bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double arcsine transform not appropriate for meta‐analysis
Authors: Röver Christian , Friede Tim
Published: July 2022

The variance‐stabilizing Freeman–Tukey double arcsine transform was originally proposed for inference on single proportions. Subsequently, its use has been suggested in the context of meta‐analysis of proportions. While some erratic behavior has been observed previously, here we point out and illustrate general issues of monotonicity and invertibility that make this transform unsuitable for meta‐analysis purposes.
Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flap Fixed to a Prior Osteocutaneous Free Flap: Two Case Reports
Authors: Kraimer Kristen , Pandrangi Vivek , Bruening Jennifer , Petrisor Daniel , Wax Mark K
Published: July 2022

Reconstruction of mandibular defects is best accomplished by composite bony tissue. When the fibula is not available other sources must be used. Occasionaly tumor recurence will neccesitate a further resection and bony reconstruction. We report two cases in which osteocutaneous radial forearm free tissue transfer was used for secondary reconstructio after prior bony free flap reconstruction. Laryngoscope, 132:2177–2179, 2022
Use and outcomes of hepatitis B virus–positive grafts in orthotopic liver transplantation in the United States from 1999 to 2021
Authors: Ali Saad Emhmed , Vutien Philip , Bonham C. Andrew , Landis Charles , Kwo Paul , Esquivel Carlos , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: July 2022

The demand for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is projected to increase, which indicates a need to expand the liver donor pool. We aimed to investigate the use of hepatitis B virus (HBV)–positive grafts and the outcomes of recipients undergoing OLT with HBV‐positive grafts. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing all deceased donors and OLT recipients in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database from January 1999 through March 2021. Donor HBV status was positive if hepatitis B surface antigen was positive or HBV nucleic acid testing was detectable. Recipients of HBV‐positive allografts were matched 1:5 to recipients of HBV‐negative allografts based on recipient and donor age, transplant year, recipient sex, donation after circulatory death, recipient location, and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score at transplant. Among the 185,212 potential donors, 422 (0.2%) were HBV positive, and 265 (63%) of the HBV‐positive grafts were transplanted (14 of 265 [5.3%] in HBV‐positive recipients). The overall discard rate for HBV‐positive donors of 37.2% (157/422) remained significantly higher than the discard rate for HBV‐negative donors of 26.5% (49,026/185,212) during the study period (p < 0.001). Recipients of HBV‐positive (n = 209) grafts had similar mortality (log‐rank, p = 0.47) and graft loss (log‐rank, p = 0.72) rates to the matched recipients of HBV‐negative allografts (n = 1045). The 3‐year graft survival rate was 77.9% for the HBV‐positive group and 79.7% in the matched HBV‐negative group. Based on this analysis, transplant recipients of HBV‐positive liver allografts do not experience increased rates of mortality or graft loss. One strategy that may help expand the donor pool and lower the waitlist mortality rate is using HBV‐positive allografts.
Application of Porous Polyetheretherketone Scaffold/Vancomycin‐Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel Composites for Antibacterial Therapy in Bone Repair
Authors: Qi Desheng , Wang Ningning , Cheng Yuanqiang , Zhao Yao , Meng Lingcheng , Yue Xigui , She Peng , Gao Hang
Published: July 2022

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been widely used in bone repair, but it often fails due to bacterial infection. Herein, a high‐strength porous polyetheretherketone scaffold (ps‐PK) loaded with antibacterial drug‐loaded hydrogel strategy is proposed. The prepared ps‐PK possesses high porosity (30.8–64.7%) and the compression modulus is between 0.4 and 0.98 GPa. The interconnected pore‐type structure endows it with a drug loading capacity. Poly(D,L‐lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid)‐b‐Poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐Poly(D,L‐lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA) thermoresponsive hydrogels loaded with vancomycin are used as the drug sustained‐release system. The vancomycin‐loaded hydrogels in the solution state at a low temperature are filled into a porous polyetheretherketone scaffold (ps‐PK‐VGel) and formed a gel state after implantation in vivo. The antibacterial rate of ps‐PK‐VGel against methicillin‐resistant staphylococcus aureus in vitro is 99.7% and histological observation in vivo demonstrates that the ps‐PK‐VGel shows obvious antibacterial activity. Given its excellent antibacterial ability and mechanical properties, the porous PEEK scaffold composite drug‐loaded thermosensitive hydrogel has great potential in bone repair surgery applications.
Laser Structuring of Polyamide Nanofiber Nonwoven Surfaces and Their Influence on Cell Adhesion
Authors: Michler Nicole , Götze Marco , Kürbitz Tobias , Cepus Valentin , Schmelzer Christian E. H. , Hillrichs Georg , Heilmann Andreas
Published: July 2022

