bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unique Lucayan sand dune burials at the Rolling Heads site, Long Island, The Bahamas
Authors: Keegan William F. , Young Colleen B. , LeFebvre Michelle J. , Pateman Michael P. , Hanna Jonathan A. , Newsom Lee Ann , Mistretta Brittany A. , Ciofalo Andy J. , Ross Ann H.
Published: October 2021

The skeletal remains of nearly 100 Indigenous Bahamians, called Lucayans, have been recovered in the Bahama archipelago (Lucayan Islands). Until now, virtually, all were recovered from wet and dry caves, caverns, and blue holes, most of which lacked specific evidence for mortuary practices. In the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, two human crania were found on Lowe's Beach, Long Island, The Bahamas. In addition, two burial areas were identified in the face of the adjacent, north‐facing, Atlantic coast sand dune. The human remains were identified as Indigenous Lucayans based on the intentional fronto‐occipital modification of the crania. These are the first open‐air, sand dune burials to be excavated systematically in The Bahamas, and they provide new insights regarding Lucayan burial practices and lifeways. This article describes the unique environmental and cultural contexts of Lucayan individuals who were buried at the Rolling Heads site. The local geomorphology reflects long‐term processes of dune erosion and remodeling that suggest that an unknowable number of additional individuals were buried at the site. The physical characteristics and mortuary practices are different from those observed elsewhere in the Caribbean, highlighting regional diversity and local practices. They raise the question of why different portals were used to transmit the dead to their afterlife. Finally, these individuals are contributing to regional studies assessing biological and cultural identities through genome‐wide DNA, phenotypic morphometrics, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope reconstruction of diet, strontium isotope assessment of origins, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating to evaluate the timing of human dispersal across the Bahama archipelago. The Lucayans did not survive the Spanish invasion, but there is much to be learned from their remains.
Optimization of time‐varying feedback controller parameters for freeway networks
Authors: Pasquale Cecilia , Sacone Simona , Siri Silvia
Published: October 2021

In this work, a freeway traffic control scheme is proposed to regulate traffic in freeway networks via multi‐class ramp metering. Specifically, each controlled on‐ramp of the system adopts a feedback regulator of proportional‐integral type and is able to compute the traffic flows entering the freeway mainstream, differentiated for each class of vehicles, e.g., cars and trucks. Since a crucial aspect of proportional‐integral controllers is the tuning of parameters, in this work an optimization‐based procedure is devised to determine the controller parameters to be used in the different on‐ramps of the network, according to the detected traffic conditions. To this end, a set of representative traffic scenarios is defined and, for each scenario, an offline optimization procedure is applied to determine the optimal parameters. Then, in real time, a controller parameter selector identifies the scenario associated with the current system conditions and communicates to the local controllers the optimal parameters to be applied. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is tested in a simulative example and the main results are discussed in the paper.
Investigating the moderating role of financial development in environmental degradation in India
Authors: Dahiya Suman
Published: October 2021

The present study investigates the moderating role of financial development in environmental degradation in India. This study uses time‐series data for a period of 46 years from 1971 to 2016 and employs an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound testing approach with two models (direct effect and moderating effect). The study reveals that economic growth and non‐renewable energy consumption are the main factors that worsen environmental quality in India while the impact of financial development on carbon emissions is negatively significant. Further, the findings of this study confirm the significant moderating effect of financial development on the impact of economic growth on carbon emissions. This study suggests that financial development can be used as a policy variable to decrease the environmental cost without hurting the economic growth in India.
Inter‐country differences in the cultural ecosystem services provided by cockles
Authors: Jackson‐Bué Mathilde , Brito Ana C. , Cabral Sara , Carss David N. , Carvalho Frederico , Chainho Paula , Ciutat Aurélie , Couñago Sanchez Elena , de Montaudouin Xavier , Fernández Otero Rosa M. , Incera Filgueira Mónica , Fitch Alice , Garbutt Angus , Goedknegt M. Anouk , Lynch Sharon A. , Mahony Kate E. , Maire Olivier , Malham Shelagh K. , Orvain Francis , Rocroy Mélanie , van der Schatte Olivier Andrew , Jones Laurence
Published: October 2021

Coastal systems provide many cultural ecosystem services (CES) to humans. Fewer studies have focused solely on CES, while those comparing CES across countries are even rarer. In the case of shellfish, considerable ecosystem services focus has been placed on nutrient remediation, with relatively little on the cultural services provided, despite strong historical, cultural, social and economic links between shellfish and coastal communities. The ecosystem services provided by the common cockle, Cerastoderma edule, have recently been described, yet the cultural benefits from cockles remain mostly unknown.

Here, we documented the CES provided by C. edule in five maritime countries along the Atlantic coast of western Europe, classifying evidenced examples of services into an a priori framework. The high‐level classes, adapted from the Millennium Assessment and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services, were: inspirational, sense of place, spiritual & religious, aesthetic, recreation & ecotourism, cultural heritage and educational. A further 19 sub‐classes were defined. We followed a narrative approach to draw out commonalities and differences among countries using a semi‐quantitative analysis.

