bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac disease diagnosis using feature extraction and machine learning based classification with Internet of Things(IoT)
Authors: Venkatesan Muthulakshmi , Lakshmipathy Priya , Vijayan Vani , Sundar Ramesh
Published: October 2021

The applications of IoT have been employed in diverse domains like industries, clinical care, and farming, and so forth. Nowadays, the constitution of this technology is more prevalent in clinical observation, where the wearable devices have stimulated the development of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). In the process of reducing the death rate, it is necessary to detect the disease at an earlier stage. The cardiac disease prediction is a major defect in the examination of the dataset in clinics. The research proposed aims to recognize the important cardiac complaint prediction characteristics by utilizing machine‐learning methodologies. Numerous projects have been established regarding the diagnosis of cardiac complaints, which results in low accuracy rate. Thus, for improving the accuracy of prediction and for cardiac complaint investigation this article utilized a fuzzy c‐means neural network (FNN) and a deep convolution neural network for feature extraction. From the clinical dataset, data were obtained for the risk prediction of cardiac complaints that includes blood pressure (BP), age, sex, chest pain, cholesterol, blood sugar, and so forth. The hearts condition is recognized by categorizing the sensor data received by FNN. The evaluation performances were carried out and the results revealed that FNN is good in predicting the cardiac complaints. In addition to this, the proposed model achieves better accuracy than the other approaches through the demonstration of simulation results. The proposed approach attains the accuracy rate of 86.4% and F1‐score of 97%, precision 76.2%, and 64.6% of FPR.
An authenticated, secure, and mutable multiple‐session‐keys protocol based on elliptic curve cryptography and text‐to‐image encryption algorithm
Authors: Abusukhon Ahmad , Mohammad Zeyad , Al‐Thaher Ali
Published: October 2021

Most of the key agreement protocols (e.g., Menezes–Qu–Vanstone [MQV] family) generate one common key per session. This leaves the session key vulnerable against various attacks. This article proposed an enhanced multiple session key (EMSK) protocol which is based on the elliptic curve Diffie–Hellman (ECDH), HMQV, and the YAK protocols. The EMSK generates multiple session keys per session. Unlike the MQV protocol, the EMSK needs only two messages to be exchanged in order to create nine session keys. However, the MQV requires 18 messages to be exchanged in order to produce these nine session keys. In EMSK, one of the session keys is used to encrypt the plaintext using the one‐time pad cipher. The encrypted message is then embedded in an RGB‐image in order to provide confidentiality service of communication. The EMSK is evaluated theoretically against various types of attacks and practically using the Scyther simulator. The results from the simulator showed that the EMSK protocol withstand various types of attacks on the MQV, HMQV, and the YAK protocols, and provided perfect forward secrecy. In addition, the EMSK provides a digital signature feature which validates the authenticity and integrity of a digital message using the zero knowledge prove.
Lattice Thermal Transport in the Homogeneous Cage‐Like Compounds Cu3VSe4 and Cu3NbSe4: Interplay between Phonon‐Phase Space, Anharmonicity, and Atomic Mass
Authors: Yang Dingfeng , Yang Junzhu , Quan Xuejun , Zhang Bin , Wang Guoyu , Lu Xu , Zhou Xiaoyuan
Published: October 2021

Understanding the correlation between crystal structure and thermal conductivity in semiconductors is very important for designing heat‐transport‐related devices, such as high‐performance thermoelectric materials and heat dissipation in micro‐nano‐scale devices. In this work, the lattice thermal conductivity (
) of the cage‐like compounds Cu3VSe4 and Cu3NbSe4 was investigated by experimental measurements and first‐principles calculations. The experimental
of Cu3NbSe4 is approximately 25 % lower than that of Cu3VSe4 at 300 K. The relevant important physical parameters, including the sound velocity, heat capacity, weighted phonon phase space (W), and third‐order force constants along with atomic mass were theoretically analyzed. It is found that W is the dominant parameter in determining the
, and the other factors only play a minor role. The physical origin is the relatively “soft” lattice of Cu3NbSe4 with heavier atomic mass. This research provides deep insight into the correlation between the thermal conductivity and crystal structure and paves the way for discovering high‐performance thermal management device and thermoelectric materials with intrinsically low
.
Multiple Polar and Non‐polar Nematic Phases
Authors: Brown Stevie , Cruickshank Ewan , Storey John M. D. , Imrie Corrie T. , Pociecha Damian , Majewska Magdalena , Makal Anna , Gorecka Ewa
Published: October 2021

Liquid‐crystal materials exhibiting up to three nematic phases are reported. Dielectric response measurements show that while the lower temperature nematic phase has ferroelectric order and the highest temperature nematic phase is apolar, the intermediate phase has local antiferroelectric order. The modification of the molecular structure by increasing the number of lateral fluorine substituents leads to one of the materials showing a direct isotropic‐ferronematic phase transition.
Advances in Studies of Boron Nitride Nanosheets and Nanocomposites for Thermal Transport and Related Applications
Authors: Meziani Mohammed J. , Sheriff Kirkland , Parajuli Prakash , Priego Paul , Bhattacharya Sriparna , Rao Apparao M. , Quimby Jesse L. , Qiao Rui , Wang Ping , Hwu Shiou‐Jyh , Wang Zhengdong , Sun Ya‐Ping
Published: October 2021

Hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) and exfoliated nanosheets (BNNs) not only resemble their carbon counterparts graphite and graphene nanosheets in structural configurations and many excellent materials characteristics, especially the ultra‐high thermal conductivity, but also offer other unique properties such as being electrically insulating and extreme chemical stability and oxidation resistance even at elevated temperatures. In fact, BNNs as a special class of 2‐D nanomaterials have been widely pursued for technological applications that are beyond the reach of their carbon counterparts. Highlighted in this article are significant recent advances in the development of more effective and efficient exfoliation techniques for high‐quality BNNs, the understanding of their characteristic properties, and the use of BNNs in polymeric nanocomposites for thermally conductive yet electrically insulating materials and systems. Major challenges and opportunities for further advances in the relevant research field are also discussed.
Barriers and facilitators to providing CBT for people living with dementia: Perceptions of psychological therapists
Authors: Baker Samatha , Brede Janina , Cooper Rebecca , Charlesworth Georgina , Stott Joshua
Published: October 2021

Many people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recommended treatment for adults, commonly provided through primary care psychological therapies services. This study explored the facilitators and barriers to providing CBT interventions for people living with dementia or MCI, as perceived by therapists working in such services.

Structured interviews were conducted with 14 clinicians recruited through primary care psychological therapies services about their experiences of working with people living with dementia or MCI and their ideas about factors that enhance or hinder offering and delivering CBT to this population. Interview recordings were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Credibility checks were incorporated throughout.

Three themes were identified: ‘attitudes towards dementia’, ‘competing demands’, and ‘pressure without support’. Perceived facilitators and barriers occurred across individual, service, and system levels. Facilitators were positive engagement and outcomes for people living with dementia or MCI, positive attitudes of clinicians, and flexibility within some services. In contrast, perceived barriers were stigma towards dementia and mental health in older adults, high pressure on staff to perform with a lack of support to do so, exclusion based on diagnosis, and inflexibility within some services.

Clinicians were confident that people living with dementia or MCI could benefit from CBT, with some adaptations to delivery. There are implications for staff support and training, and for commissioning practices relating to the tension between minimal resources, equitable access, and person‐centred care.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Highly Regioselective Three‐Component Arylcarboxylation of Acrylate with Aryl Bromides and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Hang Wei , Liang Nianjie , Liu Yuzhou , Xi Chanjuan
Published: October 2021

Cobalt‐catalyzed regioselective three‐component arylcarboxylation of acrylate with aryl bromides and carbon dioxide has been developed. The reaction is carried out by using cobalt chloride as a precatalyst and zinc powder as a reducing reagent under CO2 (1 atm) at 40 °C. A range of aryl bromides are used for this reaction, leading to a series of valuable carboxylic acids with high regioselectivity and functional‐group compatibility. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations indicate that this arylcarboxylation reaction involves the reaction of CO2 with a cobalt enolate intermediate to form the C−C bond.
Energy transport in degenerate anisotropic electron plasma
Authors: Khokhar Tajammal H. , Khan Imran A. , Iqbal Z. , Murtaza G.
Published: October 2021

Degenerate plasmas have gained increasing attention in the last decade due to their great importance in various areas of physics, such as semiconductors, metals, microelectronics, and carbon nanotubes, and in the astrophysical environments. In this article, energy transport of right circularly polarized wave (RCPW) is studied in anisotropic degenerate plasma. The energy flux is examined for both the limits: resonant and non‐resonant. We discuss how the energy flux is significantly affected by degenerate temperature anisotropy. It is found that the RCPW transfers its energy rapidly when the parallel temperature is larger than the perpendicular temperature. Moreover, it is also found that the wave delivers its energy over a longer distance in the resonant case as compared with the non‐resonant. The results obtained in this investigation may have application for laboratory degenerate plasmas.
Incentivizing immunity: Workplace COVID‐19 vaccine incentives and the ADA
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: October 2021

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released guidance at the beginning of this summer that addressed mandatory workplace vaccinations, vaccine incentives, and confidentiality requirements for vaccination information (see Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, What You Should Know About Covid‐19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws (May 28, 2021)). Most notably, the guidance, which updated the EEOC's end‐of‐the‐year guidance from 2020, sanctions mandatory employer vaccine policies — with limited exceptions for employees who cannot receive the vaccine due to disability or religious reasons. Equally of note, the guidance maintains that employers may lawfully offer vaccine incentives without running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Genetic Information Non‐discrimination Act.
Make college students, faculty members aware of accessible textbook resources
Authors: Taylor Z. W.
Published: October 2021

Yearly, there are millions of new books printed and made available in digital formats, yet fewer than 10% of the books are made accessible to the nearly 300 million people around the world who are blind or have visual impairments. This figure includes thousands of college students, many in developing countries, who continue to struggle with access to accessible college textbooks. However, several free resources not only help institutional disability services offices but also college students with disabilities to locate accessible textbooks and facilitate a smoother learning experience.
Conserved germ plasm characteristics across theDanioandDevariolineages
Authors: Hansen Christina L. , Chamberlain Trevor J. , Trevena Ryan L. , Kurek Jacob E. , Pelegri Francisco
Published: October 2021

