer of enzymes
Authors: Rezki Muhammad , Hossain Md Motaher , Savage Thomas Kouyou , Tokunou Yoshihide , Tsujimura Seiya
Published: December 2024

The first study to rigorously investigate the design and application of redox active MOFs (raMOFs) in enzyme-based bioelectrochemistry.
Excitation wavelength-dependent quantum yield in water-soluble CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Kaushik Kush , Mondal Jiban , Bag Ritesh Kumar , Sharma Shagun , Anjum Farhan , Nandi Chayan Kanti
Published: December 2024

The reduced quantum yield in CdTe quantum dots at longer wavelength is described by the presence of a large number of permanent dark particles.
Photocatalytic E → Z isomerization of gem-bromofluoroalkenes: stereoselective synthesis of β-fluorostyrene derivatives
Authors: Kato Hayato , Kayaki Yoshihito , Koike Takashi
Published: December 2024

A one-pot strategy for stereoselective synthesis of thermodynamically unfavorable β-fluorostyrenes has been developed.
Effect of catholyte in a single step electrochemical hydroiodic acid decomposition for hydrogen production using the iodine–sulfur thermochemical cycle
Authors: Hegde Ashwin Yashawanth , Chaudhary Saroj , Damaraju Parvatalu , Sow Pradeep Kumar
Published: December 2024

This study identifies the most suitable catholyte for the electrochemical HI decomposition process, an emerging single-step alternative to the conventional multistep iodine section of the I–S thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production.
A practical method for the synthesis of small peptides using DCC and HOBt as activators in H2O–THF while avoiding the use of protecting groups
Authors: Herrera-Guzmán Karina , Jaime-Vasconcelos Miguel Ángel , Torales Eréndira , Chacón Itzel , Gaviño Rubén , García-Ríos Eréndira , Cárdenas Jorge , Morales-Serna José A.
Published: December 2024

Synthesis of small peptides using DCC and HOBt in H2O–THF.
Bismuth nanoparticles embedded in carbon fibers as flexible and free-standing anodes for efficient sodium ion batteries
Authors: Cao Yang , Wei Shiwei , Zhang Huifang , Yan Yong , Peng Zhiling , Zhao Heming
Published: December 2024

Schematic diagram of the preparation process for the Bi/CF.
Synergistic effect of an oxygen-defective TiNb2O7 anode and lithiated polyacrylic acid for high-power lithium-ion storage
Authors: Kim Doosoo , Nanda Siddhartha , Kim Jong Heon , Monteiro Robson S. , Parreira Luanna Silveira , Khani Hadi
Published: December 2024

Highly conductive TiNb2O6.93, synthesized in under 60 seconds, features oxygen deficiencies at edge-shared octahedra and enlarged d-spacing. With a lithiated polyacrylic acid binder, it accommodates >3 Li+ ions without electrolyte decomposition.
Drug delivery systems loaded with plant-derived natural products for dental caries prevention and treatment
Authors: Song Xiaowen , Ji Mengzhen , Shu Xingyue , Zou Ling
Published: December 2024

Schematic diagram of drug delivery system for dental caries prevention and treatment.
The expanding roles of myonuclei in adult skeletal muscle health and function
Authors: Borowik Agnieszka K. , Murach Kevin A. , Miller Benjamin F.
Published: December 2024

Skeletal muscle cells (myofibers) require multiple nuclei to support a cytoplasmic volume that is larger than other mononuclear cell types. It is dogmatic that mammalian resident myonuclei rely on stem cells (specifically satellite cells) for adding new DNA to muscle fibers to facilitate cytoplasmic expansion that occurs during muscle growth. In this review, we discuss the relationship between cell size and supporting genetic material. We present evidence that myonuclei may undergo DNA synthesis as a strategy to increase genetic material in myofibers independent from satellite cells. We then describe the details of our experiments that demonstrated that mammalian myonuclei can replicate DNA in vivo. Finally, we present our findings in the context of expanding knowledge about myonuclear heterogeneity, myonuclear mobility and shape. We also address why myonuclear replication is potentially important and provide future directions for remaining unknowns. Myonuclear DNA replication, coupled with new discoveries about myonuclear transcription, morphology, and behavior in response to stress, may provide opportunities to leverage previously unappreciated skeletal muscle biological processes for therapeutic targets that support muscle mass, function, and plasticity.
Clinical Case Study: Pediatric Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction
Authors: Fujiki Robert Brinton , Fujiki Amanda Edith
Published: December 2024

Clinical Scenario:

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) consists of exertion-induced laryngeal adduction that constricts the airway and causes dyspnea. Respiratory retraining (i.e., therapy) with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the primary treatment for EILO, yet there is limited work describing typical treatment course in adolescents.

