bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Removal of toxic cadmium using a binary site ion‐exchange material derived from waste printed circuit boards
Authors: Xu Meng , Alyasi Haya , Ning Chao , Hui Chi‐Wai , Mackey Hamish , McKay Gordon
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Adsorption has been widely applied in wastewater treatment for heavy metal removal. Due to the high cost of adsorbent materials, various types of materials including agricultural, industrial wastes and naturally abundant materials have emerged as low‐cost adsorbents in recent years. However, enhancement processes need to be developed to improve the adsorption capability of the raw materials. It is still a challenge to find an economic material with high adsorption capacity. This paper demonstrates a strategy to activate a recycled waste material using a simple activating process, while significantly improving the adsorption capacity of cadmium from wastewater.

RESULTS

The raw material feedstock is the non‐metallic aluminosilicate material obtained from the recycling of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs). By a simple thermal alkali activation process using potassium hydroxide as activation agent, the product material shows a strong capability of cadmium removal from effluent containing a high adsorption capacity of 2.12 mmol g−1. Initial metal concentration, dosage and pH effect on the adsorption isotherm and kinetics have been investigated. The experimental results include full characterization tests on this waste PCB‐derived adsorbent, and the in situ measurement of cadmium, calcium and potassium ions, since all are involved in the exchange sorption mechanism.

CONCLUSION

By combining kinetic modelling analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the novel adsorption mechanism has been explained and quantified as a dual ion‐exchange mechanism with the millimoles of cadmium exchanged mass balancing with the millimoles of calcium and 0.5 mmol potassium going into solution. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
FECO fringes for investigating the effect of grafting process on the dispersion properties of polyamaide‐6 fibers
Authors: Sokkar Taha Z. N. , El‐Bakary Mohammed A. , Sewidan Muhamed A. , Hamza Ahmed A.
Published: July 2021

Polyamide‐6 fiber was modified by grafting it with poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA polymer. The grafting process is widely used in industry to introduce new properties and overcome some obstacles, for instance, in storing energy applications. Multiple‐beam interference techniques are very precise techniques to characterize the different properties of polymeric fibers. Fringes of equal chromatic order FECO technique was used to study the effect of grafting process on the dispersion properties of polyamides fibers. A mechanical drawing device was attached to the FECO system to evaluate the mechanical deformation impact on the samples and on their dispersion properties. The dispersion properties were evaluated by measuring their refractive indices, Cauchy's constants, average excitation energy, dispersion energy, lattice energy, interband oscillator wavelength, static dielectric constant, and Abbe's dispersion number. The results show that grafting polyamide‐6 with PMMA produced a new material with a different structure and different dispersion properties. Microinterferograms, graphs and tables were given for illustrations.
Poultry manureshed management: Opportunities and challenges for a vertically integrated industry
Authors: Bryant Ray B. , Endale Dinku M. , Spiegal Sheri A. , Flynn K. Colton , Meinen Robert J. , Cavigelli Michel A. , Kleinman Peter J. A.
Published: July 2021

Manureshed management seeks to address systemic imbalances in nutrient distributions at scales beyond the farmgate and potentially across county and state boundaries. The U.S. poultry industry, which includes broilers, layers, pullets, and turkeys, has many characteristics that are compatible with achieving a vision of manureshed management, including a history of engaging in local and regional programs to better distribute manure resources. Despite widespread vertical integration that supports large‐scale strategic decision making and dry manures that favor off‐farm transport, there are still many challenges to poultry manureshed management that require engaging stakeholders other than just the poultry industry. Analysis of county‐level nutrient budgets highlights the industry's “mega‐manureshed,” extending from the Mid‐Atlantic, across the southeast, and into northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The analysis also identifies areas with legacy nutrient build‐up that are still present today. Implementing manureshed management in the U.S. poultry industry requires comprehensive consideration of manure treatment technologies, alternative uses such as bioenergy production, market development for treated manure products, transport of manure nutrients from source to sink areas, and manure brokering programs that promote manure nutrient distribution. Fortunately, past and present evolution and innovation within the industry places it as a likely leader of the manureshed vision.
Short‐Term Repeatability of in Vivo Cardiac Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Tensor Imaging in Healthy Human Volunteers
Authors: Zhang Xiu‐Shi , Liu En‐Hui , Wang Xin‐Yu , Zhou Xin‐Xiang , Zhang Hong‐Xia , Zhu Yue‐Min , Sang Xi‐Qiao , Kuai Zi‐Xiang
Published: July 2021

Background

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) tensor imaging is a promising technique for diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases. Knowledge about measurement repeatability, however, remains limited.

Purpose

To evaluate short‐term repeatability of IVIM tensor imaging in normal in vivo human hearts.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Ten healthy subjects without history of heart diseases.

Field Strength/Sequence

Balanced steady‐state free‐precession cine sequence and single‐shot spin‐echo echo planar IVIM tensor imaging sequence (9 b‐values, 0–400 seconds/mm2 and six diffusion‐encoding directions) at 3.0 T.