In many animal species, germ cell specification requires the inheritance of germ plasm, a biomolecular condensate containing maternally derived RNAs and proteins. Most studies of germ plasm composition and function have been performed in widely evolutionarily divergent model organisms, such asCaenorhabditis elegans,Drosophila,Xenopus laevis, andDanio rerio(zebrafish). In zebrafish, 12 RNAs localize to germ plasm at the furrows of the early embryo. Here, we tested for the presence of these RNAs in three additional species within the Danionin clade:Danio kyathit,Danio albolineatus, andDevario aequipinnatus. By visualizingnanosRNA, we find that germ plasm segregation patterns during early embryogenesis are conserved across these species. Ten additional germ plasm RNAs exhibit localization at the furrows of early embryos in all three non‐zebrafish Danionin species, consistent with germ plasm localization. One component of zebrafish germ plasm,ca15b, lacked specific localization in embryos of the more distantly relatedD. aequipinnatus. Our findings show that within a subset of closely related Danionin species, the vast majority of germ plasm RNA components are conserved. At the same time, the lack ofca15blocalization inD. aequipinnatusgerm plasm highlights the potential for the divergence of germ plasm composition across a restricted phylogenetic space.
30 Years of postdisturbance recruitment in a Neotropical forest
Authors: Mirabel Ariane , Marcon Eric , Hérault Bruno
Published: October 2021

Questions

Long‐term community response to disturbance can follow manifold successional pathways depending on the interplay between various recruitment processes. Analyzing the succession of recruited communities provides a long‐term perspective on forest response to disturbance. Specifically, postdisturbance recruitment trajectories assess (a) the successive phases of postdisturbance response and the role of deterministic recruitment processes, and (b) the return to predisturbance state of recruits taxonomic/functional diversity/composition.

Location

Amazonian rainforest, Paracou station, French Guiana.

Methods

We analyzed trajectories of recruited tree communities, from twelve forest plots of 6.25 ha each, during 30 years following a disturbance gradient that ranged from 10% to 60% of aboveground biomass removed. We measured recruited community taxonomic composition turnover, compared to whole predisturbance community, and assessed their functional composition by measuring the community weighted means for seven leaf, stem, and life‐history functional traits. We also measured recruited community taxonomic richness, taxonomic evenness, and functional diversity and compared them to the diversity values from a random recruitment process.

Results

While control plots trajectories resembled random recruitment trajectories, postdisturbance trajectories diverged significantly. This divergence corresponded to an enhanced recruitment of light‐demanding species that became dominant above a disturbance intensity threshold. After breakpoints in time, though, recruitment trajectories returned to diversity values and composition similar to those of predisturbance and control plots community.

Conclusions

Following disturbance, recruitment processes specific to undisturbed community were first replaced by the emergence of more restricted, deterministic recruitment processes favoring species with efficient light use and acquisition. Then, a second phase corresponded to a decades‐long recovery of recruits predisturbance taxonomic and functional diversity and composition that remained unachieved after 30 years.
The influence of chalk grasslands on butterfly phenology and ecology
Authors: Greenwell Matthew P. , Botham Marc S. , Bruford Michael W. , Day John C. , Evans Luke C. , Gibbs Melanie , Middlebrook Ian , Roy David B. , Watts Kevin , Oliver Tom H.
Published: October 2021

The influence of large‐scale variables such as climate change on phenology has received a great deal of research attention. However, local environmental factors also play a key role in determining the timing of species life cycles. Using the meadow brown butterflyManiola jurtinaas an example, we investigate how a specific habitat type, lowland calcareous grassland, can affect the timing of flight dates. Although protracted flight periods have previously been reported in populations on chalk grassland sites in the south of England, no attempt has yet been made to quantify this at a national level, or to assess links with population genetics and drought tolerance. Using data from 539 sites across the UK, these differences in phenology are quantified, andM. jurtinaphenology is found to be strongly associated with both site geology and topography, independent of levels of abundance. Further investigation into aspects ofM. jurtinaecology at a subset of sites finds no genetic structuring or drought tolerance associated with these same site conditions.
How do African elephants utilize the landscape during wet season? A habitat connectivity analysis for Sioma Ngwezi landscape in Zambia
Authors: Chibeya Doubt , Wood Heather , Cousins Sara , Carter Kerryn , Nyirenda Moses Amos , Maseka Henry
Published: October 2021

The influence of environmental factors on the distribution and persistence of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) is pertinent to policy makers and managers to formulate balanced plans for different land‐use types.

The study focuses on movement of elephants and how they utilize foraging areas in Sioma Ngwezi landscape in Zambia by answering the following questions: (1) Which environmental variables and land‐cover class predict the movement of elephants during the wet season in Sioma Ngwezi landscape? (2) What is the wet season suitable habitat for elephants in Sioma Ngwezi landscape? (3) What are the major wet season movement corridors for elephants in Sioma Ngwezi landscape?

