bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bedside determination of microcirculatory oxygen delivery and uptake: a prospective observational clinical study for proof of principle
Authors: Sturm Timo , Leiblein Julia , Clauß Christoph , Erles Enno , Thiel Manfred
Published: December 2021

Assessment of microcirculatory functional capacity is considered to be of prime importance for therapy guidance and outcome prediction in critically ill intensive care patients. Here, we show determination of skin microcirculatory oxygen delivery and consumption rates to be a feasible approach at the patient’s bedside. Real time laser-doppler flowmetry (LDF) and white light spectrophotometry (WLS) were used for assessment of thenar skin microperfusion, regional Hb and postcapillary venous oxygen saturation before and after forearm ischemia. Adapted Fick’s principle equations allowed for calculation of microcirculatory oxygen delivery and uptake. Patient groups with expected different microcirculatory status were compared [control (n = 20), sepsis-1/2 definition criteria identified SIRS (n = 10) and septic shock patients (n = 20), and the latter group further classified according to sepsis-3 definition criteria in sepsis (n = 10) and septic shock (n = 10)], respectively. In otherwise healthy controls, microcirculatory oxygen delivery and uptake approximately doubled after ischemia with maximum values (mDO2max and mVO2max) significantly lower in SIRS or septic patient groups, respectively. Scatter plots of mVO2max and mDO2max values defined a region of unphysiological low values not observed in control but in critically ill patients with the percentage of dots within this region being highest in septic shock patients. LDF and WLS combined with vasoocclusive testing reveals significant differences in microcirculatory oxygen delivery and uptake capacity between control and critically ill patients. As a clinically feasible technique for bedside determination of microcirculatory oxygen delivery and uptake, LDF and WLS combined with vasoocclusive testing holds promise for monitoring of disease progression and/or guidance of therapy at the microcirculatory level to be tested in further clinical trials.

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01530932.
Genome-wide analysis uncovers tomato leaf lncRNAs transcriptionally active upon Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato challenge
Authors: Rosli Hernan G. , Sirvent Emilia , Bekier Florencia N. , Ramos Romina N. , Pombo Marina A.
Published: December 2021

Plants rely on (in)direct detection of bacterial pathogens through plasma membrane-localized and intracellular receptor proteins. Surface pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) participate in the detection of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and are required for the activation of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Pathogenic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) deploys ~ 30 effector proteins into the plant cell that contribute to pathogenicity. Resistant plants are capable of detecting the presence or activity of effectors and mount another response termed effector-triggered immunity (ETI). In order to investigate the involvement of tomato’s long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the immune response against Pst, we used RNA-seq data to predict and characterize those that are transcriptionally active in leaves challenged with a large set of treatments. Our prediction strategy was validated by sequence comparison with tomato lncRNAs described in previous works and by an alternative approach (RT-qPCR). Early PTI (30 min), late PTI (6 h) and ETI (6 h) differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs were identified and used to perform a co-expression analysis including neighboring (± 100 kb) DE protein-coding genes. Some of the described networks could represent key regulatory mechanisms of photosynthesis, PRR abundance at the cell surface and mitigation of oxidative stress, associated to tomato-Pst pathosystem.
Highly divergent herpesviruses in threatened river dolphins from Brazil
Authors: Exposto Novoselecki Helena , Catão-Dias José Luiz , Ewbank Ana Carolina , Navas-Suárez Pedro Enrique , Duarte-Benvenuto Aricia , Lial Henrique Christino , Costa Silva Samira , Sánchez-Sarmiento Angélica María , Gravena Waleska , da Silva Vera Maria Ferreira , Carvalho Vitor L. , Marmontel Miriam , Bertozzi Carolina P. , Lanes Ribeiro Vanessa , del Rio do Valle Rodrigo , Marigo Juliana , das Neves Carlos G. , Esperón Fernando , Sacristán Carlos
Published: December 2021

River dolphins are a highly threatened polyphyletic group comprised of four odontocete families: Iniidae, Pontoporiidae, Lipotidae, and Platanistidae, the first two endemic to South America. To address the knowledge gap regarding infectious agents in this cetacean group, we surveyed the presence of herpesviruses by PCR in skin and/or blood samples of live-captured Amazon (Inia geoffrensis, n = 25) and Bolivian (Inia boliviensis, n = 22) river dolphins of the Amazon basin and in selected tissue samples of franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei, n = 27) stranded or bycaught in southeastern Brazil. Additionally, available franciscana tissue samples were examined by histopathology. Herpesvirus DNA was amplified in 13 Bolivian river dolphins (59.1%, 95% CI 38.5–79.6%) and 14 franciscanas (51.9%, 95% CI 33.0–70.7%). All Amazon river dolphins were herpesvirus-negative. Two different herpesviruses were found in Bolivian river dolphins: a previously known gammaherpesvirus detected in blood and/or skin samples of all positive individuals and a novel alphaherpesvirus in the skin of one animal. A new gammaherpesvirus was found in several franciscana samples—the first herpesvirus recorded in Pontoporiidae. Intranuclear inclusion bodies consistent with herpesvirus were observed in the lymph node of one franciscana. The high divergence among the obtained herpesviruses and those previously described can be explained by viral-host coevolution, and by the fact that these populations are fairly isolated.
Hypoxia driven opioid targeted automated device for overdose rescue
Authors: Imtiaz Mohammad S. , Bandoian Charles V. , Santoro Thomas J.
Published: December 2021