Electrospun nonwovens have great potential for biomedical applications. They can be used, for example, to mimic the structure of the extracellular matrix of biological tissue. In this work, it is demonstrated that the surface properties of nanofiber nonwovens made of biocompatible and very slowly biodegrading polyamide can be modified by UV picosecond laser processing. Basically, the nanofiber structure is only slightly changed by the corresponding laser process. Significant laser‐induced material change occurs only along narrow lines determined by the scanning process. The newly formed surface structures resemble a bulk surface. It is shown that the growth of mammalian chondrocyte cells (SW1353) is initially more effective on the laser‐processed surface. Cell growth occurs preferably along the laser‐generated lines. After several days of cell growth, an extended layer of cells is formed over the laser‐modified and unmodified surface sections. Thus, laser‐based surface modification provides another tool to affect cell proliferation on polyamide nanofiber nonwovens.
Characterization of Non‐Motor Fluctuations Using the Movement Disorder Society Non‐Motor Rating Scale
Authors: van Wamelen Daniel Johannes , Rota Silvia , Schrag Anette , Rizos Alexandra , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Weintraub Daniel , Ray Chaudhuri Kallol
Published: July 2022

Background

Non‐motor fluctuations (NMF) in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) are clinically important yet understudied.

Objective

To study NMF in PwP using both the Movement Disorder Society Non‐Motor Rating Scale (MDS‐NMS) NMF subscale and wearable sensors.

Methods

We evaluated differences in overall burden of NMF and of specific NMF across disease durations: <2 years (n = 33), 2–5 years (n = 35), 5–10 years (n = 33), and > 10 years (n = 31). In addition, wearable triaxial sensor output was used as an exploratory outcome for early morning “off” periods.

Results

Significant between‐group differences were observed for MDS‐NMS NMF total scores (P < 0.001), and specifically for depression, anxiety, fatigue and cognition, with both NMF prevalence and burden increasing in those with longer disease duration. Whereas only 9.1% with a short disease duration had NMF (none of whom had dyskinesia), in PwP with a disease duration of >10 years this was 71.0% (P < 0.001). From a motor perspective, dyskinesia severity increased evenly with increasing disease duration, while NMF scores in affected individuals showed an initial increase with largest differences between 2–5 years disease duration (P < 0.001), with plateauing afterwards. Finally, we observed that the most common NMF symptoms in patients with sensor‐confirmed early morning “off” periods were fluctuations in cognitive capabilities, restlessness, and excessive sweating.

Conclusions

Non‐motor fluctuations prevalence in PwP increases with disease duration, but in a pattern different from motor fluctuations. Moreover, NMF can occur in PwP without dyskinesia, and in those with NMF the severity of NMF increases most during years 2–5 after diagnosis.
Development and validation of a prediction model for metastasis in colorectal cancer based on LncRNA CRNDE and radiomics
Authors: Zhao Jiaojiao , Jiang Ou , Chen Xiao , Liu Qin , Li Xue , Wu Min , Zhang Yan , Zeng Fanxin
Published: July 2022

Accurate prediction of metastasis is an important determinant for selecting appropriate treatment for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, 1250 patients in two hospitals from 2014 to 2019 histologically diagnosed with CRC were enrolled. We performed the transcriptome analysis on 141 CRC patients. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) played an important role in CRC metastasis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to select features and develop radiomics model. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop combined model. The radiomics model with 13 filtered radiomics features had good discrimination in predicting expression level of LncRNA CRNDE in training set (receiver operating characteristic [AUC] = 0.809) and testing set (AUC = 0.755). Furthermore, the radiomics model could predict the metastasis of CRC in internal validation set (AUC, 0.665) and in external validation set (AUC = 0.690). The combined model developed with radiomics score and carcinoembryonic antigen had better performance, and the AUC was 0.708, 0.700 in internal validation set and in external validation set, respectively. In conclusion, we proposed a radiomics model and combined model, which could predict the expression level of LncRNA CRNDE and further predict CRC metastasis, thereby helping clinician make treatment decisions.
Energy layer optimization via energy matrix regularization for proton spot‐scanning arc therapy
Authors: Zhang Gezhi , Shen Haozheng , Lin Yuting , Chen Ronald C , Long Yong , Gao Hao
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Spot‐scanning arc therapy (SPArc) is an emerging proton modality that can potentially offer a combination of advantages in plan quality and delivery efficiency, compared with traditional IMPT of a few beam angles. Unlike IMPT, frequent low‐to‐high energy layer switching (so called switch‐up (SU)) can degrade delivery efficiency for SPArc. However, it is a tradeoff between the minimization of SU times and the optimization of plan quality. This work will consider the energy layer optimization (ELO) problem for SPArc and develop a new ELO method via energy matrix (EM) regularization to improve plan quality and delivery efficiency.

Methods

The major innovation of EM method for ELO is to design an EM that encourages desirable energy‐layer map with minimal SU during SPArc, and then incorporate this EM into the SPArc treatment planning to simultaneously minimize the number of SU and optimize plan quality. The EM method is solved by the fast iterative shrinkage‐thresholding algorithm and validated in comparison with a state‐of‐the‐art method, so‐called energy sequencing (ES).

Results

EM is validated and compared with ES using representative clinical cases. In terms of delivery efficiency, EM had fewer SU than ES with an average of 35% reduction of SU. In terms of plan quality, compared with ES, EM had smaller optimization objective values and better target dose conformality, and generally lower dose to organs‐at‐risk and lower integral dose to body. In terms of computational efficiency, EM was substantially more efficient than ES by at least 10‐fold.

