bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sintomas vestibulares encaminhados ao otorrinolaringologista pela atenção primária da cidade do Recife
Authors: Bunzen Débora , Lima Fabianne , Figueiredo Maria Eduarda , Fontinele Larissa
Published: December 2021

Introdução: A Atenção Primária é a “porta de entrada” do usuário ao Sistema Único de Saúde. Caso o médico tenha dificuldade em conduzir o caso, ele encaminha-o a um especialista. A otorrinolaringologia é uma das especialidades que mais recebe referências, com longo tempo de espera em nosso meio. Objetivo: Estimar a frequência das queixas de tontura e suspeita de doença vestibular nos encaminhamentos dos pacientes que aguardam consulta com otorrinolaringologista. Há poucos estudos semelhantes na literatura, e esse levantamento é importante para traçar o perfil desses pacientes e planejar ações de saúde pública. Métodos: Estudo observacional, longitudinal, descritivo, baseado na coleta de dados secundários do Sistema de Regulação da Secretaria de Saúde da Prefeitura do Recife. Foram incluídas as solicitações dos médicos da Estratégia Saúde da Família para o serviço de otorrinolaringologia em outubro-novembro de 2019, que estavam na fila de espera desde junho–julho de 2018. Resultados: A frequência dos encaminhamentos por tontura e suspeita de doença vestibular foi 22,5% de todas as solicitações para otorrinolaringologia. O tempo de espera foi um ano e quatro meses. A maioria era de mulheres (74,7%) e idosos acima de 60 anos (48,3%). Os motivos dos encaminhamentos foram: zumbido (43,2%), labirintite (20%), múltiplos sintomas (17,3%), tontura (11,6%), vertigem (3,9%), labirintopatia (3,6%) e vertigem posicional paroxística benigna (0,6%). Os sintomas aumentam com a idade. Conclusão: A taxa de encaminhamento foi compatível com a literatura. O zumbido é um sintoma muito incômodo, comum tanto nas doenças do labirinto quanto em outras patologias, por isso a alta frequência de solicitação. O termo labirintite nem sempre se refere à neuronite vestibular, mas erroneamente pode ser usado para qualquer síndrome vertiginosa, o que pode justificar a alta taxa de encaminhamento em detrimento de outras vestibulopatias. A educação continuada na Atenção Primária é importante tanto para o diagnóstico correto quanto para a solicitação apropriada da interconsulta. É preciso novas estratégias para diminuir o tempo de espera, como o aumento da oferta de serviços de especialistas, a qualificação da demanda e a otimização do sistema de regulação.
Abordagem da automedicação contra COVID-19 pelo Médico de Família e Comunidade
Authors: Costa Waldemir de Albuquerque , Carvalho Natalia de Campos , Coelho Pedro Alexandre Barreto
Published: December 2021

Introdução: A automedicação para COVID-19 é considerada um problema emergente e que reflete o momento de infodemia e de crescimento da doença no Brasil. Nesse sentido, a Atenção Primária à Saúde, em que ocorre a maior parte do acesso dos casos leves e moderados de COVID-19, tem-se mostrado um lugar privilegiado para a abordagem de pacientes em uso irracional desses medicamentos. Objetivo: Discutir questões sobre a automedicação voltada para a COVID-19, abordando particularidades do processo de trabalho do médico de família e comunidade (MFC) e as perspectivas para esses profissionais num cenário de grandes tensões político-sanitárias. Métodos: Trata-se de um ensaio teórico que se baseia nas premissas do uso racional de medicamentos (URM) e da medicina baseada em evidências para sintetizar uma proposta de atuação de MFC à luz dos principais documentos e normativas produzidas sobre o tratamento da COVID-19 no país. Resultados: Por meio do referencial teórico, são apresentadas duas estratégias principais para a abordagem dos casos de automedicação para COVID-19: uma do ponto de vista individual, que envolve a desprescrição desses medicamentos mediante um entendimento acordado entre o MFC e o paciente; e uma de cunho sistêmico, ligada ao combate à venda irregular de medicamentos voltados para a COVID-19 no território de atuação desse profissional. Conclusões: As disputas políticas em torno da pandemia ainda continuam vivas e devem persistir por longa data no Brasil. Cabe aos profissionais de saúde e à sociedade como um todo defender o URM e combater a utilização de medicamentos desnecessários, inefetivos, inseguros ou potencialmente inadequados no contexto da COVID-19, protegendo assim a vida e o bom uso dos recursos da população.
Test.wiki: Plataforma Crowdsourcing para Testes Funcionais
Authors: Munzlinger Camila , Vargas Tobias De , Dal Forno Mateus Henrique
Published: December 2021

O teste é uma das principais etapas do desenvolvimento de software. Apesar disso, pequenas empresas de desenvolvimento têm dificuldade de realizá-lo, pois não possuem demanda para contratar um profissional para esta finalidade. Neste sentido, iniciativas que permitam a flexibilização de demanda de trabalho podem beneficiar tais empresas. Este trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de uma plataforma para a execução de testes funcionais, que utiliza o crowdsourcing como estratégia para o recrutamento de testadores. Além de permitir a contratação por demanda, a plataforma também pode auxiliar as empresas a documentar os testes realizados. Atualmente, a plataforma está em estágio de testes de aceitação, sendo realizados através de um estudo de caso.
Uma Proposta de Ferramenta de Apoio ao Processo de Avaliação de Usabilidade em Linguagens Específicas de Domínio
Authors: Pedroso Allan , Poltronieri Ildevana , Bernardino Maicon
Published: December 2021