Opioid use disorder has been designated a worsening epidemic with over 100,000 deaths due to opioid overdoses recorded in 2021 alone. Unintentional deaths due to opioid overdoses have continued to rise inexorably. While opioid overdose antidotes such as naloxone, and nalmefene are available, these must be administered within a critical time window to be effective. Unfortunately, opioid-overdoses may occur in the absence of antidote, or may be unwitnessed, and the rapid onset of cognitive impairment and unconsciousness, which frequently accompany an overdose may render self-administration of an antidote impossible. Thus, many lives are lost because: (1) an opioid overdose is not anticipated (i.e., monitored/detected), and (2) antidote is either not present, and/or not administered within the critical frame of effectiveness. Currently lacking is a non-invasive means of automatically detecting, reporting, and treating such overdoses. To address this problem, we have designed a wearable, on-demand system that comprises a safe, compact, non-invasive device which can monitor, and effectively deliver an antidote without human intervention, and report the opioid overdose event. A novel feature of our device is a needle-stow chamber that stores needles in a sterile state and inserts needles into tissue only when drug delivery is needed. The system uses a microcontroller which continuously monitors respiratory status as assessed by reflex pulse oximetry. When the oximeter detects the wearer’s percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen to be less than or equal to 90%, which is an indication of impending respiratory failure in otherwise healthy individuals, the microcontroller initiates a sequence of events that simultaneously results in the subcutaneous administration of opioid antidote, nalmefene, and transmission of a GPS-trackable 911 alert. The device is compact (4 × 3 × 3 cm), adhesively attaches to the skin, and can be conveniently worn on the arm. Furthermore, this device permits a centralized remotely accessible system for effective institutional, large-scale intervention. Most importantly, this device has the potential for saving lives that are currently being lost to an alarmingly increasing epidemic.
Performance evaluation of ozonation for removal of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and genes from hospital wastewater
Authors: Baghal Asghari Farzaneh , Dehghani Mohammad Hadi , Dehghanzadeh Reza , Farajzadeh Davoud , Shanehbandi Dariush , Mahvi Amir Hossein , Yaghmaeian Kamyar , Rajabi Akbar
Published: December 2021

The performance of ozonation for the removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) using Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa carrying ARGs from hospital wastewaters was evaluated in this study. Bacterial inactivation was determined using plate count methods and real time PCR for ARG damage (Sul1, blatem, blactx, blavim and qnrS). The reduction rate of bacterial cells and ARGs was increased by different amounts of transferred ozone dose from 11 to 45 mg/L. The concentration of 108 cfu/ml bacteria was reduced  to an acceptable level by ozone treatment after a 5 min contact time,  Although the removal rate was much higher for concentrations of 106 cfu/ml and 104 cfu/ml bacteria. Overall, the tendency of gene reduction by ozonation from more to less was 16S rRNA > sul1 > blatem > blactx > qnrS > blavim. Given that plasmid-borne ARGs can potentially be transferred to other bacteria even after the disinfection process, our results can provide important insights into the fate of ARGs during hospital wastewater ozonation.
Integrated electrochemical lateral flow immunoassays (eLFIAs): recent advances
Authors: Cheng Jie , Yang Guopan , Guo Jiuchuan , Liu Shan , Guo Jinhong
Published: December 2021

Schematic of integrated electrochemical lateral flow immunoassays.
Microfluidic pressure in paper (μPiP): rapid prototyping and low-cost liquid handling for on-chip diagnostics
Authors: Islam Md. Nazibul , Yost Jarad W. , Gagnon Zachary R.
Published: December 2021

A new ultra-low-cost method for rapidly fabricating and utilizing low-cost polymer-laminated paper-based microfluidic devices under external pressure.
Controllable spontaneous resolution in ultrasmall Cu–Ag bimetallic cluster ion pairs from achiral components
Authors: He Jiao , Deng Cheng-Long , Sun Cun-Fa , Zhang Xiao-Xiao , Cui Ying , Wu Sheng-Hui , Luo Geng-Geng
Published: December 2021

Ultrasmall Cu–Ag cluster ion pairs are obtained as conglomerate crystals or racemic crystals through fine-tuning of internal achiral structural components.
Selective benzylic Csp3–H bond activations mediated by a phosphorus–nitrogen PN3P-nickel complex
Authors: Yao Changguang , Zhang Tonghuan , Gonçalves Théo P. , Huang Kuo-Wei
Published: December 2021

Selective benzylic C–H activation is achieved by the binary system of (PN3P)NiCl/KN(SiMe3)2.
Cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)-based nanoquenchers (qCPDs) for self-monitoring of intracellular gene delivery
Authors: Lang Wenjie , Liew Si Si , Wang Shuyi , Hong Dawei , Zhu Liquan , Du Shubo , Jiang Linye , Yao Shao Q. , Ge Jingyan
Published: December 2021

Cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)-based nanoquenchers (qCPDs) were developed for both gene delivery and detection of gene release.
LDH-derived phosphide/N-doped graphene oxide hierarchical electrocatalyst for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Yang Mengya , Zhao Rong , Liu Yi , Lin Hua
Published: December 2021

A hierarchical electrocatalyst Fe-Ni2P/N-GO was successfully synthesized via a facile method combining solvothermal and phosphorization, which shows excellent OER performance in alkaline solution.
Exploring structural dynamics and optical properties of UnaG fluorescent protein upon N57 mutations
Authors: Asad Mohammad , Laurent Adèle D.
Published: December 2021