Clinical Question:

What are some clinical procedures and considerations for treating EILO in an adolescent?

Study Sources:

This study describes a clinical case of EILO in a 13-year-old female. Case history, self-reported outcomes, and laryngeal imaging findings are reported with reference to current EILO literature.

Primary Results:

A 13-year-old female presented to the clinic with a 2-year history of episodic dyspnea. Symptoms included inhalation difficulty, throat tightness, and biphasic stridor. Symptoms were triggered by physical exertion, the scents of cleaners, and high humidity. Symptom onset following trigger exposure was rapid and resolved quickly upon exercise cessation or trigger removal. Symptoms prevented participation in athletic activities and caused emotional distress. Laryngeal imaging revealed arytenoid twitching and paradoxical vocal fold motion upon inhalation. Laryngeal adduction upon inhalation ranged from partial to complete. Respiratory retraining with an SLP was recommended. Following three treatment sessions, the patient demonstrated proficiency with rescue breathing techniques and reported improved EILO symptoms. Posttherapy Dyspnea Index score reflected a 14-point improvement when compared with baseline. Diagnostic procedures, treatment course, and implications are discussed in detail.

Conclusion:

This case supports previous study and describes both the nature of EILO and the implications for clinical practice.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28020962
A Reconfigurable Coarse‐to‐Fine Approach for the Execution of CNN Inference Models in Low‐Power Edge Devices
Authors: Rangsikunpum Auangkun , Amiri Sam , Ost Luciano
Published: December 2024

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have evolved into essential components for a wide range of embedded applications due to their outstanding efficiency and performance. To efficiently deploy CNN inference models on resource‐constrained edge devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have become a viable processing solution because of their unique hardware characteristics, enabling flexibility, parallel computation and low‐power consumption. In this regard, this work proposes an FPGA‐based dynamic reconfigurable coarse‐to‐fine (C2F) inference of CNN models, aiming to increase power efficiency and flexibility. The proposed C2F approach first coarsely classifies related input images into superclasses and then selects the appropriate fine model(s) to recognise and classify the input images according to their bespoke categories. Furthermore, the proposed architecture can be reprogrammed to the original model using partial reconfiguration (PR) in case the typical classification is required. To efficiently utilise different fine models on low‐cost FPGAs with area minimisation, ZyCAP‐based PR is adopted. Results show that our approach significantly improves the classification process when object identification of only one coarse category of interest is needed. This approach can reduce energy consumption and inference time by up to 27.2% and 13.2%, respectively, which can greatly benefit resource‐constrained applications.
Autoencoder‐based unsupervised one‐class learning for abnormal activity detection in egocentric videos
Authors: Hu Haowen , Hachiuma Ryo , Saito Hideo
Published: December 2024

In recent years, abnormal human activity detection has become an important research topic. However, most existing methods focus on detecting abnormal activities of pedestrians in surveillance videos; even those methods using egocentric videos deal with the activities of pedestrians around the camera wearer. In this paper, the authors present an unsupervised auto‐encoder‐based network trained by one‐class learning that inputs RGB image sequences recorded by egocentric cameras to detect abnormal activities of the camera wearers themselves. To improve the performance of network, the authors introduce a ‘re‐encoding’ architecture and a regularisation loss function term, minimising the KL divergence between the distributions of features extracted by the first and second encoders. Unlike the common use of KL divergence loss to obtain a feature distribution close to an already‐known distribution, the aim is to encourage the features extracted by the second encoder to have a close distribution to those extracted from the first encoder. The authors evaluate the proposed method on the Epic‐Kitchens‐55 dataset and conduct an ablation study to analyse the functions of different components. Experimental results demonstrate that the method outperforms the comparison methods in all cases and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed re‐encoding architecture and the regularisation term.
Functional Message Authentication Codes With Message and Function Privacy
Authors: Li Pu , Liu Muhua , Shang Youlin
Published: December 2024

