bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Temperature Sputtered Ultralow‐Loss Silicon Nitride for Hybrid Photonic Integration
Authors: Zhang Shuangyou , Bi Toby , Harder Irina , Ohletz Olga , Gannott Florentina , Gumann Alexander , Butzen Eduard , Zhang Yaojing , Del'Haye Pascal
Published: January 2024

Silicon‐nitride‐on‐insulator (Si3N4) photonic circuits have seen tremendous advances in many applications, such as on‐chip frequency combs, Lidar, telecommunications, and spectroscopy. So far, the best film quality has been achieved with low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and high‐temperature annealing (1200°C). However, high processing temperatures pose challenges to the cointegration of Si3N4with pre‐processed silicon electronic and photonic devices, lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI), and Ge‐on‐Si photodiodes. This limits LPCVD as a front‐end‐of‐line process. Here, ultralow‐loss Si3N4 photonics based on room‐temperature reactive sputtering is demonstrated. Propagation losses as low as 5.4 dB m−1after 400°C annealing and 3.5 dB m−1after 800°C annealing are achieved, enabling ring resonators with highest optical quality factors of > 10 million and an average quality factor of 7.5 million. To the best of the knowledge, these are the lowest propagation losses achieved with low temperature Si3N4. This ultralow loss enables the generation of microresonator soliton frequency combs with threshold powers of 1.1 mW. The introduced sputtering process offers full complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility with front‐end silicon electronics and photonics. This could enable hybrid 3D integration of low loss waveguides with integrated lasers and lithium niobate on insulator.
Self‐Assembled Multistable Scattering Mode for Versatile Energy‐Saving Smart Windows
Authors: Selvaraj Pravinraj , Cheng Wen‐Fa , Kuo Hsiu‐Ming , Liu Cheng‐Kai , Wu Chao‐Hsuan , Lai Chung Kung , Lai Jyun‐Cong , Fang Jie Sharon Tan , Cheng Ko‐Ting
Published: January 2024

Smart windows are crucial to dynamic control over light transmission to fulfill various demands in energy saving, privacy, and information display; however, most present technologies still perform a single function (often tint or haze adjustment) and require continuous electricity for operation. In this study, novel self‐assembled ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) doped with negative cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) to offer electrically switchable and stable scattering‐mode light modulators are presented. The novel smectic A phase based on the ILCs exhibits high solubility in the adopted nematics, enhancing the LC device's performance in several ways, including improved homogeneity, stable alignment quality, prolonged stability, and simplified fabrication. The LC device can potentially offer a dynamically rapid switching function between stable transparent (imperfect fingerprint textures) states and stable scattering (focal conic textures with small domains) states by using external stimuli and highly maintained multistable states for prolonged periods, even when the external stimuli are removed. The LC device also offers polarization‐independent scattering and transparent‐mode LC light modulators, low operating voltage, excellent contrast, and broad viewing angles. Its versatility and outstanding field‐off stability make it ideal for various applications such as smart lighting, building climate control, energy‐saving displays, and augmented reality (AR) glasses.
A note on the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation on Cartan‐Hadamard manifolds with unbounded and vanishing potentials
Authors: Appolloni Luigi , Molica Bisci Giovanni , Secchi Simone
Published: January 2024

We study the semilinear equation
on a Cartan‐Hadamard manifold
of dimension
, and we prove the existence of a nontrivial solution under suitable assumptions on the potential function
. In particular, the decay of
at infinity is allowed, with some restrictions related to the geometry of
. We generalize some results proved in
by Alves et al.
A color correction method to minimize lateral chromatic aberration in spherical lens stacks
Authors: Goh Kee S. , Yeap Kim H. , Dakulagi Veerendra , Teh Peh C.
Published: January 2024

Despite its propensity in experiencing chromatic aberration, spherical lenses have been popularly used in imaging lens systems. To ameliorate its performance, we propose a novel method to alleviate the level of chromatic aberration in spherical lenses. In our method, a predefined correction factor is generated from the design simulation, and it is then used to correct the lateral chromatic aberrations of the primary colors. By applying the proposed method to a spherical lens stack, the optical performance of the lens stack has achieved significant improvement. In our analysis, we demonstrate that the image quality achieved from a spherical lens stack can be comparable, if not better than that from an aspheric lens stack. It is worthwhile noting that this correction method can be achieved without the need to go through the tedious long process of post‐image analysis and calibration.
Non‐electrocardiogram‐gated, free‐breathing, off‐resonance reduced, high‐resolution, whole‐heart myocardial T2* mapping at 3 T within 5 min
Authors: Guan Xingmin , Yang Hsin‐Jung , Zhang Xinheng , Wang Nan , Han Hui , Tang Richard , Hu Zhehao , Youssef Khalid , Vora Keyur , Krishnam Mayil S. , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Li Debiao , Sharif Behzad , Dharmakumar Rohan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Widely used conventional 2D T2* approaches that are based on breath‐held, electrocardiogram (ECG)–gated, multi‐gradient‐echo sequences are prone to motion artifacts in the presence of incomplete breath holding or arrhythmias, which is common in cardiac patients. To address these limitations, a 3D, non‐ECG‐gated, free‐breathing T2* technique that enables rapid whole‐heart coverage was developed and validated.