UnaG is a new class of fluorescence protein in which an endogenous ligand, namely bilirubin (BLR), plays the role of chromophore.
A review on nirS-type and nirK-type denitrifiers via a scientometric approach coupled with case studies
Authors: Sun Haishu , Jiang Shanxue
Published: December 2021

The nirS-type and nirK-type denitrifiers have attracted great attention.
Carbonaceous DBP (THMs and HAAs) formation during Cl2 and ClO2 treatment of aqueous soluble fractions of soil derived natural organic matter
Authors: Padhi R. K.
Published: December 2021

Organic content from composite soil samples was isolated, fractionated into hydrophilic, hydrophobic and transphilic constituents and their potential for disinfection byproduct formation during Cl2 and ClO2 treatment was evaluated.
CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dot solar cells: opportunities, progress and challenges
Authors: Khan Jahangeer , Ullah Ihsan , Yuan Jianyu
Published: December 2021

All-inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite QDs have quickly emerged as a rising star for QD PV materials and have achieved a remarkable efficiency of over 16% via advanced surface chemistry and device engineering.
Molecular design of viologens to exhibit low-order liquid-crystalline phases
Authors: Arai Satoshi , Ohgi Yusuke , Takahashi Minami , Le Khoa V. , Sasaki Takeo , Naka Yumiko
Published: December 2021

By systematically varying the molecular structure of viologen, it was found that the asymmetry of the rigid core due to the position of the ionic sites has a significant influence on the formation of the low-order liquid-crystalline phases.
Electronic structure regulation of an ultra-thin MOF-derived NiSe2/NiS2@NC heterojunction for promoting the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Lu Kebin , Sun Jianpeng , Xu Huakai , Jiang Chuanhai , Jiang Weifeng , Dai Fangna , Wang Hong , Hao Hongguo
Published: December 2021

A Ni-MOF is used as a precursor to synthesize a NiSe2/NiS2@NC heterojunction with rich phase interfaces through a selenization/sulfurization process. Overpotentials of 188 mV and 211 mV are achieved in acidic and alkaline media at 10 mA cm−2.
Water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol composite films with nanodiamond particles modified with polyethyleneimine
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wu Minjie , Li Jian , Naito Kimiyoshi , Yu Xiaoyan , Zhang Qingxin
Published: December 2021

Nanodiamond particles modified with polyethyleneimine were added to polyvinyl alcohol matrices to obtain composites with good thermal and mechanical properties.
N-Doped celery-based biomass carbon with tunable Co3O4 loading for enhanced-performance of solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Lin Zihan , Xie Xiubo , Wu Dan , Feng Xiangyang , Chen Mengna , Jia Xuexue , Sun Yue , Qin Yanting , Qi Yupeng , Du Wei
Published: December 2021

N-doped celery-based biomass carbon with tunable Co3O4 loading is prepared and shows enhanced specific capacitance.
Silver-doped SnO2nanostructures for photocatalytic water splitting and catalytic nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Jain Sapan K. , Fazil Mohd , Naaz Farha , Pandit Nayeem Ahmad , Ahmed Jahangeer , Alshehri Saad M. , Mao Yuanbing , Ahmad Tokeer
Published: December 2021

Driven by the quest of renewable and clean energy sources, researchers around the globe are seeking solutions to replace non-renewable fossil fuels to meet the ever-increasing energy supply requirements and solve the relevant environment concerns.
Superhydrophobic and elastic silica/polyimide aerogel based on double confinement growth strategy of the co-sol system
Authors: Xiao Zhou , Che Jing , Li Huaxin , Yue Xian , Yu Xianbo , Sun Fenglei , Xue Chao , Xiang Junhui
Published: December 2021

Super-elastic, super-hydrophobic, thermally stabilized silica/polyimide aerogel with honeycomb structure prepared by double confinement growth strategy.
NiMoFe nanoparticles@MoO2 nano-pillar arrays as bifunctional electrodes for ultra-low-voltage overall water splitting
Authors: Liu Peng , Pan Weisheng , Yao Rui , Zhang Lihan , Wu Qianyuan , Kang Feiyu , Fan Hong Jin , Yang Cheng
Published: December 2021

A bifunctional alkaline water splitting electrode material featuring dense ternary NiMoFe alloy nanoparticles anchored on the hierarchical MoO2 nano-pillar arrays is prepared by a unique reductive annealing-induced phase separation method.
Visible-light excited polar Dion–Jacobson Rb(Bi1−xEux)2Ti2NbO10perovskites: photoluminescence properties andin vitrobioimaging
Authors: Panda Debendra Prasad , Singh Akash Kumar , Kundu Tapas K. , Sundaresan A.
Published: December 2021

In vitrobioimaging by visible light excitation using Rb(Bi1−xEux)2Ti2NbO10perovskites.
Advances in antitumor nanomedicine based on functional metal–organic frameworks beyond drug carriers
Authors: Wei Qin , Wu Yihan , Liu Fangfang , Cao Jiao , Liu Jinliang
Published: December 2021

Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted widespread interest due to their unique properties including a tunable porous structure, high drug loading capacity, structural diversity, and outstanding biocompatibility.
Abnormal electronic structure of chemically modified n-InP(100) surfaces
Authors: Lebedev Mikhail V. , Lvova Tatiana V. , Smirnov Alexander N. , Davydov Valery Yu. , Koroleva Aleksandra V. , Zhizhin Evgeny V. , Lebedev Sergey V.
Published: December 2021

