bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ciliary body size in chronic angle-closure glaucoma
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Jonas Rahul A. , Jonas Shefali B. , Panda-Jonas Songhomitra
Published: October 2023

To examine the size of the ciliary body stroma (CBS) in dependence of the morphology of the anterior chamber angle in enucleated human eyes, we histomorphometrically examined human enucleated eyes. The study included 107 eyes (with a mean axial length of 25.1 ± 2.8 mm (range 21.0–36.0 mm). The anterior chamber angle was open in 68 eyes and it was closed and endothelialized in 39 eyes. The maximal CBS width (541 ± 210 µm versus 59 ± 179 µm; P < 0.001) and the minimal CBS width (214 ± 107 µm versus 17 ± 55 µm; P < 0.001) and maximal ciliary muscle height (593 ± 557 µm versus 293 ± 111 µm; P = 0.001) were significantly smaller in the angle-closure group than in the open-angle group. Maximal CBS width increased with presence of an open anterior chamber angle (beta: 0.82; B: 517; 95% CI 435, 599; P < 0.001) and longer axial length (beta: 0.17; B: 18.2; 95% CI 4.2, 32.2; P = 0.01). Minimal CBS width increased with the presence of an open anterior chamber angle (beta: 0.48; B: 131; 95% CI 80.4, 181; P < 0.001) and a larger maximal ciliary muscle height (beta: 0.33; B: 0.28; 95% CI 0.12, 0.44; P = 0.001). Maximal ciliary muscle height correlated with the maximal CBS height (beta: 0.35; B: 0.53; 95% CI 0.25, 0.81; P < 0.001). The findings suggest that the CBS size is markedly smaller in eyes with a chronically closed endothelialized anterior chamber angle than in eyes with open angles. The tightening of the angle in eyes with angle-closure may prevent the access of aqueous humor not only to the trabecular meshwork but also to the ciliary body and may reduce the uveoscleral or uveovortex outflow pathway.
Enhancing microstructure and mechanical properties of nickel aluminium bronze alloy through tin addition
Authors: Poojary Sushanth , Marakini Vikas , Rao Rajath N. , Vijayan Vijeesh
Published: October 2023

This article describes the changes in the microstructure, cooling curve characteristics and mechanical properties of cast Nickel Aluminium Bronze alloy (NAB) alloy that were produced by the addition of various amounts of Tin (Sn). The solidification parameters were recorded using a computer-aided cooling curve analysis setup, and optical and scanning electron microscopes were utilised to study the evolution of the microstructure. The chemical composition of different phases generated in the NAB alloy with and without Tin was investigated using an X-ray diffraction technique. With the addition of tin, the alloy's microstructure changed from columnar to equiaxed grain structures, and the ideal microstructure was produced at a Tin concentration of roughly 1.0 weight percent. The formation of the high temperature α and the grain boundary Sn rich phases across the alloy microstructure as a result of further addition has a considerable impact on the alloy's increased hardness (upto 69%) and tensile strength (upto 28.4%) compared to untreated NAB alloy. Influence of Sn on microstructure transformation is confirmed by the decline in alloy nucleation temperatures, the reduction in undercooling intensity, and the decrease in cooling rate during solidification. The addition of Tin to the NAB alloy caused morphological changes in the kappa (K) phases, which are also reported in the this article. In addition to this, the research makes an attempt to describe the mechanism underlying the formation of equiaxed grains and phase transformations in Sn-treated NAB alloys.
Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective study
Authors: Qiu Xinguang , Gao Ming , Zhang Danhua , Ji Feihong
Published: October 2023

There is now growing interest in the use of Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat hyperparathyroidism. But the efficacy and limitations of this treatment have not been described in sufficient detail. Assessing and contrasting the effectiveness and safety of RFA in treating primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). This retrospective study included 57 HPT patients (48 for PHPT and 9 for SHPT) who underwent RFA between January 2017 and April 2021. The serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and calcium, hyperplastic parathyroid volume, volume reduction rate (VRR) before and after RFA, clinical success rate, symptoms, and complications were analyzed and compared. In SHPT group, bone pain (7/9, 77.8%), skin pruritus (4/9, 44.4%), and multiple hyperplastic parathyroid glands (4/9, 44.4%) were more common compared to the PHPT group. After 12 months of follow-up, the serum iPTH, calcium, and the volume of PHPT and SHPT groups had decreased by more than 60%, 10%, and 90%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the VRR, 13 glands of SHPT (72.2%) and 42 glands of PHPT (87.5%) had achieved the clinical success. In addition, the preoperative and postoperative serum iPTH were higher in the SHPT group than in the PHPT group (P < 0.05). In terms of the serum iPTH and calcium, the PHPT group had substantially higher rates of clinical success, with 42 patients (87.5%) and 46 patients (95.8%) meeting the criteria, respectively compared to 3 patients (33.3%) and 6 patients (66.7%) of SHPT group (P < 0.05). After RFA, the clinical symptoms improved in both groups. The overall incidence of complications (hoarseness and postoperative hematoma) of RFA in the two groups was 10.5% (6/57), and hoarseness (3/9, 33.3%) of SHPT group was more common than PHPT group. All the complications were resolved spontaneously within 12 months after symptomatic treatments. In the treatment of PHPT and SHPT, ultrasound-guided RFA is both successful and safe. PHPT patients have better results in restoring normal iPTH by RFA, and have no considerable difference with the SHPT patients in terms of serum calcium, the volume of the ablation area, and the VRR.
Advanced glycation end product (AGE) targeting antibody SIWA318H is efficacious in preclinical models for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Rossi Gabriela R. , Jensen Ashley , Ng Serina , Yin Zhirong , Li Aimin , Misra Anjan , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Gruber Lewis , Gruber Misty , Han Haiyong
Published: October 2023