As DSLs têm ganhado notoriedade na indústria por serem focadas em um domínio particular, e utilizadas por usuários sem experiência em programação. Isso permite que seus usuários tenham familiaridade com o domínio do problema, mesmo não possuindo conhecimento prévio em programação. Porém, para que a DSL seja usada pelos usuários, critérios de usabilidade devem ser estabelecidos. Para atender tais critérios, desenvolveu-se o Processo Usa-DSL, que busca mitigar as lacunas existentes em relação aos processos ou diretrizes que orientam o designer de DSL na avaliação de usabilidade. Embora esse processo suporte a avaliação de usabilidade das DSLs, compreende-se que sua automatização é necessária. Sendo assim, este estudo propõe uma ferramenta Web que automatize o Processo Usa-DSL.
Multivocal Literature Mapping on DSLs and Tools for Entity-Relationship Modeling
Authors: Riquelmo Jonnathan , Bernardino Maicon , Basso Fábio , Rodrigues Elder
Published: December 2021

A variedade de tecnologias de sistemas de banco de dados que se tornou disponível nos últimos anos dificulta a seleção de ferramentas para modelagem de entidade-relacionamento (ER). Nesse sentido, contribui-se com um levantamento de inovações recentes por meio de um mapeamento sistemático complementado por uma pesquisa na literatura cinza. Este trabalho abrange um conjunto final de 10 estudos primários focados em Linguagens Específicas de Domínio (DSL) e identifica 55 ferramentas já aplicadas na indústria e academia para modelagem ER em nível conceitual, lógico e físico. Assim, este estudo apresenta o estado da arte e da prática para modelagem ER, incluindo sua caracterização e lacunas de pesquisa.
On the Very Idea of Undercutting Defeat
Authors: Demircioglu Erhan ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: December 2021

My aim in this paper is to cast doubt on the idea of undercutting defeat by showing that it is beset by some serious problems. I examine a number of attempts to specify the conditions for undercutting defeat and find them to be defective. Absent further attempts, and on the basis of the considerations offered, I conclude that an adequate notion of undercutting defeat is lacking.
Kuhn, Values and Academic Freedom
Authors: Sankey Howard ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: December 2021

For Kuhn, there are a number of values which provide scientists with a shared basis for theory-choice. These values include accuracy, breadth, consistency, simplicity and fruitfulness. Each of these values may be interpreted in different ways. Moreover, there may be conflict between the values in application to specific theories. In this short paper, Kuhn's idea of scientific values is extended to the value of academic freedom. The value of academic freedom may be interpreted in a number of different ways. Moreover, there are other values which play a role in the functioning of our academic institutions. As with the possible conflict between scientific values, there may be conflict among the academic values.
Ranking Service Quality using multi-criteria decision-making methods: Example of Erzurum province
Authors: Karamaşa Çağlar
Published: December 2021

In the tourism sector, where competition conditions are getting stiffer, some of the essential factors to hotels stay operational include the need to achieve a sustainable structure and meet the needs and expectations of customers. One of the ways to ensure that the customer expectations and needs are met at the desired level is through service quality factors which are considered to increase customer satisfaction. This study aims to establish the service quality criteria in three-star hotels in Erzurum and to rank the importance levels of the determined criteria. The SWARA method was used to weight the determined criteria. The results of the SWARA method show that the "Price Availability" was the most important service quality criteria in three-star hotels. This was followed by "Courtesy and Respect Level", "Reliability", "Service and Process Flexibility", "Restaurant Service Quality" and "Cleanliness" respectively. The criteria considered as the least important include "Quality of Housekeeping" and "Front Office Service Quality".
An MCDM approach for personnel selection using the CoCoSo method
Authors: Popović Milica
Published: December 2021

Candidate selection has a direct impact on the quality of a company's human resources department, so it's an essential activity for public and private companies alike. Various ways have been created to assist and make it easier for organizations to select the best candidate, specifically the right people to do specific roles. As a result, the purpose of this study is to propose the use of multi-criteria decision-making techniques in personnel selection. Therefore, for the determination of the weights of the criteria will be employed the SWARA method, whereas, for the ranking of the alternatives, i.e. selection of the best candidate, a CoCoSo method will be applied.
Solving integer programming problems by using population-based beetle antennae search algorithm
Authors: Brajević Ivona , Brzaković Miodrag , Jocić Goran
Published: December 2021