Sulfur treatment causes essential modification of the shape of the band potentials at the n-InP(100) surface, accompanied by photoluminescence enhancement.
Highly efficient triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion in polycaprolactone: application to 3D printable architectures and microneedles
Authors: Park Jeong-Min , Lee Haklae , Choe Hyun-Seok , Ahn Suk-kyun , Seong Keum-Yong , Yang Seung Yun , Kim Jae-Hyuk
Published: December 2021

This research reports the next generation of solid-state triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) host material (polycaprolactone, PCL) for highly efficient, processable, and biocompatible solid-state TTA-UC.
Iodide-substitution-induced phase transition of chemical-vapor-deposited MoS2
Authors: Zhang Tianfu , Zeng Zimeng , Xiao Xiaoyang , Huang Zhongzheng , Zhao Jie , Zhao Yuxin , Jin Yuanhao , Wang Jiaping , Fan Shoushan , Li Qunqing
Published: December 2021

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) based electronic devices, particularly field effect transistors, have outstanding performance.
A study on reducing eddy current loss of sleeve and improving torque density using ferrofluid of a surface permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Song Si‐Woo , Jeong Min‐Jae , Kim Kwang‐Soo , Lee Ju , Kim Won‐Ho
Published: December 2021

It has advantages such as high power density and miniaturisation when the motor operates at high speed. However, as a side effect, the loss density is much higher than that of a constant speed motor. In addition, a retaining sleeve is inserted in the high‐speed motors to prevent the rotor from scattering. This insertion deteriorates the performance due to the increase of airgap, and eddy current loss occurs in the sleeve. In order to improve these shortcomings, the sleeve is redesigned in this paper. A groove was dug into the retaining sleeve and ferrofluid was injected. Ferrofluid refers to water or oil mixed with ultra‐fine powder. Since the permeability of ferrofluid is greater than that of airgap, it is possible to have high output and high efficiency. Since the material of the sleeve is non‐permeable, the performance is reduced with the same effect as increasing the airgap. However, if a ferrofluid is inserted by digging a groove in the retaining sleeve, the magnetic flux from the magnet flows into the stator through the ferrofluid, which has the same effect as reducing the airgap. Therefore, the torque density increases. Also, the eddy current loss is reduced through the retained sleeve groove. Moreover, a sleeve skew structure was used to further reduce the eddy current loss. In this paper, the mechanical rigidity at the rated speed was also taken into consideration. As a result, eddy current loss was reduced and torque density was improved. This is verified through the final finite element analysis.
Eddy current loss modelling for torque‐motors
Authors: Li Zhiwei , Cao Jie , Chang Liang , Li Sheng , Ruan Jian
Published: December 2021

A torque motor is a key component that directly influences the dynamic performance of two‐dimensional (2D) cartridge servo valves. Considering the effects of eddy current, a magnetic circuit model of a torque motor is proposed, and the eddy current resistance value considering the skin effect is calculated. When the eddy current effect is ignored, the natural frequency and critical damping of a torque motor are less than the calculated values under the eddy current effect, so the eddy current influence can be assumed to increase torque motor damping, as the iron loss can be equivalent to the damping energy consumption. Test rigs were set up and experiments were conducted based on a torque motor prototype. Through a finite element simulation analysis, the eddy current effect of the armature was found to be greater than that of the yokes. The magnetic leakage coefficients of the permanent magnets were calculated, and the obtained values were compared through experiments and simulations. Both the numerical simulations and experimental results showed that the eddy current model is closer to actual working conditions than the model for which the eddy current loss was ignored.
Complications of Hair Transplant Procedures—Causes and Management
Authors: Garg Anil Kumar , Garg Seema
Published: December 2021

Hair transplant surgery per se has low risk, is relatively safe, and has minimum incidence of complications. However, it is a well-accepted fact that no medical science procedure exists without any potential risk of complications. The complication may be a single complaint in the form of pain, itching, dissatisfaction related to the procedure's outcome, or surgical complication in the form of infection, wound dehiscence or skin necrosis. Inadequate counselling increases unsatisfaction. Improper examination increases the complications, and incomplete medical history and history of allergy increases the risk during surgery.

The author collected data of his 2896 patients, operated over a period of 10 years, and recorded the complains and complications. The most common complications were sterile folliculitis, noted in 203 patients, vasovagal shock in seven patients of, hypertensive crisis in one patient, hiccups in six patients, facial edema after hair transplant in 18 patients, graft dislodgement in 8 patients, infection in two diabetic patients, minor necrotic patches in recipient area in three patients, keloid development in one patient, numbness in 18 cases, and hypersensitivity in recipient and/or donor area. Donor area effluvium was seen in one case and three patients showed recipient area effluvium. Twenty-six patients were not happy with the results, and five cases showed partial loss of implanted hair. The overall significant life-threatening or major complications were zero, but the total minor complications' percentage was 0.10%.