SIWA318H is a novel monoclonal antibody that selectively targets an advanced glycation end product biomarker found in damaged/dysfunctional cells exhibiting (a) aerobic glycolysis, and (b) oxidative stress. Cells with this biomarker are dysfunctional and are associated with stresses and/or damages relating to aging, cancer and other disease processes. In this study, we evaluated the biological effects and antitumor activity of SIWA318H in preclinical models for pancreatic cancer. SIWA318H binds to pancreatic cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as tumor xenografts derived from pancreatic cancer patients. Furthermore, SIWA318H induced significant antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against pancreatic cancer cells. In a humanized CD34+ NSG mouse xenograft model for pancreatic cancer, tumors in mice treated with SIWA318H grew significantly slower compared to those in control mice (p < 0.001). After 3 weeks of treatment with SIWA318H, the tumor growth was suppressed by 68.8% and 61.5% for the high and low dose regimens, respectively, when compared to the isotype antibody control (ANOVA p < 0.002). Moreover, a significant increase in complete remission (CR) rate was observed in mice receiving the high dose (60%, p < 0.04) or low dose (77.8%, p < 0.02) of SIWA318H treatment compared with control mice (6.7%). Immunohistochemical analyses of the tumor tissues showed a significant decrease in senescent cells in the tumor microenvironment of SIWA318H treated mice compared to that of control treated mice (p < 0.05). These results provide compelling evidence that SIWA318H is a promising novel therapeutic against pancreatic cancer.
The impact of non-synonymous mutations on miRNA binding sites within the SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 and NSP4 genes
Authors: Rad S. M. Ali Hosseini , Wannigama Dhammika Leshan , Hirankarn Nattiya , McLellan Alexander D.
Published: October 2023

Non-synonymous mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike region affect cell entry, tropism, and immune evasion, while frequent synonymous mutations may modify viral fitness. Host microRNAs, a type of non-coding RNA, play a crucial role in the viral life cycle, influencing viral replication and the host immune response directly or indirectly. Recently, we identified ten miRNAs with a high complementary capacity to target various regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. We filtered our candidate miRNAs to those only expressed with documented expression in SARS-CoV-2 target cells, with an additional focus on miRNAs that have been reported in other viral infections. We determined if mutations in the first SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern affected these miRNA binding sites. Out of ten miRNA binding sites, five were negatively impacted by mutations, with three recurrent synonymous mutations present in multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages with high-frequency NSP3: C3037U and NSP4: G9802U/C9803U. These mutations were predicted to negatively affect the binding ability of miR-197-5p and miR-18b-5p, respectively. In these preliminary findings, using a dual-reporter assay system, we confirmed the ability of these miRNAs in binding to the predicted NSP3 and NSP4 regions and the loss/reduced miRNA bindings due to the recurrent mutations.
Clinical characteristics and management outcomes of acute retinal necrosis
Authors: Shiezadeh Elham , Hosseini Seyedeh Maryam , Bakhtiari Elham , Mojarrad Alireza , Motamed Shariati Mehrdad
Published: October 2023

This study investigates patient’s clinical characteristics and management outcomes of PCR-positive Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN). The patient’s clinical characteristics of the disease, and therapeutic approaches were assessed. Data from the medical records of 40 eyes of 40 patients were analyzed. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the age of the patients was 47.8 ± 14.1 years (16–84 years old). The median follow-up time was 160 days, with a range of 120–370 days. The mean ± SD of patients' primary and final BCVA was 1.24 ± 0.78 and 1.08 ± 0.86 LogMAR, respectively. The final BCVA increased significantly after the treatment in the last follow-up period in patients who did not undergo PPV (p = 0.029). Although, vision changes were not statistically significant in patients who underwent PPV (p = 0.549). 75% of our patients had a positive aqueous PCR for VZV, and the second most common causative agents were CMV and HSV (10% for each). Besides, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) occurred in 25% of our patients. Our analysis showed that the presenting visual acuity and RRD occurrence are the significant prognostic factors for final blindness in ARN.
Valvulogenesis of a living, innervated pulmonary root induced by an acellular scaffold
Authors: Yacoub Magdi H. , Tseng Yuan-Tsan , Kluin Jolanda , Vis Annemijn , Stock Ulrich , Smail Hassiba , Sarathchandra Padmini , Aikawa Elena , El-Nashar Hussam , Chester Adrian H. , Shehata Nairouz , Nagy Mohamed , El-sawy Amr , Li Wei , Burriesci Gaetano , Salmonsmith Jacob , Romeih Soha , Latif Najma
Published: October 2023