Assessment

Subjects were scanned twice with an interval of 15 minutes, leaving the scanner between studies. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was evaluated in anterior, lateral, septal, and inferior segments of the left ventricle wall. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), mean fraction (MF), and helix angle (HA) in the four segments were independently measured by five radiologists.

Statistical Tests

IVIM tensor indexes were compared between observers using a one‐way analysis of variance or between scans using a paired t‐test (normal data) or a Wilcoxon rank‐sum test (non‐normal data). Interobserver agreement and test–retest repeatability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), within‐subject coefficient of variation (WCV), and Bland–Altman limits of agreements.

Results

SNR of inferior segment was significantly lower than the other three segments, and inferior segment was therefore excluded from repeatability analysis. Interobserver repeatability was excellent for all IVIM tensor indexes (ICC: 0.886–0.972; WCV: 0.62%–4.22%). Test–retest repeatability was excellent for MD of the self‐diffusion tensor (D) and MF of the perfusion fraction tensor (fp) (ICC: 0.803–0.888; WCV: 1.42%–9.51%) and moderate for FA and MD of the pseudo‐diffusion tensor (D*) (ICC: 0.487–0.532; WCV: 6.98%–10.89%). FA of D and fp and HA of D presented good test–retest repeatability (ICC: 0.732–0.788; WCV: 3.28%–8.71%).

Data Conclusion

The D and fp indexes exhibited satisfactory repeatability, but further efforts were needed to improve repeatability of D* indexes.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Analysis of MR Signs to Distinguish Between ARCO Stages 2 and 3A in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Authors: Shi Shan , Luo Ping , Sun Li , Zhao Yanping , Yang Xuedong , Xie Limin , Yu Tong , Wang Zhenchang
Published: July 2021

Background

MRI is the most effective diagnostic tool of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), especially for early diagnosis, but its detection of subchondral or cortical fractures is less accurate than CT. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately stage ONFH in the peri‐collapse period by MRI.

Purpose

To improve the accuracy of MR for distinguishing between Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stages 2 and 3A in ONFH.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

One hundred and fifty five cases of ARCO stage 2/3A of ONFH underwent MR examinations, M/F = 72/83. CT was used as reference standard for collapse, which was decided by an orthopedist and a radiologist in consultation.

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T/axial and coronal T1‐weighted Turbo Spin Echo (T1W TSE) sequence, axial T2‐weighted fat‐saturated (T2W FS) TSE sequence, and coronal proton density‐weighted imaging (PDWI)‐FS‐Dixon fat/water image.

Assessment

Five potential MR signs (the maximum width of the necrotic‐viable interface, bone marrow edema (BME), irregular articular surface of the femoral head, T2 heterogeneous high signal, and the absence of a necrotic‐viable interface with the morphology of closed loop) were evaluated blindly by five radiologists independently and the total scores of different combinations of MR signs were calculated.

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney U test and Chi‐square test were used to evaluate age, gender, and MR signs differences between the two groups. ROC curve was used to access the distinguishing value of MR signs. The consistency of the five radiologists was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The area under the curve of the combined MR signs 2 for distinguishing between ARCO stages 2 and 3A was the greatest (0.967), sensitivity and specificity were 100.00% and 88.71% respectively, and greater than 1 was the threshold.

Data Conclusion

Combined MR signs 2 has great values in distinguishing between ARCO stages 2 and 3A in ONFH, thus helping clinical therapy.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Nitric oxide is induced and required for efficient Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus lytic replication
Authors: Herrera‐Ortíz Antonia , Meng Wen , Gao Shou‐Jiang
Published: July 2021

Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic virus associated with several human malignancies. KSHV lytic replication promotes the spread of infection and progression of KSHV‐associated malignancies; however, the mechanism regulating KSHV lytic replication remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in KSHV lytic replication. In the TREx BCBL1‐RTA KSHV lytic replication cell system, induction of KSHV lytic replication increased intracellular and extracellular NO. Chemical inhibition of NO production resulted in a lower level of KSHV lytic replication as shown by a reduced level of infectious virions, and decreased levels of viral lytic transcripts and proteins. In a second KSHV lytic replication system of iSLK‐RGB‐BAC16 cells, we confirmed that KSHV lytic replication increased NO production. Chemical inhibition of NO production resulted in reduced numbers of cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein and blue fluorescent protein, two reporters that closely track the expression of KSHV early and late genes, respectively. Consistent with these results, inhibition of NO production resulted in reduced levels of infectious virions, and viral lytic transcripts and proteins. Importantly, exogenous addition of a NO donor was sufficient to enhance the full KSHV lytic replication program. These results demonstrate that NO is required for efficient KSHV lytic replication, and NO plays a crucial role in the KSHV life cycle and KSHV‐induced malignancies.
Are colored periodontal probes reliable to classify the gingival phenotype in terms of gingival thickness?
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Al‐Hotheiry Mehdi , Sun David , Olofsson John , Lettner Stefan , Gotfredsen Klaus , Stavropoulos Andreas
Published: July 2021

Background

This cross‐sectional study assessed the potential of colored periodontal probes (CPP) to classify gingival phenotype in terms of gingival thickness (GT).