Methods

A continuous random Gaussian 3D k‐space sampling was implemented using a low‐rank tensor framework for motion‐resolved 3D T2* imaging. This approach was tested in healthy human volunteers and in swine before and after intravenous administration of ferumoxytol.

Results

Spatial‐resolution matched T2* images were acquired with 2–3‐fold reduction in scan time using the proposed T2* mapping approach relative to conventional T2* mapping. Compared with the conventional approach, T2* images acquired with the proposed method demonstrated reduced off‐resonance and flow artifacts, leading to higher image quality and lower coefficient of variation in T2*‐weighted images of the myocardium of swine and humans. Mean myocardial T2* values determined using the proposed and conventional approaches were highly correlated and showed minimal bias.

Conclusion

The proposed non‐ECG‐gated, free‐breathing, 3D T2* imaging approach can be performed within 5 min or less. It can overcome critical image artifacts from undesirable cardiac and respiratory motion and bulk off‐resonance shifts at the heart–lung interface. The proposed approach is expected to facilitate faster and improved cardiac T2* mapping in those with limited breath‐holding capacity or arrhythmias.
Evaluation of different screening tools as the first step of the GLIM framework: A cross‐sectional study of Chinese cancer patients in an outpatient setting
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Liu Ziqi , Zhang Hong , Wang Yunyi , Chen Xiaoyan , Lu Wenqi , Fang Yu , Peng Zhi , Liu Wei
Published: January 2024

Background

Ambulatory cancer patients are at high risk of malnutrition. Multiple nutrition screening and assessment tools are used in the outpatient setting. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different nutrition screening tools as the first step of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework in Chinese ambulatory cancer patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China. Malnutrition diagnoses made by the GLIM framework using Malnutrition Screening Tool, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, or short‐form of Patient‐Gernerated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) as the first step were compared with PG‐SGA separately.

Results

Of the 562 included patients, 31.0% were diagnosed with malnutrition (PG‐SGA: B + C), and 12.6% were diagnosed with severe malnutrition (PG‐SGA: C). As the screening tool in the first step of the GLIM framework, the short form of PG‐SGA (PG‐SGA SF) with a cutoff value of ≥2 performed best in diagnosing malnutrition, with good sensitivity (SE) (80.5% [73.6–85.9]) and specificity (SP) (98.4% [96.5–99.4]) and substantial accordance (κ = 0.826), whereas PG‐SGA SF with a cutoff value of ≥4 performed best in diagnosing severe malnutrition, with fair SE (62.0% [49.6–73.0]), good SP (96.7% [94.6–98.1]) and moderate accordance (κ = 0.629).

Conclusion

Using PG‐SGA as the standard, the GLIM framework using PG‐SGA SF as the screening tool has good accordance with the PG‐SGA regardless of severity grading. PG‐SGA SF can be used as a valid screening tool in the GLIM framework.
Human burials during the hunter‐gathering/farming transition in Ojo de Agua, Northern Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Peralta Eva A. , Luna Leandro H. , Gil Adolfo F. , Aranda Claudia , Neme Gustavo A. , Salgán M. Laura , Colombo Fernando , Delgado Jorge Zárate , Tucker Hugo , Aguirre Valeria , Díaz Karina
Published: January 2024

This paper explores the implications of the conformation of formal burial areas in the southernmost limit of agricultural dispersion in South America. Previous research proposed the development of cemeteries or formal burial areas due to specialization in using specific habitats and the development of territorial ownership. From a paleoecological background, we hypothesize that hunter‐gatherers intensified resource exploitation and develop territoriality in population growth and pressure over resources. The expectation is that formal burial areas emerged in this context to legitimize the ties with the territory and ensure exclusive access to the land and its resources. To evaluate this hypothesis, we analyzed a mortuary context from southern Mendoza (Central Western Argentina), named Ojo de Agua, by describing the site's characteristics, burial modality, presence of grave goods, age at death profile, and evidence of violence. This site has two main conditions for handling our hypothesis: (1) the chronology and spatial localization coincide with the temporal and geographic dispersion of pre‐Hispanic cultigens; (2) systematic procedures during fieldwork led us to access a significant amount of information not available in other mortuary contexts of the area. Our results point to Ojo de Agua as a cemetery that emerged in the frame of increasing territoriality and conflict with neighboring groups and permitted us to improve our knowledge about the dynamic relationship between human population, environment, and cultural responses in the context of intensification and contact with food production. These results deepen recent studies in the same line but with a greater resolution.
Associations between body mass index and episodic memory for recent eating, mindful eating, and cognitive distraction: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hinton Elanor C. , Beesley Victoria , Leary Sam D. , Ferriday Danielle
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Eating while distracted has been associated with a higher body mass index (BMI), whereas mindful eating and episodic memory for recent eating have shown the opposite pattern. This pre‐registered, global study (https://osf.io/rdjzk) compared the relative association between these variables (and four “positive controls”: restraint, disinhibition, emotional eating, plate clearing) and self‐reported BMI. The timing of data collection (April–May 2020) during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic enabled an investigation of the impact of stay‐at‐home restrictions imposed on the UK population on the measures of eating behavior.

Methods

An online survey was completed, including: (i) demographic data (e.g., self‐reported BMI), (ii) Likert ratings assessing episodic memory for recent eating, mindful eating, cognitive distraction, restrained eating, emotional eating, disinhibition and plate clearing over the last 12 months and the last 7 days (during the first UK COVID‐19 lockdown), and (iii) the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ).