Heart valve disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide with no effective medical therapy and no ideal valve substitute emulating the extremely sophisticated functions of a living heart valve. These functions influence survival and quality of life. This has stimulated extensive attempts at tissue engineering “living” heart valves. These attempts utilised combinations of allogeneic/ autologous cells and biological scaffolds with practical, regulatory, and ethical issues. In situ regeneration depends on scaffolds that attract, house and instruct cells and promote connective tissue formation. We describe a surgical, tissue-engineered, anatomically precise, novel off-the-shelf, acellular, synthetic scaffold inducing a rapid process of morphogenesis involving relevant cell types, extracellular matrix, regulatory elements including nerves and humoral components. This process relies on specific material characteristics, design and “morphodynamism”.
Mendelian randomization analyses explore the relationship between cathepsins and lung cancer
Authors: Li Jialin , Tang Mingbo , Gao Xinliang , Tian Suyan , Liu Wei
Published: October 2023

Lung cancer, a major contributor to cancer-related fatalities worldwide, involves a complex pathogenesis. Cathepsins, lysosomal cysteine proteases, play roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including tumorigenesis. Observational studies have suggested an association between cathepsins and lung cancer. However, the causal link between the cathepsin family and lung cancer remains undetermined. This study employed Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate this causal association. The univariable Mendelian randomization analysis results indicate that elevated cathepsin H levels increase the overall risk of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma, and lung cancer among smokers. Conversely, reverse Mendelian randomization analyses suggest that squamous carcinoma may lead to increased cathepsin B levels. A multivariable analysis using nine cathepsins as covariates reveals that elevated cathepsin H levels lead to an increased overall risk of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma, and lung cancer in smokers. In conclusion, cathepsin H may serve as a marker for lung cancer, potentially inspiring directions in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Zinc chloride-catalyzed cyclizative 1,2-rearrangement enables facile access to morpholinones bearing aza-quaternary carbons
Authors: Li Xing-Zi , He Yu-Ping , Wu Hua
Published: October 2023

Morpholines and morpholinones are important building blocks in organic synthesis and pharmacophores in medicinal chemistry, however, C3-disubstituted morpholines/morpholinones are extremely difficult to access. Here we show the ZnCl2-catalyzed cyclizative 1,2-rearrangement for the efficient synthesis of morpholinones bearing aza-quaternary stereocenters. A series of structurally diverse C3-disubstituted morpholin-2-ones which are difficultly accessible by existing methods were efficiently constructed from readily available two achiral linear compounds. Notably, mechanistic studies reveal that this reaction proceeds via an unusual sequence of direct formal [4 + 2] heteroannulation regioselectively delivering specific α-iminium/imine hemiacetals followed by a 1,2-esters or amides shift process, which is different from the reported mechanism of the aza-benzilic ester rearrangements.
Condensation of eigenmodes in functional brain network and its correlation to chimera state
Authors: Huo Siyu , Liu Zonghua
Published: October 2023

Condensation has long been a closely studied problem in statistical physics but little attention has been paid to neural science. Here, we discuss this problem in brain networks and discover the condensation of a functional brain network whereby all its eigenmodes are condensed only into a few or even a single eigenmode of the structural brain network. We show that the condensation occurs due to the emergence of both chimera states and brain functions from the structure of the brain network. Furthermore, the condensation only appears in the regions of chimera and the condensed eigenmodes are only limited to the lower ones. Condensation is confirmed across different levels of brain subnetworks, including hemispheres, cognitive subnetworks, and isolated cognitive subnetworks, which are further supported by resting-state functional connectivity from empirical data. Our results indicate that condensation could be a potential mechanism for performing brain functions.
Climate-driven 21st century Caspian Sea level decline estimated from CMIP6 projections
Authors: Samant Rohit , Prange Matthias
Published: October 2023

Future Caspian Sea level change is estimated for the 21st century using 15 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 climate models and three shared socioeconomic pathways. Projected evaporation increase is significantly larger than precipitation increase integrated over the Caspian Sea catchment basin, resulting in an increasingly negative water balance over the 21st century. A best-fit model analysis that resolves important model limitations related to spatial resolution, climate sensitivity, and Caspian Sea surface area suggests climate-driven sea level reductions of about 8 (inter-model range from 2 to 15) m and 14 (inter-model range from 11 to 21) m by the end of this century for the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. A sea level decline of these magnitudes will result in complete desiccation of the northern Caspian basin and will have adverse effects on ecosystems, coastal infrastructure, navigation, biodiversity, and economies of the entire Caspian region.
The European Green Deal improves the sustainability of food systems but has uneven economic impacts on consumers and farmers
Authors: Guyomard Hervé , Soler Louis-Georges , Détang-Dessendre Cécile , Réquillart Vincent
Published: October 2023

The European Green Deal aims notably to achieve a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system in the European Union. We develop a partial equilibrium economic model to assess the market and non-market impacts of the three main levers of the Green Deal targeting the food chain: reducing the use of chemical inputs in agriculture, decreasing post-harvest losses, and shifting toward healthier average diets containing lower quantities of animal-based products. Substantially improving the climate, biodiversity, and nutrition performance of the European food system requires jointly using the three levers. This allows a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of food consumption and a 40–50% decrease in biodiversity damage. Consumers win economically thanks to lower food expenditures. Livestock producers lose through quantity and price declines. Impacts on revenues of food/feed field crop producers are positive only when the increase in food consumption products outweighs the decrease in feed consumption.
From rosin to novel bio-based silicone rubber: a review
Authors: Li Qiaoguang , He Yuxin , Yan Jie , Li Yongquan , Feng Junfeng , Wang Zhihong
Published: October 2023

