bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of phosphonium deep eutectic solvents as extractants in ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for preconcentration of trace amounts of herbicides in drainage ditches waters
Authors: Werner Justyna , Kohut Karolina , Frankowski Robert , Zgoła‐Grześkowiak Agnieszka
Published: November 2022

In this study, an efficient preconcentration method was presented that is based on dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction taking the advantage of newly synthesized phosphonium deep eutectic solvents used as extractants and ultrasound probe as a dispersing agent. The extracts obtained were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. To optimize the five most important factors for the microextraction procedure a central composite design plan was used. Under optimal conditions (140 μl of extractant, 60 mg of NaCl, pH = 2.0, 120 s of extraction time with ultrasound probe as the dispersing agent, 16 min of centrifugation for phase separation), the proposed method allowed to achieve good precision with RSD between 3.2% and 9.7% at 1.0, 5.0 and 40.0 ng ml levels. The preconcentration factors were equal to 42, 39, and 41, and the limits of detection 0.128, 0.103, and 0.135 ng/ml for dicamba, 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxypropionic acid, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in water samples from drainage ditches with a good recovery in the range of 70%–93%.
How do microbial communities deal with chronic hydrocarbon presence in oil seep soils? Data from historical hand‐dug oil wells
Authors: Brzeszcz Joanna , Skalski Tomasz , Jankowski Leszek , Kapusta Piotr
Published: November 2022

Hand‐dug oil wells, located in natural crude oil seep sites, are remnants of historical exploitation activities. Hydrocarbon pollution is regarded as the threat to soil ecosystem. On the other hand, there is no common environmental policies regarding these soils. The hypothesis was that natural attenuation processes might occur in seep soils since a diversified and stable bacterial community structure should be a result of its long‐term (thousands of years) adaptation to hydrocarbon exposure and should be associated with eventual utilization of these compounds. To obtained this goal, we compared the structure, composition, and hydrocarbon‐degrading potential of bacterial communities inhabiting soils with different hydrocarbon contents (seep, hydrocarbon‐impacted, pristine soils), which were collected in two habitats (forest, meadow). 16S rRNA sequencing and isolation of hydrocarbon degraders were performed. The contaminant's presence shaped distinct and unique community structure and composition, and it enhanced physiologically and functionally adapted microorganisms. The most abundant community members were bacteria revealing a strong contribution in genetic potential toward aerobic hydrocarbon transformation (i.e., Mycobacterium/Mycolicibacterium and Pseudomonas). The strong hydrocarbon degraders population suggests that natural biodegradation occurs in situ in seeps and mitigates the pollution impact on adjacent soils. Seep and hydrocarbon‐impacted soils are a great source for remedial bacterial populations. Twenty‐four genera of degraders were isolated; however, strains belonging to the Mycobacterium/Mycolicibacterium, Rhodococcus, and Pseudomonas taxa were common. Our results underline the need to include undervalued microbiological aspects in remediation projects' guidelines for chronically polluted environments. The knowledge regarding seep communities should help to evaluate more efficient remediation strategies for anthropogenic spills.
Spatialization method of monitoring grazing intensity: A case‐study of the Tibet Selinco basin, Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Xi Guilin , Ma Changhui , Xie Yaowen , Guo Zecheng , Bao Tana , Zhang Xueyuan , Liu Yiyang , Wang Haoran
Published: November 2022

The problem of grassland degradation induced by livestock production at the expense of local grasses has become a serious ecological problem worldwide. To maintain livestock production and sustainable grassland development, the extent and intensity of grassland utilization needs to be better understood. In this study, a model was developed to monitor the intensity of grazing in a typical grazing area (Tibet Selinco basin) of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. Combining the number of livestock at the township scale with their matching livestock habitat area and location, the biomass consumed by livestock was assigned to a productivity supply map (NPP) using a mathematical iterative algorithm from the perspective of different foraging habits of different livestock. The objective was to accurately measure the overall grazing pressure on the pasture as well as to estimate livestock pasture utilization. The model confirmed distinct spatial differences in the intensity of grassland utilization in the Tibet Selinco basin, in which the overall intensity was significantly low except in the southwestern region. The overall grazing area was found to be 150,000 km2, of which moderate grazing area occupied 130,000 km2 and overgrazing area occupied 20,000 km2, accounting for 87% and 13% of the total grazing area, respectively. The proposed model can quantify human activities spatially and provide a reliable and accurate scientific basis for livestock production development and ecological environment management.
Enhancement of antioxidant activity and improvement of the bright color of fermented soybean using ergothioneine biosynthesized by Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Nguyen Tham Thi Hong , Nguyen Ngoc Thi Le , Nguyen Thuy Thi , Nguyen Ha Cong
Published: November 2022