Conclusion

We have developed a new ELO method for SPArc using EM regularization and shown that this new method EM can improve both delivery efficiency and plan quality, with substantially reduced computational time, compared with ES.
Phase transition in monodisperse granular materials: How to model it by using a strain hardening visco‐elastic‐plastic constitutive relationship
Authors: Marveggio Pietro , Redaelli Irene , di Prisco Claudio
Published: July 2022

During heating (loading characterised by a progressive increase in strain rate) and cooling (loading characterised by a progressive decrease in strain rate) numerical tests, performed by using Discrete Element codes, granular materials experience phase transition phenomena, named in this paper ‘dry liquefaction’ (when from solid the material starts behaving like a fluid) and ‘dry resolidification’ (freezing, when the material from fluid starts behaving like a solid). The aim of this paper consists in reproducing phase transition phenomena by using a strain hardening visco‐elastic‐plastic model based on the critical state concept and kinetic theories of granular gases. The authors demonstrate that crucial is the role of isotropic softening/hardening, which describes the size of the elastic domain and the capability of the solid skeleton of storing elastic energy according to permanent force chains. The main ingredients of the model are: (i) the additivity of quasi‐static and collisional stresses, (ii) the energy balance equation governing the evolution of the granular temperature, interpreted this latter as an additional internal variable for the system for the collisional contribution, (iii) the mixed isotropic and kinematic hardening characterising the quasi‐static incremental constitutive relationship. The model has been both calibrated and validated on Discrete Element Method (DEM) numerical results, obtained by testing dry assemblies of monodisperse spheres under true triaxial loading conditions.
Progressive evaluation of buckling landslide stability considering strain softening behavior of the slip zone
Authors: Zou Zongxing , Mu Rui , Luo Yinfeng , Guo Bing , Tan Lei , Su Aijun , Tang Chunyan
Published: July 2022

Current stability evaluation methods are unable to consider the progressive developing process of the bulking landslide and lack progressive evaluation method. Based on the strain‐softening constitutive model and energy conservation theory, this study proposes a progressive evaluation method for buckling landslide stability considering the shear mechanical characteristics of the slip zone with large displacement, enabling progressive evaluation of landslide stability as the buckling landslide deforms. Proposed method was validated based on the good agreement between evaluation result and observation from the critical displacement of Baiyangou landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir area in China, as a case study. The results also suggest a displacement distribution along the slip zone presenting a two‐step growth feature from the front edge to rear edge; in contrast, the shear strength distribution presents a two‐step decline feature. In addition, the parameter sensitivity analysis of slip zone and slide mass of buckling landslide shows that buckling landslide stability is directly proportional to the thickness of slip zone and elastic modulus of slide mass and inversely proportional to the length of slide mass.
An isogeometric finite element formulation for boundary and shell viscoelasticity based on a multiplicative surface deformation split
Authors: Paul Karsten , Sauer Roger A.
Published: July 2022

This work presents a numerical formulation to model isotropic viscoelastic material behavior for membranes and thin shells. The surface and the shell theory are formulated within a curvilinear coordinate system, which allows the representation of general surfaces and deformations. The kinematics follow from Kirchhoff–Love theory and the discretization makes use of isogeometric shape functions. A multiplicative split of the surface deformation gradient is employed, such that an intermediate surface configuration is introduced. The surface metric and curvature of this intermediate configuration follow from the solution of nonlinear evolution laws—ordinary differential equations—that stem from a generalized viscoelastic solid model. The evolution laws are integrated numerically with the implicit Euler scheme and linearized within the Newton–Raphson scheme of the nonlinear finite element framework. The implementation of membrane and bending viscosity is verified with the help of analytical solutions and shows ideal convergence behavior. The chosen numerical examples capture large deformations and typical viscoelasticity behavior, such as creep, relaxation, and strain rate dependence. It is also shown that the proposed formulation can be straightforwardly applied to model boundary viscoelasticity of 3D bodies.
Antidepressants for social anxiety disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mitsui Nobuyuki , Fujii Yutaka , Asakura Satoshi , Imai Hissei , Yamada Hisashi , Yoshinaga Naoki , Kanai Yoshihiro , Inoue Takeshi , Shimizu Eiji
Published: July 2022

Aim

This systematic review is aimed to update and reintegrate the pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder (SAD), including the Japanese medical database.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of pharmacotherapy of SAD according to the Medical Information Distribution Service. We used data from a most recent systematic review, and updated search were conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, CENTRAL, ICTRP, and ICHUSHI from August 1st, 2017 to January 31st, 2022. The outcome were response rates assessed by Clinical Global Impressions Improvement, efficacy assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), and dropout rates. We performed a random effect of meta‐analysis to obtain the differences in each outcome between active medication and placebo. We used RevMan version 5.3 for analyses.