Rosin is a characteristic natural renewable resource. Rosin modified silicone rubber with organic/inorganic structure exhibits high mechanical properties, thermal stability, compatibility and antibacterial properties.
Electron transport, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and optical properties of two-dimensional In2Te3: a first-principles study
Authors: Pu Yuanmao , Li Yumin , Qiu Zhibin , Zhou Lang , Fang Chuanli , Lou Yaya , Lv Bing , Wei Jun , Wang Wenzhong , Dai Qingping
Published: October 2023

The electron transport, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and optical properties of 2D In2Te3 were systematically investigated using first-principles based on density functional theory.
The effect of four-phonon interaction on phonon thermal conductivity of hexagonal VTe2and puckered pentagonal VTe2
Authors: Jin Dan , Zhang Pan , Tian Zhixue , Zhang Zhenhua , Yuan Youyuan , Liu Yong , Lu Zhihong , Xiong Rui
Published: October 2023

The four-phonon scattering process significantly impacts H-VTe2monolayer, resulting in the lattice thermal conductivity of H-VTe2with a simple structure being twice lower than that of PP-VTe2with a complex structure.
Terahertz absorber based on vanadium dioxide with high sensitivity and switching capability between ultra-wideband and ultra-narrowband
Authors: Song Qianli , Cheng Xingxin , Liu Tao , Zhang Yanyu , Zhou Zigang , Yang Yongjia , Chen Hao , Tang Bin , Chen Jing , Yi Zao
Published: October 2023

The terahertz absorber can achieve free switching between ultra wideband complete absorption and narrowband absorption, with high Q value and high sensing performance.
Structure-performance correlation on bimetallic catalysts for selective CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Zou Sibei , Wang Lizhuo , Wang Hao , Zhang Xingmo , Sun Haoyue , Liao Xiaozhou , Huang Jun , Masri Assaad R.
Published: October 2023

The NiRu bimetallic structures act like a “H-atom valve” controlling the H2 spillover effect for highly selective CO2 hydrogenation.
High strength, superior fire retardancy, and dimensional stability of cellulosic hybrids
Authors: He Wen , Wang Rui , Pang Qunyan , Dai Ziliang , Liang Shuang , Wei Bairen , Ji Qiuling , Li Wenxuan , Hu Gangzheng , Li Xingfeng , Jiao Yue , Singh Tripti , Fu Qiliang
Published: October 2023

Bamboo, a rapidly growing plant known for its remarkable strength-to-weight ratio and eco-friendly qualities, finds extensive applications in decorative construction materials and glue-laminated beams.
A dual-functional 3D cerium MOF heterogeneous catalyst for catalysing Knoevenagel condensation and cyanosilylation
Authors: Zhao Peiran , Liu Yuqian , He Cheng , Duan Chunying
Published: October 2023

A 3D Ln-MOF (Ce-4L) has been designed and synthesized. Ce-4L, which has both Lewis acid sites and Lewis base site in the pores, can be used as functional heterogeneous catalyst for cyanosilylation and Knoevenagel condensation.
Phytic acid–based flame retardant and its application to poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Zhang Mengfei , Wang Yang , Huang Jing , Wang Dong , Li Ting , Wang Shibo , Dong Weifu
Published: October 2023

A phytic acid based flame retardant modified by glycidyl methacrylate was prepared. This flame retardant is mainly through the gas phase and condensed phase flame retardant to play a flame retardant role.
Ion sieving membrane for direct seawater anti-precipitation hydrogen evolution reaction electrode
Authors: Liu Qianfeng , Yan Zhao , Gao Jianxin , Fan Hefei , Li Min , Wang Erdong
Published: October 2023

A positive charged Ni(OH)2ion sieving membrane isin situgrown on 3D nickel foam based seawater HER electrode to dramatically reduce hydroxide-based precipitation on the electrode surfaceviahindering the transfer of Mg2+ion.
Investigation of structure–property–application relationships of a hydrogel-based solar vapor generator
Authors: Mao Shudi , Feng An , Zhang Stella , Onggowarsito Casey , Chen Qian , Su Dawei , Fu Qiang
Published: October 2023

We correlated the hydration ability of different hydrophilic groups to the varying performance of their corresponding hydrogels in solar vapor generation (SVG), establishing the relationships between the chemical structure, hydration property, and applications.
Broadening of the near-infrared emission band of the Mg2Al4Si5O18:Cr3+ phosphor for illumination emission applications
Authors: Chen Zhibin , Liu Lehui , Yuan Feifei , Huang Yisheng , Zhang Lizhen , Lin Zhoubin
Published: October 2023

The emission FWHM can be controlled by tuning the synthesis temperature based on the phase transition properties of Mg2Al4Si5O18:Cr3+.
Lead-free double-perovskite Cs4CuSb2Cl12 as an efficient saturable absorber for Q-switched mode-locking fiber lasers
Authors: Zhang Hui-Jie , Song Tao , Liu Xin-Xing , Chen Ming-Zhu , Ma Bo , Huang Han-Zhi , Zhai Xin-Ping , Wang Qiang , Tang Yu-Long , Zhang Hao-Li
Published: October 2023

The lead-free double-perovskite Cs4CuSb2Cl12 is used for Q-switched mode-locking an Yb-doped fiber laser with ∼1 μm NIR modulation, high pulse-energy operation and low saturation power, showing huge potential for integration into photonic devices.
Traffic‐aware rate control for mix‐flow in datacenter
Authors: Li Zhaoyi , Huang Jiawei , Li Yijun , Wang Jianxin
Published: October 2023

