bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete solute trapping of rapidly growing nickel dendrites within liquid Ni72Mo28 hypoeutectic alloy
Authors: Zhao X. L. , Chang J. , Yan P. X. , Wei B.
Published: July 2023

The rapid dendrite growth in highly undercooled liquid Ni72Mo28 hypoeutectic alloy was accomplished by containerless processing via electromagnetic levitation and drop tube techniques. The (Ni) dendrites achieved a high growth velocity of 26 m/s at the maximum undercooling of 226 K (0.14 TL) under levitated state. Remarkable dendritic structure refinement and Mo solubility extension were observed with the increase in undercooling. For freely falling alloy droplets, the largest undercooling was enhanced to 246 K (0.15 TL), which resulted in thorough solute trapping and almost segregationless solidification. A microstructure transition from columnar dendrite to equiaxed dendrite took place once alloy undercooling exceeded a threshold about 74–79 K. In addition, the Vickers hardness of primary (Ni) dendrite was significantly improved, which was caused by the extension of Mo solubility and microstructure refinement.
Water drop impacts on regular micropillar arrays: Asymmetric spreading
Authors: Broom Matheu , Willmott Geoff R.
Published: July 2023

Eye-catching shapes are produced when water drops land vertically and spread on horizontal surfaces with micropillars arranged in regular square arrays. The positions of protrusions and fingers are often determined by the microstructure design and may be produced repeatably, which suggests possible manufacturing and analytical applications. This paper uses high-speed imaging of droplet shapes following impact to record and analyze asymmetries as drop spreading reaches its maximum extent. The range of experimental parameters used produced results varying (often non-monotonically) from symmetric spreading to many fingers. Impact Weber numbers (We) were systematically adjusted between 50 and 250, while surface microstructures featured circular (◯) and square (□) cross-sectional pillars of width d = 20 μm; height h = 15, 22, or 30 μm; and pitch p = 40, 60, or 80 μm. Many observed trends correlate with the extent of the fully wet impact region, including a general increase in asymmetry with We, p, and for □ rather than ◯ pillars. More detailed understanding of asymmetry mechanisms is also developed. For example, protrusions may be nucleated by jetting in directions of high gas flow within 100 μs of impact. A new analysis of gas flow under the drop, which accounts for Laplace pressure, explains anomalous spreading and asymmetry measurements. Reduced spreading velocity is identified as the cause of finger suppression where the microstructure is wet.
8.1
μ
m-emitting InP-based quantum cascade laser grown on Si by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Xu S. , Zhang S. , Kirch J. D. , Gao H. , Wang Y. , Lee M. L. , Tatavarti S. R. , Botez D. , Mawst L. J.
Published: July 2023

This study presents the growth and characterization of an 8.1 μm-emitting, InGaAs/AlInAs/InP-based quantum cascade laser (QCL) formed on an InP-on-Si composite template by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). First, for the composite-template formation, a GaAs buffer layer was grown by solid-source molecular-beam epitaxy on a commercial (001) GaP/Si substrate, thus forming a GaAs/GaP/Si template. Next, an InP metamorphic buffer layer (MBL) structure was grown atop the GaAs/GaP/Si template by MOCVD, followed by the MOCVD growth of the full QCL structure. The top-surface morphology of the GaAs/GaP/Si template before and after the InP MBL growth was assessed via atomic force microscopy, over a 100 μm2 area, and no antiphase domains were found. The average threading dislocation density (TDD) for the GaAs/GaP/Si template was found to be ∼1 × 109 cm−2, with a slightly lower defect density of ∼7.9 × 108 cm−2 after the InP MBL growth. The lasing performance of the QCL structure grown on Si was compared to that of its counterpart grown on InP native substrate and found to be quite similar. That is, the threshold-current density of the QCL on Si, for deep-etched ridge-guide devices with uncoated facets, is somewhat lower than that for its counterpart on native InP substrate, 1.50 vs 1.92 kA/cm2, while the maximum output power per facet is 1.64 vs 1.47 W. These results further demonstrate the resilience of QCLs to relatively high residual TDD values.
Multi-fidelity prediction of fluid flow based on transfer learning using Fourier neural operator
Authors: Lyu Yanfang , Zhao Xiaoyu , Gong Zhiqiang , Kang Xiao , Yao Wen
Published: July 2023