Results

We identified 5 studies through update search and performed meta‐analysis for 33 studies on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and 6 studies on serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The response rate (RR = 1.62) and the LSAS score reduction (mean difference = −9.65) of SSRI, and the response rate (RR = 1.57) and the LSAS score reduction (mean difference = −11.72) of SNRI were significantly different from placebo. The dropout rates of SSRI or SNRI were not significant. The response rates of SSRIs in both Japanese studies (RR = 1.44) and countries other than Japan (RR = 1.67) were significant. Most findings were based on low quality of evidence.

Conclusion

SSRIs are valid option for pharmacotherapy of SAD including Japanese patients. SNRIs are another effective option. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to several risk of bias.
There's an app for that: Teaching entomology in the online age
Authors: Mech Angela , Rosenberger Derek , Fanning Philip , Riggins John J. , Aukema Brian , Hartshorn Jess
Published: July 2022

Effective educational tools are needed to facilitate learning of organismal and ecological sciences in the virtual setting. For entomology laboratory classes, physically collecting insects and curating them in formal collections encompass the traditional learning and assessment tools to introduce students to the natural world and increase their curiosity and interest in insects. Virtual learning, however, creates issues with this modality. Using pre‐ and post‐surveys across five universities based on a new lab activity, we sought to determine whether using a digital platform named iNaturalist stimulated observation, curiosity, and interest in insects. iNaturalist positively affected each measure, most strikingly among biology and zoology majors who increased observation by 15%, curiosity in identification by 39%, and interest by 16%. Increases in observation and curiosity in insects were positively correlated with increases in interest in entomology as a whole. Our findings suggest that virtual tools such as iNaturalist may promote positive course outcomes.
Changes in the expression of meteorin‐like (METRNL), irisin (FNDC5), and uncoupling proteins (UCPs) after bariatric surgery
Authors: Jamal Mohammad H. , AlOtaibi Fatemah , Dsouza Carol , Al‐Sabah Suleiman , Al‐Khaledi Ghanim , Al‐Ali Waleed , Ali Hamad , Cherian Preethi , Al‐Khairi Irina , Devarajan Sriraman , Abu‐Farha Mohamed , Al‐Mulla Fahd , Abubaker Jehad
Published: July 2022

Abtract

Objective

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for severe obesity. This study aims to investigate the changes in expression levels of meteorin‐like protein (METRNL), irisin (FNDC5), and uncoupling proteins (UCP) 1/2/3 following bariatric surgery to understand their involvement in enhancing metabolism after surgery.

Method

A total of 40 participants were enrolled in this interventional study, 20 with obesity BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 and 20 with BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2. Bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass) was performed. The levels of various molecules of interest were analyzed before and after surgery.

Results

Gene expression analysis revealed significantly higher levels of METRNL, UCP1, and UCP3 in individuals with obesity when compared with healthy individuals before surgery (p < 0.05). Gene expression levels of METRNL and UCP2 showed a significant increase after bariatric surgery (p < 0.05). METRNL plasma level was significantly higher in individuals with obesity before surgery (mean [SEM], 55,222.6 [1,421.1] pg/mL, p = 0.0319), as well as at 6 and 12 months (57,537.3 [1,303.9] pg/mL, p = 0.0005; 59,334.9 [1,214.3] pg/mL, p < 0.0001) after surgery.

Conclusion

The changes in the levels of various molecules of interest support their possible involvement in the inflammatory and thermogenic responses following bariatric surgery.
Investigation of thermal property of plasma‐polymerized fluorocarbon thin films
Authors: Cho Eunmi , Song Sehwan , Kim Mac , Park Jin‐Seong , Park Sungkyun , Lee Sang‐Jin
Published: July 2022

The physical property changes in the plasma‐polymerized fluorocarbon (PPFC) thin films near the melting temperature (Tm) were investigated through chemical structure analysis. The PPFC thin films, produced by semi‐crystalline polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐based polymer sputtering target, form amorphous polymers with outstanding properties, such as high water repellency and high optical transmittance, electrical insulation, and chemical resistance. Interestingly, in‐situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the PPFC thin films maintained their physical properties at temperatures above the Tm in vacuum and exhibited properties similar to those of bulk PTFE while maintaining amorphous structure. Therefore, this thin film can be applied to various devices and surface coatings manufactured at high temperatures.
Registration of two peanut recombinant inbred lines (TifGP‐5 and TifGP‐6) resistant to late leaf spot disease
Authors: Chu Ye , Clevenger Josh P. , Holbrook C. Corley , Isleib Thomas G. , Ozias‐Akins Peggy
Published: July 2022