Functional signatures were allowed anyone to sign any messages in the range of function f, who possesses the secret key skf. However, the existing construction does not satisfy the property of message and function privacy. In this paper, we propose a new notion which is called functional message authentication codes (MACs). In a functional MAC scheme, there are two types of secret keys. One is a master secret key which can be used to generate a valid tag for any messages. The other is authenticating keys for a function f, which can be used to authenticate any messages belonged to the range of f. Except the unforgeability, we require the proposed functional MAC to satisfy function and message privacy which indicates that the authenticating process reveals nothing other than the function values and the corresponding tags. We give a functional MAC construction based on a functional encryption (FE) scheme with function privacy, a perfectly binding commitment scheme, a standard signature scheme, and a symmetric encryption scheme with semantic security. Then, we show an application of functional MAC to constructing verifiable outsourcing computation, which ensures that the client does not accept an incorrect evaluation from the server with overwhelming probability.
Comparison of frequency domain models for assessing the harmonic emissions of low voltage photovoltaic systems
Authors: Bracale Antonio , Collin Adam J. , Ishaq Muhammad , Langella Roberto
Published: December 2024

The proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) systems connected to low voltage (LV) distribution networks can have detrimental impacts on waveform distortion. This is caused by the power electronic interface, with voltage source converter (VSC) technology being by far the most prevalent. As such, proper emission models, which can account for the non‐linear operation of VSCs used in PV systems have to be developed and investigated for the assessment of harmonic distortion in LV networks. This paper compares different frequency domain models (FDMs), specifically, methods based on frequency coupling matrices and an analytical method based on a harmonically coupled impedance matrix, for the type of single‐phase PV systems typically found in LV distribution networks. Two case studies are presented to compare the models in terms of computational complexity and accuracy, with results showing that models accounting for the interaction between same order harmonics are sufficiently accurate.
Challenges in identifying the coronal hole wind
Authors: Heidrich-Meisner Verena , Teichmann Sophie , Berger Lars , Wimmer-Schweingruber Robert F.
Published: December 2024

Context. Solar wind is frequently categorized based on its respective solar source region. Solar wind that originates in coronal holes is consequently called coronal hole wind. Two well-established categorizations of the coronal hole wind, the scheme based on the charge-state composition, and the scheme based on proton plasma, identify a very different fraction of solar wind in the data from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) as coronal hole wind during the solar activity minimum at the end of solar cycle 24.

Aims. We investigate possible explanations for the different identifications of the coronal wind in 2009 in the scheme based on the charge-state composition (almost only coronal hole wind) and in the scheme based on the proton plasma (almost no coronal hole wind at the same time). The high fraction of coronal hole wind observed in the scheme based on the charge-state composition in 2009 was also addressed previously.

Methods. We compared the properties of the respective coronal hole wind types and their changes with solar activity cycle in 2001–2010. As a comparison reference, we included the coronal hole wind as identified by an unsupervised machine-learning approach, k-means, in our analysis.

Results. Because the ratio of the O7+ to O6+ densities drops systematically for the entire solar wind during the solar activity minimum, which cannot be captured by the fixed threshold on the O charge-state ratio suggested in the scheme based on the charge-state composition, we find that this solar wind classification likely misidentifies some slow solar wind as coronal hole wind during the solar activity minimum. The k-means coronal hole wind agrees with the very low fraction of coronal hole wind observed in the classification based on the proton plasma. In addition, the k-means classification we considered includes two types of coronal hole wind, the first of which is dominant during the solar activity maximum and exhibits comparatively higher O and Fe charge states, whereas the second is dominant during the solar activity minimum and features lower O and Fe charge states. A low fraction of coronal hole wind from low-latitude coronal holes observed by ACE in 2009 is plausible because during this time period, a very small number of low-latitude coronal holes was observed. The scheme based on proton plasma and 7-means also relies on fixed decision boundaries, wherein the decision boundary in the scheme based on the proton plasma for coronal hole wind appears to be better adapted for conditions at solar activity minimum than maximum.

