bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Ionic Strength (Sodium Chloride Concentration) on Homopolymerization and Copolymerization Kinetics of Acrylamide and 2‐Acrylamido‐2‐Methylpropane Sulfonic Acid
Authors: Conrod Ian D. , Topcuoglu Baris , Penlidis Alexander , Scott Alison J.
Published: January 2024

Anionic polyelectrolytes can be used for a variety of applications, including flocculation and enhanced oil recovery. While it is widely recognized that polyelectrolyte synthesis is impacted by the pre‐polymer formulation and polymerization conditions, the specific relationships between these factors and the subsequent polymer properties are not well understood. Therefore, the current work intends to improve understanding of ionic strength (IS) effects during the copolymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and acrylamide (AAm). The aims of the study are i) to use in situ H1 NMR to study copolymerization kinetics, and ii) to determine how increasing IS impacts copolymerization kinetics (and, by extension copolymer microstructure). It is found that altering IS prior to copolymerization has significant impacts on the reactivity ratios, and therefore impacts the microstructure through multiple mechanisms. Increasing IS causes a crowding effect, where the propagating chain develops a random coil conformation and causes steric hindrance of the large AMPS monomer, decreasing the likelihood of AMPS propagation. When the IS is increased further, the ionic shielding effect is more impactful, increasing the likelihood of AMPS propagation. Ultimately, this work will make it possible to manipulate IS to synthesize AMPS/AAm copolymers with specific desirable properties for target applications.
Accelerated liver water T1 mapping using single‐shot continuous inversion‐recovery spiral imaging
Authors: Huaroc Moquillaza Elizabeth , Weiss Kilian , Stelter Jonathan , Steinhelfer Lisa , Lee Yoo Jin , Amthor Thomas , Koken Peter , Makowski Marcus R. , Braren Rickmer , Doneva Mariya , Karampinos Dimitrios C.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Liver T1 mapping techniques typically require long breath holds or long scan time in free‐breathing, need correction for
inhomogeneities and process composite (water and fat) signals. The purpose of this work is to accelerate the multi‐slice acquisition of liver water selective T1 (wT1) mapping in a single breath hold, improving the k‐space sampling efficiency.

Methods

The proposed continuous inversion‐recovery (IR) Look‐Locker methodology combines a single‐shot gradient echo spiral readout, Dixon processing and a dictionary‐based analysis for liver wT1 mapping at 3 T. The sequence parameters were adapted to obtain short scan times. The influence of fat,
inhomogeneities and TE on the estimation of T1 was first assessed using simulations. The proposed method was then validated in a phantom and in 10 volunteers, comparing it with MRS and the modified Look‐Locker inversion‐recovery (MOLLI) method. Finally, the clinical feasibility was investigated by comparing wT1 maps with clinical scans in nine patients.

Results

The phantom results are in good agreement with MRS. The proposed method encodes the IR‐curve for the liver wT1 estimation, is minimally sensitive to
inhomogeneities and acquires one slice in 1.2 s. The volunteer results confirmed the multi‐slice capability of the proposed method, acquiring nine slices in a breath hold of 11 s. The present work shows robustness to
inhomogeneities (
, good repeatability (
and is in better agreement with MRS (
than is MOLLI (
. The wT1 maps in patients captured diverse lesions, thus showing their clinical feasibility.

Conclusion

A single‐shot spiral acquisition can be combined with a continuous IR Look‐Locker method to perform rapid repeatable multi‐slice liver water T1 mapping at a rate of 1.2 s per slice without a
map. The proposed method is suitable for nine‐slice liver clinical applications acquired in a single breath hold of 11 s.
Branched‐chain amino acids and type 2 diabetes: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Mosley Jonathan D. , Shi Mingjian , Agamasu David , Vaitinadin Nataraja Sarma , Murthy Venkatesh L. , Shah Ravi V. , Bagheri Minoo , Ferguson Jane F.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Genetic studies have suggested that the branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) valine, leucine, and isoleucine have a causal association with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, inferences are based on a limited number of genetic loci associated with BCAAs.

Methods

Instrumental variables (IVs) for each BCAA were constructed and validated using large well‐powered data sets and their association with T2D was tested using a two‐sample inverse‐variance weighted Mendelian randomization approach. Sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the accuracy of the findings. A reverse association was assessed using instrumental variables for T2D.

Results

Estimated effect sizes between BCAA IVs and T2D, excluding outliers, were as follows: valine (β = 0.14 change in log‐odds per SD change in valine, 95% CI: −0.06 to 0.33, p = 0.17), leucine (β = 0.15, 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.32, p = 0.09), and isoleucine (β = 0.13, 95% CI: −0.08 to 0.34, p = 0.24). In contrast, T2D IVs were positively associated with each BCAA, i.e., valine (β = 0.08 per SD change in levels per log‐odds change in T2D, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.10, p = 1.8 × 10−9), leucine (β = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.09, p = 4.5 × 10−8), and isoleucine (β = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.08, p = 2.8 × 10−8).