Even though fermented soybean (FS) contains various antioxidant compounds, this long‐time processing still faces various oxidations caused by enzymes or heat. To elucidate the possibility of the oxidations as well as the level of enhancement of antioxidant properties to limit such oxidation, ergothioneine (ESH) concentrated extract (CE) from Aspergillus oryzae was used to interfere during FS processing. So, the supplementation of ESH CE (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%) to one of three main stages such as soaking stage (SK), steaming (SM), or fermentation (FM) of the processing before measuring the quality changes of the final fermented product was done. The result showed that when added 4%–6% of ESH CE to the SK, ESH was slightly increased while 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities and total phenolic compounds (TPC) increased considerably after fermentation by Bacillus subtilis. Total lipid was also slightly increased, whereas free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) decreased sharply compared with the control sample. Although supplemented at SK, L*‐value increased sharply from 0% to 4% and then decreased slightly at 6% of ESH CE, higher than at SM, and subsequent FM, ∆E‐value and a* and b* value changed in the opposite direction when these parameters decreased the sharpest at SK, lower than at SM and then at FM. The results indicate that supplementing with 4%–6% ESH CE at the early SK of FS processing shows a compatible difference with other stages, not only helping to prevent lipid oxidation but also improving the bright color of the final FS.
Monodromy of Kodaira fibrations of genus 3
Authors: Flapan Laure
Published: November 2022

A Kodaira fibration is a non‐isotrivial fibration from a smooth algebraic surface S to a smooth algebraic curve B such that all fibers are smooth algebraic curves of genus g. Such fibrations arise as complete curves inside the moduli space of genus g algebraic curves. We investigate here the possible connected monodromy groups of a Kodaira fibration in the case and classify which such groups can arise from a Kodaira fibration obtained as a general complete intersection curve inside a subvariety of parametrizing curves whose Jacobians have extra endomorphisms.
Supply chain transparency as a signal of ethical production
Authors: Ko Taehyun , Lee Jaeram , Park Daehyeon , Ryu Doojin
Published: November 2022

We analyze firms' supply chain transparency and ethical production practices using a game‐theoretic approach. If the rival's supply chain is more likely to be ethical and the technology used to ensure supply chain transparency is efficient, ethical suppliers prefer to disclose their supply chain information, whereas unethical suppliers do not. The supply chain transparency level can be a signal of the supplier's ethical quality level, as both consumers' demand for ethical production and R&D efficiency for supply chain transparency increase. Consumers can distinguish ethical suppliers through their level of supply chain transparency because blockchain technology improves R&D efficiency.
In Vivo 18F‐Florzolotau Tau Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Authors: Tang Yilin , Li Ling , Hu Tianyu , Jiao Fangyang , Han Linlin , Li Shiyu , Xu Zhiheng , Fan Yun , Sun Yimin , Liu Fengtao , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Zuo Chuantao , Wang Jian
Published: November 2022

Background

Tau pathology is observed during autopsy in many patients with Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the tracer 18F‐florzolotau has the potential to capture tau accumulation in the living brain.

Objective

The aim was to describe the results of 18F‐florzolotau PET/CT (computed tomography) imaging in patients with PDD.

Methods

Ten patients with PDD, 9 with Parkinson's disease with normal cognition (PD‐NC), and 9 age‐matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Clinical assessments and 18F‐florzolotau PET/CT imaging were performed.

Results

18F‐Florzolotau uptake was significantly higher in the cortical regions of patients with PDD compared with both PD‐NC and HCs, especially in the temporal lobe. Notably, 18F‐florzolotau uptake in the occipital lobe of patients with PDD showed a significant correlation with cognitive impairment as reflected by Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.

Conclusions

18F‐Florzolotau PET imaging can effectively capture the occurrence of tau pathology in patients with PDD, which was also linked to MMSE scores. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
MH experts discuss crisis, workforce issues, youth concerns
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2022

Just a couple of years prior to the pandemic, mental health clinicians reported feeling very helpful to people in need, even more so than they were 10 or even 20 years ago, said Thomas Insel, M.D. However, more dire times would soon prevail, he said, resulting in a “disconnection” of sorts.
Integrated large‐frequency‐ratio dual‐band tapered slot with monopole antenna for 4G/5G/B5G
Authors: Sultan Kamel , Ikram Muhammad , Nguyen‐Trong Nghia
Published: November 2022

With the advanced communications systems, the integration of 5G bands, including sub‐6‐GHz and millimeter‐wave (mm‐wave) bands with the existing lower bands of 3G/4G has become an essential need for the future mobile handsets. This article proposes an integration between a large‐frequency‐ratio dual‐band tapered slot antenna with a multisection meander monopole antenna on a handset board. The tapered slot Vivaldi antenna (TSVA) functions as a resonant open‐ended slot at low frequencies (sub‐6 GHz) while also acting as a high‐gain Vivaldi antenna at higher frequencies (mm‐wave 28 GHz). The modification of the slot geometry, that is, generating multisections within the slot, is shown to improve the impedance bandwidth. Furthermore, the meander‐line monopole antenna covers the bands of the existing mobile generation (3G/4G) at 0.8, 1.8, 2.1, and 2.3 GHz. Most importantly, the compact size of the proposed antenna is realized by utilizing the side wall of a mobile board.
A wideband accurate compact 6‐bit phase shifter in 0.15‐μm GaAs technology
Authors: Zeng Jialong , Xie Chunshuang , Zhang Desheng , Feng Jie , Tan Cheng , Yu Zhongjun
Published: November 2022