Examples of CES provided by cockles were found for all classes in most countries. Cockles supply important and diverse cultural benefits to humans across Atlantic Europe, making it an ideal model species to study CES in coastal areas. Most examples were in cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of this class in comparison with classes which typically receive more attention in the literature like recreation or aesthetics. We also found that the cultural associations with cockles differed among countries, including between neighbouring countries that share a strong maritime heritage. The extent to which cultural associations were linked with the present or past also differed among countries, with stronger association with the present in southern countries and with the past in the north.

Understanding the wider benefits of cockles could deepen the recognition of this important coastal resource, and contribute to promoting sustainable management practices, through greater engagement with local communities. This study is an important step towards better integration of CES in coastal environments and could be used as a framework to study the CES of other species or ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Study on fabric/polyurethane high strength porous composite foam: Pb2+ adsorption properties and mechanical properties
Authors: Li Ting‐Ting , Li Shuxia , Zhang Xiao , Shiu Bing‐Chiuan , Peng Hao‐Kai , Ren Hai‐Tao , Miao Chun‐Hui , Lou Ching‐Wen , Lin Jia‐Horng
Published: October 2021

In this paper, by compounding different size of polyester nonwovens and nylon nonwovens with melamine‐bentonite composite PU foam, a high‐impact polyurethane composite material with excellent mechanical strength and good adsorbability was prepared. The cellular structure and mechanical property of PU foam was influenced by the composition of two different fabrics. With the adding of fabric, the cell size is decreased and a boundary‐like structure is formed at the fabric‐foam interface. The closer to the interface, the smaller and more uneven the foam cell is. The mechanical property of the composites was improved by adding fabric. The lower density of the composite surface, the better compression resistance the material is. The compression strength of 200 g/cm2 nylon nonwovens composite PU foam was 44.01 kPa, which was 213.83% of Neat PU. The optimum adsorption conditions, such as pH, adsorption time and initial concentration were investigated. The results showed that the Pb2+ could be removed effectively by fabric composite PU foam. Langmuir model, Freundlich model and adsorption kinetics model were used to evaluate the adsorption properties of fabric‐PU foam.
Hybrid effect of carbon nano‐fillers on the interlaminar fracture toughness of fiber metal laminates
Authors: Wang Shuo , Cong Fanglin , Li Xiaodong , He Jun , Cui Xu
Published: October 2021

Interlaminar fracture failure is the dominant factor restricting the development and application of fiber metal laminates (FMLs). In the current work, the primary purpose is an assessment of the effect of the hybrid combination of graphenes (GNPs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the interlaminar performance of FMLs. The effect of different ratios (GNPs: MWCNTs = 1:1, 3:7, 7:3) of hybrid carbon nano‐fillers on the mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture strain energy release rates ( and ) of FMLs containing GNPs and MWCNTs hybrid modified epoxy matrices are studied via double cantilever beam and end notched flexure tests. Results indicate that different ratios of GNPs and MWCNTs have different effects on the mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture performance of the samples. Compared with that of the baseline material, the of hybrid modified FMLs with GNPs: MWCNTs = 7:3 is increased by 344%. By contrast, the of hybrid modified FMLs with GNPs: MWCNTs = 3:7 is increased by 82.9% relative to the baseline value. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surface reveals the synergistic toughening mechanism of the two hybrids.
Open‐source maximum a posteriori‐bayesian dosing AdDS to current therapeutic drug monitoring: Adapting to the era of individualized therapy
Authors: Smith Nicholas M. , Chan Arthur , Wilkinson Laura A. , Chua Hubert C. , Nguyen Thomas D. , de Souza Harriet , Shah Anant P. , D’Argenio David Z. , Mergenhagen Kari A.
Published: October 2021

Recent updates in the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) guidelines for vancomycin have rekindled interest in maximum a posteriori‐Bayesian (MAP‐Bayesian) estimation of patient‐specific pharmacokinetic parameters. To create a versatile infrastructure for MAP‐Bayesian dosing of vancomycin or other drugs, a freely available, R‐based software package, Advanced Dosing Solutions (AdDS), was created to facilitate clinical implementation of these improved TDM methods. The objective of this study was to utilize AdDS for pre‐ and post‐processing of data in order to streamline the therapeutic management of vancomycin in healthy and obese veterans. Patients from a local Veteran Affairs hospital were utilized to compare the process of full re‐estimation versus Bayesian updating of priors on healthy adult and obese patient populations for use with AdDS. Twenty‐four healthy veterans were utilized to train (14/24) and test (10/24) the base pharmacokinetic model of vancomycin while comparing the effects of updated and fully re‐estimated priors. This process was repeated with a total of 18 obese veterans for both training (11/18) and testing (7/18). Comparison of MAP objective function between the original and re‐estimated models for healthy adults indicated that 78.6% of the subjects in the training and 70.0% of the subjects in the testing datasets had similar or improved predictions by the re‐estimated model. For obese veterans, 81.8% of subjects in the training dataset and 85.7% of subjects in the testing dataset had similar or improved predictions. Re‐estimation of model parameters provided more significant improvements in objective function compared with Bayesian updating, which may be a useful strategy in cases where sufficient samples and subjects are available. The generation of bespoke regimens based on patient‐specific clearance and minimal sampling may improve patient care by addressing fundamental pharmacokinetic differences in healthy and obese veteran populations.
Modification of eggshell membrane to impart biospecific properties
Authors: Todorova Zornica , Nikolova Ivanka , Popova Margarita , Grozdanov Petar , Karashanova Daniela , Koseva Neli
Published: October 2021