Conclusions. The results imply that the origin-oriented solar wind classification needs to be revisited, and they also suggest that an explicit inclusion of the phase of the solar activity cycle can be expected to improve the classification of the solar wind.
Zuckersteuer: Wie lange können wir es uns noch leisten, nichts zu
tun?
Authors: Fischbacher Sarah , Dippel Franz-Werner , Schöffski Oliver
Published: December 2024

Die steigende Prävalenz von Adipositas und Typ-2-Diabetes stellt unsere
Gesellschaft vor wachsende medizinische und finanzielle Herausforderungen. Mit
etwa 18 Millionen stark übergewichtigen Erwachsenen und ca. 9 Millionen Menschen
mit Typ-2-Diabetes befindet sich Deutschland in der Spitzengruppe Europas. Ein
wesentlicher Grund für diese Entwicklung ist der zunehmende Konsum von
industriell gesüßten Getränken und gezuckerten Speisen. Zucker ist mittlerweile
der dominierende Bestandteil stark verarbeiteter Fertigprodukte. Der jährliche
Pro-Kopf-Verbrauch wird auf mehr als 40 kg geschätzt. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat
die Debatte über eine Besteuerung zuckerhaltiger Getränke und Fertigprodukte an
Fahrt aufgenommen. Nach Ansicht von Experten ließe sich eine Zuckersteuer in
Deutschland problemlos über das System der besonderen Verbrauchersteuern
umsetzen. Um eine gesundheitliche Wirkung zu erzielen, sollte die Zuckersteuer
alle eingesetzten Mono- und Disaccharide berücksichtigen, unabhängig davon, aus
welcher Quelle sie stammen. In diesem Beitrag wird ein konkreter Vorschlag für
die Ausgestaltung einer Zuckersteuer unterbreitet. Als Bemessungsgrundlage wird
der prozentuale Zuckergehalt herangezogen und drei Steuerklassen zugeordnet. Die
Steuersätze werden so bemessen, dass sie eine Lenkungswirkung entfalten. Um
einkommensschwache Bevölkerungsschichten zu entlasten entfällt im Gegenzug die
Mehrwertsteuer auf frische und naturbelassene Grundnahrungsmittel. Eine
regelmäßig durchgeführte Evaluation stellt die Wirksamkeit der Zuckersteuer
sicher.
Factor XIII-A Transglutaminase Contributes to Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET)-mediated Fibrin(ogen) Network Formation and Crosslinking
Authors: Soltani Fatemeh , Welman Mélanie , Samani Sahar Ebrahimi , Pacis Alain , Lordkipanidzé Marie , Kaartinen Mari T.
Published: December 2024

Background Neutrophil extracellular traps can contribute to thrombosis via stabilization of fibrin network, which is normally conducted by plasma transglutaminase, Factor XIII-A as part of coagulation cascade. The possible presence and activity of FXIII-A in neutrophils or during NETosis are unknown. Here, we investigated potential presence of FXIII-A in neutrophils and participation in NET-fibrin(ogen) interaction in vitro.

Methods Data mining of human and mouse F13A1/F13a1 mRNA expression in whole-body scRNA sequence atlases was conducted. F13a1 mRNA and protein expression was assessed in isolated mouse bone marrow neutrophils. NETosis was induced using 12-phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA), and the transglutaminase activity was assessed with 5-(biotinamido)pentylamine incorporation to plasma fibronectin and a fluorescence-fibrin(ogen)-based activity assay using ATTO488-Cadaverine. Externalization of FXIII-A and its interaction with neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) markers, namely, decondensed DNA, CitH3, and MPO, were examined with immunofluorescence microscopy. NET–fibrin(ogen) interaction was investigated with and without serum and/or transglutaminase inhibitor, NC9. Effect of soluble fibrinogen and fibrin(ogen) network on NETosis was also assessed.

Results Data mining of RNAseq atlases showed F13A1/F13a1 expression in adipose tissue, blood, and bone marrow neutrophils. mRNA expression and protein production were confirmed in isolated neutrophils where expression was comparable to that of macrophages and monocytes. FXIII-A was externalized and active as a transglutaminase and colocalized with NET markers during NETosis. FXIII-A transglutaminase activity promoted NET–fibrin(ogen) interaction and entrapment of neutrophils within fibrin(ogen) matrix. Soluble fibrinogen or fibrin(ogen) network did not induce NETosis.