Data-driven prediction of laminar flow and turbulent flow in marine and aerospace engineering has received extensive research and demonstrated its potential in real-time prediction recently. However, usually large amounts of high-fidelity data are required to describe and accurately predict the complex physical information, while reality, only limited high-fidelity data are available due to the high experimental/computational cost. Therefore, this work proposes a novel multi-fidelity learning method based on the Fourier neural operator by jointing abundant low-fidelity data and limited high-fidelity data under transfer learning paradigm. First, as a resolution-invariant operator, the Fourier neural operator is first and gainfully applied to integrate multi-fidelity data directly, which can utilize the limited high-fidelity data and abundant low-fidelity data simultaneously. Then, the transfer learning framework is developed for the current task by extracting the rich low-fidelity data knowledge to assist high-fidelity modeling training, to further improve data-driven prediction accuracy. Finally, three engineering application problems are chosen to validate the accuracy of the proposed multi-fidelity model. The results demonstrate that our proposed method has high effectiveness when compared with other high-fidelity models and has the high modeling accuracy of 99% for all the selected physical field problems. Additionally, the low-fidelity model without transfer learning has the modeling accuracy of 86%. Significantly, the proposed multi-fidelity learning method has the potential of a simple structure with high precision for fluid flow problems, which can provide a reference for the construction of the subsequent model.
Chirality-induced spin selectivity in functionalized carbon nanotube networks: The role of spin–orbit coupling
Authors: Firouzeh Seyedamin , Illescas-Lopez Sara , Hossain Md Anik , Cuerva Juan Manuel , Álvarez de Cienfuegos Luis , Pramanik Sandipan
Published: July 2023

Spin–orbit coupling in a chiral medium is generally assumed to be a necessary ingredient for the observation of the chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. However, some recent studies have suggested that CISS may manifest even when the chiral medium has zero spin–orbit coupling. In such systems, CISS may arise due to an orbital polarization effect, which generates an electromagnetochiral anisotropy in two-terminal conductance. Here, we examine these concepts using a chirally functionalized carbon nanotube network as the chiral medium. A transverse measurement geometry is used, which nullifies any electromagnetochiral contribution but still exhibits the tell-tale signs of the CISS effect. This suggests that CISS may not be explained solely by electromagnetochiral effects. The role of nanotube spin–orbit coupling on the observed pure CISS signal is studied by systematically varying nanotube diameter. We find that the magnitude of the CISS signal scales proportionately with the spin–orbit coupling strength of the nanotubes. We also find that nanotube diameter dictates the supramolecular chirality of the medium, which in turn determines the sign of the CISS signal.
Enhancement of a pyroelectric body energy harvesting scheme employing pulsed electric fields
Authors: Kumara Sodige Buddhika Amila , Furuno Hideto , Trung Ngo Nguyen Chi , Sugiyama Hironari , Baba Masaaki , Niihara Koichi , Nakayama Tadachika
Published: July 2023

This research utilizes waste heat energy as a sustainable energy source to enhance pyroelectric power output by combining pyroelectric nanogenerators with an external pulsed electric field. When the surface temperature of the pyroelectric body varies, applying different pulses of the external electric field results in maximum power accumulation. A novel power-generating experimental setup was developed to measure and compute pyroelectric power generation. A standard Fuji ceramic C-9 sample was used to generate pyroelectric energy in a 20 °C temperature range from 120 to 140 °C. The continuous temperature variation frequency was 0.05 Hz, and the pulsed electric field was applied when the temperature rose. Pulses of the electric field with widths of 10, 50, 100, and 200 ms were applied to the sample under different pulse amplitudes, and the amplitude of each pulse was 250, 500, 1000, or 1500 V/mm. The maximum power generated through the application of an external pulsed electric field under the above-mentioned conditions was evaluated. This system had the highest power density of 0.204 mJ cm−2 °C−1 kV−1. In addition, for the lowest input power, the maximum power generation condition was a 10 ms pulse width and an amplitude of 250 V mm−1 in the applied electric field. This state might power smart sensor modules, IoT devices, automobiles, and other waste heat energy applications. Nano-pulse electric field applications may reduce input power to its lowest level, dependent on net-producing power. Therefore, new researchers can use net-generation power efficiency to create a large-scale power source using multiple pyroelectric arrays.
Design, fabrication, and characterization of a polymer-based waveguide Bragg grating for blood glucose monitoring
Authors: Li Hongqiang , Cao Mengwei , Cao Lu , Zhao Ruina , Song Zhenya , Meng Wentao , Liu Yang , Ren Feng , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Liying , Zhang Lizhen , Bai Jinjun , Lin Zhilin , Zhu Zhiyue , Wang Yingjie , Li Enbang , Prades Joan Daniel
Published: July 2023