Conclusions

These data suggest that the BCAAs are not mediators of T2D risk but are biomarkers of diabetes.
Do informal workers meet the consumption expenditure? A study from urban Odisha, India
Authors: Barik Suvendu
Published: January 2024

In developing countries like India, the majority of the workforce is informal. There is no specific study about the important factors that influence the consumption expenditure of informal workers working in urban areas. The purpose of this paper, thus, is to identify the determinants of the consumption expenditures of urban informal workers, and the same is explored with respect to migration and gender. In this regard, a primary survey was conducted at the household level of the informal sector workers following the method of multi‐stage stratified sampling. The method of analysis of variance and a binary logistic regression model is employed. The inferences of the study explained that the expenditure pattern of the informal worker depends on socio‐economic factors—age group, income level and essential commodities like milk, kerosene, oil and child education. The study also highlights the fact that the informal workers are dragged into the web of a vicious circle of poverty due to a higher level of consumption expenditure than income and demonstrates the effect of betel‐tendu leaf mini cigarette‐tobacco‐alcohol. Hence, it is desirable that the policymakers should frame a regulated subsidised pricing policy for essential commodities as well as increase the minimum wage rate in order to strengthen the basic consumption expenditure of the informal workers.
Sustainable development goals and good governance nexus: Implementation challenges in central Asia
Authors: Knox Colin , Orazgaliyev Serik
Published: January 2024

The Transforming the World 2030 agenda stresses the interconnectedness and indivisibility of sustainable development goals. This presents a major challenge for authoritarian states, specifically in implementing SDG16: promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing justice for all, and building effective and inclusive institutions. Existing research points to good governance as a sine qua non for implementing SDGs. Using Central Asia as a case study, we investigate the link between good governance and the implementation of SDGs in authoritarian states. We find variable but overall weak performance on governance indicators across Central Asia. If SDGs are indivisible, then autocracies are destined to fail the global sustainable development agenda because SDG16 challenges the type of regime in place. This is not to deny the SDG commitments made and some progress that has been achieved in these autocracies but rather to highlight that weak governance in autocratic states and those characteristics which define them are major impediments to long‐term sustainable development.
Fabrication of cationic microgels doped MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites, and study of their photocatalytic performance and reusability in organic transformations
Authors: Singh Vinai Kumar , Kumar Krishna , Prasad Tarkeshwar , Rai Shailja , Chaudhary Aradhna , Tungala Kranthikumar , Das Anupam
Published: January 2024

This article reports, the fabrication of cationic microgel doped MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (CM@MnO2/Fe3O4) via free radical emulsion polymerization technique, and an economical and environmental friendly approach to some organic transformations, such as heterogeneous photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue (MB, toxic dye), para‐nitro phenol (PNP, harmful pollutant) and dimethyl amino benzaldehyde (DMAB, skin allergic reagent) in presence of UV light (38 W). First of all, three different crosslinked grades of cationic microgels (CMs) have been synthesized by using styrene, dimethyl acrylamide, cyclohexyl methacrylate, [2‐(acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride and N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide monomers by taking different amounts of N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide, and keeping the other monomers in fixed quantities. Further, all the grades of CMs have been doped by bimetallic MnO2/Fe3O4 nanoparticles, through hydrothermal method. Fabrication of CMs and CM@MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites has been confirmed by the characteristic peaks observed in FT‐IR spectral analysis and their thermal stability has been evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. TEM and DLS analyses have revealed their particular size. The surface morphology of CMs and CM@MnO2/Fe3O4 nanocomposites has been visualized by scanning electrode microscope analysis. The nanocomposites have effectively and efficiently catalyzed the reduction reactions of MB, PNP, and DMAB, in presence of UV light, by 98%, 98%, and 86%, respectively. The photocatalysts have been reused up to eight cycles without any loss of their catalytic activity. The photocatalytic reductions have also been studied for their kinetics, and exhibited pseudo first order kinetics (kapp, 10−2 min−1).
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan promotes APRIL‐induced tumor cell proliferation
Authors: Nadanaka Satomi , Koike Toshiyasu , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: January 2024

A proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL), a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, affects the survival and proliferation of tumor cells. Understanding the mechanism of action of APRIL in tumor cells, including intracellular signaling, is important for its potential use in diagnostics and prognosis. It has been shown that APRIL‐induced tumor proliferation requires heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans to mediate the binding of APRIL to tumor cells. Here, we show that chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan mainly contributes to the APRIL‐stimulated proliferation of triple‐negative breast cancer BT‐549 cells. Knockout of chondroitin 4‐O‐sulfotransferase‐1 (C4ST‐1), a key CS biosynthetic enzyme, suppressed APRIL‐induced tumor proliferation, whereas deficiency of exostosin 1 (EXT1), a key HS biosynthetic enzyme, had only weak effects. Molecular interaction analyses using Biacore revealed that although CS did not directly bind to tumor growth through Ca2+ modulator interactor (TACI), it enhanced the binding of APRIL to the APRIL receptor, TACI. The small leucine‐rich proteoglycan, biglycan, plays a pivotal role in tumor growth and progression. Biglycan knockdown inhibited BT‐549 cell proliferation. These results suggest that CS synthesized by C4ST‐1 participates in APRIL signaling and modulates pathological events in tumors.
Identification, chemical synthesis, and receptor binding of a reptilian gecko ghrelin
Authors: Katayama Hidekazu , Kaiya Hiroyuki
Published: January 2024