Conclusion This study identifies neutrophils as a source of FXIII-A and suggests its role in stabilizing NET–fibrin(ogen) matrix structures.
Novel Syntheses of rac- and Enantiomerically Enriched Dimethyl α-Methylphosphoserinate
Authors: Ordoñez Mario , Bello-Vargas Estefany , Romero-Estudillo Ivan , Labastida-Galván Victoria
Published: December 2024

The novel synthesis of racemic and enantiomerically enriched dimethyl (S)- and (R)-α-methylphosphoserinate is described. The racemic synthesis involves a three-component reaction of hydroxyacetone, benzylamine, dimethyl phosphite and catalytic amounts of phenylphosphonic acid, or alternatively, the reaction of ethyl pyruvate with NH4OAc and dimethyl phosphite in the presence of SiO2 under solvent-free conditions, followed by reduction of the ethyl ester with NaBH4 in THF/MeOH. On the other hand, the stereoselective synthesis includes the phosphonylation of chiral cyclic imines obtained by reaction of ethyl pyruvate with (S)- or (R)-phenylglycinol, followed by reduction of the cyclic ester with NaBH4 and cleavage of the phenylglycinol fragment under hydrogenolysis. The absolute configuration is established by 2D NOESY experiments. All synthesized compounds are fully characterized.
Laboratory model tests and three-dimensional numerical analyses to investigate the behavior of floating granular piles in soft clay
Authors: Hasan Murtaza , Bhatia Pooja , Khan Mohammad Amir , Alsabhan Abdullah H. , Alam Shamshad , Algburi Sameer , Mohammed Salah J.
Published: December 2024

In geotechnical construction, floating granular piles (FGPs) are employed to increase the bearing capacity and decrease the settlement of soft and highly compressive silt materials. FGPs have been installed more quickly and cost effectively than full depth piles, thereby shortening the construction period and saving on materials. Therefore, the present paper investigates the behavior of FGPs under short-term, displacement-controlled conditions through laboratory testing and numerical simulations using Plaxis 3D. Granular piles (GPs) with diameters of 60, 75, and 90 mm corresponding to the respective spacing (s) of 3.1d, 2.5d, and 2d were installed in soft clay employing the unit cell concept. The piles with lengths of 4d, 5d, and 6d were chosen as multiples of the pile diameter (d), alongside end-bearing piles with a length of 7d for comparative analysis. Lengths (4d–7d) and diameters (60–90 mm) of the GPs, area replacement ratios (9.43%–22.67%), angles of internal friction of the granular material (35°–45°), undrained shear strength of the surrounding clay (10–30 kPa), and pile spacings (2d–3.1d) were investigated. The outcomes of laboratory experiments were analyzed against the results obtained from the numerical simulations performed using Plaxis 3D. Results suggest that the load carrying capacity (LCC) of GPs considerably increased, by a factor of 2.6 to 3.1 in comparison with the untreated ground, as the length of the piles increased from 4d to 7d. Larger diameters and higher friction angles also significantly improved the LCC. Failures observed were mainly due to the bulging of the FGPs. The findings support a more cost-effective and friendly alternative to traditional foundation approaches, helping to promote more sustainable and resilient construction practices in geotechnically demanding regions.
Lateral α-Ga2O3:Zr metal–semiconductor field effect transistors
Authors: Vogt Sofie , Splith Daniel , Köpp Sebastian , Schlupp Peter , Petersen Clemens , von Wenckstern Holger , Grundmann Marius
Published: December 2024

We present α-Ga2O3:Zr based metal–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) with PtOx/Pt gate contacts. Pulsed laser deposition is used to grow the α-Ga2O3:Zr thin films in a two-step process on m-plane α-Al2O3. A nominally undoped α-Ga2O3 layer is grown at high growth temperature as growth template. Subsequently, a α-Ga2O3:Zr layer is grown at a lower growth temperature. We compare the performance of Ring-FET devices on a planar 30 nm thick zirconium doped layer deposited at 465 °C and mesa-FETs on a 35 nm thick thin film deposited at 500 °C. The Ring-FETs have current on/off ratios as high as 1.7×109 and a threshold voltage of −0.28 V, and they exhibit very low mean sub-threshold swing of (110±20) mV/dec. For the mesa-FETs, smaller current on/off ratios of 4×107 are measured and a threshold voltage of −1.5 V was obtained due to the larger thin film thickness. The on/off ratio is limited by a higher tunneling current in the off-regime. We present high voltage measurements, which show a breakdown of the mesa-FET device at −340 V, corresponding to a high breakdown field of 1.36 MV/cm and significantly exceeding the previously achieved breakdown voltage for α-Ga2O3 based MESFETs.
Determination of exchange coupling constants in the electronic ground and excited states of molecular multi-spin systems
Authors: Quintes T. , Franz M. , Thielert P. , Redman A. J. , Richert S.
Published: December 2024