Methods

Buccal GT in three anterior teeth in each of 50 patients was measured by transgingival sounding and classified by three different methods by eight examiners. Specifically, the diagnostic potential of visual judgment and transparency of a standard periodontal probe (SPP) to discriminate thin and thick gingiva, and of CPP to discriminate thin, medium, thick, or very thick gingiva was assessed.

Results

GT ranged from 0.57 to 2.37 mm. Using CPP resulted in a medium judgment in 87% of the cases, on average, and only between 1‐10 cases/examiner were judged as thick or very thick. Considering 1 mm GT as relevant cut‐off value, all methods showed a high positive predictive value (≥ 0.82) to identify thick cases, but also a high false omission rate (≥ 0.73) indicating that many cases classified as thin were actually thick. Further, 88% of the cases being ≤ 1 mm, were not classified as thin with CPP; this was inferior to SPP, for which, however, still 64% of the cases being ≤ 1 mm thick were wrongly classified. The highest, yet moderate agreement among examiners was achieved by SPP (κ = 0.427), whereas visual judgment and CPP showed only fair (κ = 0.211) and slight agreement (κ = 0.112), respectively.

Conclusion

Using CPP resulted in most of the cases in a medium judgment. It seems that CPP cannot distinctly discriminate between “thick” and “very thick” cases and fails to capture the thin high‐risk cases.
Single gingival recession associated with non‐carious cervical lesion treated by partial restoration and coronally advanced flap with or without xenogenous collagen matrix: A randomized clinical trial evaluating the coverage procedures and restorative protocol
Authors: Mathias‐Santamaria Ingrid Fernandes , Silveira Camila Augusto , Rossato Amanda , Sampaio de Melo Mary Anne , Bresciani Eduardo , Santamaria Mauro Pedrine
Published: July 2021

Background

Evaluate the use of collagen matrix (CM) as adjunctive to coronally advanced flap (CAF versus CAF + CM) to treat gingival recession (GR) associated with non‐carious cervical lesion–combined defects (CDs).

Methods

Sixty‐two patients presenting 62 CDs (RT1 GR and non‐carious cervical lesion (NCCLs) were randomly allocated to either CAF group (n = 31): partial restoration of the NCCL and CAF; or to CAF + CM group (n = 31): partial restoration of the NCCL and CAF associated with CM. Clinical, esthetic, patient‐centered outcomes, and restorative parameters were assessed.

Results

After 12 months, CD coverage were 55.2% for CAF and 54.4% for CAF + CM (P = 0.8). Recession reduction were 1.9 ± 0.8 mm for CAF and 2.0 ± 0.7 mm for CAF + CM (P = 0.6). CAF+CM resulted in higher increase in keratinized tissue (KT) width (CAF: 0.3 ± 0.7 mm; CAF + CM: 0.9 ± 0.8 mm; P = 0.004) and KT thickness gain (CAF: 0.1 ± 0.3 mm; CAF + CM: 0.7 ± 0.2 mm; P = 0.001). Both treatments presented low postoperative pain and resulted in esthetics improvements. In addition, no restoration was lost, 27.4% showed a reduction of the superficial polishing, and 8% showed marginal staining, but still clinically acceptable.

Conclusion

Partial resin composite restoration (with the apical limit up to 1 mm of the estimated CEJ) and CAF alone or combined with CM are suitable for treating CDs. The use of CM provided additional benefits in terms of KT width and thickness gain. (NCT03341598).
Substrate quality of drained organic soils—Implications for carbon dioxide fluxes
Authors: Säurich Annelie , Tiemeyer Bärbel , Dettmann Ullrich , Fiedler Sabine , Don Axel
Published: July 2021

Background

Peatlands only cover a minor fraction of the global terrestrial surface, but due to drainage, they are major contributors to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from soils. Previous studies have shown that hydrological conditions, nutrient availability and anthropogenic disturbance play an important role in the mineralisation of organic matter. Furthermore, microbial turnover depends on peat quality, which is determined by its botanical origin and degree of transformation under natural conditions.

Aims

The objective of this study was to shed light on the interdependence between mineralisation rates, secondary transformation of peat and chemical composition by examining the differences between bog and fen peat and between strongly degraded topsoil and well‐preserved subsoil.

Methods

Bog and fen peat from ten different peatlands under grassland use in Germany were analysed for their chemical composition using standard 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and wet chemical extractions for fibre analysis. The radiocarbon age was determined as well. The results were combined with CO2 fluxes from a previous incubation study.

Results

Topsoils had higher shares of proteins and lipids, and lower shares of carbohydrates and aromatics than subsoils. Bog peat subsoils were characterised by higher shares of carbohydrates and lower shares of aromatics than fen peat subsoils. Topsoils were more similar to each other in their chemical composition than the subsoils. Considering all samples, aromatics and phenolics were negatively correlated with CO2 fluxes. Measured CO2 fluxes from topsoils were significantly higher than from subsoils. However, no influences of chemical composition on CO2 fluxes were detected when examining topsoils and subsoils separately. Even though aromatics and phenolics showed positive relationships with radiocarbon age, differences in age alone were unable to explain the higher amounts of these compounds in the subsoil.