We used GPS telemetry data from the collared elephants to assess habitat connectivity. Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) and linkage mapper were the tools used to predict habitat suitability, movement corridors, and barriers in the landscape during the wet season.

The study identified elevation, land cover, and NDVI as the most important environmental predictors that modify the dispersal of elephants in the landscape during the wet season. Additionally, a total of 36 potential wet season corridors were identified connecting 15 core areas mainly used for foraging and protection from poachers in the landscape. Of these, 24 corridors were highly utilized and are suggested as priority corridors for elephant movement in the landscape.

The identified wet season habitats and functional corridors may help to combat elephant poaching by patrolling areas with high relative probability of elephant presence. The findings may also help abate human–elephant conflict such as crop‐raiding by managing identified corridors that run into agriculture zones in the game management area.
Remotely detected aboveground plant function predicts belowground processes in two prairie diversity experiments
Authors: Cavender‐Bares Jeannine , Schweiger Anna K. , Gamon John A. , Gholizadeh Hamed , Helzer Kimberly , Lapadat Cathleen , Madritch Michael D. , Townsend Philip A. , Wang Zhihui , Hobbie Sarah E.
Published: October 2021

Imaging spectroscopy provides the opportunity to incorporate leaf and canopy optical data into ecological studies, but the extent to which remote sensing of vegetation can enhance the study of belowground processes is not well understood. In terrestrial systems, aboveground and belowground vegetation quantity and quality are coupled, and both influence belowground microbial processes and nutrient cycling. We hypothesized that ecosystem productivity, and the chemical, structural and phylogenetic‐functional composition of plant communities would be detectable with remote sensing and could be used to predict belowground plant and soil processes in two grassland biodiversity experiments: the BioDIV experiment at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in Minnesota and the Wood River Nature Conservancy experiment in Nebraska. We tested whether aboveground vegetation chemistry and productivity, as detected from airborne sensors, predict soil properties, microbial processes and community composition. Imaging spectroscopy data were used to map aboveground biomass, green vegetation cover, functional traits and phylogenetic‐functional community composition of vegetation. We examined the relationships between the image‐derived variables and soil carbon and nitrogen concentration, microbial community composition, biomass and extracellular enzyme activity, and soil processes, including net nitrogen mineralization. In the BioDIV experiment—which has low overall diversity and productivity despite high variation in each—belowground processes were driven mainly by variation in the amount of organic matter inputs to soils. As a consequence, soil respiration, microbial biomass and enzyme activity, and fungal and bacterial composition and diversity were significantly predicted by remotely sensed vegetation cover and biomass. In contrast, at Wood River—where plant diversity and productivity were consistently higher—belowground processes were driven mainly by variation in the quality of aboveground inputs to soils. Consequently, remotely sensed functional, chemical and phylogenetic composition of vegetation predicted belowground extracellular enzyme activity, microbial biomass, and net nitrogen mineralization rates but aboveground biomass (or cover) did not. The contrasting associations between the quantity (productivity) and quality (composition) of aboveground inputs with belowground soil attributes provide a basis for using imaging spectroscopy to understand belowground processes across productivity gradients in grassland systems. However, a mechanistic understanding of how above and belowground components interact among different ecosystems remains critical to extending these results broadly.
The dynamic influence of methane seepage on macrofauna inhabiting authigenic carbonates
Authors: Pereira Olívia S. , Gonzalez Jennifer , Mendoza Guillermo F. , Le Jennifer , Coscino Connor L. , Lee Raymond W. , Cortés Jorge , Cordes Erik E. , Levin Lisa A.
Published: October 2021

Methane seeps are highly productive deep‐sea ecosystems reliant on chemosynthetic primary production. They are increasingly affected by direct human activities that threaten key ecosystem services. Methane seepage often generates precipitation of authigenic carbonate rocks, which host diverse microbes, and a dynamic invertebrate community. By providing hard substrate, even after seepage ceases, these rocks may promote a long‐lasting ecological interaction between seep and background communities. We analyzed community composition, density, and trophic structure of invertebrates on authigenic carbonates at Mound 12, a seep on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica, using one mensurative and two manipulative experiments. We asked whether carbonate macrofaunal communities are able to survive, adapt, and recover from changes in environmental factors (i.e., seepage activity, chemosynthetic production, and food availability), and we hypothesized a key role for seepage activity in defining these communities and responses. Communities on in situ carbonates under different seepage activities showed declining density with increasing distance from the seep and a shift in composition from gastropod dominance in areas of active seepage to more annelids and peracarid crustaceans that are less dependent on chemosynthetic production under lesser seepage. Response to changing environmental context was evident from altered community composition following (1) a natural decline in seepage over successive years, (2) transplanting of carbonates to different seepage conditions for 17 months, and (3) defaunated carbonate deployments under different seepage regimes over 7.4 yr. Seep faunas on transplants to lesser seepage emerge and recover faster than transition fauna (characterized by native seep and background faunas, respectively) and are able to persist by adapting their diets or by retaining their symbiotic bacteria. The macrofaunal community colonizing defaunated carbonates deployed for 7.4 yr developed communities with a similar successional stage as in situ rocks, although trophic structure was not fully recovered. Thus, macrofaunal successional dynamics are affected by habitat complexity and the availability of microbial chemosynthetic productivity. This multi‐experiment study highlights the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors at methane seeps at different time scales along a spatial gradient connecting seep and surrounding deep‐sea communities and offers insight on the resilience of deep‐sea macrofaunal communities.
Arboreality drives heat tolerance while elevation drives cold tolerance in tropical rainforest ants
Authors: Leahy Lily , Scheffers Brett R. , Williams Stephen E. , Andersen Alan N.
Published: October 2021