The key to minimize complaints and complications are detailed counselling, taking careful medical history and history of allergy, and proper examination of patients.
Spine Myeloid Sarcoma: A Case Series with Review of Literature
Authors: Shah Kajal , Panchal Harsha , Patel Apurva
Published: December 2021

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a malignant extramedullary tumor consisting of immature cells of myeloid origin. It may precede, present concurrently or follow acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in de novo case or may also be present and might be the only manifestation of recurrent AML, myelodysplastic syndrome, or chronic myeloid leukemia. It frequently involves skin, orbit, bone, periosteum, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract, soft tissue, central nervous system, and testis. Because of its different localization and symptoms, and the lack of diagnostic algorithm, MS is a real diagnostic challenge particularly in patients without initial bone marrow involvement. The correct diagnosis of MS is important for optimum therapy, which is often delayed because of a high misdiagnosis rate. We reported three cases of MS derived from spine presented with back pain, paraplegia, paraparesis, respectively, and reviewed the relevant literature.
Stabilization of cyclic processes by slowly varying forcing
Authors: Newman J. , Lucas M. , Stefanovska A.
Published: December 2021

We introduce a new mathematical framework for the qualitative analysis of dynamical stability, designed particularly for finite-time processes subject to slow-timescale external influences. In particular, our approach is to treat finite-time dynamical systems in terms of a slow–fast formalism in which the slow time only exists in a bounded interval, and consider stability in the singular limit. Applying this to one-dimensional phase dynamics, we provide stability definitions somewhat analogous to the classical infinite-time definitions associated with Aleksandr Lyapunov. With this, we mathematically formalize and generalize a phase-stabilization phenomenon previously described in the physics literature for which the classical stability definitions are inapplicable and instead our new framework is required.
Effect of BaO-2B2O3 sintering aid on the structural and electrical properties of CaBi2Nb2O9 high-temperature piezoelectric ceramic
Authors: Pan ChengBing , Zhao GaoChao , Li SuMei , Wang JiaMingZhu , Yin LiHua , Song WenHai , Zhu XueBin , Yang Jie , Sun YuPing
Published: December 2021

The effects of a BaO-2B2O3 sintering aid on the microstructural, ferroelectric, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of CaBi2Nb2O9 were investigated in detail. TEM results confirm the presence of an amorphous phase at the grain boundary and the trace of some Ba elements occupying the Ca sites in the crystal lattice. The result of XPS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electrical test system reveals that the addition of a sintering aid can effectively reduce the oxygen vacancies in the ceramics and improve the DC resistivity (in the low-temperature region) and ferroelectric and dielectric properties of the samples. Meanwhile, the addition of BaO-2B2O3 does not decrease the Curie temperature (TC) of the ceramics. The addition of a 1 wt. % BaO-2B2O3 sample possesses the excellent electrical properties with large remnant polarization (Pr = 12.8 μC/cm2), piezoelectric coefficient (d33=16.6 pC/N), and high TC (937 °C). This study shows that the prepared ceramics have great potential in the application of high-temperature piezoelectric materials.
Hemochromatosis drives acute lethal intestinal responses to hyperyersiniabactin-producing
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Authors: Das Shreya , Saqib Mohd , Meng Ryan C. , Chittur Sridar V. , Guan Ziqiang , Wan Fengyi , Sun Wei
Published: December 2021

Significance

Our study highlights that hemochromatotic hosts are susceptible to the siderophilic enteropathogenic
Yersinia
because of dysregulated interleukn (IL)-1β signaling that causes rapid disruption of the intestinal tight junction, leading to acute systemic infection. This study also poses early intervention of anti–IL-1β therapy as a potentially novel strategy for treating hemochromatotic patients with severe siderophilic bacterial infections.
Volcanic ash, victims, and tsunami debris from the Late Bronze Age Thera eruption discovered at Çeşme-Bağlararası (Turkey)
Authors: Şahoğlu Vasıf , Sterba Johannes H. , Katz Timor , Çayır Ümit , Gündoğan Ümit , Tyuleneva Natalia , Tuğcu İrfan , Bichler Max , Erkanal Hayat , Goodman-Tchernov Beverly N.
Published: December 2021

Significance

The significance of this study is multi-faceted, touching upon methodological advances in multidisciplinary approaches (earth sciences/geology–archaeology) as well as contributing to the historical and chronological understanding of the Late Bronze Age Thera eruption impacts. Our study presents physical evidence that very large, damaging tsunamis arrived even in the northern Aegean, an area previously assumed to be affected only by ash fallout. The tsunami deposits at Çeşme-Bağlararası contain the first victims (human and dog) ever identified related to the eruption and its immediate consequences. The work also introduces nine radiocarbon ages directly from the event deposit that will be of great interest and cause significant discussion amongst scholars, particularly given their context within a well-constrained, undisturbed, stratigraphic archaeological sequence.
1
H detection and dynamic nuclear polarization–enhanced NMR of Aβ
1-42
fibrils
Authors: Bahri Salima , Silvers Robert , Michael Brian , Jaudzems Kristaps , Lalli Daniela , Casano Gilles , Ouari Olivier , Lesage Anne , Pintacuda Guido , Linse Sara , Griffin Robert G.
Published: December 2021

Significance

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is the subject of intense scrutiny because of its close association with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which currently afflicts about 50 million people worldwide. The results reported in this manuscript focus on the new possibilities provided by ultrafast magic-angle spinning (MAS)
1
H detection and fast-MAS dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), which have ushered in a new era for NMR-based structural biology, but whose potential has not yet been fully exploited for the structural investigation of complex amyloid assemblies. This work demonstrates the expeditious structural analysis of amyloid fibrils, without requiring preparation of large sample amounts, and sets the stage for future studies of unlabeled AD peptides derived from tissue samples available in limited quantities.
Symbiosis-inspired de novo synthesis of ultrahigh MOF growth mixed matrix membranes for sustainable carbon capture
Authors: He Shanshan , Zhu Bin , Jiang Xu , Han Gang , Li Songwei , Lau Cher Hon , Wu Yadong , Zhang Yanqiu , Shao Lu
Published: December 2021