Conclusions

The results imply that chemical composition of topsoil peat is not the reason for higher mineralisation rates compared to subsoil peat, but rather a consequence of decomposition and transformation. Thus, peat mineralisation of drained organic soils under agriculture might not slow down over time due to gradually decreasing peat quality but could increase further.
Properties and applications of amphoteric surfactant: A concise review
Authors: Sarkar Ratan , Pal Aniruddha , Rakshit Atanu , Saha Bidyut
Published: July 2021

Amphoteric surfactants have long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain and hydrophilic positive as well as negative charged center connected with each other by a spacer group. Thus, this type of surfactant maintains overall charged neutrality. The properties of amphoteric surfactants depend primarily on the length of the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain, the number of methylene segments in the spacer, the positive and negative charged groups, and their relative position. The ionic activity of amphoteric surfactants is influenced according to the pH value of the solvent. They display cationic behavior below the isoelectric points and anionic behavior at a higher pH. They take the shape of zwitterions in the area of the isoelectric point. In fact, amphoteric surfactants can be parted into pH‐sensitive and pH‐insensitive surfactants. The pH‐insensitive surfactants stay as zwitterionic form irrespective of the pH of the solution. This surfactant has some unique features because of its precise molecular structure as follows: high water solubility, high surface activities, a wide isoelectric range, low critical micelle concentration (CMC), high foam stability, low toxicity, low irritating, excellent biodegradability, bioactivity, interface change, and so on. Because of these special characteristics, amphoteric surfactants have been immensely interested in many applications in the scientific community, including cosmetics, chromatography, enhanced oil recovery, electrochemistry, nanoscience, polymer chemistry, and waste water treatment. This review aims to study about amphoteric surfactants, which have only one hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail and two oppositely charged hydrophilic headgroups connected with each other by a spacer group and its properties, applications in various academics and industrial fields.
APA calls for improved BH access over opioid overdose deaths
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2021

Following a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that revealed a 30% increase in overdose deaths in 2020 compared to 2019, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has renewed its call to action to address this crisis. This dramatic increase constitutes the largest increase in at least 50 years and represents the deaths of more than 93,000 Americans from drug overdoses.
The end‐fire Vivaldi antenna based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Zheng Zichao , Chen Fangjun , Xu Feng
Published: July 2021

This letter proposes an end‐fire Vivaldi antenna based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). SPP is generated by a periodic corrugated metal–insulator–metal (CMIM) waveguide on which the odd mode of the SPP is propagated and is rarely used in the design of antenna transmission lines. Gradient corrugations and slotlines form the transitional part to achieve momentum matching and impedance matching between the microstrip feed line and plasma waveguide. In addition, one parasitic patch is introduced in flare aperture to improve the performance of the radiation. Both the simulation and measured results are carried out and match well with the theoretical design. This antenna generates end‐fire radiation beams within 4‐9 GHz frequency range (S11 < –10 dB). Measured results show that the realized gain is higher than 8.87 dB and the 3 dB beam width is stable between 31 and 36° over the operation frequency.
In vivo1H MR spectroscopy withJ‐refocusing
Authors: Deelchand Dinesh K. , Walls Jamie D. , Marjańska Małgorzata
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The goal of this study was to propose a novel localized proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) sequence that reduces signal loss due toJ‐modulation in the rat brain in vivo.

Methods

Sprague‐Dawley rats were studied at 9.4 T. A semi‐LASER sequence with evenly distributed echo‐time (TE) was used, and a 90°J‐refocusing pulse was inserted at TE/2. Proton spectra were acquired at two TEs (30 and 68 ms), with and without theJ‐refocused pulse. Data were processed in MATLAB and quantified with LCModel.

Results

TheJ‐refocused spectrum acquired at TE= 30 ms did not show any signal losses due toJ‐modulation and had comparable spectral pattern to the one acquired with semi‐LASER using the minimum achievable TE. Higher signal amplitudes for glutamine, γ‐aminobutyric acid and glutathione led to more reliable quantification precision for these metabolites. The refocused signal intensities at TE= 68 ms were also unaffected byJ‐modulation but were smaller than the signals at TE= 30 ms mainly due to transverse T2relaxation of metabolites.