Eggshell membrane (ESM) represents an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and nontoxic byproduct. Besides the unique mechanical properties of the material, the ESM surface is rich in functional groups susceptible to further modifications. In the current study two modification pathways were applied to enrich the ESM surface with glucopyranosyl units. One was based on the reaction of activated surface carboxylic groups with glucosamine and the other exploited the reactivity of the surface amino groups for grafting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains bearing end glucopyranosyl and benzaldehyde moieties. The functionalization of the PEG chains with molar masses 400 and 1500 g mol−1 was evidenced from 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral data. The modified ESMs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area and the total pore volume of ESM decreased upon modification. Decoration of ESM with glucopyranosyl units imparted protein recognition properties that were tested via binding studies with concanavalin A as model lectin. Further, grafting of glucose units via PEG linkers reduced bacterial adhesion onto the membrane surface. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Nano‐assemblies based on biomacromolecules to overcome cancer drug resistance
Authors: Cheng Meng , Dou Hongjing
Published: October 2021

Overcoming tumor resistance is one of the major challenges encountered in cancer treatment. With the rapid development of nanotechnology in recent years, nano‐assemblies have become promising candidates due to their strong potential to overcome the drug resistance of tumors. They have a high degree of adaptability, including size and composition regulation, surface versatility and the possibility of combining multiple therapeutic approaches through a single nanoparticle platform. Among multiple self‐assembled component materials, biomacromolecules have attracted ever growing attention because of their unique molecular structures, natural biocompatibility and multifunctional properties. Herein, various mechanisms of nano‐assembly utilization overcoming cancer drug resistance are first summarized, and then the roles and research progress of typical biomacromolecules (such as polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids) in nano‐assemblies capable of overcoming cancer drug resistance are described. Finally, the potential challenges and prospects of the clinical application of biomacromolecule‐based nano‐assemblies are analyzed and discussed. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Molecular characterization of triple negative breast cancer formaldehyde‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples by data‐independent acquisition proteomics
Authors: García‐Adrián Silvia , Trilla‐Fuertes Lucía , Gámez‐Pozo Angelo , Chiva Cristina , López‐Vacas Rocío , López‐Camacho Elena , Zapater‐Moros Andrea , Lumbreras‐Herrera María I. , Hardisson David , Yébenes Laura , Zamora Pilar , Sabidó Eduard , Fresno Vara Juan Ángel , Espinosa Enrique
Published: October 2021

Triple negative breast cancer accounts for 15%–20% of all breast carcinomas and is clinically characterized by an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. Triple negative tumors do not benefit from targeted therapies, so further characterization is needed to define subgroups with potential therapeutic value. In this work, the proteomes of 125 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples from patients diagnosed with non‐metastatic triple negative breast cancer were analyzed using data‐independent acquisition + in a LTQ‐Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer coupled to an EASY‐nLC 1000. 1206 proteins were identified in at least 66% of the samples. Hierarchical clustering, probabilistic graphical models and Significance Analysis of Microarrays were combined to characterize proteomics‐based molecular groups. Two molecular groups were defined with differences in biological processes such as glycolysis, translation and immune response. These two molecular groups showed also several differentially expressed proteins. This clinically homogenous dataset may serve to design new therapeutic strategies in the future.
Tyrosine 288 in the extracellular domain of the human P2X7 receptor is critical for receptor function revealed by structural modeling and site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Caseley Emily A. , Muench Stephen P. , Jiang Lin‐Hua
Published: October 2021

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a calcium‐permeable cation channel activated by high concentrations of extracellular ATP. It plays a role in vital physiological processes, particularly in innate immunity, and is dysregulated in pathological conditions such as inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, mood disorders, and cancers. Structural modeling of the human P2X7R (hP2X7R) based on the recently available structures of the rat P2X7 receptor (rP2XR) in conjunction with molecular docking predicts the orientation of tyrosine at position 288 (Y288) in the extracellular domain to face ATP. In this short communication, we combined site‐directed mutagenesis and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording to investigate the role of this residue in the hP2X7R function. Mutation of this extracellular residue to amino acids with different properties massively impaired current responses to both ATP and BzATP, suggesting that Y288 is important for normal receptor function. Such a finding facilitates development of an in‐depth understanding of the molecular basis of hP2X7R structure–function relationships.
Neuroligin 3 from common cutworm enhances the GABA‐induced current of recombinant SlRDL1 channel
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhang Yi‐Chi , Zhang Ke‐Xin , Jia Zhong‐Qiang , Tang Tao , Zheng Lin‐Lin , Liu Di , Zhao Chun‐Qing
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Neuroligin (NLG) protein is a nerve cell adhesion molecule and plays a key role in the precision apposition of presynaptic domains on inhibitory and excitatory synapses. Existing studies mainly focused on the function of NLG3 against the excitatory channel. However, the interaction between insect NLG3 and ionotropic GABA receptor, which is the main inhibitory channel, remains unclear. In this study, the Nlg3 of common cutworm (CCW), Spodoptera litura Fabricius, one important agricultural Lepidopteron, is selected to explore its function in the inhibitory channel.