Results

A large adult sample participated (N = 846; mean (SD) age = 33.0 (14.3) years; mean (SD) BMI = 24.6 (5.6) kg/m2). Mindful eating (MEQ‐total score) was associated with a lower self‐reported BMI (β = −0.12; 95% CI = −0.20, −0.04; p = 0.004), whereas disinhibited eating was associated with a higher self‐reported BMI (β = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.38; p < 0.001). In UK participants (n = 520), consistent changes in eating behavior during lockdown were not found. For those that did experience change, decreases were reported in; emotional eating, disinhibited eating, focusing on taste during a meal (a measure of mindful eating), and using a smart phone while eating.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence in a large global sample for associations between BMI and (i) mindful eating, and (ii) disinhibited eating. Future research should evaluate whether mindful eating demonstrates a prospective association with body weight and should consider mechanisms of action.
Micro‐CT and high‐field MRI for studying very early post‐mortem human fetal anatomy at 8 weeks of gestation
Authors: Lamouroux Audrey , Cardoso Maïda , Bottero Célia , Gallo Mathieu , Duraes Martha , Salerno Jennifer , Bertrand Martin , Rigau Valérie , Fuchs Florent , Mousty Eve , Genevieve David , Subsol Gérard , Goze‐Bac Christophe , Captier Guillaume
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study involved very early post‐mortem (PM) examination of human fetal anatomy at 8 weeks of gestation (WG) using whole‐body multimodal micro‐imaging: micro‐CT and high‐field MRI (HF‐MRI). We discuss the potential place of this imaging in early first‐trimester virtual autopsy.

Methods

We performed micro‐CT after different contrast‐bath protocols including diffusible iodine‐based contrast‐enhanced (dice) and HF‐MRI with a 9.4 T machine with qualitative and quantitative evaluation and obtained histological sections.

Results

Nine fetuses were included: the crown–rump length was 10–24 mm and corresponded to 7 and 9 WG according to the Robinson formula. The Carnegie stages were 17–21. Dice micro‐CT and HF‐MRI presented high signal to noise ratio, >5, according to the Rose criterion, and for allowed anatomical phenotyping in these specimens. Imaging did not alter the histology, allowing immunostaining and pathological examination.

Conclusion

PM non‐destructive whole‐body multimodal micro‐imaging: dice micro‐CT and HF‐MRI allows for PM human fetal anatomy study as early as 8 WG. It paves the way to virtual autopsy in the very early first trimester. Obtaining a precision phenotype, even regarding miscarriage products, allows a reverse phenotyping to select variants of interest in genome‐wide analysis, offering potential genetic counseling for bereaved parents.
Study of antibacterial and mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid)/hydroxyapatite biocomposite by using artificial neural network approach
Authors: Sahoo Deepti Rekha , Biswal Trinath
Published: January 2024

A novel, promising biocomposite was synthesized through the free radical polymerization method using methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylic acid (AA), and hydroxyapatite derived from oyster shells (Os‐HA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) peaks indicate the conjugation of Os‐HA in the biocomposite. From the TGA analysis, it was observed that a weight loss of nearly 2% is achieved at 210°C, up to 15% at 210 to 420°C, and up to 95% at 420 to 580°C. The SEM image shows the uniform dispersion of the Os‐HA particles and strong interaction with the copolymer matrix. The broad spectrum at 2θ = 14.6° in XRD analysis indicates the amorphous nature of poly(MMA‐co‐AA)/Os‐HA. The higher inhibition zone of the biocomposite is observed at 125 μL against E. coli bacteria. The maximum water absorption is observed at 15 wt% of Os‐HA. The young's modulus gradually increases, while the impact strength decreases up to 20 wt% of Os‐HA. The artificial neural network (ANN) model has been used to assess the optimum values of impact strength, tensile strength, and Young's modulus of the biocomposite material. The correlation factor (R = 0.998) of the ANN model data indicates greater accuracy of the experimental result.
A crustacean neuropeptide spectral library for data‐independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry applications
Authors: Fields Lauren , Ma Min , DeLaney Kellen , Phetsanthad Ashley , Li Lingjun
Published: January 2024

Neuropeptides have tremendous potential for application in modern medicine, including utility as biomarkers and therapeutics. To overcome the inherent challenges associated with neuropeptide identification and characterization, data‐independent acquisition (DIA) is a fitting mass spectrometry (MS) method of choice to achieve sensitive and accurate analysis. It is advantageous for preliminary neuropeptidomic studies to occur in less complex organisms, with crustacean models serving as a popular choice due to their relatively simple nervous system. With spectral libraries serving as a means to interpret DIA‐MS output spectra, and Cancer borealis as a model of choice for neuropeptide analysis, we performed the first spectral library mapping of crustacean neuropeptides. Leveraging pre‐existing data‐dependent acquisition (DDA) spectra, a spectral library was built using PEAKS Online. The library is comprised of 333 unique neuropeptides. The identification results obtained through the use of this spectral library were compared with those achieved through library‐free analysis of crustacean brain, pericardial organs (PO), and thoracic ganglia (TG) tissues. A statistically significant increase (Student's t‐test, P value < 0.05) in the number of identifications achieved from the TG data was observed in the spectral library results. Furthermore, in each of the tissues, a distinctly different set of identifications was found in the library search compared to the library‐free search. This work highlights the necessity for the use of spectral libraries in neuropeptide analysis, illustrating the advantage of spectral libraries for interpreting DIA spectra in a reproducible manner with greater neuropeptidomic depth.
Synchronously improved toughness and dielectric properties of cyanate ester resins via modification with biobased poly(N‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐limonene)
Authors: Shen Quanbing , Chen Yan , Wang Li , Chen Dong , Ma Yuhong , Yang Wantai
Published: January 2024