Beetle antennae search (BAS) algorithm is a newly proposed single-solution based metaheuristic technique inspired by the beetle preying process. Although BAS algorithm has shown good search abilities, it can be easily trapped into local optimum when it is used to solve hard optimization problems. With the intention to overcome this drawback, this paper presents a population-based beetle antennae search (PBAS) algorithm for solving integer programming problems. This method employs the population's capability to search diverse regions of the search space to provide better guarantee for finding the optimal solution. The PBAS method was tested on nine integer programming problems and one mechanical design problem. The proposed algorithm was compared to other state-of-the-art metaheuristic techniques. The comparisons show that the proposed PBAS algorithm produces better results for majority of tested problems.
Power Relation and White-Collar Crime: Case Study of Coastal Reclamation in Indonesia
Authors: Kurniawan Dedy Anung , Dermawan Mohammad Kemal , Simon Runtrambi Arthur Josias
Published: December 2021

This research aims to understand the power relation and white-collar crime on managing the coastal reclamation and its implication in Indonesia that is very significant at the ontological and sociological level. The problem is very interesting to be analyzed by conducting a qualitative research method based on power theory and crime theory. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation related to coastal reclamation and its implication in Indonesia. Data were analyzed by using interactive models are data reduction, data display, data verification, and supported by triangulation. The results were based on ontological and sociological levels using criminology perspective for understanding the coastal reclamation and its implication in Indonesia that are needed for providing information to stakeholders related to the regulations and sanctions. This result provides inputs for making better regulation on coastal reclamation policy in Indonesia for state agencies as public officials and practitioners.
El reto de la alfabetizacion financiera digital en el ámbito de la fintech (industria 4.0)
Authors: Gallego-Losada María Jesús , Garcia-Abajo María Elisa , Montero-Navarro Antonio , Gallego-Losada Rocío
Published: December 2021

Objetivo: el artículo tiene como objetivo principal el analizar el nivel de cultura financiera digital o alfabetización financiera digital de los estudiantes en centros universitarios españoles en el marco de la Industria 4.0. Se incluye una nueva medida original para medir el grado conocimientos financieros digitales, en función de un cuestionario elaborado ad-hoc.

Metodología: se diseñó una encuesta partiendo de las recomendaciones dadas en la literatura más actual. Se aplicó el cuestionario durante la segunda quincena de marzo de 2021 a una muestra de 308 estudiantes en centros universitarios españoles.

Resultados: la investigación ofrece una buena aproximación del nivel de alfabetización financiera digital (AFD) de los estudiantes en centros universitarios españoles y su clasificación por grupos de competencia financiera. Se esperan resultados variables según el conocimiento y utilización del producto financiero sobre el que se les pregunta, lo que podría indicar la existencia de una brecha temprana de conocimiento financiero digital dentro del mismo grupo de estudiantes.

Limitaciones: sería interesante llevar a cabo investigaciones similares en otros países de desarrollo similares al español para poder realizar una comparativa. Además, en investigaciones posteriores, se podría distinguir dentro de la muestra a estudiantes de diferentes titulaciones para valorar la comparación entre los resultados obtenidos.
How Indonesians Cope with Chronic Pain: Does Seeking Help and Comfort from God Work?
Authors: Gozan Mutmainah Mufidah , Asih Sali Rahadi
Published: December 2021

Chronic pain is a significant health problem in many countries including Indonesia, with high prevalence and the possibility to increase in the future. Individuals experiencing chronic pain elicit cognitive and behavioral responses, including pain catastrophizing which can cause high pain interference. Effective coping ability can help reduce the impact of pain catastrophizing on pain interference. Previous research focused on emotion-focused and problem-focused coping in dealing with chronic pain. However, Indonesia as a country with a strong influence from religious values and practices encourages the exploration of positive religious coping. A part of a longitudinal study on psychological factors in chronic pain development, this study aimed to examine the moderating role of three coping styles on pain catastrophizing and pain interference associations. Results from 368 participants male and female with chronic pain showed that positive religious coping and problem-focused coping significantly moderated the effects of pain catastrophizing on pain interference. Seeking help from God helped individuals deal with chronic pain problems, as well as actively resolving difficulties. The use of these two coping styles in the Indonesian population can be useful for managing chronic pain.
Propagation properties of partially coherent power-exponent-phase vortex beam
Authors: Chen Kang , Ma Zhi-Yuan , Zhang Ming-Ming , Dou Jian-Tai , Hu You-You ,   Department of Optoelectronic Information of Science and Engineering, School of Science, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China,   Applied Optics Research Center, School of Science, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
Published: December 2021

In this work, the propagation properties of partially coherent power-exponent-phase vortex beam are studied. Firstly, the propagation model of partially coherent power-exponent-phase vortex beam is established. Then, the propagation properties of partially coherent power-exponent-phase vortex beams in free space and ABCD optical system are simulated. The results show that when power-exponent-phase vortex beams propagate in free space, the topological charge, power order and coherence length have a great influence on the distribution of light intensity, and the area of light spot gradually increases with the increase of propagation distance. When the beam propagates in a focusing system, the changes of topological charge and power order will affect the light intensity distribution, while the coherence length has little effect on the overall intensity distribution of the beam, but only the quality of the spot. The research results of this work reveal the propagation properties of partially coherent power-exponent-phase vortex beam, which will lay a theoretical foundation for its applications in optical capture and other fields, and has important significance in promoting the theory and applications of new light field regulation.
Distanced Language Education during the Pandemic from the Perspectives of Foreign Language Instructors
Authors: Üstün Bilal , Deregözü Aysel
Published: December 2021