RESULTS

The SlNlg3 was obtained and the SlNLG3 contains the characteristic features including transmembrane domain, PDZ‐binding motif and type‐B carboxylesterases signature 2 motif. The SlNlg3 messenger RNA (mRNA) was most abundant in midgut, and exhibited multiple expression patterns in different developmental stages and tissues or body parts. Compared with the single injection of SlRDL1, the median effective concentration value of GABA in activating currents was smaller in Xenopus laevis oocytes co‐injected with SlRDL1 and SlNlg3. In addition, SlNlg3 could enhance the GABA‐induced current of homomeric SlRDL1 channel from −391.86 ± 15.41 to −2152.51 ± 30.09 nA. DsSlNlg3 depressed the expression level of SlNlg3 mRNA more than 64.29% at 6 h. After exposure to median lethal dose of fluralaner, the mortality of CCW injected with dsSlNlg3 was significantly decreased by 13.34% and 30.00% at 24 and 48 h, respectively, compared to injection of dsEGFP.

CONCLUSION

NLG3 should have physiological function on ionotropic GABA receptor in vitro, which provided a favorable foundation for further research on the physiological function of Nlg gene in Lepidopteron. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
2,4‐D and 2,4‐D butoxyethyl ester behavior in Eurasian and hybrid watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spp.)
Authors: Ortiz Mirella F , Figueiredo Marcelo RA , Nissen Scott J , Wersal Ryan M , Ratajczyk William A , Dayan Franck E
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Hybrid watermilfoil is becoming more prevalent in many lakes where the invasive Eurasian (Myriophyllum spicatum, EWM) and native northern watermilfoil (M. sibiricum) co‐occur. These Eurasian and northern watermilfoil hybrids (HWM) grow 30% faster and in many cases are less sensitive to 2,4‐dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4‐D) than either parent. The mechanism(s) impacting 2,4‐D tolerance in these hybrids was investigated by comparing the absorption, translocation, metabolism, and desorption of two 2,4‐D formulations in EWM and HWM.

RESULTS

2,4‐D absorption in EWM and HWM was 5.7 and 7.9 times the external herbicide concentration determined by the plant concentration factor, a metric used to determine herbicide bioaccumulation, and 2,4‐D butoxyethyl ester absorption was 35.6 and 52.1 times the external concentration in EWM and HWM, respectively. Herbicide bioaccumulation was greater in HWM than in EWM. Herbicide translocation to HWM roots was limited at 192 HAT and herbicide desorption in HWM was slightly lower than EWM. No differences were found in herbicide metabolism between the two plant species.

CONCLUSION

2,4‐D resistance in HWM is not due to non‐target‐site resistance as no differences in herbicide absorption, translocation, desorption and/or metabolism were identified; therefore, target‐site resistance is the most likely resistance mechanism. More research is needed to identify the molecular basis for the 2,4‐D‐resistant trait in HWM. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The spatial deconcentration of immigration towards non‐metropolitan areas in France (1975–2015)
Authors: Fromentin Julie
Published: October 2021

While the numerical growth of the immigrant population in France has been documented since the early 1990s, few studies have looked at changes in the spatial distribution of this population. Most research has emphasised immigrants' concentration in large cities and their suburbs. The present study aims to show how the spatial differentiated distribution of immigrants has changed at the national level over the past four decades in mainland France and Corsica, with analyses centred on non‐metropolitan areas. Drawing on census data at the national level between 1975 and 2015, we show that while the immigrant population has increased, it has also spread increasingly into non‐metropolitan areas. This deconcentration of the immigrant population has been accompanied by a diversification of geographical origins at the local level, suggesting joint or even linked migratory dynamics in non‐metropolitan areas.
Exposure–safety analysis of QTc interval and transaminase levels following bedaquiline administration in patients with drug‐resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Tanneau Lénaïg , Svensson Elin M. , Rossenu Stefaan , Karlsson Mats O.
Published: October 2021