High‐performance cyanate ester (CE) resins have attracted intensive interests due to low‐k and heat resistant properties. However, the extreme high curing temperature and inherent brittleness severely limit their practical application. Herein, novel biobased poly(N‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐limonene) (PML) microspheres were specially designed and synthesized by self‐stabilized precipitation polymerization, which could simultaneously serve as effective curing agents and toughening modifiers for 2,2‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl) propane (BADCy). The high density of unreacted endocyclic vinyl groups in PML could effectively react with BADCy, leading to lower curing temperature and good interfacial compatibility. Benefitting from both the weakly polarizable flexible chains and the highly crosslinked semi‐interpenetrating network formed during the curing process, BADCy/PML resins exhibited highly enhanced toughness and reduced dielectric constant (ε). Specifically, the BADCy/PML resins showed minimum values of ε and dielectric loss of 2.61 and 0.0032 at 106 Hz, much lower than BADCy resins (2.88, 0.0052). More importantly, a maximum impact strength of 15.6 kJ/m2 was achieved at 10 wt% loading of PML, which was 86% higher than BADCy resin. In summary, this work developed a novel strategy to simultaneously improve toughness and dielectric properties of CE resins using bio‐based PML copolymer, which have great potential in the fields of electronics and information technology.
ZnO surface modification with maleic anhydride using plasma treatment
Authors: Klok Larissa A. , Steffen Teresa T. , Sabedra Henrique R. , Fontana Luis C. , Hammer Peter , Marega Felippe M. , Costa Lidiane C. , Pessan Luiz A. , Becker Daniela
Published: January 2024

Zinc oxide (ZnO) was surface treated using argon plasma at 5 and 15 min, using maleic anhydride (MA) in solid state as the functionalizing agent. The samples were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that ZnO surface modification occurs through two main routes: the decomposition of MA and the plasma‐induced formation of C–Zn bonds, with 15 min being the most favorable time span. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ZnO were processed in an internal chamber mixer, which was coupled with a torque rheometer and characterized by the Melt Flow Index. Composites containing treated ZnO present fluidity indices closer to those of pure PLA, indicating the functionalization contribution to control the degradation of the polymer matrix.
A failure of double hybrid density functional method: Out‐of‐plane bending vibrations for the carbon‐carbon double‐bonded molecules
Authors: Ravichandran Lalitha
Published: January 2024

In this work, we report anomalous descriptions of bending modes of the carbon–carbon double bonded molecules with double hybrid density functional theories. The harmonic frequencies of the out‐of‐plane modes are found to be extremely low, and the anharmonicities are found to be very large. The unphysical large anharmonities of these modes increase significantly with a basis set having diffuse function. Increasing basis set size does not necessarily reduce or eliminate the problem. We observe that the problem with the double hybrid functional is in‐built due to the presence of the part of the second‐order perturbation terms in the functional.
Comparative analysis of modified reverse degree topological indices for certain carbon nanosheets using entropy measures and multi criteria decision‐making analysis
Authors: Abul Kalaam A. R. , Berin Greeni A.
Published: January 2024

The diverse applications of various carbon nanostructures have sparked significant research interest. The potential significance of carbon nanosheets lies in their exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, enabling advancements in various technological applications such as energy storage, electronics, and engineering, playing important roles in material science and nanotechnology. In the field of mathematical chemistry, topological indices play a crucial role by providing numerical insights into molecular structures. These insights facilitate predictive correlations with chemical properties and reactivity, ultimately finding utility in areas like drug design and material sciences. Expanding on this, the study delves into the application of entropy‐based methodologies that originates from the arrangement of chemical structures. By assessing the complexity and other features of these structures, graph entropies are translated into information‐theoretic metrics. This article examines modified reverse degree‐based topological indices with its universal applicability to all degree‐based indices. The standout feature is the adaptable parameter “” effectively shaping the molecular graphs degree sequence to best fit each dataset with their unique physicochemical properties, distinguishing it from conventional fixed degree methodologies. Additionally, we investigate graph entropies and examine the impact of varying the parameter “” on entropy measures across a range of nanosheet structures. The research focuses on characterizing carbon nanosheets, employing effective (MCDM) multiple criteria decision‐making methods like VIKOR, TOPSIS, and SAW. Through these techniques, a comprehensive comparative analysis of the nanosheets is conducted with the aim of establishing optimized rankings for each type based on their unique attributes and characteristics.
Prospects for an Active Optical Clock Based on Cavityless Lasing
Authors: Yu Deshui , Zhang Jia , Zhang Shougang , Chen Jingbiao
Published: January 2024