Ghrelin is known to be a gastrointestinal peptide hormone in vertebrates. It has a unique posttransrational modification, octanoylation, at the Ser side chain of the third position. In this study, we identified the genes encoding ghrelin and its receptor from the Schlegel's Japanese gecko Gekko japonicus. The C‐terminal residue of gecko ghrelin was His, although the chemical synthesis method for the O‐octanoyl peptide with a C‐terminal His residue has not yet been well‐established. Acyl‐ghrelin has been synthesized using a Ser derivative without side chain protecting group in the solid‐phase peptide synthesis, although this synthetic strategy has not yet been well‐established. Here we show the efficient synthetic method with minimal side reactions, and G. japonicus ghrelin could be obtained in good yield. This would be useful and applicable to the synthesis of ghrelin from other animal species. The gecko ghrelin receptor was expressed in HEK 293 cells, which was fully responsive to the synthetic gecko ghrelin. These results indicate that the ghrelin system similar to mammals also exists in a reptilian gecko, G. japonicus.
Insights into the binding mechanism of 2,5‐substituted 4‐pyrone derivatives as therapeutic agents for fused dimeric interactions: A computational study using QTAIM, dynamics and docking simulations of protein–ligand complexes
Authors: Kubaib Attar , Afroze N. Nadeem , Imran Predhanekar Mohamed , Natarajan Prabu , Balu Devipriya , Ansari Anjum
Published: January 2024

The study is focused on examining 2,5‐Substituted 4‐Pyrone based compounds through quantum chemical and topological analysis techniques, evaluating the properties of these compounds, including their geometrical structure, intermolecular interactions and assess their possible applications. Additionally, the molecular stability, charge delocalization and UV‐Visible data was investigated and compared with the calculated energy and oscillator strength using the TD‐DFT approach. The researchers observed that charge transfer occurred within the molecule, indicated by the HOMO and LUMO energies. It was also found that the compound exhibited planarity and higher chemical reactivity. The calculated Mulliken charges and molecular electrostatic potential were used to interpret the Fukui index data that help predict reactive sites and understand the reactivity patterns of specific atoms in a compound. The study is aimed to understand the role of NCI in the molecule under investigation using electron localization functions and localized orbit locator methods. Molecular docking and ADMET studies were conducting involving a detailed MD simulation of a protein‐ligand complex using the OPLS3e force field and the SPC water model. These findings could prove to be beneficial in developing new therapeutic agents with various pharmacological effects and potential toxicities.
The interface effect on the lithiation of silicon/graphene composites: The first principles study
Authors: Wang M. , Yang C. X. , Leng X. Y. , Chen Y. , Yang S. B. , Li W. , Hong W. , Xu Y.
Published: January 2024

To reveal the interaction mechanism between lithium (Li) and silicon/graphene (Si/Gra) interface at the atomic scale, it was calculated that the energy band structure, density of states, charge transfer, radial distribution function and Li diffusion coefficient based on the first principles. The results indicated that the volume expansion of Si was effectively limited by the Si/Gra interface during Li insertion. There appeared the interface effect of Si/Gra on the combination of Li and Si atoms, according to the longer Li‐C (2.9 Å) and the larger electron cloud near the Li atom at the Si/Gra interface. The better diffusion channel for Li atoms was constructed at the Si/Gra interface, due to the lower diffusion energy barrier (0.42–0.44 eV) and higher diffusion coefficient (DLi = 0.784 × 10−4 cm2/s) for Li+ diffusion.
Can sub‐cutaneous drain safely counter debilitating surgical emphysema? A retrospective study in quest for an answer
Authors: Siddiqui Saquib , Falak Umair , Frost Ned , Athar Waseem , Memon Muhammad Haroon Mujtaba , Qazi Asma Zeeshan
Published: January 2024

Literature evidence on sub‐cutaneous drain insertion in severe surgical emphysema (SE) is lacking. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes of 5 patients who underwent insertion of sub‐cutaneous drains to manage SE of various aetiologies between September 2022 to August 2023 in a single district general hospital in the UK. Case history, outcome following sub‐cutaneous drain insertion, and side effects due to the procedure were collected. Clinical decompression were noticed within an hour of drain insertion in all patients. Radiological resolution ranged between 2 and 10 days with a median 3 days and mean of 4.8 days. Patients with uni‐lateral sub‐cutaneous drain required more time for radiological improvement than patients on bi‐lateral drains (median 6.5 vs. 2, mean 6.5 vs. 3.6). Maximum duration for resolution was 10 days for patients receiving uni‐lateral sub‐cutaneous drain versus 7 days in patients having bi‐lateral drains. Only one patient had no prior lung disease making it difficult to comment if having healthy lungs affects outcomes. Sub‐cutaneous drain insertion is a safe procedure which can accelerate recovery in severe SE.
Human‐virus protein‐protein interactions maps assist in revealing the pathogenesis of viral infection
Authors: Chen Hui‐Min , Liu Jia‐Xin , Liu Di , Hao Ge‐Fei , Yang Guang‐Fu
Published: January 2024