The interaction between unpaired electrons determines the magnetic properties of molecular materials and consequently their applicability. In particular, for applications of organic multi-spin systems in the emerging field of molecular spintronics, being able to control such electronic interactions is desirable, as this would pave the way for the creation of materials with tailor-made magnetic properties. Inter-spin interactions can be divided into two different categories, namely, dipolar and exchange interactions. Dipolar interactions are well predictable due to their defined distance dependence, while exchange interactions are difficult to determine since they exhibit a complex dependence on the molecular structure. Any approaches to tune the magnetic properties of molecular multi-spin systems, thus, need to focus on controlling the magnitude of the exchange interaction. In this tutorial review, we outline the theoretical background of exchange coupling and provide an overview of different experimental and computational methods available for the determination of exchange coupling constants in the electronic ground and excited states of molecular materials. We conclude by discussing the current limitations and challenges in the determination of exchange coupling parameters in these materials.
Pseudo-phases of supercritical CO2 at supercritical CO2-subcritical H2O interface: A molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Jin Jia-Xin , Wang Xiao-Dong , Lee Duu-Jong
Published: December 2024

This study examined the distributions of pseudo-phases of supercritical CO2 (scCO2) at the scCO2-subcritical water (subH2O) interface. Molecular dynamics and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations were used for phase identification with a revised molecular deep neural network (DNN) model that includes van der Waals interactions and Coulomb forces. Near the interface, scCO2 can exist in dissolved-liquid, gas-like, two-phase-like, or liquid-like phases, significantly affecting its density distributions and physical properties, such as compressibility. The locations of the Widom line and Widom delta were identified, and their crossings altered the phase distributions and physical properties of scCO2. Using the unified law λ* = (P + a)/bT, the combined effects of temperature and pressure on scCO2 phase distribution were studied: crossing the Widom line changes the phase distributions from a five-layer to a three-layer structure, eliminates the GL phase, shifts the state from compressive to hard-compressive, and alters the interfacial tension from a linear-decrease stage to a pseudo-plateau stage. Crossing the Widom delta results in a transition from seven-layer to three-layer structures, indicating a second-order phase transition. The two-phase-like scCO2 has a density between 0.3 and 0.7 g/ml, fluctuating as a buffer between liquid-like and gas-like phases. The molecular DNN model effectively distinguished supercritical phases and tracked phase distribution changes at interfaces across a wide range of pressures and temperatures.
Multi-objective design and evaluation of a toroidal rotor for quadcopters
Authors: Li Pengyu , Liu Chaofan , Liu Yu , Yang Yannian
Published: December 2024

For long flight duration and low noise emission, efficient and quiet quadcopters have a continuous demand. The toroidal rotor, which is ring-shaped with each blade forming a closed loop, is recognized for its potential to reduce tip vortex intensity, thereby improving aerodynamic efficiency and reducing noise levels. However, existing studies provide limited and sometimes controversial results of toroidal rotor performance relative to conventional rotors. This study aims to conduct a more comprehensive and systematic evaluation by employing a multi-objective optimization framework to design toroidal and conventional rotors for fair comparison. The optimization under the constraint of a required thrust considers objectives of aerodynamic efficiency and noise emission, with the design variable of blade twist angle. The study compares a toroidal 2-blade rotor with conventional 2-blade and 4-blade rotors. The results show that, while the toroidal rotor generates lower noise than conventional 2-blade rotors, it shows lower aerodynamic efficiency. Compared to conventional 4-blade rotors, the toroidal rotor has lower aerodynamic efficiency and larger noise emission. The trend is determined by the effect of rotational speed and blade–vortex interaction, as revealed by flow field analysis. Noise spectrum analysis allows to identify loading and thickness noise contributions and locate the primary noise sources of the toroidal rotor.
Temperature dependent Korteweg stress coefficient from the Enskog–Vlasov equation
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rahul , Struchtrup Henning , Singh Rana Anirudh
Published: December 2024