Bedaquiline (BDQ) has shown great value in the treatment of multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) in recent years. However, exposure–safety relationships must be explored to extend the use of BDQ. Two reported safety findings for BDQ are prolongation of the QTc interval and elevation of transaminase levels. In this study, we investigated the potential relationships between BDQ and/or its main metabolite (M2) pharmacokinetic (PK) metrics and QTcF interval or transaminase levels in patients with MDR‐TB using the approved dose regimen. Data from 429 patients with MDR‐TB from two phase IIb studies were analyzed via nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. Individual model‐predicted concentrations and summary PK metrics were evaluated, respectively, in the QTcF interval and transaminase level exposure–response models. Investigation of further covariate effects was performed in both models. M2 concentrations were found to be responsible for the drug‐related QTcF increase in a model accounting for circadian rhythm patterns, time on study, effect of concomitant medication with QT liability, and patient demographics. Simulations with the final model suggested that doses higher than the approved dose (leading to increased M2 concentrations) are not expected to lead to a critical QTcF interval increase. No exposure–safety relationship could be described with transaminase levels despite previous reports of higher levels in patients treated with BDQ. The developed longitudinal models characterized the role of M2 concentrations in QTc interval prolongation and found no concentration dependency for transaminase level elevation, together suggesting that BDQ exposure at the high end of the observed range may not be associated with a higher risk of safety events.
Practical and robust test for comparing binomial proportions in the randomized phase II setting
Authors: Attwood Kristopher , Park Soyun , Hutson Alan D.
Published: October 2021

The one‐arm, non‐randomized, one/two‐stage phase II designs have been a mainstay in oncology trials for evaluating response rates or similar variants (i.e., tests about single proportions). With the goal of screening new therapies that have the potential to move into a randomized phase III trial or a subsequent randomized phase II trial, all while maintaining a logistically feasible sample size. However, since the implementation of the Food and Drug Administration's Fast Track Designation, there has been a trend toward randomized phase II clinical trials as a source of stronger evidence for those seeking fast‐track approvals. While there are many single‐ and multi‐stage randomized designs for evaluating proportions in this phase II setting, there still exist limitations in terms of sample size (which directly impacts cost and study duration) or operating characteristics (ex. maintained type I error). In this article, we propose a new test for comparing two binomial proportions, which is a modification across existing methods (the standard z‐test and Jung's test). This approach is contrasted with existing methods via numeric evaluation and further contrasted using a real‐world oncology trial. The proposed method demonstrates improvements in efficiency and robustness against deviations from design assumptions. When applied to the existing trial, significant savings with respect to cost and time are illustrated. Our proposed test for comparing binomial proportions provides an efficient and robust alternative in the randomized phase II oncology setting, especially when the control arm has a high rate.
Comprehensive degradation profiling and influence of different oxidizing reagents on tinoridine hydrochloride: Structural characterization of its degradation products using HPLC and HRMS
Authors: Dhiman Vivek , Patil Kanchan , Velip Laximan , Talluri M. V. N. Kumar , Gananadhamu Samanthula
Published: October 2021

Rationale

Stress testing on tinoridine hydrochloride was carried out using a multidimensional approach. This included different conditions: hydrolytic (acidic, alkaline, and neutral conditions), different oxidative reagents, thermal, photolytic conditions, HPLC method development, and structural elucidation using high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). It provides the basis for quality control of tinoridine hydrochloride and its derivatives during storage conditions.

Methods

The tinoridine hydrochloride was subjected to a variety of stress conditions. A gradient reversed‐phase HPLC method was developed on a X‐Bridge C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) to separate all the degradation products (DPs). HRMS studies have been performed to elucidate the structure of DPs.

Results

HPLC‐PDA study revealed that significant degradation products were formed in hydrolytic, AIBN (radical initiator at 40°C), thermal, and solid‐state photolight stress conditions, but the drug was stable under oxidative conditions (H2O2, Fenton's reagent at room temperature and ferric chloride at 40°C). The structure of degradation products was elucidated, and mechanism of their formation was explained.

Conclusion

Stress study was successfully carried out as per ICH Q1A (R2) guideline on tinoridine hydrochloride. A total of six new degradation products were characterized, DP 2 and DP 6 formed by the effect of co‐solvent. This study provides the scientifically sound basis for quality monitoring and storage conditions of tinoridine hydrochloride.
Observer‐based consensus control for multi‐agent systems with measurement noises and external disturbances
Authors: Huang Xiaolong , Chen Yangzhou , Zhan Jingyuan
Published: October 2021

This study presents a distributed observer‐based consensus control for general linear multi‐agent systems under measurement noises and external disturbances. By using the state linear transformation with the matrix constructed from the incidence matrix of a virtual chained directed spanning tree, we transform the observer‐based consensus problem into an asymptotic stability problem of a corresponding augmented linear system. The augmented linear system consists of the reduced‐order system deduced from dynamic equations of the agents and state estimation error system. Based on asymptotic stability of the augmented linear system, we present some sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities for the existence of the distributed observer‐based consensus controller. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated by a numerical example.
EIL‐SLAM: Depth‐enhanced edge‐based infrared‐LiDAR SLAM
Authors: Chen Wenqiang , Wang Yu , Chen Haoyao , Liu Yunhui
Published: October 2021