A Ku wideband accurate compact 6‐bit digital phase shifter is designed in this letter using three different switched phase shift structures: the switched L/C structure, T‐type structure, and high‐pass/low‐pass network. To improve the bandwidth and the gain flatness, an improved switched L/C structure is used and the systematic cascade sequence of the phase shifter is optimized. The improved switched L/C structure solves the problem that conventional L/C networks are hypersensitive to the coupling capacitance at high‐frequency input. As a result, the improved L/C structure can achieve wideband and better s‐parameters. The proposed 6‐bit switched phase shifter is implemented in 0.15‐μm GaAs pHEMT process. The measured root‐mean‐square (rms) phase error is less than 2.8° at 12–18 GHz, and the average insertion loss (IL) is 6.5–6.9 dB. The chip size of the proposed 6‐bit digital phase shifter is 3.1 × 1 mm2, including all RF and dc pads, which is very suitable for radar systems.
Layout and optimization of LED light source for indoor visible light communication
Authors: Pei Hexiu , Jing Lei , Tong Zhengrong , Ma Ming , Cui Xi
Published: November 2022

This paper proposes a novel polygonal layout based on rectangular plane stereo space. The illumination and signal‐to‐noise ratio of polygonal layout and circular layout is simulated in a 5 m × 4 m × 3 m room; The simulation results show that: compared with the illuminance uniformity of the circular layout of 0.67, the illuminance uniformity of the polygonal layout reaches 0.81, which is improved by 20.90%. The position and power of the polygonal layout are further optimized respectively by particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the illuminance uniformity and signal‐to‐noise ratio quality factors (Q) of the polygonal layout can be increased from 0.81 and 19.31 to 0.88 and 37.38 after optimization, respectively. The illuminance uniformity increased by 8.64%, and the Q increased by 93.58%. The experimental system of polygonal layout optimized by PSO is built, by comparing the simulation and experimental results, the average illuminance error of the simulation and experiment is 10.58%, the illuminance uniformity error is 5.68%, and the illuminance distribution trend is consistent.
A phase‐field model for quasi‐dynamic nucleation, growth, and propagation of rate‐and‐state faults
Authors: Fei Fan , Mia Md Shumon , Elbanna Ahmed E. , Choo Jinhyun
Published: November 2022

Despite its critical role in the study of earthquake processes, numerical simulation of the entire stages of fault rupture remains a formidable task. The main challenges in simulating a fault rupture process include the complex evolution of fault geometry, frictional contact, and off‐fault damage over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Here, we develop a phase‐field model for quasi‐dynamic fault nucleation, growth, and propagation, which features two standout advantages: (i) it does not require any sophisticated algorithms to represent fault geometry and its evolution; and (ii) it allows for modeling fault nucleation, propagation, and off‐fault damage processes with a single formulation. Built on a recently developed phase‐field framework for shear fractures with frictional contact, the proposed formulation incorporates rate‐ and state‐dependent friction, radiation damping, and their impacts on fault mechanics and off‐fault damage. We show that the numerical results of the phase‐field model are consistent with those obtained from well‐verified approaches that model the fault as a surface of discontinuity, without suffering from the mesh convergence issue in the existing continuous approaches to fault rupture (e.g., the stress glut method). Further, through numerical examples of fault propagation in various settings, we demonstrate that the phase‐field approach may open new opportunities for investigating complex earthquake processes that have remained overly challenging for the existing numerical methods.
Tier‐based formalism for safety assessment of custom‐built radio‐frequency transmit coils
Authors: Steensma Bart Romke , Sadeghi‐Tarakameh Alireza , Meliadò Ettore Flavio , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , Klomp Dennis W. J. , Luijten Peter R. , Metzger Gregory J. , Eryaman Yigitcan , Raaijmakers Alexander J. E.
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this work is to propose a tier‐based formalism for safety assessment of custom‐built radio‐frequency (RF) coils that balances validation effort with the effort put in determinating the safety factor. The formalism has three tier levels. Higher tiers require increased effort when validating electromagnetic simulation results but allow for less conservative safety factors. In addition, we propose a new method to calculate modeling uncertainty between simulations and measurements and a new method to propagate uncertainties in the simulation into a safety factor that minimizes the risk of underestimating the peak specific absorption rate (SAR). The new safety assessment procedure was completed for all tier levels for an eight‐channel dipole array for prostate imaging at 7 T and an eight‐channel dipole array for head imaging at 10.5 T, using data from two different research sites. For the 7 T body array, the validation procedure resulted in a modeling uncertainty of 77% between measured and simulated local SAR distributions. For a situation where RF shimming is performed on the prostate, average power limits of 2.4 and 4.5 W/channel were found for tiers 2 and 3, respectively. When the worst‐case peak SAR among all phase settings was calculated, power limits of 1.4 and 2.7 W/channel were found for tiers 2 and 3, respectively. For the 10.5 T head array, a modeling uncertainty of 21% was found based on B1+ mapping. For the tier 2 validation, a power limit of 2.6 W/channel was calculated. The demonstrated tier system provides a strategy for evaluating modeling inaccuracy, allowing for the rapid translation of novel coil designs with conservative safety factors and the implementation of less conservative safety factors for frequently used coil arrays at the expense of increased validation effort.
Registered Nurses' perspective of systemic factors affecting nursing home care quality decline: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Park Yunhee , Min Deulle
Published: November 2022

Aim

A growing number of older people are living in nursing homes worldwide, but their safety and quality of care are not guaranteed. This study explores registered nurses' (RNs) perspectives on systemic factors affecting the quality of care and safety decline of nursing home.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

In this study, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 10 RNs working in six nursing homes, who were chosen through purposive sampling. Data were collected from 1 August–19 September 2019, and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The following five themes were derived: lack of sufficient number of RNs, poor work conditions, unclear job descriptions for RNs, no official position of nursing director and absence of transition care system.