Conclusion

The proposed localized MRS sequence will be beneficial in both animal and human MRS studies when using ultra‐short TEis not possible while also providing more reliable quantification precision forJ‐coupled metabolites.
Assessment of dysarthria and dysphagia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Review of the current evidence
Authors: Lee Jimin , Madhavan Aarthi , Krajewski Elizabeth , Lingenfelter Sydney
Published: July 2021

Bulbar dysfunction is a common presentation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and significantly impacts quality of life of people with ALS (PALS). The current paper reviews measurements of dysarthria and dysphagia specific to ALS to identify efficient and valid assessment measures. Using such assessment measures will lead to improved management of bulbar dysfunction in ALS. Measures reviewed for dysarthria in PALS are organized into three categories: acoustic, kinematic, and strength. A set of criteria are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures' identification of speech impairments, measurement of functional verbal communication, and clinical applicability. Assessments reviewed for dysphagia in PALS are organized into six categories: patient reported outcomes, dietary intake, pulmonary function and airway defense capacity, bulbar function, dysphagia/aspiration screens, and instrumental evaluations. Measurements that have good potential for clinical use are highlighted in both topic areas. Additionally, areas of improvement for clinical practice and research are identified and discussed. In general, no single speech measure fulfilled all the criteria, although a few measures were identified as potential diagnostic tools. Similarly, few objective measures that were validated and replicated with large sample sizes were found for diagnosis of dysphagia in PALS. Importantly, clinical applicability was found to be limited; thus, a collaborative team focused on implementation science would be helpful to improve the clinical uptake of assessments. Overall, the review highlights the need for further development of clinically viable and efficient measurements that use a multidisciplinary approach.
Rapid Progression of Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma During Platinum-Based Therapy in a Patient Harboring a Pathogenic BRCA2 Germline Variant
Authors: Sorscher Steven , Ramkissoon Shakti
Published: July 2021

Familial pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is most commonly related to inheritance of a pathogenic BRCA variant (J Med Genet 2005;42:711–719). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends germline testing for patients diagnosed with PDAC and recommends platinum-based chemotherapy as the preferred initial systemic therapy for patients harboring a pathogenic BRCA germline variant with PDAC (https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1455).

PDACs related to pathogenic BRCA germline variants typically demonstrate BRCA loss of heterozygosity (LOH), which results in ineffective DNA damage repair due to a lack of normal BRCA gene product activity. By causing DNA damage, platinum-based therapies have been shown to be highly effective therapies (Cancer Cell 2010;18:499–509, Gen Med 2015;17:569). In contrast, platinum-based therapies would be predicted to be significantly less effective for PDACs in patients with pathogenic BRCA germline variants who have cancers that lack BRCA LOH.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP) is also key to effective DNA repair. The Food and Drug Administration has approved PARP inhibitors for patients carrying germline pathogenic BRCA variants and metastatic breast cancer or ovarian cancer (Ann Oncol 2019;30:558–566, J Clin Oncol 2015;33:244–250). PARP inhibitors would again be expected to be far less effective in patients who carry pathogenic BRCA germline variants with breast and ovarian cancers (those that lack BRCA LOH) than in those with BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers (which typically demonstrate BRCA LOH), because PARP is involved in DNA repair.

Here, we present a patient harboring a pathogenic BRCA germline variant whose PDAC grew rapidly during platinum-based therapy and lacked BRCA LOH and therefore was not likely BRCA related. Given the molecular fingerprint of BRCA-related PDAC in patients with pathogenic BRCA germline variants and the mechanism of action of platinum-based therapies and PARP inhibitors, this case underscores the importance of future studies aimed at determining whether the lack of BRCA LOH in PDACs in pathogenic BRCA germline variant carriers is a biomarker of less responsiveness to platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors.

Key Points
Metal‐Free B, N co‐Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon Electrocatalyst with an Excellent O2 Reduction Performance
Authors: Wang Fangxiao , Ren Jianhai , Zheng Zihao , Liu Qiye , Zhang Chun‐yang
Published: July 2021

Fuel cells have attracted increasing attention due to their low cost, high energy density, low environmental pollution, and abundant raw materials. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a core technology of fuel cells, and the development of new electrocatalysts with high ORR performance is highly desirable. Herein, we synthesize a series of B, N co‐doped hierarchical porous carbons using a soft template method with the integration of self‐assembly, calcination and etching. The obtained materials exhibit hierarchical porous structures, controllable pore distribution, partial graphite structures, and B, N co‐doping. They can function as the cost‐effective and metal‐free electrocatalysts, facilitating the diffusion of electrolyte ions and the improvement of ORR performance. Especially, the B, N co‐doped porous carbon with the B‐to‐N molar ratio of 5 (BNC‐5) displays a high ORR activity with a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.73 V, an onset potential (Eonset) of 0.94 V, and a high limiting current density (JL) of 5.98 mA cm−2, superior to the N‐doped C (NC) and BNC‐1 (the B‐to‐N molar ratio=1), BNC‐3 (the B‐to‐N molar ratio=3) and BNC‐7 (the B‐to‐N molar ratio=7) under the identical conditions. Moreover, the BNC‐5 exhibits good cycling stability after 5000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles and excellent tolerance toward even 3 M methanol. This research provides a new approach for the facile synthesis of dual element‐doped carbon electrocatalysts with high ORR performance.
Novel gas aggregation cluster source based on post magnetron
Authors: Nikitin Daniil , Hanuš Jan , Pleskunov Pavel , Krtouš Zdeněk , Ali‐Ogly Suren , Tafiichuk Renata , Biliak Kateryna , Protsak Mariia , Valter Jan , Vyskočil Jiři , Choukourov Andrei , Biederman Hynek
Published: July 2021