Many significant viral infections have been recorded in human history, which have caused enormous negative impacts worldwide. Human‐virus protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) mediate viral infection and immune processes in the host. The identification, quantification, localization, and construction of human‐virus PPIs maps are critical prerequisites for understanding the biophysical basis of the viral invasion process and characterising the framework for all protein functions. With the technological revolution and the introduction of artificial intelligence, the human‐virus PPIs maps have been expanded rapidly in the past decade and shed light on solving complicated biomedical problems. However, there is still a lack of prospective insight into the field. In this work, we comprehensively review and compare the effectiveness, potential, and limitations of diverse approaches for constructing large‐scale PPIs maps in human‐virus, including experimental methods based on biophysics and biochemistry, databases of human‐virus PPIs, computational methods based on artificial intelligence, and tools for visualising PPIs maps. The work aims to provide a toolbox for researchers, hoping to better assist in deciphering the relationship between humans and viruses.
Fixed‐time stabilization with a prescribed constant settling time by static feedback for delay‐free and input delay systems
Authors: Polyakov Andrey , Krstic Miroslav
Published: January 2024

A static nonlinear homogeneous feedback for a fixed‐time stabilization of a linear time‐invariant (LTI) system is designed in such a way that the settling time is assigned exactly to a prescribed constant for all nonzero initial conditions. The constant convergence time is achieved due to a dependence of the feedback gain of the initial state of the system. The robustness of the closed‐loop system with respect to measurement noise and exogenous perturbations is studied using the concept of Input‐to‐State Stability. Both delay‐free and input delay systems are considered. Theoretical results are illustrated by numerical simulations.
Finite‐time command filter control for dynamic positioning of remotely operated vehicles based on disturbance observer
Authors: Tang Jun , Qin Yanxia , Dang Zhaokai
Published: January 2024

To deal with the problems of low positioning accuracy and poor stability caused by model parameter uncertainty and external disturbances in the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dynamic positioning control system, the adaptive fuzzy control is combined with a disturbance observer to estimate the lumped disturbances and the error compensation mechanism is introduced to design the ROV dynamic positioning controller based on the finite‐time command filter. The combination of finite‐time command filter control and the backstepping method ensures that the positioning error converges to a smaller neighborhood near zero in finite time. The stability of the closed‐loop system is demonstrated according to the Lyapunov stability theory. The simulation results show that a 13% performance improvement over traditional backstepping methods is achieved by the designed controller, effectively suppressing system lumped disturbances and achieving fast and accurate positioning of the desired positions.
A Quantum Chemical Study on the Mechanisms of Acylpyrrolylacetylenes Reactions With 1‐Pyrrolines
Authors: Kobychev Vladimir B. , Absalyamov Damir Z. , Oparina Ludmila A. , Trofimov Boris A.
Published: January 2024

The mechanisms of reactions between electron‐deficient acetylenes, specifically acylpyrrolylacetylenes, and 1‐pyrrolines were examined using a DFT B2PLYP‐D3/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* approach. The study was focused on the interaction of 1‐phenyl‐3‐(1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl) prop‐2‐yn‐1‐one with 5‐methyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrole, and was aimed at a clearer understanding of the reaction progress. The reaction pathway for the synthesis of a dipyrroloimidazole derivative comprising three five‐membered nitrogen‐containing heterocycles is compared to one typical for N‐substituted acylethynylpyrroles, which involves opening the pyrroline ring to form δ‐keto aminoenones. An explanation is presented for the high level of deuterium exchange during the reaction in deuterated methanol. Also, the impact of trace water in acetonitrile was assessed. A ring‐opening mechanism is proposed, involving the 1‐pyrroline molecule as a base. The photochemical isomerization process of the end product is also examined.
Unveiling Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation of Graphite and Boron Nitride Using Fluorescent Dyes Through Combined Experiments and Simulations
Authors: He Yilin , Qian Xuliang , da Silva Guilherme Carneiro Queiroz , Gabellini Cristian , Lucherelli Matteo Andrea , Biagiotti Giacomo , Richichi Barbara , Ménard‐Moyon Cécilia , Gao Huajian , Posocco Paola , Bianco Alberto
Published: January 2024

Liquid‐phase exfoliation (LPE) in aqueous solutions provides a simple, scalable, and green approach to produce 2D materials. By combining atomistic simulations with exfoliation experiments, the interaction between a surfactant and a 2D layer at the molecular scale can be better understood. In this work, two different dyes, corresponding to rhodamine B base (Rbb) and to a phenylboronic acid BODIPY (PBA‐BODIPY) derivative, are employed as dispersants to exfoliate graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) through sonication‐assisted LPE. The exfoliated 2D sheets, mostly as few‐layers, exhibit good quality and high loading of dyes. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the binding free energies are calculated and the arrangement of both dyes on the layers are predicted. It has been found that the dyes show a higher affinity toward hBN than graphene, which is consistent with the higher yields of exfoliated hBN. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the adsorption behavior of Rbb molecules on graphene and hBN is quite different compared to PBA‐BODIPY.
An Untethered Soft Crawling Robot Driven by Wireless Power Transfer Technology
Authors: Han Lei , Si Jiawei , Guo Miaomiao , Wang Rui , Wang Kai , Yang Jin , Wang Ziyuan , Yang Xiaohan
Published: January 2024