Late leaf spot (LLS) disease is an omnipresent peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) foliar disease that causes significant yield loss. Integrating host resistance to reduce yield loss and management costs from this disease is highly desirable. In addition to disease resistance, market demand for high‐oleic peanut is on the rise due to its improved oxidative stability and health benefits. Previously, a recombinant inbred population from Florida‐07 × GP‐NC WS 16 (crossing number C1801) segregating for both LLS resistance and high oleic traits was used to perform genetic mapping for LLS resistance by quantitative trait loci (QTL)‐seq analysis. Three QTL regions on chromosomes B03, A05, and B05 were identified, and Kompetitive allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction markers flanking these regions were validated through a field test on genotypically selected sister lines. Two recombinant inbred lines, TifGP‐5 (Reg. no. GP‐246, PI 700330) and TifGP‐6 (Reg. no. GP‐247, PI 700331), with top levels of field resistance to LLS, were selected from this population for release. Both lines possess the resistance alleles of all the genetic markers. One line has high oleic acid content, and the other is normal oleic. Releasing these recombinant inbred lines packaged with molecular markers provides the peanut‐breeding community with genetic resources that can be utilized through marker‐assisted breeding.
Pharmacological effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on the neurological disorders
Authors: Li Xi‐Tao , Zhou Jie‐Chun , Zhou Yu , Ren Ying‐Shan , Huang Yu‐Hong , Wang Shu‐Mei , Tan Long , Yang Zhi‐You , Ge Yue‐Wei
Published: July 2022

Eleutherococcus senticosus is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine and edible remedies with effects on anti‐fatigue, sleep improvement, and memory enhancement. Recently, the application of E. senticosus to neurological disorders has been a focus. However, its overall pharmacological effect on neural diseases and relevant mechanisms are needed in an in‐depth summary. In this review, the traditional uses and the therapeutic effect of E. senticosus on the treatment of fatigue, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral ischemia were summarized. In addition, the underlying mechanisms involved in the anti‐oxidative damage, anti‐inflammation, neurotransmitter modulation, improvement of neuronal growth, and anti‐apoptosis were discussed. This review will accelerate the understanding of the neuroprotective effects brought from the E. senticosus, and impetus its development as a phytotherapy agent against neurological disorders.
An Efficient Magnesium Phyllosilicate‐Nano Palladium Hybrid Catalyst for the Selective Oxidation of Organosilanes
Authors: Santhini Pulikkal Veettil , Das Gourab , Mole Julie , Kumar Abhijith S. , Vedhanarayanan Balaraman , Praveen Vakayil K. , John Jubi
Published: July 2022

The introduction of heterogeneous catalysis has resulted in transforming conventional organic transformations into processes with a high atom economy. A hybrid catalyst based on palladium nanoparticles supported on organofunctionalized magnesium phyllosilicate (PdNP@OMS) has been developed and utilized for the dehydrogenative coupling of organosilanes. The characterization of the hybrid catalyst by using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques confirmed the presence of well‐dispersed, spherically shaped palladium nanoparticles over the entire support. The heterogeneous catalyst was found to applicable to the oxidation of a variety of silanes with excellent yield up to 99 % in a short time. The catalyst was found to be stable and have exhibited impressive turnover frequency (TOF) values. The robustness of the PdNP@OMS catalyst under the reaction conditions was established by recycling experiments upto 5 cycles. Furthermore, the conversion of silane to silanol was found to be 98 % atom economic, highly selective and efficacious for gram‐scale reactions.
An Unprecedented Valorisation of Marble Slurry Waste Material as Solid Support for Palladium‐Catalysed Heck and Suzuki Reactions
Authors: Chopra Jaishri , Dayma Varsha , Mandal Astam , Baroliya Prabhat K. , Maiti Debabrata
Published: July 2022

Marble slurry is a waste product from marble processing industries, which can facilitate cost‐effective, and environmentally sustainable catalyst support for metal catalyzed organic transformations, it can offer a waste‐to‐wealth concept. In this context, we developed a reusable MS supported ligand‐free palladium nanoparticles catalyst for Mizoroki‐Heck and Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reactions. The prepared catalyst is found to be very efficient and facile with maximum TON 4.13×102 and TOF 102 h−1 with good to excellent yields in aerobic conditions. The catalyst was recuperated after each reaction and reused upto five catalytic cycles affording quite satisfactory stability.
Conducting Polymer‐Based Micro‐ and Nano‐batteries for Biomedical Applications: A Short Review
Authors: Singh Neetika , Kumar Amit , Riaz Ufana
Published: July 2022

Current advancements in nanotechnology focus on miniaturization of electronic devices to provide power on demand. The Li+ ion based micro/nano‐batteries are excellent candidates for this purpose. However, the manufacture a single nano‐battery with assured reliable performance is one of the greatest challenges faced in the fabrication of Li+ ion based nano‐batteries. Nanostructured conducting polymers (NCPs) have shown promise in many frontier areas such as biosensors, microelectronics, polymer batteries, actuators, energy conversion etc. The combination of NCPs with inorganic compounds for designing nano‐batteries has been the subject of extensive investigation due to synergistic interaction of NCPs with inorganic compounds that provides remarkable improvement in electrode lifetime, rate capabilities, and voltage as well as mechanical and thermal stability. The present mini review deals with the fabrication of nano‐batteries using polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANI), and polythiophene (PTh) which could be utilized for various biomedical applications. The design and development of nano‐batteries using NCPs is discussed along with their applications in implantable devices, pace makers, smart sensing devices etc.
Total Synthesis of AGI‐7 and Sescandelin from Enol Esters
Authors: Mishra Priyadarshini , Panda Niranjan
Published: July 2022