Active optical clocks take advantage of the substantial suppression of cavity pulling in the bad‐cavity lasing regime and feature the simple structure and excellent portability. In the extreme case, where the cavity mirror reflection approaches zero and cannot support any quasi‐bound modes for light waves, conventional bad‐cavity lasers become the cavityless lasing and the cavity pulling vanishes. Consequently, the laser frequency is determined entirely by the atomic transition. This work is dedicated to theoretically explore the potential application of the cavityless lasing in active optical clocks. Without loss of generality, Cs atoms with well‐established quantum control techniques are employed as the gain medium that is pumped by a 459‐nm laser. The clock laser wavelength is 1470 nm. The simulation shows that the frequency stability of the clock laser with feasible physical quantities reaches at 1 s of averaging time, one order of magnitude better than the recently demonstrated compact passive optical clocks that are built upon a two‐photon transition in a hot Rb vapor and upon the modulation transfer spectroscopy of thermal Cs atoms. Such compact cavityless lasing‐based active optical clocks have the broad application prospect in satellite navigation and communications and promise an architecture for the integrated photonic metrology.
The impact of environmental policy on renewable energy innovation: A systematic literature review and research directions
Authors: Rastegar Hiva , Eweje Gabriel , Sajjad Aymen
Published: January 2024

Renewable energy innovations are imperative to tackle the climate change crisis. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of environmental policies in promoting renewable energy innovations. To bridge this gap, we have adopted a systematic literature review process covering the period from 2005 to 2023. We identified and analysed 29 articles in our final sample. Further, we employ two levels of analysis (individual‐policy and policy‐mix levels) for analysing the extant research. Our findings show that fiscal incentives and emissions trading policies such as the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS) consistently promote renewable energy innovations. In contrast, the effectiveness of feed‐in tariffs and quotas in supporting renewable energy innovations varies, reflecting diverse impacts across distinct regions and renewable energy technologies. Our analysis also suggests that combinations of various policy types can enhance innovation more effectively than individual policies. We contribute to the extant literature by developing a classificatory analysis of the effect of environmental policies on renewable energy innovations. Our review also provides research directions for future scholarship.
Fulfilling the process promise in new venture creation research: The ethnography/accelerator approach
Authors: Dumont Guillaume
Published: January 2024

Research Summary

Collecting fine‐grained, longitudinal data to study new venture creation (NVC) is critical but empirically challenging given the partly invisible, collective, and highly discursive nature of NVC. This article offers the ethnography/accelerator approach as one powerful solution to this problem. This approach theorizes the implications raised by the invisible, collective, and highly discursive nature of NVC as challenges of accessibility, multivocality, and reflexivity. It provides a framework articulating these challenges with key ethnographic insights to advance data collection and theory building, before discussing five implications of this approach for NVC research and providing recommendations and points of caution.

Managerial Summary

Explaining how to create, organize, and operate a new venture is critical but raises important methodological challenges. Early‐stage ventures have no operating history, the stakeholders collaborating with entrepreneurs are geographically dispersed, and entrepreneurs' stories are often examined uncritically. The ethnography/accelerator approach suggests overcoming these challenges by using business accelerators as a research setting to apply ethnographic methods and collect reliable data. It provides guidance for enabling the full‐time immersion of the researcher into this setting, allowing the collection of finely‐grained data capturing the day‐to‐day practices and interactions at the heart of new venture creation and the views of the entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, policymakers, and the like playing a pivotal role in this process.
Surface Engineering of Natural Killer Cells with CD44‐targeting Ligands for Augmented Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Kim Sungjun , Li Shujin , Jangid Ashok Kumar , Park Hee Won , Lee Dong‐Joon , Jung Han‐Sung , Kim Kyobum
Published: January 2024

Adoptive immunotherapy utilizing natural killer (NK) cells has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies. However, its clinical intervention for solid tumors is hindered by the limited expression of tumor‐specific antigens. Herein, lipid‐PEG conjugated hyaluronic acid (HA) materials (HA‐PEG‐Lipid) for the simple ex‐vivo surface coating of NK cells is developed for 1) lipid‐mediated cellular membrane anchoring via hydrophobic interaction and thereby 2) sufficient presentation of the CD44 ligand (i.e., HA) onto NK cells for cancer targeting, without the need for genetic manipulation. Membrane‐engineered NK cells can selectively recognize CD44‐overexpressing cancer cells through HA‐CD44 affinity and subsequently induce in situ activation of NK cells for cancer elimination. Therefore, the surface‐engineered NK cells using HA‐PEG‐Lipid (HANK cells) establish an immune synapse with CD44‐overexpressing MIA PaCa‐2 pancreatic cancer cells, triggering the “recognition‐activation” mechanism, and ultimately eliminating cancer cells. Moreover, in mouse xenograft tumor models, administrated HANK cells demonstrate significant infiltration into solid tumors, resulting in tumor apoptosis/necrosis and effective suppression of tumor progression and metastasis, as compared to NK cells and gemcitabine. Taken together, the HA‐PEG‐Lipid biomaterials expedite the treatment of solid tumors by facilitating a sequential recognition‐activation mechanism of surface‐engineered HANK cells, suggesting a promising approach for NK cell‐mediated immunotherapy.
Laminin‐Augmented Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Ameliorating Neural Differentiation and Neuroinflammation in Human Mini‐Brains
Authors: Bae Mihyeon , Ngo Huyen , Kang You Jung , Lee Su‐Jin , Park Wonbin , Jo Yeonggwon , Choi Yoo‐mi , Kim Joeng Ju , Yi Hee‐Gyeong , Kim Hyung‐Seok , Jang Jinah , Cho Dong‐Woo , Cho Hansang
Published: January 2024