Soft robots based on flexible materials have attracted the attention due to high flexibility and great environmental adaptability. Among the common driving modes, electricity, light, and magnetism have the limitations of wiring, poor penetration capability, and sophisticated equipment, respectively. Here, an emerging wireless driving mode is proposed for the soft crawling robot based on wireless power transfer (WPT) technology. The receiving coil at the robot's tail, as an energy transfer station, receives energy from the transmitting coil and supplies the electrothermal responsiveness to drive the robot's crawling. By regulating the WPT's duration to control the friction between the robot and the ground, bidirectional crawling is realized. Furthermore, the receiving coil is also employed as a sensory organ to equip the robot with localization, ID recognition, and sensing capabilities based on electromagnetic coupling. This work provides an innovative and promising strategy for the design and integration of soft crawling robots, exhibiting great potential in the field of intelligent robots.
Recent Progress in Anti‐Tumor Nanodrugs Based on Tumor Microenvironment Redox Regulation
Authors: Yao Lan , Zhu Xiang , Shan Yunyi , Zhang Liang , Yao Jing , Xiong Hui
Published: January 2024

The growth state of tumor cells is strictly affected by the specific abnormal redox status of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, redox reactions at the biological level are also central and fundamental to essential energy metabolism reactions in tumors. Accordingly, anti‐tumor nanodrugs targeting the disruption of this abnormal redox homeostasis have become one of the hot spots in the field of nanodrugs research due to the effectiveness of TME modulation and anti‐tumor efficiency mediated by redox interference. This review discusses the latest research results of nanodrugs in anti‐tumor therapy, which regulate the levels of oxidants or reductants in TME through a variety of therapeutic strategies, ultimately breaking the original “stable” redox state of the TME and promoting tumor cell death. With the gradual deepening of study on the redox state of TME and the vigorous development of nanomaterials, it is expected that more anti‐tumor nano drugs based on tumor redox microenvironment regulation will be designed and even applied clinically.
Stability of Ni–Fe‐Layered Double Hydroxide Under Long‐Term Operation in AEM Water Electrolysis
Authors: Galkina Irina , Faid Alaa Y. , Jiang Wulyu , Scheepers Fabian , Borowski Patrick , Sunde Svein , Shviro Meital , Lehnert Werner , Mechler Anna K.
Published: January 2024

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is an attractive method for green hydrogen production. It allows the use of non‐platinum group metal catalysts and can achieve performance comparable to proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers due to recent technological advances. While current systems already show high performances with available materials, research gaps remain in understanding electrode durability and degradation behavior. In this study, the performance and degradation tracking of a Ni3Fe–LDH‐based single‐cell is implemented and investigated through the correlation of electrochemical data using chemical and physical characterization methods. A performance stability of 1000 h, with a degradation rate of 84 µV h−1 at 1 A cm−2 is achieved, presenting the Ni3Fe−LDH‐based cell as a stable and cost‐attractive AEMWE system. The results show that the conductivity of the formed Ni‐Fe‐phase is one key to obtaining high electrolyzer performance and that, despite Fe leaching, change in anion‐conducting binder compound, and morphological changes inside the catalyst bulk, the Ni3Fe−LDH‐based single‐cells demonstrate high performance and durability. The work reveals the importance of longer stability tests and presents a holistic approach of electrochemical tracking and post‐mortem analysis that offers a guideline for investigating electrode degradation behavior over extended measurement periods.
Designing External Pores of Aluminum Oxo Polyhedrons for Efficient Iodine Capture
Authors: Yang Ning , Wang San‐Tai , Li Chun‐Sen , Zhang Jian , Zhang Min‐Yi , Fang Wei‐Hui
Published: January 2024

Although metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs) expansion has been studied to date, it is still a rare occurrence for their porous intermolecular assembly for iodine capture. The major limitation is the lack of programmable and controllable methods for effectively constructing and utilizing the exterior cavities. Herein, the goal of programmable porous intermolecular assembly is realized in the first family of aluminum oxo polyhedrons (AlOPs) using ligands with directional H‐bonding donor/acceptor pairs and auxiliary alcohols as structural regulation sites. The approach has the advantage of avoiding the use of expensive edge‐directed ditopic and face‐directed tritopic ligands in the general synthesis strategy of MOPs. Combining theoretical calculations and experiments, the intrinsic relationship is revealed between alcohol ligands and the growth mechanism of AlOPs. The maximum I2 uptake based on the mass gain during sorption corresponds to 2.35 g g−1, representing the highest reported I2 sorption by an MOP. In addition, it can be easily regenerated and maintained the iodine sorption capacity, revealing its further potential application. This method of constructing stable and programmable porous materials will provide a new way to solve problems such as radionuclide capture.
Zn Anode Surviving Extremely Corrosive Polybromide Environment with Alginate‐Graphene Oxide Hydrogel Coating
Authors: Lin Shiyu , Li Minghao , Wang Guotao , Wang Chao , Yang Han , Wang Zhoulu , Zhang Yi , Liu Xiang , Bae Jinhye , Wu Yutong
Published: January 2024