Datacenter applications generate diverse flows, including deadline flows and non‐deadline flows. The deadline flows require to complete within strict deadline, while non‐deadline flows seek a shorter flow completion time. The state‐of‐the‐art deadline‐aware methods either transmit deadline flows with best‐effort at high priority, resulting in the starvation of non‐deadline flows, or blindly restrict the sending rates of deadline flows, leading to a high deadline missing ratio. To meet the different requirements of mix‐flows, a novel traffic‐aware rate control (TRC) method is proposed. TRC dynamically adjusts the sending rates of deadline flows according to their deadlines and the predicted future traffic patterns. If the intense competition is predicted among deadline flows, TRC will adopt a more aggressive manner to transmit the current deadline flows to avoid bandwidth contention in the future, reducing the deadline missing ratio. Otherwise, TRC will conservatively transmit deadline flows and complete these flows near their respective deadlines, relinquishing the excess bandwidth to non‐deadline flows. Meanwhile, TRC schedules non‐deadline flows in accordance with their sizes, minimizing the average FCT. The performance of TRC in large‐scale scenarios is evaluated through NS2 simulations. The test results show that TRC reduces the deadline missing ratio of deadline flows and the FCT of non‐deadline flows by up to 69.5% and 78.7% compared to the state‐of‐the‐art deadline‐aware schemes, respectively.
Virtual coupling of permanent magnetic maglev trains: An improved cooperative tracking and collision avoidance control protocol
Authors: Guo Zhenyu , Li Zhongqi
Published: October 2023

In the cooperative tracking task of multiple permanent magnetic maglev trains, system uncertainty, external disturbances, and collision avoidance control are issues that must be considered. Therefore, the cooperative tracking and collision avoidance control for train virtual coupling with external disturbances are studied. First, according to the idea of multi‐agent consensus control and active disturbance rejection control, a cooperative tracking controller based on a novel nonlinear extended state observer (NESO) is designed. Second, a collision avoidance control method based on an improved artificial potential field (APF) is designed. Finally, an improved cooperative tracking and collision avoidance control protocol is proposed, and the stability proof is given. Compared with the conventional protocol, the proposed protocol can achieve smooth coupling and high‐precision cruise while ensuring safe collision avoidance. It has the advantages of higher tracking accuracy and stronger anti‐interference performance.
Engaging through storytelling: the interplay of engagement with a story, cause, and charity
Authors: Kaczorowska Karolina , Conduit Jodie , Goodman Steven
Published: October 2023

Charities engage customers with their cause to encourage charity support behaviours (CSB) and often use storytelling to create that impact. We argue that mechanisms underpinning this process manifest in the story recipients’ engagement with a sequence of focal objects—from the story (i.e. through narrative transportation) to the cause it concerns (i.e. customer engagement), to the charity that supports the cause (i.e. CSB). An online survey (n = 585) required participants to alternatively read a story of a person experiencing homelessness or a general text about homelessness. Results show that narrative transportation leads to CSB through different cognitive, affective, and conative customer engagement paths. Using both narrative and non-narrative text, managers can appeal to specific dimensions of customer engagement to elicit high and low involvement CSB.
A ten-year review analysis of the impact of digitization on tourism development (2012–2022)
Authors: Jiang Chunyu , Phoong Seuk Wai
Published: October 2023

Many tourism-related activities have been suspended due to the nationally enforced lockdown to combat the Coronavirus pandemic. The tourism industry suffered immensely from the lockdown, and as a result of this, digital tourism began gaining traction and attracted public attention. This study analyses the impact of digitalization on the social and economic sustainability of the tourism industry via systematic literature network analysis. The findings indicated that digitalization impacts economic sustainability, encompassing economic benefits in tourism product development, tourism consumption, and industrial development. Moreover, digitalization fosters social development, cultural awareness, and tourism participation in digital technology and cultural heritage. This study identified publication trends and research hotspots using bibliometric analysis, and it was confirmed that Sustainability was the top journal in published digital and tourism sustainability-related articles, followed by the International Journal of Tourism Research, Tourism Management, and Current Issues in Tourism. This study resulted in two implications: identifying the knowledge gap and evidence-based decision-making based on the (previous) literature. Recommendation for future research is also discussed in this study, which is helpful to policymakers, tourism planners, and researchers to develop strategies grounded in research.
Discursive use of stability in New York Times’ coverage of China: a sentiment analysis approach
Authors: Wang Guofeng , Liu Yilin , Tu Shengmeng
Published: October 2023

The importance of stability has been consistently emphasized in China and the discursive use of stability is found to have legitimizing effects in Chinese newspapers, but how such political keywords are employed by the newspaper of a country that is ideologically distinct from China remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating the use of stability in The New York Times’ coverage of China between 1980 and 2020, drawing on critical discourse analysis (particularly, the discourse-historical approach) and sentiment analysis. A diachronic quantitative analysis demonstrates an overall negative sentiment in news reports relating to China’s stability across these years, with positive sentiment evident only during the 1980s and negative sentiment prevailing from 1990 to 2020. These findings are consistent with general trends in US-China relations and US foreign policy over the four decades. Qualitative analysis reveals that negative sentiment focuses on sociopolitical and territorial issues, whereas positive sentiment focuses primarily on economic and financial aspects, indicating that the newspaper views the issue of China’s stability from a politically self-interested perspective of the US and is also concerned about the persistence of certain dominant ideologies in American society. This study contributes to a greater comprehension of the use of political keywords in national and international news discourse, especially by the media of ideologically diverse societies. Moreover, because the application of sentiment analysis to critical discourse analysis and news discourse analysis has proven to be time-efficient, verifiable, and accurate, researchers can confidently employ it to disclose hidden meanings in texts.
Adhesion and tribological characteristics of modified polyurethane coating on composite substrate
Authors: Mushtaq Mohammed , Adusumalli Ramesh B. , Suresh Kurra , Anna Abraham Anu
Published: October 2023