Determining how species thermal limits correlate with climate is important for understanding biogeographic patterns and assessing vulnerability to climate change. Such analyses need to consider thermal gradients at multiple spatial scales. Here we relate thermal traits of rainforest ants to microclimate conditions from ground to canopy (microgeographic scale) along an elevation gradient (mesogeographic scale) and calculate warming tolerance to assess climate change vulnerability in the Australian Wet Tropics Bioregion. We test the thermal adaptation and thermal niche asymmetry hypotheses to explain interspecific patterns of thermal tolerance at these two spatial scales. We tested cold tolerance (CTmin), heat tolerance (CTmax), and calculated thermal tolerance range (CTrange), using ramping assays for 74 colonies of 40 ant species collected from terrestrial and arboreal habitats at lowland and upland elevation sites and recorded microclimatic conditions for one year. Within sites, arboreal ants were exposed to hotter microclimates and on average had a 4.2°C (95% CI: 2.7–5.6°C) higher CTmax and 5.3°C (95% CI: 3.5–7°C) broader CTrange than ground‐dwelling ants. This pattern was consistent across the elevation gradient, whether it be the hotter lowlands or the cooler uplands. Across elevation, upland ants could tolerate significantly colder temperatures than lowland ants, whereas the change in CTmax was less pronounced, and CTrange did not change over elevation. Differential exposure to microclimates, due to localized niche preferences, drives divergence in CTmax, while environmental temperatures along the elevation gradient drive divergence in CTmin. Our results suggest that both processes of thermal adaptation and thermal niche asymmetry are at play, depending on the spatial scale of observation, and we discuss potential mechanisms underlying these patterns. Despite the broad thermal tolerance range of arboreal rainforest ants, lowland arboreal ants had the lowest warming tolerance and may be most vulnerable to climate change.
Do plant–soil interactions influence how the microbial community responds to environmental change?
Authors: Brigham Laurel M. , Bueno de Mesquita Clifton P. , Smith Jane G. , Sartwell Samuel A. , Schmidt Steven K. , Suding Katharine N.
Published: October 2021

Global change alters ecosystems and their functioning, and biotic interactions can either buffer or amplify such changes. We utilized a long‐term nitrogen (N) addition and species removal experiment in the Front Range of Colorado, USA to determine whether a codominant forb and a codominant grass, with different effects on nutrient cycling and plant community structure, would buffer or amplify the effects of simulated N deposition on soil bacterial and fungal communities. While the plant community was strongly shaped by both the presence of dominant species and N addition, we did not find a mediating effect of the plant community on soil microbial response to N. In contrast to our hypothesis, we found a decoupling of the plant and microbial communities such that the soil microbial community shifted under N independently of directional shifts in the plant community. These findings suggest there are not strong cascading effects of N deposition across the plant–soil interface in our system.
The benefits of being big and diverse: early colony survival in harvester ants
Authors: Cole Blaine J. , Jordan Dayne , LaCour‐Roy Montrel , O’Fallon Sean , Manaker Logan , Ternest John J. , Askew Megan , Garey Daniel , Wiernasz Diane C.
Published: October 2021

In sessile organisms such as plants and benthic invertebrates, founding propagules typically suffer extremely high rates of mortality due to both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Many social insect species share similarities with these groups, but factors influencing early colony survival are relatively unstudied. We used a field experiment to measure the importance of environmental quality relative to intrinsic colony properties in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, by monitoring the survival of 584 experimental colonies. We measured survival of transplanted colonies over four months in each of three years (2014–2016) at a site in western Colorado. Colony survival was primarily determined by colony features. Multiple mating by the queen and larger colony size at the time of transplant increased survival, but queen size, maternal lineage and the composition of plant species in the vicinity of the colony did not. Food supplementation increased survival significantly when natural food was scarce, but was not consistently beneficial, in contrast to predictions. Our results emphasize the general importance of rapid growth and early attainment of large size in the survival of sessile species. However, attributes specific to ants that are a consequence of their sociality also strongly affected survival. Colonies with multiply‐mated queens were more likely to survive over a wide range of circumstances, highlighting the importance of this trait even at the early stages of colony life.
Relation between total pressure loss in supersonic nozzle and isentropic efficiency of nonequilibrium disk‐shaped MHD generator
Authors: Sakamoto Yuki , Sasaki Ryo , Fujino Takayasu
Published: October 2021