Zinc–bromine (Zn‐Br) redox provides a high energy density and low‐cost option for next‐generation energy storage systems, and polybromide diffusion remains a major issue leading to Zn anode corrosion, dendrite growth, battery self‐discharge and limited electrochemical performance. A dual‐functional Alginate‐Graphene Oxide (AGO) hydrogel coating is proposed to prevent polybromide corrosion and suppress dendrite growth in Zn–Br batteries through negatively charged carboxyl groups and enhanced mechanical properties. The battery with anode of plain zinc coated with AGO (Zn]AGO) survives a severely corrosive environment with higher polybromide concentration than usual without a membrane, and achieves 80 cycles with 100% Coulombic and 80.65% energy efficiencies, four times compared to plain Zn anode. The promising performance is comparable to typical Zn–Br batteries using physical membranes, and the AGO coating concept can be well adapted to various Zn–Br systems to promote their applications.
Metal‐organic framework‐based nanofibrous film for two different modes of triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Tabassian Rassoul , Rajabi‐Abhari Araz , Mahato Manmatha , Yoo Hyunjoon , Yoon Hong Yeon , Park Jeong Young , Oh Il‐Kwon
Published: January 2024

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are nanomaterials with engineered chemical structures, offering remarkable properties. However, their limited film‐formation capability hinders their integration into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). This study proposes a simple yet effective solution to overcome this challenge by employing electrospinning techniques to integrate the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) into an easy‐to‐use nanofibrous mat. ZIF‐8 has high surface potential, a unique cubical structure, and an easy fabrication process that makes it an ideal material for TENGs. By incorporating ZIF‐8 into the electrospinning solution, significant improvements are achieved in the electropositivity of the resulting nanofibers. It leads to notable changes in the shape, morphology, and roughness of electrospun fibers, consequently enhancing the overall performance of the TENG. The results indicate that utilizing the ZIF‐based electrospun mat as a tribo‐positive material can increase transferred charges between electrodes by more than 100%. Utilizing the MOF‐based nanofibrous mat, this study also introduces a novel rotary TENG that works based on a mode of TENG operation called rolling mode. The reliable charge generation by the proposed rolling system reveals that this mode of TENG operation could be a superb alternative for traditional TENG modes, like contact/separation or sliding, which cause high levels of mechanical stress due to harsh physical impact or friction.
Carbon Electrodes for Perovskite Photovoltaics: Interfacial Properties, Meta‐analysis, and Prospects
Authors: Zouhair Salma , Clegg Charlotte , Valitova Irina , March Samuel , Jailani Javith Mohammed , Pecunia Vincenzo
Published: January 2024

Carbon electrodes have gained significant attention as a cost‐effective, sustainable, stable, and scalable replacement for metal electrodes in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, traditional carbon‐electrode‐based PSCs (C‐PSCs) lack a hole‐selective layer (HSL) due to their incompatibility with the most effective organic HSLs employed in the PSC literature. In turn, the absence of an HSL has been identified as one of the main factors hindering the performance of C‐PSCs. Consequently, numerous studies have recognized the pivotal significance of the region between the perovskite absorber and the carbon electrode in C‐PSCs, proposing various interfacial engineering strategies to improve the performance of these solar cells. Given the rapid evolution of this field, an up‐to‐date and comprehensive review of C‐PSCs is in order. Key areas of focus of this review include the shift from high‐temperature to low‐temperature carbon electrodes, strategies to improve energetic alignment at the interface, novel approaches such as hole‐selective bilayers, and alternative carbon deposition methods to reduce solvent damage. Additionally, this review presents a comprehensive meta‐analysis—the first of its kind in the C‐PSC literature—to assess how various interfacial modifications impact critical C‐PSC performance metrics, offering valuable insights for future advancements in the field.
Fluorination of Star‐Shaped Cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene Derivatives and Its Application as Hole‐Transporting Materials in Scalable Perovskite Solar Cell Fabrication by Bar Coating
Authors: Adugna Gizachew Belay , Lee Kun‐Mu , Hsieh Hsiao‐Chi , Lu Shih‐I , Lin Chia‐Hui , Hsieh Yu‐Chien , Yang June Hung , Chiu Jian‐Ming , Liu Yun‐Shuo , Hu Chih‐Wei , Chiu Wei‐Hao , Li Sie‐Rong , Liau Kang‐Ling , Tao Yu‐Tai , Lin Yan‐Duo
Published: January 2024

In this study, three novel star‐shaped small molecules HYC‐oF, HYC‐mF, and HYC‐H are designed and synthesized and are applied in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as efficient hole‐transporting materials (HTMs). Compared with non‐fluorinated HYC‐H, F‐substituted analogs HYC‐oF and HYC‐mF exhibited enhanced hole mobility, suitable energy level alignment, improved interfacial contact and hole extraction/transport capability, better passivation effect, as well as increased hydrophobicity. PSC fabrication by spin‐coating this series of HYC‐oF, HYC‐mF, and HYC‐H molecules on a bar‐coated perovskite layer yielded PCEs values of 19.64%, 18.38%, and 16.98%, respectively. In order to realize a fully scalable PSC preparation process, sequential coating of HYC‐oF layer on perovskite layer all by thermal‐assisted bar‐coating (TABC) method was carried out on 10 × 10 cm2 area. The TABC‐based HYC‐oF layer had a compact and uniform morphology with full surface coverage on the TABC‐based perovskite film. Under optimized condition, the PSCs fabricated from such film exhibited a PCE of 18.49% as compared with a lower power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.51% from the reference cell using TABC‐based spiro‐OMeTAD. This work demonstrates the potential of fluorinated star‐shaped cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene (CPDT)‐based molecule as HTM for achieving efficient PSC in both small and large scale.
A novel instance‐based method for cross‐project just‐in‐time defect prediction
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyan , Qiu Tian , Wang Jiayin , Lai Xin
Published: January 2024

