bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface‐Roughness‐Induced Plasticity in a Biodegradable Zn Alloy
Authors: Shi Zhang‐Zhi , Li Meng , Li Xiang‐Min , Wang Lu‐Ning
Published: October 2022

Improving plasticity has been an eternal theme of developing metallic materials. It is difficult to increase room‐temperature elongation of metallic materials over 100% without sacrificing strength using existing methods. Herein, surface‐roughness‐induced plasticity (SRIP) is discovered in biodegradable Zn–0.4Mn alloy. Surprisingly, in the good surface range that meets the international standard ISO 6892, reducing surface roughness results in significant increase in plasticity without loss of strength. From unground to 5000# sandpaper ground states, the surface roughness Ra of the alloy decreases from 0.63 to 0.05 µm, while its room temperature elongation increases from 74% to 143%. SRIP is the synergistic result of increased microstructure damage tolerance and decreased surface roughness. It provides a new method for improving plasticity.
Tissue‐Mimetic Supramolecular Polymer Networks for Bioelectronics
Authors: O'Neill Stephen J.K. , Huang Zehuan , Ahmed Mohammed H. , Boys Alexander J. , Velasco‐Bosom Santiago , Li Jiaxuan , Owens Róisín M. , McCune Jade A. , Malliaras George G. , Scherman Oren A.
Published: October 2022

Addressing the mechanical mismatch between biological tissue and traditional electronic materials remains a major challenge in bioelectronics. While rigidity of such materials limits biocompatibility, supramolecular polymer networks can harmoniously interface with biological tissues as they are soft, wet, and stretchable. Here, an electrically conductive supramolecular polymer network that simultaneously exhibits both electronic and ionic conductivity while maintaining tissue‐mimetic mechanical properties, providing an ideal electronic interface with the human body, is introduced. Rational design of an ultrahigh affinity host–guest ternary complex led to binding affinities (>1013 M‐2) of over an order of magnitude greater than previous reports. Embedding these complexes as dynamic cross‐links, coupled with in situ synthesis of a conducting polymer, resulted in electrically conductive supramolecular polymer networks with tissue‐mimetic Young's moduli (<5 kPa), high stretchability (>500%), rapid self‐recovery and high water content (>84%). Achieving such properties enabled fabrication of intrinsically‐stretchable stand‐alone bioelectrodes, capable of accurately monitoring electromyography signals, free from any rigid materials.
Pt Single Atoms on CrN Nanoparticles Deliver Outstanding Activity and CO Tolerance in the Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Yang Zhaojun , Chen Chaoqiu , Zhao Yunxuan , Wang Qing , Zhao Jiaqi , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Qin Yong , Shang Lu , Zhang Tierui
Published: October 2022

The large‐scale application of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is currently hampered by high cost of commercial Pt catalysts and their susceptibility to poisoning by CO impurities in H2 feed. In this context, the development of CO‐tolerant electrocatalysts with high Pt atom utilization efficiency for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) is of critical importance. Herein, Pt single atoms are successfully immobilized on chromium nitride nanoparticles by atomic layer deposition method, denoted as Pt SACs/CrN. Electrochemical tests establish Pt SACs/CrN to be a very efficient HOR catalyst, with a mass activity that is 5.7 times higher than commercial PtRu/C. Strikingly, the excellent performance of Pt SACs/CrN is maintained after introducing 1000 ppm of CO in H2 feed. The excellent CO‐tolerance of Pt SACs/CrN is related to weaker CO adsorption on Pt single atoms. This work provides guidelines for the design and construction of active and CO‐tolerant catalysts for HOR.
Multimodal Neural Probes with Small Form Factor Based on Dual‐Side Fabrication
Authors: Kim Mi Kyung , Leong Jia Chee , Jo Yehhyun , Kook Geon , Lee Hyunjoo J.
Published: October 2022

Monitoring both individual neuronal spikes and neurotransmitters released from a specific brain region plays a significant role in understanding neuronal circuits and brain functionalities. While polymer neural probe offers distinctive advantages of flexibility, optical transparency, and biocompatibility, achieving high‐density recording with multifunctionalities and multimodality is still a challenge due to limited microfabrication techniques. Here, a multimodal polymer neural probe array based on a dual‐side fabrication process with the potential for high‐density neural recording and electrochemical neurotransmitter detection is presented. The developed dual‐side fabrication allows the placement of a larger number of microelectrodes and multimodal sensors without increasing the probe dimension by utilizing both sides of the shank. Using the dual‐side fabrication, a dual‐sided SU‐8 neural probe array is fabricated which consists of an array of gold and platinum microelectrodes and a micron‐scale three‐electrode system. Moreover, the design space of the micron‐scale three‐electrode systems on the dual‐side neural probe is explored. Through successful in vivo neural spike recording and dopamine (DA) measurements in a brain phantom using the fabricated dual‐side neural probe, it is confirmed that the dual‐sided microfabrication is a reliable and viable solution.
High‐Performance, Superhydrophobic, and Wearable Strain Sensor for Amphibious Human Motion Detection
Authors: Ma Junchi , Qing Yongquan , Song Haoyang , Yao Yuxuan , Xu Xinyu , Long Cai , Cui Miao , Han Mengxue , Liu Changsheng
Published: October 2022