This study aims to examine the opinions of foreign language instructors who teach at preparatory classes through distance education during the pandemic. Based on this objective, five instructors working at a School of Foreign Languages at a state university in Turkey were interviewed and their opinions regarding the positive and negative aspects of distance language teaching were revealed. Moreover, the problems they faced, materials they used, and their willingness to teach through distance education after the pandemic were questioned. Qualitative research method was used in the study. The interviews were decoded and themes were determined. The themes and codes were organized and interpreted using the ATLAS.ti qualitative data analysis programme. The findings revealed four main categories: learning, student, teaching, and assessment and evaluation. Giving education without time and space restrictions, encouraging individual learning, fostering digital learning, and being economical were some of the positive aspects. As for negative aspects, it could be stressed that the instructors were not able to interact with the students adequately and, particularly, they were unable to teach and support the students’ speaking and writing skills at the desired level. From the findings, the use of distance education partially after the pandemic can be suggested as it offers various advantages of time, place, and economy to learners and teachers in education.
Analiza strategiczna problemów tłumaczeniowych w polskiej powieści kryminalnej
Authors: Piotrowska Maria
Published: December 2021

Artykuł ukazuje proces decyzyjny tłumacza oraz stosowanie strategii i technik przekładowychw tłumaczeniu na język angielski współczesnej polskiej powieści kryminalnej pt.,,Seans w Domu Egipskim”. Głównym celem studium jest przeanalizowanie problemów tłumaczeniowych, takich jak kulturemy lub idiomy oraz rozważenie luk pragmatycznych, które pojawiają się w procesie tłumaczenia powieści z polskiego na angielski. Dynamiczna i kontekstowa analiza strategiczna poprowadzona zgodnie z metodologią ARTS (badania w działaniu) oraz oparta na minimalistycznym modelu kompetencji według Pyma z 2003 roku, prowadzi do wniosków na temat istoty wiedzy kulturowej, świadomości znaczeń kulturowych zakodowanych w kulturemach, a także założeń pragmatycznych w komunikacji międzykulturowej. Wnioski z przedstawionego studium przypadku podkreślają mediacyjną rolę tłumacza podczas „strategicznej gry tłumaczeniowej” oraz w pokonywaniu barier komunikacyjnych wynikających z różnic kulturowych.
Tissue‐Like Optoelectronic Neural Interface Enabled by PEDOT:PSS Hydrogel for Cardiac and Neural Stimulation
Authors: Han Mertcan , Yildiz Erdost , Kaleli Hümeyra Nur , Karaz Selcan , Eren Guncem Ozgun , Dogru‐Yuksel Itir Bakis , Senses Erkan , Şahin Afsun , Nizamoglu Sedat
Published: December 2021

Optoelectronic biointerfaces have made a significant impact on modern science and technology from understanding the mechanisms of the neurotransmission to the recovery of the vision for blinds. They are based on the cell interfaces made of organic or inorganic materials such as silicon, graphene, oxides, quantum dots, and π‐conjugated polymers, which are dry and stiff unlike a cell/tissue environment. On the other side, wet and soft hydrogels have recently been started to attract significant attention for bioelectronics because of its high‐level tissue‐matching biomechanics and biocompatibility. However, it is challenging to obtain optimal opto‐bioelectronic devices by using hydrogels requiring device, heterojunction, and hydrogel engineering. Here, an optoelectronic biointerface integrated with a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate), PEDOT:PSS, hydrogel that simultaneously achieves efficient, flexible, stable, biocompatible, and safe photostimulation of cells is demonstrated. Besides their interfacial tissue‐like biomechanics, ≈34 kPa, and high‐level biocompatibility, hydrogel‐integration facilitates increase in charge injection amounts sevenfolds with an improved responsivity of 156 mA W−1, stability under mechanical bending , and functional lifetime over three years. Finally, these devices enable stimulation of individual hippocampal neurons and photocontrol of beating frequency of cardiac myocytes via safe charge‐balanced capacitive currents. Therefore, hydrogel‐enabled optoelectronic biointerfaces hold great promise for next‐generation wireless neural and cardiac implants.
Controlled Switching of the Number of Skyrmions in a Magnetic Nanodot by Electric Fields
Authors: Hou Zhipeng , Wang Yadong , Lan Xiaoming , Li Sai , Wan Xuejin , Meng Fei , Hu Yangfan , Fan Zhen , Feng Chun , Qin Minghui , Zeng Min , Zhang Xichao , Liu Xiaoxi , Fu Xuewen , Yu Guanghua , Zhou Guofu , Zhou Yan , Zhao Weisheng , Gao Xingsen , Liu Jun‐ming
Published: December 2021