In this communication, a new gas aggregation cluster source is introduced equipped with post cylindrical magnetron. The rotation of magnetic circuit improves the usage of cylindrical copper target in terms of its homogenous consumption. Copper nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. Their deposition rate fluctuates at slow rotations of magnetic circuit. Cyclic trapping and release of nanoparticles from electrostatic capture zones are likely responsible for this effect. The instabilities are not observed at higher rotation speeds. The argon flow is found to be very complex within the cluster source; however, it seems crucial for its operation. The efficiency of transport of nanoparticles and their size increase with gas flow. The highest values of deposition rate of around 19 mg/h are obtained.
Controlling insecticide resistant clones of the aphid,Myzus persicae, using the entomopathogenic fungusAkanthomyces muscarius: fitness cost of resistance under pathogen challenge
Authors: Erdos Zoltan , Chandler David , Bass Chris , Raymond Ben
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Biological control is a cornerstone of integrated pest management and could also play a key role in managing the evolution of insecticide resistance. Ecological theory predicts that the fitness cost of insecticide resistance can be increased under exposure to invertebrate natural enemies or pathogens, and can therefore increase the value of integrating biological control into pest management. In this study of the peach potato aphid,Myzus persicae, we aimed to identify whether insecticide resistance affected fitness and vulnerability of different aphid clones to the entomopathogenic fungusAkanthomyces muscarius.

RESULTS

Insecticide resistant clones were found to be slightly less susceptible to the pathogen than susceptible clones. However, this pattern could also be explained by the influence of length of laboratory culture, which was longer in susceptible clones and was positively correlated with susceptibility to fungi. Furthermore, resistance status did not affect aphid development time or intrinsic rate of increase of aphids. Finally, in a cage trial the application of fungus did not increase the competitive fitness of insecticide resistant clone ‘O’.

CONCLUSION

We found no fitness cost in reproductive rate or pathogen susceptibility associated with chemical resistance inM. persicae. In contrast, some susceptible clones, particularly those subject to decades of laboratory rearing, showed enhanced susceptibility to a fungal pathogen, but not reduced reproductive fitness, an observation consistent with down‐regulation of costly immune functions in culture. Overall, fungal pathogen control is compatible with insecticides and should not increase the selection pressure for resistance ofM. persicaeto chemical insecticides.
Topological Photonics on Superconducting Quantum Circuits with Parametric Couplings
Authors: Xue Zheng‐Yuan , Hu Yong
Published: July 2021

Topological phases of matter are an exotic phenomenon in modern condensed matter physics, which has attracted much attention due to the unique boundary states and transport properties. Recently, this topological concept in electronic materials has been exploited in many other fields of physics. Motivated by designing and controlling the behavior of electromagnetic waves in optical, microwave, and sound frequencies, topological photonics emerges as a rapid growing research field. Due to the flexibility and diversity of superconducting quantum circuits system, it is a promising platform to realize exotic topological phases of matter and to probe and explore topologically‐protected effects in new ways. Here, theoretical and experimental advances of topological photonics on superconducting quantum circuits—via the experimentally demonstrated parametric tunable coupling techniques, including using of the superconducting transmission line resonator, superconducting qubits, and their coupled system—are reviewed. On superconducting circuits, the flexible interactions and intrinsic nonlinearity make topological photonics in this system not only a simple photonic analog of topological effects for novel devices, but also a realm of exotic but less‐explored fundamental physics.
Nanoporous Intermetallic Cu3Sn/Cu Hybrid Electrodes as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Wan Wu‐Bin , Zhou Yi‐Tong , Zeng Shu‐Pei , Shi Hang , Yao Rui‐Qi , Wen Zi , Lang Xing‐You , Jiang Qing
Published: July 2021

Designing highly selective and cost‐effective electrocatalysts toward electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is crucial for desirable transformation of greenhouse gas into fuels or high‐value chemical products. Here, the authors report intermetallic Cu3Sn that is in situ formed and seamlessly integrated on self‐supported bimodal nanoporous Cu skeleton (Cu3Sn/Cu) via a spontaneous alloying of Sn and Cu as robust electrocatalyst for selective electroreduction of CO2 to CO. By virtue of Sn atoms strengthening CO adsorption on Cu atoms, the intermetallic Cu3Sn has an intrinsic activity of ≈10.58 μA cm−2, more than 80‐fold higher than that of monometallic Cu. By virtue of hierarchical bicontinuous nanoporous Cu architecture facilitating electron transfer and CO2 and proton mass transport and offering high specific surface areas for full use of electroactive Cu3Sn sites, the nanoporous Cu3Sn/Cu hybrid electrodes produce CO at a low overpotential of 0.09 V, and exhibit high partial current density of ≈15 mA cm−2geo at overpotential of 0.59 V, along with excellent stability and selectivity of 91.5% Faradaic efficiency. The outstanding electrochemical performance make them attractive alternatives to precious Au‐ and Ag‐based electrocatalysts for building low‐cost CO2 electrolyzers to selectively produce CO.
Morphology Transformation of Foldamer Assemblies Triggered by Single Oxygen Atom on Critical Residue Switch
Authors: Oh Byung‐Chang , Yoon Eunyoung , Gong Jintaek , Kim Jaewook , Driver Russell W. , Kim Yongjun , Kim Woo Youn , Lee Hee‐Seung
Published: July 2021