A waveguide Bragg grating (WBG) can facilitate an adaptable method for glucose monitoring according to the optical properties of polymer materials. We propose the design and fabrication of a WBG for glucose monitoring. By exploiting glucose oxidase as the upper cladding, polydimethylsiloxane was used as the substrate, and polymethyl methacrylate was used as the core layer. We investigated the effects of the diffraction order, waveguide structure, and grating period on the reflected spectrum of the WBG. Finally, process reproducibility after long-term storage and the capability to eliminate background solution interference (to achieve more specific glucose detection) were evaluated. The experimental results showed that when the glucose concentration was in the range of [0, 3.6] mg/ml, as the glucose concentration increased, the wavelength decreased approximately linearly, with a sensitivity of approximately 242.9 pm/(mg/ml) in the range of 0–2.7 mg/ml, while maintaining good selectivity and stability. The WBG for glucose monitoring has the advantages of a large measurement range and high sensitivity. This approach facilitates the application potential of such polymer material-based WBG photonic sensors in wearable technology and realizes the measurement of human blood glucose.
Performance analysis of reinforcement learning algorithms on intelligent closed-loop control on fluid flow and convective heat transfer
Authors: Wang Yi-Zhe , Li Yu-Bai , Aubry Nadine , Hua Yue , Zhou Zhi-Fu , Chen Zhi-Hua , Wu Wei-Tao
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates the performance of several most popular deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithms applied to fluid flow and convective heat transfer systems, providing credible guidance and evaluation on their characteristics and performance. The studied algorithms are selected by considering the popularity, category, and advancement for guaranteeing the significance of the current study. The effectiveness and feasibility of all DRL algorithms are first demonstrated by studying a two-dimensional multi-heat-source cooling problem. Compared with the best manually optimized control, all DRL algorithms can find better control strategies that realize a further temperature reduction of 3–7 K. For problems with complex control objectives and environments, PPO (proximal policy optimization) shows an outstanding performance that accurately and dynamically constrains the oscillation of the solid temperature within 0.5 K around the target value, which is far beyond the capability of the manually optimized control. With the presented performance and the supplemented generalization test, the characteristic and specialty of the DRL algorithms are analyzed. The value-based methods have better training efficiency on simple cooling tasks with linear reward, while the policy-based methods show remarkable convergence on demanding tasks with nonlinear reward. Among the algorithms studied, the single-step PPO and prioritized experience replay deep Q-networks should be highlighted: the former has the advantage of considering multiple control targets and the latter obtains the best result in all generalization testing tasks. In addition, randomly resetting the environment is confirmed to be indispensable for the trained agent executing long-term control, which is strongly recommended to be included in follow-up studies.
Mortality among populations affected by armed conflict in northeast Nigeria, 2016 to 2019
Authors: Checchi Francesco , Jarvis Christopher I. , van Zandvoort Kevin , Warsame Abdihamid
Published: July 2023

Armed conflict, displacement and food insecurity have affected Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states of northeast Nigeria (population ≈ 12 million) since 2009. Insecurity escalated in 2013 to 2015, but the humanitarian response was delayed and the crisis’ health impact was unquantified due to incomplete death registration and limited ground access. We estimated mortality attributable to this crisis using a small-area estimation approach that circumvented these challenges. We fitted a mixed effects model to household mortality data collected as part of 70 ground surveys implemented by humanitarian actors. Model predictors, drawn from existing data, included livelihood typology, staple cereal price, vaccination geocoverage, and humanitarian actor presence. To project accurate death tolls, we reconstructed population denominators based on forced displacement. We used the model and population estimates to project mortality under observed conditions and varying assumed counterfactual conditions, had there been no crisis, with the difference providing excess mortality. Death rates were highly elevated across most ground surveys, with net negative household migration. Between April 2016 and December 2019, we projected 490,000 excess deaths (230,000 children under 5 y) in the most likely counterfactual scenario, with a range from 90,000 (best-case) to 550,000 (worst-case). Death rates were two to three times higher than counterfactual levels, double the projected national rate, and highest in 2016 to 2017. Despite limited scope (we could not study the situation before 2016 or in neighboring affected countries), our findings suggest a staggering health impact of this crisis. Further studies to document mortality in this and other crises are needed to guide decision-making and memorialize their human toll.
Collection nouns as a derivational category in Spanish1
Authors: Kleineberg Désirée
Published: July 2023

The paper examines the productivity of a
constructional schema of collectivity in Spanish. We
analyse nonce-formations derived from typical collective suffixes
and classify their meanings. The analysis reveals that the
derivation of collection nouns in Spanish is productive, mostly
represented by the suffixes ‑
erío
and ‑amen. A
comparison to French and Italian data further reveals a continuum of
productivity of this schema in Romance languages. In Italian, it has
various subordinated constructions instantiated by the suffixes
‑ame, ‑
ume
and ‑
aglia
, with French only being
represented by the suffix ‑
aille
. The study reveals a
detailed picture not only of the functional distribution of each
suffix and language, but also the functional links between different
forms, i.e. suffixes, and functions. The analysis implies that an
onomasiological examination of collective nouns in Romance is not
only fruitful, but indispensable.
From idioms to semi-schematic constructions and vice
versa
Authors: Mellado Blanco Carmen
Published: July 2023

Taking as a starting point the spatial
construction [SUB V

estar

a
un
X{unit_of_measurement}

de-
PP{place_a}]:
‘the distance to PLACE A is exactly
X{unit_of_measurement}’ and its metaphorical
extensions within the so-called family of proximity constructions,
the present corpus-based study aims to demonstrate the continuum
between partially lexically fixed and fully lexically specified
constructions (idioms) by highlighting the interaction between units
of both kinds on the basis of horizontal and vertical links. Another
important aim of this research is to explain the relationship
between the spatial, temporal, modal-conditional and epistemic
modality meanings observed in the proximity constructions.
In contrast to the traditional phraseological theory, Construction
Grammar represents an ideal framework for explaining the creative
potential of idioms and for describing the different degrees of
schematicity and entrenchment of constructions along the
lexicon-grammar continuum.
Quotative que constructions in
Spanish
Authors: Gras Pedro , Pérez Fernández Sofía , Brisard Frank
Published: July 2023