We conduct an axisymmetric, two‐dimensional (r − z) magnetohydrodynamic numerical analysis of a large‐scale, nonequilibrium disk‐shaped MHD generator with a thermal input of 1 GW to examine the influence of a total pressure loss between the hot duct inlet and the supersonic nozzle outlet of the MHD generator on its isentropic efficiency. Numerical results show that the total pressure loss there substantially affects the isentropic efficiency of the MHD generator. Most of the total pressure loss there, which is mainly caused by a self‐excited Joule heating, occurs in a localized area from the vicinity of the hot duct outlet to the radial position of the upstream edge of anode. The numerical results also indicate that the isentropic efficiency is improved by widening an anode width toward the upstream side of the supersonic nozzle. This is because the total pressure loss due to the self‐excited Joule heating in the supersonic nozzle decreases by widening it.
Surge voltage reduction method for dual active bridge matrix converter using circulating current
Authors: Takuma Shunsuke , Itoh Jun‐ichi
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes an extended method of zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) range for a dual active bridge (DAB) matrix converter with a discontinuous current mode (DCM). In the traditional DAB converter, ZVS cannot be achieved at a light load condition. The duty ratio calculation to achieve power factor correction and ZVS is explained using a circulating current. From the experimental results using a 5‐kW prototype, the ZVS operation with zero transmission power is achieved by increasing the circulating current. In addition, the grid current distortion is lower than 5.0% at the rated power regardless of the DC voltage variation of plus or minus 20%.
Development of quartz crystal complex capacitive sensor with microelectrode array for sensitization
Authors: Hashimoto Yuki , Haino Takaaki , Sohgawa Masayuki , Abe Takashi
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we report a development of quartz crystal complex capacitive sensor with microelectrode array for local detection of liquid sample. This sensor is composed of the sensing capacitor (SC) with microelectrode array and quartz crystal resonator (QCR). It is a contactless capacitive sensor using out‐of‐plane electric field of a planer SC. We succeeded in confining the electric field by placing microelectrode array on the SC and improving the spatial resolution of the sensor. This sensor enables local capacitive detection of target materials. This sensor is expected to be applied to the detection system of μ‐TAS.
Study on correction and tolerance of phase fluctuation in a radio evaluation system with under‐sampling
Authors: Shimoda Masatsugu , Kanno Shouta , Otani Akihito
Published: October 2021

This paper describes the results measured with a radio evaluation system using under‐sampling when the frequency difference between carrier and local signals changes continuously. In addition, we show the correction performance by estimating the frequency difference before and after correction. As a result, the phase fluctuation within the correction range could be corrected. Meanwhile, it was clarified that the element of the fluctuating frequency difference affects the signal evaluation and that there is a residual frequency difference after correction.
Type I interferon supports γδ T‐cell homeostasis and immunity through direct and indirect receptor signaling in mice
Authors: Agerholm Rasmus , Kadekar Darshana , Rizk John , Bekiaris Vasileios
Published: October 2021

Interleukin (IL)‐17‐producing gamma delta (γδ) T (γδT17) cells are an essential part of innate type 3 immunity against numerous pathogens. At the same time, a large body of evidence from mouse models and human clinical studies suggests that γδT17 cells contribute to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases as well as cancer. It is therefore relevant to elucidate their immunobiology in detail and identify molecules and pathways that can regulate their function. Herein, we investigated the importance of the type I interferon (IFN) signaling system in γδT17 homeostasis and activation. We found that the IFN alpha receptor 1 (IFNAR1) was critical to maintain their normal homeostasis and to promote their activation during cutaneous inflammation. However, this did not require γδT17‐intrinsic expression of IFNAR1. In contrast, expression of IFNAR1 by γδT17 cells was required in order to suppress IL‐17 production during viral infection. Our data delineate direct from indirect IFNAR1 signaling and reveal an important immunoregulatory role for both tonic and inducible type I IFN in γδT17 cells.
The soluble cytoplasmic tail of CD45 regulates T‐cell activation via TLR4 signaling
Authors: Puck Alexander , Künig Sarojinidevi , Modak Madhura , May Lara , Fritz Pia , Battin Claire , Radakovics Katharina , Steinberger Peter , Reipert Birgit M. , Crowe Brian A. , Stöckl Johannes
Published: October 2021

The soluble cytoplasmic tail of CD45 (ct‐CD45) is a cleavage fragment of CD45, that is generated during the activation of human phagocytes. Upon release to the extracellular space, ct‐CD45 binds to human T cells and inhibits their activation in vitro. Here, we studied the potential role of TLR4 as a receptor for ct‐CD45. Treatment of Jurkat TLR4/CD14 reporter cells with ct‐CD45 induced the upregulation of the reporter gene NFκB‐eGFP and could be blocked by inhibitors of TLR4 signaling. Conversely, ct‐CD45 did not promote the NFκB‐controlled eGFP induction in reporter cells expressing TLR1, TLR2, and TLR6 transgenes and did not lead to the activation of the transcription factors NFκB, AP‐1, and NFAT in a Jurkat reporter cell line expressing endogenous TLR5. Moreover, ct‐CD45 binds to recombinant TLR4 in an in vitro assay and this association was reduced in the presence of oxidized 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐arachidonyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphorylcholine. Blockade of TLR4 with mAb HTA125 partially reversed the ct‐CD45‐mediated inhibition of T‐cell proliferation. Interestingly, targeting of TLR4 with mAb W7C11 also suppressed T‐cell proliferation. In summary, the results of this study demonstrate that ct‐CD45 acts via a noncanonical TLR4 activation pathway on T cells, which modulates TCR signaling.
Oxidative Addition of Secondary Phosphine Oxides through Rh(I) Center: Hydrido‐Phosphinito‐Rh(III) Complexes and their Catalytic Activity in Hydrophosphinylation of Alkynes
Authors: Almenara Naroa , Barquin Montserrat , Huertos Miguel A. , Garralda María A.
Published: October 2021