Patient or Public Contribution

All reports of RNs affecting resident safety and quality of care decline were related to systemic factors. Therefore, improving quality of care in nursing homes should be supported by changes in systemic factors, such as maintaining an appropriate number of RNs and improving their working conditions.
Effect of the subsidiary materials of the manufacturing process on the microstructure of the composite laminate
Authors: Kim Dong‐Chul , Choi Jeoung Sik , Shin Hyo‐Soon , Jung InKyun , Heo Young Woo
Published: November 2022

Composite specimens with resin contents of 33.5%, 35.4%, and 35.9%, respectively, were manufactured by controlling the type of subsidiary material used in the bagging process for a composite material having the same composition. The effect of controlling the resin content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of composite specimens was investigated. The flow of resin and air during the cure process was inferred and explained by connecting it with the microstructure. Specifically, the behavior of the resin determined the thickness, density, and void of the composite laminate, which acted as a factor causing the difference in mechanical properties of the composite materials. As the resin content increased, there was no significant difference in tensile strength, but Young's modulus decreased. In the case of the compression test, there was a difference in mechanical properties due to the combined effect of the reinforcement and the resin. The maximum compressive strength value was shown in the process with low void content, and Young's modulus tended to decrease as the resin content increased. In the bagging process, the subsidiary material controlled the flow of resin and air, and caused a difference in microstructure, affecting the change of mechanical properties.
A systematic review of direct acting antiviral therapies in hepatitis C virus‐negative liver transplant recipients of hepatitis C‐viremic donors
Authors: Snyder Heather S. , Wiegel Joshua J. , Khalil Karen , Summers Bryant B. , Tan Teresa , Jonchhe Srijana , Kaiser Tiffany E.
Published: November 2022

The introduction of safe and highly effective direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has significantly improved hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment outcomes after transplant. The solid organ transplant community has sought to identify strategies aimed at increasing the donor pool including the utilization of HCV‐viremic organs in HCV‐negative recipients. We will review the existing literature to evaluate DAA use for the treatment of HCV viremia post‐liver transplant in patients who receive HCV‐viremic allografts. A PubMed search was conducted and references for each study were also reviewed to identify additional articles. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case series, and case reports were included if: published in English language, evaluated DAA treatment outcomes after liver only or simultaneous liver‐kidney transplantation with HCV‐viremic allografts in HCV‐negative recipients, and had full‐text article availability. Our review included 16 studies and 2 case reports. The majority of liver transplant recipients were treated with a pangenotypic DAA for 12 weeks with a heterogeneous median time to initiation (range 1.7–118 days). Sustained virologic response was assessed in 253 liver transplant patients with 99.6% achieving cure with minimal DAA‐attributed adverse drug events. There were 23 reported episodes of rejection, 12 deaths, and 1 graft loss among all studies. Treatment with DAA after transplantation of HCV‐viremic livers into HCV‐negative recipients appears to be safe and effective; however, long‐term outcomes remain unknown. Transplant pharmacists play a key role in the development of center‐specific protocols to optimize post‐transplant outcomes in this unique patient population.
Desensitization of CL‐20/HMX Co‐Crystal by Functionalized Graphene Oxide
Authors: Huang Qi , Song Yulan , Guo Zhicheng , Zhang Jinhao , Jin Bo , Guo Ya , Peng Rufang
Published: November 2022

Interface interaction has always been considered a major challenge in the field of desensitization. Co‐crystal explosives can balance the properties of energetic materials, but their limited desensitization effect limits their further practical applications. Based on this, we proposed the desensitization of CL‐20/HMX co‐crystal by three functionalized graphene oxide (NH2‐GO, Am‐GO and M550‐GO). The sensitivity results indicate that the M550‐GO has the best desensitization. To further explore the reasons for the better desensitization effect of M550, molecular dynamics was used to simulate the binding energy and mechanical properties of different systems. The results showed that the electrostatic interaction between functionalized graphene oxide and CL‐20/HMX co‐crystal can enhance the interfacial interaction more than van der Waals force. In a word, this work provides new ideas and insights for enhancing the interface interaction of coating materials and popularizing the practical application of co‐crystal explosives.
Pharmacokinetics, safety of a single dose and multiple doses of voriconazole injection of two formulations, in Chinese healthy volunteers
Authors: Huang Chunqi , Wang Yannan , Wu Yi , Lin Sisi , Hao Rui , Yu Jin , Fang Lu , Zhu Jingjing , Zhao Di , Tong Shengjia , Si Yongkai , Ye Tiantian , Wu Zeyu , Huang Hui , Wang Zhuoyan , Wang Ying
Published: November 2022