Construction Grammar is a theoretical approach
amenable to accommodating any conventional feature of the meaning or
form of a construction as part of its description, including lectal
information. This paper provides a constructional analysis of the
quotative
que
construction in
Spanish, focusing on discourse and geographical variation. It
demonstrates that a model based on different levels of
generalization (parent schemas vs. subschemas) allows us not only to
describe the specific contexts in which constructions are used
(subschemas), but also to incorporate geographical and discourse
variation that could not be captured at a higher level of
abstraction (parent schema).
Que conste/sepas and
como si
constructions in Spanish
Authors: Fuentes Rodríguez Catalina , Pérez Béjar Víctor
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, it
explores the discursive functioning of two constructions in Spanish:
[
que conste/sepas

(
que
) + clause] and
[
como si
 + subjunctive
clause]. Second, it proposes, to this end, to extend the concept of
“construction”, originating in Construction Grammar, towards a
theoretical-methodological instrument necessary to explain discourse
syntax, focusing on the description of the phenomena and their
evolution. So far, the existing theoretical models on the
architecture of discourse have determined and described categories
(discourse markers) and functions (connection or modalization, among
others). In macro-syntax or thetical grammar, even peripheral
functions related to a proposition have been mentioned. But the
existence of sentence patterns that acquire a discursive function in
terms of a “construction”, and develop procedural meaning as a
whole, has not been considered. Their analysis must take into
account various factors, since the procedural meaning carried by the
construction arises from the combination of open and fixed slots.
These constructions are usually inserted into the syntactic scheme
of the sentence or represent suspended statements that operate in
reactive interventions. They represent a type of syntax different
from the one traditionally considered, which confirms the need to
use this extended concept of “construction” in the syntax of
discourse as a methodological tool with great potential to explain
all the diversity it contains.
A constructional analysis of digo
yo in peninsular Spanish
Authors: Martínez Vázquez Montserrat
Published: July 2023

This paper examines the variable functions of
the clausal construction
digo
yo
(DY) ‘I say’ in contemporary
Peninsular Spanish. A corpus-based analysis shows pendulation
between a communicative DY, which introduces past quotes, and a
metacommunicative DY, which functions as a comment clause. In
initial position, DY resembles a matrix clause, however, its
subject-verb inversion produces a backgrounding effect which renders
the conjunction
que
(‘that’)
unnecessary and favours a parenthetical analysis of DY. In medial
and final positions DY is an evidential/epistemic comment clause
which overlaps with other epistemic comment clauses (e.g.

creo yo
‘I believe’,

pienso yo
‘I think’).
In order to provide a unified account of the different uses of DY, a
constructional approach is taken. In line with Van Bogaert (2010) and Kaltenböck (2010, 2013), the formal and functional features of
DY are explained through a constructional network. A hierarchical
network captures its links to the communicative construction, while
its analogical connections to other epistemic constructions are
captured in a horizontal network (Traugott, 2018).
What can collaboratively produced lists tell us about
constructions?1
Authors: Dressel Dennis , Dankel Philipp , Teixeira Kalkhoff Alexander M.
Published: July 2023

Based on the investigation of the joint
production of lists in spoken Spanish, this contribution advocates
for a stronger theoretical consideration of sequential and embodied
aspects as part of constructional knowledge in CxG. By analyzing
video recorded conversations, we examine how interlocutors
co-construct lists in real-time. Lists conventionally consist of a
three-component sequence – onset, enumeration (body), and coda. Our
data shows that interactants orient to these components beyond
morphosyntactic features and deploy shared knowledge of
semanto-syntactic, sequential, turn-constructional, prosodic, and
bodily features. By closely monitoring and coordination each other’s
situated multimodal resources, interactants recognize emergent
action spaces that allow them to co-construct lists smoothly at
different sequential positions and thereby accomplish a variety of
social actions. We conclude that the highly emergent yet robust
character of co-constructed lists provides a powerful example for
how interactional creativity leads to constructional flexibility,
yet warrants pattern stability at the same time.
Construction grammar and foreign language learning (L3)
Authors: Plötner Kathleen
Published: July 2023

This paper focuses on predicative constructions
with
ser
and
have-constructions with
tener
in written language
production of native German students studying Spanish as a third
language (L3). First, I establish a common ground between a
usage-based approach and construction grammar and then define
so-called ‘construction learning’ in the teaching of a foreign
language. Subsequently, the study investigates the use of

tener
(‘to have’) and

ser
(‘to be’), both
irregular high-frequency verbs, in the third person singular and the
constructional embedding of these two verbal forms in patterns like
[N
es
ADJ]
(
Mi amigo es alto
‘my
friend is tall’) and [ART N
tiene
ART N ADJ]
(
La chica tiene los ojos
azules
‘the girl has blue eyes’) by 12-
and 13-year-old and 15- and 16-year-old native German students. As a
text type, the ‘description of the person’ was chosen – a text type
which is already practiced in the first year of language learning
and is therefore suitable for comparative corpus-based studies of
different learner levels.
Determine of Potential Evacuation Locations as Disaster Mitigation Against Landslides
Authors: Agustina Lea Kristi , Setiawan Ragil , Harbowo Danni Gathot , Alfarishi Bilal , Radityo Daniel , Tamara
Published: July 2023