A silver salt‐mediated aerobic approach to access 4‐acetyl 3‐unsubstituted isocoumarins from the reaction of ortho‐iodobenzoic acid and enol ester in the presence of a base has been presented. The reaction proceeds through the base mediated initial cleavage of the enol ester followed silver‐mediated C‐arylation reaction. Intramolecular annulation of the resulting intermediate followed by dehydration produces the 4‐acyl isocoumarins. Selective demethylation of the 4‐acylated isocoumarin affords biologically potent AGI‐7, while selective reduction followed by demethylation enabled the sescandelin in good yield.
Cyclopeptides Natural Products as Herbicides and Inhibitors of Cyanobacteria: Synthesis of Versicotides E and F
Authors: Posada Laura , Rey Luciana , Villalba Juana , Colombo Sol , Aubriot Luis , Badagian Natalia , Brena Beatriz , Serra Gloria
Published: July 2022

The first total synthesis of cyclopeptides versicotide E and F, natural products produced by marine fungus Aspergillus versicolor LZD‐14‐1, was achieved in good yield by solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) of their linear precursors and solution phase cyclization. All the versicotides A−F were evaluated as herbicides and inhibitors of cyanobacterial growth. Versicotides A, B, D, E and F showed a significant inhibition of Rye grass seed's radicle growth at a concentration of 67 μg/mL. Versicotides A, B and D also inhibited seed germination and leaf development. On the other hand, Versicotides D and F caused a relevant reduction on Microcystis aeruginosa population when cultures on exponential growth were incubated with 40 μg/mL solutions of these compounds. Evaluation of the concentration of microcystins after these treatments showed that versicotide D inhibited the production of microcystins in a comparable extent to the positive control, colistine. These results indicate versicotides, with versicotides D and F as top hits, could be considered as lead candidates in the development of bioherbicides able to mitigate the environmental impact that the evolution of agriculture has had on water quality.
Universal and Stable Slippery Coatings: Chemical Combination Induced Adhesive‐Lubricant Cooperation
Authors: Wang Dagui , Chen Yajie , Huang Yu , Bai Hao , Tan Yao , Gao Pengcheng , Deng Xu , Xia Fan , Jiang Lei
Published: July 2022

Liquid lubricant of low affinity makes slippery coatings widely used in lubricating, anti‐biofouling, anti‐icing, fluid guiding, and drag reduction. Two critical challenges, however, remain in the practical application of slippery coatings consisting of liquid lubricants: (1) universality regardless of roughness and chemical composition of substrates, (2) stability of surface lubricity against evaporation. Herein, a chemical method is reported to create a universal and stable slippery lubricant‐adhesive cooperated coating (SLACC) through acid catalyzed dehydration reaction between the phenolic hydroxyl of polydopamine (PDA), with universal (for challenge‐1) and strong (for challenge‐2) adhesion properties, and liquid‐like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with lubricant properties. Through overlying PDMS on PDA, a spatial gradient interpenetration of chemical combined PDA and PDMS leaving lubricant PDMS at the outermost of coating is achieved. This structure contributes to the following performances of SLACC: nearly universality suitable for 100 different abiotic or biotic substrates and stability sustainable for long‐term usages, UV radiating, refrigerating, hot air drying, freeze drying, knife scratch and abrasion. This proposed strategy is envisioned anti‐fouling from plane to tube and exhibits drag reduction in confined space.
In Situ Electrosynthesis of MAX‐Derived Electrocatalysts for Superior Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Sheng Minhao , Bin Xiaoqing , Yang Yawei , Tang Yi , Que Wenxiu
Published: July 2022

MAX phases are frequently dominated as precursors for the preparation of the star material MXene, but less eye‐dazzling by their own potential applications. In this work, the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of MAX phase is investigated. The MAX‐derived electrocatalysts are prepared by a two‐step in situ electrosynthesis process, an electrochemical etching step followed by an electrochemical deposition step. First, a Mo2TiAlC2 MAX phase is electrochemically etched in 0.5 m H2SO4 electrolyte. Just several hours, electrochemical dealloy etching of Mo2TiAlC2 MAX powders by applying anode current can acquire a moderated HER performance, outperforming most of reported pure MXene. It is speculated that in situ superficially architecting endogenous MAX/amorphous carbide (MAC) improves its intrinsic catalytic activity. Subsequently, highly active metallic Pt nanoparticles immobilized on MAC (MAC@Pt) shows a transcendental overpotential of 40 mV versus RHE in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 79 mV in 1.0 m KOH at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 without iR correction. Ultrahigh mass activity of MAC@Pt (1.5 A mgpt−1) at 100 mV overpotential is also achieved, 29‐folds than those of commercial PtC catalysts.
Methods for improving the implementation of advanced encryption standard hardware accelerator on field programmable gate array‐A survey
Authors: Renugadevi N. , Thangallapally Shirisha , Vemula Sai Charan , Julakanti Stheya , Bhatnagar Somya
Published: July 2022