Wearable strain sensors with water repellency can enable the monitoring of human health and body motions when in contact with water; however, realization of such sensors with both high sensitivity and dynamic wetting behaviors simultaneously in air and underwater environment is a challenging task. Herein, a superhydrophobic, breathable, and wearable microfiber composite (SBWMC) strain sensor is fabricated using a stearic acid functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/TiO2 modified textile. The resultant network of hierarchical micro/nano structure endows the SBWMC surface with excellent conductivity and water damage prevention, and it maintains superhydrophobicity after mechanical abrasion, illumination, and water soaking. More importantly, the SBWMC strain sensor simultaneously achieves the wide sensing ranges (strain over 100%) and superior sensitivity (gauge factor of 461.5) in air, and it can efficiently monitor real‐time bending of human joints in air. Compared to traditional sensors, this SBWMC strain sensor also exhibits superior sensitivity in underwater environment, even comparable to that in air. Undoubtedly, such smart sensor offers broad application prospects in next generation of wearable electronic devices in extremely humid environments.
Fully 3D‐Printed Cuff Electrode for Small Nerve Interfacing
Authors: Zurita Francisco , Grob Leroy , Erben Amelie , Del Duca Fulvia , Clausen‐Schaumann Hauke , Sudhop Stefanie , Hayden Oliver , Wolfrum Bernhard
Published: October 2022

Interfacing with the peripheral nervous system is a powerful method for diagnosing and treating several diseases, such as drug‐resistant epilepsy and depression. In most clinical applications, large nerves such as the vagus and the hypoglossal nerve are targeted. Large nerves carry multiple nerve fibers, and maintaining selectivity of a specific target response demands complex stimulation strategies. As the large trunks bifurcate toward their distal ends, their diameter and number of comprised fibers reduce. Consequently, interfacing small nerves can provide increased fiber selectivity. However, their small size presents challenges to the fabrication and implantation of suitable electrodes due to their fragility and constrained environments. Here, a cuff electrode that combines two‐photon stereolithography and 3D inkjet printing techniques for the selective interfacing of small nerves in vivo is introduced. The device is easy to implant, and its size can be tailored for specific nerve dimensions. Its capability to record and selectively stimulate is demonstrated by targeting a locust's hind leg nerve.
Advanced Functional Composite Materials toward E‐Skin for Health Monitoring and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Sun Qi‐Jun , Lai Qin‐Teng , Tang Zhenhua , Tang Xin‐Gui , Zhao Xin‐Hua , Roy Vellaisamy A. L.
Published: October 2022

Electronic skin (E‐skin), especially the wearable sensors efficiently detect various stimuli attracted huge research interest owing to their potential applications in health monitoring and artificial intelligence. On the other hand, functional polymer composites possessing excellent properties such as light weight, good flexibility, and superior electrical performances, are promising candidates as building blocks for flexible electronics. Accordingly, tremendous efforts are devoted to the development of polymer composites with functional properties for E‐skin applications. Here, recent advances on the controlled fabrication of various fillers based functional polymer composites and their diverse applications in E‐skin are reviewed. In addition, contemporary studies on fabrication strategies, working mechanisms, and device performance for E‐skin based on the functional polymer composites are reviewed, including flexible pressure sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, energy harvesters, and transistors. Furthermore, the applications of functional composite based flexible electronics in healthcare and artificial intelligence are discussed. Finally, the existing challenges and opportunities for the functional composite materials based E‐skin are summarized.
One‐Step Generation of Porous GelMA Microgels by Droplet‐Based Chaotic Advection Effect
Authors: Gan Zhongqiao , Liu Haitao , Wang Yaqing , Tao Tingting , Zhao Mengqian , Qin Jianhua
Published: October 2022

Porous GelMA microgels are promising scaffolds for biomedical research and regenerative medicine due to their special topology, cell‐loading capacity, and high biocompatibility. However, the traditional preparation of porous microgels is often limited by some complex postprocessing processes such as freeze‐drying and swelling equilibrium. Herein, we present a simple strategy for in situ generation of porous GelMA microgels as cell carriers by integrating the placeholder of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and chaotic advection effect of droplets in microfluidic devices. The device is mainly composed of four functional units, including droplet generation, rapid mixing, photopolymerization, and collection. The strategy allows precise control of the size and porosity of the microgels by changing the flow rates of the continuous and dispersed phases. Furthermore, both human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on the surface of obtained microgels show high cell viability, spreading, and proliferation, which indicate their good biocompatibility and potential as microcarriers for various cell types. The proposed strategy provides a novel approach for the preparation of porous microgels holding promise in tissue engineering and scalable cell expansion.
In Situ Cutting of Ammonium Perchlorate Particles by Co‐Bipy “scalpel” for High Efficiency Thermal Decomposition
Authors: Zhou Peng , Zhang Siwei , Ren Zhuoqun , Tang Xiaolin , Zhang Kuan , Zhou Rui , Wu Dan , Liao Jun , Zhang Yifu , Huang Chi
Published: October 2022