Bandar Lampung City has a lowland topography, which is quite diverse in valleys to ridge hills. The city’s development made the face of the city of Bandar Lampung turn into a dense residential area between the hills. Landslide is one of the disasters that often occur in Indonesia. About 15 sub-districts that are prone to landslides in Bandar Lampung, including West Telukbetung, East Telukbetung, South Telukbetung, Bumiwaras, Panjang, Kedamaian, North Telukbetung, Tanjung Karang Pusat, Enggal, Tanjung Karang Barat, Kemiling, Langkapura, Kedaton, Rajabasa and Sukabumi (BPBD, 2018). Research about landslide-prone areas with a geospatial approach aimed at disaster mitigation efforts. The study results will be necessary information about disaster mitigation to minimize loss of life and material. The geospatial approach integrates landslide threat maps with road networks and public facilities. Also, the landslide threat area’s accessibility and affordability functions can be arranged to secure the city’s priority location. The preparation of a landslide threat map begins by compiling an entire dataset in spatial data information from various sources. Whole datasets are arranged based on parameters that affect landslides. Each parameter has a different weight and is summarized in the Overlay method. It is hoped that this research can be used as a reference in disaster management and spatial planning in Bandar Lampung in the future. The determination of public facility services using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method.
Analysis of Tapioca Industrial Solid Waste as Coal Substitution
Authors: Jerry  , Febriyanto Pramahadi , Satria Arysca Wisnu
Published: July 2023

Tapioca industrial solid waste is a very abundant and high cellulose content that makes solid waste from tapioca industrial an alternative material substituted to coal. The low-calorie value of solid waste is around 2783 Kcal/kg, which requires an effort to increase calorie value—increasing the calorie value of solid waste by carbonization in the pyrolysis furnace. The study of solid waste with pyrolysis to replace coal and improve the calorie value similar to commercial coal needs to be done. In this study, the influence of time and temperature on the carbonization of solid waste was examined. The carbonization temperature was 300, 350, and 400°C, and the carbonization time was 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Solid waste was pyrolysis and analyzed for calorie value and proximate test (moisture content and ash content). The results showed that solid waste from tapioca industrial could be substituted for coal because it has a low ash content and moisture content, with a maximum ash content of 5.9% and a maximum moisture content of 1.6%. The optimal temperature and carbonization time are 350oC and 90 minutes, with the calorific value of the material produced at 6047 Kcal/kg.
Environmentally Sustainable Transport: Dust Particles (PM10) on Provincial Roads in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Murniati  , Abduh Natsir
Published: July 2023

The research objective was to determine and analyze the concentration of dust particles (PM10) and the relationship between traffic flow and dust particles (PM10). Quantitative research by measuring two parameters, namely the volume of traffic flow and the concentration of dust particles (PM10). Traffic volume data were obtained using a manual count following the Indonesian road capacity manual. Dust particles (PM10) were measured using the BAM1020 instrument and data analysis using SPSS version 16.20 with multiple linear regression (MLR). The concentration of dust particles (PM10) produced at 3 points in Maros City, respectively 155.85 μg / m3, 157.22 μg / m3, 151.77 μg / m3 and 1 point in Pangkep City is 150.25 μg / m3. There is a significant positive relationship between the traffic flow and the concentration of dust particles (PM10) shown from the calculation of PM10, r = 0.693; P <0.001.
Inventory of Domesticated Orchid Species in Samaenre Village Mallawa District, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Muis Abdul , Hiola Fatma , Syamsiah  , Khatima Husnul
Published: July 2023

The study aimed to determine the types of orchids from domestication in Samaenre Village, Mallawa District, Maros Regency which is included as one of the buffer areas of Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park. This type of research is a descriptive study with a purposive sampling method, which only records the types of orchids maintained by the community in Samaenre Village, Mallawa District, Maros Regency. The results showed that there were 26 types of orchids. 11 were identified to the species level and 15 were identified to the genus level. Orchids found are Acriopsis sp., Aerides inflexa, Aerides sp., Agrosthophyllum sp., Appendicula sp., Apporum uncatum, Coelogyne celebensis, Coelogyne sp., Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium striaenopsis, Dendrobium sp., Eria sp., Flickingeria sp., Liparis sp., Luisia sp., Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis amboinensis, Phalaenopsis sp., Pholidota sp., Phreatia sp., Robiqueta sp., Spathoglottis sp., Trichoglottis geminata, Vanda sp. The most widely kept type of orchid is Dendrobium striaenopsis. It shows that society is able to domesticate natural orchids of various types.
Investigation of micro pit array on titanium alloy with hydrophobic surface by through-mask electrochemical micromachining
Authors: Meng Jianbing , Li Hongmei , Zhang Hongwei , Dong Xiaojuan , Tang Youquan , Zhao Yugang , Qu Linghui
Published: July 2023