Significance

The development of highly efficient carbon capture technology is the most crucial step for achieving the carbon neutrality target, which is estimated to have a global market value up to $6.13 billion by 2027. Advanced membranes, as efficient CO
2
separation strategies, significantly promote the development of clean energy and low-carbon technologies. Studies on next-generation mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are highly expected to combine excellent workability and high gas separation performance capable of sustainable energy-efficient carbon capture.
The sacrificial adaptor protein Skp functions to remove stalled substrates from the β-barrel assembly machine
Authors: Combs Ashton N. , Silhavy Thomas J.
Published: December 2021

Significance

The outer membrane (OM) of gram-negative bacteria acts as a robust permeability barrier to enable cell survival in a wide variety of harsh environments. Crucial to OM integrity are β-barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that are assembled into the membrane by the broadly conserved β-barrel assembly machine (Bam) complex. Here, we identify specific roles for the periplasmic chaperone Skp in functioning as a sacrificial adaptor protein to remove stalled substrates from the Bam complex, imposing an active quality control mechanism that ensures efficient assembly of nascent OMPs into the OM. This work identifies the molecular mechanism of the Skp/DegP functional relationship and clarifies the long-standing paradox of how substrate release from the high-affinity, long-lived Skp–OMP complex is achieved in vivo.
Analyses of defect distributions in ZnO varistors based on the Jonscher’s universal power law and the Dissado–Hill model
Authors: Zhao Xia , Guo Men , Wen Yuandong , Shi Weidong , Zhang Boyu , Li Yupeng , Wen Ran
Published: December 2021

The defect distributions in ZnO varistors mixed with Bi2O3, NiO, MnCO3, Co2O3, and SiO2 after doping Sb2O3 were investigated, based on the Jonscher’s universal power law and the Dissado–Hill model. The microstructures were investigated using x-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and x-ray photoelectron spectrometer. The capacitance–voltage (C–V) method was utilized to obtain the parameters of the double Schottky barrier. The dielectric spectra were analyzed to extract the parameters of defect distribution. The current density–electric field (J–E) characteristics were measured to obtain the parameters of electrical properties. We found that with increasing Sb2O3 content, the ZnO grain size distribution become more homogeneous in the Sb2O3-doped ZnO varistors; the density

Zn

i

×

is decreased; except for less homogeneous

V

O

×

, more homogeneous distributions of

Zn

i

∙

in the depletion layers and the extrinsic defects at the interfaces are achieved in the Sb2O3-doped ZnO varistors. Therefore, the enhancement in the electrical properties was achieved by doping Sb2O3 due to the increased number of active grain boundaries per unit volume, i.e. the increased breakdown field and nonlinear coefficient, and the decreased leakage current density. The results of this study suggest that the Jonscher’s universal power law and the Dissado–Hill model can be effectively used to analyze defect distributions in varistor ceramics.
Characterization of plasma catalytic decomposition of methane: role of atomic O and reaction mechanism
Authors: Li Yudong , Jiang Jingkai , Hinshelwood Michael , Zhang Shiqiang , Bruggeman Peter J , Oehrlein Gottlieb S
Published: December 2021

In this work, we investigated atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ)-assisted methane oxidation over a Ni-SiO2/Al2O3 catalyst. We evaluated possible reaction mechanisms by analyzing the correlation of gas phase, surface and plasma-produced species. Plasma feed gas compositions, plasma powers, and catalyst temperatures were varied to expand the experimental parameters. Real-time Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was applied to quantify gas phase species from the reactions. The reactive incident fluxes generated by plasma were measured by molecular beam mass spectroscopy using an identical APPJ operating at the same conditions. A strong correlation of the quantified fluxes of plasma-produced atomic oxygen with that of CH4 consumption, and CO and CO2 formation implies that O atoms play an essential role in CH4 oxidation for the investigated conditions. With the integration of APPJ, the apparent activation energy was lowered and a synergistic effect of 30% was observed. We also performed in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy to analyze the catalyst surface. The surface analysis showed that surface CO abundance mirrored the surface coverage of CH
n
at 25 °C. This suggests that CH
n
adsorbed on the catalyst surface as an intermediate species that was subsequently transformed into surface CO. We observed very little surface CH
n
absorbance at 500 °C, while a ten-fold increase of surface CO and stronger CO2 absorption were seen. This indicates that for a nickel catalyst at 500 °C, the dissociation of CH4 to CH
n
may be the rate-determining step in the plasma-assisted CH4 oxidation for our conditions. We also found the CO vibrational frequency changes from 2143 cm−1 for gas phase CO to 2196 cm−1 for CO on a 25 °C catalyst surface, whereas the frequency of CO on a 500 °C catalyst was 2188 cm−1. The change in CO vibrational frequency may be related to the oxidation of the catalyst.
A novel two-step strategy to fabricate phase-pure SnS photoelectrodes with tunable conductivity: formation mechanism and photoelectrochemical properties
Authors: Zhang Wenwan , Cheng Yufei , Zhao Junfeng , Li Qiujie , Wang Jiawei , Zhu Jinyi , Miao Hui , Hu Xiaoyun
Published: December 2021