Burning rate of solid propellants can be effectively improved by adding catalysts and using smaller size ammonium perchlorate (AP). Although few reports, the exploration of changing the size of AP primary particles by catalysts is of great significance for improving combustion performance. Here, taking Co‐bipy as an example, the potential advantages of such materials as AP decomposition catalysts are reported. Due to the existence of NO3− combined with oxygen rich environment provided by AP, the structural self‐transformation from micronrods to nanoparticles can be quickly realized during the heating process. More importantly, when Co‐bipy decomposes, it can play the role of “scalpel” and in situ cut AP particles. Results show that high‐temperature decomposition of Co‐bipy/AP occurs at 305.8 °C, which is 137.5 °C lower than that of pure AP. Catalytic mechanism is discussed by in situ IR and TG‐IR, CoO can effectively increase the content of reactive oxygen species and weaken the N–H bond, realizing the rapid oxidation of NH3. Eventually, the behavior of Co‐bipy cutting AP particles is tested. This interesting catalyst structure self‐transformation behavior can not only realize the influence on AP, but also perform a positive function in the combustion process of solid propellants, such as opening the adhesive AP interface.
Cosolvent‐Assisted Formation of Charged Ion‐Solvent Clusters and Solid Electrolyte Interphase for High‐Performance Magnesium Metal Batteries
Authors: Xiao Jianhua , Zhang Xinxin , Fan Haiyan , Lin Qiyuan , Pan Ludi , Liu Haowen , Su Yi , Li Xuanzhang , Su Yipeng , Ren Shuaiyang , Lin Yitao , Zhang Yuegang
Published: October 2022

High‐performance magnesium electrolyte is crucial for the practical application of rechargeable Mg batteries. Herein, a bis(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl) ether (BTFE) cosolvent is introduced into the chlorine‐containing Mg electrolytes. Theoretical calculations and experimental characterizations reveal that the positive electrostatic potential distributed around the hydrogen atoms in a BTFE molecule could interact with Cl− and facilitate the formation of charged, instead of neutral, ion‐solvent clusters in the BTFE cosolvated magnesium lithium chloride complex (MLCC) electrolyte, which helps to lift its ionic conductivity. The modified solvation structure also lowers the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level of the ion‐solvent clusters, facilitating the in situ formation of solid electrolyte interphase. Using the BTFE cosolvated MLCC electrolyte, reversible Mg plating/stripping can be achieved at 20 mA cm−2 in a Mg//Mg cell, and an ultra‐long cycle life of 1200 h can be achieved at 5 mA cm−2. The new electrolyte also enables high capacity retention of 160 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles for a Mg//CuS full cell, or super‐long cycle life of over 10 000 cycles at 80 C for a Mg//Mo6S8 full cell. The merits of BTFE cosolvent, universally applicable to other chlorine‐containing Mg electrolytes, open a way to develop practical Mg battery electrolytes.
Nanostructured Co‐Free Layered Oxide Cathode that Affords Fast‐Charging Lithium‐Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Park Geon‐Tae , Sun H. Hohyun , Noh Tae‐Chong , Maglia Filippo , Kim Sung‐Jin , Lamp Peter , Sun Yang‐Kook
Published: October 2022

The development of Co‐free Li[NixMn1−x]O2 cathodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) that can supersede Co‐containing Li[NixCoyMn1−x−y]O2 and Li[NixCoyAl1−x−y]O2 cathodes is considered a priority as Co is associated with price volatility, environmental concerns, and human rights violations. However, the complete removal of Co from cathodes for LIBs is difficult because Co‐free cathodes suffer from structural instability and inferior capacity. In this study, a morphology‐engineering approach is used to develop a Co‐free Li[Ni0.9Mn0.1]O2 cathode with a Ni‐rich core–Mn‐rich shell structure to overcome the limitations of Co‐free Li[NixMn1−x]O2 cathodes. The engineered morphology of the Co‐free Li[Ni0.9Mn0.1]O2 cathode particles effectively dissipates internal strain caused by state‐of‐charge heterogeneity and fracture toughening the cathode. Owing to the effective dissipation of internal strain and chemical protection provided by the Mn‐rich shell, the Co‐free cathode demonstrates excellent long‐term cycling stability; it retains 78.5% of its initial capacity after 2000 cycles at 1 C charge and 0.8 C discharge rates, and retains an unprecedented 79.5% after 1000 cycles under fast‐charging conditions (3 C charge and 1 C discharge). The proposed Co‐free layered oxide cathode represents a next‐generation cathode that affords fast‐charging and durable LIBs, which are more cost effective than LIBs featuring commercial Co‐containing cathodes.
Analysis of secular trends in physical fitness of children and adolescents (8–18 years) from Kraków (Poland) between 2010 and 2020
Authors: Kryst Łukasz , Żegleń Magdalena , Artymiak Paulina , Kowal Małgorzata , Woronkowicz Agnieszka
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The aim of the study was to analyze the changes of the motor skills of children and adolescents from Kraków between 2010 and 2020.

Methods

The group included 4106 children and adolescents (8–18 years of age). The analysis of changes included results of the following fitness tests: backwards overhead medicine ball throw, standing broad jump, dynamometric strength of the hand, flexibility test, as well as shuttle run (10 × 5 m).

Results

A negative trend in both sexes was observed in the results of overhead medicine ball throw. The girls also had a negative intergenerational changes in the results of the shuttle run and the flexibility test. A positive secular trend was also observed in both sexes in relations to the dynamometric force of the right and left hand. In addition, the boys studied in more contemporary times showed better results in the shuttle run, compared to their peers in 2010.