In order to obtain higher contact angles and improve the hydrophobicity of titanium alloy, the micro pit arrays were fabricated by the through-mask electrochemical micromachining (TMEMM). The theoretical model of surface hydrophobicity between the contact angle and the geometry size of micro pit arrays was developed. Moreover, the multi physical field coupling simulation of TMEMM was carried out. Thus, the direct mapping relationship between the contact angle and the process parameters was obtained by combining the theoretical model with the simulation results. The effect of process prameters, such as electrolyte mass fraction, mask size and processing voltage, was investigated. The optimal combination of process parameters was predicted and verified by experiments. The results show that the errors of the measured values of diameter, spacing, depth and surface contact angle of the micro pit arrays are 2.49%, 6.87%, 7.40% and 6.01% respectively, which indicates that the hydrophobic textured surface with a contact angle of about 141° is successfully fabricated without the modification of low surface energy materials.
Prognostic signature analysis and survival prediction of esophageal cancer based on N6-methyladenosine associated lncRNAs
Authors: He Ting , Gao Zhipeng , Lin Ling , Zhang Xu , Zou Quan
Published: July 2023

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) has a bad prognosis. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) impacts on cell proliferation. However, the prognosis function of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-associated lncRNAs (m6A-lncRNAs) in ESCA remains unknown. Univariate Cox analysis was applied to investigate prognosis related m6A-lncRNAs, based on which the samples were clustered. Wilcoxon rank and Chi-square tests were adopted to compare the clinical traits, survival, pathway activity and immune infiltration in different clusters where overall survival, clinical traits (N stage), tumor-invasive immune cells and pathway activity were found significantly different. Through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and proportional hazard (Lasso-Cox) model, five m6A-lncRNAs were selected to construct the prognostic signature (m6A-lncSig) and risk score. To investigate the link between risk score and clinical traits or immunological microenvironments, Chi-square test and Spearman correlation analysis were utilized. Risk score was found connected with N stage, tumor stage, different clusters, macrophages M2, B cells naive and T cells CD4 memory resting. Risk score and tumor stage were found as independent prognostic variables. And the constructed nomogram model had high accuracy in predicting prognosis. The obtained m6A-lncSig could be taken as potential prognostic biomarker for ESCA patients. This study offers a theoretical foundation for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of ESCA.
otargen: GraphQL-based R package for tidy data accessing and processing from Open Targets Genetics
Authors: Feizi Amir , Ray Kamalika
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Open Target Genetics is a comprehensive resource portal that offers variant-centric statistical evidence, enabling the prioritization of causal variants and the identification of potential drug targets. The portal uses GraphQL technology for efficient data query and provides endpoints for programmatic access for R and Python users. However, leveraging GraphQL for data retrieval can be challenging, time-consuming, and repetitive, requiring familiarity with the GraphQL query language and processing outputs in nested JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format into tidy data tables. Therefore, developing open-source tools are required to simplify data retrieval processes to integrate valuable genetic information into data-driven target discovery pipelines seamlessly.

Results

otargen is an open-source R package designed to make data retrieval and analysis from the Open Target Genetics portal as simple as possible for R users. The package offers a suite of functions covering all query types, allowing streamlined data access in a tidy table format. By executing only a single line of code, the otargen users avoid the repetitive scripting of complex GraphQL queries, including the post-processing steps. In addition, otargen contains convenient plotting functions to visualize and gain insights from complex data tables returned by several key functions.

Availability and implementation

otargen is available at https://amirfeizi.github.io/otargen/.
Vascularized lymph node flaps can survive on venous blood without an arterial inflow: an experimental model describing the dynamics of venous flow using indocyanine green angiography (With video)
Authors: Li Ke , Nicoli Fabio , Cui Chunxiao , Wo Yan , Liu Ning Fei , Feng Shaoqing , Xi Wenjing , Min Peiru , Zhang Yixin
Published: July 2023

Background

Several surgeons have described studies of free-tissue transfers using veins instead of arteries. These innovative microsurgical techniques can offer several advantages, such as an easier dissection during flap harvesting, and represent an alternative during an accidental surgical mistake or development of new surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore different constructs of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) only based on venous blood flow in a mouse model, evaluate their blood flow microcirculation through indocyanine green (ICG) angiography and investigate the lymphatic drainage function and the lymph nodes’ structures.

Methods

Five types of venous lymph node flaps (LNF) were created and investigated: Types IA, IB, IC, IIA and IIB were developed by ICG intraoperatively (with videos in the article). Seven weeks later, by applying methylene blue, the recanalization of the lymphatic vessels between the LNF and the recipient site was detected. Lymph nodes were collected at the same time and their structures were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining analysis.