Enskog–Vlasov equation—a nonlinear partial-integrodifferential equation, provides a robust framework for analyzing liquid dynamics and phase transition. The Vlasov force expanded using Taylor series yields Korteweg stress with two constant coefficients. The first coefficient yields the van der Waals like contribution to equilibrium pressure, while the second coefficient determines the interfacial stresses/surface tension. In this article, we express the second Korteweg constant coefficient as a function of temperature. The developed model effectively captures the liquid–vapor interfacial region in equilibrium, reproducing the sharp interfacial structure predicted by the full Enskog–Vlasov equation. Additionally, we compare our results with those obtained through a particle-based approach, as studied by Frezzotti et al. (2009) [“Direct simulation Monte Carlo applications to liquid–vapor flows,” Phys. Fluids 31, 062103 (2019)]. The proposed model balances simplicity with computational efficiency, comprehensively examined within the paper.
Effect of variable inlet guide vanes on thermodynamic characteristic and flow mechanism of a core compression system for variable cycle engine
Authors: Luo Qiaodan , Zhao Shengfeng , Wang Haoran , Zhou Shiji , Yao Lipan , Yang Chengwu , Lu Xingen , Zhu Junqiang
Published: December 2024

As a critical component of the variable cycle engine (VCE), the variable cycle core compression system (VCCCS) necessitates exceptional performance stability across a wide range of operating conditions. This research delves into the effects of varying the angles of variable inlet guide vanes (VIGV) on the thermodynamic characteristics and internal flow structure of the VCCCS under wide-range operational adjustments. The results reveal that modulating the VIGV significantly broadens the operating envelope of the VCCCS, extending the range of stable and efficient operation from a single curve to a surface. Moreover, adjusting the VIGV reconfigures the load distribution among VCCCS components, consequently altering the internal flow structure. The relationship between aerodynamic losses and entropy distribution in VCCCS components at different VIGV angles has been clarified. Closing the VIGV reduces the secondary flow losses and the extent of high-entropy regions within the core driven fan stage (CDFS) passage, while having a relatively minor impact on the losses in the high-pressure compressor (HPC). The evolution of the feasible domain of the bypass ratio and the mechanisms of adjustment limitation are uncovered. Notably, when the VIGV is adjusted from −20° to 50°, the sources of flow instability within the VCCCS under extreme boundary conditions exhibit three distinct changes. Additionally, a correlation has been established between the VIGV configurations and the thermodynamic characteristics of the VCCCS, thereby providing valuable insights for the design of efficient operation across a wide range of operating conditions.
Bitter compound quinine hydrochloride improved post-weaning pig performance in the absence of zinc oxide
Authors: Garcia-Puig Elisabet , Liu Fan , Morrison Rebecca , Müller Maximiliano , Lisle Allan , Roura Eugeni
Published: December 2024

Context Dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) (a bitter antimicrobial chemical) in pigs is being gradually phased out due to pollution and antibiotic resistance. Bitter compounds like quinine hydrochloride (HCl) have shown potential to enhance growth and feed efficiency by slowing gastric emptying and intestinal passage rates in pigs. Aims This study aimed to evaluate quinine’s ability to improve performance in weanling pigs without ZnO. Methods Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1: 120 Landrace (LD) × Large White (LW) weaned piglets (initial BW 6.8 ± 0.1 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four diets in a 2 × 2 factorial design: with/without ZnO and copper sulfate (CuSO4) (3000 and 250 ppm, respectively) and two quinine levels (0 and 500 ppm). Parameters measured included average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), and faecal score. Experiment 2: 1440 LD × LW piglets (initial BW 7.4 ± 0.2 kg) were housed in groups of 18 per pen and assigned the same four dietary treatments as in Experiment 1. Key results Growth performance parameters were recorded and analysed, showing that ZnO/CuSO4 supplement improved growth and feed efficiency (P < 0.05) compared to the ZnO/CuSO4-free diet group. In Experiment 1, pigs supplemented with quinine in non-ZnO/CuSO4 diets showed similar (P > 0.05) performance levels to the ZnO/CuSO4 fed group. In addition, an interaction (P < 0.05) was found, indicating that adding quinine improved or worsened ADG and G:F depending on the absence or presence of ZnO/CuSO4 in the diet, respectively. In Experiment 2, quinine inclusions in non-ZnO diets improved (P < 0.05) ADG but did not affect (P > 0.05) ADFI and G:F. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the anticipated deleterious effects of phasing out the use of dietary ZnO can be partially compensated by includingquinine in the diet of post-weaning pigs. The negative effect of quinine when provided together with ZnO is compatible with a competitive exclusion mechanism linked to both stimulating bitterness, a mechanism that warrants further investigation. Implications Quinine shows potential as a partial replacement for ZnO in post-weaning pig diets, providing a promising alternative to maintain piglet health and growth while transitioning away from ZnO.