Conclusion

The study reported a decline in overall motor performance in children and adolescents. The observed results may be related to a decrease in the level of physical activity, as well as a higher incidence of overweight and high levels of body fat in the modern population.
Multiprocessing Quantum Computing through Hyperfine Couplings in Endohedral Fullerene Derivatives
Authors: Fu Peng‐Xiang , Zhou Shen , Liu Zheng , Wu Cong‐Hui , Fang Yu‐Hui , Wu Zhi‐Rong , Tao Xing‐Quan , Yuan Jia‐Yue , Wang Ye‐Xin , Gao Song , Jiang Shang‐Da
Published: October 2022

Magnetic molecules have shown great potential in quantum information processing due to the chemical tunablity of their quantum behaviors. Chemical derivatives of endohedral nitrogen fullerenes with long coherence time and rich energy levels were synthesized and studied to demonstrate the ability of multiprocessing in quantum information using electron magnetic resonance. After initialization of the 12‐levelled spin system, subgroups of spin energy levels coursed by the hyperfine couplings can be selectively manipulated. The cooperatively combining of the parallel calculations enabled quantum error correction, increasing the correct rate by up to 17.82 %. Also, different subgroups of transitions divided by hyperfine coupling can be treated as independent qubits, and multi‐task quantum computing were realized by performing Z‐gate and X‐gate simultaneously, which accelerates the overall gating speed.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Defluorinative Coupling of Difluoroalkenes and Aryl Boronic Acids for Ketone Synthesis
Authors: Sun Guangwu , Liu Herui , Wang Xiu , Zhang Wenbo , Miao Wenjun , Luo Qinyu , Gao Bing , Hu Jinbo
Published: October 2022

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed carbonylation reaction is a useful approach for ketone synthesis. However, it is often problematic to use exogenous carbonyl reagents, such as gaseous carbon monoxide. In this manuscript, we report a novel palladium‐catalyzed coupling reaction of gem‐difluoroalkenes and aryl boronic acids that yields bioactive indane‐type ketones with an all‐carbon α‐quaternary center. Characterization and stoichiometric reactions of the key intermediates RCF2PdII support a water‐induced defluorination and cross‐coupling cascade mechanism. The vinyl difluoromethylene motif serves as an in situ carbonyl precursor which is unprecedented in transition‐metal‐catalyzed coupling reactions. It is expected to raise broad research interest from the perspectives of ketone synthesis, fluoroalkene functionalization, and rational design of new synthetic protocols based on the unique reactivity of difluoroalkyl palladium(II) species.
Rhodium Single‐Atom Catalyst Design through Oxide Support Modulation for Selective Gas‐Phase Ethylene Hydroformylation
Authors: Farpón Marcos G. , Henao Wilson , Plessow Philipp N. , Andrés Eva , Arenal Raúl , Marini Carlo , Agostini Giovanni , Studt Felix , Prieto Gonzalo
Published: October 2022

A frontier challenge in single‐atom (SA) catalysis is the design of fully inorganic sites capable of emulating the high reaction selectivity traditionally exclusive of organometallic counterparts in homogeneous catalysis. Modulating the direct coordination environment in SA sites, via the exploitation of the oxide support's surface chemistry, stands as a powerful albeit underexplored strategy. We report that isolated Rh atoms stabilized on oxygen‐defective SnO2 uniquely unite excellent TOF with essentially full selectivity in the gas‐phase hydroformylation of ethylene, inhibiting the thermodynamically favored olefin hydrogenation. Density Functional Theory calculations and surface characterization suggest that substantial depletion of the catalyst surface in lattice oxygen, energetically facile on SnO2, is key to unlock a high coordination pliability at the mononuclear Rh centers, leading to an exceptional performance which is on par with that of molecular catalysts in liquid media.
Ag(I), In (III), and Sn (II) chelates of azo mesalamine drug: Characterization, DFT studies, molecular docking and biological evaluation
Authors: Abdelaziz Ahmad , Gaber Mohamed , El‐Wakiel Nadia , El‐Sayed Yusif S.
Published: October 2022

A new set of Ag(I), In (III) and Sn (II) chelates based on azo dye ligand of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (H2L) were prepared. The structures of this novel chelates have already been confirmed by elemental analysis, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, molar conductance, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and mass spectra. The lower conductivity values showed the non‐electrolytic nature. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were determined through using Coats–Redfern model, also, potential application; the antibacterial activity of the target compounds was tested by examining their effect on the development of various strains of bacteria. Utilizing UV–visible absorption measurements, we investigated the interaction between calf thymus DNA and the evaluated compounds. According to the findings, the intercalative binding approach, the chelates interact with DNA by assessing the binding constants. Additionally, the in vitro antimicrobial properties of the ligand and its metal chelates were evaluated. The theoretical density functional theory (DFT) simulations for the azo dye ligand (H2L) were completed by using B3LYP/6‐311G++ (d,p) basis functions, and the B3LYP/LanL2DZ for Ag(I), In (III), and Sn (II) chelatesshows that the uninuclear Ag(I) and Sn(II) chelates under consideration have a tetrahedral geometry. Although the experimental data are in agreement with the octahedral shape for binuclear In (III) chelate. Molecular docking simulations were carried out using molecular operating environment (MOE) software for the ligand and its chelates. Docking simulation results indicated that the Ag(I) chelate was more potent and exhibited a higher affinity for the (3QKK) protein than the In (III) and Sn (II) chelates. This is in agreements with the biological evaluations under studies.
Placing juvenile specimens in phylogenies: An ontogenetically sensitive phylogenetic assessment of a new genus of iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation, South Africa
Authors: Poole Karen
Published: October 2022