The synthesis of morphologically well‐defined peptidic materials via self‐assembly is challenging but demanding for biocompatible functional materials. Moreover, switching morphology from a given shape to other predictable forms by molecular modification of the identical building block is an even more complicated subject because the self‐assembly of flexible peptides is prone to diverge upon subtle structural change. To accomplish controllable morphology transformation, systematic self‐assembly studies are performed using congener short β‐peptide foldamers to find a minimal structural change that alters the self‐assembled morphology. Introduction of oxygen‐containing β‐amino acid (ATFC) for subtle electronic perturbation on hydrophobic foldamer induces a previously inaccessible solid‐state conformational split to generate the most susceptible modification site for morphology transformation of the foldamer assemblies. The site‐dependent morphological switching power of ATFC is further demonstrated by dual substitution experiments and proven by crystallographic analyses. Stepwise morphology transformation is shown by modifying an identical foldamer scaffold. This study will guide in designing peptidic molecules from scratch to create complex and biofunctional assemblies with nonspherical shapes.
Development of Teaching Material to Design a Vehicle on Data Science in Junior High School Technology Education
Authors: Tamai Teruyuki , Okamoto Katsuya , Iuchi Keisuke , Kawada Kazuo
Published: July 2021

The Society 5.0, advocated by the Japanese government in 2016, represents the society of the near future. In this context, the development and securing of human resources in mathematics, data science, and AI are urgent issues to promote technological innovation in the future. In this paper, a teaching material specializing in chassis of the vehicle performance in junior high school technology education was developed. The students manufactured their own teaching materials and evaluated them based on the data. The problems were identified and redesigned and remanufactured to solve them. The proposed class was practiced by students who were going to become teachers in a teacher training course, junior high school technology education. The results showed the educational effect of the material. In addition, a 13‐h lesson plan that is the basis of The Lower Secondary School National Curriculum Standard was proposed. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Robust calculation method of voltage stability margin based on voltage‐collapse‐point properties
Authors: Omi Shota , Shirai Yasuyuki
Published: July 2021

The progress in electricity deregulation has made electricity systems more economical while maintaining stability. Therefore, the stability of an electricity system should be evaluated more strictly than done previously. We propose a robust calculation method of voltage stability margin (VSM). The proposed method is based on the optimal‐power‐flow‐based direct method (OPF‐DM), which can calculate VSM directly when complementarity constraints related to limits for reactive‐power generation are added. However, the additional complementarity constraints may cause a convergence and local solution issues because of the numerical complexity. The proposed method calculates the appropriate VSM on the basis of several voltage‐stability properties. We implemented the proposed method on MATPOWER and evaluated it with IEEE 9‐bus, 30‐bus system, 39‐bus, 300‐bus, PEGASE 1354‐bus, and IEEJ WEST10‐O/V systems. The results indicate that the proposed method can calculate VSM robustly compared with conventional methods. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Diagnostic yield of next‐generation sequencing in fetuses with isolated increased nuchal translucency: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pauta M. , Martinez‐Portilla R. J. , Borrell A.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To determine the diagnostic yield of exome or genome sequencing (ES/GS) over chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) and no concomitant anomalies.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses criteria. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies describing ES/GS in fetuses with isolated increased NT. Inclusion criteria were: (1) study written in English; (2) more than two fetuses with increased NT > 99th percentile and no concomitant anomalies; and (3) a negative CMA result considered as the reference standard. Only positive variants identified on ES/GS that were classified as likely pathogenic or pathogenic and determined to be causative of the fetal phenotype were considered. Risk was assessed as the pooled effect size by single‐proportion analysis using random‐effects modeling (weighted by inverse of variance).

Results

Eleven studies reporting on the diagnostic yield of ES/GS in fetuses with isolated increased NT > 99th percentile were identified and included 309 cases. All studies were high quality according to Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy. Overall, a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was identified on ES/GS in 15 fetuses, resulting in a pooled incremental yield of 4% (95% CI, 2–6%). Six (40%) of these fetuses had NT of 5 mm or more. The observed inheritance pattern was autosomal dominant in 12 cases, including four fetuses with Noonan syndrome, autosomal recessive in two cases and X‐linked in one case.