Magnetic skyrmions are topological swirling spin configurations that hold promise for building future magnetic memories and logic circuits. Skyrmionic devices typically rely on the electrical manipulation of a single skyrmion, but controllably manipulating a group of skyrmions can lead to more compact and memory‐efficient devices. Here, an electric‐field‐driven cascading transition of skyrmion clusters in a nanostructured ferromagnetic/ferroelectric multiferroic heterostructure is reported, which allows a continuous multilevel transition of the number of skyrmions in a one‐by‐one manner. Most notably, the transition is non‐volatile and reversible, which is crucial for multi‐bit memory applications. Combined experiments and theoretical simulations reveal that the switching of skyrmion clusters is induced by the strain‐mediated modification of both the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and effective uniaxial anisotropy. The results not only open up a new direction for constructing low‐power‐consuming, non‐volatile, and multi‐bit skyrmionic devices, but also offer valuable insights into the fundamental physics underlying the voltage manipulation of skyrmion clusters.
Recent Progress in Protective Membranes Fabricated via Electrospinning: Advanced Materials, Biomimetic Structures, and Functional Applications
Authors: Shi Shuo , Si Yifan , Han Yanting , Wu Ting , Iqbal Mohammad Irfan , Fei Bin , Li Robert K. Y. , Hu Jinlian , Qu Jinping
Published: December 2021

Electrospinning is a significant micro/nanofiber processing technology and has been rapidly developing in the past 2 decades. It has several applications, including advanced sensing, intelligent manufacturing, and high‐efficiency catalysis. Here, multifunctional protective membranes fabricated via electrospinning in terms of novel material design, construction of novel structures, and various protection requirements in different environments are reviewed. To achieve excellent comprehensive properties, such as, high water vapor transmission, high hydrostatic pressure, optimal mechanical property, and air permeability, combinations of novel materials containing nondegradable/degradable materials and functional structures inspired by nature have been investigated for decades. Currently, research is mainly focused on conventional protective membranes with multifunctional properties, such as, anti‐UV, antibacterial, and electromagnetic‐shielding functions. However, important aspects, such as, the properties of electrospun monofilaments, development of “green electrospinning solutions” with high solid content, and approaches for enhancing adhesion between hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers are not considered. Based on this systematic review, the development of electrospinning for protective membranes is discussed, the existing gaps in research are discussed, and solutions for the development of technology are proposed. This review will assist in promoting the diversified development of protective membranes and is of great significance for fabricating advanced materials for intelligent protection.
Nanocellulose and Its Interface: On the Road to the Design of Emerging Materials
Authors: Bettotti Paolo , Scarpa Marina
Published: December 2021

Nanocellulose has several unique properties that render it a versatile material with possible uses in a broad spectrum of applications. Nanocellulose is proved to form stable colloidal suspensions with interesting rheological properties, assemble in soft hydrogels of tunable porosity, compact dried films. Suggested or already current applications of these systems are in the field of electronics, biomedical, textile, and printing technologies. This review reports on the recent and emerging trends in nanocellulose research concerning the behavior, design, and modification of its interface. This nanomaterial is obtained by a biological source and its behavior is dictated from the composition and structure of native cellulose. The understanding of interface phenomena and their manipulation are the main issues for the effective manufacture of emulsions, coatings and films. In reviewing the recent applications, emphasis is placed on the systems which require control of the order and dynamic of nanocellulose assembly to realize smart materials exploiting the rich and complex behavior of nanocellulose.
Extremely Stretchable and Tough Piezoelectric Gels for Artificial Electronic Skin
Authors: Li Qingqing , Chen Lianmin , Guo Mingyu , Hu Zhijun
Published: December 2021

Piezoelectric sensors and energy harvesters have received considerable interest due to their self‐powered capability and potential applications in various electronic devices. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate stretchable piezoelectric devices because piezoelectrics mainly consists of stiff crystalline structures. Here, extremely stretchable and tough piezoelectric gels are reported, which are prepared simply by swelling poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based poly(urethane‐urea) (PUU) gels with aqueous solution of molecular ferroelectrics. The hydrogen interactions between the PEG segments in the gels and the molecular ferroelectrics (dabcoHReO4, DH) enable well dispersion and crystallization of DH in the PEG segments. The resulted PUU/DH composite piezoelectric gels exhibit unique tensile mechanical properties, including superior strain (>1000%), high breaking strength (>10 MPa), modulus (>2 MPa), and toughness (>57 MJ cm−3). The extremely stretchable and tough piezoelectric gels show excellent piezoelectric properties (d33 ≈ 62 pC N−1 for films with a 10 wt% of DH and light transparency (>90%), and can quantitatively detect different mechanical deformations. Additionally, the energy generators can harvest mechanical energy with a power density of 1.7 µW cm−2. This work is expected to motivate new design principles for fabricating piezoelectric materials with excellent mechanical and piezoelectric properties for various applications.
Camouflaging a High‐Index Dielectric Scatterer with Buried Metasurfaces
Authors: Cacocciola Riccardo , Ratni Badreddine , Mielec Nicolas , Mimoun Emmanuel , Burokur Shah Nawaz
Published: December 2021