The phylogenetic relationships of the new dryosaurid genus Iyuku are explored using parsimony analysis. As all known specimens are juvenile, each character of the data matrix was examined across all included taxa for morphological changes through ontogeny in the phylogenetic characters. Any character that changed in any taxon was considered an ontogenetically sensitive character (OSC) and coded as unknown for juvenile specimens, including all specimens of Iyuku. This method was tested with three other genera in the data set that are known from juvenile and adult specimens: Orodromeus, Dryosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus. Four separate analyses were performed: (1) standard phylogenetic coding, (2) coding OSCs as unknown for juveniles, with both juvenile and adult OTUs present, (3) removal of adult specimens from second analysis, (4) adult specimens where known, taxa known only from juveniles coded as unknown for OSCs. In all taxa, congeneric juvenile and adult specimens were recovered as sister taxa (analysis 2), and juveniles in analysis 3 were found at a congruent node to the congeneric adult in analyses 1 and 4, though with a loss of resolution in the tree. Consideration of the changes in morphology through ontogeny across a given set of taxa can allow some confidence in the phylogenetic affinities of juvenile specimens. In all analyses, Iyuku is recovered as the sister taxon to Dysalotosaurus within Dryosauridae.
Disentangling classification and regression in Siamese‐based network for visual tracking
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Li Luming , Liu Hong , Yang Peng , Gao Yuanyuan
Published: October 2022

Siamese‐based trackers have made great progress in visual tracking community, however, the shared structure of network between classification and regression tasks limits the ability of the trackers to obtain more robust classification prediction and more accurate regression prediction. In this paper, we propose an effective visual tracking framework (named Siamese Disentangled Tracking‐Head, SiamDTH), which disentangles classification and regression in Siamese‐based network for visual tracking from two aspects: feature decoupling and differentiated tracking‐head. First of all, we gather the features of receptive fields with different scales and ratios, and decouple the correlation features through two different styles of feature fusion mode for classification and regression respectively. Moreover, we design the differentiated tracking‐head structure in the sibling head for discriminately handling the parallel classification and regression tasks on visual tracking. Extensive experiments on visual tracking benchmarks including VOT2018, VOT2019 and OTB100 demonstrate that our proposed SiamDTH achieves state‐of‐the‐art performance with a considerable real‐time speed. Our source code is available at:https://github.com/xl0312/SiamDTH.
A 2‐mA charge‐balanced neurostimulator in 0.18‐μm/1.8 V standard CMOS process
Authors: Hosseinnejad Mahdi , Katebi Mostafa , Erfanian Abbas , Karami Mohammad Azim
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a programmable neurostimulator 4 × VDD with 7.2 V operating voltage in a 0.18‐μm/1.8 V CMOS process. The output voltage compliance exceeds 6.2 V. A current gain control is designed to adjust bias current. A 5‐bit current mode digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC) is used to set delivered current in current driver. A high output impedance current mirror is designed to guarantee charge balancing. The charge mismatch after biphasic stimulation is about 0.14%. Moreover, current mirrors are turned off after stimulation to decrease power consumption. The headroom voltage is about 1 V for all the voltage drivers and the current mirrors. The proposed neurostimulator occupies 0.95 × 0.95 mm2 with a maximum current range of 0–2000 μA and a power consumption less than 60 μW.
Operation of the anti‐doping laboratory for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Authors: Wang Yunfei , Zhang Lisi , Xing Yanyi
Published: October 2022

Doping analysis with a fast‐turnaround‐time reporting of 24/48 h is a “traditional” requirement for major competitions such as the Olympic Games, which require tremendously increased allocation of resources, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The “Closed‐Loop” concept and operation mode established by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (BOCOG) provided a relatively isolated environment to non‐Games‐related civilians. To maintain this system, more than 200 persons were included as supporting crew of the laboratory with massive logistic resources allocated. The National Anti‐Doping Laboratory in Beijing carried out the analysis mission of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. During the Winter Olympics, 3165 samples were analyzed, whereas during the Paralympics, 679 samples were analyzed. The workforce accomplishing this work was composed of 36 domestic analysts, 20 international experts from other World Anti‐Doping Agency‐accredited laboratories, 61 university students with suitable majors, and 12 on‐site instrumental engineers. This article summarizes the achievements from the laboratory's preparation phase; in‐Game operational details such as instruments, methods, workforces, and facility; and the Quality Assurance measures to maintain the integrity and correctness of results reported to the Result Management Authority, with the effect of the pandemic and “Closed‐Loop” situation during the whole process highlighted.
Reactive persistence, spatial management, and conservation of metapopulations: An application to seagrass restoration
Authors: Aiken Christopher M. , Navarrete Sergio A. , Jackson Emma L.
Published: October 2022