Cross‐project (CP) just‐in‐time software defect prediction (JIT‐SDP) uses CP data to overcome initial data scarcity for training high‐performing JIT‐SDP classifiers in the early stages of software projects. The primary challenge faced by JIT‐SDP in a cross‐project context lies in the distinct distributions between training and test data. To tackle this issue, we select source data instances that closely resemble target data for building classifiers. Software datasets commonly exhibit a class imbalance problem, where the ratio of the defective class to the clean class is notably low. This imbalance typically diminishes classifier performance. In this study, we propose an instance selection method utilizing kernel mean matching (ISKMM) that addresses both knowledge transfer and class imbalance in cross‐project defect prediction (CPDP). The method employs the kernel mean matching (KMM) technique to assess the similarity between training and target data. It selects instances with high similarity, retains them, and resamples the data based on similarity weighting to mitigate the class imbalance problem. Our experiments, conducted on 10 open‐source projects, reveal that the ISKMM algorithm outperforms existing CP single‐source software defect prediction (SDP) algorithms. Moreover, when employing the proposed algorithm, defect predictors constructed from cross‐project data demonstrate an overall performance comparable to predictors learned from within‐project data.
Starch Gelatinization Behavior: The Impact of Granular Structure
Authors: Lacerda Liziane Dantas , da Silveira Nádya Pesce , Bondam Aline Felten , Hoffmann Jessica Fernanda
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates wheat, corn, and cassava native starches. Morphological features of the starch granule's surface reveal peculiar granule characteristics. Wheat starch granules are the largest, with 20.83 µm mass median diameter, followed by corn, 13.14 µm, and cassava, 12.37 µm. Nonetheless, cassava and corn starches have the lowest polydispersity and greater surface area average. Corn starch shows more resistance to the gelatinization process when observed. Complete granular disruption and gelatinization occurring at 65–75 °C for wheat, 75–85 °C for cassava, and 85 °C for corn. The curves of viscosity evidence the assertion that the starches from cereals gelatinize at higher temperatures than starch from the tuber. Swelling power indicate that cassava starch held more water, whereas IFTR spectroscopy reveals a more ordered structure when compared to wheat and corn starches. However, corn starch has the highest values of Tonset, Tpeak, and Tendset, with enthalpy of gelatinization of 12.73 J g−1, which can be related to the amylose content of 24.25% and mainly to 0.2% of starch damage. The almost negligible amounts of damaged starch present in corn starch indicate the absence of granule fragments capable of increasing water absorption and decreasing the birefringence of the system.
The identities of three plants of unknown origin revealed by ancient paintings
Authors: Del Guacchio Emanuele , Böhnert Tim , Sibilio Giancarlo , De Castro Olga , Caputo Paolo
Published: January 2024

Archives and correspondences are often overlooked resources in assessing taxonomic and nomenclatural information and this sometimes affects taxonomic proposals. Here we show that unpublished illustrations not only can definitively help in identifying unresolved or poorly known names but can be themselves original material and sometimes must serve as types, avoiding neotypes or misleading synonymizations. We present the case of three names introduced by the Neapolitan botanist Michele Tenore (Muscari strangwaysii, Asparagaceae; Pogostemon suavis and Salvia menthifolia, Lamiaceae). They have been interpreted differently over time because herbarium specimens that constituted original material were not accurately searched for (M. strangwaysii) or were unavailable (P. suavis, S. menthifolia). Although these three names are currently synonymized (with M. neglectum, P. cablin, and S. chamaedryoides) we demonstrate that these synonymies are not correct, based on the detailed study of original nineteenth‐century watercolour paintings, a re‐examination of protologues and specimens preserved in the Botanical Garden of Naples (NAP). The watercolour paintings are crucial for application of the names, because diagnostic features often disappear with drying (M. strangwaysii), or because they are the only extant original material (P. suavis). In all three cases we introduce new typifications for the names and update the synonymy to M. botryoides, P. heyneanus, and S. microphylla, respectively.
Global LGBTQ Mental Health
Authors: Bränström Richard , Hughes Tonda L. , Pachankis John E.
Published: January 2024