In the present study, glass-epoxy composites were used as a substrate to study the performance of modified polyurethane coating. Two-layer coating (180–200 µm) wherein the epoxy primer as the first coat and polyurethane as the top coat was applied using an air-assisted spray gun to increase the service life of the composite. The analysis of coating was performed using gloss, contact angle, FTIR, TGA, tensile test and SEM. The bonding strength between coating and substrate was evaluated by cross-hatch cut, 180 deg peel strength and pull-off adhesion tests. Scratch, Taber abrasion and Pin-on-disc tests were also performed to evaluate the wear resistance. In addition, a rain erosion test was performed to check the stability of the coating. From the above tests, it is concluded that the applied coating well adhered to the composite substrate. The data generated from different tests can be used to estimate the service life of polymer composites and coatings.
Vanadium promoted ZnO films: Effects on optical and photocatalytic properties
Authors: Avşar Cemre , Karakas Gurkan
Published: October 2023

The effect of electrodeposition temperature, vanadium doping, and oxidation state of vanadium on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO thin films over ITO substrates were investigated. NH4VO3 aqueous solution was used as precursor to dope ZnO thin film samples with V5+ by dip coating method and oxalic acid was used as reducing agent to synthesize V+4 doped samples. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine the direct and indirect band gap values of thin film samples. Methylene blue (MB) degradation assays were used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity. XPS analysis was used to determine the analyse oxidation state of vanadium over the samples. Photocatalytic activity studies revealed that ZnO samples electrodeposited at 70°C have higher band gap and MB degradation activity under artificial solar irradiation. The presence of vanadium also enhances the photocatalytic activity of ZnO and samples doped with V+4 have higher photocatalytic activity than the samples doped with V+5 sites.
Preparation and frictional characteristics of solid lubrication coating on CFRP surface
Authors: Wen Xianglong , Zhou Zhengyang , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Jinguang
Published: October 2023

Solid lubricating coatings were applied onto Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) substrates, using epoxy resin as the adhesive agent, graphite (C) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) as lubricating components, and alumina (Al2O3) as the functional filler. The test parts were prepared by spraying technology and co-curing process. The mechanical properties of the coating were evaluated using Bar hardness and wear rate tests, while the microstructure of the coating was analysed using EDS elemental analysis technology. The test results revealed that the filler content had a significant impact on the mechanical properties. The performance of the coating was determined by the formation of a lubricating film, which resulted from the accumulation of lubricant and reinforcing material during external friction. Scheme T7 yielded the best coating performance with a ratio of epoxy resin to molybdenum disulphide to graphite to alumina of 20:8:3:2.
Efficient formaldehyde sensor based on PtPd nanoparticles-loaded nafion-modified electrodes
Authors: Xu Shuting , Jiang Li , Huang Xiaowei , Ju Wentao , Liang Yanxia , Tao Zhu , Yang Yumeng , Zhu Benfeng , Wei Guoying
Published: October 2023

The noble metal-based electrochemical sensor design for efficient and stable formaldehyde(FA) detection is important ongoing research. In this paper, PtPd/Nafion/GCE is prepared by electrochemical cyclic voltammetry deposition method based on electrodepositing nanostructured platinum (Pt)-palladium (Pd) nanoparticles in Nafion film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The influence of deposition parameters and chemical composition (atomic ratio of Pt and Pd) on the electrochemical behaviour of PtPd/Nafion/GCE has been investigated. PtPd/Nafion/GCE displays a remarked electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of FA and exhibits a linear relationship in the range of 10–5000 μM, with a detection limit of 3.3 μM in 0.1 M H2SO4 solution. It is proved that the detection performance of PtPd/Nafion/GCE electrode is valuable for further application with low detection limit, wide linear range, favourable selectivity and high response.
B, P, and S heteroatom doped, bio- and hemo-compatible 2D graphitic-carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with antioxidant, light-induced antibacterial, and bioimaging endeavors
Authors: Demirci Sahin , Suner Selin Sagbas , Neli Ozlem Uguz , Koca Atif , Sahiner Nurettin
Published: October 2023

The synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) graphitic g-C3N4 and heteroatom-doped graphitic H@g-C3N4 (H: B, P, or S) particles were successfully done using melamine as source compounds and boric acid, phosphorous red, and sulfur as doping agents. The band gap values of 2D g-C3N4, B50@g-C3N4, P50@g-C3N4, and S50@g-C3N4 structures were determined as 2.90, 3.03, 2.89, and 2.93 eV, respectively. The fluorescent emission wavelengths of 2D g-C3N4, B50@g-C3N4, P50@g-C3N4, and S50@g-C3N4 structures were observed at 442, 430, 441, and 442 nm, respectively upon excitation at λ
Ex = 325 nm. There is also one additional new emission wavelength was found at 345 nm for B50@g-C3N4 structure. The blood compatibility test results of g-C3N4, B50@g-C3N4, P50@g-C3N4, and S50@g-C3N4 structures revealed that all materials are blood compatible with <2% hemolysis and >90% blood clotting indices at 100 μg ml−1 concentration. The cell toxicity of the prepared 2D graphitic structures were also tested on L929 fibroblast cells, and even the heteroatom doped has g-C3N4 structures induce no cytotoxicity was observed with >91% cell viability even at 250 μg ml−1 particle concentration with the exception of P50@g-C3N4 which as >75 viability. Moreover, for 2D g-C3N4, B50@g-C3N4, and S50@g-C3N4 constructs, even at 500 μg ml−1 concentration, >90% cell viabilities was monitored. As a diagnostic material, B50@g-C3N4 was found to have significantly high penetration and distribution abilities into L929 fibroblast cells granting a great potential in fluorescence imaging and bioimaging applications. Furthermore, the elemental doping with B, P, and S of g-C3N4 were found to significantly increase the photodynamic antibacterial activity e.g. more than half of bacterial elimination by heteroatom-doped forms of g-C3N4 under UVA treatment was achieved.
Discreet investors exert greater influence on cooperation in the public goods game
Authors: Kang 康 Hong-Wei 洪炜 , Jin 金 Zhan-Yao 展瑶 , Li 李 Ming-Yuan 明远 , Wang 旺 Mie 咩 , Sun 孙 Xing-Ping 兴平 , Shen 沈 Yong 勇 , Chen 陈 Qing-Yi 清毅
Published: October 2023

This paper studies the evolutionary process of cooperative behavior in a public goods game model with heterogeneous investment strategies in square lattices. In the proposed model, players are divided into defectors, cooperators and discreet investors. Among these, defectors do not participate in investing, discreet investors make heterogeneous investments based on the investment behavior and cooperation value of their neighbors, and cooperators invest equally in each neighbor. In real life, heterogeneous investment is often accompanied by time or economic costs. The discreet investors in this paper pay a certain price to obtain their neighbors’ investment behavior and cooperation value, which quantifies the time and economic costs of the heterogeneous investment process. The results of Monte Carlo simulation experiments in this study show that discreet investors can effectively resist the invasion of the defectors, form a stable cooperative group and expand the cooperative advantage in evolution. However, when discreet investors pay too high a price, they lose their strategic advantage. The results in this paper help us understand the role of heterogeneous investment in promoting and maintaining human social cooperation.
P-type cold-source field-effect transistors with TcX
2 and ReX
2 (X = S, Se) cold source electrodes: A computational study
Authors: Wang 汪 Qianwen 倩文 , Wu 武 Jixuan 继璇 , Zhan 詹 Xuepeng 学鹏 , Sang 桑 Pengpeng 鹏鹏 , Chen 陈 Jiezhi 杰智
Published: October 2023

Cold-source field-effect transistors (CS-FETs) have been developed to overcome the major challenge of power dissipation in modern integrated circuits. Cold metals suitable for n-type CS-FETs have been proposed as the ideal electrode to filter the high-energy electrons and break the thermal limit on subthreshold swing (SS). In this work, regarding the p-type CS-FETs, we propose TcX
2 and ReX
2 (X = S, Se) as the injection source to realize the sub-thermal switching for holes. First-principles calculations unveils the cold-metal characteristics of monolayer TcX
2 and ReX
2, possessing a sub-gap below the Fermi level and a decreasing DOS with energy. Quantum device simulations demonstrate that TcX
2 and ReX
2 can enable the cold source effects in WSe2 p-type FETs, achieving steep SS of 29–38 mV/dec and high on/off ratios of (2.3–5.6) × 107. Moreover, multilayer ReS2 retains the cold metal characteristic, thus ensuring similar CS-FET performances to that of the monolayer source. This work underlines the significance of cold metals for the design of p-type CS-FETs.
High-efficiency ultra-fast all-optical photonic crystal diode based on the lateral-coupled nonlinear elliptical defect
Authors: Li 李 Daxing 大星 , Liu 刘 Kaizhu 凯柱 , Yu 余 Chunlong 春龙 , Zhang 张 Kuo 括 , Liu 刘 Yueqin 跃钦 , Feng 冯 Shuai 帅
Published: October 2023

An all-optical Fano-like diode featuring a nonlinear lateral elliptical micro-cavity and a reflecting column in the photonic crystal waveguide is proposed. The asymmetric micro-cavity is constructed by removing one rod and changing the shape of the lateral rod from a circle to an ellipse. A reflecting pillar is also introduced into the waveguide to construct an F–P cavity with the elliptical defect and enhance the asymmetric transmission for the incident light wave transmitting rightwards and leftwards, respectively. By designing the size of the ellipse and optimizing a reflecting rod at a suitable position, a maximum forward light transmittance of −1.14 dB and a minimum backward transmittance of −57.66 dB are achieved at the working wavelength of 1550.47 nm. The corresponding response time is about 10 ps when the intensity of the pump light beam resonant at 637 nm is 3.97 W/μm2.
Wideband low-scattering metasurface with an in-band reconfigurable transparent window
Authors: Zhu 朱 Ying 瑛 , Yang 杨 Weixu 维旭 , Duan 段 Kun 坤 , Jiang 姜 Tian 田 , Zhao 赵 Junming 俊明 , Chen 陈 Ke 克 , Feng 冯 Yijun 一军
Published: October 2023