The reaction of [Rh(μ‐Cl)(cod)]2 with diimines, differing in their steric and electronic properties, and with diphenylphosphine oxide leads to the oxidative addition products, hydrido‐phosphinito‐Rh(III) complexes {Rh(PPh2OH)(PPh2O)(NN)(H)Cl} (1), stabilized by the formation of a hydrogen bonded phosphinous acid‐phosphinito quasi‐chelate [(PO⋅⋅⋅HOP)‐κ2P]. Exchange of hydride by chloride to afford {Rh(PPh2OH)(PPh2O)(NN)Cl2} (2) occurs in hydrido complexes containing low steric hindrance diimines and is inhibited for complexes containing encumbered diimines. Complexes 1 react with BF3⋅OEt2 with exchange of the acidic proton by BF2, and transformation of the quasi‐chelating PO⋅⋅⋅HOP into a chelating PO‐BF2‐OP ligand in {Rh{(PPh2O)2BF2}(NN)(H)Cl} (3). The reaction of [Rh(μ‐Cl)(nbd)]2 or [Rh(acac)(nbd)] with diphenylphosphine oxide leads to coordinatively unsaturated nortricyclyl‐phosphinito‐Rh(III) complexes, {Rh(PPh2OH)(PPh2O)(ntyl)(μ‐Cl)}2 (4) or {Rh(PPh2OH)(PPh2O)(ntyl)(acac)} (6), respectively. Their reaction with BF3⋅OEt2 results in the corresponding {Rh{(PPh2O)2BF2}(ntyl)(μ‐Cl)}2 (5) or {Rh{(PPh2O)2BF2}(ntyl)(acac)} (7). Some of these new complexes have shown catalytic activity in hydrophosphinylation of alkynes, with {Rh(PPh2OH)(PPh2O)(NN)(H)Cl} containing encumbered NN being efficient and regioselective catalysts in the hydrophosphinylation of phenylacetylene with diphenylphosphine oxide to produce (E)‐diphenyl(styryl)phosphine oxide.
Unexpected Formation of 2,2‐Dichloro‐N‐(chloromethyl)acetamides during Attempted Staudinger 2,2‐Dichloro‐β‐lactam Synthesis
Authors: Deketelaere Sari , Van Den Broeck Elias , Cools Lore , Deturck Daan , Naeyaert Hannes , Van Hecke Kristof , Stevens Christian V. , Van Speybroeck Veronique , D'hooghe Matthias
Published: October 2021

In the quest for 3,3‐dichloro‐β‐lactam building blocks, the serendipitous formation of 2,2‐dichloro‐N‐(chloromethyl)acetamides was observed. This peculiar reactivity was investigated in detail, both experimentally and computationally by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. 2,2‐Dichloro‐N‐(chloromethyl)acetamides were thus shown to be formed experimentally through reaction of 2,2‐dichloroacetyl chloride with glyceraldehyde‐derived imines, i. e. (2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl)methanimines, bearing aromatic N‐substituents, in the presence as well as in the absence of a base. Deployment of aliphatic imines, however, resulted in complex reaction mixtures, pointing to the importance of a stabilizing aromatic substituent at nitrogen. The DFT results indicate that the substituents can alter the governing equilibria on the one hand and intrinsic barrier heights for the different routes on the other hand, showing that these are controlling the reaction outcome. Furthermore, the 2,2‐dichloro‐N‐(chloromethyl)acetamides proved to be rather unstable in solution and thus difficult to isolate. Nonetheless, their molecular structure was confirmed by means of NMR analysis of several purified analogs and X‐ray study of a 4‐methoxyphenyl derivative.
Domino Synthesis of 4‐Alkylidene‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrroles from Homopropargyl Sulfonamides and Aldehydes
Authors: Amemiya Sho , Takahashi Yui , Tsubouchi Akira , Saito Akio
Published: October 2021

Abstract: We describe a domino synthesis of 4‐alkylidene‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrroles from aryl‐substituted homopropargyl sulfonamides and aldehydes promoted by cheap and easy‐to‐handle TsOH ⋅ H2O. The present reactions proceed through cyclocondensation of α‐sulfonamidoethyl‐α,β‐enone intermediates, which are formed by ring‐cleavage of 3‐acylpyrrolidines corresponding to aza‐Prins cyclized intermediates. By controlling the conditions, 3‐acylpyrrolidines can be obtained.
Joint optimization of imperfect condition‐based maintenance and lot sizing via an availability‐cost hybrid factor
Authors: Yang Jianhua , Zhao Xiao , Han Mengying
Published: October 2021