Results

All of the venous LNFs developed except Type IC. Seven weeks later, methylene blue flowed into Types IA, IB, IIA and IIB from recipient sites. When comparing with arteriovenous lymph node, the medullary sinus was diffusely distributed in venous lymph nodes. The proportion of cells was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The artery diameters were significantly smaller (p < 0.05). The veins diameters and lymphatic vessels output in Types IA, IB, IIA and IIB were more dilated (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This research demonstrated that Type IA, IB, IIA and IIB venous LNFs can retrogradely receive venous blood supply; they can survive, produce a lymphatic recanalization and integrate with the surrounding tissue, despite lymph node structural changes. Our results will improve the understanding of the survival mechanism of venous LNFs and will help researchers to design new studies or lymphatic models and eventually find an alternative procedure for the surgical treatment of lymphedema.
Behind the monocyte’s mystique: uncovering their developmental trajectories and fates
Authors: Teh Ye Chean , Chooi Ming Yao , Chong Shu Zhen
Published: July 2023

Monocytes are circulating myeloid cells that are derived from dedicated progenitors in the bone marrow. Originally thought of as mere precursors for the replacement of tissue macrophages, it is increasingly clear that monocytes execute distinct effector functions and may give rise to monocyte-derived cells with unique properties from tissue-resident macrophages. Recently, the advent of novel experimental approaches such as single-cell analysis and fate-mapping tools has uncovered an astonishing display of monocyte plasticity and heterogeneity, which we believe has emerged as a key theme in the field of monocyte biology in the last decade. Monocyte heterogeneity is now recognized to develop as early as the progenitor stage through specific imprinting mechanisms, giving rise to specialized effector cells in the tissue. At the same time, monocytes must overcome their susceptibility towards cellular death to persist as monocyte-derived cells in the tissues. Environmental signals that preserve their heterogenic phenotypes and govern their eventual fates remain incompletely understood. In this review, we will summarize recent advances on the developmental trajectory of monocytes and discuss emerging concepts that contributes to the burgeoning field of monocyte plasticity and heterogeneity.
Platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome: the impact of PCSK9 inhibition
Authors: Ziogos Efthymios , Chelko Stephen P , Harb Tarek , Engel Morgan , Vavuranakis Michael A , Landim-Vieira Maicon , Walsh Elise M , Williams Marlene S , Lai Shenghan , Halushka Marc K , Gerstenblith Gary , Leucker Thorsten M
Published: July 2023

Aims

Platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction contribute to adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The goals of this study were to assess the impact of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition on markers of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in ACS patients and the interaction among PCSK9, platelets, and endothelial cells (ECs) on left internal mammary artery (LIMA) vascular endothelium using specimens obtained during coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Methods and Results

Acute coronary syndromes patients enrolled in the Evolocumab in ACS trials were randomized to placebo or a single dose of 420 mg evolocumab within 24 h of hospitalization. Serum samples for analysis of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and P-selectin, markers of platelet activation, and von Willebrand factor (vWF), a marker of endothelial dysfunction, were obtained at baseline and 30 days. Additionally, LIMA segments obtained during CABG from patients who were and were not receiving evolocumab were immunostained with PCSK9; CD61, a platelet-specific marker; and CD31, an endothelial cell-specific marker. Forty-six participants were randomized to placebo or to evolocumab. Controlling for baseline levels, PF4 and vWF were significantly lower in the evolocumab, than in the placebo, group at 30 days. Immunostaining of LIMA specimens from twelve participants undergoing CABG revealed colocalization of PCSK9, CD61, and CD31 at the vascular endothelium. Administration of evolocumab was associated with decreased overlap of PCSK9, CD61, and CD31.

Conclusions

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 inhibition decreases markers of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in ACS patients. PCSK9 is associated with platelets and vascular ECs in LIMA segments and PCSK9 inhibition decreases that interaction.
Intravascular imaging during percutaneous coronary intervention: temporal trends and clinical outcomes in the USA
Authors: Fazel Reza , Yeh Robert W , Cohen David J , Rao Sunil V , Li Siling , Song Yang , Secemsky Eric A
Published: July 2023

Aims

Prior trials have demonstrated that intravascular imaging (IVI)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) results in less frequent target lesion revascularization and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) compared with standard angiographic guidance. The uptake and associated outcomes of IVI-guided PCI in contemporary clinical practice in the USA remain unclear. Accordingly, temporal trends and comparative outcomes of IVI-guided PCI relative to PCI with angiographic guidance alone were examined in a broad, unselected population of Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods and results

Retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiary data from 1 January 2013, through 31 December 2019 to evaluate temporal trends and comparative outcomes of IVI-guided PCI as compared with PCI with angiography guidance alone in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The primary outcomes were 1 year mortality and MACE, defined as the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat PCI, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Secondary outcomes were MI or repeat PCI at 1 year. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate the adjusted association between IVI guidance and outcomes. Falsification endpoints (hospitalized pneumonia and hip fracture) were used to assess for potential unmeasured confounding. The study population included 1 189 470 patients undergoing PCI (38.0% female, 89.8% White, 65.1% with MI). Overall, IVI was used in 10.5% of the PCIs, increasing from 9.5% in 2013% to 15.4% in 2019. Operator IVI use was variable, with the median operator use of IVI 3.92% (interquartile range 0.36%–12.82%). IVI use during PCI was associated with lower adjusted rates of 1 year mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94–0.98], MI (aHR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99), repeat PCI (aHR 0.74, 95% CI 0.73–0.75), and MACE (aHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.84–0.86). There was no association with the falsification endpoint of hospitalized pneumonia (aHR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99–1.04) or hip fracture (aHR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94–1.10).