Traditional simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approaches that utilize visible cameras or light detection and rangings (LiDARs) frequently fail in dusty, low‐textured, or completely dark environments. To address this problem, this study proposes a novel approach by tightly coupling perception data from a thermal infrared camera and a LiDAR based on the advantages of the former. However, applying a thermal infrared camera directly to existing SLAM frameworks is difficult because of the sensor differences. Thus, a new infrared‐visual odometry method is developed by utilizing edge points as features to ensure the robustness of the state estimation. Furthermore, an edge‐based infrared‐LiDAR SLAM framework is developed to generate a dense depth map for recovering visual scale and to provide real‐time pose estimation at the same time throughout the day. An infrared‐visual and LiDAR‐integrated place recognition method is also introduced to achieve robust loop closure. Finally, several experiments are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Atmospheric absorption and scattering impact on optical satellite‐ground links
Authors: Giggenbach Dirk , Shrestha Amita
Published: October 2021

Free‐space radio‐frequency (RF) communication links for intersatellite or satellite‐to‐ground communications are getting increasingly constraint by the insufficient spectrum availability and limited data rate of RF technology. With the advent of large satellite mega‐constellation networks for global communications coverage, this limitation of classical RF communication becomes even more critical. Therefore, the establishment of point‐to‐point free‐space optical link technology (FSO) in space will become of paramount importance in future systems, where the application will be for data‐relays links, or for mega‐constellations inter‐satellite links, as well as for direct data downlinks, or from deep‐space probes to ground. Further advantages of optical FSO—besides spectrum availability—is its increased power efficiency, higher data rates, avoidance of interference, and inherent protection against interception. When, however, these optical communication links have to pass through Earth's atmosphere, attenuation and scattering effects do influence the signal transmission. In this publication, we investigate the effects of atmospheric attenuation, including the effects of molecular absorption as well as aerosol scattering and absorption, for typical wavelength regions used for FSO, dependent on the link geometries. Based on transmission‐simulation databases, we show useful spectral ranges and their specific attenuation strength. Free spectral transmission windows dependent on atmospheric quality and elevation angle are identified for reliable and efficient use of the optical transmission technology in space applications.
Robust approach for variable selection with high dimensional longitudinal data analysis
Authors: Fu Liya , Li Jiaqi , Wang You‐Gan
Published: October 2021

This article proposes a new robust smooth‐threshold estimating equation to select important variables and automatically estimate parameters for high dimensional longitudinal data. A novel working correlation matrix is proposed to capture correlations within the same subject. The proposed procedure works well when the number of covariates increases as the number of subjects n increases. The proposed estimates are competitive with the estimates obtained with the true correlation structure, especially when the data are contaminated. Moreover, the proposed method is robust against outliers in the response variables and/or covariates. Furthermore, the oracle properties for robust smooth‐threshold estimating equations under “large n, diverging ” are established under some regularity conditions. Extensive simulation studies and a yeast cell cycle data are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, and results show that the proposed method is competitive with existing robust variable selection procedures.
Ring Opening of Epoxides and Aziridines with Benzotriazoles Using Magnetically Retrievable Graphene Based (CoFe@rGO) Nanohybrid
Authors: Sheoran Ankush , Kaur Jaspreet , Agarwal Jyoti , Singhal Sonal
Published: October 2021

Reduced Graphene oxide (rGO) behaves as an excellent heterogeneous catalyst because of its remarkable characteristics such as large specific surface area and high thermal stability. In this regard, Graphene oxide was converted to magnetic nanohybrid (CoFe@rGO) and utilized as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the ring opening reactions and act as Lewis acid to promote the reaction. Developed a new facile, environmentally benign and green methodology for the synthesis of β‐hydroxytriazoles and β‐N‐tosylsulfonamidetriazoles derivatives via ring opening reaction of epoxides and aziridines respectively in the presence of CoFe@rGO nanohybrid as catalyst in good to excellent yields under solvent free reaction conditions. Catalyst was separated from the reaction mixture by an external magnet, recycled and reused up to six catalytic runs without significant loss of catalytic activity. Environmentally benign conditions, cheap starting materials, shorter reaction times, easy work‐up and purification of the products, high regioselectivity, high yields, recyclability and reusability of catalyst are the main advantages of our protocol.
A Proton‐Transfer Complex Containing 5‐Hydroxy‐isophthalic Acid with 3,3′‐(Piperazine‐1,4‐diylbis (methylene)) Dibenzonitrile: Structural Topology, Hirshfeld Analysis, NLO, and DFT Studies
Authors: Muslim Mohd , Kamaal Saima , Mehkoom Mohd , Jane Alam Mohammad , Afzal S. M. , Ahmad Musheer
Published: October 2021

This work focuses on the study of a proton‐transfer complex (1) of 5‐hydroxy‐isophthalic acid (HIPA) and 3,3′‐(piperazine‐1,4‐diylbis(methylene)) dibenzonitrile (PBN). The single‐crystal XRD reveals that the HIPA and PBN molecules in complex (1) are mutually connected through intricate N+−H−O− H‐bonding interactions. Herein, close and open aperture measurement for the third‐order nonlinear optical response of the complex (1) has been investigated using the Z‐scan technique which shows its potential application in optoelectronic and photonic devices. Further, DFT calculations have been done for the HOMO‐LUMO energy gap and Mulliken atomic charge analysis which helps us to understand the proton‐transfer mechanism in the complex (1). The topological and Hirshfeld surface analysis were also achieved to understand the importance of non‐covalent interactions in the stability of the supramolecular structure and NLO properties.
Thymosin‐β4, and Human Vitronectin peptides Grafted to Collagen Tune Adhesion or VEGF Gene Expression in Human Cell Lines**
Authors: Guizzardi Roberto , Zamuner Annj , Brun Paola , Dettin Monica , Natalello Antonino , Cipolla Laura
Published: October 2021