Assessing the conditions for persistence of spatially structured populations, especially those that are exploited by humans or threatened by global change, is of critical importance to inform management and conservation efforts. Observations for entire metapopulations are usually incomplete and rarely, if ever, sufficiently long to deduce population persistence from spatial patterns of abundance. Instead, insights based on metapopulation theory are often used for interpreting the demographic trajectories of real populations and for informing management decisions. The classical theoretical tool used to assess conditions for metapopulation persistence is the “invasibility criterion,” which characterizes the asymptotic, or long‐term, stability of a small colonizing population. Essentially, when the linear operator governing the metapopulation dynamics of an invasion event has a positive eigenvalue, recovery and resistance to extinction (resilience) are implied. The converse, however, is not necessarily the case—an invasion may grow over multiple generations, even when the eigenvalues indicate that extinction will eventually occur, a situation referred to here as “reactive persistence.” For the management, restoration, and conservation of real metapopulations subject to continual disturbance, this transient behavior is often more relevant than the asymptotic behavior over long time scales. We develop the theoretical tools for assessing reactive persistence, demonstrating how the conditions for asymptotic and reactive persistence differ in both the patch‐occupancy models suited to many terrestrial populations and those where local patch extinctions can be disregarded in the dynamics, often suited to marine species. After presenting the mathematical basis for generalizing the invasibility criterion to include reactive persistence, we illustrate how these concepts and tools can be applied in practice, using as a case study the population ecology and restoration of the seagrass Zostera muelleri (Irmisch ex Ascherson, 1867) in the Port of Gladstone in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Australia. It is shown how the analysis of the transient dynamics of the Z. muelleri metapopulation can be used to guide restoration efforts. Moreover, it is demonstrated that these reactive persistence concepts provide a more appropriate basis for site prioritization for restoration interventions than traditional stability analysis.
Risk and protective factors for new‐onset binge eating, low weight, and self‐harm symptoms in >35,000 individuals in the UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Davies Helena L. , Hübel Christopher , Herle Moritz , Kakar Saakshi , Mundy Jessica , Peel Alicia J. , ter Kuile Abigail R. , Zvrskovec Johan , Monssen Dina , Lim Kai Xiang , Davies Molly R. , Palmos Alish B. , Lin Yuhao , Kalsi Gursharan , Rogers Henry C. , Bristow Shannon , Glen Kiran , Malouf Chelsea Mika , Kelly Emily J. , Purves Kirstin L. , Young Katherine S. , Hotopf Matthew , Armour Cherie , McIntosh Andrew M. , Eley Thalia C. , Treasure Janet , Breen Gerome
Published: October 2022

Objective

The disruption caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated with poor mental health, including increases in eating disorders and self‐harm symptoms. We investigated risk and protective factors for the new onset of these symptoms during the pandemic.

Method

Data were from the COVID‐19 Psychiatry and Neurological Genetics study and the Repeated Assessment of Mental health in Pandemics Study (n = 36,715). Exposures were socio‐demographic characteristics, lifetime psychiatric disorder, and COVID‐related variables, including SARS‐CoV‐2 infection/illness with COVID‐19. We identified four subsamples of participants without pre‐pandemic experience of our outcomes: binge eating (n = 24,211), low weight (n = 24,364), suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation (n = 18,040), and self‐harm (n = 29,948). Participants reported on our outcomes at frequent intervals (fortnightly to monthly). We fitted multiple logistic regression models to identify factors associated with the new onset of our outcomes.

Results

Within each subsample, new onset was reported by: 21% for binge eating, 10.8% for low weight, 23.5% for suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation, and 3.5% for self‐harm. Shared risk factors included having a lifetime psychiatric disorder, not being in paid employment, higher pandemic worry scores, and being racially minoritized. Conversely, infection with SARS‐CoV‐2/illness with COVID‐19 was linked to lower odds of binge eating, low weight, and suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation.

Discussion

Overall, we detected shared risk factors that may drive the comorbidity between eating disorders and self‐harm. Subgroups of individuals with these risk factors may require more frequent monitoring during future pandemics.

Public Significance

In a sample of 35,000 UK residents, people who had a psychiatric disorder, identified as being part of a racially minoritized group, were not in paid employment, or were more worried about the pandemic were more likely to experience binge eating, low weight, suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation, and self‐harm for the first time during the pandemic. People with these risk factors may need particular attention during future pandemics to enable early identification of new psychiatric symptoms.
Tooth marker of ecological abnormality: The interpretation of stress in extinct mega herbivores (proboscideans) of the Siwaliks of Pakistan
Authors: Ameen Muhammad , Khan Abdul Majid , Ahmad Rana Manzoor , Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Imran Muhammad
Published: October 2022