With the majority of users migrating to a cloud computing platform, the responsibility for data security has increased considerably. As data with various levels of sensitivity moves out of the confines of the system firewall, there is no control over where it resides; it depends on the cloud server being used. This makes the use of secured cryptographic algorithms necessary to improve data security and maintain the confidentiality of data. The encryption algorithm used most extensively today is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Hardware acceleration with Field Programmable Gate Array can improve the performance of AES. This study examines various approaches for improving data encryption methods that can be utilized as hardware accelerators to improve the fundamental AES cipher. Some research publications suggest ways to boost throughput while others advise ways to save area and power. Many subsequent developments have also used other cryptographic methods such as RSA and ECC to improve key management security. This study examines the outcomes of multiple ways for metrics including throughput, area, power, and data security, and explains some of the best implementation solutions for each metric individually.
Optimal Dispatch of Community Integrated Energy System Considering Comprehensive User Satisfaction Method
Authors: Liu Ronghui , Yang Tao , Sun Gaiping , Lin Shunfu , Muyeen S. M. , Ma Tiantian
Published: July 2022

In this article, a community integrated energy system (CIES) coupled with electricity, gas and heat is investigated, which integrates with renewable energies such as photovoltaic and wind turbine. The main goal is to seek an optimal scheduling scheme, including reducing the operating costs and fully exploiting the demand response potential. Firstly, given the structure of CIES, the system equipment and loads are modeled and analyzed. Moreover, considering the user controllable degree, a comprehensive user satisfaction method is established based on the combination of subjective weight and objective weight method. This paper concerns the user controllable degree in the process of flexible load optimization so that some amounts of loads are transferred from peak periods to off‐peak periods to flatten the load curve. Three cases studies in the article show the influence of user controllable degree and satisfaction on CIES. Finally, the system model is solved using CPLEX solver in MATLAB optimization software. The results show that the operating costs and environmental costs are reduced by 9.31% and 3.24% due to the presence of user controllable degree and satisfaction. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Modification of a 3D printer to create geologically realistic heterogeneous sand packs
Authors: Davidson Mitchell A. , Mumford Kevin G. , Mullins Nathan , Calvert Madeline M.
Published: July 2022

There is a need to develop more accessible approaches to generate geologically realistic microheterogeneous structures in quasi‐two‐dimensional flow cells for use in light transmission experiments. In addition to automating the packing procedure to increase repeatability, such approaches would allow multiple researchers to investigate multiphase flow through similar heterogeneities across time and space. In this study, a three‐dimensional (3D) printer was modified to accommodate a sand‐filled hopper and used to create replicate packs that were similar to one another and to those produced in previous studies using a different apparatus. Replicate gas (CH4) injections were also used to assess the reproducibility of gas distributions in these replicate packs. Macroscopic features of the sand packs (bed height, number and location of laminae) and gas distributions (trapped gas volume, maximum gas width) were reproducible, but local‐scale features of the gas distribution (gas pathway, ganglia‐to‐pool ratio) were more variable.
Pore‐scale simulation of mucilage drainage
Authors: Esmaeelipoor Jahromi Omid , Knott Mathilde , Mysore Janakiram Ravi Kumar , Rahim Riffat , Kroener Eva
Published: July 2022

Compared with bulk soil, rhizosphere has different properties because of the existence of root mucilage, which affects physical, chemical, and microbial processes. The slow response of rhizosphere to changes in water potential buffers water content changes and leads the rhizosphere to be wetter than bulk soil during drying. By affecting connectivity of the liquid and gas phases, mucilage can also influence solute transport and gas diffusion. Overview of the literature and previous models shows the lack of a model that describes the connectivity between different phases in the rhizosphere pore space during wetting and drying processes. A major challenge is that mucilage shows a complex behavior, which at low concentrations is more like a liquid, whereas at higher concentration, dry mucilage becomes a solid. In between, a viscoelastic state is observed where mucilage can be considered as a hydrogel. In this study a three‐dimensional pore‐scale model based on the lattice spring method is introduced and used to simulate drying of mucilage between two soil particles. The model is capable of reproducing spider‐web‐like structures that are specific for mucilage. This three‐dimensional mucilage drying model is qualitatively validated via environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images of dry mucilage between glass beads. The proposed model may provide us with a new perspective on hydrodynamic processes within the pore space of the rhizosphere. In addition, the model may help to better understand further important processes that strongly depend on rhizosphere hydraulic dynamics, such as solute transport, connectivity of the liquid phase, root penetration resistance, rhizosheath formation, and microbial activity.
An independent analysis of bias sources and variability in wind plant pre‐construction energy yield estimation methods
Authors: Todd Austin C. , Optis Mike , Bodini Nicola , Fields Michael Jason , Perr‐Sauer Jordan , Lee Joseph C. Y. , Simley Eric , Hammond Robert
Published: July 2022