Voriconazole is a first‐line medicine for treating invasive fungal infections. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of single/multiple doses of voriconazole injection of Hailing Pharmaceutical Group (Test, T), an imitation of Vfend® (Reference, R). Healthy subjects (n = 36) randomly received a once‐daily dose of T or R 3 or 4 mg/kg on Day 1 (single dose), a once‐daily dose of T or R 6 mg/kg on Day 4, and then six consecutive days for twice‐daily doses of T or R 3 or 4 mg/kg (multiple doses). The plasma was collected up to 72 h at time points after dosing on Day 1/10. Samples were measured by the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. PK parameters were confirmed according to a non‐compartmental model. The relationship between the PK profiles of T and R revealed the different behavior in 3‐ and 4‐mg/kg groups. After single/multiple doses in the 3‐mg/kg group, the mean value for the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0−t, AUC0−∞) of R is about twice T. However, there was a high degree of similarity in the 4‐mg/kg group. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of T and R showed no noticeable difference in the two groups. The median Tmax of T and R were within 2.0–2.13 h in the 3‐mg/kg group and 2.0–2.17 h in the 4‐mg/kg group. Severe adverse events did not occur. No clinically significant differences were found in safety and tolerance between T and R. This clinical study indicated that voriconazole injection might provide a safer alternative medicine.
The dynamics of dry and wet monsoon MCS formation over West Africa: Case assessment of February 13, 2018 and June 18, 2018
Authors: Osei Marian Amoakowaah , Padi Michael , Yahaya Bashiru , Baidu Michael , Quansah Emmanuel , Aryee Jeffrey N. A. , Yamba Edmund I. , Owusu‐Ansah Samuel , Amekudzi Leonard K.
Published: November 2022

The increasing complexity of West African mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) has signified the need for consistent studies of their evolution. Currently, most studies have focused on wet‐season MCS dynamics, but studies of dry‐season storms are equally important to enhance their predictability. Here, two severe thunderstorm case studies in the dry (February 13, 2018) and wet (June 18, 2018) seasons were probed to understand their synoptics, cloud properties, thermodynamic anomalies, and kinematic environments. Storm cloud properties were analysed using the cloud‐top temperature (CTT), cloud‐top height (CTH), cloud water path (CWP), and cloud optical thickness (COT) from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. Storm kinematics was analysed through the low‐ and mid‐level wind shear and corresponding microburst activities. Finally, the Weather Research and Forecasting model was used to simulate the vertical motion during the storms. The results showed that both storms initiated in anomalous conditions of convective available potential energy and convection inhibition, mean sea‐level pressure, and sea‐surface temperature. The development and merging of the Malian and Niger lows were pivotal in attracting moisture to feed and sustain the June storm. In addition, the formation of a surface–mid‐level moist cyclonic vortex stagnated the June storm, allowing for continual moisture uplift for storm intensification and longevity. Enhanced microburst activities on June 17 were a possible trigger of night‐time convective storm initiation, whereas strong surface to mid‐level wind shear increased storm longevity. Both storms showed high CWP, COT, CTH, and colder CTT during evolution. The synoptic mechanism for the February 13 storm differed from the midlatitudinal trough interactions with the Inter‐Tropical Discontinuity, due to an anomalous extension of the Azores High over North Africa. The dynamics of these storms enhance understanding of MCS evolution over West Africa and have implications for the region's weather forecasting.
Large Spin Hall Conductivity in Epitaxial Thin Films of Kagome Antiferromagnet Mn3Sn at Room Temperature
Authors: Bangar Himanshu , Khan Kacho Imtiyaz Ali , Kumar Akash , Chowdhury Niru , Muduli Prasanta Kumar , Muduli Pranaba Kishor
Published: November 2022

Mn3Sn is a non‐collinear antiferromagnetic quantum material that exhibits a magnetic Weyl semimetallic state and has great potential for efficient memory devices. High‐quality epitaxial c‐plane Mn3Sn thin films have been grown on a sapphire substrate using a Ru seed layer. Using spin pumping induced inverse spin Hall effect measurements on c‐plane epitaxial Mn3Sn/Ni80Fe20, spin‐diffusion length (), and spin Hall conductivity (σSH) of Mn3Sn thin films are measured:  nm and cm−1. While is consistent with earlier studies, σSH is an order of magnitude higher and of the opposite sign. The behavior is explained on the basis of excess Mn, which shifts the Fermi level in these films, leading to the observed behavior. These findings demonstrate a technique for engineering σSH of Mn3Sn films by employing Mn composition for functional spintronic devices.
Distributed fuzzy adaptive event‐triggered finite‐time consensus tracking control for uncertain nonlinear multi‐agent systems with asymmetric output constraint
Authors: Huang Yunchang , Yue Xia , Wang Jianhui , Ma Kemao , Huang Zheng
Published: November 2022

This article investigates the consensus problem for uncertain nonlinear multi‐agent systems (MASs) with asymmetric output constraint. Different from BLF‐based constraint consensus tracking control, a novel approach based on nonlinear state‐dependent function is proposed to solve the asymmetric output constraint, which need not convert output constraint into tracking error bound. First‐order sliding mode differentiator is incorporated into each step of backstepping control design to reduce computation burden. Further, in combination of proposed event‐triggered mechanism based on time‐varying threshold, a distributed fuzzy adaptive event‐triggered finite‐time consensus method is developed. It can ensure that the consensus tracking error tends to a small neighbor in a finite time and the asymmetric output constraint of each subsystem is not violated. Two simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of control method.
A Convenient Synthesis of Core‐shell ZSM‐5@MoO3 Catalyst for Enhanced Catalytic Properties in Methane Aromatization
Authors: Xu Guohao , Zhu Jiale , Zhu Xuedong
Published: November 2022