Globally, research studies show a significantly elevated risk of poor mental health among LGBTQ individuals compared to cisgender and heterosexual individuals. Depression, anxiety, suicidality, and general distress demonstrate the largest mental health disparities by sexual orientation and gender identity. A growing body of evidence suggests the elevated risk of poor mental health among LGBTQ people is partly attributable to greater exposure to stigma-related stress. Minority stress theory, developed in the Global North, describes that LGBTQ people experience unique stressors (e.g., discrimination, violence, and identity concealment) that are linked to their sexual or gender identity. Although evidence suggests that these factors are important predictors of LGBTQ individuals’ mental health around the world, additional studies from the Global South have shown other strong predictors of LGBTQ mental health. These factors are related to societal integration barriers, such as low social trust, unemployment, and lack of stable housing. The extent to which these barriers override or interact with minority stress to predict mental health problems remains unknown. Still, the degree to which LGBTQ individuals around the world are exposed to stigma-related stress and experience barriers to societal integration is dependent on structural factors such as discriminatory laws and policies and societal attitudes. To better assess the mental health burden of LGBTQ individuals and its determinants, higher-quality studies are needed that use representative samples of the full spectrum of LGBTQ populations from different parts of the world. Future research also must develop efficient means for distributing LGBTQ-affirmative treatments to LGBTQ populations that most need them.
Sexual and Gender Minority Population’s Health Burden of Five Noncommunicable Diseases: Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: McElroy Jane A. , Gosiker Bennett J.
Published: January 2024

This chapter will describe five noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their implications for the sexual and gender minority (SGM) population: cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diabetes mellitus (DM), asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These were selected due to their high relative prevalence among NCDs (World Health Organization, Fact sheet: noncommunicable diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases. Accessed 25 Nov 2022, 2018). An extensive literature review was undertaken to uncover studies that reported on NCD prevalence among the SGM population, globally. For SM studies, nine countries that are considered mature from an economic perspective represented almost all of the findings. For transgender studies, almost all studies about cancer were case and case series reports, and these represented numerous countries around the world. The limited data representing a global perspective among sexual minorities hints at the possibility of a similar burden for CVD, cancer (excluding HIV/AIDS-related cancers), DM, COPD, and asthma (among SM men) compared to heterosexual and/or cisgender populations. The same seems to be true for transgender populations, with some evidence of elevated CVD risk among transfeminine populations.
Global Epidemiology and Social-Ecological Determinants of Substance Use Disparities, Consequences of Use, and Treatment Options Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations
Authors: Mimiaga Matthew J. , Klasko-Foster Lynn , Santostefano Christopher , Jin Harry , Wyron Taryn , Hughto Jackie White , Biello Katie
Published: January 2024

Across the globe, sexual and gender minority populations experience stressors (e.g., stigma, discrimination, violence) at the individual, interpersonal, and environmental levels that may increase their risk of substance use and substance use disorders compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This chapter describes the scope of disparities in substance use and related deleterious health outcomes for sexual and gender minority individuals from a global perspective. We give a brief overview of substances and their common classifications to provide context for how each may affect sexual and gender minority populations. Next, we review epidemiology of substance use and addiction across regions, with attention to cultural context. We emphasize disproportionate burden of substance use and resultant disease in sexual and gender minority individuals compared to both sexual majority groups and the general population in each of these geographic areas. In addition, we examine substance use and misuse specific to categories of sexual and gender minorities (e.g., gay men, transgender women) as well as racial/ethnic disparities within sexual and gender minority groups. We then discuss both risk and protective factors that may contribute to disparities in substance use and misuse for sexual and gender minority groups from a social-ecological perspective. Next, we describe consequences of substance use, specific to sexual and gender minority populations, including physical health outcomes (i.e., infectious and chronic diseases), social isolation, and incarceration. Lastly, we conclude this chapter with a review of substance use interventions specific to sexual and gender minorities.
Hypermultiplet metric and NS5-instantons
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Bendriss Khalil
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The metric on the hypermultiplet moduli space of Calabi-Yau compactifications of type II string theory is known to receive D-brane and NS5-brane instanton corrections. We compute explicit expressions for these corrections in the one-instanton approximation, but to all orders in the string coupling expansion around the instantons. As a consistency check, we prove that in the case of one (universal) hypermultiplet, the resulting metric fits the Przanowski description of self-dual Einstein spaces. We also show that in the small string coupling limit the metric acquires a certain square structure, consistently with expectations from the string amplitudes analysis. This result provides explicit predictions for yet mysterious string amplitudes in the presence of NS5-branes.
Gravitational Waves from Nnaturalness
Authors: Batell Brian , Ghalsasi Akshay , Low Matthew , Rai Mudit
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We study the prospects for probing the Nnaturalness solution to the electroweak hierarchy problem with future gravitational wave observatories. Nnaturalness, in its simplest incarnation, predicts N copies of the Standard Model with varying Higgs mass parameters. We show that in certain parameter regions the scalar reheaton transfers a substantial energy density to the sector with the smallest positive Higgs squared mass while remaining consistent with bounds on additional effective relativistic species. In this sector, all six quarks are much lighter than the corresponding QCD confinement scale, allowing for the possibility of a first-order chiral symmetry-breaking phase transition and an associated stochastic gravitational wave signal. We consider several scenarios characterizing the strongly-coupled phase transition dynamics and estimate the gravitational wave spectrum for each. Pulsar timing arrays (SKA), spaced-based interferometers (BBO, Ultimate-DECIGO, μAres, asteroid ranging), and astrometric measurements (THEIA) all have the potential to explore new regions of Nnaturalness parameter space, complementing probes from next generation cosmic microwave background radiation experiments.