Tin monosulfide (SnS) is a narrow band gap semiconductor for visible-light harvesting, however the easy formation of secondary phases such as Sn2S3 and SnS2 severely restricts its photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. Herein, we propose a novel two-step strategy to fabricate phase-pure SnS photoelectrodes with tunable conductivity on Ti foil substrate and carefully investigated the formation mechanism and PEC properties. The tunable conductivity is determined by Na2SO4 pretreatment before annealing, which is supported by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance characterizations. Na+ adsorbed to the edge of the precursor SnS2 nanosheets forming a dangling bond adsorption will protect S2− against reaction with the trace oxygen in the chemical vapor deposition system within a certain temperature range (<525 °C), thereby reducing the generation of S vacancies to adjust the S/Sn ratio and further regulate the conductivity type. Moreover, the anodic photocurrent density of SnS thin films was about 0.32 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with the separation and injection efficiency of 1.22% and 72.78% and a maximum cathodic photocurrent density reaching approximately −0.36 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs RHE with the separation and injection efficiency 1.15% and 5.44% respectively. The method shown in this work provides an effective approach to control the electrical conductivity of SnS thin films with considerable photocurrent response for phase-pure SnS.
A higher-order moment matching based fine-grained adversarial domain adaptation method for intelligent bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Wang Rui , Huang Weiguo , Shi Juanjuan , Wang Jun , Shen Changqing , Zhu Zhongkui
Published: December 2021

Due to the discrepancy in data distribution caused by the time-varying working conditions, intelligent diagnostic methods fail to achieve accurate fault classification in engineering scenarios. This paper presents a novel higher-order moment matching-based adversarial domain adaptation method (HMMADA) for intelligent bearing fault diagnosis. First, a deep one-dimensional convolution neural network is constructed as the feature extractor to learn the discriminative features of each category through different domains. Then, the distribution discrepancy across domains is significantly reduced by using joint higher-order moment statistics (HMS) and adversarial learning. In particular, HMS integrates the first-order and second-order statistics into a unified framework and achieves a fine-grained distribution adaptation between different domains. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of HMMADA are validated by several transfer experiments constructed on two different bearing datasets. The results demonstrate that HMS is more effective than lower-order statistics.
Outlier removal method for the refinement of optically measured displacement field based on critical factor least squares and subdomain division
Authors: Wang Bo , Sun Chen , Zhang Keming , Chen Jubing
Published: December 2021

As a representative type of outlier, abnormal data in displacement measurement has often inevitably occurred in full-field optical metrology and significantly affected further evaluation, especially when calculating the strain field by differencing the displacement. In this study, an outlier removal method is proposed which can recognize and remove the abnormal data in an optically measured displacement field. An iterative critical factor least squares (CFLS) algorithm is developed which distinguishes the distance between the data points and the least squares plane to identify the outliers. A successive boundary point algorithm is proposed to divide the measurement domain to improve the applicability and effectiveness of the CFLS algorithm. The feasibility and precision of the proposed method are discussed in detail through simulations and experiments. The results show that the outliers are reliably recognized and the precision of the strain estimation is greatly improved by using these methods.
Piezoelectric Nanogenerators based on Lead Zirconate Titanate nanostructures: an insight into the effect of potential barrier and morphology on the output power generation
Authors: Hazra Snehamoyee , Sengupta Subhamita , Ratha Soumyaranjan , Ghatak Ankita , Raychaudhuri A K , Ghosh Barnali
Published: December 2021

The high internal resistance of the perovskite materials used in Nanogenerators (NGs) lowers the power generation. It severely restricts their application for mechanical energy harvesting from the ambient source. In this work, we demonstrate a flexible Piezoelectric NG (PENG) with an improved device structure. Hydrothermally grown one-dimensional Lead Zirconate Titanate (Pb(ZrTi)O3) of different morphologies are used as the generating material. The morphology of the PZT nanostructures, engineered from nanoparticles to needle-shaped nanowires to increase the surface to volume ratio, provides effective mechanical contact with the electrode. The reduction of the internal resistance of the PENG has been achieved by two ways: (i) fabrication of interdigitated electrodes (IDE) to increase the interfacial polarization and (ii) lowering of Schottky barrier height (SBH) at the junction of the PZT nanostructure and the metal electrode by varying the electrode materials of different work functions. We find that lowering of the SBH at the interface contributes to an increased piezo voltage generation. The flexible nano needles-based PENG can deliver output voltage 9.5 V and power density 615 μW cm−2 on application low mechanical pressure (∼1 kPa) by tapping motion. The internal resistance of the device is ∼0.65 MΩ. It can charge a 35 μF super-capacitor up to 5 V within 20 s. This study provides a systematic pathway to solve the bottlenecks in the piezoelectric nanogenerators due to the high internal resistance.
Experimental analysis of tip vibrations at higher eigenmodes of QPlus sensors for atomic force microscopy
Authors: Ruppert Michael G , Martin-Jimenez Daniel , Yong Yuen K , Ihle Alexander , Schirmeisen André , Fleming Andrew J , Ebeling Daniel
Published: December 2021