Conclusion

Among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing PCI, use of IVI has increased over the previous decade but remains relatively infrequent. IVI-guided PCI was associated with lower risk-adjusted mortality, acute MI, repeat PCI, and MACE.
Patent term extension and test data protection obligations: identifying the gap in policy, research, and practice of implementing free trade agreements
Authors: Mercurio Bryan , Upreti Pratyush Nath
Published: July 2023

Much of the academic literature criticizes the inclusion of patent term extensions (PTE) and test data protection into the pharmaceutical provisions and/or intellectual property (IP) chapters of free trade agreements (FTAs), with many arguing that such provisions will increase the cost of pharmaceuticals for the implementing government. Such arguments are often backed by studies conducted prior to the conclusion of the relevant FTA. This is problematic for several reasons, most notably that the studies make assumptions that subsequently turn out not to be false and that the claims are not revisited and supported with empirical data following implementation. This article reviews the experience of two jurisdictions – Canada and Australia – in order to provide an analysis of legislative and judicial practices with a focus on implications and the cost of FTAs. The article examines how Canada and Australia have implemented their FTA obligations domestically and on the hereto ignored but important role of courts. One key finding is how courts in both countries are vigilant in narrowing the scope of obligations under FTAs to accommodate the need of the domestic market. The article ultimately concludes by calling on governments to conduct a detailed analysis of PTE and test data protection so as to better inform and prepare policymakers and, ultimately, improved FTA provisions and health outcomes.
Fatty acid based antimicrobials from Streptomyces sp. SORS-24, an endophyte isolated from Sonchus oleraceus
Authors: Tanvir Rabia , Sajid Imran , Rehman Yasir , Hasnain Shahida
Published: July 2023

Due to the rise in bacterial resistance towards various therapeutic agents, interest is now developing towards fatty acid based antimicrobials because of their non-specific mode of action. A strain SORS 24 isolated from Sonchus oleraceus (Sow thistle) showed significant activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (25 mm), Chlorella vulgaris (20 mm), Bacillus subtilis DSM 10 (ATCC 6051) and Pseudomonas sp. (15 mm). It displayed an LC50 value of 10 µg/ml against Artemia salina (Brine shrimp) nauplii and an EC50 value of 0.8 µg/ml in the (DPPH) diphenylpicrylhydrazyl antioxidant assay. The strain also displayed genotoxicity against a PolA deficient strain, E. coli K-12 AB 3027 (15 mm). Mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) showed that the strain produced oleamide (9-Octadecenamide) and erucamide (13-Docosenamide). Both of the purified fatty acid amides showed prominent activity against B. subtilis DSM 10 (ATCC 6051) (20 mm) and E. coli ATCC 25922 (15 mm). Significant genotoxicity was observed against E. coli K-12 AB 3027 (15 mm). The 16S gene sequencing revealed that the strain belonged to species, Streptomyces tanashiensis. As far as our understanding, this is the first report of this species producing these fatty acid based antimicrobials.
Characterizing and understanding galaxies with two parameters
Authors: Cooray Suchetha , Takeuchi Tsutomu T , Kashino Daichi , Yoshida Shuntaro A , Ma Hai-Xia , Kono Kai T
Published: July 2023

We report the discovery of a 2D Galaxy Manifold within the multidimensional luminosity space of local galaxies. The multidimensional luminosity space is constructed using 11 bands that span from far ultraviolet to near-infrared for redshift < 0.1 galaxies observed with GALEX, SDSS, and UKIDSS. The manifold captures the diversity of observed galaxies in terms of stellar-dominated emissions and ties the correlations of various physical properties to the manifold. We find that two latent parameters are sufficient to express 93.2 per cent of the variance in the galaxy sample, suggesting that this Galaxy Manifold is one of the most efficient representations of galaxies. The transformation between the observed luminosities and the manifold parameters as an analytic mapping is provided. The manifold representation provides accurate (precision = 0.85) morphological classifications with a simple linear boundary, and galaxy properties can be estimated with minimal scatter (0.12 and 0.04 dex for star formation rate and stellar mass, respectively) by calibrating with the 2D manifold location. Under the assumption that the manifold expresses the possible parameter space of galaxies, the evolution on the manifold is considered. We find that constant and exponentially decreasing star formation histories form almost orthogonal modes of evolution on the manifold. Through these simple models, we understand that the two modes are closely related to gas content, which suggests the close relationship of the manifold to gas accretion. Lastly, the found manifold suggests a paradigm where galaxies are characterized by their mass/scale and specific SFR, which agrees with previous studies of dimensionality reduction.