In order to improve collagen bioactivity for regenerative medicine approaches, thymosin‐β4 (Tβ4P) and Human Vitronectin (HVP) derived peptides are grafted to collagen by thiol‐ene Michael addition. Tβ4P and HVP are known to exert a pro‐angiogenic and a pro‐adhesive activity respectively and HVP is involved in osteogenesis promotion. The ability of these peptides to increase collagen cell adhesion and angiogenesis properties is assessed on human cell lines. In particular, HVP‐grafted collagen increased human osteoblast adhesion and cell proliferation: after 24 h, both adhesion and proliferation roughly showed a 4‐fold increase, if compared to pristine collagen. Tβ4P‐grafted collagen promotes Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) gene expression in human vascular cell lines by more than 7 times. These results suggest that HVP‐grafted collagen may be an interesting biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration, while Tβ4P‐grafted collagen is useful for angiogenesis promotion.
Perceived control and reactivity to acute stressors: Variations by age, race and facets of control
Authors: Wen Jin H. , Sin Nancy L.
Published: October 2021

Greater perceived control is associated with better health and well‐being outcomes, possibly through more adaptive stress processes. Yet little research has examined whether facets of perceived control (personal mastery and perceived constraints) predict psychological and physiological stress reactivity. The present study evaluated the associations of personal mastery and perceived constraints with changes in subjective stress and cortisol in response to acute laboratory stressors, with age and race as potential moderators. In the Midlife in the United States Refresher Study (N = 633 adults aged 25–75), participants completed a baseline perceived control measure and were subsequently recruited to participate in the laboratory stress protocol. The protocol consisted of completing two mental stress tasks (mental arithmetic and Stroop) as well as providing saliva samples and subjective stress ratings. Race moderated the association between perceived constraints and subjective stress reactivity, such that higher constraints predicted greater subjective stress responses in White participants, but no association was observed in Black participants. Higher personal mastery and perceived constraints each predicted greater increases in cortisol in response to the stress tasks (AUCi) among younger but not older adults. These findings suggest that older adults were buffered against the association between facets of control and cortisol stress reactivity. Discussion on potential racial differences in the link between constraints and stress reactivity are elaborated further, as well as considerations for future work to distinguish between facets of control and examine age and racial differences.
Highly Self‐Healable Write‐Once‐Read‐Many‐Times Devices Based on Polyvinylalcohol‐Imidazole Modified Graphene Nanocomposites
Authors: An Haoqun , Kim Youngjin , Li Mingjun , Kim Tae Whan
Published: October 2021

Repetitious mechanical stress or external mechanical impact can damage wearable electronic devices, leading to serious degradations in their electrical performances, which limits their applications. Because self‐healing would be an excellent solution to the above‐mentioned issue, this paper presents a self‐healable memory device based on a novel nanocomposite layer consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol matrix and imidazole‐modified graphene quantum dots. The device exhibits reliable electrical performance over 600 cycles, and the electrical properties of the device are maintained without any failure under this bending stress. Further, it is confirmed that the damaged device can recover its original electric characteristics after the self‐healing process. It is believed that such outstanding results will lead the way to the realization of future wearable electronic systems.
Ultrafast, Non‐Equilibrium and Transient Heating and Sintering of Nanocrystals for Nanoscale Metal Printing
Authors: Podder Chinmoy , Gong Xiangtao , Pan Heng
Published: October 2021

The carrier excitation, relaxation, energy transport, and conversion processes during light‐nanocrystal (NC) interactions have been intensively investigated for applications in optoelectronics, photocatalysis, and photovoltaics. However, there are limited studies on the non‐equilibrium heating under relatively high laser excitation that leads to NCs sintering. Here, the authors use femtosecond laser two‐pulse correlation and in‐situ optical transmission probing to investigate the non‐equilibrium heating of NCs and transient sintering dynamics. First, a two‐pulse correlation study reveals that the sintering rate strongly increases when the two heating laser pulses are temporally separated by <10 ps. Second, the sintering rate is found to increase nonlinearly with laser fluence when heating with ≈700 fs laser pulses. By three‐temperature modeling, the NC sintering mechanism mediated by electron induced ligand transformation is suggested. The ultrafast and non‐equilibrium process facilitates sintering in dry (spin‐coated) and wet (solvent suspended) environments. The nonlinear dependence of sintering rate on laser fluence is exploited to print sub‐diffraction‐limited features in NC suspension. The smallest feature printed is ≈200 nm, which is ≈¼ of the laser wavelength. These findings provide a new perspective toward nanomanufacturing development based on probing and engineering ultrafast transport phenomena in functional NCs.
Long‐Term Performance and Shade Detection in Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Fairbrother Andrew , Quest Hugo , Özkalay Ebrar , Wälchli Philipp , Friesen Gabi , Ballif Christophe , Virtuani Alessandro
Published: October 2021