Climate affects living ecosystems and defines species physiology. Climate change causes certain stress on animals, recorded as Enamel Hypoplasia (EH). Proboscideans, the mega herbivores, were extensively represented in the Siwaliks of Pakistan between the Middle Miocene to Pleistocene (~15.99–~0.6 Ma). This study was carried out on15species from9genera and4families using319teeth from266individual quarries. Our results revealed that20.06% (64/319) ofteeth were infected by EH. Family Deinotheriidae faced higher stress during the terminal of the Middle Miocene(EH 25%). Dental characters of deinotheres indicated that this family preferred soft vegetation like C3plants and failed to survive in grassland ecology at the onset of the Late Miocene (~10–9 Ma). Gomphotheriidae(EH 21.05%)and Stegodontidae(EH 23.40%)survived through warm and dry climatic conditions of the Late Miocene, but could not survive the cool and dry climate of Plio‐Pleistocene where grasslands were abundant with less browsing activity. Family Elephantidae(EH 8.47%)was successful in drier conditions and utilized the exclusive C4diet in open grasslands as efficient grazers, indicated by their tooth morphology. Elephantids were dominant of the proboscideans in open grassland and drier climate during Plio‐Pleistocene in the Indian subcontinent. We assume that change in the Siwalik palaeoenvironment was governed by a microclimate.
Greenhouse gas emissions hotspots and drivers of urban freshwater bodies in areas of the Yangtze River delta, China
Authors: Zhou Xu‐Dong , Kumar Amit , Wang Hong‐Yan , Knorr Klaus‐Holger , Chen Yuan‐Bo , Liu Yi‐Xuan , Lin Jun‐Jie , Han Lei , Yu Zhi‐Guo
Published: October 2022

In the modern era, urban freshwater bodies play a significant role in global carbon (C) budgeting, therefore, impacting climate change under rising global mean temperature. However, the trend, magnitude and drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in these urban freshwater bodies of China remain uncertain. This study investigated temporal changes in GHG emissions in urban water bodies, including artificial lakes, reservoirs, aquaculture ponds and rivers, within a year in Nanjing city in the areas of the Yangtze River delta of China. In addition, meteorological and hydrochemical parameters were measured to elucidate the key drivers of GHG emissions. The results showed that the average annual flux of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in aquaculture ponds was estimated to be 1355.6 mg CO2 m−2 day−1 and 116.6 mg CH4 m−2 day−1, followed by that of artificial lakes were 1172.2 mg CO2 m−2 day−1 and 44.1 mg CH4 m−2 day−1, rivers reached 775.9 mg CO2 m−2 day−1 and 23.9 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 and reservoirs were 170.1 mg CO2 m−2 day−1 and 7.2 mg CH4 m−2 day−1, respectively. The results further suggest that although artificial lakes and aquaculture ponds occupied only 23% of the cumulative area under lakes and ponds in the Yangtze River delta, contribute approximately 43%, about 27.5 Gg C, of total fluxes. Furthermore, high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and low dissolved oxygen (DO) coincided with the high GHG emissions. The study suggests that DO, DOC, temperature and wind speed are the key factors impacting the potential of GHG emissions in urban freshwater ecosystems. Strategic mitigation measures in the vicinity of the urban freshwater bodies could efficiently reduce carbon emissions in the future.
Functional thresholds alter the relationship of plant resistance and recovery to drought
Authors: Ingrisch Johannes , Umlauf Nikolaus , Bahn Michael
Published: October 2022

The ecological consequences of future droughts are difficult to predict due to a limited understanding of the nonlinear responses of plants to increasing drought intensity, which can change abruptly when critical thresholds of drought intensity are crossed. Drought responses are composed of resistance and postdrought recovery. Although it is well established that higher drought intensity increases the impact and, thus, reduces plant resistance, less is known about how drought intensity affects recovery and how resistance and recovery are related. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that resistance, recovery, and their relationship change abruptly upon crossing critical thresholds of drought intensity. We exposed mesocosms of two monospecific stands of the common grassland species Dactylis glomerata and Plantago lanceolata to a large gradient of drought intensity and quantified the resistance and recovery of multiple measures of plant productivity, including gross‐primary productivity, vegetative height, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and aboveground biomass production. Drought intensity had nonlinear and contrasting effects on plant productivity during drought and recovery, which differed between the two species. Increasing drought intensity decreased the resistance of plant productivity and caused rapid compensatory growth during postdrought recovery, the degree of which was highly dependent on drought intensity. Across multiple response parameters two thresholds of drought intensity emerged, upon which we observed abrupt changes in plant resistance and recovery, as well as their relationship. We conclude that across gradients of drought intensity resistance and recovery are tightly coupled and that both the magnitude and the direction of drought effects on resistance and recovery can change abruptly upon specific thresholds of stress intensity. These findings highlight the urgent need to account for nonlinear responses of resistance and recovery to drought intensity as critical drivers of productivity in a changing climate.
State of the art and development trends in numerical simulation for real‐time hybrid simulation
Authors: Dong Xiaohui , Tang Zhenyun , Du Xiuli
Published: October 2022

Real‐time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is a novel testing method that combines numerical simulation and physical testing to evaluate the dynamic performance of engineering structures in large specimens using existing experimental facilities, thus eliminating the scaled effect. In recent years, studies on RTHS have expanded beyond traditional engineering structures, such as wind turbines, automobiles, and ocean structures. Thus far, the dimensions of physical substructures in RTHS are still relatively small, limited by the accuracy of system control for physical systems and the real‐time calculation efficiency of numerical simulations. This study summarizes the achievements of real‐time numerical simulations for RTHS, including the dimensions of the physical specimen, strategy of numerical simulation, and integral algorithms of RTHS. Meanwhile, two theoretically feasible methods based on parallel computing and surrogate models are discussed, which may be the development trends needed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of numerical solutions in real‐time and enlarge the application scope of RTHS.
Oxidation of Cyclo‐Lino Peptides in Linseed Oils during Storage
Authors: Brühl Ludger , Bonte Anja , N'Diaye Katharina , Matthäus Bertrand
Published: October 2022