A novel core‐shell ZSM‐5@MoO3 catalyst was successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal coating strategy, and its physicochemical properties and catalytic properties in methane aromatization were investigated using a physically‐blended ZSM‐5/MoO3 catalyst as a comparison. Multitechniques including XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, N2 adsorption, ICP, IR and IG were employed to investigate the characteristics of methane aromatization reaction and the deactivation of carbon deposits. At the reaction temperature of 700 °C and a space velocity of 2400 mL g−1  h−1, methane conversion and aromatics selectivity of the core‐shell ZSM‐5@MoO3 catalyst were 11.3 % and 88.1 %, respectively, which were higher than those of the physically‐blended ZSM‐5/MoO3 catalyst by 3.1 % and 14.8 %, respectively. The special reaction pathway of core (ZSM‐5, acid sites)‐shell (MoO3, Mo sites) and the relatively close proximity between MoO3 and ZSM‐5 were mainly responsible for the excellent properties in the methane aromatization reaction. At the same time, the formation of the micro‐mesoporous property accelerated the mass‐transfer rate and inhibited the formation of carbonaceous deposition, greatly improving the stability of methane aromatization. Thanks to its core‐shell structure, ZSM‐5@MoO3 catalyst showed the excellent properties in methane aromatization.
Controlled Synthesis of a Hierarchically Porous N‐Doped Carbon Material with Dominantly Pyrrolic Nitrogen Using a Self‐Sacrificial SBA‐15 Template for Increased Supercapacitance
Authors: Wang Junyan , Li Xinta , Wang Xinyu , Zhang Yu , Zhang Bosen , Xing Zhankun , Li Xueai , Tian Kesong , Wang Haiyan , Guo Wanchun
Published: November 2022

Herein, we report an effective strategy to synthesise a hierarchically porous pyrrolic nitrogen‐dominated doped carbon material (N‐doped carbon material) by the low‐temperature carbonisation and post‐KOH activation of a 3‐fluorophenol‐3‐aminophenol‐formaldehyde co‐condensed resin using a self‐sacrificial SBA‐15 template. Low‐temperature thermal treatment successfully prevented the transformation of the thermally unstable and pseudocapacitance‐active pyrrolic nitrogen to pseudocapacitance‐inactive graphitic nitrogen configurations. Additionally, the combined effect of the self‐sacrificial SBA‐15 template and KOH activation resulted in a high specific surface area of 582 m2 g−1 and hierarchical microporous/mesoporous architecture, thereby maximising the exposure of electrochemically active sites. The N‐doped carbon material exhibited an outstanding specific capacitance of 532.8 F g−1 (electrochemical double‐layer capacitance of 331.2 F g−1 and faradaic pseudocapacitance of 201.6 F g−1) at a scan rate of 1 mV s−1 and stability with the retention of nearly 100 % at a current density of 10 A g−1 after 10000 cycles.
Exploiting the Molten Slag to Decarbonize Iron and Steel Industry: Feasibility Analysis of Centrifugal Granulation‐Assisted Thermal Energy Recovery System beyond Pilot Scale
Authors: Wu Junjun , Wang Hong , Zhu Xun , Liao Qiang
Published: November 2022

Waste heat recovery from molten blast furnace slag at ≈1500 °C represents new opportunities for slag valorization. This is now gaining the spotlight but still remains a grand challenge in the iron and steel industry (ISI). To address this issue, centrifugal granulation‐assisted thermal energy recovery (CGATER) is proposed and is regarded as the leading slag treatment technology. The CGATER provides a viable alternative to exploiting the waste heat in molten slag. Yet, large‐scale implementation of CGATER is little explored beyond laboratory‐scale tests. The fate of CGATER toward future commercialization is rarely considered and analyzed, either qualitatively or quantitatively. This work intends to provide, for the first time, a paradigm of a commercial‐scale CGATER prototype, which allows for slag treatment with a rated throughput of 36 t‐slag h−1. The feasibility of commercial‐scale CGATER with a comprehensive scrutinization of its energy, resource, and environment flows is analyzed. The CGATER prototype demonstrates attractive attributes of 1) being nearly water free and 2) suppressing sulfur‐related emissions, although with higher energy consumption than the water quenching method. This work provides not only an inclusive figure of CGATER design but also sheds light on the feasibility of CGATER commercialization to decarbonize ISI.
Energetics and thermodynamic stability of potential Fe(II)‐hexa‐aza‐active sites for O2 reduction in PEM fuel cells
Authors: Glibin Vassili P. , Dodelet Jean‐Pol , Zhang Gaixia
Published: November 2022