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) operate in a unique environment compared with field‐mounted systems and may experience elevated temperatures and recurrent or persistent shading. These stresses are expected to accelerate degradation, but there are few performance reports for true BIPV systems as defined in IEC 63092‐1. Herein, the long‐term performance (over 5–10 years) of 55 BIPV systems in Switzerland is reported. Using a year‐on‐year (YOY) performance loss rate (PLR) analysis, the median degradation rate of all systems together (fleet‐wide) is determined to be 0.06% per year (i.e., essentially no degradation), though there is a large spread of rates. Visual inspection of the systems indicated that some are shaded at times, so a fault detection and diagnosis algorithm (FDDA) is developed to estimate the shading severity of the systems using their daily production profiles. The fraction of time in shading fault presents a linear trend for the upper limit of PLRs, though by itself it is not a strong predictor of system performance. On average, the degree of shading is found to increase in newer systems, and decrease in larger capacity systems. These results highlight the importance of alleviating shading stresses through innovative BIPV module and system design.
Surface Alloying of Internal Surfaces of Low‐Carbon Steel Castings through Incorporation of Nickel, Nickel and Chromium, and 316L Stainless Steel Powders to Mold and Core Surfaces
Authors: Kordijazi Amir , Beining Michael , Rane Kaustubh , Behera Swaroop , Rohatgi Pradeep
Published: October 2021

A surface alloying technique is developed to enrich the internal surfaces of low‐carbon steel casting with nickel or nickel and chromium. This unique technique involves the incorporation of nickel (Ni), nickel and chromium (Ni + Cr), or stainless steel (SS) powders into a slurry, and then applying the slurry onto the surface of cores used in sand molds which comes in contact with molten metal during casting. Various properties, including coating thickness, composition, microstructural phases, surface hardness, and corrosion resistance of the surface‐alloyed layer, are studied. The internal surface of the substrate metal is enriched with nickel and chromium, up to 16.32 wt% Ni or 7.79 wt% Ni and 15.85 wt% Cr. Optical microscopy shows that the surface‐enriched layer is continuous over the entire surface of the casting and ranges in thickness from 229 to 1342 μm. When alloyed with Ni and SS powders, the surface‐alloyed layers demonstrate a dendritic solidification microstructure, suggesting complete dissolution of powders in steel followed by solidification. While the substrate primarily displays pearlitic and ferritic structures, simulation and X‐ray diffraction confirm the presence of austenite and ferrite in the surface‐alloyed layer when Ni + Cr is used. Microhardness testing and corrosion studies show significant improvement after surface alloying.
Effect of Carbon Partitioning and Residual Compressive Stresses on the Lattice Strains of Retained Austenite During Quenching and Isothermal Bainitic Holding in a High‐Silicon Medium‐Carbon Steel
Authors: Pashangeh Shima , Ghasemi Banadkouki Seyyed Sadegh , Somani Mahesh Chandra , Kömi Jukka
Published: October 2021

The residual compressive stresses and dimensional changes related to the lattice strains of retained austenite (RA) phase in a high‐Si, medium‐carbon steel (Fe‐0.53C‐1.67Si‐0.72Mn‐0.12Cr) are investigated for samples austenitized and quenched for isothermal bainitic transformation (Q&B) in the range 5 s to 1 h at 350 °C. Also, samples are directly quenched in water (DWQ) from the austenitization temperature for comparison with Q&B samples. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses, and X‐ray diffraction are used to investigate the microstructural evolution, phase distribution, and lattice parameters of RA phase. While the Q&B samples showed formation of bainite and high‐carbon fresh martensite in conjunction with stabilization of various fractions of RA, the DWQ samples displayed nearly complete martensitic microstructure. For short holding durations (≪200 s), there was limited formation of bainite and the inadequate carbon partitioning to the adjacent untransformed austenite areas resulted in significant martensite formation and the associated c/a ratio of martensite resulted in high compressive residual stresses within the RA phase. While, at long isothermal holding times (≫ 200 s), there was a significant formation of bainite. The DWQ samples displayed maximum lattice strain in a small fraction of untransformed RA phase.
Metal–Organic Frameworks Constructed from Iron‐Series Elements for Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Kuaibing , Guo Yuxuan , Zhang Qichun
Published: October 2021

Iron‐series (Fe, Co, and Ni) containing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained great concern in supercapacitors (SCs) because of their tailorable architectures, multiple redox‐active sites, and intriguing properties. Given the importance of porosities in MOFs for charge transmission, an essential assessment of their designs, preparation methods, and engineering technologies is strongly required to further explore and optimize SCs. Through empowering conductive backbones and redox‐active centers, iron‐series containing MOF‐based electrodes have made outstanding achievements recently. This review aims to summarize these core reports on iron‐series containing MOFs. Correspondingly, the design strategy, the reason for compositing, the strategy of introducing heteroatoms, and the current divergences on structural alteration mechanisms are discussed. Potential bottleneck issues and coping strategies are also perspectively discussed to guide future optimization.