The wind resource assessment community has long had the goal of reducing the bias between wind plant pre‐construction energy yield assessment (EYA) and the observed annual energy production (AEP). This comparison is typically made between the 50% probability of exceedance (P50) value of the EYA and the long‐term corrected operational AEP (hereafter OA AEP) and is known as the P50 bias. The industry has critically lacked an independent analysis of bias investigated across multiple consultants to identify the greatest sources of uncertainty and variance in the EYA process and the best opportunities for uncertainty reduction. The present study addresses this gap by benchmarking consultant methodologies against each other and against operational data at a scale not seen before in industry collaborations. We consider data from 10 wind plants in North America and evaluate discrepancies between eight consultancies in the steps taken from estimates of gross to net energy. Consultants tend to overestimate the gross energy produced at the turbines and then compensate by further overestimating downstream losses, leading to a mean P50 bias near zero, still with significant variability among the individual wind plants. Within our data sample, we find that consultant estimates of all loss categories, except environmental losses, tend to reduce the project‐to‐project variability of the P50 bias. The disagreement between consultants, however, remains flat throughout the addition of losses. Finally, we find that differences in consultants' estimates of project performance can lead to differences up to $10/MWh in the levelized cost of energy for a wind plant.
On the Effect of Antenna Calibration Errors on Geodetic Estimates
Authors: Kersten Tobias , Krzan Grzegorz , Dawidowicz Karol , Schön Steffen
Published: July 2022

This paper addresses an approach to assess the impact of phase centre correction errors of selected receiving antennas in the Polish ASG-Eupos network using GNSS processing strategies such as zero differencing and double differencing. The objective is to characterise the nature of the error patterns of GNSS receiver antennas and to understand their impact on GNSS derived integrated water vapour and geodetic estimates. A semi-analytical approach for characterising variants of error patterns is applied. Differences of up to +12 mm between type-mean and individual receiver antenna calibrations of current antenna models on the ionosphere-free linear combination are identified for repeatable pattern deformations. The analyses show that repeatable effects on tropospheric estimates of up to 8 mm – which corresponds to approx. 1.2 kg/m2 – occur even though only 5 mm variations were applied to the pattern. The results of our analysis show a strong correlation with the type of error patterns that affect the estimates differently. Due to the complex relationship between datum settings, processing strategy, baseline orientation and satellite sky distribution, artefacts in GNSS processing models and their effects must to be modelled in order to achieve a better understanding in the context of GNSS networks and GNSS meteorology.
Leading for Eco-Effective Business Design: Co-creating Sustainability Development
Authors: Jevnaker Birgit Helene , Olaisen Johan
Published: July 2022

Sustainability thinking in enterprise strategies has spread like a virus in abstract corporate visions communication. We propose that more attention be devoted to leveraging the concrete developmental work from an action-based leadership for sustainability perspective. This chapter offers concepts from change management, process philosophy, and design for understanding leadership for sustainability as continuously creative practices. The chapter provides in-depth insights into an exemplary case,Flokk, a North-European furniture industry enterprise that has pioneered leadership for sustainability.
The Future of Knowledge Work: Working Smarter and Greener in the Age of Digitalization
Authors: Jevnaker Birgit Helene , Olaisen Johan
Published: July 2022

This chapter investigates what forms the knowledge work design in the future on a corporate level. The future is 2030. The methodology includes 20 in-depth interviews (before and during the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic) with researchers working with these issues in the Swedish telecommunication company Telia and the Norwegian telecommunication company Telenor. These are both companies making their living from understanding the future of work on a corporate level. The difference between the two rounds of interviewing is that online homework is the actual work situation in the pandemic March–April 2020, and the interviewed believe that 50% of the work will be done online outside the workplace. The corona crisis changed the way we are working for the future.
Towards the Dynamic Arts of Reimagining Sustainable Organization
Authors: Jevnaker Birgit Helene , Olaisen Johan
Published: July 2022

How and why can attractive sustainable organization emerge that is engaging with both humans and nature in deeper integrative manners? This conceptual chapter is investigating how collective knowing develops in arts and organization contexts using artworks by unconventional painters such as Edvard Munch and Håkon Bleken as examples of this process. The necessity of art is giving us a societal meaning of the process of knowing or a scripted story for a deeper undertaking based upon the dynamics of ideas and knowledges in artworks. The reflection and dialogue based on art might contribute to creating something potentially sustainable for institutions as well as citizens. The chapter develops a theoretical framework and theory for how this might work. Dynamic art, design, and innovative processes are processes where the past, the present, and the future melt together in surprising and potentially influential ways.
The Study Variety of Conformal Kinematics
Authors: Kalkan Bahar , Li Zijia , Schröcker Hans-Peter , Siegele Johannes
Published: July 2022

We introduce the Study variety of conformal kinematics and investigate some of its properties. The Study variety is a projective variety of dimension ten and degree twelve in real projective space of dimension 15, and it generalizes the well-known Study quadric model of rigid body kinematics. Despite its high dimension, co-dimension, and degree it is amenable to concrete calculations via conformal geometric algebra (CGA) associated to three-dimensional Euclidean space. Calculations are facilitated by a four quaternion representation which extends the dual quaternion description of rigid body kinematics. In particular, we study straight lines on the Study variety. It turns out that they are related to a class of one-parametric conformal motions introduced by Dorst in (Math Comput Sci 10:97–113, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11786-016-0250-8). Similar to rigid body kinematics, straight lines (that is, Dorst’s motions) are important for the decomposition of rational conformal motions into lower degree motions via the factorization of certain polynomials with coefficients in CGA.