We present here a thermodynamic assessment of the stability behavior in acid environment at 298 and 353 K (80°C) of two iron (II) hexa‐aza‐macrocyclic complexes and of an hexa‐aza‐iron‐based site (FeIIN(4+2)/C) that should potentially be active for the oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The calculations of the equilibrium constant (Kc) for the demetallation reaction indicate that the iron (II)‐hexa‐aza‐macrocyclic complexes and FeIIN(4+2)/C are chemically stable in an acid medium at 298 and 353 K. Compared with two other potential model sites (FeIIN4/C and FeIIN(2+2)/C) that were thought to be present in the same Fe‐based catalysts, Kc of FeIIN(4+2)/C is two to three orders of magnitude smaller at 353 K, and three to four orders of magnitude smaller at 298 K, than Kc for FeIIN4/C or FeIIN(2+2)/C, revealing the great chemical stability of FeIIN(4+2)/C. In this work, we discuss about a novel proposition that the two catalytic sites active in these Fe‐based catalysts are FeIIN4/C and FeIIN(4+2)/C. This proposition is in agreement with the durability behavior of these catalysts in PEM fuel cells and also with their known physico‐chemical characterizations. The origin of the fast and slow decay behaviors of the different sites, which are active at the Fe–N–C‐based cathode of PEM fuel cells, is also discussed.
Jumping Through Hoops in the Canadian Immigration System: A Critical View of the Immigrant's Journey to Citizenship
Authors: Arias Angel , Vessey Rachelle , Sheyholislami Jaffer
Published: November 2022

Language assessment for citizenship is a ubiquitous enforced and enacted policy in several developed countries (e.g., Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands, to name a few). In this regard, language testers have expressly argued that this practice enacts injustice for and adds hurdles to marginalized immigrant groups (McNamara & Shohamy, 2009; Shohamy, 2009). Nevertheless, language proficiency tests remain a critical, high‐stakes criterion in evaluating immigrants' permanent residence and naturalization applications. To this end, language tests used for immigration and citizenship purposes are often aligned with widely recognized language frameworks such as the Canadian Language Benchmarks (Chen & Flasko, 2020) and the Common European Framework of Reference (Lim, Geranpayeh, Khalifa, & Buckendahl, 2013). In turn, these alignment studies idealize, in subtle ways, new Canadians with language proficiency requirements that would make them worthy of permanent residence or citizenship. Knowledge of society tests plays an essential role in immigrants' journey to citizenship and can also be considered tests of reading proficiency. This study focuses on the enacted Canadian language policy for prospective immigrants and citizens, adopting a corpus‐assisted discourse analytic approach (Taylor & Marchi, 2018) to the study guide for the Canadian citizenship test (Discover Canada: The rights and responsibilities of citizenship).A primary focus is examining how official and nonofficial languages are represented within this document. The findings highlight some of the problematic assumptions that underpin the use of monolingual constructs in tests encountered in the journey to permanent residence and Canadian citizenship.
Quantifying use in a community garden program with extensive resource provision to gardeners
Authors: Niedzwiecki Alexandra , Kates Norah , Brown Sally , McIvor Kristen
Published: November 2022

Harvest Pierce County (HPC) is a new community garden program in Tacoma and Pierce County, WA, managed as a nonprofit with extensive municipal involvement. The program manages approximately 80 gardens. Each garden is provided with access to land, soil testing, clean soil and compost, water, education, and guidance for gardeners, thus effectively eliminating common obstacles to successful cultivation in urban areas. We conducted a survey of gardens within the HPC program to quantify the number and size of plots within each garden and to qualitatively assess intensity of use. Internal (donation history, age, plot and garden size, and number of plots) and external factors (population density, racial diversity, income) based on the neighborhoods surrounding the gardens were evaluated to assess their potential association with use intensity. We surveyed 66 gardens containing 1,960 plots. The mean number of plots per garden was 32 ± 20.2 with each plot having a mean area of 25.6 m2. On a scale of 0 to 3, mean use intensity was 2.26 ± 0.55. Larger gardens (p< .085) and larger plots (p< .02) are used more intensively than smaller gardens and smaller plots. Gardens were well distributed across income, population density, and racial identification. Overall gardens are well‐used across the program. For this program, providing the requisite materials and information for gardens has resulted in a program that is inclusive and is likely to provide a range of benefits for participants.
Prediction of perinatal survival in early‐onset fetal growth restriction: role of placental growth factor
Authors: Rodríguez‐Calvo J. , Villalaín C. , Gómez‐Arriaga P. I. , Quezada M. S. , Herraiz I. , Galindo A.
Published: November 2022

Objective

To analyze the ability to predict perinatal survival and severe neonatal morbidity of cases with early‐onset fetal growth restriction (eoFGR) using maternal variables, ultrasound parameters and angiogenic markers at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study in a cohort of singleton pregnancies with a diagnosis of eoFGR (< 32 weeks of gestation). At diagnosis of eoFGR, complete assessment was performed, including ultrasound examination (anatomy, biometry and Doppler assessment) and maternal serum measurement of the angiogenic biomarkers, soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) and placental growth factor (PlGF). Logistic regression models for the prediction of perinatal survival (in cases diagnosed at < 28 weeks) and severe neonatal morbidity (in all liveborn cases) were calculated.