QPlus sensors are non-contact atomic force microscope probes constructed from a quartz tuning fork and a tungsten wire with an electrochemically etched tip. These probes are self-sensing and offer an atomic-scale spatial resolution. Therefore, qPlus sensors are routinely used to visualize the chemical structure of adsorbed organic molecules via the so-called bond imaging technique. This is achieved by functionalizing the AFM tip with a single CO molecule and exciting the sensor at the first vertical cantilever resonance mode. Recent work using higher-order resonance modes has also resolved the chemical structure of single organic molecules. However, in these experiments, the image contrast can differ significantly from the conventional bond imaging contrast, which was suspected to be caused by unknown vibrations of the tip. This work investigates the source of these artefacts by using a combination of mechanical simulation and laser vibrometry to characterize a range of sensors with different tip wire geometries. The results show that increased tip mass and length cause increased torsional rotation of the tuning fork beam due to the off-center mounting of the tip wire, and increased flexural vibration of the tip. These undesirable motions cause lateral deflection of the probe tip as it approaches the sample, which is rationalized to be the cause of the different image contrast. The results also provide a guide for future probe development to reduce these issues.
Insight into the stacking and the species-ordering dependences of interlayer bonding in SiC/GeC polar heterostructures
Authors: Tasnim Kazi Jannatul , Alharbi Safia Abdullah R , Musa Md Rajib Khan , Lovell Simon Hosch , Akridge Zachary Alexander , Yu Ming
Published: December 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) polar materials experience an in-plane charge transfer between different elements due to their electron negativities. When they form vertical heterostructures, the electrostatic force triggered by such charge transfer plays an important role in the interlayer bonding beyond van der Waals (vdW) interaction. Our comprehensive first principle study on the structural stability of the 2D SiC/GeC hybrid bilayer heterostructure has found that the electrostatic interlayer interaction can induce the π–π orbital hybridization between adjacent layers under different stacking and out-of-plane species ordering, with strong hybridization in the cases of Si–C and C–Ge species orderings but weak hybridization in the case of the C–C ordering. In particular, the attractive electrostatic interlayer interaction in the cases of Si–C and C–Ge species orderings mainly controls the equilibrium interlayer distance and the vdW interaction makes the system attain a lower binding energy. On the contrary, the vdW interaction mostly controls the equilibrium interlayer distance in the case of the C–C species ordering and the repulsive electrostatic interlayer force has less effect. Interesting finding is that the band structure of the SiC/GeC hybrid bilayer is sensitive to the layer-layer stacking and the out-of-plane species ordering. An indirect band gap of 2.76 eV (or 2.48 eV) was found under the AA stacking with Si–C ordering (or under the AB stacking with C–C ordering). While a direct band gap of 2.00–2.88 eV was found under other stacking and species orderings, demonstrating its band gap tunable feature. Furthermore, there is a charge redistribution in the interfacial region leading to a built-in electric field. Such field will separate the photo-generated charge carriers in different layers and is expected to reduce the probability of carrier recombination, and eventually give rise to the electron tunneling between layers.
Polyaniline coating enables electronic structure engineering in Fe3O4 to promote alkaline oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zou Yang , Huang Yuan , Jiang Li-Wen , Indra Arindam , Wang Yongqing , Liu Hong , Wang Jian-Jun
Published: December 2021

The electronic structure of active sites is of importance for catalysts to achieve an optimized interaction with the intermediates. In this study, a unique organic–inorganic hybrid oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst composed of electrochemically inactive conducting polyaniline (PANI) and non-precious Fe-based oxide Fe3O4 is presented. PANI molecules were in situ loaded on Fe3O4 nanoparticles through an efficient and simple process under mild conditions. The electronic structure of Fe3O4 was modulated by creating a strong interaction with PANI molecules, leading to enhanced activity and stability of the catalyst to achieve 10 mA cm−2 geometrical current density at overpotential of 265 mV in 1 M aqueous KOH solution. This work demonstrates that a highly efficient electrocatalyst can be achieved by molecular modification and provides a novel strategy for the optimization of the inactive non-precious catalysts.
An experiment design for schools to demonstrate the Maxwell distribution
Authors: Grebenev Igor V , Kazarin Petr V , Lebedeva Olga V
Published: December 2021

The article describes a new version of a demonstration experiment for the Maxwell distribution. In the first part students analyse the applicability of the Gaussian distribution to the projection of the particle velocities in the suggested experiment. Further, students observe two-dimensional distribution of particles by the modulus of velocity in a mechanical demonstration model and compare the results with theoretical provisions. Demonstration of the two-dimensional version of the Maxwell distribution for particle interaction allows students to independently derive formulas for the three-dimensional Maxwell distribution for particles in an ideal gas. The use of the suggested demonstration ensures active engagement in fundamentally important physical content.
Controllable chiral Majorana modes by noncollinear magnetic configuration in a topological Josephson junction
Authors: Li M Y , Yu Q Y , Hu J G , Liu T M , Tao Y C , Wang J
Published: December 2021

We theoretically present controllable chiral Majorana modes (CMMs) by noncollinear magnetic configuration in a Josephson junction on a topological insulator, where two ferromagnetic insulators (FIs) are sandwiched in between two superconductors (SCs). It is shown that an additional phase shift is induced by the different chiralities of the CMMs at the two FI/SC interfaces. Its magnitude is determined by the misorientation angle θ, which can result in the 0 − π state transition and ϕ
0 supercurrent. Particularly, due to the selective equal spin Andreev reflection, the coexistence of fully spin-polarized spin-triplet and -singlet correlations is exhibited. However, for the two magnetizations only along the y-axis, there exist no additional phase shift and the 100% supercurrent magnetoresistance can be exhibited. The results can be employed to not only identify the topological SCs but also design a perfect topological supercurrent spin valve device.