Metasurface‐tuning is presented as a solution to camouflage high‐index and electrically large dielectric parasitic scatterers. By incorporating metasurfaces into the dielectric volume of the scatterer, it is possible to reduce its scattering signature with respect to a given dielectric reference. The metasurface's surface impedance is retrieved analytically from a transmission‐line model and the induced field ratio parameter is introduced to characterize the scattering behavior of the scatterer. The scattering reduction effect achieved by the metasurfaces is validated with microwave near‐field full‐wave simulations and experiments for both normal and off‐normal transverse‐electric and transverse‐magnetic polarized incident wave illuminations. The study highlights the capability of metasurface‐tuning as a polarization‐insensitive and frequency‐adjustable solution to reduce spurious scattering from high‐index dielectric mechanical pieces such as seams in large ground‐based radio‐frequency antenna radomes.
Separators Based on the Dynamic Tip‐Occupying Electrostatic Shield Effect for Dendrite‐Free Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Dong Qin , Wang Tao , Gan Ruiyi , Tong Cheng , Xu Rui , Shao Minhua , Li Cunpu , Wei Zidong
Published: December 2021

Lithium‐metal batteries (LMBs) have long been considered the “holy grail” of next‐generation energy storage systems due to the unique advantages of Li metal, such as having a high specific capacity and the lowest potential. Unfortunately, the practical application of LMBs is seriously hindered by the uncontrollable growth of dendritic Li. To address this issue, a positively charged layer (PCL) with freely moving multication sidechains is successfully polymerized on a commercial polypropylene (PP) separator. The cationic groups on the sidechains of the polymer realize dendrite‐free Li deposition based on the “dynamic tip‐occupying electrostatic shield” effect. LMBs with improved cycling stability and rate performance can be achieved by using a PP‐N,N,N,N”,N”‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PP‐PMDT) separator. All the results demonstrate that this strategy for constructing a flexible “electrostatic shield layer” can successfully eliminate the formation of Li dendrites while retaining the desired performance.
Fiber‐Reinforced Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Gao Longxue , Tang Bin , Jiang Haoyang , Xie Zhaojun , Wei Jinping , Zhou Zhen
Published: December 2021

Solid‐state composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) have attracted much attention due to their flexibility and low interfacial impedance. Researchers have been improving their ionic conductivity at room temperature, ionic transference number, and (electro)chemical stability. Here, a fiber‐reinforced CPE is prepared by infusing polyethylene oxide (PEO) and Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) electrolytes onto polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber networks. The introduction of both inorganic ceramic filler LLZTO and plasticizer succinonitrile (SN) reduces the crystallinity of PEO, increases the solubility of lithium salts, and further improves ionic transport kinetics. The ionic conductivity of CPE is 2.57 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C and the lithium‐ion transference number is 0.6. Meanwhile, the high content of LLZTO (60 wt.%) brings a better capability to suppress lithium dendrites, and thus lithium symmetrical cells based on this CPE can be stably cycled for up to 500 h. In addition, the PAN fiber network endows CPE with high mechanical strength and high oxidation resistivity, and accordingly an electrochemical stability window as high as 4.7 V. Both LiFePO4/CPE/Li and LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2/CPE/Li cells can be operated at 30 °C for 100 cycles. This work provides a promising strategy for the preparation of thin CPEs for solid‐state lithium metal batteries.
Plasmonic Optoelectronic Memristor Enabling Fully Light‐Modulated Synaptic Plasticity for Neuromorphic Vision
Authors: Shan Xuanyu , Zhao Chenyi , Wang Xinnong , Wang Zhongqiang , Fu Shencheng , Lin Ya , Zeng Tao , Zhao Xiaoning , Xu Haiyang , Zhang Xintong , Liu Yichun
Published: December 2021

Exploration of optoelectronic memristors with the capability to combine sensing and processing functions is required to promote development of efficient neuromorphic vision. In this work, the authors develop a plasmonic optoelectronic memristor that relies on the effects of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and optical excitation in an Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite film. Fully light‐induced synaptic plasticity (e.g., potentiation and depression) under visible and ultraviolet light stimulations is demonstrated, which enables the functional combination of visual sensing and low‐level image pre‐processing (including contrast enhancement and noise reduction) in a single device. Furthermore, the light‐gated and electrically‐driven synaptic plasticity can be performed in the same device, in which the spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity (STDP) learning functions can be reversibly modulated by visible and ultraviolet light illuminations. Thereby, the high‐level image processing function, i.e., image recognition, can also be performed in this memristor, whose recognition rate and accuracy are obviously enhanced as a result of image pre‐processing and light‐gated STDP enhancement. Experimental analysis shows that the memristive switching mechanism under optical stimulation can be attributed to the oxidation/reduction of Ag nanoparticles due to the effects of LSPR and optical excitation. The authors' work proposes a new type of plasmonic optoelectronic memristor with fully light‐modulated capability that may promote the future development of efficient neuromorphic vision.
Synthesis of Acrylonitrile Derivatives via Visible Light‐induced Coupling Reaction of Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman Adducts with Tertiary Amines and α‐Trimethylsilyl Amines
Authors: Ni Niannian , Chen Jiawei , Ding Siyu , Cheng Dongping , Li Xiaonian , Xu Xiaoliang
Published: December 2021