Non‐neural extracellular matrix (ECM) has limited application in humanized physiological neural modeling due to insufficient brain‐specificity and safety concerns. Although brain‐derived ECM contains enriched neural components, certain essential components are partially lost during the decellularization process, necessitating augmentation. Here, it is demonstrated that the laminin‐augmented porcine brain‐decellularized ECM (P‐BdECM) is xenogeneic factor‐depleted as well as favorable for the regulation of human neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. P‐BdECM composition is comparable to human BdECM regarding brain‐specificity through the matrisome and gene ontology‐biological process analysis. As augmenting strategy, laminin 111 supplement promotes neural function by synergic effect with laminin 521 in P‐BdECM. Annexin A1(ANXA1) and Peroxiredoxin(PRDX) in P‐BdECM stabilized microglial and astrocytic behavior under normal while promoting active neuroinflammation in response to neuropathological factors. Further, supplementation of the brain‐specific molecule to non‐neural matrix also ameliorated glial cell inflammation as in P‐BdECM. In conclusion, P‐BdECM‐augmentation strategy can be used to recapitulate humanized pathophysiological cerebral environments for neurological study.
Mitigating Interfacial Capacity Fading in Vanadium Pentoxide by Sacrificial Vanadium Sulfide Encapsulation for Rechargeable Mg‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Mukherjee Ayan , Chakrabarty Sankalpita , Taragin Sarah , Evinstein Eliran , Bhanja Piyali , Joshi Akanksha , Aviv Hagit , Perelshtein Ilana , Mohapatra Mamata , Basu Suddhasatwa , Noked Malachi
Published: January 2024

Rechargeable Mg‐ion Batteries (RMB) containing a Mg metal anode offer the promise of higher specific volumetric capacity, energy density, safety, and economic viability than lithium‐ion battery technology, but their realization is challenging. The limited availability of suitable inorganic cathodes compatible with electrolytes relevant to Mg metal anode restricts the development of RMBs. Despite the promising capability of some oxides to reversibly intercalate Mg+2 ions at high potential, its lack of stability in chloride‐containing ethereal electrolytes, relevant to Mg metal anode hinders the realization of a full practical RMB. Here the successful in situ encapsulation of monodispersed spherical V2O5 (≈200 nm) is demonstrated by a thin layer of VS2 (≈12 nm) through a facile surface reduction route. The VS2 layer protects the surface of V2O5 particles in RMB electrolyte solution (MgCl2 + MgTFSI in DME). Both V2O5 and V2O5@VS2 particles demonstrate high initial discharge capacity. However, only the V2O5@VS2 material demonstrates superior rate performance, Coulombic efficiency (100%), and stability (138 mA h g−1 discharge capacity after 100 cycles), signifying the ability of the thin VS2 layer to protect the V2O5 cathode and facilitate the Mg+2 ion intercalation/deintercalation into V2O5.
Facile Construction of CuFe‐Based Metal Phosphides for Synergistic NOx−Reduction to NH3 and Zn‐Nitrite Batteries in Electrochemical Cell
Authors: Wang Guoqiang , Wang Chuanjun , Tian Xinxin , Li Qiang , Liu Shenjie , Zhao Xiuying , Waterhouse Geoffrey I.N. , Zhao Xin , Lv Xiaoqing , Xu Jing
Published: January 2024

The electrocatalytic nitrite/nitrate reduction reaction (eNO2RR/eNO3RR) offer a promising route for green ammonia production. The development of low cost, highly selective and long‐lasting electrocatalysts for eNO2RR/eNO3RR is challenging. Herein, a method is presented for constructing Cu3P‐Fe2P heterostructures on iron foam (CuFe‐P/IF) that facilitates the effective conversion of NO2− and NO3− to NH3. At −0.1 and −0.2 V versus RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode), CuFe‐P/IF achieves a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for NH3 production of 98.36% for eNO2RR and 72% for eNO3RR, while also demonstrating considerable stability across numerous cycles. The superior performance of CuFe‐P/IF catalyst is due tothe rich Cu3P‐Fe2P heterstuctures. Density functional theory calculations have shed light on the distinct roles that Cu3P and Fe2P play at different stages of the eNO2RR/eNO3RR processes. Fe2P is notably active in the early stages, engaging in the capture of NO2−/NO3−, O─H formation, and N─OH scission. Conversely, Cu3P becomes more dominant in the subsequent steps, which involve the formation of N─H bonds, elimination of OH* species, and desorption of the final products. Finally, a primary Zn‐NO2− battery is assembled using CuFe‐P/IF as the cathode catalyst, which exhibits a power density of 4.34 mW cm−2 and an impressive NH3 FE of 96.59%.
Electron Delocalization and Transfer Across Polyoxometalates‐Based Subnanomaterials in Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Nie Siyang , Wang Xun
Published: January 2024