Active metasurfaces with dynamically reconfigurable functionalities are highly demanded in various practical applications. Here, we propose a wideband low-scattering metasurface that can realize an in-band reconfigurable transparent window by altering the operation states of the PIN diodes loaded on the structures. The metasurface is composed of a band-pass frequency selective surface (FSS) sandwiched between two polarization conversion metasurfaces (PCMs). PIN diodes are integrated into the FSS to switch the transparent window, while a checkerboard configuration is applied in PCMs for the diffusive-reflective function. A sample with 20×20 elements is designed, fabricated, and experimentally verified. Both simulated and measured results show that the in-band functions can be dynamically switched between beam-splitting scattering and high transmission by controlling the biasing states of the diodes, while low backscattering can be attained outside the passband. Furthermore, the resonant structures of FSS also play the role of feeding lines, thus significantly eliminating extra interference compared with conventional feeding networks. We envision that the proposed metasurface may provide new possibilities for the development of an intelligent stealth platform and its antenna applications.
Electron vortices generation of photoelectron of
H2+
by counter-rotating circularly polarized attosecond pulses
Authors: Yang 杨 Haojing 浩婧 , Liu 刘 Xiaoyu 晓煜 , Zhu 朱 Fengzheng 风筝 , Jiao 焦 Liguang 利光 , Liu 刘 Aihua 爱华
Published: October 2023

Molecular-frame photoelectron momentum distributions (MF-PMDs) of an

H
2
+

molecule ion in the presence of a pair of counter-rotating circularly polarized attosecond extreme ultraviolet laser pulses is studied by numerically solving the two-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation within the frozen-nuclei approximation. At small time delay, our simulations show that the electron vortex structure is sensitive to the time delay and relative phase between the counter-rotating pulses when they are partially overlapped. By adjusting time delay and relative phase, we have the ability to manipulate the MF-PMDs and the appearance of spiral arms. We further show that the internuclear distance can affect the spiral vortices due to its different transition cross sections in the parallel and perpendicular geometries. The lowest-order perturbation theory is employed to interpret these phenomena qualitatively. It is concluded that the internuclear distance-dependent transition cross sections and the confinement effect in diatomic molecules are responsible for the variation of vortex structures in the MF-PMDs.
Gauss-Bonnet solution with a cloud of strings in de Sitter and anti-de Sitter space*
Authors: Zhai 翟 Wenxi 文熙 , Zhang 张 Xiangdong 向东
Published: October 2023

In this study, we investigate exact spherically symmetric Gauss-Bonnet black hole solutions surrounded by a cloud of string fluid with the cosmological constant in

dimensions. Both charged and uncharged cases are considered. We focus on the de Sitter solutions in the main text and provide the anti-de Sitter solutions in the appendix. We analyze the features of event horizons and thermodynamic properties of the black hole solutions. The mass, Hawking temperature, thermal stability, and phase transitions are discussed. Moreover, the equation of state and critical phenomena associated with these solutions are explored.
(Pseudo) Scalar mesons in a self-consistent NJL model*
Authors: Yu 俞 Xiaozhu 笑竹 , Wang 王 Xinyang 昕杨
Published: October 2023

In this study, we investigate the mass spectra of π and σ mesons at finite chemical potential using the self-consistent NJL model and the Fierz-transformed interaction Lagrangian. The model introduces an arbitrary parameter α to reflect the weights of the Fierz-transformed interaction channels. We show that, when α exceeds a certain threshold value, the chiral phase transition transforms from a first-order one to a smooth crossover, which is evident from the behaviors of the chiral condensates and meson masses. Additionally, at a high chemical potential, the smaller the value of α, the higher the masses of the π and σ mesons. Moreover, the Mott and dissociation chemical potentials increase with the increase in α. Thus, the meson mass emerges as a valuable experimental observable for determining the value of α and investigating the properties of the chiral phase transition in dense QCD matter.
Riverine nitrogen footprint of agriculture in the Mississippi–Atchafalaya River Basin: do we trade water quality for crop production?
Authors: Lu Chaoqun , Zhang Jien , Yi Bo , Calderon Ignacio , Feng Hongli , Miao Ruiqing , Hennessy David , Pan Shufen , Tian Hanqin
Published: October 2023

Increasing food and biofuel demands have led to the cascading effects from cropland expansions, raised fertilizer use, to increased riverine nitrogen (N) loads. However, little is known about the current trade-off between riverine N pollution and crop production due to the lack of predictive understanding of ecological processes across the land-aquatic continuum. Here, we propose a riverine N footprint (RNF) concept to quantify how N loads change along with per unit crop production gain. Using data synthesis and a well-calibrated hydro-ecological model, we find that the RNF within the Mississippi–Atchafalaya River Basin peaked at 1.95 g N kg−1 grain during the 1990s, and then shifted from an increasing to a decreasing trend, reaching 0.65 g N kg−1 grain in the 2010s. This implies decoupled responses of crop production and N loads to key agricultural activities approximately after 2000, but this pattern varies considerably among sub-basins. Our study highlights the importance of developing a food–energy–water nexus indicator to examine the region-specific trade-offs between crop production and land-to-aquatic N loads for achieving nutrient mitigation goals while sustaining economic gains.