Linseed oil is appreciated for its high level of linolenic acid. In order to avoid oxidation, the precious storage lipids are protected in the seeds by lignans, tocopherols, and cyclo‐lino peptides. Oxidation of specific cyclo‐lino peptides can be attributed to the formation of a bitter off‐taste in cold pressed linseed oils. A complete degradation of tocopherols and of intact cyclo‐lino peptides CLO, ‐M, ‐N, ‐L, and ‐B to oxidized forms is observed with intermediate oxidation products of the peptides containing methionine oxidized to methionine sulfoxide and further to methionine sulfone during a storage period of 25 d at 60 °C in the dark and of 14 weeks at day light and room temperature. The peroxide value increases to 255 meq O2 kg−1 at the same time. However, during storage at room temperature in the dark only a very limited decrease of the initial tocopherols content of 400 mg/100 g is observed contrasted by an increase of the peroxide value to about 50 meq O2 kg−1 and a more or less complete degradation of cyclo‐lino peptides. While at 6 °C in the dark all oxidation parameters keep stable. The tocopherols and cyclo‐lino peptides show different and independent degradation during these storage conditions.

Practical Application: This work elucidates the role of cyclo‐lino peptides and tocopherols in the complex reactions taking place during oxidation of linseed oil and enables a first evaluation of the antioxidative power of cyclo‐lino peptides at different storage conditions.
Life expectancy and human capital: New empirical evidence
Authors: Vu Trung V.
Published: October 2022

This paper re‐examines a well‐established hypothesis postulating that life expectancy augments incentives for human capital accumulation, leading to global income differences. A major distinguishing feature of the current study is to estimate heterogeneous panel data models under a common factor framework, which explicitly accounts for parameter heterogeneity, unobserved common factors (UCFs), and variables' non‐stationarity. In sharp contrast to most previous studies, I find that the impact of health improvements on human capital accumulation turns out to be imprecisely estimated at conventionally accepted levels of statistical significance. I demonstrate that conventional estimates of the educational returns to rising longevity are derived from estimating misspecified models at least partially due to parameter heterogeneity and the presence of UCFs.
A study of patient‐reported pain during bone marrow aspiration and biopsy using local anesthesia alone compared with local anesthesia with intravenous midazolam coadministration at a tertiary academic hospital in South Africa
Authors: Alzanad Fatima , Feyaza Merga , Chapanduka Zivanai C.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

During the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) procedure, patients report pain of widely variable intensity. There is limited literature on the factors associated with the pain. The use of local anesthesia (LA) only is still widespread although it does not abolish the pain. Midazolam is the most commonly used benzodiazepine for conscious sedation. Our center introduced universal midazolam sedation unless there is a contraindication to its use, 4 years ago. This study assessed the impact of the universal use of intravenous midazolam for BMAB compared to use of LA only. The factors associated with the pain of BMAB, were analyzed.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional study was performed on adult patients who had a BMAB procedure from July 1, 2018 to March 30, 2019. A questionnaire incorporating a visual analog pain scale, was used for data collection.

Results

A total of 182 BMAB procedures were included in the study. Pain was reported in all procedures performed under LA and only in 29.1% of procedures performed with midazolam. Age, sex, race, level of education, body mass index (BMI), indication and diagnosis had no influence on pain. Patients who had previous BMAB experienced less pain. Experience of operator had a significant effect on pain. Midazolam dose showed a negative correlation with pain.

Conclusion

LA only is not enough to abolish pain of BMAB. Midazolam conscious sedation used with LA reduces pain to acceptable levels. Patients with previous experience of BMAB under midazolam premedication reported less pain. Furthermore, the experience of operator reduced the pain significantly.
Experimental analysis of evacuated tube solar air heater (ETSAH) with inbuilt sensible thermal energy storage
Authors: Agrawal Anshu , Kumar Amit , Parekh A. D.
Published: October 2022

In the present work, an evacuated tube solar air heater (ETSAH) with inbuilt sensible heat storage material (SHSM) is experimentally evaluated. The system comprises two sets each having 50 evacuated tubes with an H‐type arrangement and a total collector area of 16.92 m2. For the purpose of hot air generation, ETSAH is simultaneously connected in series and in parallel with and without the use of reflectors. Three different mass flow rates of 122.90, 164.87, and 212.83 kg/h were fixed to get 12 diverse cases of ETSAH operation. The highest hot air temperature reported by the system is 121.7°C when it was connected in series with conventional reflectors at 212.83 kg/h of flow rate and 469 W/m2 average solar intensity. The system reported an overall average energy efficiency of 49.76% and an exergy efficiency of 17.97% with the highest average hot air temperature difference of 56.12°C from 09:00 to 20:00 h. Without the incorporation of any additional SHSM, the average hot air temperature delivered by ETSAH (when under the neighbor building shadow) is 49.73°C logged from 17:00 to 20:00 h. The economic analysis is also carried out to ensure its practical application and feasibility. For the best system performance, the annual cost of hot air generation is 0.0194 Rs./kg (0.0002433 $/kg).