Conclusions

There is a 4% incremental diagnostic yield of ES/GS over CMA in fetuses with increased NT > 99th percentile without a concomitant anomaly. It is unclear whether a NT cut‐off higher than 3.5 mm may be more useful in case selection for ES/GS. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Extraction and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals from cotton fiber by enzymatic hydrolysis‐assisted high‐pressure homogenization
Authors: Zhai Xiaosong , Xiang Yamei , Tian Yaning , Wang Aiyue , Li Zisong , Wang Wentao , Hou Hanxue
Published: July 2021

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have attracted increasing attention in the field of nanomaterials because of its high aspect ratio, good structure, and high thermal stability. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis‐assisted high‐pressure homogenization was applied as an environmentally friendly technique to extract CNCs from cotton‐derived microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The overall optimization of enzymatic pretreatment was conducted by response surface methodology, and the maximum CNCs yield was 40.09% under the optimized experimental conditions. The extracted CNCs under the optimal conditions showed needle‐like shape with a length of 100–250 nm and a width of 5–10 nm and exhibited an overall particle size range of 3–80 nm. The basic chemical structure of cellulose was not changed after enzymatic hydrolysis and high‐pressure homogenization. The CNCs exhibited slightly lower crystallinity and higher thermal stability than MCC. High aspect ratio CNCs extracted in this present study have great potential as a reinforcing agent in biodegradable packaging materials.
Verification of strain gradient elasticity computation by analytical solutions
Authors: Yang Hua , Timofeev Dmitry , Abali B. Emek , Li Baotong , Müller Wolfgang H.
Published: July 2021

As there are different computational methods for simulating problems in generalized mechanics, we present simple applications and their closed‐form solutions for verifying a numerical implementation. For such a benchmark, we utilize these analytical solutions and examine three‐dimensional numerical simulations by the finite element method (FEM) using IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) with the aid of open source codes, called tIGAr, developed within the FEniCS platform. A study for the so‐called wedge forces and double tractions help to comprehend their roles in the displacement solution as well as examine the significance by comparing to the closed form solutions for given boundary conditions. It is found that numerical results are in a good agreement with the analytical solutions if wedge forces and double tractions are considered. It is also presented how the wedge forces become necessary in order to maintain equilibrium in strain gradient materials.
Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review
Authors: Osman Ahmed I. , Mehta Neha , Elgarahy Ahmed M. , Al-Hinai Amer , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H. , Rooney David W.
Published: July 2021

The global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their environmental impact by life cycle assessment. Processes are gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis routes and fermentation. Thermochemical processes are classified into low temperature, below 300 °C, and high temperature, higher than 300 °C, i.e. gasification, combustion and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is promising because it operates at a relatively lower temperature of up to 500 °C, compared to gasification, which operates at 800–1300 °C. We focus on 1) the drawbacks and advantages of the thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes of biomass into various fuels and the possibility of integrating these routes for better process efficiency; 2) methodological approaches and key findings from 40 LCA studies on biomass to biofuel conversion pathways published from 2019 to 2021; and 3) bibliometric trends and knowledge gaps in biomass conversion into biofuels using thermochemical and biochemical routes. The integration of hydrothermal and biochemical routes is promising for the circular economy.
The spinor and tensor fields with higher spin on spaces of constant curvature
Authors: Homma Yasushi , Tomihisa Takuma
Published: July 2021

In this article, we give all the Weitzenböck-type formulas among the geometric first-order differential operators on the spinor fields with spin $$j+1/2$$

j
+
1
/
2

over Riemannian spin manifolds of constant curvature. Then, we find an explicit factorization formula of the Laplace operator raised to the power $$j+1$$

j
+
1

and understand how the spinor fields with spin $$j+1/2$$

j
+
1
/
2

are related to the spinors with lower spin. As an application, we calculate the spectra of the operators on the standard sphere and clarify the relation among the spinors from the viewpoint of representation theory. Next we study the case of trace-free symmetric tensor fields with an application to Killing tensor fields. Lastly we discuss the spinor fields coupled with differential forms and give a kind of Hodge–de Rham decomposition on spaces of constant curvature.
A prescriptive framework for recommending decision attributes of infrastructure disaster recovery problems
Authors: Zamanifar Milad , Hartmann Timo
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a framework to systematically evaluate and select attributes of decision models used in disaster risk management. In doing so, we formalized the attribute selection process as a sequential screening-utility problem by formulating a prescriptive decision model. The aim is to assist decision-makers in producing a ranked list of attributes and selecting a set among them. We developed an evaluation process consisting of ten criteria in three sequential stages. We used a combination of three decision rules for the evaluation process, alongside mathematically integrated compensatory and non-compensatory techniques as the aggregation methods. We implemented the framework in the context of disaster resilient transportation network to investigate its performance and outcomes. Results show that the framework acted as an inclusive systematic decision aiding mechanism and promoted creative and collaborative decision-making. Preliminary investigations suggest the successful application of the framework in evaluating and selecting a tenable set of attributes. Further analyses are required to discuss the performance of the produced attributes. The properties of the resulting attributes and feedback of the users suggest the quality of outcomes compared to the retrospective attributes that were selected in an unaided selection process. Research and practice can use the framework to conduct a systematic problem-structuring phase of decision analysis and select an equitable set of decision attributes.