This article develops a joint model of condition‐based maintenance (CBM) and economic production quantity (EPQ) for a single‐unit manufacturing system. The degradation process of the system is described by a random coefficient growth model, where the mean and variance may increase with time. The condition of the system is monitored after each lot size. Three types of actions are considered, preventive maintenance (PM), preventive replacement, and corrective maintenance (CM), which are performed according to multilevel thresholds. PM is imperfect, and the system lies between two states, that is, it is as good as new or as bad as old after PM with a certain probability. Different actions lead to different calculations to determine the optimal PM strategy based on the renewal reward theory. An availability‐cost hybrid factor is proposed to balance the cost per unit time and the availability of the system. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the method, and then a sensitivity analysis is conducted by a real case study. A comparison with single‐level threshold strategies demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Green plant‐based triboelectricity system for green energy harvesting and contact warning
Authors: Feng Yange , Dong Yanhong , Zhang Liqiang , Li Xiaojuan , Li Lingxiao , Zheng Youbin , Wang Daoai , Zhou Feng , Liu Weimin
Published: October 2021

As people pay more and more attention to environmental protection, the selection of materials and preparation methods of triboelectric nanogenerators in the manufacturing process are particularly critical to whether triboelectric nanogenerator is environmentally friendly. However, the friction layers of traditional triboelectric nanogenerators are mostly polymers, which are not cost‐effective and biodegradable. Herein, an all green triboelectricity energy harvesting system is designed basing on live plants in nature to realize the collection of dissipative energy in the environment of wind energy, rain energy, and various mechanical movement energies. The stem and the soil are used to transfer electrons, which is very environment friendly and has never been reported in triboelectricity system before. The green plant‐based triboelectric generator can reach the maximum output performance of 4.6 μA and 35.3 V, respectively, when touched by hand with polytetrafluoroethylene glove. The green triboelectric system is also designed as a contact alert sensor for danger warning. Due to the huge number of plants in nature, the green leaf and plants based triboelectric generators shows great application prospects in all green energy harvesting and self‐powered warning sensor.

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Effect of the administration of probiotics on the fecal microbiota of adult individuals
Authors: Zhao Feiyan , Jin Hao , Shen Xin , Li Qi , Liu Xiaoye , Zhang Lei , Sun Zhihong , Yu Jie
Published: October 2021

Probiotics have been used to ameliorate ailments by modulating gut microbiota. However, to date, the effects of probiotic supplementation on the composition of fecal microbiota in healthy adults remain obscure. In this study, nine healthy volunteers were recruited to take probiotics (a mixture of Lactobacillus casei Zhang, L. plantarum P‐8, and Bifidobacterium lactis V9, 2:2:3, 1 × 1010 CFU/day) for 28 days. The fecal samples were collected at 0 and 28 days, and V4 of the 16S rRNA gene sequenced by Illumina MiSeq was used to analyze the fecal microbiota. The enterotype has been used to characterize the composition of gut microbiota. Nine adults were divided into Type P (fecal microbiota dominated by Prevotella, 4 adults) and Type B (fecal microbiota dominated by Bacteroides, 5 adults) based on an enterotype analysis. The responses of variation had been found in two enterotypes. The α‐diversity was not changed significantly after the administration of probiotics in both Type P and B. However, the community structure in Type B was substantially influenced. After the administration of probiotics, Weissella and Leuconostoc were significantly higher in Type P, while Collinsella significantly increased in Type B. The different pathways involving pathogen infections were downregulated at 28 days. The Type VI secretion system and the EHEC/EPEC pathogenicity signature were downregulated in Type B and Type P, respectively.
Time to change lanes: How pro‐market reforms affect informal ventures' formalization speed
Authors: Weng David H. , Lee Seung‐Hyun , Yamakawa Yasuhiro
Published: October 2021

Research Summary

We argue that pro‐market reforms encourage informal ventures to obtain formal registration quickly by altering the relative costs and benefits of joining the formal sector. We furthermore contend that this reform effect is shaped by several contextual factors such that venture embeddedness and market position increase the costs of leaving the informal sector, weakening the effect of pro‐market reforms. Although foreign competition may make the formal sector more competitive and dampen the effect of pro‐market reforms, larger informal economy may induce informal ventures to stay put. Results based on a sample of multicountry ventures support our arguments, suggesting that pro‐market reforms can speed up informal ventures' formalization processes.

Managerial Summary

We analyze the relationship between pro‐market reforms and informal ventures' formalization speed. We find that pro‐market reforms compel informal entrepreneurs to seek the benefits and to move to the formal sector quickly. Also, more embedded ventures and ventures with larger market positions are less responsive to pro‐market reforms as these ventures incur higher costs in leaving the informal sector. Since strong foreign competition makes the formal sector less attractive for nondominant entities, informal ventures may find pro‐market reforms less attractive in countries with heightened foreign competition. Ventures in countries with more intense foreign competition are less susceptible to the effect of pro‐market reforms. Overall, while pro‐market reforms provide ample incentives to formalize, informal ventures are not uniformly incentivized to do so given these contingences.