Ru‐catalyzed coupling reaction of Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman (MBH) adducts with tertiary amines and α‐trimethylsilyl amines under visible light is disclosed. Compared with the reported MBH adducts with ester as withdrawing‐electron groups, MBH adducts with cyano group in this paper show different chemical reaction characteristics. The universality of substrates has been extended. A series of structurally complementary acrylonitriles are obtained in satisfied yields under mild condition, which provides a good opportunity to discover new meaningful bioactive compounds.
Synthesis of polymeric emulsifiers based on ketoaldehyde resin and their application in emulsifying styrene/water two‐phase system
Authors: Wang Guolin , Cai Guiting , Zhang Menghao , Wang Ziyu , Li Chaofeng , Zhang Yanwu
Published: December 2021

Though the stabilization effect of polymeric emulsifiers onto emulsions is worse than that of small molecular emulsifiers, the application of polymeric emulsifiers can avoid small molecule residues in polymer products. Herein, a series of polymeric emulsifiers (M‐CFR‐x‐K [Na]/M‐MeCFR‐x‐K) are synthesized based on cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin (CFR)/methylcyclohexanone formaldehyde resin (MeCFR), which are firstly modified by maleic anhydride and then neutralized by bases. The effect of different counter ions, terminal groups and chain lengths on emulsion (styrene/water) property is studied by monitoring the stability and droplet size distribution of the emulsions. The results indicate that the emulsifier with KOH as neutralizer has better emulsifying performance than that with NaOH. Besides, the emulsion prepared by M‐MeCFR‐1.20‐K, which has a hydrophilic group just at one end is more stable than that of M‐CFR‐2.25‐K, which both ends are hydrophilic groups. The chain length of polymeric emulsifiers affects the stability of emulsions. And when the acid value is 1.91 mmol/g, the modified resin (M‐CFR‐2.25‐K) has the best emulsifying performance. Furthermore, M‐CFR‐2.25‐K (acid value:1.91 mmol/g) is used for emulsion polymerization. And after the reaction, polystyrene particulates can be directly obtained by precipitation without special demulsification procedure.
Autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia: An updated conceptual review
Authors: Jutla Amandeep , Foss‐Feig Jennifer , Veenstra‐VanderWeele Jeremy
Published: December 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are separate disorders, with distinct clinical profiles and natural histories. ASD, typically diagnosed in childhood, is characterized by restricted or repetitive interests or behaviors and impaired social communication, and it tends to have a stable course. SCZ, typically diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood, is characterized by hallucinations and delusions, and tends to be associated with declining function. However, youth with ASD are three to six times more likely to develop SCZ than their neurotypical counterparts, and increasingly, research has shown that ASD and SCZ converge at several levels. We conducted a systematic review of studies since 2013 relevant to understanding this convergence, and present here a narrative synthesis of key findings, which we have organized into four broad categories: symptoms and behavior, perception and cognition, biomarkers, and genetic and environmental risk. We then discuss opportunities for future research into the phenomenology and neurobiology of overlap between ASD and SCZ. Understanding this overlap will allow for researchers, and eventually clinicians, to understand the factors that may make a child with ASD vulnerable to developing SCZ.

Lay Summary

Autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia are distinct diagnoses, but people with autism and people with schizophrena share several characteristics. We review recent studies that have examined these areas of overlap, and discuss the kinds of studies we will need to better understand how these disorders are related. Understanding this will be important to help us identify which autistic children are at risk of developing schizophrenia.
Optical Scattering from Vitreous Floaters
Authors: Harmer Stuart W. , Luff Andrew J. , Gini Giampaolo
Published: December 2021

Vitreous “floaters” are a common entoptic phenomenon that can result in significant reduction in quality of life in a proportion of sufferers. The authors use a computational mathematical model based on Fourier optics and reflection and transmission coefficients calculated for a planar type II collagen opacity suspended in aqueous to show that floaters are perceived by the patient through interference effects that result in significant variations in intensity on the retina when viewing a constant brightness surface. The model also predicts that backscattered intensity from floaters is ten thousand to one million times lower than the variations in intensity produced on the retina, which demonstrates that the visible effects of floaters for the patient can be highly significant, whereas clinical observation of the vitreous may be entirely unremarkable. Importantly, the results also demonstrate that floaters do not need to be opaque to cause symptoms, with only small differences in refractive index between the floater material and the surrounding vitreous needed to produce significant optical effects. The model predicts that pupil size is an important factor in determining the severity of symptoms from floaters, with constricted pupils giving much greater effect than dilated pupils. Finally, the authors’ model predicts that floaters degrade contrast sensitivity function, with greatest degradation occurring in the 5–40 cycles per degree spatial frequency range and that the effects of shadowing caused by floaters are very strongly correlated to the predicted degradation of contrast sensitivity function. Bioelectromagnetics. 43:90–105, 2022. © 2021 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Airborne particles and cardiovascular morbidity in severe inherited hypercholesterolemia: Vulnerable endothelium under multiple attacks
Authors: Vuorio Alpo , Budowle Bruce , Kovanen Petri T.
Published: December 2021