Due to their identical building blocks and high surface‐to‐volume ratio, subnanomaterials exhibit significant properties compared to their bulk nanomaterial counterparts. The interactions between these building blocks can result in either equal or unequal sharing of electrons, leading to electron transfer in heterojunctions or electron delocalization within symmetric structures. Clusters, possessing electronic properties akin to atoms, can serve as reservoirs of electrons to stabilize crucial intermediates in catalytic reactions. This perspective provides a novel understanding of well‐defined subnanomaterials with distinct architectures, such as cluster‐based constructions and co‐assembled heterojunctions, emphasizing the relationship between electronic structures and catalytic properties. The objective is to provide novel perspectives on the realm of subnanomaterials and cluster‐based architectures.
Tube Oscillation Drives Transitory Vortices Across Microfluidic Barriers
Authors: Thurgood Peter , Hawke Adam , Low Lee Sheer , Borg Aimee , Peter Karlheinz , Baratchi Sara , Khoshmanesh Khashayar
Published: January 2024

Here, the generation of dynamic vortices across microscale barriers using the tube oscillation mechanism is demonstrated. Using a combination of high‐speed imaging and computational flow dynamics, the cyclic formation, expansion, and collapse of vortices are studied. The dynamics of vortices across circular , triangular, and blade‐shape barriers are investigated at different tube oscillation frequencies. The formation of an array of synchronous vortices across parallel blade‐shaped barriers is demonstrated. The transient flows caused by these dynamic vortex arrays are harnessed for the rapid and efficient mixing of blood samples . A circular barrier scribed with a narrow orifice on its shoulder is used to facilitate the injection of liquid into the microfluidic channel, and its rapid mixing with the main flow through the dynamic vortices generated across the barrier. This approach facilitates the generation of vortices with desirable configurations, sizes, and dynamics in a highly controllable, programmable, and predictable manner while operating at low static flow rates.
Innovative Fabrication of Metal Alloy Structures via Laser‐Induced Forward Transfer on Flexible Substrates
Authors: Das Ankit , Ding Chien‐Fang
Published: January 2024

Laser‐induced forward transfer is a contactless, nozzle free process which enables accurate, precise and fast development of 3D structures. However, a number of shortcomings such as shockwave generation, poor adhesion to receiver substrates and uniform depositions limit LIFT to be utilized. Therefore, this research tends to put forward easy and effective solutions for successful mitigation of the LIFT limitations. Receiver surface modifications and low‐pressure conditions are introduced through laser surface texturing (LST) and a vacuum pump. A number of textures and orientations are investigated for determining the optimal copper (Cu) deposition. Furthermore, utilization of the same laser system for LST enables the manufacturing process cost and time effective. In addition to Cu depositions, additive layers of silver (Ag) and platinum (Pt) are deposited. Finally, Ag and Pt micropillars are fabricated on their respective additive layers leading to formation of Cu‐Ag and Cu‐Pt alloys structure. Subsequently, electrical and material characterizations are made to validate for potential applications. Experimental evidence shows greater adhesion with electrical properties for LST‐based LIFT in low pressure conditions. Finally, an energy analysis is performed based on theoretical and finite element methods (FEM) to gain greater insights into mechanics of the LIFT process.
Evolution of Microstructure and Fe/Fe3C Interface Structure in Cold‐Drawn Pearlitic Steel Wires
Authors: Yang Xu , Bao Siqian , Kang Xiaolong , Hu Jiarui , Liu Chen , Tian Renmin
Published: January 2024

The microstructure, texture, and dislocation configuration of cold‐drawn pearlitic steel wires were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, Fe/Fe3C interface structure at the atomic level was clearly observed and analyzed by high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM), and the microscopic deformation mechanism of cementite lamellae at different drawing strains is revealed. The results show that pearlite lamellae turn to the drawing direction to form ferrite <110> fiber texture, and the cementite and ferrite lamellae are simultaneously thinned with the increase of drawing strain. During the cold drawing process, shear‐bands(S‐bands) are formed in the cementite lamellae; the dislocation of ferrite transits from single slip to multi‐slip stage, and the dislocation density increases. After drawing, the lattice structures of cementite and ferrite phases show the evolution from single‐crystal to polycrystal, and the cementite lamellae are divided into a multilayer structure: central relative large‐size cementite crystal and outside relative small‐size cementite crystal layer; the dissolution of cementite lamellae in some regions results in the lattice expansion of ferrite phase and the occurrence of neck‐down regions in the cementite lamellae.
Wind energy development can lead to guild‐specific habitat loss in boreal forest bats
Authors: McKay Reed April , Johns Sarah Elizabeth , Bischof Richard , Matthews Fiona , van der Kooij Jeroen , Yoh Natalie , Eldegard Katrine
Published: January 2024