Results

In total, 210 eoFGR cases were included, of which 185 (88.1%) survived perinatally. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 27 + 0 weeks. All cases diagnosed at ≥ 28 weeks survived. In cases diagnosed < 28 weeks, survivors (vs non‐survivors) had a higher gestational age (26.1 vs 24.4 weeks), estimated fetal weight (EFW; 626 vs 384 g), cerebroplacental ratio (1.1 vs 0.9), PlGF (41 vs 18 pg/mL) and PlGF multiples of the median (MoM; 0.10 vs 0.06) and lower sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio (129 vs 479) at the time of diagnosis (all P < 0.001). The best combination of two variables for predicting perinatal survival was provided by EFW and PlGF MoM (area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve (AUC), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.75–0.92)). These were also the best variables for predicting severe neonatal morbidity (AUC, 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66–0.80)).

Conclusions

A model combining EFW and maternal serum PlGF predicts accurately perinatal survival in eoFGR cases diagnosed before 28 weeks of gestation. Prenatal prediction of severe neonatal morbidity in eoFGR cases is modest regardless of the model used. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Uterine junctional zone and adenomyosis: comparison of MRI, transvaginal ultrasound and histology
Authors: Harmsen M. J. , Trommelen L. M. , de Leeuw R. A. , Tellum T. , Juffermans L. J. M. , Griffioen A. W. , Thomassin‐Naggara I. , Van den Bosch T. , Huirne J. A. F.
Published: November 2022

The uterine junctional zone is the subendometrial area in the myometrium that contributes to peristalsis and aids in spermatozoa and blastocyst transport. Alterations in the appearance of the junctional zone on transvaginal sonography (TVS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with adenomyosis. The lack of standardization of description of its appearance and ill‐defined boundaries on both histology and imaging hamper understanding of the junctional zone and limit its role in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. The objectives of this review were to investigate the accordance in definition of the junctional zone across different diagnostic approaches and to examine how imaging findings can be linked to histological findings in the context of diagnosis of adenomyosis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted of articles describing the appearance on imaging and the histological structure of the uterine junctional zone. Our review suggests that the junctional zone is distinguished from the middle and outer myometrium by gradual changes in smooth‐muscle cell density, extracellular space, connective tissue, water content and vascular properties. However, while the signal intensity from the junctional zone to the middle myometrium changes abruptly on MRI, the histopathological changes are gradual and its border may be difficult or impossible to distinguish on two‐dimensional TVS. Moreover, the thickness of the junctional zone measured on MRI is larger than that measured on TVS. Thus, these two imaging modalities reflect this zone differently. Although a thickened junctional zone is often used to diagnose adenomyosis on MRI, the presence of adenomyosis can be described more accurately as interruptions of the junctional zone by endometrial tissue, which leads to direct signs on imaging such as subendometrial lines and buds on two‐ and three‐dimensional TVS or bright foci on MRI. The histopathological criteria for diagnosis are based on enlargement of the uterus with severe adenomyosis, and might not reflect its early stages. Clinicians should be aware that findings on MRI cannot be extrapolated readily to ultrasound. An understanding of this is necessary when investigating the uterine junctional zone as a functional unit and the association between visualization of direct features of adenomyosis in the junctional zone and clinical symptoms. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Effect of alkaline treatment on physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of jute filler reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Mahakur Vijay Kumar , Bhowmik Sumit , Patowari Promod Kumar , Kumar Santosh
Published: November 2022

With burgeoning environmental concerns worldwide, using natural fibers/fillers to produce composites rather than conventional fibers is on the rise. The current work focuses on the physical and thermomechanical characteristics of alkaline‐treated jute filler‐based epoxy composites. The composites have been prepared with different weight fraction of jute fillers (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5%) using hand layup process. The X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis observed that the alkali treatment of jute fillers improved the crystallinity and molecular structure, enhancing the interfacial and molecular bond between fillers and matrix. The mechanical characterizations of developed composites analyzed that the inclusion of treated jute fillers strengthened the tensile and flexural properties. The 5% filler‐based composites have demonstrated maximum tensile strength (54.06 MPa) and modulus (3.12 GPa) with maximum flexural strength (67.55 MPa) and modulus (3.90 GPa). The viscoelastic characteristics of composites revealed that the 7.5% filler‐based composite has the highest storage modulus (3.75 GPa), loss modulus (0.496 GPa), and glass transition temperature (91°C) due to greater interfacial interactions of molecules. The weight loss and degradation of composites analyzed with thermogravimetric analysis, and observed better thermal stability with treated jute fillers. The morphological analysis at fracture surfaces analyzed the brittle catastrophic failure of composites. Therefore, the finding produced better specific strength and stiffness with greater thermal stability for electronics equipment, packaging, and transportation.
Decay of solutions for strain gradient mixtures
Authors: Magaña Antonio , Magaña Marc , Quintanilla Ramon
Published: November 2022

We study antiplane shear deformations for isotropic and homogeneous strain gradient mixtures of the Kelvin‐Voigt type in a cylinder. Our aim is to analyze the behaviour of the solutions with respect to the time variable when a dissipative structural mechanism is considered. We study three different cases, each at a time. For each case we prove existence and uniqueness of solutions. We obtain the exponential decay of the solutions in the hyperviscosity and viscosity cases. Exponential decay is also expected when the dissipation is generated by the relative velocity (in the generic case, although a particular combination of the constitutive parameters leads to slow decay). These results are proved with the help of the theory of semigroups.