Despite recent advances in the research related to air pollution and associated adverse cardiovascular events, the combined effects of air pollution, climate change, and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on cardiovascular health need to be researched further. This Commentary addresses their impacts on cardiovascular health in the approximately 25 million people with a severe form of inherited hypercholesterolemia, called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The arterial endothelium in these individuals is potentially under multiple attacks caused by particles of both endogenous and exogenous origin. Thus, they have a lifelong highly elevated level of circulating low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which drives premature atherosclerosis. The high levels of LDL particles, often associated with an elevated level of circulating lipoprotein(a) particles, are both capable of inducing and maintaining endothelial dysfunction. Such pre‐existing endothelial dysfunction can be exacerbated by exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 viral particles, by exposure to fine particulate matter generated by climate change‐associated wildfires, and by dehydration during deadly heatwaves linked to the globally rising temperatures. The external factors can severely worsen the pre‐existing endothelial dysfunction, and thereby significantly increase the risk of a cardiovascular event in the exposed FH patients.
Natural catalyst for luminol chemiluminescence: application to validate peroxide levels in commercial hair dyes
Authors: Deepa Simon , Ramu Arumugam , Rajendrakumar Kannapiran
Published: December 2021

Here, we report a hydrothermally treated green leaves (Moringa oleifera) extract exploited as an efficient and highly sensitive catalyst to catalyze the chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of luminol. In the absence of enhancer, this green and hydrothermally treated catalyst was found to significantly enhance the CL intensity ~3.5‐fold compared with the traditionally used K3Fe(CN)6 catalyst. The structure and surface morphology of the catalyst was elucidated using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The synergistic effect of the catalyst in the CL reaction was systematically investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using ultraviolet–visible and CL spectroscopy. Studies showed that the sensitivity of the catalyst could be amplified by adjusting several parameters such as pH of the medium and concentrations of the base and luminol. The sensitivity of the novel‐type catalyst was examined through the validation of hydrogen peroxide levels in commercial hair dye samples. Markedly, the catalyst displayed ultrasensitivity to hydrogen peroxide as the limit of detection of hydrogen peroxide using this catalyst was determined to be 0.02 μM under optimized conditions. In general, the proposed inexpensive, ecofriendly, and nontoxic catalyst could enable the determination of hydrogen peroxide for diverse analytical applications.
Study on the material basis of Dahuang Zhechong pill of anti‐hepatoma effect by promoting vascular normalization
Authors: Chen Honglin , Yang Furong , Fu Chuankui , Zhang Zimeng , Xu Kejia , Lu Shengfeng , Chen Zhipeng , Wu Li , Li Weidong
Published: December 2021

Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DHZCP) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription used to treat many diseases especially chronic liver disease accompanied by promotion of vascular normalization. In this work, UPLC–Q‐TOF–MS/MS analysis was applied to identify the chemical components absorbed in the blood. HIF‐1α, VEGF, Ang2 and Tie2 related to vascular normalization were detected to determine the dynamic changes of pharmacodynamic indicators. Then, the spectrum–effect relationship between the UHPLC fingerprint and pharmacodynamic indicators was evaluated dynamically using partial least squares (PLS). As a result, 103 components were identified from rat serum samples, including 56 original compounds and 47 metabolites. According to the PLS, active constituents of DHZCP acting on HIF‐1α, VEGF, Ang2 and Tie2 (8, 15, 17 and 20) were found. In subsequent experiments on cells, 7/11 components of HIF‐1α/VEGF were found in HepG2 and HUVEC cells, and 11/14/2 components of HIF‐1α/VEGF/Tie2. The main pharmacodynamic components of DHZCP in promoting vascular normalization were successfully identified by the spectrum–effect relationship analysis.
Serum concentration of zinc is elevated in clinically stable bipolar disorder patients
Authors: Jonsson Bo H. , Orhan Funda , Bruno Sanna , Oliveira Ana Osório , Sparding Timea , Landen Mikael , Sellgren Carl M.
Published: December 2021

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent mood episodes interspersed with euthymic periods. A growing number of studies have indicated that zinc plays an important role in coordinating immune responses, as well as being involved in synaptic transmission. In the current study, we set out to measure serum levels of zinc in a meticulously phenotyped cohort of 121 euthymic BD subjects and 30 matched controls.

Methods

Serum levels of zinc were measured by photometry. To assess the interplay between zinc levels and immune activation in BD, we measured serum levels of high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) levels by immunoturbidimetric assay, and serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), chitinase 3‐like protein 1 (YKL‐40), and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) by electrochemiluminescence enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The baseline clinical diagnostic instrument for BD was the Affective Disorder Evaluation, and executive functioning was assessed by using the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System.

Results

Controlling for potential confounding factors, BD patients displayed increased serum levels of zinc unrelated to hsCRP, MCP‐1, YKL‐40, and sCD14 levels. Serum levels of zinc did not associate with executive functioning or measurements of disease severity.

Discussion

This study suggests that the zinc homeostasis is disturbed in BD and that this dyshomeostasis is not related to ongoing mood symptoms or immune activation. Of note, serum levels were increased and hence do not support continuous zinc supplementation in BD.