Forest management rarely considers protecting bats in Fennoscandian regions although all species rely on forest habitat at some point in their annual cycle. This issue is especially evident as wind parks have increasingly been developed inside Fennoscandian forests, against the advice of international bat conservation guidelines. In this study, we aimed to describe and explain bat community dynamics at a Norwegian wind park located in a boreal forest, especially to understand potential avoidance or attraction effects. The bat community was sampled acoustically and described using foraging guilds (short, medium, and long‐range echolocators; SRE, MRE, LRE) as well as behavior (commuting, feeding and social calls). Sampling was undertaken at two locations per turbine: 1) the turbine pad and 2) a paired natural habitat at ground level, as well as from a meteorological tower. We used a recently developed method for camera trapping nocturnal flying insects synchronously with bat acoustic activity. Our results reveal trends in feeding and general bat activity across foraging guilds in relation to insect availability, habitat type, wind, temperature, and seasonality. We show how seasonal patterns in behavior across guilds were affected by habitat type, temperature, and wind. We found that SRE commuting and especially feeding activity was highest in natural habitats, whereas LRE overall activity at habitats more season dependent. We found that nocturnal insect availability was positively correlated with total bat feeding activity throughout the night. Our results provide evidence for both direct and indirect risks to bat communities by wind parks: SRE bat habitat is lost to wind energy infrastructure and LRE bat may have an increased risk of fatality. Our findings provide important insights on seasonal and spatial variability in bat activity, which can inform standardizing monitoring of bats acoustically in boreal forests, at wind parks, and in combination with non‐invasive insect monitoring.
Agricultural Land-Use Systems and Management Challenges
Authors: Rötter Reimund P. , Nkomo Mandla , zu Drewer Johannes Meyer , Veste Maik
Published: January 2024

This chapter aims at providing an overview of the diversity of agroecological conditions, features of main farming systems, agricultural land use, its dynamics and drivers during the last two decades as well as major threats in ten countries of southern Africa (SA10). Based on this, we attempt to identify the resultant challenges for sustainable land management and outline potential interventions with a focus on smallholder farmers. By analyzing cropland dynamics during 2000–2019, we show how land use has been shaped by climate, demographic development, economic imperatives and policy realities. Concrete examples of these complex interactions illustrate both considerable shrinkage in South Africa and Zimbabwe or expansion of cropland in Mozambique and Zambia. During the past 20 years, cropland increased by 37% on average across SA10 mainly at the expense of forestland—showing huge spatiotemporal heterogeneity among countries. Most smallholders face shrinking farm size and other resource limitations that have resulted in soil nutrient mining and low agricultural productivity—a highly unsustainable situation. We conclude with an outlook on potential transformation pathways (“TechnoGarden” and “AdaptiveMosaic”) for the near future and thereby provide a frame for further studies on sustainable land management options under given local settings.
Towards Digitalisation of the Charging Value Chain
Authors: Steiner Alois , Eisner Anna , Trösterer Sandra , Schruth Rainer , Hämmerle Annika
Published: January 2024

The number of battery-powered electric vehicles in the EU is expected to increase to 30–40 million by 2030. This strong increase of electric vehicles is a major challenge for the energy system in Europe, but at the same time an opportunity to use new technologies such as smart charging or vehicle-to-grid. The EU project “XL-Connect” is investigating these new technologies, as the overall project goal is to optimise the entire charging chain—from energy provision to the end user—in order to create clear benefits for all stakeholders. This is to be achieved through the implementation of demonstration actions in combination with a digital twin of the charging chain. With the help of the digital twin, the so-called “upscaling” can be carried out to simulate the impact of large fleets of electric vehicles and their impact on the grid.
The anomalous chiral Lagrangian at order p8
Authors: Bijnens Johan , Hermansson-Truedsson Nils , Ruiz-Vidal Joan
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We derive the order p8 Lagrangian of odd intrinsic parity for mesonic chiral perturbation theory, and provide the resulting operator basis in the supplementary material. Neglecting the non-zero singlet trace, we find 999 operators for a general number of quark flavours Nf , 705 for Nf = 3 and 92 for Nf = 2. Our numbers agree with those obtained through the Hilbert series approach in the literature. Including a singlet trace, as needed for the physical case of Nf = 2, instead yields 1210 operators for a general Nf , 892 for Nf = 3 and 211 for Nf = 2.
Praktische Anwendung von Immunhistochemie in pankreatischen neuroendokrinen Neoplasien
Authors: Bräutigam Konstantin , Chouchane Aziz , Konukiewitz Björn , Perren Aurel
Published: January 2024

Pankreatische neuroendokrine Neoplasien (PanNEN) sind eher selten. Die Morphologie hilft in der Zusammenschau mit der Immunhistochemie bei der Typisierung und weiteren Einteilung des jeweiligen Tumortyps. Je nach Tumorstadium und Differentialdiagnose variiert das diagnostische Panel. Die vorliegende Arbeit fasst die obligaten diagnostischen, prognostischen und prädiktiven Marker bei PanNEN zusammen.

Marker der Wahl zum Nachweis eines neuroendokrinen Phänotyps sind Synaptophysin, Chromogranin A sowie INSM1. Die Proliferationsfraktion Ki67 ist zur Graduierung unabdingbar, während p53 und Rb1 in der Abgrenzung zum neuroendokrinen Karzinom (NEC) helfen können. Transkriptionsfaktoren, wie beispielsweise CDX2, TTF‑1, Islet‑1 geben Hinweise auf die Lokalisation eines Primarius in der Cancer-of-unknown-primary(CUP)-Situation. Die DAXX/ATRX-Immunhistochemie hat vor allem prognostischen Wert. Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen haben bisher einen geringen Stellenwert in der Diagnostik der PanNEN.

Wichtiger Fallstrick in der Routinediagnostik ist das breite Spektrum an Differentialdiagnosen, welche neuroendokrine Neoplasien imitieren. Ein erweitertes immunhistochemisches Panel ist im Zweifelsfall empfohlen.